I lost my memories of my previous life. So much so that I didn’t even realize I had lost them.
Talking with Urd, who had sensed something was off, made me realize the truth. Even the memories I should naturally remember from my past life had disappeared.
“...”
The "me" of now still exists as Clara, but the being that was once "Kang Jinsoo," the foundation of my personality, is fading away.
‘To be precise, it’s already almost gone.’
With no continuity between body and memory, it’s safe to say that the entity known as "Kang Jinsoo" has almost entirely disappeared.
There were many clues pointing to this.
Unlike the Prophet, who brought his physical body, I had clung to the void left by Urd’s expulsion. Moreover, I had been so influenced by it that even my speech and preferences had changed.
Is that all?
The ambiguous remnants of a girl’s soul. And the male soul that was central to it. I’ve done all sorts of reckless things, switching between these two cores.
‘I thought it was great that the D drive’s capacity wasn’t shrinking, but it turns out I’d been using the C drive’s capacity all along.’
This is why you should carefully check where you install the OS.
On top of that, what sealed the deal was accepting the path of the [Saint of Sacrifice]...
Because of that, I awakened all kinds of overpowered skills, but it seems there’s a price to pay for such great power.
“I see—☆”
To put it simply...
Having used up the "Kang Jinsoo" fuel tank due to fate, The ratio of my essence has shifted, making me more "Clara" than ever.
‘If it’s 70% orange juice and 30% water, it’s just watered-down orange juice.’
According to the World Tree’s analysis:
【Beep beep, female.】
Oh, how delightful—☆
I’ve become a woman before even getting to see a part-timer blush at the convenience store after being hit by a TS (gender swap). If I were a Vtuber now, I could totally rake in the donations.
I smacked my forehead.
According to the classification of the Female Selector, Just Big Tree, the current "me" is merely a girl who has glimpsed the memories of "Kang Jinsoo."
With the pilot having let go of the controls, The co-pilot is clinging to the controls, trying to remember the pilot’s skills.
From the beginning, it was irregular to have both a pilot and co-pilot within one person’s personality. But thanks to that, I didn’t completely lose my soul and collapse.
I understand now☆
‘The self is surprisingly easy to change.’
Well...
People with their original bodies also change into different personalities if they lose their memories.
This is something I can fully accept.
“I see☆ But it’s fortunate. I’ve already dealt with the troublesome priests, and all the juniors have grown enough to manage on their own—☆” “...” “The Prophet... was always unpredictable. Yes♪ It’s fortunate that I took care of everything in advance—☆” “...”
I’m glad I quickly gave Cara the mission to find the flagpole.
If my memory had deteriorated due to Pingcheng’s dementia and I lost all my useful strategies... then I’d be nothing but a seductive Pingcheng who could only flirt at night♪
‘Given the power I’ve gained, the price is cheap.’
I could accept it. I’ve gained more power than I deserve. This price doesn’t feel unfair.
‘As long as I don’t forget about my seniors, juniors, and the academy city...’
I’ll manage somehow. That’s how I’ve moved forward until now.
‘But does this mean I lose memories every time I use [Bifrost]?’
It would be a disaster if I suddenly forgot everything right after using [Bifrost] and turned into a clueless Pingcheng.
...
That’s a bit concerning. I should ask Verdandi-senpai to teach me how to wear a diaper.
As I nodded in acceptance, Urd, unusually, held onto the hem of her light dress, looking distressed. She gripped it so tightly that it was full of wrinkles.
Her lips were tightly pursed, as if she might bite them, so I gently spoke to her. It would be a shame to ruin her moist, delicate lips.
“Are you feeling guilty—☆” “...”
Urd nodded with difficulty.
“...Yes. Because of me, you came to this world. And maybe... because of me, the Prophet also came to this world.”
I had entered the empty space left by Clara. The Prophet had been cast into the distant past.
None of us existed in the original timeline that Urd experienced. That’s why she might be feeling guilty for complicating things.
She must be blaming herself for making things more complicated.
‘Ah... Pingcheng’s intuition can sense it.’
This was the kind of gloomy atmosphere where we’d spend ten pages in a manga taking the blame, digging ourselves deeper. In a manga, it would be two whole episodes of nothing but dialogue scenes.
The protagonist losing their memory. And the only companion who realizes the crisis.
If we started matching words now, It would be the moment to prepare for a noble sacrifice with a sad expression.
-It's my fault... so I’ll sacrifice myself (sniffle) -Oh no, that’s not possible...!
This would be a typical death flag, ending with a heroic sacrifice during the final boss fight, right?
Hmph, I know all about it. Don’t underestimate my weeb expertise—☆
So, I covered my ears and started babbling.
“I don’t know, I don’t know—☆” “Clara...?” “The important thing is what to do moving forward! I want to graduate and live as a wealthy lady with Hilde, doing naughty things until we’re worn out—! I want to throw my weight around too! And maybe write a novel when I’m bored! Being a rich idler is the best—☆ I’ll even fix up Red Hare and ride it around!” “...”
