Otherworld TRPG Game Master - Chapter 288



Chapter 288 – S5. The Stellar Echo ~Hope Slumbering Beneath the Ruins~ -1

Where is this place?

It’s so dark that I can’t see anything ahead. I can’t even tell if I’m standing or sitting. Gordius calmly reflected on the past. Why am I in this darkness?

“……..”

There is no damage to my memory. I can recall it.

He accepted the mad professor’s proposal.

Yes, the professor had lured him in with the enticing bait of “another world.” At first, he was skeptical… but the sketches of various mechanical devices, which he had never seen before, drawn from the very spot where he sat, had given Gordius a tremendous shock.

This is not of this world. He could feel it instinctively. The engineering form created by the harmony of bolts, nuts, and tiny components!

And so… he willingly said he would embark on a journey to “another world.”

Gradually, the darkness becomes familiar. His pupils, now adapted to the gloom, absorb the faint light and transmit the image to his brain, and the sensory organs, freed from a momentary state of tension, begin to function in unison.

Drip, drip, drip.

Water flows. It’s right beside him. Something liquid is flowing along a long passage, slightly lower than the point where he stands.

And there’s a foul smell. The damp odor of stagnant water mixed with the various filth left by humans.

Faintly, the outlines of objects begin to come into view. The angular passage stretches long and far in both directions. Only then did Gordius realize that he was standing in a sewer.

From noble mtl dot com

There is a way up…

A ladder made of iron, bent in a ‘D’ shape, is embedded in the wall. Even when he pulls on it with his gloved hand, it doesn’t shake or creak. It has enough strength to support his weight.

Thud. Thud.

He climbs the ladder. Each time the soles of his shoes hit the rungs, the sound reverberates throughout the passage. When he reaches the top, he finds the ceiling blocked by a metal disc.

As he presses his palm against it and pushes up, the disc shifts slightly. It’s not sealed. He carefully pushes the disc aside and peeks outside—

Boom—!!

Thud!

“……..”

If Gordius hadn’t instinctively recoiled in time, his head would have been concave.

Something moved at an incredibly fast speed, trampling over the disc as it passed. Considering how his hand was forcefully pushed away while he was pushing the disc, that unidentified object must have been heavy.

He lightly shook his aching wrist to dull the pain.

It all happened so suddenly that he couldn’t quite grasp what it was. He retraced his memories.

In the visible area, an incredibly bright light was emanating, and there were two… no, four wheels. Near the mouth, a material similar to iron plates was engraved with a mix of numbers and letters. It did not appear to be a living creature.

I pressed my ear against the ceiling and quietly searched. The rumbling sound drew closer, the disc rattled, and then it repeated the cycle of moving away. Sometimes the interval was one minute, sometimes five.

“Echoes of the Earth.”

I carefully began to chant a spell. I sent forth an intangible wave to flow along the ground, a search magic from the golden tower that would detect any nearby presence.

After confirming my safety, I lifted the metallic disc once more and peeked outside. Then, in an instant, Gordius was overwhelmed.

“Ha, hahaha…”

There was a dazzling spectacle before me.

On a moonlit night where darkness settled quietly, the city did not sleep.

The towering buildings rose so high that I could not tell how far I needed to tilt my head. They announced their existence with vibrant colors. The lights of the windows flickered on and off intermittently, resembling a masterful performance.

The low-rise buildings were no less splendid. With their colorful signs and bizarre architectural styles, they flaunted their charm. It was as if all the stars that should shine in the sky had descended to the ground.

Above all, the steel chariots.

Brrrrrrr──!

A car whizzed past the wizard, who was peering around with the manhole cover half-lifted. That was it. The object that had just slammed down on the manhole cover was that vehicle.

The steel chariot thundered down the road, and I felt no trace of magic emanating from it. This incomprehensibility sent a shiver down Gordius’s spine. How could that be?

What a magnificent city. The mad professor was right. If there is a way to build hundreds or thousands of such tall buildings without magic, then creating a golem of that size would not be a dream.

If only I could acquire the know-how, the knowledge of this other world!

Gordius emerged from the sewer and walked upon the earth. It was not dirt or stone. The road was polished to a smooth sheen with a black material that I could not even guess the nature of. Just walking on it was enjoyable.

Only a veteran golden tower mage could present such cleanliness.

And in the sky, there was an unidentified flying object, glowing red as it crossed the clouds. If its shape could be seen from this far away… how enormous must it be?

“Haha, hahahaha…!!”

My heart raced wildly.

