Chapter 64

Remun was alive. He wasn’t a murderer, but a god-killer. You can’t kill a god, right?

After Remun, who had fainted, woke up, Patrick showed us where he was entering and exiting the shadows, and once we shared the information, we decided to hear his story.

"Hmm, where should I start?"

"It’s obvious, the method to enter the shadows. Can I do it too? Are there any tips?"

"That’s a personal power of mine. No matter how hard you try, you can’t do it, Miss."

"...Is that so? I have no more questions, so you can leave if you want."

I pointed at my feet. The moment I realized I couldn’t enter the shadows, my interest in Remun quickly waned.

When I looked at him with a cold eye, he looked back at me with a sidelong glance.

"Miss, aren’t you curious about my true identity? You doubt I’m a god, right?"

"It doesn’t matter whether you’re a god or not."

"You’re my priestess, you know?"

"Please decide whether I’m a lady or a priestess."

I didn’t care anymore. It was enough to know that I couldn’t enter the shadows.

Seeing Remun’s slightly teary eyes, Patrick asked.

"I’ve never heard of a god of darkness named Remun. Are you really a god?"

"Yeah, yeah, it’s suspicious, right?"

"Since you can enter the shadows, I understand you’re not just a child... but I apologize for doubting you."

"...You’re kind, Brother."

Remun said, giving Patrick a fragile smile.

Both of them were handsome, making a beautiful picture. I’ll just stay quiet. I’m a potted plant.

"It’s not surprising that you haven’t heard of me. Faith in me has already been lost... or rather, it was lost, right?"

"Does that mean the faith in the god of darkness is reviving now? Is it related to calling Yumiera a priestess?"

"Sharp, that’s right. How should I put it... faith power? It’s flowing to me through Miss."

Both of them looked at me. No, I’m not doing anything like a cult leader. Time to stop being a potted plant.

"I didn’t believe in gods until yesterday."

"My faith is strong in this area, so I think it’s correct."

"Do you know the exact location of that area with strong faith?"

"Of course, it’s within walking distance from here."

It’s definitely within the Dorkness territory. I don’t like the idea of an unknown religion forming near me. It seems I’m somehow involved.

Why did the lost faith revive in my territory? And why did the faith in the god of darkness disappear in the first place? Despite his handsome appearance, he could be an evil god.

"I have a question too. Can you tell me specifically what a god of darkness is?"

"Isn’t that too abstract? Well, it’s fine. I’m one of the six gods born at the same time as this world. I govern darkness, night, the moon, dreams, illusions, monsters, dungeons... and other things, but I oversee those areas—"

"Wait. You’re the god of monsters? Doesn’t that make you an enemy of humanity?"

A god whose faith had been lost was understandable.

I raised my guard against Remun. I could feel Patrick tensing up beside me.

The history of this world and monsters are inseparable. Countless nations have been destroyed by monsters, and wars have been fought repeatedly to find places without monsters.

Remun sighed and waved his hands, saying, "No, no. Monsters are a metabolic activity of the world, essential for the circulation of magic power worldwide. They are a natural phenomenon. The world needs water, but people also die in floods, right?"

"For the sake of the world, you created monsters?"

"That’s not it. When I was born, the world’s system was mostly complete. I created dungeons and magical artifacts. I gathered monsters in underground areas where people don’t go and gave them tools that can’t be made by human hands... I tried pretty hard for humanity, you know."

Remun pouted and turned away. That childish gesture might also be to make us let our guard down.

Magical artifacts are indeed convenient. Human-made magical artifacts are based on those from dungeons, and magic stones from monsters are used as power sources.

He has undoubtedly enriched our lives.

However, because I have memories from my previous life, I know that magical artifacts are hindering scientific progress. The technology in this world has been stagnant for centuries.

He probably gave us tools to help us, like a parent concerned for their child. But is a parent who only gives and hinders a child’s growth correct? Is a god who only gives a friend or an enemy to humanity?

I rarely think about such difficult things and fall silent. Patrick is also silent, as if he’s thinking about something.

