The bear is far away…
“Haa. Seriously, you…”
I had told him about the Necronomicon in the basement, but while rummaging through books, he completely forgot and was left behind. Sahzan, it seems, wandered the library in tears.
…It’s too much of a nuisance.
Even though he shamelessly joined us for meals, he went off to look for books prioritizing his own desires, which is why this happened.
As I was dumbfounded, Sahzan, who had apparently recovered easily in the meantime, found Serie-san and called out to her.
“Ah, you! You’re one of the staff here! I have something to say to you!!”
“…What is it?”
At that moment, my sensitivity to Serie-san’s mood, heightened by repeated crises, sounded an alarm.
Although it wasn’t visible on her face, this was a reaction when she was genuinely angry.
Sensing an imminent, massive explosion, I hesitated for a moment whether to mediate for Serie-san or stop Sahzan, and in the end,
“………”
I decided to silently await Sahzan’s self-destruction.
It would be good to give her a little scolding for her unrestrained behavior.
Besides, if Sahzan’s anger was directed elsewhere, it might keep me from being questioned about the mole incident, a brilliant calculation.
“This is it, this!”
However, the situation took an unexpected turn.
Seeing what Sahzan thrust out with a disgruntled voice, Serie-san’s expression finally clouded over.
In the hands of the enraged Sahzan was a small slate about the size of a notebook.
Shimmering letters were etched on it in ancient script.
“It said it was a precious video record of the heroes who sealed the Evil God, so I was looking forward to it, but nothing happens when I touch it!”
The slate Sahzan swung around was likely the exhibit in the exhibition room labeled “Evil God War Video Record.”
On the familiar slate, it read:
“To those who will one day possess the qualifications of a hero, this record is left behind.
If you wish to inherit the will of the hero Alex and defeat the Evil God,
follow the path of the ancient heroes and witness their fate.
>>Episode 1”
And, this guy, she actually took the exhibit, didn’t she?
She casually did what countless skilled “Nekomeko” players across the country (their total number is said to be thousands, or hundreds, or at least about fifty, perhaps) could not achieve.
…Well, it’s probably a specification change due to its materialization.
In the game, that slate, like the walls and ceiling, was treated as terrain and could not be interacted with, but it seems in this world, it can be freely carried around.
But what does she mean by “nothing happens”?
Touching the “Episode 1” link at the end of the slate should have magically activated the video…
“I apologize. That is for viewing purposes only, and you cannot actually watch the record.”
As if to deepen that question further, Serie-san bowed her head.
This should have been a good development for me, but I couldn’t help but chime in.
“Wait a minute! Isn’t that thing supposed to activate just by touching the ‘Episode 1’ part?”
I had used that slate several times myself.
I was sure of it, but Serie-san shook her head.
“No. I tried it too, but nothing happened.”
“That can’t be…”
Was there some kind of specification change?
As I tilted my head again,
“Well, maybe I’ll give it a try~”
A small hand reached out from the side and snatched the slate from Sahzan’s grasp.
“Maki? What are you doing…”
Amidst everyone’s surprised stares, Maki, who had taken the slate from Sahzan, said,
“For this kind of thing, you just have to try it first, without all the fuss.”
She held the slate high and boasted.
“Ah, no, wait—”
I tried to stop her, realizing Maki’s next action, but it was too late.
“Episode 1 Start! Ta-da—”
Maki’s brave shout echoed in the library, and a moment later, Maki curled up, hugging herself, and sat down on the spot.
Everyone blinked, not understanding what had happened, as Maki, looking somewhat frightened, raised her face.
“…Did I… come back?”
Maki, who usually wouldn’t say such a thing, muttered in a trembling voice. When she saw me, she jumped on me.
“Soma! It… it was scary!”
I thought, “It’s a day I get jumped on a lot,” as I caught her.
“That’s why I always tell you not to mess with things without thinking.”
“Ugh—!”
Maki let out a dissatisfied sound in my chest, but whether she realized it was her own fault, she didn’t argue back.
