Knox revealed not only the real names and pasts of his colleagues involved in the 'uprising,' but also those of his own. That meant I had to reveal the same amount of information about myself.
'I don't want to... I can't help it.'
While hesitating, I felt the noose slowly tightening. When I entered the lab, my face wrinkled from the throbbing sensation.
I had intended to come separately from Kyle. I was reluctant to tell Knox things he hadn't told me first.
'Of course, I couldn't persuade him.'
I was strangled in the lab yesterday, so he couldn't leave me alone. I understood.
"Shh."
Kyle wrapped his arms around my shoulders, as if he was worried about me touching my neck. He smiled at me with affectionate eyes.
Fair enough. That's about it. It's not a big secret, and I had thought I would tell him someday if the opportunity arose.
"... It's Bae Bae-hyun, my name."
It was a name I had never pronounced aloud since I came to this world. Somehow, it felt awkward.
I sat lightly on the iron test table and spoke.
"In the world I lived in, there was nothing magical or supernatural. Even if there was science, there were no demon beasts, of course... I was just an ordinary office worker. I developed games."
"Game? What is that?"
Knox, who was diligently mixing something in a glass flask, asked.
"It's a kind of fantasy experience. Like novels and movies. It's about making a non-real, fictional world enjoyable for people. The system, like an office assistant, gives orders, provides appropriate rewards, and facilitates interactions between people and characters."
The hurried movement stopped. Knox looked at me with a look of considerable interest.
"It's like a wizard."
"It's different. Magic interferes with reality, but games don't. There's a clear distinction between fantasy and reality. No matter how much you love a virtual space, it means there's no way for it to become real."
Kyle seemed to be pondering, and Knox seemed very interested.
"Hmm, good. I suppose that's enough for us to exchange secrets. By the way, 'Bae Bae-hyun.' It's a strange name."
"It's from a different world. Now, let's get to today's questions. Shall I go first?"
"Don't you have to worry about what to ask today?"
"I thought about it in advance."
He laughed meaningfully.
"You'll regret it, kid."
"What is it?"
"... No. You'll like it. Anyway, ask."
I started asking questions right away.
"The Northern Wizards decided to cooperate with the Emperor to complete the 'Heart of Winter', correct? That's why it caused the disappearance case."
"Yes, that's right."
Knox added, as if speaking sincerely.
"'Drowning' enjoyed negotiating with the new emperor. He was an opponent who could be properly manipulated and exploited. A little stupid, perhaps."
Lorenz also had a knack for manipulating things, but these guys were even more cunning.
I nodded and continued to the next question.
"Were the mages who attacked us in the Imperial City also corpses? Just like the servants of this magic tower."
"That's not the case. Those people were alive. Finding those who can be used in such a way is also one of 'Drowning's' hobbies."
I squinted my eyes and checked the abnormal interference rate.
[Current Incident Interference Rate 36%]
The speed of climbing was fast, perhaps because of the gathering of quite important information. I felt a little nauseous inside. As I bit my lip, Kyle carefully wrapped his hands around my cheeks.
"Your complexion is bad, Shu."
"... It's all because of him. Please take revenge later."
"Yes."
It was a joke to reassure him, but it seemed that he took it seriously. Well, it doesn't matter. He's the one who has to fight anyway.
I went straight to the third question.
"The Heart of Winter. He said that when he finished it, he would give it to Lorenz. On that condition, you must have joined hands."
It's true that the Wizards are a nuisance in the North, but in fact, the people of the Blake Estate are only an enemy and have nothing to do with the capital. No, on the contrary, Lorenz would be happy to quarrel with us and them. How dare he put it in his own hands? He can kill Kyle without getting blood on his own hands.
In exchange for giving the wizards a little power and pretending not to know their tyranny, if he were to give him a heart that could live forever, Lorenz would give his people a little bit of a lesson. It seems that it can be taken out and handed over.
'Maybe he thought it was a surplus business.'
That's what happens when you go crazy with power. He was also a disgusting human being.
However, that's not what matters now.
"But I am not the one who will obediently present the heart that I have completed through such hard work. That's right, that's it."
"...."
Knox once said. He said he could control something with a heart.
"You're trying to manipulate Lorenz while pretending to cooperate, right?"
It was expected that they would not join hands with Lorenz without a fight, but Knox's story about 'Drowning' was more decisive. She said she wanted to reign like a queen. If you can make a king of a country your puppet, there is no better way to play.