Could this be what it feels like to enter a dragon’s treasure hoard from a fairy tale? I was overwhelmed with the desire to uncover everything about this civilization. It felt closer to my dreams than ever before.

A familiar silhouette flickered in my memory.

The back of a fake knight in clumsy armor that I had looked up to in my very early childhood.

To little Gordius, that figure had appeared as a colossal golem. Whether I closed my eyes or opened them, I could vividly remember that moment.

That scene was etched not in my mind, but in my soul.

His dream had been born from the memories of childhood and had continued to this day.

I clenched my fist. This opportunity was not a dream.

“Yes, it’s no longer a dream. I will extract all the knowledge of this world! And at the very end──”

I will create a sturdy, colossal golem that anyone must look up to.

—

The colossal golem was but a pipe dream.

“Hey, Go! What are you doing lazing around like that, you young one? You need to get moving!”

“Yes, yes, Captain. I’m on it…”

Gordius let out a deep sigh and strapped a bag of cement around his waist. It had already been two weeks since he had jumped into the construction scene, wandering the streets as an outsider, all in search of a way to earn some money. His back felt like it was about to give out.

With no passport and no identity, there was no way to find a decent job.

Even with the meager earnings from his hard work, it was a struggle to find accommodation. On the first day, he had to make do with sleeping rough (it was relatively comfortable in that he didn’t have to worry about being killed by robbers, and it wasn’t too cold), and by the third day, he had discovered the good alternative of a PC bang.

Indeed, whether in this world or the other, money was everything.

In such a dire state, the colossal golem was the least of his concerns; making money was urgent. He had thought about leveraging his position as a magician to secure some funding, but… there were two problems.

The first was that there was no magical power in this world.

With the ambient magical energy hovering around 0%, he couldn’t draw any from the outside, and the minuscule amount produced from his own soul was all he had for recovery.

If he kept using magic recklessly, he could end up in a situation where he couldn’t use magic at all. If magical energy was limited, it was best to save it for emergencies.

The second problem was that there were no magicians in this world.

It was only natural, given the lack of magical energy. After assessing the situation through the medium of the internet, it became clear that magic was treated as nothing more than fantasy or fiction.

It was easy to imagine the consequences of carelessly bringing such things up. If he had to use magic, it would be wiser to do so after gaining a deeper understanding of this world.

How beautiful it is to know when to curl up.

If only he had known this fact a little earlier.

– In other news, strange phenomena have been occurring in downtown Seoul.

– Yes, reports have been coming in about bizarre occurrences, such as building facades crumbling and cars suddenly becoming transparent. The police are investigating, considering the possibility of hallucinations due to chemical terrorism.

If that were the case, he wouldn’t have to hear such news.

Thus, Gordius’s daily routine was as follows: construction work in the morning, gaming at the PC bang at night. He tried to refrain from using magic as much as possible.

“…Should I try a different ramen today?”

Last time it was too spicy. He regretted finishing the broth, as his tongue was still tingling, and he almost spent extra money on a drink.

After ordering a bowl of mild ramen, he clicked away at the mouse, swimming through the sea of information once again. About firearms, about bombs, about robots…

He had grasped the basics of science and had started reading academic journals and papers since the day before. The knowledge of modern civilization was vast and extensive, but he believed that with time, he would eventually master it.

Slurp.

Lately, he had been particularly interested in a paper titled [Development and Application of High-Efficiency Robotic Joint Drive Mechanisms]. The author’s name was Woo Chae-rin.

Just as an artist’s soul is embedded in their artwork, a researcher’s spirit is contained within their paper. Gordius saw a spark of brilliance in her work. It felt like the code fit perfectly; he was captivated.

He had gone so far as to seek out and read all the papers she had written.

Each day is filled with the joy of learning. Labor may be hard, but as I immerse myself in acquiring new information, I forget even the fatigue. I truly cherish this peace.

If possible, I wanted to rent a small container to set up a lab.

I have a feeling that by melting down the knowledge I’ve gained and creating various inventions myself, I could reach something unprecedented that others have never touched.

In fact, results were already beginning to show. As my understanding of the fundamental sciences deepened, the aspects of the magical system of the Golden Tower that had previously eluded clarification were becoming clearer, slightly reducing the cost of using magic.

If I could integrate this understanding and optimize the magic, and grow a little more, perhaps not just Gordius as an individual, but the entire Golden Tower could seize an opportunity for a leap forward.

It would have been nice to have a proper teacher, but given that I hadn’t even secured accommodation yet, finding a mentor was out of the question. For now, I had no choice but to tackle it through self-study, which was disappointing.