Suddenly revealing my wishes. Urd’s expression froze in confusion.
As I looked at her face, I continued speaking.
“...So it’s okay if I lose my memories of my past life. As long as this heart remains, I’m still Clara.”
“Clara.”
Hearing this, She pressed her thumb against my chest and spoke.
“That’s right—☆ You’re the always spiraling, doggedly appearing Pingcheng— Clara.”
Her expression was so serious that it felt like a "Bam!" sound effect should accompany it. Honestly, the dramatic exaggeration of her finger movements made the spot she poked hurt a bit, but I didn’t let it show.
A man sheds tears in his heart.
Sniffle... My chest hurts so much. I miss Grandpa Hua Tuo. The faint Jinsoo filter remaining within me responded.
Easy there. Don’t cry too much, little Jinsoo-kun inside me☆ If a man cries too often, he’ll lose his masculinity—☆
...Just like me.
“...” “...”
Urd, still looking gloomy, spoke.
“...No matter what, I never called myself a dog☆”
“Then, even if my memories are erased, I’m still ‘me,’ right?”
“...!”
Urd’s eyes widened. She seemed to be struck by my words.
Argument complete. Now, question time.
“So what do you want to do? You didn’t call me here because something happened, did you—☆”
“I still... want to watch over and protect the academy city. So...”
“...You wanted to tell me about the strange phenomenon where people who were erased by the World Tree are appearing?”
“...Yes. But it’s happening a bit sooner than I expected.”
Urd spoke weakly, as if she felt she hadn’t been much help.
‘But she’s helped us in so many ways.’
Urd was no longer the useless senior Clara from the story.
She had become a proper goddess who was helping us. In the end, she had also changed in her own way.
“Yeah~☆ Let’s definitely protect the academy city and see that happy ending—☆ You’ll watch over us, right?”
Urd nodded with teary eyes.
“Yes! Of course—☆” “High five!”
Smack—!
Our hands met with a bright, cheerful sound. But inside, I didn’t feel so cheerful.
...
Just as we had changed, The Prophet must have also changed, consumed by obsession and madness.
‘In the end, the echoes are reverberating.’
The phenomenon that occurs right before a "dragon" associated with the abyss and chaos awakens. A world full of order is shaken.
The World Tree is twisting in instability. Life and death. Past and present. The boundary between existence and non-existence is blurring.
This is called an echo.
It’s a phenomenon where something that no longer exists in this world roams around, mimicking its former self. It inadvertently leaks the voices of those erased by fate to passersby.
Echoes were reverberating across the Misty Plains.
‘I blocked the priests’ approach to the World Tree so thoroughly. But in the end, it’s happening inevitably.’
I clenched my fist. Everything was already in motion.
‘The echo phenomenon doesn’t directly cause harm, but if the World Tree starts excluding more students from fate, it’ll be a headache.’
I need to meet Astrid in the Misty Plains.
If it’s her, she won’t waste energy pointlessly opposing the echo phenomenon. Even if she tries to eliminate it, the same phenomenon will just appear again.
It’s like a ghost version of a zombie. The infection spreads by conveying information that would cause the World Tree to have a fit.
‘Astrid will probably prevent people from entering the Misty Plains.’
And I need to inform Hilde that the dragon’s awakening has begun.
“...”
I must stop him.
‘It’s a good thing I prepared in advance.’
It’s fortunate that you were too biased to see me for what I really am.
Because...
That choice means... you are inevitably fated to die by my hand.
That’s the destiny we have set.
As long as I remain myself, That will inevitably come to pass.
My heart was pounding. My suit was drenched in unpleasant sweat.
I felt nauseous, like I was about to vomit.
‘Or... did I already throw up?’ I couldn’t tell.
‘Damn bastards. Did they just throw labor laws out the window?’
After pulling all-nighters for a week straight, my head was throbbing.
‘Telling me to just go home, change clothes, and take a shower. Damn, if that’s the case, they should’ve just let me go home for good.’
Since I had to go back to work anyway, I didn’t want to spend money on a sauna, so I was on my way back to my apartment.
My eyelids felt heavy. So, I closed my eyes.
“Ugh...”
At that moment, My body staggered and fell.
A floating sensation, like my navel was being pulled upward.
I heard the sound of a car approaching.
Honk—
A large truck was rushing toward me as I lay on the road.
Ah. I’m going to die.
Crash—
In that split second, I vividly felt the massive tire crush half of my body. Is this what they call a life-flashing-before-your-eyes moment?
‘Damn, of all things, I get this life-flashing moment just as I’m being cut in half...!’
It was miserable.
And so, my consciousness slowly faded to black.
“...And that’s why the sky is blue.”
The pink-haired primitive girl laughed gleefully.
“Hahaha! Jinsoo, you really know a lot!” “D-Do I?” “But why does the sky change color?” “Sigh...”
I held my head in my hands.
The pink-haired primitive beauty tilted her head and approached me with a curious look. The sight of her dazzling skin and bright eyes peeking through her tattered clothes made me feel uneasy.