Seeing us like this, Remun stopped pretending to be sulking and continued talking.

"Besides, it’s hard to level up without monsters, right? People gain power by defeating monsters, whose bodies are entirely composed of magic power."

"Remun! I’m sorry for doubting you. You are a wonderful god. Let’s build a temple next time."

So, he’s the god of leveling up. If he had said that earlier, it would have been better. Remun is a real god.

Scientific progress? I don’t know about that. It’s not related to me. Honestly, I don’t care.

Kneeling and bowing, I heard Patrick mutter.

"Is this okay for Yumiera? ...Well, it’s typical of her."

"Oh, this is Miss’s usual behavior."

Do people think I only think about leveling up? That’s hurtful.

But more importantly, leveling up. My level is capped at 99, and a god might know how to remove that limit.

"Do you know how to remove the level cap, Remun?"

"...I’ve been watching you, but talking to you in person is overwhelming."

"Is there a level above 99? Is there or isn’t there?"

I looked up and met his eyes. If I ask sincerely, he will surely answer. Look into these pure eyes. They’re not the eyes of someone who would use their power for evil.

"Miss, your eyes are scary?"

"Removing the level cap."

"...There are various methods. The level cap is a rule that only applies within a single world—"

I want to hear the specific methods. The rules of the world and theories don’t matter to me.

I silently stared at Remun. In his black eyes, the face of a woman, expressionless but intimidating, was reflected.

"Alright, I’ll tell you, but don’t look at me like that. But there’s an order to the story, starting with the structure of the world. ...You might not believe it, but countless parallel worlds exist beyond this world."

"Does that mean other continents?"

Patrick raised a question. I know about other worlds firsthand, but it’s probably hard for him to believe.

"No, it’s not that. Everything in the world exists in multiple forms. The sun, the moon, the continents, people, everything in the world exists in places that never intersect."

I’m not sure how parallel worlds relate to removing the level cap, but I can’t leave Patrick behind.

To help him understand, I added an explanation.

"The shape of the continents, the level of civilization, the presence or absence of magic... they can be different, right?"

"No, that’s not it."

"Huh?"

"What you’re talking about... are different worlds, parallel worlds, right? They theoretically exist, but they’re beyond my observation range, so I can’t say for sure they exist."

He said he meant parallel worlds, not other worlds. I see, it’s more of an SF concept, not a fantasy one. I’m sorry for confusing Patrick.

"I understand. Parallel worlds are basically the same as this world but have differences in detail."

"That’s it! Miss, you’re surprisingly smart!"

I grew up seeing various gadgets, so I have some basic knowledge of SF. But did parallel worlds appear in that? Maybe the If Box is a parallel world.

Hearing our conversation, Patrick seemed to have a vague idea.

"So... a world almost identical to this one exists, and people similar to those in this world live there... is that right?"

"Exactly, that’s the idea."

"Are there versions of me and Yumiera in that world?"

"There are as many versions of you as there are worlds. Of course, there are versions of Miss... too."

I see, parallel worlds. It’s not strange that such things exist if other worlds do.

So, how does this relate to removing the level cap? Hurry, hurry, continue.

"As I said, the level cap is a rule that only applies within a single world. Imagine a tree. One of the countless branches is this world. Each branch has a Miss living on it."

"Each branch is a single world?"

"Yes. The level cap continues to apply as long as you stay in one world. To escape that restriction, you need to become a resident of the tree, not just a branch."

From a branch resident to a tree resident. Remun’s poetic and complex way of speaking made sense to me.

If I become a resident of all the parallel worlds that exist... Is that possible?

"Isn’t that difficult?"

"There are several methods. Defeating a higher-ranking existence, a resident of the tree, for example."

"Higher-ranking... like a god? If I defeat Remun, will the level cap be removed?"

"Hehe, want to try?"

Remun said with a mischievous smile.

I see, I see. Then there’s only one thing for me to do.

Next time, a shocking development! Why did Yumiera attack Remun?