Chapter 244

〈 Chapter 244 〉 Part 1, Chapter 11, Section 14

<At that moment, Palomar Observatory, USA.>

It always starts with the world ending.

“This world is truly a piece of crap.”

Oracle lamented as they wandered through yet another ruined cityscape in their dreams. For months now, Oracle had been downing sleeping pills like water just to keep dreaming, and these dreams delivered quite the shock.

“A girl named Cheongnyeon… Ugh, gives me chills.”

In the dream, Cheongnyeon endured all sorts of suffering before dying. Especially disturbing were the scenes where various beings – men, women, even monsters and machines – tormented her until she broke.

“Honestly, I’d have committed suicide.”

Though maintaining a neutral position at the Round Table, as a human being named William H. Drump who isn’t an ability user, Oracle could only feel pity.

“There’s one thing I don’t understand…”

The Round Table’s leader, Gawein, shared information he learned during a meeting arranged by Phoenix about the state of the world.

“Putting aside whether Cheongnyeon is Phoenix or not, it seems quite contradictory to what you’ve seen in your dreams.”

Mostly, the dreams showed nothing but the world’s destruction – specifically, ‘Phoenix going berserk and burning everything’ scenarios.

For example, losing a cherished subordinate.


Or abandoning saving the world for love.

“…Isn’t this basically a corrupted hero?”

While undeniable as a murderer, Phoenix’s actions intrigued Oracle greatly. The dreams themselves, aside from the tragic endings, contained many compelling storylines.

“Hmm, yeah. Let’s leave out how she dies and just record the failures…”

Oracle recalled the most recent dream.

“Uh… So against Gale Guest… Hmm…”

A ridiculous storyline where Gale Guest mistakenly thought Phoenix was messing with young Hikari, causing chaos leading to patricide, then Hayate being transformed into Hitomi by an enraged Phoenix and abused by Blue Wind Sect members.

“If I even mention this, my head’s probably gonna roll with Gale Guest.”

Among the futures Oracle observed, about 6.25% consistently involved Gale Guest turning female. Strangely, only their gender changed while appearance remained the same, but Oracle had no desire to meet Hayate-as-Hitomi.

“Tch. Maybe I should just retire. Prophecies aren’t coming true… This is all Phoenix’s fault, screw him.”

Oracle remembered when the prophecies started going wrong – coinciding perfectly with when Phoenix began their activities.

“Some guy claiming to know the future is ruining it all. Eat shit, will ya? Damn.”

Oracle lamented over their useless abilities. Perhaps they should transfer to the meteorological office instead of the Round Table.

“Maybe I should go back to my original job and make movies.”

With help from ability-user actors, filming the processes Phoenix endures based on Oracle’s observations could be quite entertaining…

“No good. If I do that, I’ll definitely get burned alive, violated by tentacles, or decapitated.”

Shuddering at the thought, Oracle continued organizing the dream contents in their mind.

Bleep.

An incoming call appeared on the smartwatch.

“What is it?”

[Why so rude?]

On-screen was Undine Anastasha, Russia’s emaciated Round Table hero. Without even looking up, Oracle kept scribbling notes.

“Well, you only ever call me when you want me to predict your misfortunes.”

[Then can you tell me if I really die in 2021?]

“You’re not dying. Thank Phoenix, whoever they are. Since your encounter with them in China, any immediate futures where you die have disappeared from observation.”

[That’s a relief…]

Anastasha sighed in relief. Oracle noticed her usual vodka was absent and felt uneasy.

“You used to drink whenever I predicted your death and talked about life’s impermanence.”

[Now I have a reason not to die.]

“…Hmm?”

Though tempted to ask, Oracle resisted. Revealing too much of observed futures carried significant risks, each mistake potentially shortening their lifespan.

[What’s wrong? You know something?]

“…Perhaps?”

But their ability seemed flexible – taking ambiguous responses didn’t seem to shorten their lifespan.

“You might marry Phoenix and form a polyamorous relationship with your current husband… Or maybe not! Who knows? Hahaha!”

[You do know. You dirty brat.]

Anastasha’s trembling eyes glared contemptuously. After indulging in rare joy from nightmares, Oracle refocused on the topic.

“So why did you call me? Seriously asking for a future prediction?”

[Yup. Sort of. But not about me.]

“Then what?”

[Phoenix.]

“…Look.”

Holding their throbbing head, Oracle sneered.

“I understand why you keep defending them now, but there are things I can say and things I can’t. Remember how telling you about your certain death cost me five years off my life?”

[Thank you. Truly. But that’s not what I’m asking.]

“Then what?”

[In the futures you’ve seen, has there been anyone else beside Phoenix? Male or female. Or maybe one of Phoenix’s mentioned officers or spirits.]

“…”

Oracle fell silent, unable to respond.

‘Too many to even know which one to mention.’

Not all futures Oracle observed were tragic. Some showed Phoenix finding happiness, even love.

“So…”

[Just tell me if such futures exist or not.]

“…These are possibilities, okay? Everyone has them, right? Like buying a lottery ticket and winning – that kind of fanciful thinking becoming reality is what future predictions are. Right?”

Setting the stage, Oracle continued.

“…Yes.”

