The Fantasy World Fanatic Wants To Leave Work

24 – 24. The Angel with Broken Wings

U.C. Convenience Store is a multipurpose, interstellar corporation established directly by the administrator of Universe-1.

The administrator assigned this U.C. Convenience Store to a space where observation and intervention are possible, allowing for cultural and commercial exchanges between various universes. Inevitably, this led to transactions with transcendent beings of these universes.

In this context, transcendent beings refer to entities in that universe who possess “divinity.”

They are referred to as gods and hold knowledge about other existences in different universes, while also serving as managers of their respective universes.

The administrator of Universe-1, the origin of all interstellar corporations, was also a transcendent being.

One day, this administrator informed all observant universes.

“Monsters that prey on intelligence have been continuously discovered in various universes. Please be cautious.”

At first, the transcendent beings of each universe did not understand the meaning behind the administrator’s words.

This was because he had simply mentioned the discovery of monsters preying on intelligence without any context or explanation.

However, a few days later, one of the universes that had mutual observation capabilities suddenly lost all communication.

To be precise, there was an inexplicable entity that could not be identified through observation.

“I inform each universe. Universe-151 no longer exists. From this moment on, all knowledge and information related to Universe-151 must be discarded, and observation of Universe-151 must cease immediately.”

The administrator delivered new information following Universe-151: two more universes lost communication.

These were Universe-150 and Universe-152, the universes that had been observing and interacting with each other in addition to Universe-151.

“And if you encounter incomprehensible voices, texts, or substances during observations of other universes, you must immediately cease observation and dispose of everything related to that universe. Additionally, the transcendent beings of each universe must immediately eliminate ‘them,’ entities that have appeared in their respective universes.”

Initially, the transcendent beings of each universe could not understand the administrator’s words, but they began to sense that something was amiss.

One day, out of the blue, news from three universes was suddenly cut off.

Furthermore, unknown entities appeared in previously stable universes, devouring the intelligence entities of the universes. Their numbers continue to increase inexplicably.

“In infected universes, attempts have been detected where ‘they’ pretend to be ordinary intelligence entities and try to approach other universes. Therefore, when you wish to observe other universes in the future, it must be done solely through the transcendent beings of each universe.”

The situation only worsened.

Initially, anyone in the universe could observe and interact with other universes, but now exchanges could only occur through the transcendent beings, the administrators of each universe.

This was due to the contamination of multiple universes through the act of observing them.

Hence, the administrator imposed restrictions, allowing only observation through the transcendent beings, who were akin to gods in each universe. Thanks to this, silence seemed to prevail for a while.

…until they started devouring the transcendent beings themselves.

“This is a message from Universe-1. They can devour anything that possesses intelligence. Do not let your guard down, even with the transcendent beings, as they too possess intelligence. When eliminating them, make sure to follow the manual provided to all universes. If you become complacent about them, you will know more about them than anyone else.”

In an instant, hundreds of universes became unable to observe anymore.

Despite the administrator’s efforts, news from the universes continued to be cut off.

“This is a message from Universe-1. The phenomenon of partial items in the manual provided to all universes being contaminated continues to occur. Do not attempt to learn more about them, and do not wonder where they came from. Knowing about them means becoming just like them.”

The fate of the universes where observation was impossible remains unknown.

Either the transcendent beings of those universes fused with them, completely severing ties, or the transcendent beings could not handle the threat posed by them, causing a complete cut-off of communication between the universes.

“Because of this, many transcendental beings from various universes demanded a solution from the administrator of Universe-1.

Due to the administrator’s role in interconnecting all universes, they had started infecting various universes, placing the blame squarely on the administrator.

If that were the case, wouldn’t it be better to completely cut off observations between other universes, as some transcendental beings had chosen to do? But, the intellectual entities of each universe, and even the transcendental beings, were addicted to observing each other and exchanging the civilizations of their respective universes.

If they were to cease this inter-universe exchange, their intellects would crumble.

Consider the inhabitants of a single universe, for example. How long could they survive without things like the internet, electricity, and oil in the future?

Of course, once upon a time, they could have thrived without such things. But as time passed, civilizations advanced, and intellects adapted to match. So, if their civilization were suddenly taken away one day, the intellectual entities would not be able to endure it.

Having something that should be natural suddenly taken away one day. This would only be acceptable to entities with a strong sense of self-preservation, pushed to the brink.

Recognizing this fact, the administrator of Universe-1 made a decision.

[Announcement to all universes. As of this moment, all observations of other universes are strictly prohibited.]

A very simple yet effective solution. However, the only option left for those who remained.

The administrator added one more thing.

[Instead, our Universe-1 will take on the role of connecting all universes with each other. Henceforth, all inter-universe exchanges will be conducted exclusively through our Universe-1, and any contamination materials that arise during the observation process will be screened and handled by me personally.]

Only then did the transcendental beings of various universes feel reassured.

The method provided by the administrator of Universe-1 was not the safest choice, but it was the next best option. After that, reports of incidents related to them completely disappeared.

For a long time, everything went smoothly with the ability to observe all universes safely.

But it couldn’t last forever.

[*Critical Error*]

[Access to this universe is not granted. Many universes will follow suit in the future. :)]

In the first place, nothing is eternal.

