<Aaron Side Story Episode 38>
4. Those who crave power for themselves (8)
* * *
What does it feel like to have no heart, to feel no emotion?
Aaron thought.
I imagined the scenery of a certain funeral.
The deceased is buried in a coffin, and everyone around is crying.
I share my sorrow with the person who left, thinking about the words I couldn’t say and the things I couldn’t convey.
But, only one of them.
There are people who stand still in a daze.
It is not hardened by excessive sadness.
It’s hard because you can’t feel anything.
I know it by reason.
That now is a situation to be sad about. It’s time to shed tears and regret parting with the deceased.
Especially if you had a deep relationship in your life.
But I don’t feel anything.
just standing tall
It’s not sad.
That person is just dead.
I have the confidence to calmly understand.
People around him looked at him and thought.
I couldn’t overcome the sadness and my body stiffened.
You can’t accept the reality that the deceased is dead.
That’s not it.
It’s not that kind of human.
It’s not that I couldn’t accept that person was dead.
just not sad
I don’t feel anything.
That’s it.
If anyone here looked into his mind, it would give them goosebumps.
Suddenly coming to his senses, he began to act out his emotions. This will result in strange treatment.
Pretending to be sad or crying, frowning, grabbing onto the coffin and hanging on.
with an empty heart.
With a chest that doesn’t feel anything.
And, finally, he begins to doubt.
Are you the same type as them?
which mutation is not.
Even so, I don’t feel any fear about it, so I’m confident that I don’t mind at all.
It was sick.
A disease that turns into a monster.
he is sick
* * *
The graveyard is located quite far from the hut.
It must have been a place that Master didn’t want to show much.
Aaron was generally satisfied and returned to the cabin with the boy.
“What does helping do? Be good to you, idiot!”
On the way back, the teacher’s scolding continued.
Aaron smiled and passed it over.
“Oh wow, that’s cheeky. Are you crazy? yes?”
Master is suffering from a mental illness.
He is a patient who needs to be looked after with a warm gaze and a gentle attitude.
“Hey, I want to die! hey!”
Isn’t it because she’s embarrassed to run wild like this?
I was always in a position to help others.
Maybe he’s not used to being in a position where he gets help.
“It’s okay, Master. I will help Master… … Kuck!”
The boy slapped Aaron on the back of the head.
Aaron fell face down.
“Don’t treat me like a sick person because I feel dirty. I can do well on my own.”
“… … .”
“… … Are you dead?”
“no.”
Aaron smiled and stood up.
Blood was pouring out of his nose.
The boy murmured with a frightened expression.
“Have you seen all these idiots?”
“Don’t worry. Because I am strong.”
* * *
——————
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The two who visited the Luanan dimension seemed to be leaving right away.
The boy entrusted Aaron with the role of seeing off the guests.
The location where the dimension gate opens is the empty lot on the side road of the gymnasium.
A dimensional door was open in the middle of the clearing.
“Here you are.”
The portal is connected to Niflheim.
Two figures stood side by side in front of him.
Niflheim’s best swordsman, Ridigion, and the healer he brought.
The two turned their faces as if they had been waiting for Aaron to come.
“Sorry for the late send-off.”
Aaron bowed his head.
“No, we were about to go back soon.”
“Do you have any other business for me?”
“My business is already over.”
Lydigion shook his head.
The reason the man had to come here.
Maybe it’s for testing.
Whether or not he is qualified to be the boy’s successor.
As a result of the battle, Ridigion was convinced and was about to return to the waiting room.
The other thing, then, is the woman who introduced herself as the therapist next to her.
She was staring at Aaron as if she were going to eat him.
The gaze beyond the mask was burdensome.
“Aaron, I’m glad you got the results you wanted.”
“Ah, yes, thank you… … do.”
“Lydigion seems to have recognized you.”
Ridigion added.
“I didn’t admit it. She just understood the man’s choice.”
“Which choice do you mean?”
“The choice to stay here until the end.”
Two eyes cross each other.
An uncomfortable silence followed.
‘What’s the atmosphere like?’
It was like walking on thin ice.
“If we decide, we have no right to tamper with it.”
“So, isn’t that why you came here to convince me? Did Lidigion accept his decision?”
