NOVEL NEXT WORLD “First, let me ask you, how much do you know about this world right now?”
“General stuff. I know that everyone is living together and forming a society.”
“That’s more detailed than I expected. Was there a similar community where you came from?”
“I… don’t know. I can’t remember.”
I answered the man, who introduced himself as Oliver, with a lie. If I revealed that I was human, it would simplify our conversation, but I didn’t want to expose my weaknesses to people I still couldn’t trust. If any acquaintances of mine were still alive and got hurt because of me… well, that wouldn’t sit well with me.
“Well, if you know that much, we can speed things up. As you said, humanity has been living in groups since ancient times. We may not have sharp claws or wings to fly, but by utilizing and recording the information we’ve accumulated, we’ve achieved remarkable growth.”
Oliver began his story. A lot had been omitted, but at least the crucial information needed to understand the story was all there. Even if I truly was an outsider who crossed dimensions, I could gather a rough understanding of this world from his explanation.
“Humanity has worked for a long time to dispel the ignorance shrouded in darkness. We figured out the structure of the materials that make up the world, gained systematic theoretical knowledge, and as a result, we have acquired the power to reach the universe without wings.”
In other words, this was a summary of human civilization. A long, lengthy summary of a history that led to the discovery of fire, the Stone Age, and the blooming of a brilliant civilization that succeeded in venturing into space. And if nothing special had happened since then, this story should have ended here.
“But there are still things in this world that we can’t understand. They completely overturn the knowledge and logic we knew before, existing far beyond our comprehension.”
As he spoke, a translucent something appeared in front of me. It was a screen in the same format I had seen earlier. In the center of that screen, a gigantic, lizard-like creature covered in fur was visible. It then charged towards the screen, and with a shriek that seemed to tear through the air, the screen went dark.
“We call them Abnormal Phenomena.”
The screen flipped quickly and began showing different scenes. A bizarre statue breaking a person’s neck. Something emerging from a doorway in a place painted blood red. Something with tentacles brushing past underwater. People, who were walking just fine, suddenly gouging out their own eyes. Each scene was unpleasant and deeply disturbing.
“We have not been able to determine where they come from and what their intentions are. However, we have confirmed one thing: they threaten the safety and peace of humanity.”
Different disturbing visuals continued to play and replay. It felt as if I was at some kind of competition to find the scariest horror film. But I could tell that these were neither fabricated nor edited.
“Therefore, we formed a group. To prevent them from causing chaos and fear in society, we aimed to isolate them in places unseen by humanity.”
He said they were working for humanity, prepared to sacrifice anything for that purpose. They weren’t just an unidentified group in the underworld, but people with a noble cause.
“And you are included in the category of these Abnormal Phenomena.”
Our eyes met. After hearing his words, I fell into a momentary thought. Was I shocked? Well, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t. When I faced the dolls that filled the building, I had already vaguely realized that my hometown wasn’t as peaceful as I thought. But still, I never imagined that it would be a place overflowing with monsters.
Especially when the word “world destruction” came up; it really surprised me. Honestly, I thought it was just part of the hidden underworld.
…Look at me, living in a place like this.
“…”
I understood all he was saying. Behind human society, there had always been strange, unknown beings, and they were a group protecting humanity from them. And to them, I appeared no different from those strange beings.
I felt like I was being treated a bit excessively, but given the circumstances, it wasn’t entirely unbelievable.
“So, what do you want to tell me?”
But another question arose. If I was being treated like something so dangerous, why was he unchaining me and continuing the conversation with detailed explanations?
The answer came to mind instantly.
“To put it bluntly, I want your help.”
What came out of the man’s mouth was, unsurprisingly, a request for negotiation. Well, I kind of expected that.
It might be presumptuous of me to say, but honestly, I had gone a bit wild. If there was a chance that the unknown threats could become allies, that would ease my mind immensely.
“Many Abnormal Phenomena have been discovered until now. And just as numerous beings have threatened the survival of humanity.”
Another screen appeared in front of me. It was filled with countless serial numbers.
