WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ SSS-Class Revival Hunter ◈
Chapter 351: The White Ending (2)
──────
3.
Having abruptly become a two-dimensional stick figure, I could not help being flustered, but being flustered did nothing to change the situation.
The world remained as flat as it could possibly be, and I was as much of a stick figure as one could imagine.
Idiot「Oh, fascinating.」
Fortunately or unfortunately, I was not the only one reduced to a stick figure. The Guardian Spirit had become a stick-figure ghost as well.
If I was represented by solid lines, then perhaps the only difference was that the Guardian Spirit was depicted with dotted lines?
For reference, the Guardian Spirit was making expressions like this:
へ(￣∇￣へ)
Just looking at it was infuriating, a truly Guardian Spirit-like emoticon.
A speech bubble wafted above the Guardian Spirit's head.
Idiot「To my eyes, this damn world looks like it's drawn on a piece of paper. Zombie, do you see it the same way?」
"Ah, yes..."
While I nodded, I was somewhat skeptical.
"It looks exactly the same to me. But why are you speaking through a speech bubble instead of using your voice?"
Idiot「Huh? To me, it looks like you're the one talking through speech bubbles.」
Oh.
The Guardian Spirit genuinely seemed perplexed.
It didn't look like he was lying.
"Really?"
Idiot「Yeah. Every time you talk, a speech bubble appears above your head. I can't hear any voice.」
"Ah... I see. Maybe in this world, only one's own voice can be heard."
I had grasped the situation.
So, this stage was devoid of sound. Everything said by people was represented in text instead of being heard. Just like in comics.
While one could hear their own voice, hearing others was impossible. Though I wasn't sure why this was the case, it was the rule of this world.
Fox-nim「Peep.」
Thread Snake「Kieeek.」
The Constellations were the same. Their cries were turned into speech bubbles, and next to the bubbles, names were written.
They were labeled Fox-nim rather than [A Music Box Just for You], and Thread Snake rather than [The Eyes Dwelling in the Labyrinth]. That meant these were probably not "objective names." They were being displayed under names I found comfortable.
'Wait a minute. Does that mean the Guardian Spirit is labeled as an idiot in the bubbles...?'
I looked back at the Guardian Spirit.
The Guardian Spirit tilted his head in confusion.
Idiot「Hmm? What are you staring at?」
"…No, it's nothing. I just thought you matched well with the speech bubbles."
I played dumb. Some truths in this world simply did not need to be revealed. Bringing it up would only be asking for trouble.
Idiot「Is that so? Well, I am a rather cool guy no matter what I do.」
"So, what should we do here?"
Leaving the Guardian Spirit alone, I looked around. Or should I say that instead of looking in all four directions, I looked in two? Unlike the original world, I could move only left or right here.
The scene that met my eyes could be simply depicted as:
.,,.. ⊂;⌒;⌒;,つ
,,:;:'':::'::::,,
,,:::::''::::::::: ::::'':::,,,
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
,,..... ........... ...,,,
___________________________
To the left, there were mountains. Floating vaguely in the distance were clouds. Below the mountains and clouds, the baseline stretching horizontally represented the horizon. In essence, the ground.
How should I put it? Quite a simple world.
Idiot「Either left or right. We have no choice but to move forward, right?」
The fool who knew nothing but martial arts spoke.
Idiot「This is the afterlife, after all. So the souls must be present and living their lives somewhere, right? Though, what kind of life one must have led to consider this place heaven is beyond me.」
"Okay. Let's move."
I walked forward. No, to the right.
Of course, there was no sound of footsteps. When I stepped forward with my right foot, the word 「Step」 appeared as if it were a sound effect in a comic.
"Wow. Even the sound of footsteps appears like this..."
I tried stomping my foot heavily, and 「Step!!」 appeared in bold letters, with a grand and fierce font.
Conversely, when I tiptoed, 「Tip-toe... Tip-toe...」 appeared in small letters, with a gentle font.
"Impressive."
Literally, everything in this heaven was represented on a flat surface.
Villager A「Oh. I haven't seen your face around here before. Are you a traveler?」
After walking for a while, I encountered someone.
It was the first time I had met a local of this world.
The villager was depicted just like me, as a stick figure, and was hammering something into the ground.
The tool in the villager's hand was... a sword? A trident? No. Since the villager was turning the soil, it was most likely a rake. The person was cultivating the field with a rake.
"Ah, yes. Hello."
I bowed my head in greeting.
"But can you distinguish my face?"
Villager A「Hmm? Face?」
"Yes. You said we hadn't met before as soon as you saw me. I was wondering how you could easily tell me apart from others."
Villager A「Huh? Of course, I can tell. You're quite distinct from others. You're asking strange questions.」
The farmer replied as if it was obvious.
( ￣□￣ )？
And looked at me strangely.
However, the one truly enveloped in an odd sensation was me. No matter how closely I examined the farmer's face, I couldn't distinguish it from my stick-figure face. My goodness, can the people here recognize everything just by looking at sticks?
Villager A「Anyway, if you wish to enter our village, there are a few procedures you must follow.」
"Procedures?"
Villager A「Nothing difficult. You just need to answer a few questions I have. Are you here to harm anyone in our village?」
I immediately shook my head. The sound effect "Shake, shake" appeared.
"No, that's not the case."
Villager A「Good.」
The farmer cheerfully responded as if my answer had cleared all suspicions, as if there was no need for further interrogation.
Villager A「I have more questions. Do you plan to cause trouble in our village? Will you create discord among the villagers?」
"Eek. No, I have no such intentions. Unless someone attacks me first..."
Villager A「Good. If an unwanted incident occurs, can you swear to faithfully participate in the investigation and trial according to our village customs and laws?」
"Of course."