Not even transcendental beings like gods, and certainly not the universes they inhabit.

†††

As if wondering when they had fought with each other, Alencia and Seretini continued their conversation quietly after sitting at the table.

The sudden change in their attitudes felt somewhat odd, but they let it be.

Just because I can’t understand it doesn’t mean it’s abnormal.

For some reason, this thought crossed their minds.

“You would probably refer to this universe as Universe-1221. How much do you know about this universe?”

“Ah, yes. What I know is…”

Universe-1221 means it’s the 1221st observed universe, beyond that, little else is known.

Since ancient times, God has mediated the war between angels and demons. Following that, angels and demons have been in conflict through the White Tower and the Black Tower.

“So, how did God mediate that war?”

“Simply put, God was extremely powerful and forcefully intervened, right?”

“God might be that powerful, but normally, God wouldn’t interfere just because angels and demons were fighting.”

Arlencia tilted her head at my response.

God’s intervention between the transcendents was not just to prevent a war that would devastate the world, but it held a different significance.

“It was because there came a time when our angels and demons shouldn’t fight each other anymore. They suddenly appeared one day without any warning and started devouring the sentients of this universe. God said that instead of us squabbling amongst ourselves, we had to deal with them in our spare time.”

Ah, I see.

In short, it meant that it wasn’t the time for us to fight among ourselves when a different enemy suddenly attacked.

While the Tree Wiki contains knowledge of everything, just like the original Wiki, not everything is necessarily factual; some parts are subjective and interpreted.

From what I’ve heard, it seems this was something known only to the transcendents, and the Tree Wiki made its interpretation based on the most rational judgment it could muster.

Ultimately, it’s not an entirely wrong interpretation.

“Back then, God brought a man who wore clothes similar to what you’re wearing now. I don’t remember well, but he probably had a physique similar to yours.”

“Excuse me, but when was that?”

“After the war with the demons… let’s see, about 10,000 years ago? Or maybe even longer than that.”

There were convenience stores even 10,000 years ago?

That’s odd, well, everything’s odd here, but it’s quite bizarre that there were convenience stores that long ago.

If there were convenience stores that long ago, at least the people of this universe would know more about U.C. convenience store than me, and Arlencia wouldn’t be as clueless as she seems.

-Manager-

[The time in our U.C. convenience store does not flow the same as in this Universe-1221. I wasn’t in charge at that time, so there aren’t precise records, but our U.C. convenience store didn’t operate for that long in this Universe-1221.]

It seems there’s a situation concerning the U.C. convenience store in this regard.

I’ll inquire about this later with the manager.

“God asked that man for an explanation about them, but at that time, we didn’t believe him. The demon found the man too arrogant, so he cut off his head.”

“…What?”

“There was no chance to stop it. At first, the demon said he liked the man and wanted to talk alone, then just brought back his head.”

Seretini said with a furrowed brow.

Killing Pionel so suddenly…

Seems like even their actions live up to the demon name, doesn’t it?

“Hyunwoo, it might be hard to believe, but demons are individuals who are not quite normal, to the point that someone as exceptional as this white-haired individual might seem normal to us. They were already abnormal, but as time passed, they were influenced the most, and it made them worse.”

“Honestly, it’s hard to believe that such transcendent beings exist. This foolish creator god should have wiped out the demons along with our angels.”

“So, I suppose I need to join forces with at least one more transcendent being at that time…!”

Thunk!

“Alencia, are you okay?”

Then, Alencia, in a moment, seemed to transform into someone else and lost consciousness as if her fuse had blown.

“There’s no need to worry. It’s just an overload because she momentarily synchronized her consciousness with that mortal body. She’ll probably wake up again after some time.”

Sereitini reassured and helped Alencia into a chair.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It seems that she was gradually synchronizing her consciousness from halfway, but that mortal body is not yet developed enough to fully accept the divine. The previous host was discarded too soon.”

“No, I mean, synchronization? Is Alencia some kind of machine?”

The word “synchronization” is a term commonly seen in phones or computers.

For example, synchronization means sharing and storing the same information across multiple devices by synchronizing storage or the cloud.

“Do you remember the woman who said that the demon’s true identity was a being made of muscle a little while ago?”

“Yes, I remember that…”

“That’s right. Currently, the name you’re calling Alencia is also a symbol of the divine. The name by which I am called, Sereitini, has the same significance.”

Sereitini gently tapped Alencia’s head as if knocking.

Naturally, she didn’t wake up.

“But we have our true names. Real names… Of course, we must not reveal those names in front of ordinary beings. Our names have been tainted by them.”

I still don’t know exactly who “they” are or what transcendent beings are.

But Sereitini smiled ruefully as if recalling an unpleasant past.

“In fact, the transcendent beings of Universe 1221 were killed by them, be it gods, demons, or angels. Their power and memories were mostly corrupted and discarded. In the end, transcendent beings had to preserve their consciousness in a safe place and sustain themselves by parasitizing the minds of mortals.”

And I could see it.

“Even thinking about it now, it’s really ridiculous. I should have listened to his warning more carefully…”

Her hand tightly held Alencia’s hand, trembling.

That trembling held two meanings.

One was the fear of them, and the other was a belated regret for past mistakes.

It was a statement of an irreparable mistake that had broken an angel’s wings.