vncnus Page 253
Page 253
After all, "Number Ten" really didn't want to be a name, but Kanzaki Teru couldn't understand why the other party wanted to hide their real name.
"Kanzaki, Kanzaki Hui..."
Although there were many things she wanted to ask the girl in front of her who called herself number ten, Kanzaki Teru didn't know how to bring them up.
After all, if you ask an ordinary person your question, they might treat you like you're crazy.
Although the girl exuded a mysterious aura and didn't seem like an ordinary person, Kanzaki Teru was still pondering whether or not to ask her what he wanted to know.
While Kanzaki Teru was struggling with his decision, the girl spoke first.
"Big brother, is there anything you want to ask me?"
Seeing her expression, Kanzaki Teru felt as if the other person had seen right through him.
"Why do you ask?"
Kanzaki Teru directly countered with a question. Although it was a subtle probing, the other party's answer was watertight, leaving Kanzaki Teru with no openings whatsoever.
"Well... I guess I'd say it's a feeling, like you have something you want to ask me."
Kanzaki Teru often used this kind of ambiguous answer, so when she heard her reply, Kanzaki Teru couldn't help but smile.
"Is that so? Then I won't stand on ceremony with you. Actually, I've always lived in the countryside, so I don't really understand what's going on in this world."
When I left the countryside again, I found the world had changed drastically, so could you tell me what happened to it?
Since the other party used such methods, Kanzaki Teru wanted to retaliate in kind.
However, the other party clearly did not understand Kanzaki Teru's meaning and simply frankly expressed their true feelings.
"Big brother... your lying skills are terrible."
“I’m not lying, everything I said is true.”
After all, there's no specific definition of what constitutes a "countryside," so Kanzaki Teru's statement isn't exactly deception.
It can only be called sophistry. So, in general, everything Kanzaki Teru said was true, but only in his subjective opinion.
"Alright, alright, let's take it as fact then. So what exactly do you want to know?"
If we were to go into the beginning (of Qian Wanghao's story), it would take far too long; even a whole day might not be enough.
Seeing that Kanzaki Teru wasn't going to tell the truth, Number Ten gave up and shrugged, signaling Kanzaki Teru to continue.
"Then... let's talk about your identity first. I don't believe an ordinary person would do such a thing."
Under such psychological pressure, Kanzaki Teru did not underestimate his opponent at all, after all, no one is weak.
Furthermore, Kanzaki Teru wanted to know exactly where the other party's bottom line was, so he asked this extremely sensitive question.
"Oh, big brother, don't you know my true identity?"
Chapter 424: The Meaning of the [Permanent] Action
Hearing Kanzaki Teru's question, Number Ten showed no sign of panic.
However, Kanzaki Teru vaguely sensed that her tone seemed to have turned somewhat cold.
"How could I possibly know?"
This time, Kanzaki Teru answered the other party's question truthfully. Such psychological games and tests are also very tiring.
Every word spoken and every word used must be carefully selected; if even one word is misspoken, it could lead to complete failure.
Kanzaki Teru had seen this situation far too many times. Although it wasn't his forte, he had managed to make up for it with hard work.
"I thought you chose to work with me only after you knew my true identity."
Upon hearing the other party's puzzling reply, Kanzaki Teru sensed something unusual.
"That's not the case at all. Although I feel that your identity is definitely not simple, puzzle 863 is just too difficult for me."
It's not a lie to say that I don't know much about what's happening in the world; right now, I only have a general idea.
So I have absolutely no idea what your identity is.
"Hmm, I see. That's good. After all—I won't have to kill you."
Hearing such words so easily from her mouth, Kanzaki Teru became even more wary of her.
Even if it hasn't shown its fangs yet, it might go berserk at any time.
"Heh, put the jokes aside for now. To be honest, your identity is completely irrelevant to me."
Because my actual goal is only one thing: to speak with the people in the [Permanent] organization; I have some questions I want to ask them (CDFB).
This is actually Kanzaki Hikaru's true purpose in coming to this world, although he hasn't obtained much information yet.
However, some clues were still noticed, the most concerning of which was the sudden appearance of the "permanent" attribute.