My companions watched me patting Maki’s shoulder from a distance, but eventually, Serie-san came forward as their representative.
“What happened? For her to be so frightened in that instant, perhaps this is quite dangerous…”
“Ah, no. For us, it was an instant, but for Maki, it wasn’t.”
“Yes?”
As I was gently stroking and comforting the still-crying Maki, I replied.
“—In that instant, Maki witnessed an hour-long massacre.”
To put it simply, this “Evil God War Record Footage” is an item that allows you to watch the journey of the past heroes as they sealed the Evil God in what is called the Evil God War.
Some of the footage was used in promotional materials before the game’s release, and perhaps because of that, it was made with considerable effort.
It has a volume that stands out among the hour-long in-game movies.
Graphics of higher quality than the main story, with powerful camerawork.
Epic music composed by a famous composer, unforgettable once heard.
This overwhelming potential achieved a miraculous harmony, and everything coalesced in a negative direction as if orchestrated.
According to the official announcement, this work has a total of fifteen episodes. The first episode, which begins the story, is the usual tale of a hero’s village being attacked by monsters and wiped out.
In other words, the deaths of the hero’s family and friends, to whom the viewer becomes attached at the beginning of the story, are presented with higher-than-average-quality graphics, powerful camerawork, and an overwhelming one-hour volume, a worst-case scenario.
Although there are rating issues, and depictions of blood are subdued, this is clearly harassment, or rather, torture.
Moreover, like the staff roll, there is no interruption mechanism, and once you start watching, the only way to stop is by operating the general menu to stop the game.
In this world where the menu screen cannot be accessed, it is effectively impossible to stop.
Also, perhaps not wanting to interfere with the famous composer’s music, the characters have no voice acting, creating a silent film-like state that was popular in ancient times.
Furthermore, perhaps the famous composer’s fee was higher than expected, as only one song has been prepared, so the heroic music continuously builds the atmosphere, even during somber and heartwarming moments, a divine direction.
After all, the impactful song, unforgettable once heard, loops non-stop for an hour, making the level of mental contamination quite significant.
For several days afterwards, the song won’t leave your head, and you’ll find yourself humming it unconsciously when you’re not paying attention.
Incidentally, this video also has a flaw: “it’s only supported by sight and hearing.”
Normally, VR videos either share all bodily sensations with the characters or block out unnecessary sensations otherwise.
However, in “Nekomeko,” for some reason, it uses a baffling method of overwriting only sight and hearing while maintaining the player’s sensory state.
Logically speaking, it’s like “your body stays in the library, but only your eyes and ears travel to the battlefield of the past.”
Your feet are on the ground, but your perspective is in the sky, which causes considerable confusion. Moreover, while you can close your eyes or cover your ears, you cannot cut off the visual and auditory information this way.
For an hour, you are bombarded with extremely powerful depressing videos from your eyes and endlessly looping loud music from your ears, while completely unrelated information comes in from all other senses. What kind of brainwashing program is this?
In a normal game, this could lead to a recall incident, but sadly, for the “Nekomeko” players who have come this far, such things no longer cause them to flinch or be surprised.
“Ugh, ugh. They all disappeared suddenly, and I was in some strange place, what should I do!”
However, for Maki, who was not accustomed to “Nekomeko,” it must have been a surprising experience.
I gently pat her back, as I often did when I was in Japan, to calm her down.
“I don’t accept this! Why is it usable for Maki but not for me, a genius magician!”
Then, for an unexpected reason, Sahzan started to rant excitedly. The reason, though, is not entirely unimaginable.
“Perhaps, ‘those who possess the qualifications of a hero’ refers to the players.”
Of course, NPCs in the game do not have the ability to watch videos.
However, in the game, humans in this world can do things that only players could do, so it’s hard to say for sure, but it wouldn’t be strange if this slate were player-exclusive.
Maki didn’t seem to remember “The Incarnation of Rage” either, and didn’t react to the Demon Lord’s final form, so whether she was being treated as a player was uncertain. However, if people in this world cannot operate it, we can assume she has some special privilege.
