“Haha... You’re still the same. Thanks for your concern, but there’s no need. What can change just because an ant worries about a person?”

Auril Gavis smiled kindly, but his words struck like a bone. Seeing Ibaekho unable to keep his expression and forcing an awkward smile, it was clear Ibaekho had lost this exchange completely.

“Well then, I think it’s best to end today’s meeting here.”

“Um... Elder? I have one question I’d like to ask...”

“It’s late today. If there’s a chance someday, I’ll answer the questions you meant to ask now then.”

“...Does that mean we can meet again?”

“Of course. You’re a model student. I’m always watching closely.”

“Is that so...?”

GM seemed less disappointed hearing that there’d be another chance, and Auril Gavis, smiling warmly at GM, led us deeper into the cave. Step by step.

After about a minute, we reached a spacious cavern.

“Wow...”

“How many are these?”

Everyone gasped the moment we arrived. It was no wonder — the cavern walls were lined neatly with dimensional monuments, hundreds at least, large enough to play soccer in here.

“Well... this should do.”

Auril Gavis pointed with his finger to the dimensional monument we would use.

“Um... do you know where that leads?”

“Hmm, I’d prefer to leave it as a later surprise, but since you seem uneasy, I’ll tell you. Riding it will bring you back to that first place.”

“The ‘first place’... you mean the spot where the magic circle was destroyed?”

“Exactly.”

GM’s face relaxed at knowing the destination. But is this one of those ‘can’t spit on a smiling face’ moments? I thought GM might have aimed for that. Though they laughed and joked earlier, this grim old man would definitely spit behind their back with that smile.

Whoosh! As the portal opened, Auril Gavis gave us a look to hurry, and Ibaekho spat on the ground. Then...

“You unlucky damn old man.”

Like he didn’t want to stay in one space any longer, he was first through the portal.

“I’ll go next. In case Baekho causes trouble again.”

Second was Parmel Harbae, third Aures... then Jaina and GM followed through the portal, leaving just Auril Gavis and me.

“No need to pretend anymore.”

Stopping by the portal, Auril Gavis looked at me steadily.

“What, you want me to go quickly?”

I said grumbling, and Auril Gavis smiled kindly again.

“Heh heh, of course not. When have I ever looked at you like I’m signaling something? I just thought you had something to say.”

“...”

“That’s unlike you. If you have something to say, just say it.”

Yeah, but he definitely wouldn’t tell the things he didn’t want to say. I glanced around, took GM as a reference, and politely opened my mouth.

“Elder, I have just one question.”

“You always seem to have questions whenever you see me.”

“Because you have so many secrets.”

“Heh heh... Tell me. What do you want to ask?”

“What kind of place is this?”

Auril Gavis looked somewhat surprised at my question.

“Why that, of all things? There are more important questions.”

“I’ve already asked those several times, but never got a proper answer.”

I complained, deciding not to waste time anymore, and Auril Gavis suddenly burst out laughing.

“...What? Ha ha! Ha ha ha! Ahahaha!”

Is this old man crazy? What’s so funny here? I couldn’t understand at all, but at least his mood had improved.

“Hahaha... Sorry. An old memory just came to mind.”

“An old memory...?”

“Well, recently there have been many things I’m sorry about to you, so I’ll answer what you asked.”

“Oh, thank you so much.”

“Don’t be sarcastic.”

“Yes...”

Since he finally seemed willing to answer, I decided not to provoke him further and waited quietly. This question seemed important.

[This place is somewhere outside the castle walls.] Somewhere outside the castle walls.

[It’s a place very meaningful to me.] Auril Gavis’s meaningful place.

This place even has a structure very similar to the first-floor Crystal Cave. What exactly is this place?

“Shall we walk for a bit?”

As my questions grew, Auril Gavis suggested as if to take a stroll, and I nodded readily.

Following Auril Gavis who went ahead, he suddenly spoke something like a Zen koan.

“A lie you want to believe, or a truth you want to disbelieve.”

“Huh...?”

“If you had to choose one, which would you pick?”

I wondered why he asked this suddenly, but this old man surely had a reason beyond nonsense. I thought carefully.

I recalled a similar balance game on the internet once: curry that tastes like feces, or feces that tastes like curry.

Of course, that was different from this Zen koan, but strangely made choosing easier.

“I choose the latter.”

“You prefer the truth you want to disbelieve?”

“Because it’s still the truth.”

“Hmm, I see...”

Auril Gavis showed an ambiguous reaction but said no more. I had answered sincerely after all.

“We have arrived.”

Auril Gavis stopped before a stone door blocking the cave passage. When he placed his hand on it, it opened automatically as if enchanted.

And then...

“...?”

An unexpected space opened before my eyes. It reminded me of the universe. A straight staircase stretched upward.

“Be careful not to fall as you go up.”

As always, Auril Gavis strode ahead without explanation, and I silently followed, observing around.

How long had passed? Steadily climbing the stairs, I realized why I was brought here.

“To show me that thing on the altar at the top of the stairs...”

“What is that...?”

“You’ll recognize it once you go see.”

Though I wondered what he meant, at the stair’s end, I finally understood: hundreds of fragments floated above the altar, surrounded by a thin veil.

