9. I, who was saved by no one, am 'limitless' in another world

The world gave its name.

The bustle of the city returned.

Human voices.
The sound of carts.
The scent of bread mixing with the wind.

As if the events until just a moment ago
were just a dream, daily life came flooding back in.

(...Is it... over?)

Just as I began to think that, at that moment.

The crest on my right fist
clearly began to heat up.

"...It's coming."

Reiva says briefly.

She doesn't spread her wings.
But her back is straight.

(...This time, it's different from before.)

The air grows tense.

It's not that the sounds disappear.
It's not that people freeze.

It's just that
the feeling of being 'watched' became distinct.

<<Observation, resumed>>

The voice falls into my head.

It's different from the inorganic notification from before.
There is inflection.
There is intent in the words chosen.

<<Target: Kai>>

<<Accompaniment: Contracted Entity (Crimson Wing)>>

...Contracted entity.

"...Who are you?"

I said it without thinking.

The reply comes immediately.

<<I am the administrative will of the World Mediation Agency>>

<<If you must call me by a name—Arka>>

It gave its name.

Deep in my chest,
it rings faintly.

(...It stopped being anonymous.)

That was
a signal that it was seriously becoming an enemy.



"...Arka, is it?"

Reiva growls low.

"I had heard rumors, but..."
"to give your name directly."

<<Former Demon King Reiva>>

<<Seal release and re-contract confirmed>>

<<Your existence has already been reclassified>>

"Reclassified?"

<<From 'Management Target'—to 'Danger Factor'>>

...Danger.

That word again.

<<Reason>>

<<Kai's existence is beginning to destroy the world's premises>>

<<Limitless growth>>

<<Correction refusal>>

<<Elimination invalidation via existence negation>>

(...Is all of that about me?)

My heart beats quietly and strongly.

I'm not scared.
But it doesn't feel light either.

"...And so?"

To my own surprise,
my voice was calm.

"Are you going to erase me?"

<<Conclusion is undecided>>

<<But—>>

<<We have entered the stage of forcing a 'choice'>>

Choice.

At that word,
the depths of my chest tighten.

(...You're telling me to choose again?)



Reiva
stepped forward.

"Kai."

Her voice is low and clear.

"This is a threat."

"The world is currently"
"weighing 'concession' against 'elimination'."

<<Affirmation>>

Arka did not deny it.

<<The world prioritizes stability>>

<<But complete elimination—has a high cost>>

"Cost?"

<<The attempt to erase a 'limitless existence'>>
<<could potentially distort the world itself>>

...I see.

(...So it means it can't erase me.)

But that
doesn't mean I'm being protected.

<<Proposal>>

<<Kai>>

<<I will give you a role>>

Role.

At that word,
an unpleasant sense of déjà vu crosses my mind.

In the classroom.
At home.
Words that have been given to me many times.

"Meet expectations."
"Read the room."
"Don't cause trouble."

"...What kind of role?"

<<Equilibrium point of the world>>

<<Convergence of anomalies>>

<<You will become an existence that processes the world's distortions 'from the outside'>>

...How convenient.

"Isn't that"
"just a convenient way to use me as a disposable tool?"

For a moment,
silence passes.

<<I will not deny it>>

It's honest.

<<But it is the best course of action>>

Reiva
laughed softly.

"You've become quite arrogant."

"World."

<<It is a fact>>

"Even if it's a fact,"
"we are the ones who choose."



The depths of my chest
quietly grow hot.

(...Choose.)

I, who only ever endured,
am being told to choose again.

But now—
it's different.

"...Arka."

I call its name.

Just by doing that,
the air shook slightly.

"I will"

I take a breath once.

"not act based on a role,"
"but on my own will."

<<Should I understand that as a refusal?>>

"With conditions, yes."

I was a little surprised myself.

"If the world"
"is going to erase someone as an 'error',"

"I will"
"stand on the side that stops it."

Reiva
nods slightly.

<<...Record>>

<<The world will watch closely>>
<<Kai's choice>>

<<I will grant a grace period until the next contact>>

The voice moves away.

The pressure lifts.

The sounds of the city
return completely.



"...Good grief."

Reiva shrugged her shoulders.

"You were called by name by the world."

"There is no"
"turning back now."

"Yeah."

I look at the crest on my right fist.

Crimson wings.

(...That's fine.)

I
died once.

Even so,
I chose again.

If so.

I will face the world
properly.

Without running away.

To all my readers

Thank you for reading this far.

This time
was episode 9, where the world 'gives its name and forces a role upon me'.

If
"I'm curious about where this conflict is headed"
"I want to see Kai's choice through to the end"
if you feel that way,
• 👍 Like
• ⭐ Follow
• 💬 Comment
• ☕ Tip (Support)

it would be a great encouragement if you could support me.