“If I could use this too, it would be confirmed…”
Unfortunately, this slate has a recharge time before it can be used again, and continuous playback is not possible.
As proof, at the end of the slate, there is a link to Episode 1 and a new link to Episode 2, but they are not illuminated.
I believe it becomes usable again after 24 hours, but nothing should happen if you touch it until then.
By the way, Episode 1 had a volume of one hour, but perhaps having exhausted its power and budget, Episode 2 only plays for thirteen minutes.
Furthermore, Episode 3 is only six minutes long, and Episodes 4 onwards have not yet been created.
It is truly a “Nekomeko”-like anticlimactic ending.
“…I guess not. I’ll have to come back here tomorrow.”
As I said with resignation, Serie-san made an unexpected proposal.
“No, in that case, you can take the slate with you.”
“Eh? Is that okay?”
“Yes. It seems ordinary people can’t use it, and if you tell that submerged prince you need it, no one will complain.
And more importantly… I don’t want to leave such a dangerous item in the library.”
She said the last part, glancing at Maki.
…Hmm.
It feels like I’ve been gotten rid of, but it’s a proposal I can’t refuse.
As I put the slate in my bag, Sahzan sidled up to me.
“Hey, Soma! If you get to see the continuation, tell me about it!”
I thought, “Here we go again.”
Even if she can’t see it directly, she can hear about it.
That’s true enough.
“But are you interested in this sort of thing?”
I have the image of Sahzan being a magic idiot, but perhaps she likes heroes?
When I asked, the masked idiot magician proudly puffed out her chest.
“Hmph! Didn’t you know? My goal is to defeat the Evil God!
My immediate goal is to find and defeat some fragments of the Evil God and get my family to acknowledge my power.”
“Oh. Is that so?”
Besides, I’m surprised Sahzan has any serious goals.
“But weren’t you there when we defeated the Demon Lord and the Evil God fragment at the altar of sacrifice?
Isn’t that enough?”
“Of course not! We didn’t fight either the Demon Lord or the Evil God fragment properly!”
Well, I suppose.
Being drowned or setting a Yellow Slime on them might not be enough to prove her abilities.
“That’s why I’m researching the Evil God War to obtain information about the Evil God.”
“Hmm.”
“What is it! Your reaction is so lukewarm!”
Sahzan got angry, but unfortunately, I’m not very interested in that sort of thing.
I gathered all sorts of information about “Nekomeko,” but frankly, I’m clueless about the world-building or setting.
The “Nekomeko Wiki” had specialized analysis pages and was quite lively, but my playstyle was to gain more levels than to know such things.
However, “Nekomeko” is not just a crappy game; it’s a crappy game with high specs and potential.
In short, it’s a work made with great care, but that care has consistently resulted in negative outcomes. Despite that, there are some shining parts.
The abundant skills and special magic system, compared to other major games, are one such example. Moreover, the world-building is surprisingly detailed, and the story and events have incredibly intricate foreshadowing woven into them.
…However, it’s also true that the staff’s communication failed, leading to contradictory settings, and foreshadowing was established but never resolved. The excellent parts are always nullified.
“Honestly, it’s hopeless. Here, I’ll lend you this, so study up!”
With that, Sahzan took out a children’s book from inside her cloak called “The Evil God War ~Birth of the Hero King~”.
Why does this guy have such a thing hidden in his cloak?
I wish he’d return my Fingerless Gloves instead of this. While making a face at the book, warmed by human skin, I flipped through the pages.
It clearly explained various things that I didn’t quite remember.
How the hero Alex overcame God’s trials, obtained the divine sword Altihate, and sealed the Evil God.
How the Evil God was divided into its main body and four fragments, sealed in various parts of the country.
How Alex had five companions, but their subsequent fates are barely revealed, not even their names.
How Alex, who sealed the Evil God, built a country in that land and became its first king.
How his great achievements and noble spirit were celebrated, leading to the birth of a religion that venerated Alex as a saint.
And then, I stopped turning the page when I saw a picture of the Capital City Richter, which prospered under King Alex.
