Pick Me Up Infinite Gacha! Novel - Chapter 332
Chapter 332 – Purity for One Thing (3)
<Episode 3 of Aaron’s Parallel Story>
***
The masterpiece of Mobius Corporation.
The launch of Pick Me Up is just around the corner.
On Earth, marketing campaigns are in full swing.
They conduct events with prizes on popular social networks and post small pre-booking ads on various community sites.
However, no major TV marketing campaigns have been carried out.
This is because they failed to establish a direct connection with Earth.
The company’s operation is limited to indirect methods.
They establish shell companies and barely confirm the company’s existence by manipulating some Earth individuals.
This mode of operation is extremely ineffective.
To implement more aggressive marketing or development, a direct line is needed, a narrow conduit connecting to Earth.
Of course, the design is complete.
But its implementation is nearly impossible.
«This makes no sense.»
Mobius executives’ meeting room.
A middle-aged man in a suit frowned.
«This is worse than a child’s fantasies. It’s not realistic in the slightest.»
Intense energy emanated near the middle-aged man.
A turbulence of violent emotions was taking shape.
Some of the nearby gods, overwhelmed by that energy, began to sweat cold.
«Do you want to carry out the project without a communication line? What nonsense is this? It’s like trying to do business in another country without opening a route and operating solely by mail.»
«Well, although it’s inefficient, it’s not impossible.»
A man who seemed to be a researcher was sweating profusely.
On the floating screen in front of the meeting room, the summary of the Pick Me Up project was displayed.
«Why is it impossible? You said the design was complete.»
The man frowned.
«To open and constantly maintain the dimensional breach connected to Earth, a colossal amount of energy is needed. Our Mobius Corporation doesn’t have any object with that interference power…»
«Was it impossible from the beginning?»
«No, not exactly…»
«Incredible. What? Pick Me Up? Bringing Earth’s interference power through a game? Is this what we have…?»
«Shut up.»
The man’s loud voice suddenly faded.
«As I was explaining. Listen before speaking.»
A girl sitting on the other side of the table spoke with a cold tone.
Tel.
Beside her was Ikar, looking bewildered.
«Hegrian, everything is fine with you, except that you are too impatient.»
«If this is waiting, I think we have waited long enough.»
The man named Hegrian stared at Tel.
This man was another supreme god of equal rank to Tel Ikar in the Pantheon, with enormous influence in Eden.
In the past, he had competed with Tel Ikar for the presidency of the Pantheon.
«Haven’t we waited and cooperated enough with you?»
Behind the man, there was a row of high-ranking gods and spirits.
They were Hegrian’s followers in the Pantheon, a faction equaling that of Tel Ikar.
«And what is the result?»
Hegrian’s voice turned threatening.
Tel said nothing.
«They couldn’t open the dimensional breach with Earth, nor provide adequate defenses against calamities. And the completed game is simply mediocre. Where is the hope in this?»
When Mobius fell, Eden split into two factions.
Tel Ikar’s faction that wanted to protect Mobius at all costs.
And Hegrian’s faction that wanted to accept the fall and seek a way out.
«We have yielded to the limit. If we wait more, we won’t be able to escape. Do you want to die absurdly along with Mobius?»
«…»
«We also…»
Hegrian closed his eyes.
A variety of emotions bloomed and vanished on his face.
«It’s not that we don’t love Mobius. That’s why we were convinced. We wanted to save it if there was a way.»
In the end, Hegrian’s faction was convinced by Tel Ikar.
They yielded to Ikar’s speech.
Thus, the two factions of the Pantheon joined forces to implement the Pick Me Up project.
«But…»
Hegrian opened his eyes.
His gaze reflected the majesty of an entity once adored by countless humans.
«Sometimes, it is also important to let go silently.»
«…»
«Now we are unearthing a tomb because we can’t let go of a child. It’s pathetic.»
Tel tried to speak.
She wanted to refute the man.
But she couldn’t find the words.
«Let’s speak frankly. What is the possibility of Mobius fully recovering if we implement the project?»
Hegrian spoke to the researcher next to the screen.
He was the employee in charge of the presentation.