The timing and location of the appearance were too coincidental; the only way to find out is to talk to the other party in person.
"Pfft, hahaha, this is the first time I've heard someone say that."
However, upon hearing Kanzaki Teru's answer, Number Ten seemed to have heard a particularly funny joke.
He couldn't help but burst into laughter, which made him particularly conspicuous because he was in the middle of the street.
"Is it that funny?"
Although she didn't understand why she was laughing, Kanzaki Teru could sense that there was no disrespect in it.
It was more like they genuinely felt joy and heard something happy.
"Of course, after all, the humans I've met aren't people who want to kill them forever or completely wipe them out. This is the first time I've heard someone say they want to have a dialogue with them."
It turned out that it was Kanzaki Teru's unconventional remarks that amused her, but Kanzaki Teru could understand them.
After all, the other party is an entity that can destroy its own world, and it's a monster at that.
It didn't seem like they could have a conversation at all, but Kanzaki Teru made such a statement, how could it not be laughable?
However, it's probably the best-case scenario that Number 10 didn't treat Kanzaki Hikaru as a lunatic, since normal people would have heard what Kanzaki Hikaru just said.
In that case, they would most likely suggest that he see a psychiatrist, which is a pretty good situation.
"After all, I have no grudge against them and have no intention of killing them."
While this isn't the only reason, Kanzaki Teru believes it's the most acceptable reason for most people.
"Is that so? But didn't [Permanent] summon a monster that wanted to destroy the world?"
"Since that's the case, how can we still be considered to have no grudge against each other? This will ultimately lead to your death."
Number Ten spoke in a very casual tone, but the meaning behind it was extraordinary.
"So what? Although I don't know what they're thinking, they must have their own reasons for doing this."
They must also have their own beliefs and pursuits in their hearts.
After all, with such power, destroying humanity would be incredibly easy, but so far they haven't taken any action.
There must be some reason for that, especially since this world was already starting to collapse.
Their appearance merely accelerated this process, or rather—"
At this point, Kanzaki Teru seemed to have thought of something, and his heart began to beat faster involuntarily.
If things were really as they appear on the surface, then it would be a bit too naive.
But Kanzaki Teru's intuition told him that things couldn't be that simple.
It's not just for such a simple reason, as he himself said.
Chapter 425: Giving Time
This is far too unnatural, given that the other party possesses the power to directly destroy the world.
So what exactly are they waiting for? Do they need a stamina bar for each action?
Such an answer is of course impossible. In other words, the only possibility left is that the other party is deliberately waiting in place without moving.
If we continue along this line of thought, although we can explore countless possibilities, there is only one problem that we can never get around.
"Give humanity time..."
But what is the purpose of the remaining time? A collapsing world, unknown changes, and the impending end—all of this points to an answer that is already beginning to take shape.
"—Is their goal to slow down this progress!?"
"You're really interesting, Kanzaki Teru."
Upon hearing Kanzaki Teru's final answer, Number Ten's face broke into a childlike smile.
"But this is just speculation. If possible, I would still like to have a face-to-face conversation with the so-called 'permanent'."
Although there were no clear clues, Kanzaki Teru had actually vaguely sensed the person's identity.
"Oh, what would you ask them if you met them?"
"The world has already reached this point, so why extend a helping hand?"
The two locked eyes, as if trying to read each other's minds.
Even the slightest shift in gaze can lead to defeat, but such thinking makes it difficult to achieve a shared understanding.
After all, the world is neither black nor white, but rather a gray horizon.
It extends infinitely without end, just like this world that is about to end.
The more serious problem is that no one in the world knows the final answer.
It simply happened; that's all there is to it.
"I guess their answer must be because they love this world."
Number 10 seemed to have understood the meaning behind Kanzaki Teru's words, and his eyes were full of smiles.
At this moment, Kanzaki Teru was certain that she was the so-called "eternity".
However, no one expected that the permanent body would be such an existence, which even Kanzaki Teru found somewhat intriguing.
How exactly does she control those monsters? And judging from her appearance, she seems to be more than just that.
Although it's uncertain what kind of monster she can control, we can make a rough guess based on her codename, Kanzaki Teru.
There must be a limit to the number of monsters she can control.