“Huh? This shape… I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere recently…”
As I was looking at the overall map of the capital city at that time, Maki peeked over from the side.
“Hm? Oh, this shape is exactly the same as the current capital city!
It looks just like the map at the entrance of the capital city!
Even though it’s a city from a long time ago, it’s amazing!”
“I think your ability to recover so quickly is also quite amazing.”
I remarked sarcastically, but Maki’s distance from me was closer than usual.
Perhaps the shock from earlier is still lingering.
“…Hm?”
As I tried to return my gaze to the picture of the capital city, I felt a light impact on my other arm.
Looking, Ena was leaning her head against my shoulder.
When I looked towards her, Ena hastily pulled her head away and smiled.
“Um… I… I did it too. J-Just kidding.”
It didn’t make sense. Ena, perhaps flustered by her own strange behavior, waved her hands.
“M-More importantly! Shall we go back upstairs first?
I’m a little tired because so much happened in a short time.
I’d like to sit on a chair and rest for a bit…”
“You’re right…”
There were still a few things bothering me, but I could read anywhere.
It would be better to discuss future plans after leaving the basement and calming down.
As we started walking towards the stairs, Layla, with her head bowed, approached us.
“Soma. I’m returning this.”
And she thrust the Necronomicon at me. It seemed I was to accept it.
“Is that okay?”
I thought she was quite attached to this book, but to my question, Layla nodded with a forced smile.
“Y-Yes. It’s a little sad, but… but if my selfishness causes Soma trouble, I’d hate that even more.
So, I want Soma to have it.”
“I-I see…”
It felt a bit exaggerated for a single book, but seeing her look at me like she was parting with a child being sold, I couldn’t help but feel guilty.
“Ah, um, I’ll give you a gift next time, Layla, okay?”
“Y-Yes! Then I’ll cherish it forever!”
The fate of a gift I haven’t even bought yet has already been decided.
I tried to reply, making sure my face wasn’t contorted.
“Ah, yes. I would be happy if you did.”
“I’m glad! If you’re happy, Soma, I’m happy too!”
“…I see. That’s good.”
As we continued our heavy conversation, we left the basement.
When we returned to our original location, it was still the same.
The area was overflowing with people slumped over tables or leaning against chairbacks, asleep.
The only survivor was that priestess, who continued her work intently while everyone else dozed.
As if finishing her work, she gave a victorious pose.
Beside her stood a tower of books, skillfully stacked vertically.
…What on earth is she doing?
“—Ha!?”
Realizing she was being watched, she hastily tidied her demeanor and looked at the tower of books, tilting her head as if in thought, but what was so puzzling about it?
And then, perhaps due to losing focus, the tower of books lost its balance, and the priestess-like woman was crushed beneath the fallen books.
As I couldn’t help but smile at the sight,
“—What is this?”
Serie-san, who had caught up, let out a stunned voice from behind.
(This is bad…)
Serie-san, who loves the library more than anyone, cannot possibly be indifferent to the laziness of the library users.
She must have seen this scene once when she came to call me, but she was rushed then, and she was so elated that she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings.
Seeing this disaster with fresh eyes now, she seems to be on the verge of an explosion.
“W-Well, it’s a nice day, so maybe you don’t need to be so strict about a little bit of napping…”
“This! Does this look like just a little bit to you?!”
Serie-san’s angry shout made me flinch.
For a moment, I thought Serie-san was angry enough to yell that loudly. However,
“What is happening in *my* library?
This, this is strange…”
She was frightened. She was experiencing fear at the sight before her, at this situation.
Prompted by her attitude, I looked around again.
I looked at the scene with a completely fresh perspective. Then, my throat naturally let out a sound.
…That’s right.
Why didn’t I find it strange?
Almost all of the dozen or so users I could see were sleeping.
…Is that really possible?
“The admission fee for this library is not cheap.
So, only those with proper intentions… but this…”
As the words spilled from Serie-san, a creeping anxiety spread.
An entrance fee of 2000 E.
Would someone who paid such a large sum spend their time so idly?