[Ah, I see…]

Anastasha nodded as if realizing something. Seeing her relieved expression, Oracle couldn’t help but chuckle.

“What’s wrong? Worried someone might steal your husband?”

[Is there someone?]

“……No, uh, what…”

[Hmph.]

Oracle’s hesitation alone was enough for Anastasha to guess their thoughts.

“…These are still just ‘possibilities,’ alright? Frankly, the world could end tomorrow and it wouldn’t be strange. It could be a 0.00001% chance…”

[Even knowing such a future exists makes me uneasy. Combined with my current situation, it’s quite unpleasant.]

“Ah.”

Oracle frowned.

“Don’t ask me for help if you expect miracles. You’re Russian royalty.”

[Can’t the president’s son do anything about it?]

“Rather become a Hollywood director and enter legally. I hate tea, just saying.”

[If you can’t talk… Tch. Sigh…]

Covering her face with both hands, Anastasha despaired. Glaring through her fingers, she asked,

“Do I have a future marrying Rasputin…?”

“Hmm.”

Looking away toward the ceiling, Oracle replied,

“That particular future hasn’t shown up yet. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

[Please. I really…]

Anastasha’s voice wavered.

“I don’t want to break up with my husband again…”

“Alright, alright. Let’s end this call. I’ll talk after some sleep.”

The connection cut. Checking the sleeping pills by their bedside, Oracle sighed,

“If I weren’t really an ability user, I’d have overdosed on these by now.”

Taking a handful with water, they swallowed. Built-up tolerance made just a couple pills ineffective for deep sleep.

“…Rasputin, in the future…”

Instead focusing on Phoenix, Oracle slowly gathered magic power while drifting to sleep, recalling past dreams.

…

…

…

“Hitomi, shut up already!”

Waking up, Oracle had to take more sleeping pills with bloodshot eyes.

* * *

<Varanasi, India>

The small blonde girl rose from bowing before the Buddha statue. If not for her shabby clothes and small backpack, one might have mistaken her for a backpacker traveling around.

“Kid?”

A friendly-looking man approached the girl. Though slightly tanned, she clearly had potential to be quite beautiful as she grew.

“You shouldn’t be wandering alone in places like this. Go inside.”

Surveying the area, the man warned her. Many people nearby pretended to read newspapers or use smartphones while watching the girl closely.

“…”

Graciously bowing while keeping her prayer pose, the girl thanked him. Though startled, the man returned the thanks, but she simply turned back to praying toward the statue.

“Hey, I mean it, this is dangerous…”

“Who do you think is most dangerous in this area?”

Still in prayer position, the girl questioned the man.

“W-what kind of etiquette…”

“A person targeting an innocent girl with ill intentions doesn’t deserve respect.”

“…”

Realizing his cover was blown, the man twisted his lips revealing a hidden box cutter in his jacket.

“Why don’t we talk somewhere more private?”

He pointed toward a secluded alleyway. Calmly walking ahead herself, the girl headed toward the alley.

Thud. Thud.

Her steps showed no hesitation. The man signaled his accomplices lurking around, pointing deeper into the alley.

“Heh, time for some nourishment. Thanks to the gods.”

“Mm.”

Scanning the seventeen men surrounding her, the girl spoke.

“Seventeen?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll only play with you for a day.”

“Tch.”

Tossing her backpack to the ground, the girl clicked her tongue. The worn-out bag rattled ominously, startling the men. Seeing the golden gleam through the loose seams, they inwardly screamed.

“See? I was right! She’s smuggling!”

“Did we accidentally pick on someone else’s errand runner? What if she’s from another gang?”

Startled, the men realized the items spilling out looked luxurious.

“Who said we could touch her?”

“Wait! Maybe she’s just a fence! Why are you scared?”

“Yeah, why are you so scared?”

Clutching her fists, the girl glanced at her old analog watch.

“One per five seconds. I’ll finish within two minutes.”

“Tch.”

“Is she an ability user?”

Provoked, the men grew tense. Spreading her arms, the girl idly wiggled her fingers.

“So what if I am? Come on. Let’s pass the time while waiting.”

“Damn brat!”

Falling for the bait, the men lunged. The girl sighed.

“Not even worth using weapons. Tch.”

Moving like “light,” the blonde girl dashed forward.

Moments later.

Emerging alone from the alley, the blood-stained girl gazed at the sky, fiddling with her wristwatch.

“Hope they hurry up…”

Smiling faintly with anticipation, she muttered,

“My body’s itching for action…”

“Kyaaah!!”

A woman’s scream echoed through the streets as the girl vanished in a flash of light.

Later.

Police and ability users were horrified by the scene of seventeen bodies scattered throughout the alley.

* * *

After spending the night with Seok Harang.

I slipped away early morning after preparing breakfast for him, securing two cubes.

And locating Karna of Gaechonkwang.

The Round Table has temporarily postponed judgment on me, deciding to prioritize dealing with potentially world-threatening officers first.

So my immediate task is simple.

“How long have we known each other that you’re calling me again?”

Using three cubes in my possession, including the one from Hikari.

I summoned Chang-yeom in a secluded spot – Jungdongjin, Gangwon-do.