Chapter 77

Elixir in hand, the next day I realized that my sword had pierced my heart.

With no particular actions left to take against the parallel world version of myself, I decided to spend the day as usual, organizing various documents and visiting the village where the expansion work was progressing. But today, I’ll take it easy. I’ve been a bit tired from all that’s happened over the past few days. Maybe I’ll read a book for the first time in a while. While considering whether to buy a new book, I’ll go through the mansion’s library. It was a peaceful day, with a leisurely time passing by.

Maybe the attack from the parallel world version of myself was just Remun’s groundless worry. It was such a calm day that I could think that.

It was already evening. I thought I could end the day without any incidents. ...When a voice came from the shadows.

"Onee-san! I’ve confirmed the dimensional distortion! Come quickly!"

From my shadow, the black-haired goddess Remun appeared.

Eh, she’s already here?

◆ ◆ ◆

I called Patrick and left the mansion.

Since I was prepared, I could leave fully equipped right away.

Elenora stayed behind. Actually, if I explained the situation, she might insist on coming along, so I kept the parallel world matter a secret.

"Where is it? Where?"

"Right nearby."

"Then Ryu should stay behind too."

"Why? I think that dragon could be a valuable asset."

"Ha? You’re going to take Ryu to a dangerous place!?"

"Ah, yeah, sorry."

I followed Remun’s instructions from her shadow and ran.

Patrick caught up a little later.

"No time to rest, huh."

"Really."

"Where is it?"

"It’s not far. Where abouts?"

Then Remun replied that we’d arrive in a few minutes.

It wasn’t far from the city of Dorkness. At this pace, it should be around where Duke Hillroze was ambushed before.

Should I be happy or sad that it’s close to the city? At least it seems the city won’t be damaged, which is good.

The place was immediately recognizable.

Remun described it as a dimensional distortion, and it was exactly that.

The space was warped, and the scenery on the other side was twisted.

"Is this it?"

"Yes, this is it."

We stopped a little distance away. Remun still hadn’t come out of the shadow.

I observed the twisted space closely... I want to get closer. What would happen if I touched it?

My intellectual curiosity was piqued, and as I was about to run over, Patrick grabbed my shoulder.

"Hey, what are you trying to do?"

"Just a little, I want to touch it."

"That looks dangerous, doesn’t it?"

"Human curiosity has driven us to evolve. Isn’t touching it okay?"

He tightened his grip on my shoulder.

It’s not like it will release a killing beam the moment I touch it. I think touching a dimensional distortion is safer than a demon core.

"Alright, then how about throwing a stone?"

"Well, that might be... okay?"

Patrick threw the question to my feet.

The response was a dismissive one.

"Sure, why not?"

Alright, with Remun’s permission, I’ll throw a stone.

Will it disappear into the connected parallel world, change its trajectory due to the twisted space, or have no effect at all? I’m really curious.

I picked up a suitable pebble from the ground and lightly threw it at the dimensional distortion.

Almost immediately, the twisted space began to wobble. The wobble grew larger, and what emerged from the spatial distortion was... me.

That was the parallel world Yumiera. The stone hit her in the face.

"Ah!"

"...Rough welcome, huh."

I’m sorry, it wasn’t intentional. Please don’t be angry.

As expected of Yumiera, she didn’t show any sign of pain.

The other me looked exactly like me, as expected. The only difference was her hair length, which was so long that it completely covered her right eye.

Her clothing was different too. The completely black Gothic Lolita dress reminded me of the one the secret boss Yumiera wore in the game. Where did she get that from?

She looked at me and Patrick in turn and muttered.

"Hmm, so that’s how it is. I see. I really don’t like it."

"I’m sorry, um... what should I call you?"

I called out while maintaining a certain distance.

I considered the possibility that we might not be able to communicate, but she responded frankly.

"You should know my name. I’m Yumiera Dorkness. Call me whatever you like."

"But I’m also Yumiera, so it’s inconvenient, isn’t it?"

"True. How about you change your name to something stupid? You look like an idiot anyway."

"My face... isn’t it the same as yours?"

She looked like she had made a mistake. Maybe this one is the idiot?

Let’s seriously consider a way to distinguish between us. Yumiera Alter, Black Yumiera, Another Yumiera... Hmm, if anything, I’m more like the alter, black, and another. The one closer to the original is her, so should I change my name? But if I do, I might be treated like a second fiddle. How about simple numbering?

