When I look back on my life, I can't help but think, "What a miserable life I've led." Because of my naturally silver hair, I've been constantly bullied by the people in the village. The land I cultivated was ravaged, stones were thrown at me for no reason, my taxes were cheated, and I've been tormented in various ways.
My mother died of illness, and Namia, the only one who ever helped me, was killed on the day we made a promise to marry. Even now, when I remember that, a deep, dark emotion wells up from the bottom of my heart. No matter how many times I kill Darga and the other villagers who killed Namia, it seems my simmering anger will never go away.
Yes, my life has always been miserable. But when I think about the most fortunate thing that has ever happened in my life, I come to a single conclusion. It's the fact that I received the skill "Save & Reset" from Agetha.
Without this skill, I would have undoubtedly been devoured by monsters long ago, ending my wretched life. But thanks to this skill, I'm still able to survive. That's why Agetha, who gave me this skill, is a savior in my eyes, an irreplaceable presence, and I can't thank her enough.
"Kiska, answer my question honestly. Why are you in the world from a hundred years ago?" I'm currently pinned down by that savior. I'm lying face down, being used as a stepping stone, my wrists bound, and a sword pointed at my neck.
"After Agetha did something, I was sent to a world with nothing in it."
"I don't understand. Listen, what I did was, I erased the fact that I saved the world. In other words, I destroyed the world. After the world is destroyed, all that's left is a world of nothingness. In that world, no form of life is allowed to exist. So why were you living in a world like that?"
As Agetha spoke, her power gradually grew stronger. I, pinned down by Agetha, felt increasing discomfort with each word.
"That's because I'm an existence removed from causality," I replied.
"Who told you that? Who said such a thing?"
"The Observer, that's what they're called, appeared in front of me."
"The Observer? What's that?"
"This Observer told me to go to the world from a hundred years ago."
"Oh, no, I don't want to hear any more!"
At that moment, Agetha went mad. Blood was flying. It seemed that Agetha had cut my throat.
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I awakened and realized that I had reset.
As before, I was inside the dungeon.
"Ah, aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!" Agetha was in front of me, crouched down, holding her head and screaming.
"Hey… Agetha, are you okay?" I asked, bewildered.
"Who is the Observer? What did they look like?" Agetha asked as she stopped screaming.
Um, what did the Observer look like? I tried hard to remember. I couldn't quite put it into words…
"I don't know very well. How should I describe it… It was hazy overall, asymmetrical, and far from human in appearance."
"Is it a god?"
"No, it's not a god. It said that about itself."
"I see."
Agetha nodded and got up wearily.
"So, this Observer is the one who sent you to this time."
"That's right."
"It's annoying. Having an existence beyond human knowledge. And you, Kiska, were completely taken in by its words."
Well, at the time, I couldn't think of any other options, so I had no choice but to follow the Observer's words. Even now, I don't think it was a mistake.
"Frankly, it's a nuisance."
Agetha glared at me with sharp eyes.
"Because of Kiska's existence, the world will never end no matter how much time passes. I want this world to disappear right now! So, die. If Kiska dies, I'll die along with you. Then, there will be no one left with the skill 'Save & Reset.' And if that happens, there will be no one left to stop the world from ending."
As Agetha spoke, she inched closer to me.
"Even if you tell me to die, if I die, I'll just reset to a time before that."
So far, I've died hundreds of times. Each time, I've reset.
"Hey, don't act like you don't know. I'm sure you've noticed that the reset isn't forced. You can quit this game anytime. After you die, a screen appears, right? 'Do you want to try again? Yes, No.'"
Agetha's words were indeed correct.
Every time I died, the words 'GAME OVER' appeared, and I was asked whether I wanted to try again.
I was too scared to choose 'No,' so I've been selecting 'Yes' without thinking each time.
"Listen, I didn't give away 'Save & Reset' to just you. I gave it to everyone who came to this Katarov Dungeon. But everyone, after dying three times or so, gave up and chose 'No.' Kiska, you're the only one who keeps choosing 'Yes' no matter how many times you die."
Agetha had mentioned before that she had given 'Save & Reset' to others as well. But I see. If you choose 'No,' there won't be a reset.
"So, Kiska, there's no shame in choosing 'No.' What lies ahead after choosing 'No' is eternal slumber. Doesn't that sound like a peaceful way to go? Besides, if you die, I'll die with you. So please, die."
She said this with a smile.
It was an unmistakably mad smile. Her eyes weren't smiling at all.
"Well, um…"
As I tried to say something, everything turned bright red.
The next moment, my consciousness was severed.
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"Well, you won't die so easily."
After returning to life, I opened my eyes to find Agetha standing there.
"Hey, Agetha—"
My words were cut off because Agetha had thrust her sword into my throat.
"Kiska, from now on, I'm going to kill you a lot, a lot, a lot… so many times you won't be able to count. I'll keep killing you until you scream that you don't want to die anymore. And then, in the end, when you're in utter despair, you'll choose 'No' and die. I'll kill you many times before that."
The sound of blood splattering filled the air.
It seemed that I was going to be killed multiple times from now on.
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