Chapter 71

“……Ah.”

As the sun sets, it is as if countless stars adorn the vast night sky.

After the rain passes, life seems to sprout anew from the parched earth.

The myriad characters floating about, completing sentences, and people with shared interests gathering to form communities may indeed reflect the laws of nature.

‘Hey, where the hell is the bunker quest? I’ve been searching all day and can’t find it!!’

‘Um… It would be great if we newbies could think a bit before picking dialogue options and ask questions.’

‘Entering the Valentine sisters route of season 6512984. Any objections, and it’s the corporate puppets.’

‘Is it true that there’s still not a single achievement unlocked? Were they all just fashion game enthusiasts????’

…Well, it may be overly sensitive to describe this as such just from seeing the dreadful nonsense and banter overflowing in online gaming communities.

To me, all of that could be valuable information and pieces of a landmark.

Even thinking it’s been a long time since I last came, I instinctively checked if my body was moving as it desired.

Fingers… they move about somewhat.

Neck… it’s scratchy but turns well.

Eyes… they feel heavy as if I’ve stayed up all night, but I can read some characters.

When I last managed to make a connection, my body was too stiff that I was chased away before I could even attempt anything, but this feels quite good. I can certainly do this.

Ignoring the Neo Heaven Prime in the background, I quickly opened a new tab and accessed the Haven Wiki.

Not that I’m bragging, but I had set up a plan to follow if the opportunity arose.

The reason I kept getting dragged along, despite believing I had somewhat superior knowledge of the original work, was clear.

First, being in a place at an unknown time.

Every time, barely catching a glimpse of just a part of the events. Attempting to solve uncertain puzzles with only fragmentary evidence leads to gradually diverging conclusions.

But that means…

Conversely, it could imply a steady point of reference. Perhaps all I need is to find one guideline?

As soon as the familiar domain opened, I pressed on a link I definitely didn’t want to click but undoubtedly was filled with useful data.

Yes… the wiki document on the stranger known as Anastasia Valentine.

“…Whoa.”

I skipped over the screenshots that were prominently displayed at the top.

Going past the various annotations that made it dizzying with recalling scenes, confrontations, and God knows what else, I found the section I was looking for.

Thus I arrived at the character’s history overview.

Like Helena’s document. I was a bit uneasy opening the treasure trove that would surely contain things I had either experienced or would experience.

Even if I had resigned myself since the game became real.

As long as there remains a conduit to this parallel world, which I cannot grasp the principles or origins of, there will probably be questions that never disappear.

Will everything I have done so far truly be recorded? If so, what kind of being am I?

A reincarnator or possession who once believed he was a man? Or am I merely a character with… such a setting?

…My stomach churns.

Let’s try not to think of the worst possibilities if we can help it.

It’s clear that if I were to visit a hospital with depression and panic, I would only be prescribed a comprehensive drug kit, digging my own grave in the process.

After all, the truth lies beyond this, and if all I can do is verify it…

Then I’d try to resist the bonds binding me one way or another, and I read through the sentences lined up with the determination to give up if I must.

– Anastasia Valentine (Though there’s a hidden last name, Makarovich, it is rarely used.)

Makes a strong impression with her high informational power and solid base armor in the story.

There’s a misconception that she is an employee of the corporation due to her connections and high favorability with certain characters with 0-tier special abilities… but to be precise, she should be seen as a freelancer with deep connections to various Mega Corps.

The reason she is classified as a sub-heroine despite having nearly the same amount of screenplay and narrative as a supporting character is simple.

Depending on the user’s choice, she might be mentioned by name but not appear at all; or if you follow a disastrous scenario, she may not join as a companion or love interest, instead appearing as a full-fledged boss.

This means that if you plan to play with a good alignment or want a straightforward happy ending, you can just pound the advice button every time you meet her.

If you’ve decided to go with an evil alignment… refer to the separately created strategy (combat) document.

…This harsh game has a fluid environment that changes based on the dialogue options you choose or quests you undertake, so always be cautious.

The first encounter can happen through a back-alley pickpocket quest early in the game.

Also, while there’s no official timeline given by the Chaos Point developers, by observing the assorted Easter eggs and story branch reactions, you can roughly discern related events and out-of-sight actions.

The revealed actions in the story up to now are as follows –

“…”

What…? They say she’s popular, but the introduction was much longer than expected.

Anyway, wiki editors really love providing far too much detail.

Even though it’s hardly enough to just select the necessary information, having to read evaluations and analyses about oneself written by an unspecified majority is… I can’t imagine how celebrities deal with such embarrassing egosurfing.

Still, below it, they kindly summarized her actions, and I was ready to resign myself to just accepting and memorizing it…

Regrettably, though. The world doesn’t seem to turn that easily.

‘Enema Corporation’s research lab annihilated.’

‘Anne Grisha deceased and involved in the Paradise Project’s closure.’

‘Harvest Planet terror thwarted.’

‘^$%^rm*&$$aks&%%#…….’

‘%$&dkwlrsjandlffj*(&*(‘

‘Ugh…?!’

Suddenly, without any warning, my vision distorted.

It seemed like there was no intent to harm, as there was no pain, but the clarity of my senses quickly faded, and consciousness was pushed away from my body.

Had I already used up my given time?

…No, this isn’t about that.

Whether it be a historian or a wiki editor, it’s natural for past events to be recorded by people.

But is it truly permissible by the laws of nature to peruse a place inscribed with facts that may become a future for someone?

If the truth is affirmed the moment it’s observed, then the item I sought becomes a paradox by itself.

Upon deeper contemplation, it may sound strange, but… the lower part of this Haven wiki document could have been a blank state with nothing written at all.

Because… it’s an event that hasn’t occurred yet in the timeline the party has not yet reached.

“…Alright. Let’s play fair and square.”

Then this is, in a way… a gentle rejection.

If you want clues, I’ll give them just like now, but if you want everything, I will drive you away mercilessly. It’s a warning to keep your distance.

And it subtly informs me that the movements of Anastasia Valentine are solely my own decision.

There were no clues about the organizer at all, but I returned in vain, only clutching the sense of achievement of having barely discovered the rules of this small game.

“Haah…”

A sigh escaped involuntarily.

This time for sure! I took the embarrassment of peeking ahead at the obstacles lurking in my path, but it ended in utter failure.

It’s not like I made a mistake that warrants self-punishment, but still, I couldn’t help but feel that perhaps it would have been more helpful just to quickly scan through the posts as my hand desired…

Turning my gaze from the ceiling of the implant clinic that I had grown accustomed to in just a few days, I shifted my body.

It was too early to get up, yet too late for another nap in this ambiguous time.

According to my original plan, I had no intention of staying here any longer than I already had at the teacher’s shop, nor to remain in this city.

However… due to very personal circumstances, someone who didn’t even have enough money for a train ticket was subjected to a tale of relying on the kindness afforded until the scheduled work at year’s end.

– Miss Anastasia, are you awake? You seem to be up a bit earlier today. –

“……Can you leave someone weak in the morning alone?”

The infuriatingly annoying voice of the carebot hit my ears.

It seemed unchanged if unchanged, yet it also felt like it had changed in some respects. I mean, the situation and body had completely changed since then, so how could I expect everything to remain the same?

“……”

As I glared at the wretched partner who had instantaneously drained my meager wallet to the ground while agreeing to tread into the dim future together… I soon realized it was a futile struggle and simply gave a greeting.

“…Good morning, Tin Can.”