Chapter 34

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I feel an intense gaze, a passionate gaze like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

The wind… whatever it is, it’s blowing steadily and surely, right toward me. Wait, it’s too strong, my hat’s about to fly off!

…No more half-measures. Let’s see this through to the end.

Chesed’s somewhere within Mea’s body. She’s not alone, not by any means.

Let’s believe. And fight together.

The butterfly effect and the world’s corrective forces might come into play, but don’t let them sweep you away!

Yes.

When I told Hod that I was a supernatural ability user who could steal supernatural abilities and that, using this power, I might be able to extract and restore the Chesed Factor from Mea's body, I received his permission, who said,『Very well, do as you wish.』

I’m relieved. Since there was a possibility that Mea might lose her powers if we succeeded, I was worried that it would shatter Hod’s flag to join the group.

And as for Mea herself, she listened and then, with tears in her eyes, pleaded with me.

"Please… save Chesed…! Give him back his life…!"

...Honestly, I didn’t expect her to ask so straightforwardly.

I had never used my powers on someone as unique as her, and it could end up being dangerous.

Besides, if it worked, she’d end up losing the power of the archangel that she had worked so hard to obtain──Yet Mea not only didn’t refuse, she practically begged.

Her earnest attitude made me feel uncomfortable since, inwardly, I’d thought of it as more of a long shot if successful. That was close, that was close.

I’m usually mysterious, but when it comes to things that matter, I’m the dependable T.P. Eight Olishua-sama. Fuh, it was unlike me to move with no expectation of success.

Gently, I patted Mea on the head, soothing her worries. You might call it a cool adult move.

Or maybe I just patted her because her head was at the right height. Every lolicon original protagonist says that.

Hmm, her hair is really silky... well, mine won’t lose to her, though!

“Ah…”

“Don’t make that face. I’m a phantom thief. I never let my prey escape.”

Although she’s an original protagonist, she isn’t a reincarnated soul but just a child.

I bent down to meet her gaze, smiling gently as we locked eyes to ease her tension. Eight-chan Smile has therapeutic effects.

As her breathing settled, I nodded and turned my attention to the En and the others’ questions.

“What you’re talking about is bringing the dead back to life. Can you actually pull that off?” [Chouta]

“As expected, even I can’t erase the phenomenon of death. But I can restore things that have changed form. That’s the kind of supernatural ability I have.”

“But, isn’t the angel Chesed, by PSYence...” [Chouta]

“He’s not completely dead, even if it’s close. The aura coming from Mea is proof of that... isn’t that right, Hod?”

『…Yes, since as I can sense his aura and power, he hasn’t been completely destroyed. When we of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot meet death, we return to the World Tree Sefirot and are reborn after a long period. This Hod, too, is also a life that has gone through countless cycles. Since Chesed’s life hasn’t returned to Sefirot, it means his soul is still alive within her.』

“The other Sefirot are of the opinion that letting him die might be better for the reincarnation process,” Hod continued.

Indeed, the holy beasts of the Ten Archangels of Sefirot, like the Abyss, don’t have a definite death. As long as the World Tree Sefirot exists, they gain life anew after reaching their lifespan.

However, the resurrected archangel doesn’t retain their past memories or appearance, meaning they don’t come back exactly the same as they were before… and that’s probably why, despite their long lives, the archangels don’t have mature minds.

Or maybe it’s a kind of self-purification mechanism to prevent those in power from becoming a nuisance. (tl note: more accurate translation than nuisance is people who cannot adapt to social changes and who are stubborn and cling to old values.)

However, the one exception, who has never reincarnated and has lived since the creation, is Keter, the ten-winged King of Sefirot.

As a result, Keter wields power far beyond that of other archangels, but the mental strain of living so long has taken its toll. Having witnessed countless civilizations crumble, he’s fallen into a deep depression.

I remember watching the scenes featuring him in the anime—they were chillingly eerie. Maybe I could relate more if I watched them during my midlife.

Anyway, I felt relieved to confirm that Chesed wasn’t entirely dead. If that weren’t the case, my efforts to revive him would’ve failed from the start.

“The factors of holy beasts and supernatural abilities are quite similar… theoretically, it should be possible.”

“I see… yeah, that makes sense.” [En]

Adding “theoretically” makes it sound smart, doesn’t it? Then you get the classic, “Impossible!? My calculations are…!” reaction when something unexpected happens. That’s the mark of an intellectual character with glasses. Luckily, I don’t wear glasses. Although I think glasses would look good on me, too.

“So, Mea, I’ll be taking your treasure—Chesed—from you.”

“Yeah… please, Eight.”

With this, the calling card to my target is complete. I don't like the fact that it was consensual, as it doesn’t seem like a phantom thief, but a bad older sister would still do it even if she refused, so I’ll just go ahead.

Now, I just needed to write in the “Phantom Thief Notebook”… but first, there’s something I want to confirm with her.

“By the way, can you tell me about your own supernatural ability?”