"Then, 1 and 2. I’m 1, you’re 2."

"Huh? Why am I 2?"

"Alright, you’re 1, I’m V3."

"Why skip 2!? And where did V come from!?"

Oh, you’re being picky.

I suggested V3 as an alternative because 1 and 2 were unsatisfactory, but the skipped number is concerning. It might hint at another me appearing.

Then, you stay as 1. Sequential numbers...

"If you don’t like skipping numbers, how about 0 and 1? You’re 1, I’m Zero Nos."

"Why do I get an extra name!?"

"Zero Nos? What’s that? I don’t remember it, but it makes me sad..."

"You said it!"

I teased a bit and confirmed. She is definitely not me. She has no memories of Japan and is a completely different personality.

If she had the memories of my past life, we’d probably be fighting over Zero Nos by now.

"Let’s each take the name of a rider we like. You can choose Amazon or Kickhopper or anything you like."

"...I’ll be 2. You’re 1."

"Huh, if that’s okay..."

A bit disappointing. But for clarity, 1 and 2 might be better?

I put my right hand on my hip and extended my left hand diagonally upward, shouting.

"Transform!"

"...What are you doing?"

Yumiera 2 looked at me with a deadpan expression.

Feeling uncomfortable, I turned to Patrick for help, but he also looked unimpressed.

No, I have to do it. I’m Yumiera 1.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I cleared my throat and said.

"Now that we have a way to distinguish between us... Is your purpose to target me, 2?"

"Yes, my purpose is you."

Indeed, her target is me. Her aim is to defeat me and unlock the level cap.

The always sullen 2 pointed at Patrick.

"So? Who is he?"

"I’m—"

As Patrick was about to introduce himself, I realized a shocking fact.

2’s gaze on him was clearly different from the one she gave me. When she looked at me, it was as if even being in my sight was unpleasant, but now she looked somewhat pleased.

This... even if the contents are different, our preferences for the opposite sex are the same.

This is bad. My face and 2’s are exactly the same. Patrick, who is infatuated with my beauty, might fall for 2 too.

A person who can destroy the world would probably have no qualms about using someone else’s lover.

In just 0.2 seconds.

To avoid setting up unnecessary flags, I had to interrupt the conversation before it started.

I jumped to the side to hug Patrick’s arm.

My elbow accidentally jabbed into his side, and he groaned, but the conversation was interrupted, so it’s fine.

I leaned against Patrick’s arm and rubbed my head against him, making a show of affection.

"He’s my boyfriend, you know? Oh, and we’re engaged too. We’ll be getting married in a few months."

"Ouch... Yumiera, what’s this sudden move?"

"Look! Say some passionate words of love like you always do!"

"Always?"

I appealed to Patrick with my eyes to stay silent. This is the first time I’ve done this, and I don’t want 2 to realize it.

I glanced at her, and she was glaring at me sharply. Good, it’s working. Then 2 said in a chilling voice.

"Don’t get too cozy."

"Huh? It looked like that to you? Isn’t this normal? Oh... I guess someone without a boyfriend wouldn’t understand. Sorry. And I’m stronger."

The battle has already begun. I should have the upper hand in the initial skirmish.

I know the sharpness of the words "Why don’t you have a boyfriend?" When asked sincerely, it hurts even more. The apology in a serious tone is even more effective.

Hurt 2! Even if we share the same pain, we are enemies now. No mercy.

She clenched her fists and looked down. I felt a bit embarrassed and moved away from Patrick, approaching 2. I peered up at her face.

"Are you crying? Don’t be too down. And I’m stronger."

"...Look down there."

She pointed down.

Huh? Is something on the ground? I looked down but saw nothing.

Just as I was about to ask what she wanted to show me, a shock came from above. A pain shot through the back of my head.

I realized I had been hit with a heel drop when my face hit the ground. I was knocked to the ground face-first.

"Cheater—"

"Look, you’re supposed to be stronger. Get up quickly."

I tried to get up to complain, but another shock came from above. Again and again and again.

The back of my head was being stomped on repeatedly. My head was sinking into the dirt.

2 stopped stomping and started grinding my head into the ground.

"Did you pass out? You talk big—"

"You started it."

I reached behind my head and grabbed 2’s ankle. I can still counterattack even when lying down.

She tried to pull her foot away to escape the restraint... but I wouldn’t let go.

"What? Let go. You should just lie there on the ground."

