In the ‘Method of Annihilation’, the ‘Recycling Center Head’ changed every round.

Sometimes the head of a mid-sized nebula like <Tamna> would take charge of the Recycling Center; there was a time when a deranged Black Flame Dragon turned the Recycling Center into its own playground, and there was even a time when one of the Ten Evils who had awakened as a Demon King— Linehart, Lord of Paradise— used the Recycling Center as a ‘second paradise’.

But in this 41st round, the ‘Recycling Center Head’ was none of them.

From him, I didn’t feel the boldness of a mid-sized nebula’s leader, nor the mischief of the Black Flame Dragon, nor the madness of Linehart.

What I felt was only a neat and calm atmosphere. Exactly the feeling of the principal of ‘Philia Hunter Academy’ that I had imagined.

“You’re the Recycling Center Hea―”

Tztztzt, along with that sound, sparks of Plausibility pressed down on my whole body. The only reason I didn’t scream “Egegegek” was my last shred of dignity.

[Hey now, I told you those statements are forbidden in here.]

“I thought it was okay in the principal’s office?”

[It’s only okay for me.]

That did seem to be the case. Around the principal, I couldn’t feel the gaze of the ‘world view’.

“Please, just for a bit, use your principal authority to make it okay for me too.”

[That would be troublesome. You’re far too good with words. For now, just stick to your ‘role’.]

“You’re saying I’m good with words?”

[You really only hear what you want to hear. Is there anyone who doesn’t know about your sly tongue?]

For a moment, I wondered whether that joke was about the ‘me’ belonging to this world view, or about Kim Dokja of <Star Stream>.

[So, what brings you here today?]

“Well, the thing is.”

[The date for the graduation exam is getting close. Did you perhaps come because of that?]

Kindly enough, he brought up my business first. But I had no intention of obediently playing out my ‘role’ like that.

“I just came for a bit of counseling.”

[Counseling?]

“As a benevolent principal, you’ll at least listen to a student’s concerns, right?”

The principal narrowed his eyes and looked at me. He was trying to read my intentions.

[Fine. Go ahead.]

“Lately I’ve been worrying about my career path.”

[Weren’t you aiming for the ‘Swordsmanship Club’?]

So that was the original setting.

But I had ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ no intention of following the setting.

“Lately, I’m more interested in ‘records’ than in swords.”

[Records?]

“Yes. Actually, I―”

As I said that, I lifted my gaze to somewhere in the air. I was curious to see whether this statement would offend the world view or not.

“I’ve been writing a novel recently.”

[World-view–exclusive trait, ‘Reader (S)’, is activating.]

[Because of the effect of ‘Reader (S)’, your action gains Plausibility.]

As expected.

With a name like Kim Dokja, there was no way I wouldn’t have this trait.

[The world view feels confusion at your utterance.]

Maybe the world view hadn’t expected me to use it like this; the principal looked somewhat surprised.

[A novel, huh. Hm, I’ll have to revise your student record first.]

“Yes, well. You can do that later. More importantly, about the novel I’m writing. It’s quite interesting.”

[Do you really have to tell me that? I’m the principal, you know?]

“Is there some kind of law that says you can’t talk about novels with the principal?”

[Wouldn’t it be better to consult with the teacher who specializes in the subject?]

“Seems you’ve already forgotten the setting. Our school doesn’t have a Korean language teacher.”

[There’s no Korean language teacher, but there is a teacher who likes novels. Teacher Yang, for example―]

“According to Teacher Yang, there’s no one who’s read as many ‘novels’ as you, Principal. From old stories to the latest trends. He said you’re an expert regardless of genre.”

[The world view feels strong confusion at your utterance.]

[The world view cannot interpret your utterance.]

Light sparks began to snap in the air.

The principal stared at me for a moment, hesitating, then answered.

[I do like reading, yes. And?]

“The development of the novel I’m writing is stuck, so I’d like to get your advice.”

[Didn’t you say it was a career concern just now….]

“It’s a career concern for the novel.”

[…What kind of novel is it?]

“It’s a novel called 『Infinite Wardens』.”

[The title makes it sound very likely to be boring.]

“To put it simply, it’s a story about the protagonist attending ‘Philia Hunter Academy’ and fighting demonfolk.”

[Oh, that’s a familiar school name.]

“Anyway, the protagonist of that novel is Kim Dokja.”

[Isn’t that your name?]

“It’s just the protagonist’s name and has nothing to do with me. What kind of crazy author would use his own name for the protagonist?”

[So what do you mean the development got stuck?]

“Suddenly, the characters started moving independently of my intentions.”

[Ho, now that is a writer-like concern.]

“It’s not a metaphor, it’s literally happening. In particular, ‘Teacher Yang’ is way too different from the ‘Teacher Yang’ I set up.”

[The world view feels strong confusion at your utterance!]

The shape of the Plausibility backlash grew denser than before. As that backlash began to press down on the entire principal’s office, the principal’s expression was already hardening.

“It’s like a different person has possessed him… or something like that….”

[The world view cannot interpret your utterance!]