“Flash of Light—the ability to control light. It’s somewhat similar to Chesed’s power.”

“I see, understood.”

If I don't know about Mare's own powers, I might accidentally steal her power instead of the Chesed factor. That’s something I had to be careful about.

Still, Mea-chan of "Flash of Light," huh... you were originally a light attribute. I assumed it was physical enhancement, but her agility from jumping across rooftops must have been due to body modification.

It seems she was intentionally made to resemble an angel from the start. PSYence must have used her as a vessel from the beginning to make her compatible with Chesed.

Only that organization would do something so revolting, and that man would undoubtedly carry it out. The goddess-like person and I came to the same unpleasant conclusion.

...If I wanted to, I could probably use my powers to turn her back from a modified human into an ordinary human.

Right now, I won’t do it due to the many uncertainties, but after everything is over, if she wishes, I might give it my all to make it happen. That’s how much I’ve started to feel attached to this girl, Mea.

After all, the painful look on her face isn’t very original protagonist-like at all. If anything, she reminds me of Arisu-chan.

Gasp… could she be a movie version character too!? …No, that can’t be. If she were that impactful, I’d definitely remember her. It’s not like a sequel started after my death.

──Now, let’s get on with writing in the notebook.

Facing the Phantom Thief notebook spread open in my left hand, I began writing down the information needed for activation with the fountain in my right hand .

The information I was jotting down wasn’t about her abilities, but about “Chesed.”

I needed to classify the existence of Chesed within Mea as a “supernatural ability.” Doing so should allow me to steal it.

Of course, I needed detailed information about him… but I’m a fan of the anime Fairy Savers.

In times like these, meta-knowledge from the original work comes in handy.

There are some in the fanfiction community who create stories based on secondary sources without watching the original, but I’m a die-hard anime fan who’s seen every episode, so you can rest assured. I don’t need a wiki for Chesed’s details.

As if filling a blank page, I wrote down everything I could recall about Chesed, including both his giant bird form and angel form, physical characteristics, powers, and personality. Using my “Acceleration” ability, to an onlooker, I would’ve appeared to be writing at a blazing speed. A skill writers around the world would envy.

Oops, I got too into it and ended up with something that looked like an Uncyclopedia entry filled with nothing but facts.

I got carried away and nearly used up every page in the notebook creating this chaotic document. Yare yare, seems like my love for Chesed was too big.

Ah, just to clarify, it’s admiration for him as a character, nothing more.

But this challenge is worth it!

After filling about ten pages with Chesed’s information, I capped my pen and took Mea’s hand with my right one.

Contact with the target—the final step for activating my supernatural ability. Before I could fully appreciate how small her hand felt, my phantom thief power activated.

──In that instant, jolt of pain shot through my right hand.

“──！”

“Eight!?”

“...Argh…”

Wha… What is this…!? This hurts really badly!?

An electrifying pain started at my fingertips, shooting through my entire body. This sudden, intense sensation made my body tremble, and I nearly collapsed to one knee from the unexpected strain.

“Ngh…ah…!”

“Eight…!”

“What’s wrong, nee-chan!? Are you okay?!”

I refused to let go of Mea’s hand, and my pride wouldn’t allow it, so I forced myself to stay calm and not scream, but my body temperature spiked, and my vision blurred.

“Ahh… ngh…ugh…”

What the heck, I feel like throwing up…! I’m feeling so dizzy!

En’s group around me seemed to be calling out in panic, sensing my intense reaction upon activating the ability, but their voices barely registered.

Enduring the agony, I could only make out the sight of Mea’s pale face watching me with worry.

…Didn’t I tell you not to make that face?

I’m an original protagonist, a cheat original protagonist! I’m not about to lose to pain!

“Don’t, let go… I’m fine…!”

“But…!”

“Believe, in me… because, this—”

──This is what I lived for.

“...!”

『T.P. Eight Olishua… you, could it be…?』

It was the usual cool original protagonist move, but it was also my true feeling

Yes… this must be the role the goddess-like person sought from the original protagonist.

When her fanfiction hit a dead end, she must have wanted a cheat original protagonist and brought me into this world.

In that case, I can't abandon this mission!

Also, isn’t the way I’m fighting through the pain right now super cool?

Thinking that, I silently praised myself for another perfect original protagonist move. A cheat original protagonist shows confidence no matter the situation, but behind that attitude lies gritty effort.

In other words, what I’m trying to say is that I look really cool right now!

…To be honest, if I didn’t indulge in a little narcissism, I wouldn’t be able to bear this. I didn’t expect the pain to feel this intense, like it’s coming from within, rather than outside my body… maybe this is the price of containing an immense being like an archangel. Honestly, it was way worse than when I died in my previous life.

But I’ll keep going. After all, even the Savers are giving it their all!

“…If this is what I was reborn for, then now I must fulfill my mission… I’ll take your soul… come to me, Chesed…!”