Villager A「Oh, what an admirable traveler!」
The farmer smiled widely, seeming very satisfied. They patted my shoulder with a thump, thump.
Villager A「Even if you're an outsider, I can trust someone like you. Come on in! Our village welcomes you!」
"Uh..."
I was a bit taken aback.
It was nice to be welcomed, but I didn't understand.
How could they trust me so easily?
We had only exchanged a few questions and answers. There was no further interrogation.
Such a simple Q&A couldn't possibly reveal what kind of person I am. They couldn't even tell if my answers were sincere. Why then?
Thread Snake「Kieeek.」
At that moment, the snake reacted, seemingly understanding my puzzled mind and knowing the answer.
[The Eyes Dwelling in the Labyrinth manifests its authority.]
[Exposure.]
[Information about this stage has been disclosed to you.]
[Hidden information has been unveiled!]
A window popped up on one side of the screen. It was a Description window. Neatly squared, the letters began to inscribe themselves into it.
+
[Heaven of Truth]
Floor: 75th
Constellation: 'The Faceless Conductor'
Difficulty: B~A
Description (Lv.1): A flat world made up of pictures and characters.
Description (Lv.2): This is one of the afterlives prepared in the Tower.
Description (Lv.3): Heaven of Truth. This name refers to the afterlife where souls tired of falsehood and hypocrisy end up. Those who are weary of seeking truth in others' words, those drained by the constant need to discern truth from lies in every human encounter, and those who have grown to despise the complex human world, settle here after death.
In Heaven of Truth, you can never 'lie'!
+
Ah.
So that was it.
My doubts were resolved in an instant, but the description window was not finished yet. I continued reading the information Hisimet Cretsu had exposed.
+
Once you step into this heaven, you need not worry about what others might be hiding or doubt their intentions.
Just ask.
You will receive an honest answer.
Others cannot distort their intentions with subtle expressions or refined words here. In this place, any expression or tone of voice is 'blatantly' displayed.
Here, even your appearance and that of others are indistinguishable.
Rest assured. You don't need to exert yourself by acting out expressions. There's no place for smooth talk in this land.
This heaven was created for those who are tired of people, tired of being human, and yet still wish to remain among human beings.
May you find peace here.
+
Villager A「If you encounter any trouble, feel free to seek me out!」
The farmer shouldered the rake and walked away. Step, step. Before long, the farmer left the screen and disappeared from my field of view.
"…I see."
I understood all of the farmer's strange behaviors. After sharing the information I gained with the Guardian Spirit, I said.
"Just exchanging words with me is enough in this world. After all, everything I say is the truth. There's no reason to be wary of me just because I'm an outsider, as long as I assure them I have no intention of causing trouble."
Idiot「Indeed. A world where lies are impossible...」
The martial arts fool crossed his arms and nodded gravely.
Idiot「Most hunters are cunning by nature. For many, the condition of being unable to lie would be excruciating. Of course, for someone like me, who has a heart as clear as a stream and always speaks sincerely, no matter where or when, this stage is not difficult at all...」
"Excuse me?"
Idiot「Huh?」
As we conversed, we walked into the village.
Idiot「Zombie, try saying what I tell you to.」
"What are you going to make me say this time?"
Idiot「Say, "Sword Emperor-nim is so cool that, without realizing it, I respect him deep down."」
This guy must be crazy.
Idiot「Oh, come on! Just do it! Hurry up. Right now. Right now!」
The Guardian Spirit urged me insistently. His urging was sincere. I sighed.
"Sword Emperor..."
As soon as I opened my mouth, a massive shock ran through my body.
[Prohibited!]
[You cannot violate the rules of this world.]
[You cannot utter a lie!]
"......"
My mouth immediately closed. Not by my own will, but because I was forced to. I tried again, but my mouth merely moved silently. The sentence the Guardian Spirit begged me to say just wouldn't come out.
Idiot「Hey, Kim Zombie.」
The Guardian Spirit looked at me with eyes that had cooled off considerably.
Idiot「You... No way. You did not get stuck on "so cool," or on "I respect him deep down"... You got stuck on the "-nim" in Sword Emperor-nim!?」
Damn it.
Idiot「You cannot even attach "-nim" to my title?! Is calling me Sword Emperor-nim itself an insincere sentiment for you!? Huh!?」
"Of course. How could I possibly address you as '-nim' with a clear conscience? Huh? Did your conscience run away from home, cross the East Sea, swim across the Pacific, and make it all the way to Hawaii?"
Idiot「My god. Are you even human? After everything I have taught and bestowed upon you, just how far beneath you do you hold me in your heart that you cannot even address me as '-nim'!?」
"Wait... Hold on. Look at you. You just called me 'Kim Zombie'! You're sincerely treating me as a zombie in your heart! How could you do that to me!?"
Idiot「I can do that, but you can't!」
"Get lost!"
By the way, we were passing through the village. What I mean is, the villagers got a free show of our bickering. They looked at us with various expressions, each making its own statement.
(＇ﾛ＇? ) 'ㅅ' )/"); ˏ₍•ɞ•₎ˎˎ₍•ʚ•₎ˏ ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )
I don't know about the others, but the last villager really pissed me off...
Even the speech bubble displayed a single 「ㅎ」. What was that? Were they picking a fight with me?
Villager F「Hey, you there!」
We were just about to leave the village when one of the villagers who had been standing at a distance shouted, or rather, enlarged their speech bubbles dramatically, and rushed over in a fluster.
"Yes?"
Villager F「Don't go any further!」
The villager stopped me while sweating heavily (;). Then the villager raised a hand and pointed beyond the screen, toward the right.
Villager F「A madman lives over there!」
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