“I don’t know. The intention was unknown. But if you make that decision, you must respect it as a comrade.”
“Even if that decision comes at your own peril?”
“okay.”
The therapist looked away.
He seemed to be organizing his thoughts behind the mask.
“I will go first. Let’s talk about it.”
Ridigion disappeared beyond the portal.
It was an exit without hesitation.
“… … .”
All that remains is Aaron and an unidentified woman.
Aaron swallowed his saliva.
The atmosphere of this place was completely unpredictable.
‘Your decision. persuade. danger?’
I knew that I was talking about the teacher, but I didn’t know the details.
Before long, the woman’s eyes turned to Aaron.
“Aaron, you said you were his disciple.”
“That’s right.”
“Congratulations. Seeing that Ridigion-nim acknowledged it, it seems that the desired results have been achieved.”
can’t read emotions
Are you sincerely congratulating?
Or is it sarcastic?
“Hehe, don’t be too firm. I am not blaming you.”
“Ah, yes… … .”
“There is just one thing I want to ask of Aaron.”
“Are you asking?”
“It’s about him.”
the therapist said.
“Unfortunately, he doesn’t listen to us. He must have closed his heart to us. It wasn’t like that before, which is really sad.”
The therapist said as if recalling the past.
The boy hadn’t done that before.
He was the kind of person who fit in with them and always evoked the atmosphere.
At some point, the boy suddenly locked himself in this space and could not come out.
“You know? The longer you spend in this dimension, the more it erodes the human mind.”
“… … .”
“Of course, I understand the power of karma. It will require a long ordeal. But if you build up enough strength and still stay in this space, you risk more than you need.”
this woman
You know exactly what karma really is.
“We also know that his heart is special. Nonetheless, limitations exist. He has been here too long. too much.”
“Can you tell me a little more?”
Aaron said stiffly.
“I’ll tell you directly.”
“… … .”
“His presence is on the verge of alarm.”
It’s on the verge.
Are you dying soon?
“It is not life, it is existence. Now that you’ve realized it, you know the specificity of karma, right? Those who have realized karma, from then on, cease to be life. It is to become a kind of spirit.”
Complex terms pour out of the therapist’s mouth.
Aaron shook his head desperately to understand the meaning of the words.
“Do you know how karmic death is accomplished?”
“Well, I don’t know.”
“It is the death of existence itself. The fact that it existed in space. That information itself is lost. No one realizes that there was a person, no one recalls it, and it is forgotten forever.”
Aaron opened his mouth.
It’s not just dying.
Does the fact that it existed disappear?
Anybody remember?
“Name, face, age.”
Such a death… … hate.
“It could exist in the beginning. But as time goes by, it is gradually forgotten.”
no one remembers me
You wouldn’t even know I was there.
It was more of a fear than death.
Aaron thought of his teacher’s name.
‘… … .’
good.
I remembered of course.
I can’t forget.
The boy was a benefactor who showed him the way, an incomparable teacher, and like another father.
He started a second life for Aaron, who was frustrated.
“You know?”
the therapist said.
“He needs recuperation. He must leave this place and stay in a normal place. If we somehow quench the fire of karma, there might be a way to turn him back into a human.”
The therapist said conclusively.
The boy needs a recuperation.
We must leave this crazy place immediately.
‘Master is in danger.’
how long have you been here
How many years have you spent here alone?
Aaron doesn’t know.
Even if the boy had no heart, even if he couldn’t feel anything, the passage of time would erode everything.
You can only last longer than others.
Absolutely, there are limits.
“If he dies, that is what he must die as a human being. If it disappears as karma… … We will never even know he existed.”
“… … .”
“You know?”
the therapist added.
“With all due respect, our situation is not good. The Master is elsewhere, and Siris-sama has disappeared. In addition, there are numerous problems large and small. That’s why I have no choice but to ask Aaron.”
“It’s something only I can do.”
“yes. Because you are special to him. It is very rare that he went out this time.”
The boy came out of Luanan to help Aaron grow up.
Was it something unimaginable from the therapist’s point of view?
Hesitation is not necessary.
Aaron replied with a serious face.
“I’ll do it. If it’s for Master.”
“Hey, may I ask you a favor?”
“Because I received many things from Master. So, persuade Master and bring him outside. That will do.”