Fighting through the nausea and the torturous pain throughout my body, and despite the fever that blurred my consciousness, I persevered. Yes, I managed to pull through.

With a decisive statement I had been preparing for this day, I yanked my right hand away from Mea’s grasp as if I were pulling an ultra-rare card.

──And in the next moment, an overwhelming “darkness” surged forth.

Eh, what’s that, that’s scary.

“Wha, what is this!?”

“Are you alright, Eight!? Mea!”

As soon as I finished using my ability, it burst out of Mea’s body.

An unfamiliar, something.

“...!”

Being so close, I was thrown back by the “darkness,” unable to brace myself as I landed right on my rear. Ow…

Still, the sting in my right hand concerned me more than my sore backside. I quickly retrieved the notebook and rubbed my hand with my left one. It didn’t seem swollen, but it still hurt. It hurt a lot!

“Kyuu…”

Oh, thanks, Kabbalah-chan, for worrying about me.

Also, thanks to you standing there, En couldn’t look up my skirt when he came over to check on me. I just realized that being blown back by that force left me in quite a state. The impact had flipped my skirt up to the top of my thighs, revealing way too much. Unlike Malkuth, I, as an original protagonist who understands man’s romance, wear nothing underneath—not even short pants or show off underwear. Well, I'm wearing panties, of course.

……Kabbalah-chan, I’ll give you some tulle later, so stay there just a little longer, okay?

I will not permit lucky pervert accidents, because I’m an original protagonist.

After quickly closing my legs and fixing my long skirt, I composed myself and looked up at the hovering “darkness” in the sky. The reason my face was still hot was, of course, due to the pain.

“How disgusting…”

“Wha, what is that!? Wasn’t Chesed-sama supposed to be resurrected?”

…No, seriously, what is that…? I don’t know either.

This made me look very suspicious, but I did feel the sensation of stealing Chesed’s power.

I was thrown by that darkness right after I extracted it, so I haven’t checked the details, but I’m sure of it.

“That’s inside Mea? Why? Why!? Just what, is Mea…?”

“Stay strong, Mea. You’ll be alright.”

“Eight…”

A colossal, ominous darkness loomed over the sky like a mist.

The darkness emanating from Mea’s body felt far more dangerous than Arisu-chan when she went into her Burst State. Even Mea herself couldn’t understand what was happening, staring up at it in stunned silence.

—However, the sensation I felt coming from that darkness seemed familiar.

With my supernatural ability “Search,” I instantly identified the true nature of that darkness and quietly spoke its name.

“Abyss, huh…”

A monster from the abyss, the Abyss──the appraisal result came immediately. Though it wasn’t in a slim-like form but rather pure “darkness,” “Search” indicated that it was another form of Abyss.

“That’s… that’s also Abyss?”

“…It would appear so. But to think there was such an Abyss within you…”

It doesn't look cool to be slumped on the ground, but please let me explain from this position.

I hate this… my body was still too drained to stand. The dizziness was gone, the fever had subsided, and the intense pain and nausea had faded, but I felt as though all my strength had left me.

While anxiously supporting me, Mea couldn’t take her eyes away from the darkness—the Abyss above.

『So that’s how it is…』

Without me noticing, Hod had appeared at my side, muttering.

What!? Do you know, Hod!?

N, no good… if this keeps up, my position as the all-knowing protagonist might be in jeopardy! But I can’t interrupt him either…! I maintained a calm facade, but I was just as lost in this situation.

If he knew something, I wished he told me.

As if answering my silent plea, he began to speak.

『It struck me as strange. Even with certain flaws, my comrade Chesed would never have been outdone by mere humans.』

Ohh, combined with that voice, Hod-sama was giving off capable man vibes.

It certainly did sound strange when you put it that way... but it is Chesed, after all.

As a powerful archangel, Chesed is indeed formidable, but he's also something of a careless person with poor judgement, so I figured it was entirely possible that he'd be done in by PSYence's ruthless boss.

But... this is... Could it be that I, the original protagonist, have been under an absurd misconception?

『But if you were lurking there, then that’s a different story!』

Hod's glare sharpened as he glowered at the “darkness.”

In an instant, he pulled out a massive shield and spear from who knows where, and spread the eight wings he’d had draped like a cloak. Yup, that’s cool.

As he assumed a battle stance, the "darkness," which had been spreading above like mist, gathered into a single spot and transformed into a massive bird over 40 meters long.

It was as if it had imitated the image of the Archangel of Mercy, Chesed, and powered it up even further.

『You were the source of all this...! Qlippoth of the abyss──Adishut』

…..

…?

!?!?!?!?

Who!? Who is that!? And what the heck is "Qlippoth of the abyss?!” That’s such a cool title, damn it!

Adishut――hearing the name of this unknown enemy, I was more shaken than I'd been with Mea.

Hey, goddess-like person... don't you think your fanfiction has too many original elements?

Her fanfiction might really be heading into dangerous territory… Just as the monstrous black bird let out a menacing roar, I prepared myself for the worst.

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