[The Plausibility of this world view is beginning to run wild!]

“On top of that, the principal is bringing up a setting that doesn’t even exist in the story, something called Plausibility―”

Just as the suddenly surging backlash was about to engulf the entire principal’s office, a powerful grade exploded from the principal’s whole body.

In an instant, the surrounding Plausibility let out a feeble sound and thinned. The gaze of the world view that had been watching me was receding.

The ‘principal’s office’ he had constructed had withstood the Plausibility of the ‘world view’.

[The ‘principal’s office’ zone temporarily escapes the control of the world view.]

The principal, his complexion somewhat paler than before, let out a deep sigh.

[Really now, I just can’t handle you.]

“Can I tell you the real concern now?”

[Do as you like. Isn’t that why you pulled this stunt in the first place?]

Looking at the principal shaking his head, I recalled a description I had written long ago.

「A middle-aged man with graying hair waved brightly. A pink Hawaiian shirt with pineapples printed on it and ripped jeans.」

It was an appearance I remembered only through that description, but the moment I saw him, I was certain.

“You’re the ‘Mass-Produced Creator’, aren’t you?”

Then the Mass-Produced Creator smiled brightly. With exactly the expression that had existed only in my head.

[That might be true, or it might not.]

“Both true and not true.”

I nodded and continued.

“You’re the ‘Mass-Produced Creator’ from the 1,864th-round world line, and the ‘Recycling Center Head’ of the 41st-round world line.”

The Mass-Produced Creator seemed a little surprised, as he didn’t answer.

“Did other constellations also possess this world the way you did? How many crossed over?”

[…….]

“What’s your goal? Why are you suddenly intervening in this world line?”

As I questioned him, I brought to mind the ‘beings from other world lines’ I had faced so far.

Asmodeus, who owned the ‘theater’ where the little Kim Dokjas were.

The Shin Yuseung of <Kim Dokja Company> who had possessed Shin Yuseung.

Cheon Inho of the 40th round, who had been strange to an absurd degree.

Yoo Sangah and Lee Gilyoung, who had appeared as constellations.

Uriel, who had become ‘Teacher Yang’.

“What are you plotting in this 41st round? If the Plausibility of the world line ends up distorted like this―”

[Plausibility has already been distorted. Not just in this world line, but in the entire universe.]

When he slowly drew back the curtain by the window, the scenery of the ‘Forest of Demons’ came into view at a glance.

[From the very moment you were born.]

His tone stirred up all sorts of ominous imaginings.

Reflexively, I asked back.

“What do you mean by that?”

Just a few words exchanged, and the domain of sparks was spreading again.

Blinking leisurely, the Mass-Produced Creator spoke.

[You must have a lot of questions. But I’m only planning to answer three of them.]

Watching the sparks once more creeping across the floor of the room, I carefully chose and chose again in my head.

Then I opened my mouth.

“Why did you become the ‘Recycling Center Head’?”

[You can only ask three questions. Are you sure that’s what you want to ask?]

Of course, there were other things I wanted to ask as well.

Why the constellations had gathered in this 41st round.

Whether he knew of the existence called the ‘Representative of Kim Dokja’.

What Asmodeus’s objective was.

How I was supposed to see the ending of this world.

Where the ‘Demon King of Salvation’ was.

But some questions would resolve themselves as time passed, some questions I had to figure out on my own, and for some questions I couldn’t even be sure I’d get an answer.

“If you choose something that’s easy for you to answer, the Plausibility consumption will be lower, won’t it. So answer me. Why did you become the ‘Recycling Center Head’?”

That was why this was the first question I chose.

[You really haven’t changed at all.]

The Mass-Produced Creator let out a small laugh.

Perhaps because my thinking had been right, the speed at which the Plausibility sparks were creeping across the room slowed ever so slightly.

[You know I like old tales, right?]

I nodded.

[Among them, there’s a tale I’m especially fond of. A tale about one man.]

It was a story I knew very well too.

A story that began in the subway and ended in the subway. The story of a star who sacrificed himself to protect the worlds of his loved ones.

The story of a man who loved that story so much he became eternity within it.

[It’s called ‘Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint’.]

Silently, I drew in a breath. I hadn’t expected that title to come out of the Mass-Produced Creator’s mouth.

I bit down on my lip, then asked again.

“Bringing Uriel here was related to that story too, wasn’t it.”

Come to think of it, that had just now become my second question.

The Mass-Produced Creator shrugged as he answered.

[I only made a suggestion. Her coming here was her own will.]

“Uriel is not a tool of the scenario.”

[No one should become a tool for the sake of a scenario. Such a pretty and fleeting statement.]

“…….”

[As you probably already know, we’re nothing more than actors in the vast <Star Stream>, each playing our assigned roles. The only thing that flows is the story itself. The great one of Eden understood her role as well as anyone. That’s why she came all the way here to protect you.]

I couldn’t say anything.

[You too can make a choice like hers. The first choice is to do nothing.]

You don’t have to do anything.

It was something Uriel had said as well.

