kscans

Chapter 88 - That Man's True Identity

After leaving the ancient witch Merlin's shrine, the man in the black hood stood before us, just as he always did.

His name was Gil, a man who claimed to be an intermediary for the dark guild Dreadbind.

"It seems... you are ready."

"The reincarnators of Hero Ares are waiting for you in the 'Hobgoblin's cave.'"

As those words were spoken under the moonlight, a chilling air enveloped us all.

No one in the clearing spoke a word.

The silence was broken by the newly evolved Goblin Lord, Mamoru.

"...If it's Hero Ares's reincarnators, does that mean Hitokiri Yuto and... the Puppet Princess Mel Aria are there too?"

Gil slowly smiled.

"Yes, that's right. As expected of Mamoru-sama. Your perceptiveness is most helpful."

But Mamoru's eyes pierced straight through his lighthearted remark.

"You... Your timing is always too perfect. You appear before us every time, acting as if to guide us... Who are you?"

Gil's smile deepened.

"...I suppose I couldn't hide it from you after all. Though I was able to fool the hero."

In that instant, the atmosphere changed as if it had been shattered.

Gil's body was enveloped in bands of light resembling code. His form collapsed and then—reconstructed itself.

He had an armored, mechanical structure, a white face like a featureless Noh mask, and a silvery wireframe swayed on his back.

"My name is Creator God Sephillos Code."

That inorganic voice was, without a doubt, the voice of a god.

"...The NPC known as Gil does not exist in this game. He was an avatar I created for the purpose of guiding the transferred."

Tiris's eyes widened slightly.

"Then... you're the one who—the whole world itself—?"

"Indeed. I am the one who created, monitors, and continues to update this world. I am the creator of this RPG world. It was I who summoned the transferred, that is, the 'reincarnators from another world,' to this land."

Mamoru took a step forward.

"...Then, let me ask you this. What happens if we defeat Hero Ares's group of reincarnators?"

Sephillos Code quietly held out his right hand, and a glowing data file appeared in the space before him.

"When you have defeated all the reincarnators, I will truly grant you 'everything you desire.'"

"Everything we desire...?"

"The throne of this world, the resurrection of the dead, the power of destruction, or perhaps, a do-over on your reincarnation. Everything is possible, at the sole discretion of I, the 'Game Master.'"

Amy murmured.

"It's just like... you're the final boss..."

"You're wrong," Mamoru replied.

"This guy is the 'game itself.' ...In that case—"

Koni-chan cracked his knuckles.

"We just gotta win and clear the game!!"

Sephillos Code said nothing. He simply bowed once and vanished into a rift in space.

What remained was a revelation and a shudder of dread—

The next place we must go, the Hobgoblin's cave.

There, Yuto Mikazuki, the Black Moon Swordsman, waits. The Puppet Princess, Mel Aria. And... the reincarnated Hero, Ares.

End of Chapter Twelve.