Part 45: Small Shock
Hurry up.
I save my game.
It's quiet.
BGM: Small Shock?
I'm home.
Oh goody. More encounters.
You finally made it home. Remember when we used to play here? Hee hee hee... Boy!
Today's gonna be just as fun.
One.
I was so scared.
I couldn't feel my arms or legs... My entire body had turned into a flower! "Mom! Dad! Somebody help me!" I called out. But nobody came.
There it is.
About time.
...
I explained what had happened. Then he held me, Prof. He held me with tears in his eyes, saying... "There, there. Everything is going to be alright." He was so... emotional. But... For some reason... I didn't feel anything at all.
Two.
Time to go.
My compassion had disappeared!
And believe me, it's not like I wasn't trying.
I wasted weeks with that stupid king, vainly hoping I would feel something. But it became too much for me. I ran away from home. Eventually, I reached the Ruins. Inside I found HER, Prof. I thought of all people, SHE could make me feel whole again. ... She failed. Ha ha...
...
I became despondent. I just wanted to love someone. I just wanted to care about someone. Prof, you might not believe this... But I decided... It wasn't worth living anymore. Not in a world without love. Not in a world without you. So... I decided to follow in your footsteps. I would erase myself from existence. And you know what? I succeeded.
...
I started to feel apprehensive. If you don't have a soul, what happens when you...? Something primal started to burn inside me. "No," I thought. "I don't want to die!" ... Then I woke up. Like it was all just a bad dream. I was back at the garden. Back at my "save point".
...
Again and again, I brought myself to the edge of death. At any point, I could have let this world continue on without me. But as long as I was determined to live... I could go back. Amazing, isn't it, Prof? I was amazed, too.
...
I became "friends" with everyone. I solved all their problems flawlessly. Their companionship was amusing... For a while. As time repeated, people proved themselves predictable. What would this person say if I gave them this? What would they do if I said this to them? Once you know the answer, that's it. That's all they are.
...
Curious what would happen if I killed them. "I don't like this," I told myself. "I'm just doing this because I HAVE to know what happens."
Ha ha ha... What an excuse! You of all people must known how liberating it is to act this way.
...
You understand, Prof. I've done everything this world has to offer. I've read every book. I've burned every book. I've won every game. I've lost every game. I've appeased everyone. I've killed everyone. Sets of numbers... Lines of dialogue... I've seen them all. But you... YOU'RE different. I never could predict YOU, Prof.
...
I thought I could frighten you, then steal your soul. I failed. And when I tried to load my save file... it didn't work. Prof... your DETERMINATION! Somehow, it's even greater than mine!
...
How did you get back to the Ruins from here...? ...wait, I know. She must have taken you when she left. And decided to give you a proper burial, rather than... Hanging out in the basement forever. ...but, why then...? What made you wake up? Did you hear me calling you...?
...
I'm so tired of this, Prof. I'm tired of all these people. I'm tired of all these places. I'm tired of being a flower. Prof. There's just one thing left I want to do. Let's finish what we started. Let's free everyone. Then... let's let them see what humanity is REALLY like! That despite it all... This world is still "kill or be killed!!"
...
Well. I had... Been entertaining a few ways to use that power. Hee hee hee... ... But seeing you here changed my mind. Prof... I think if you're around... Just living in the surface world doesn't seem so bad.
...
The king has six of them locked away. I've tried hundreds of ways to get him to show me them... But he just won't. Prof... I know he'll do it for YOU.
...
Prof, I said it before. Even after all this time... You're still the only one that understands me. You won't give me any worthless pity!
...
Wouldn't hesitate to KILL each other if we got in each other's way. So that's... So... that's... Why...
BGM: ...
...ha... Ha... ...what's this... feeling? Why am I... Shaking? ...
Hey... Prof... No hard feelings about back then, right? ...
H-Hey, what are you doing!? B... Back off!
...
This isn't a good idea anymore. Y-You should go back, Prof. This place is fine the way it is! ... S-s-stop making that creepy face! This isn't funny! You've got a SICK sense of humor!
I save my game.
I'm about ready for the final boss.
BGM: Silence
you've been busy, huh? ...
so, i've got a question for ya.
do you think even the worst person can change...? that everybody can be a good person, if they just try?
all right. well, here's a better question.
'cause if you take another step forward...
you are REALLY not going to like what happens next.
sorry, old lady. this is why i never make promises.
birds are singing, flowers are blooming... on days like these, kids like you...