«That…»
«You don’t have to say it. I already know the answer.»
Hegrian stood up from his seat.
As he waved his hand, an ineffable figure appeared above the table.
It was the language of the gods.
«The Pick Me Up project has four main problems.»
First.
To operate the project effectively, a dimensional breach to Earth is essential.
Opening this breach requires a tremendous amount of energy.
Where to find such a source of energy in the dying Mobius?
Second.
If the project is implemented, an outer space army will be immediately sent to subdue Eden.
Because they consider breaking the rules absolutely forbidden.
How to face that outer space army?
Third.
Questionings about the game itself.
Upon reviewing the report, no elements can be found that make it appealing.
How is such a common game supposed to be successful on Earth?
Fourth and last.
Does it make any sense to try to revive fallen dimensions?
Even if we try to gather the fragments of a broken jar, they will eventually fall apart again, the same applies to life and death.
«Even if we solve the first three problems, the last one has no solution.»
Hegrian declared.
«The old LeCardis said he tried uniting the fallen dimensions in 100 fragments.»
With a gesture, an image of a tower appeared on the table.
«First, rebuild the fallen dimensions into a 100-story tower. Then, try to assemble gradually from the lower floor.»
It’s like a puzzle.
Reconstruct the original image by assembling the scattered fragments.
«The old man said that from the 80th floor, the pieces simply don’t fit.»
The virtual tower on the table began to build floors.
But from the 80th floor, cracks began to appear, and when it reached the 90th floor, it collapsed.
Sure, LeCardis could force the joining of the broken fragments with his power.
The problem was what happened afterward.
«The broken dimensions don’t assemble properly. They barely maintain the current state. If we force the assembly up to the 100th floor, an infinite army will invade and devour everything in an instant. We wouldn’t be able to resist even an hour with our forces.»
Even by solving three out of the four problems, the project falls apart in the end.
The Pick Me Up project was impossible from the beginning.
«If the old LeCardis says it’s impossible, then it is. Do you think you can replace the old man?»
Alpha Zero, LeCardis, is a god with celestial eyes that penetrate the universe and creation.
If such a god says it’s difficult, then it’s not possible for others.
From the beginning, the attempt to reconstruct the dimensions into 100 pieces and assemble them was something only LeCardis could do.
«I would like you to refute me.»
Tel frowned.
But she couldn’t speak.
It was Ikar who apologized, bowing his head.
«I’m sorry… it’s my fault for being inexperienced.»
«It’s regrettable. Truly. We also love Mobius. I hope you understand. From today, we withdraw from the project.»
Withdraw.
That means nearly half of the company’s workforce will be reduced.
If they leave, development will be practically impossible.
«Are you going to abandon us?»
«It’s sad, it’s not abandonment…»
Hegrian, seeing Tel’s gaze, deliberately changed his words.
«Alright, I’ll give you the answer you want. Pure and simple.»
Hegrian spoke.
«Yes. We have decided to leave this place. We love our homeland, but our lives are more important. Is that the answer you wanted? I give it to you plainly, so I hope you accept it as the goddess of purity you are.»
They love Mobius.
But they don’t love it enough to die with it.
This is their pure feeling.
Tel remained silent.
«In two days, we will leave. No need for farewells. We are not that brazen.»
«No.»
Ikar shook his head.
He stood up from his seat, smiled, and bowed to Hegrian.
«Thank you for everything so far. Before leaving, please accept our farewells. You have worked hard for Mobius and for us.»
«You remain so merciful.»
Hegrian stood up smiling.
«If we reach another universe and Mobius is safe, we will do our best to find a way to save our homeland.»
«Thank you.»
«Then, with your permission.»
The executives sitting on the left rose in a hurry.
They respectfully bowed to Tel Ikar and followed Hegrian out of the meeting room.
«…»
Silence descended upon the meeting room.
Ikar, standing, spoke casually.
«Aren’t you going to follow Hegrian? If you lose him, you won’t be able to leave here.»
«We… won’t go.»
Someone replied.
«Even if we die, we will do so in our homeland.»
«We will follow Tel Ikar to the end.»
