Additional Chapter! Thanks Thaddeus_090, Slesk, ImYourFriend, Zarc, Vcut, and Aeson_Kayr for this additional chapter.
Enjoy!!!
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Klein opened his mouth but couldn't say a word. Then he laughed, though he wasn't sure why.
"Hahaha, so that's how it is. That's how it is!"
In that moment, Klein felt his Clown potion, which he'd struggled to digest, suddenly process. He grasped the true essence of the Clown potion: knowing the future but being powerless against fate, forced to hide all helplessness behind a smile.
How ironic!
With that thought, Klein looked up at Evah, his voice hoarse. "What's the apocalypse?"
"In about a decade or so, this world will face an apocalypse. Without the Celestial Worthy or someone to replace him, 99% of people will die," Evah said, not holding back. The 99% accounted for the chance some gods might flee with their followers.
Klein went silent, stunned. After a long pause, he said, "And you?"
"They bet on me, so why are you telling me all this?"
Because I've gone soft, Klein. The Lord of Mysteries has to rise, but it doesn't have to be you.
You can reject this fate. As my friend, you deserve the right to say no.
Evah muttered to himself inwardly, then smiled at Klein. "I just don't want to see another 'me' repeat my mistakes."
"So I'm giving you a chance, Klein. You can choose to accept this fate. It's not great, but it's not awful either. At least this path makes you one of the world's strongest."
"Or you can walk away. After that, saving the world's got nothing to do with you. Stay in Tingen as a Nighthawk, leave Tingen to do whatever you want—your call."
Evah said earnestly, looking at Klein with a sincerity he'd never shown before. "I'll handle any trouble from others and find another savior."
"…Is there anyone else who could become the 'Celestial Worthy' besides me?" Klein asked after a quiet moment.
"There's one other candidate, but they're in bad shape. I can't guarantee they'd make it as the 'Celestial Worthy.' I'd say there's a chance," Evah said, not overselling. He was confident he could save Mr. Door, but could Mr. Door actually beat the Celestial Worthy? Hard to say. After years of torment, Mr. Door was a mess—even free of pollution, ascending to Lord of Mysteries wasn't a sure thing.
"Then am I guaranteed to make it?" Klein asked, genuinely puzzled. He couldn't fathom why an ordinary guy like him was qualified to be a savior.
"To the Evernight Goddess and others, you're the only shot. They're not sure you'll pull it off, but they've got no other options," Evah explained, holding nothing back. "In the scripts I can foresee, you do temporarily beat the Celestial Worthy."
"Temporarily?" Klein clearly didn't get what that meant.
"The Celestial Worthy's a unique entity. Nobody can beat him for good. Even you, the protagonist, only win for a while. Millions of years later, he'll come out on top," Evah said, taking his time.
"Sounds like a cheat—like a boss with a locked health bar," Klein quipped, half-joking. He fell silent again, then after a while said, "…If the 'Celestial Worthy' doesn't emerge, will the apocalypse really hit?"
"It will," Evah nodded, then added after a moment, "But while the apocalypse is certain, there are plenty of beings fighting it. You don't have to shoulder the responsibility. Even without you, the world might still make it through."
"That's something, at least," Klein said, trying to smile but failing. After a long silence, he said, "Can I have some time alone?"
"Of course. No rush to decide. Whatever you choose, I've got your back," Evah said, standing and heading out.
"I thought you hated me."
Just as Evah reached the door, Klein's muffled voice came through.
"I hate a little liar, but I don't hate a good kid," Evah said without turning, smiling. "So I'm willing to help a good kid choose his own ending."
The door opened and closed, leaving the room quiet with only Klein the cat.
He curled up, like a real cat, tucking himself into a ball. But maybe because the coffee table was cold, Klein the cat felt no warmth.
So cold!
This world's so damn cold!
Klein felt chilled and exhausted—battle fatigue and the weight of recent days crashing down. He thought he wouldn't sleep, but he passed out fast, faster than he expected.
After he drifted off, the door opened again. Evah slipped in quietly, draping a blanket over Klein the cat and saying gently, "Sleep. Tackle those complicated choices when you wake up."
His hand rested lightly on Klein's head, making a grabbing motion. Klein's injuries vanished.
Evah had stolen Klein's wounds, transferring them to a lab rat he'd prepped.
"No healing skills—kind of a pain," Evah sighed, thinking he should probably cozy up to the Earth Mother Church for some healing tricks.
…
Klein didn't know how long he slept.
When he woke, his wounds didn't hurt anymore. Standing, he was still a cat but found a blanket over him, no idea who'd put it there.
Klein shook his head. After the nap, he felt much better. He glanced out the window—it was pitch black outside.
Looking around, he spotted a bowl of food nearby—cooked chicken breast. Hunger made him swallow hard. After a quick glance around, he went for it, polishing off the chicken.
Full and refreshed, Klein's mind replayed what happened before he slept. His emotions stirred again, but with his condition restored, he wasn't at risk of losing control.
He just stared silently at his shadow under the lamplight, thinking. Part of him wished he were a real cat—no need to wrestle with this mess.
Suddenly, he heard the door open. Assuming it was Lucifer, he looked up—then froze.
At the door stood a figure Klein knew well, one he thought he'd never see again in this life.
—His mother.
(End of Chapter)
Translator's Note:
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