"Roll? Alright, let’s do it."

"Kyaa"

I rolled on the ground while holding her ankle. When I was on my back, I used both hands to tighten the restraint and rolled again.

2 lost her balance and I continued to spin, using myself as the axis to spin her around.

Then, the Gothic Lolita Yumiera fell forward and hit the ground.

I let out a victorious cry.

"Yaaah!"

This is just the beginning. I quickly stood up and grabbed one of her ankles again.

I lifted her and repeatedly slammed her to the ground. Like hammering a hammer into the ground, I swung Yumiera 2 around. Again and again and again.

Of course, I adjusted the angle to make her face hit the dirt. Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, face for a face in the dirt.

Then Patrick called a stop.

"That’s enough."

He looked genuinely sad.

I stopped slamming 2 into the ground and looked at her. The girl, lying limp on the ground, looked exactly like me...

I looked back at Patrick, startled.

"Seeing Yumiera fight Yumiera is more painful than I imagined..."

"Patrick..."

I can understand how he feels.

If I saw Patrick and a Patrick lookalike fighting in the mud... Hmm? I’d probably side with Patrick. Because the other one is a different person, even if they look the same.

"Eh? Are you taking 2’s side, Patrick? Is any face the same to you?"

"No, it’s just unbearable to watch..."

"Hmm, you’re taking 2’s side. She started it first."

"Yumiera was also at fault. You were unnecessarily provocative."

I wasn’t being provocative. I was just trying to gain a mental advantage over her. It’s not provocation, it’s dominance. Whether one is more malicious is a matter of judgment.

...Well, I was also at fault. Maybe I started the fight. I won’t apologize, though.

I turned my face away from Patrick, sulking, and 2 was getting up.

She straightened her disheveled clothes and glared at me.

"Do you think having a boyfriend is special?"

"Huh?"

"Normal people have normal friends and normal boyfriends. They get married normally and have children normally."

"Uh... yeah... sure..."

"Don’t you think it’s pitiful to try to gain an advantage by using normal things as a shield? It’s like a child boasting about being able to go shopping alone. It’s only acceptable because they’re a child. If a grown adult starts boasting about something anyone can do, it’s over."

"...You’re right."

...I feel like crying. It’s even more painful to hear it from someone who looks exactly like me. I think I, too, have been thinking the same thing deep down.

I was being overly provocative, sulking even when Patrick stopped me, and my character is too bad. I really feel like crying. Seeing this, Yumiera 2 curled the corners of her mouth and continued.

"Also, truly happy people don’t go around boasting about their happiness. When I saw you and your boastful boyfriend being overly affectionate, I thought, ‘Ah, their relationship isn’t going well...’"

"...It’s going well. We’ve even set a wedding date."

"Wow, getting married... So what? Do you think that marriage will automatically improve your relationship and make everything better? Marriage is not a magic ritual or the end of life."

Don’t criticize marriage when you’ve never been married. You don’t even have a boyfriend... No, the advantage of having a boyfriend is already lost. Grr... I can’t say anything back.

Taking advantage of this, 2 pressed on.

"Besides, I thought it was strange. Even if we’re different people, I’m still me, Yumiera Dorkness. There’s no way I can have a normal relationship. You’re being deceived by that border baron."

I almost looked at Patrick’s face to confirm that I wasn’t being deceived.

No, I can’t do that. It would look like I don’t trust him.

Even if we look the same, right now, Yumiera 2 is more important than Patrick. Even if we look the same, right now, I should hit rather than look.

"Don’t say anything bad about Patrick!"

I lunged at Yumiera 2 and punched her in the face. I pinned her down and continued to punch her with both hands.

She punched me in the face too. But punches from below are weak and ineffective. Useless, useless, useless.

"Stop, Yumiera! Yumiera is pitiful!"

This time, the stop came quickly. Patrick grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back.

Saying something bad about Patrick was also to keep him in place. But it didn’t seem to have much effect. Maybe he read my mind, knowing I brought it to a physical fight because I couldn’t win the verbal one.

I was completely pulled away from 2. She lay on the ground, and I was held back by Patrick, glaring at each other.

After confirming that I had let go, Patrick sighed deeply.

"Why do you two keep targeting each other’s faces?"

"Because we don’t like our faces."

The comic is so good, I reread it every day.

Today’s update (around 11 AM?) should be the first appearance of the black hole, I think.