So, I hastily stopped her.
“...Don’t come closer. I might get attached.” “Why? Why~? I like you, Jinsoo!” “Yeah, I like you too.” “Yup! I like you, Jinsoo—☆ Our baby will like you too!” “...You have a baby?”
Oh dear. That was shocking. A sharp pain pierced my chest.
But Ymir shook her head at my question.
“No!” “Then what do you mean by that?” “Our baby, Jinsoo and my baby! Since we held hands, we’ll have one soon!” “...”
I overcame my embarrassment and briefly explained how babies are made. But it seemed she didn’t understand.
‘Is there no basic education in this place?’
A mysterious otherworldly life. It had been three months since I started enduring the barrage of questions from this pink-haired primitive girl, Ymir. I had even gotten used to the familiar smell of the shabby robe and the cozy little hut.
<I died from being cut in half, and now I’m living with a pink-haired primitive girl in another world.>
This place was a primitive otherworld where strange beasts existed as gods.
‘This is absolutely ridiculous.’
I held my head in my hands and looked at Ymir, who was still tilting her head curiously. Her pink hair shimmered like waves with every movement.
“Jinsoo, are you sick?” “...No.”
Her voice was clear, like marbles rolling across a floor.
“...”
To think that just a 2% difference in genetic makeup could create such a doll-like beauty. The world really is all about genetics.
‘...She’s really annoyingly pretty.’
Even Diao Chan would lower her donation screen if she saw this girl and apologize. Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao would immediately switch to being Vtubers.
It was almost depressing.
“Sigh...”
When I sighed, Ymir brought her face close and blew air into my mouth.
“Hooo~”
Pingcheng’s breath whooshed into my mouth.
“...?!”
We were practically touching lips... We were literally on the verge of kissing.
“What are you doing...?!”
“Hehe, Jinsoo sighs all the time, so I was worried your air would deflate~” “...”
Ymir laughed innocently, her eyes sparkling.
I was starting to get annoyed. It was one thing for her to keep showing me this unguarded side of her, but this was going too far.
So, the second time, I actually brought my lips to hers. But Ymir kept playing the same prank after that.
And over time, what started as a prank became genuine.
This is the world of Yggdrasil Gate .
But thousands of years in the past.
I realized that fact when I saw the yellowish cat before me.
“...Is this for real?” “...What do you mean?” “Just an exclamation.” “What kind of exclamation?” “I can’t believe this situation.” “I see. When you want to deny reality, it’s common to say, ‘Is this for real?’...”
There’s something off about this kid...
Twitch—
The yellow cat ears of the so-called "Golden Witch" twitched. If I hadn’t seen this little one summon the golden weapon, I wouldn’t have recognized her as the Golden Witch .
‘To think this is the world of the game I know.’
The Yggdrasil Gate I’m familiar with was more... weeb-ish, set in a civilized fantasy academy city.
“...”
I lifted my head and looked to the side.
Roar—!!
A king dragon breathed fire as it flew by, And insect-like dragons soared in the sky.
‘No matter how I look at it, this is just a primitive world.’
So, I sighed.
“Sigh...” “Huh?!”
From a distance, Ymir, who had been chasing butterflies, ran over and gently pressed her lips against mine like a bird. The soft touch and a pleasant scent spread.
The little one tilted her head and asked.
“Why do you kiss when someone sighs?”
It’s just become a habit. That’s all.
“...I don’t know.” “Don’t know, don’t know—☆” “That’s strange.”
Is it just you?
“So, a place like that actually exists? A place where you only do what you want, and they feed and house you?” “It’s not about doing only what you want; it’s about focusing on learning.” “Wow—☆ ‘School’ sounds amazing—! You only do what you want—!” “Ymir, you’re not listening to me, are you?”
“Jinsoo! After we defeat all the beast gods, let’s build our school on this fertile land!” “A school? Hahaha, will that be enough! Let’s fill an entire large city with students!” “Yup, yup☆ That’s amazing, amazing—!” “I have a question. What exactly do you mean by a large city?” “Well... how about... this big?” “Jinsoo, you’re smart, so tell me~” “How about a radius of 200 kilometers centered around the World Tree? There are no fractures within that range...”
When it’s all over, We’ll definitely be able to live happily.
I will change the fate of the Three Heroes .
But I couldn’t change fate.
Except for her and me, everyone else died.
“Jin...soo...” “D-Don’t talk anymore, Ymir—!! You’re bleeding too much!!” “I’m sorry... I left you alone...” “No!! No—!!!” “Heh... Heh... I hope... we really build a school... Yeah... For the last miracle... that would be nice...”
May a happy academy city, where everyone can live peacefully, come to be.
...
...
...
And then, I opened my eyes.
“Let’s begin.”
Prophet, the salvation you seek...
The silver-haired woman raised a sphere filled with dreams high. Beside her, a brown-haired girl looked at the wolf tattoo etched on her arm with a weary expression.
The Prophet swore.
“I will save this world.”
With a dream that will never end.