The therapist nodded slightly.
‘Master’s condition is not good.’
If you think about it, wasn’t it normal?
The boy had been in this place since the distant past.
In any case, the only person who can convince the boy is himself.
“you… … Can I trust you?”
said the woman behind the mask.
It was a soft voice, but there was a small tremor in it.
Aaron could see how much she valued the boy as a colleague.
“I’ll do it.”
Sincerity is given back with sincerity.
Aaron made up his mind.
“Even risking my life.”
“Then I will believe you.”
It felt like the face behind the mask was smiling.
The therapist politely bowed her head and headed for the portal.
“Oh, wait a minute. I have a few requests for you, Master.”
“If I can.”
Aaron made several demands.
“If that’s the case, let’s try.”
“Please.”
“Whoops. Aaron is sincere.”
The healer let out a light laugh, then swung his robe and disappeared into the portal.
And the dimensional door closed.
In this way, the two guests left Luanan.
for now.
for a very long time.
Aaron will have to spend countless twilights alone with the boy.
‘I have two goals.’
Awakening to karma and gaining the path, Aaron’s journey was not over.
Rather, it was just the beginning.
‘I make sure that karma is mine.’
just took the first step
According to the boy, karma is a force like a wild horse that is unbridled, and ultimately leads to the destruction of the user.
Nameless tombstones must have been erected that way.
You have to control this power and make it your own.
‘I’m taking Master out of here.’
They said that the boy’s lifespan was short.
It may have been for that reason that he brought Aaron in and raised him.
He wanted to leave an heir before he died.
If that’s the case, after being recognized and reassured by the master, take them out of here.
‘two.’
I don’t know how much time is allowed.
But I decided not to forget.
As if he never forgot his pure dream of becoming stronger even though he went through life and death again and again.
step by step.
Even if it’s slow, move slowly and faithfully.
That was Aaron’s way of life.
‘This is the last test.’
Whether you are qualified to deal with karma or not.
Whether or not he can follow his master’s footsteps.
It was the final test to prove your qualifications.
Aaron turned his back in the clearing.
Then we headed towards the cabin.
* * *
Time goes by.
Time passed.
Time passed.
The dream of eternity bites its tail and continues.
Repeating life and death, the pure dream only grows.
What was the strength for?
Time is a cycle.
It destroys all things and also gives birth.
Can the light of the heart withstand the power that even extinguishes the light of the stars?
* * *
Chijik.
Jijik.
<Master.>
<I… … .>
* * *
Ugh.
It was a familiar vacant lot.
The portal to Niflheim opened.
“Ha, it took a long time.”
The boy let out a deep sigh.
“How long has it been since you left here? Oh, was it during the last event? Do you remember, kid?”
Tuk-tuk.
The boy patted the back of the young man next to him.
“… … .”
There is no light in the young man’s eyes.
Empty and transparent light like a glass bead.
But suddenly.
The light of reason returned to those eyes.
The young man replied as if nothing happened.
“okay. At that time, it was the first time since leaving the competition. It feels so far away.”
“It seems like it actually is.”
“… … .”
The light in the young man’s eyes disappeared.
The boy laughed and tugged at the young man’s ear.
Reason comes back again.
“Ouch! Why are you doing that!”
“A grown-up is talking, but don’t you pretend to listen? You grew up a lot, kid?”
“Oh no! Just something to think about!”
“Are you going to think about things in front of your teacher?”
“That, an important matter, an important matter!”
“Ugh. What? An important matter.”
“Important matter… … important issue… … important issue… … ”
The light in the eyes disappears.
The young man repeated the same words in the same tone like a machine.
As the boy tugged at his ear again, the young man screamed in agony.
“It hurts!”
“You have to stay focused. Wake up, dude.”
“Then live a little longer… … .”
“You, do you know what’s going on outside?”
The young man looks back at the boy.
“The situation outside seemed unusual, didn’t it? Well, the Master is dangerous, the game system is broken, they say it’s a piece of shit.”
“Is it broken?”
“The goddess said that if you climb the tower all the way, the world will be restored, it was a lie! Your brother ate so many taffy there that his head went crazy. From what I’ve heard, it’s not a fuss about dying or not?”
“Brother? Is that really it!”