Also, that’s right.
What did Mitsuki say when she first saw this scene?
“When we first arrived, everyone seemed a bit more alert, but it is the time of day…”
We just didn’t notice it, but the abnormality was gradually…
“Soma. Perhaps, it’s a little serious.”
“Maki?”
I looked up at the urgency in Maki’s voice, which interrupted my thoughts.
Maki approached the table, her hand on the shoulder of the man slumped there, and said with a tearful face.
“—Why? This person won’t wake up no matter how much I shake him.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
Thinking it couldn’t be, I rushed to a nearby table and called out to the fallen person.
“Excuse me, please wake up! Wake UP!!”
In my anxiety, I was too rough and pulled the person and their chair to the ground.
But even then, the person remained asleep.
Not reacting at all.
“What is this…”
At this point, I was finally certain that this was an abnormal situation.
And the scariest thing is that this event never happened in the library in the game.
No, not just the library, I’ve never experienced a mass coma incident.
It’s a completely unknown phenomenon.
“We have to call for help! This library, it’s been attacked, by something…”
“Serie-san!”
As Serie-san stumbled while shouting, I ran to her and hastily supported her.
“Because you’re not getting enough sleep and pushing yourself…”
The words I spoke froze mid-sentence.
Looking at Serie-san, who was looking up at me with a hazy gaze, the worst possible prediction crossed my mind.
Serie-san’s discomfiture, both last time and now.
Was it truly just simple sleep deprivation?
“…No way.”
The possibility that flashed through my mind at that moment was something that could only be called delusion.
But once I started to doubt, once I started to think, it was a slippery slope. The things I had seen and heard in the past few days, the words I had paid no mind to, all flooded back at once.
Information swirled and raced through my mind. The scenes I had witnessed, the words I had heard, which had lingered in the corners of my mind for no reason, gathered and formed a single shape.
—Serie-san’s indisposition. Rumors of the Cathedral. The Magician’s Guild.
—Sahzan’s words. Magic circles. The two who were unharmed.
—The escape with Ena. The light from the heavens. The Mithril theft incident.
—And, the unchanging cityscape of the capital, as it has always been.
What if all of it, every bit of it, was related?
“…I have to check.”
It sounded absurd.
But to confirm that…
“—Outside.”
Holding Serie-san, I stood up and said,
“Layla, please.”
“Eh? Ah, Soma!?”
I handed the limp Serie-san to Layla and ran out without hesitation.
“Soma-san! W-Wait!”
I heard Ena’s voice from behind, but I didn’t stop running.
Slipping through the motionless people, I reached the library entrance.
I passed the collapsed staff at the counter and burst out of the library.
“—Tch!”
Stepping outside, I narrowed my eyes slightly at the quietness, a stark contrast to the abnormality and chaos within the library.
No, this quietness itself is the abnormality.
It’s this time of day.
Even on the outskirts of the city, there should be a certain level of liveliness.
“What on earth has happened?!”
I asked Mitsuki, who had caught up, without looking back.
“Mitsuki. Did you pass anyone on your way to the shrine today?”
“Eh? …No, come to think of it.”
It was close by, and I was in a hurry, so I didn’t pay it much mind. The only person we encountered on our way to the shrine was the old woman lying on the street, whom Ringo had attended to.
“…I’m an idiot.”
Perhaps it started just after we defeated the Demon Lord, or maybe even earlier.
There were more than enough hints.
Even if no one else noticed, I — I alone should have noticed.
No, not yet!
If I failed, I can still retrieve it from here!
“Everyone, from now on—”
As I turned to give instructions, I felt a light impact on my arm.
Looking, Ena was leaning her head against my shoulder.
I couldn’t help but chuckle wryly.
“Ena. Fucking around at a time like this…”
As I said that, I reached out my hand towards Ena.
However, Ena’s body slipped through my hand as if it were intangible, and with a dull thud, she fell to the ground.
She didn’t move at all.
“E-Ena?”
A hoarse sound escaped my lips.
—But the girl with chestnut hair did not reply.