“I came here with the single purpose of helping humanity. I couldn’t just sit idly by while supernatural beings outside the laws of nature threaten mankind.”
Oliver continued speaking. His voice held an inexplicable confidence, but then it began to show signs of emptiness and regret.
“However, all I’ve gained from working here is a sense of powerlessness. We still could not understand them, and someone had to sacrifice their life to prevent them from harming humanity.”
Hearing his voice made me feel a bit of the loss he had experienced. He must have gone through a lot while working here too. After all, human bodies are not designed for fighting monsters, neither mentally nor physically.
“I mentioned earlier that there’s no need for a special reason to save someone.”
He looked at me again. It was as if he was asking a question, but he didn’t wait for my answer.
“Of course. Humans have evolved to possess altruism for the preservation of their species. Thus, we don’t really seek a reason to help others.”
He answered his own question.
“But among beings like you, no one had ever given such a response.”
But he implied he couldn’t understand my actions, despite offering up that answer.
“Except for you.”
He pointed at me with his finger.
“And I think this means that you understand us and have a similar way of thinking.”
Silence hung around the room. Yet, he still seemed to have more to say. Finally, as if he had made a decision, he opened his mouth again.
“I beg you.”
Oliver dropped to one knee. His gaze was filled with sincerity now.
“Please lend your strength for humanity.”
His outstretched hand seemed to be pleading for me to take it. I simply stared at his hand in silence.
“….”
I had no real reason to refuse. This wasn’t just because I was a kind-hearted fool, but simply because there was no reason to turn it down. After all, I intended to live quietly in my hometown, and I didn’t want to see the monsters running around here.
In a way, this was like deciding whether to clean up some trash I found.
In the past, I wouldn’t have even realized that such trash was lying around, and even if I had, I wouldn’t be able to clean it up. But after my excessively long journey, I had grown somewhat accustomed to cleaning up trash.
“So, if I help you, what will you give me?”
However, there’s still something to clarify first. If I were to help them, shouldn’t they give me something in return?
Of course, I was planning to deal with the monsters running around my hometown regardless of anyone telling me, but I didn’t want to do it under someone’s watch and control.
“We’re currently planning a new project. If it’s confirmed that you’re favorable to humanity and can provide us with irreplaceable assistance, we can offer you a lot.”
“Does that include letting me out of here?”
“Yes. Although it may be difficult for now, if the project passes, you might be able to leave this base and roam around outside.”
That was a rather satisfactory answer. If he had said that it was impossible or only somewhat possible, I would have refused immediately, but the fact that he responded so openly caught me off guard.
“Hmm….”
Now as for what I really wanted… well, I wasn’t quite sure. I hadn’t thought about doing anything grand upon returning to my hometown.
I didn’t come back intending to conquer the world or anything. Those silly fantasies had long since graduated from my mind.
“What about payment?”
I suppose money was all that was left. Of course, I wouldn’t just sit around watching Abnormal Phenomena run rampant in my hometown just because they weren’t giving me money.
But even so, there was no way I could collaborate with humans demanding low wages or passion projects in the name of helping humanity. I had done enough of that before my previous life.
I didn’t return home just to work for a black company.
“Payment…? Are you referring to money?”
“Yeah. I don’t want to work for free.”
“Well, I can give you as much as you want… but is that really all you need?”
“Why? Is that weird?”
“I thought you might ask for a sacrifice or something… No, sorry, forget I said that.”
Oliver cut himself off. A sacrifice? What kind of ominous thing was he saying? I didn’t know anyone who would enjoy that sort of thing.
Most of the kids I met preferred food or goods suited to the times rather than grim things like human sacrifices. They were just too kind to reject the offerings given by those offering sacrifices.
I don’t know why they continued doing such foolish things when all they had to do was ask for something different.
…Oh wait, wasn’t I the one who had been acting mute until recently?
“….”
All conditions had been laid out. Decent compensation and high autonomy.
And with those terms in front of me, my answer was, of course, quite limited.
“I’ll do it.”