“okay. your dear brother one israat. The goal you wanted to become stronger.”
target.
Light returns to the eyes of a young man who has lost his reason.
“… … !”
The young man frowned.
It was confusing.
Memories are jumbled, jumbled, jumbled, nothing can be discerned.
‘older brother.’
Things are not good outside.
Your brother’s life may be in danger.
said the Master.
‘I have to help.’
Otherwise, Aaron’s years of endurance would be meaningless.
I couldn’t finish it without swinging the spear once.
‘I, this me.’
Any help would be great.
Anything has to be done.
‘but.’
I feel like I’m missing something.
It was something very important.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t remember very well.
It feels just like that.
I had a certain intense dream, but when I woke up, I couldn’t remember what the dream was about.
In fact, maybe this is a dream too.
There is no sense of reality.
“Master.”
“why?”
“dream… … I think I dreamed of it.”
Aaron said in a hollow voice.
“In a dream… … I am… … .”
“stop.”
“yes?”
“Forget that dream.”
“but.”
“It’s a dream.”
said the boy.
“You are here, and I am here. Nothing happened.”
“Yes… … That’s right.”
Aaron was convinced.
okay.
Master is here.
he is here too
There is nothing wrong with it.
Because a more important problem is blocking my eyes.
Aaron raised the silver spear given to him by Lydigion.
Ugh!
Sharp shadows gathered at the tip of the spear.
‘do.’
He definitely made the karma his own.
I was able to use the shadow much stronger and more effectively than when I first dealt with karma and struggled with that man.
It may already be too late.
The older brother he respected became dangerous, and now everything may be irreversible.
A look of uneasiness flashed across Aaron’s face.
“are you okay.”
The boy looked at Aaron.
As always, a funny expression.
“Do something.”
“yes.”
Let’s do something.
Because he has this power he learned from his master.
Aaron walked toward the portal with firm steps.
“By the way, Master.”
Suddenly Aaron stopped.
Master looked back.
“What was Master’s dream?”
As if to say something, the master blinks his eyes.
“That’s because I don’t think I’ve ever asked.”
“It is my dream.”
The boy thought for a moment and then replied.
“I felt unfair because I had no talent.”
“… … .”
“My dream was revenge against the world. I hated the world where everything was decided by talent. So I wanted to prove it.”
Revenge on the world.
I want to prove that I can do it even if I have no talent.
Aaron nodded.
‘The source of Master’s karma is revenge against the world.’
what.
this… … it wouldn’t have been
weird.
‘plural?’
The boy recited his past.
“I cursed God every night. Why did you give me this talent?”
“… … .”
“So, it’s a match. with the world Whoever wins, keep going like this… … .”
“… … lie.”
“what?”
“The dreams Master says are all lies.”
said Aaron.
“Because I know. I mean I know. What was Master here for? that dream… … .”
“You haven’t woken up yet.”
The boy put his hand on Aaron’s forehead.
That alone.
The young man’s eyes blur.
“are you okay.”
“… … .”
“Let’s start again.”
Chijik.
* * *
Memories mix and blend.
All of the above is false.
delusion and deceit
* * *
Ugh.
It was a familiar vacant lot.
The portal to Niflheim opened.
“Ha, it took a long time.”
The boy let out a deep sigh.
“How long has it been since you left here? Oh, was it during the last event? Do you remember, kid?”
Tuk-tuk.
The boy patted the back of the young man next to him.
“Yes, I remember.”
Aaron answered right away.
can’t forget
‘I think I had a dream.’
a long dream.
However, Aaron decided not to recall the contents of the dream.
A dream is a dream and reality is reality.
beyond this portal.
A harsh reality awaits him.
“Are you prepared?”
“yes.”
The situation outside is dire.
I heard it from my master.
My brother is in danger.
A broken world may not be restored.
He said he might never see Nina again.
But don’t give up.
I struggled a lot to get this power.
decided to do something
It may have been too late, but it couldn’t have ended like this.
‘Master.’
Aaron turned around.
The boy is by his side, and he is here.
Only that was true.
“Do something.”
“yes.”
Aaron made up his mind.
Because he has this power he learned from his master.
Aaron walked toward the portal with firm steps.
like that,
Aaron Delcurd’s training in Luanan has come to an end.