“Fragments of Records...”

Not just one, but hundreds drifted in midair.

“Did you collect all of these yourself?”

Auril Gavis nodded without expression. When he reached out his hand, one fragment slowly drifted toward us like a slowly orbiting star.

“Want to read it?”

I nodded silently and read the ancient language inscribed on it. But there was a problem...

“A demon spirit from another world... how do I read this?”

Some parts were undecipherable.

“This isn’t just ancient language, it’s just a pattern...”

“No need to interpret it. Think of it as a name for a person.”

Hmm, for now, I let it pass. Reading the rest of the fragments didn’t take long—they were quite short.

“A demon spirit from another world ‘———’ lost three companions, and only then realized the path he must take...”

...Wait a moment.

“Is this ‘———’ me...?”

I asked hastily, glancing sideways, but Auril Gavis only smiled gently and didn’t answer.

“......”

Damn it.

The Fragments of Records. Pieces of the ‘Record Stone’ that chronicle all time from past to present and future.

I know the power of this ‘Record’ better than anyone, because I experienced it once. My heart thumped recalling the past I went to through the Fragments of Records.

Back then, I caused chaos trying to change the future where someone died, but failed. The stories written in the Record Stone always come true.

Of course, some like Amelia used tricks of ‘deception’...

‘This time, such tricks won’t work.’

How could I even try? I’m no naive ten-year-old. Faking death to fool my comrades was impossible. Besides, I don’t even know when it happened. My heart thumped again... three people... ‘three...’

In Dungeon & Stone, comrades dying is common. But why does this small number feel so huge and despairing? Heart thumping.

While my heart tightened, my head cooled, thinking. Who were those three? Or rather, who should they be?

As the leader of a group, even the unthinkable thoughts swiftly passed.

“Knowing the ending is truly a painful thing.”

Auril Gavis, who gave me the greatest worry of my life, nodded as if understanding me. Seeing that made blood surge to my head.

“...What?”

I wanted to punch that old face right then and there. But...

“......”

I had to hold back. Throwing a punch here would only be to my own loss.

“So... when...”

Clenching my teeth until my body trembled, I asked him.

“Do you know when... the events written here will happen?”

“I don’t know. If the Record Stone was intact, maybe. But with just these fragments, it’s hard to estimate.”

‘So, there’s nothing here that can help me?’

At that moment, something like a thread snapped in my mind, and Auril Gavis continued.

“But judging how records are written, this must also be one event.”

In other words, it’s not that one person dies after another over time, but that three die during one ‘incident.’

I gritted my teeth and asked.

“...Do you know who those three are?”

This was a question I debated hundreds or thousands of times whether to ask. But as if he knew my thoughts, the old man answered easily.

“I don’t know.”

No excuses, no explanations. Just “I don’t know.” Somehow, that made me both angry and relieved. If those names were known, I would have gone mad.

“You seem conflicted. Are your comrades that important to you?”

“...Don’t poke me. I’m really at my limit.”

“Then so be it.”

Showing superhuman patience, Auril Gavis said no more, and silence stretched out.

My heart still pounded even after some time passed, and the strength in my toes wouldn’t release. But...

‘Information.’

Somewhat my reason returned.

“Elder.”

“Looks like you’re coming to your senses.”

After all, what is recorded is something I can’t immediately change.

“Why did you show me this?”

I judged this was the first thing to find out. This old man, who specializes in toying with people, wouldn’t have shown it without reason.

“Reason... Honestly, it’s close to whimsy. If you had left as you were and not asked where this place was, I wouldn’t have shown it.”

“......”

“But you look like you don’t believe me?”

Of course I wouldn’t. Even if I hadn’t left, I’d suspect some dark scheme behind this. But...

“You’re clearly the former.”

“...?”

“You said you preferred the latter earlier, but that was only because you wanted to be that person. You are actually the former.”

At first, I didn’t understand, but soon it clicked. ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ It was a continuation of the Zen koan: a lie you want to believe and a truth you want to disbelieve.

“I hope my word about whimsy is a lie, but it’s certainly true.”

Though it sounded like a forced logic to confuse the point, I had no sharp rebuttal. Yet I still looked for distance.

“Still, I don’t disappoint you. If you ask a hundred people, all will choose ‘truth,’ but in reality, when faced with the situation, it reverses...”

“......”

“Isn’t that right, Bjorn Yandel... or rather, Lee Hansoo?”

Damn, no words. I gave up trying to win this old man with words.

“...Alright. I only started this talk for no reason. I wasn’t aiming for anything.”

Saying it resignedly, Auril Gavis gazed sadly at the Record Fragments scattered like a galaxy in midair.

“I don’t know how you see me, but I’m no monster. And as Baekho said, I’m not omnipotent...”

“......”

“I’m just an ordinary human, struggling and suffering hard for one thing. Just like you.”

Well, sorry to be blunt, but no matter how much he says that, he just looks like a crazy old man to me. No need to ruin the mood.

“...Since I’m here, can I see something else too?”

“Your comrades must be waiting outside. Is that alright?”

“...Comrades?”

They’re just ‘companions’ enough.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”