[You can stay at this school and defer graduation. Spend the rest of your school days you never got to finish with your companions. Join clubs, try the student council, study for exams, eat school meals, all of that.]

“That can’t be an ending.”

[Are you really so sure?]

“Just because something looks like a path doesn’t mean it can be a path.”

A path that isn’t a path.

It was a piece of advice the Mass-Produced Creator had once left for Kim Dokja.

「Please choose your path well. Sometimes what looked like a path wasn’t a path at all.」

Perhaps recalling that time, the Mass-Produced Creator smiled faintly.

[Is that so. Back then, I did say things like that.]

Just like then, he took a cigarette out of his pocket and lit it. In the gray smoke that spread, there was a trace of some unknown longing.

[Now, I think that even a ‘path that isn’t a path’ isn’t so bad.]

Why had his thoughts changed?

I remembered the Mass-Produced Creator’s ‘■■’. Back then, he had certainly reached his own ending.

[I came to think that not every story necessarily needs an ending.]

If, for a moment, his gaze felt like he was worrying about me, was that just my delusion?

[At the very least, if you stay at this school, you’ll be safe. So will your companions. As long as you can deceive yourself.]

“…….”

[Have you forgotten? The protagonist of 『Infinite Wardens』 made a similar choice.]

I thought of Ma Hyeonseong, who had repeated the world for eternity to protect a single save file.

[Whether you clear this scenario or stay in this scenario… in the end, destruction will come for you. This world is fated to end. It’s just a difference in speed. You can make this place your ■■. Welcome a slow and peaceful destruction.]

“Like Linehart of Paradise, you mean.”

[Yes, like Linehart of Paradise.]

“You just said that was the first choice.”

[That’s right.]

“From now on, start with the third choice. I’m going to pick that one no matter what.”

The Mass-Produced Creator silently smiled again, then looked out the window. In his eyes, distant as the night sky, the setting sun beyond the forest was reflected.

The sunset staining his voice had a strangely lonely tinge.

[Do you know why the stars liked Kim Dokja’s story?]

“I don’t.”

[Because damn it, the choices Kim Dokja made gave them expectations.]

On the window tinged with sunset, my face and Kim Dokja’s face were reflected. With this face, we had kept choosing something all along.

“I never made those choices to give expectations to the stars.”

[Maybe so. In any case, Kim Dokja showed the ending he pursued with that brazen attitude of his.]

“…….”

[At that moment, even though the stars were all looking at different landscapes, they all belonged to a single tale. That was truly an amazing thing.]

I pictured Kim Dokja’s soul, split into tens of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of branches and scattered.

I was one of them as well.

[But once Kim Dokja disappeared, something twisted. Now there’s no longer ‘one dream’ in this universe.]

Slowly turning his head, the Mass-Produced Creator looked at me. In the depths of his eyes, sunk deep, an unknowable longing rippled.

For a moment, I felt like I slightly understood why he was here. Why he had brought Uriel. Why he had evacuated me and the readers to this place. It felt like I understood all of it.

[This time, don’t end that dream as you please.]

The Mass-Produced Creator.

He was the star in this world line who loved the oldest tales most of all.

The constellation who had used all his Coins to recreate the ■■ he had dreamed of within the tale of ‘Kim Dokja’.

[Just like your brother did.]

He wanted ‘one Kim Dokja’ to be resurrected once more.

Tztztzt.

The backlash pressing in on the principal’s office was starting to grow violent. There was no time left now.

It was time to ask the last question.

“Where is the Demon King of Salvation?”

He glanced out the window once more.

[He’s a body offered up to the scenario. You can never meet him in the way you want.]

“Then―”

Tztztzt, along with that sound, the backlash engulfed the entire principal’s office.

[The world view is staring at the ‘principal’s office’.]

As the rules of the world fell back into place, I once again became the ‘Philia Hunter Academy’ version of my role.

The being who had been the ‘Mass-Produced Creator’ until a moment ago was looking at me.

“You’ve filled up all your points.”

He was the principal of this school.

And I was his student.

“Will you sit for the ‘graduation exam’?”

Beyond the window, in the direction of the Forest of Demons, the backlash of Plausibility was surging. I could see students who had noticed that something was wrong with the state of the forest leaving the dorms one by one.

Among them were my companions.

Some had resolute eyes, and some were gripping their weapons with nervous expressions.

Seen from up high, they all really did look like actors appearing in a single play.

“You already know my answer, don’t you?”

The principal nodded.

[Your brother is waiting for you.]

At the principal’s words, an explosion rang out in the distance.

[You have acquired all the points required for the graduation exam.]

[The principal has authorized your graduation exam.]

[The ‘graduation exam’ is beginning.]

The forest was crying. The ground trembled as a massive number of demonfolk crossed the boundary of the forest and came charging.

[In the ‘Forest of Demons’, the aura of a greater demonfolk is surging.]

Groans and screams rang out from all sides. Along with the clamor of weapons being drawn, a message sounded in the air.

[A greater demonfolk, the ‘73rd Demon King’, is descending!]

My brother was calling me.