«Even after the project has failed?»
«Even so, we have done everything possible to protect our homeland.»
They showed no obvious signs of despair.
They were silent but not defeated.
They accepted the end.
«Everyone has done a great job. See you.»
After Ikar’s dissolution declaration, the executives on the right disappeared.
In the vast meeting room, only the two sisters remained.
Ikar spoke.
«Sister, what about you? You…»
Tel had her arms crossed.
Then she murmured.
«Where is Grandfather?»
«Oh, he said he was going to adjust the system.»
«Everything is already messed up, what is he going to adjust?»
«Well, it’s not finished yet.»
Ikar smiled.
«Pick Me Up will be launched. Maybe it won’t be successful, but at least we will secure a minimum of interference power. Then we can implement the second plan.»
«Second plan?»
«For those children to rest in peace.»
Ikar explained the second plan of the Pick Me Up project.
The core of the project was… euthanasia.
Temporarily resurrect all of Mobius and allow the lives on the brink of death to dream.
Happy and warm dreams.
This kind of miracle was feasible by a narrow margin.
«There won’t be any pain.»
Said Ikar.
A gentle smile on her lips.
Tel saw the hidden horror in that smile.
«Why revive the dead for them to dream? What’s the point?»
«Because those children said before they died. That it hurt. That they wanted to live. I am the goddess of mercy, so I must fulfill their wishes.»
Ikar spoke as if singing.
«So no one will speak before they die. That it hurts. That they want to live. That they be saved. They won’t beg me. Because those children always said that. To save them. To save them. I still hear it. I am the goddess of mercy, so I can hear their final cries.»
As the goddess of mercy, Ikar could feel the emotional waves of Mobius’ lives.
That means that all the emotions that expanded simultaneously when thousands of dimensions collapsed were transmitted to Ikar.
«Those children are waiting.» Ikar murmured.
«They don’t want to feel pain.»
Her eyes were empty.
«They ask to be saved.»
She spoke in a flat tone.
«To be given another chance.»
Tel ran her hand through her smooth black hair.
She knew why her sister acted that way.
Because the twin goddesses were one.
They knew each other better than anyone.
Ikar couldn’t help but act like this.
Mercy.
Not abandoning one for another.
Thinking of others as oneself.
Therefore, the children Ikar mentioned were practically herself.
«Ah.»
That’s why she chuckled.
«Hey.»
«Yes, sister?»
«If you were human, could you let go of Mobius?»
«…»
«You would cry and be sad, but in the end, you would let it go. You would give it a rest.»
But you can’t.
Because you’re not human.
You were born like this.
Just like me.
«Sister.»
Tel looked up at the ceiling of the meeting room.
The black hair hanging down didn’t reflect the light.
«That’s not what you want, right?»
«Are you struggling with that? Asking me or not.»
«No, I…»
«You know what I’ll do. You know everything.»
Ikar was struggling.
Deeply struggling with her desire.
But if she expressed that desire purely, it would cause a calamity.
Repressing that desire for others is mercy.
But the lives of Mobius asked Ikar to save them.
They wanted to live, to be helped, to ask for sincere mercy.
Accepting their final wish was also mercy.
What is mercy and what is purity?
It can’t be known.
Ikar couldn’t understand her purpose anymore.
«…»
Struggling, struggling, and struggling again.
Not knowing the correct answer and the incorrect one.
Clutching an unanswered problem as the end approached.
‘If it were my sister.’
My sister doesn’t hesitate.
In purity, there are no doubts or conflicts.
All those emotions are impurities.
If the desire is truly pure, there’s no need to suffer.
Purity.
Abandoning everything for one thing.
Living only for one’s own desire.
Compared to the weight of the universe, that desire is lighter than a feather.
‘Let’s do it.’
Ikar decided.
Let’s ask Grandfather.
If someone can sort out my feelings, it’s him, the Wise God.
«How much longer will you stay here?»
«Eh?»
Ikar regained composure at her sister’s urgency.
«Oh, I’m going out.»
The two sisters walked out of the meeting room together.
Shortly after, the lights in the room went out.