During a counseling session, the doctor told Dorothy’s parents.

“Your daughter is different from other children. She is extremely innocent, and emotionally underdeveloped. How should I put it, she seems to have many stray thoughts and easily believes in imaginary things that haven’t happened? There is a concern that she might become trapped in her own world. I recommend keeping horror movies or stimulating media as far away from this child as possible.”

…

POV Switch – Pinocchio

“Yeah. That’s right. At some point, everyone started remembering that I killed you all.”

“…Who are you?”

“Do I have to introduce myself again? My name is Dorothy. My role is also Dorothy.”

Dorothy?

Clearly, the tale devil Ariel mentioned.

She has angel wings and a halo, but the kind of power exploding from her is definitely the power of a devil, like ours.

“That storm is your doing, then.”

To my question, Dorothy smiled brightly and affirmed.

“Yep! Because this is the most efficient.”

Efficient for what?

That question was answered in an exceedingly violent manner.

When Dorothy saw a city still intact within the storm, she lightly swung the knife in her hand as if swatting a fly.

“Ah, just a moment.”

Slice!

Only after seeing the sight of buildings blown away in a single strike, could I understand, whether I liked it or not, what this storm was efficient for.

That Dorothy wanted to kill every illusion in sight.

I reflexively hugged Cassie, who had turned into an illusion, tightly in my arms.

[Dorothy’s Level Up!]

[Level 157 ㅡ 159]

“Wow~ Level up!”

‘Her aura grew stronger?’

Her becoming stronger isn’t the problem. There’s a much more important issue than that.

“Stop it! Those were once human beings! If you kill them recklessly, it can’t be undone!”

I couldn’t hide my horror at Dorothy’s casual massacre.

Even at my shout, Dorothy didn’t bat an eye, smiling cheerfully and meeting my gaze.

A chill ran down my spine.

“Right. That’s the setting. But monsters have to be killed, right? I have to level up, up, and up, so I can summon Oz.”

“Oz, you say?”

Oz, the one Ariel mentioned, the one Mephistopheles was looking for?

What kind of relationship does this girl have with that devil?

“Yep. To summon Oz, I have to kill all the monsters. So, that kid in your arms. Can I kill her?”

I sensed the killing intent hidden in her composed demeanor and buried Cassie deeper in my embrace.

Then, I created a chainsaw on my right arm and aimed it at Dorothy.

“Don’t touch this child.”

“Why?”

“She’s precious.”

“Hmm… Precious, you say… That kind of thing is meaningless.”

Dorothy muttered to herself, then her lips curled up a bit more.

That sight was so eerie I couldn’t help but flinch.

“It doesn’t matter. The tale devils are variables, so I was planning to kill Pinocchio anyway. I’ll kill you together.”

Dorothy decided to kill me.

No, perhaps she had intended to from the very beginning.

An aura of pure killing intent and power spread out as if to overturn the entire area.

I was thrown back, creating distance, and had to prepare an immediate attack.

I synthesize a chainsaw and a whip.

Even if I can’t explain the principle, I can produce the result.

That is the essence of a lie.

A long, extended chainsaw whip, and to that, I add another lie.

‘This chainsaw cuts anything.’

Shhrrrrrrrk!

The chainsaw whip, imbued with the power of reality manipulation, extends towards Dorothy.

There’s no sign of agitation from Dorothy.

If she had been attacked, there should have been at least a sign of tension.

Slice.

Dorothy, without batting an eye.

Cut the chainsaw.

Despite it being a saw imbued with the power of reality manipulation, her knife didn’t even have a scratch.

“…!”

“It’s not like I’m completely out of time, but even if I spread storms all over the world, it takes quite a while to kill everyone. Your appearance was new, so that was nice. But if there’s nothing more interesting, I’ll end it here.”

For a moment, I gauged the difference in power between myself and Dorothy.

The moment Dorothy’s arm rises to cut me down will be my end.

That slash, I wouldn’t be able to block it, nor push it back with my firepower.

In that case, I have no choice but to obstruct her vision.

“Hup!”

I summoned giant mass-produced dolls from beneath the ground.

They burst from the earth, trying to grab Dorothy with their massive hands.

I hid in the rising dust cloud, focusing to land a single blow.

To gain even a slight chance of victory, I must concentrate on one point.

What I envision is the form of an awl.

It must pierce, it ignores defense, it inflicts wounds.

An attack, packed tight with lies, unleashed.

Straight towards Dorothy, whose vision is obstructed.

Dorothy’s eyes, for an instant, turned towards the awl.

She knew the attack was coming.

Yet, she didn’t avoid it.

Screeeech…!

The awl, shattering with a grating noise.

This can’t be happening…

“Weak. Last time, you seemed to be the strongest among the five, so why have you become so weak? Could it be related to coddling that kid?”

“What are you trying to ask…”

“Just curious. The Pinocchio from last time, his reality manipulation ability wasn’t merely at this level. Did you say you pursued strength? I know that feeling. Just like how it feels good when your level goes up, being strong is fun, isn’t it?”

“Because there was something far more important than strength.”

“I see.”

Thwack!

Dorothy’s slash.

As she swung her knife, my left arm flew off.

I couldn’t even react. Damn it, it hurts.

Even if I had weakened, this wasn’t even a fight.

“Don’t you think… this is absurd?”

In a situation where laughter almost escaped me, I struggled to wrap my remaining arm around Cassie.

Dorothy, on the contrary, approached me with a gentle expression.

The trembling wouldn’t stop.

“There’s no need to be scared.”

“She’s a precious child. Of course, I’m scared.”

“Even though she’s just a mob that doesn’t give much experience? Even though she’s weak?”

“Don’t judge Cassie by such things…! To me, she is the most valuable being!”

“…”

Dorothy maintained her bright smile, holding a cold silence for a moment.

Then, she spoke as if to soothe me.

Why is she trying to soothe someone she’s about to kill?

Or is she talking to herself?

“It might seem terrible, but it’s all okay. If you turn off the game console and load it again, everyone will be back.”

“This isn’t a game, you idiot!”

“No, it’s a game. Or an illusion, or a dream. If not that, then maybe a novel?”

Stealthily.

Listening to her incomprehensible talk is over.

Using lies as material, I instantly created a tool to move to another place.

Press this button, and first, escape from this spot.

Then, rendezvous with Alice.

Click.

The scenery changed.

Did I escape?

“…! How.”

Stab!

Dorothy’s blade pierced my heart.

Cassie, in my arms, was cut down along with me.

“Nothing is impossible. In the Land of Oz, anything is possible. If there is a next time, the Cassie you cherish will be in your arms again.”

My vision blurs.

Death?

Am I dying so… futilely?

This isn’t the first time I’ve died. This is repeating.

So, this won’t be the end.

If this phenomenon is repeating, I can be with Cassie again.

And Dorothy said “five people”.

Meaning, it’s presumed she doesn’t know Alice, who appeared latest among us.

The basis isn’t certain, but I’m sure it must be so.

Alice…

Find a way to break this repeating phenomenon and bring Cassie and me back.

I’m counting on you.

“Catching the tale devils doesn’t raise my level, ha… Anyway, don’t be sad! It’s all just a game~”

Her muttering incomprehensible words to the end was the last thing I heard as my vision completely darkened.

Gasp, Pinocchio died. So sad.

As always, if you spot any mistakes, feel free to let me know—and I hope you enjoyed the read!

—Chip