The organizers took me to the next hall. I passed through a corridor that split into paths.
There were two passages, each with a glowing name above it, forming the names of the qualifiers.
Klo — Suzie.
Lucky me. Damn it!
I walked through that passage, facing the beast that would either kill me or… not.
Inside were two chairs separated by a thin wall.
I sat in the one with my name on it, and Suzie sat beside me.
She was staring at me with her tender, heart-piercing eyes.
"Klo Yuthnir."
It felt like the world around me slowed down. My veins and muscles tightened.
Sweat dripped down my skin like a flowing river.
The Author's Eye responded to the situation. All I could see was either a hole in my chest or my neck being slit.
I staggered backward, falling from the chair, collapsing in fear.
I clutched my chest and heart, trembling in terror.
I blinked—only to find that girl behind me, whispering words I couldn't understand.
The surroundings turned black. I had no idea what was happening until…
[Notification]
"One Rewrite Chance has been consumed."
7 Scenario Rewrites remaining.
Suddenly, I was back in the corridor, before reaching that girl.
I clenched my fist, changed my stance, searching for her—trying to kill her before she could kill me.
But unlucky me, something pierced through me before I even reacted, and the message appeared again:
"One Rewrite Chance has been consumed."
Damn it.
The scene reset to the previous corridor.
I tried going back, but I died. I tried teleporting with the stone, but I died. I tried using the Author's Eyes… but I still died.
I looked at Lumi, who was suffering with me in this endless time loop.
"Lumi, why don't you just untie your contract with me and set yourself free?"
"…Because I don't want to, Ethan."
I sighed, staring at her.
I was… kind of sad and scared. I didn't move, as if I had already surrendered to this fate.
I stood still in front of the two passages, until something pierced my eyes.
"Aaaaghhh!"
The pain was unbearable. I grabbed my eyes, screaming, unable to see. My hands were drenched in warm liquid.
My blood.
I staggered backward, begging for my life like a coward.
"Klo Yuthnir —"
A voice sang my name. A tone that sounded like… Suzie?
I couldn't help but shout back her name.
"Suzie! Why are you doing all this to me? Why is this world toying with me like this?!"
I heard footsteps approaching me.
"Hmm, don't you always return by rewinding time? Well, this time will be your last… so, goodbye."
Before I could utter my last word, I heard the swing of her blade.
[Notification]
"All Rewrite Chances have been consumed."
Game Over, Klo Yuthnir (Ethan).
For the first time, the system called me by name… and what does it mean, 'Game Over'? Does that mean everything is finished?
Oh—my sight returned. I gently touched the floating message with my fingertips. Nothing happened. I was just sitting in an empty void, dissolving into nothingness, until the black void turned into warm, bright light.
Haha… wonderful. It feels like I'm flying… haha.
The void shifted into a massive, abandoned place. The sky was the ground, and the ground was the sky. It was as if I was walking on clouds. But no, I really was. The place was littered with corpses—versions of myself, Klo Yuthnir… but they were insane.
I approached them, trying to talk to one, until he grabbed my clothes and screamed in my face:
"Why aren't YOU the one here?! Why am I the one who ended up like this?!"
I shoved him hard, making him fall on his back. He glared at me, then burst into mad laughter, and the others joined in, even the corpses.
Amid their laughter, I sank to the ground, sitting, clutching my ears as I gritted my teeth just to endure the torment.
While holding my ears, I glanced sideways and saw the girls—also driven insane.
I stepped closer. As soon as I reached them, Luna rushed to me, frantically checking my body.
"Klo, is it really you? Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
I looked at the others, each one writhing on the ground in tears.
"If only I could save you, Klo," Elithia said.
"Who would ever care about me and my flaws…" Nevin muttered.
"Master…" Lynette whispered.
I stepped away from them, walking faster and faster until it became a run, distancing myself from that pile of madness.
I ran, screaming at the top of my lungs, tears pouring out.
"I'm sorry… I'm really sorry for making you all suffer because of me!"
I stopped for a moment, then remembered… where was Lumi?
I looked in another direction and saw a hidden place, like a shrine.
I ran toward it—or rather leapt—to find Lumi inside, in her fox form, drenched in blood.
I rushed to her, holding her giant head.
"Lumi! … Lumi!"
No response. Her frozen tears still clung beneath her eyes.
I stared at her, then left her in her shrine, walking away.
The scenery shifted from day to night.
I kept walking, staring at the ground that was a sky, crying.
I stopped and sat down, pulling my hair, screaming nonstop.
"Why is all this happening to me? Why can't I just succeed or fail once, like everyone else? I hate myself. I hate this story. I hate everything!"
I looked up and screamed with all I had:
"Why do I have to be like this? Why can't I be rich and kind? Why can't I be a decent man?! I know I can change myself by pushing harder… but what comes after all that effort? Nothing! I'll die, and after death, I'll go back to zero and repeat everything!"
I hugged myself tightly, wiping my tears against my knees, speaking in a trembling voice.
"Why couldn't I live two lives that I was satisfied with… Even if I got a second chance, I'd still be the worst.
I loved them sincerely. Luna, my gentle wife… Elithia, my shy noble guardian… Nevin, greedy and lacking any virtue… Lynette, the loyal maid… and Lumi, who shared my despair.
I'm sorry for dragging you all into this torment… I really loved you. You were like the family I always wished for but never had. And I lost you.
Thank you."
A tear fell from my eye onto the ground, the sound echoing faintly.
The scene shifted, and before me stood someone I hadn't seen in a long time, staring at me with scorn.
"Ethan?"