"Is that the question you want to ask?"
"Yes."
He chuckled.
"Withhold an answer."
"Are you saying you want to exercise your right to remain silent?"
"I don't know. It's a bit of a waste to use the only one now. It's not a very difficult question to answer. Let's just say I'm doing you a small favor in case you'll be in trouble later."
Going to get in trouble?
I looked up at Knox. He took the liquid shimmering with blue light and handed it to me in an elongated glass.
"Don't worry, it's not poison. Maybe it will help you."
I didn't drink it right away, but looked at Knox's blue eyes. When Knox first explained the rules, he said that if you don't want to answer the other person's question, there is a way to calm down with fair silence.
'Does it mean that I am going to ask a question that I don't want to answer? After answering the question, it might be a joke.'
[You better think carefully! (＞︿＜);;;]
The system, which had been standing still in the corner, also carefully agreed with my opinion.
Knox still stared down at me with a smile. I didn't hear an answer, but I felt like I had heard a positive answer. Every time I dug into him, I saw that fierce smile hanging on his face.
"Then it's my turn. Now, the first question. Kid, you were the ham of this world before. He said he was performing miracles to reverse death by possessing a 'Sturd'. In fact, it is not that it can be transformed into materials, but that the time to summon the main body according to its power is decided, right?"
I stared at Knox, forgetting what I had to answer. We had many conversations, but I felt caught off guard when he put it together so accurately. I thought he was just a madman, but he's a smart madman.
"Yes."
"Then you will be able to return to your original world as soon as you gather all your strength."
The second question immediately followed.
"Do you really want to go back, kid?"
Kyle and Knox's eyes fell on me from both sides. I felt like I was choking up. I chewed my lower lip slightly.
"... I don't know."
I felt a mild pain in my neck. This means that it is not the whole truth. I hurriedly changed my answer.
"I have to go back."
I felt a stronger pain than before. The sound of ragged breathing flowed from my lips.
"I think so."
"... Shu."
It's hard to breathe. The noose tightened around my neck. A cold sweat leaked out. Knox clicked his tongue and scanned my throat.
"You can't lie."
Once you have filled all the miracle values, you can return to your original world. I struggled many times in this strange world.
But you don't want to go back? Is that what I really mean?
The cold sweat that had formed on his forehead dripped down. I felt unexpected pain; it was on a different level from last time.
As if I was struggling without realizing it, Kyle hugged me.
"Shh, don't you want to go back? However, I live to return to your world, Linda..."
"That's right. Obviously, it was. Save Your Highness, gather strength, not as a hamster, but with the liver... I said I would go back to the world I lived in..."
I added in a hoarse voice.
"... Actually, I want to be here."
When I admitted that, the pain disappeared. It didn't disappear completely, but it was more bearable.
Maybe it's because my mind is confused.
"You're more inclined to negativity than positivity. I understand."
"...."
"Then, the third question."
Knox grabbed my chin and made me look up. I shook my head. My neck felt tight.
Anyway, if I wanted to cooperate with today's experiment, I had to drink this blue drink he gave me. Since I wrote a contract, it wouldn't be poison...
I have to use this to soothe my throat. I felt badly blue and sparkling drinks. I took it in at once. Contrary to the colorful colors, it had no taste.
"Kid. The place you want to go back to is real..."
"...."
There was a thud in my chest. At the same time, a cold sensation accumulated in my stomach, and I felt a sense of urgency to vomit.
I crouched down and bowed my head. Something terrible was about to happen. I had a bad feeling.
It was strange.
My mood, my physical condition. My eyes were spinning. In the midst of a dazed mood as if drunk, his voice sounded so clear that it was unpleasantly clear.
"Is this a virtual world for you?"
"...."
"Bae Bae-hyun, it's a game you developed. Like novels and movies."
"...."
"Are you entering a fictional world that has already been created and changing your death?"
Just as I was about to say something, a system window appeared in front of me as if it were a warning.
[Current Adverse Interference Rate 46%]
[Current Adverse Interference Rate 56%]
[Current Variable Interference Rate 66%]
[Warning!]
[It's an indigestible power!]
[The 'recalled' body can be damaged!]
[WARNING!]
Ah, that drink.
After all, it was Knox's magic.
I grabbed my throbbing chest and coughed up blood.