I must persevere. Gordius reaffirmed his resolve once more.

Clenching his fist and raising his arm for encouragement, the hem of his clothing slipped down, revealing his wrist. There, a mysterious pattern resembling a clock was engraved.

It was inscribed by the mad professor. He had said it was a “secret weapon.”

– That world is destined for disaster. This pattern is prepared for when you find yourself in a corner, so if your life hangs by a thread and you are in peril… infuse it with magical power.

Disaster.

In such a peaceful world, disaster.

Gordius did not take the professor’s warning lightly. There was an intention behind conserving magical power, a preparation for the unknown “disaster.”

But already two weeks had passed. The “disaster” had yet to show its face, and modern civilization flowed quietly in peace. While wars were indeed occurring across the globe, they would hardly be called disasters.

Lost in thought as he gazed at the monitor, Gordius was approached cautiously by a part-time worker from the PC café. She winced at the sight of his cluttered seat, littered with empty bowls.

Summoning her courage, she spoke.

“Um, excuse me… could you please leave?”

“I have paid for my time. Is this not a legitimate use?”

“Other customers have expressed discomfort. They, um, say it smells…”

After sniffing his sleeve, Gordius concluded that he was quite clean and tidy. It was not uncommon for wizards to lose track of time and go over two weeks while immersed in research.

“I don’t see a problem. Perhaps you are being overly sensitive. If you infringe upon my rightful privileges like this…”

“I-I’ll call the police…!”

“I will leave. However, you must refund me for the six hours I have already paid for.”

This is the disaster.

To Gordius, who had neither a passport nor an ID, the authority was terrifying. Wasn’t it Michael who had been taken away while working in the labor market?

Gordius received a refund for the remaining amount and was unceremoniously kicked out of the PC café. As he stepped outside, the stars twinkling faintly in the moonlit night seemed particularly forlorn.

“…Is it going to be a night of homelessness today?”

It’s fine. As long as I can continue my research.

They mentioned there was a public bath facility. The residents of this world seem to have a bit of a cleanliness obsession, so even though it’s early, it might be a good idea to wash up. If I can also solve the issue of sleep, that would be a bonus.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked along, deep in thought.

The city is still a marvel. How much effort must have gone into it? The more I learn, the more I am in awe. And the more I yearn.

In the next… two weeks, or perhaps three.

With just that much time, I can lay the groundwork. He had a plan for everything. The acquisition of knowledge would be fully on track, and he could set up a laboratory of his own.

After creating a prototype, he would seek out a large corporation to secure investment. Then, with that immense financial power, he would solidify his means of making money and seriously push forward with the colossal golem project.

As he contemplated this hopeful future, Gordius was interrupted.

────Kuwung.

At the sound that resonated like a soul-shattering roar, instinct sent a warning. Reflexively, he summoned his magical power and assumed a defensive stance. He shed the guise of a scientist exploring the knowledge of another world and returned to the form of a wizard from the golden magic tower.

────Chjeok, chjeojeok!

It was a noise he had never heard in his lifetime. Just listening to it sent waves of anxiety surging through him. Rats, cats, pigeons, and sparrows that had lived in the city were now in a frenzy, fleeing from the epicenter.

Even the people walking the streets at night turned their heads toward some point in the air, as if entranced by something.

“…‘Rock Flight.’”

Kuwung!

Gordius lifted a one-cubic-meter section of ground, using it like an elevator to ascend to the rooftop of a nearby building. The sight of a modern-day wizard drew murmurs from the crowd, and the sounds of shutters and video recordings filled the air, but he paid them no mind.

Upon reaching the rooftop.

Looking down from the height, he could see the cracks in the air clearly. With each thunderous roar, the fissures burst forth, expanding in size.

Simultaneously, a dense concentration of magical power was being expelled in all directions, as if to stain this world.

────Kugugugugugugugu!

In retrospect.

It was the sound of modern civilization crumbling.

—

Something is.

A colossal something is squeezing through the cracks and crawling out.

Is that an arm—?

An arm, adorned with sharp protrusions reminiscent of a beast’s claws, reached out to the middle of a building that stood beside the fissure. It seemed to exert pressure as if the building were an inconvenience.

Creeeak—!

In an instant, the building began to crumble. The concrete surface shattered like soft stones, and the rebar inside bent with alarming ease. And just like that, the building, severed at the waist, collapsed.

Kugugugugu…

The screams of the people were drowned out by the noise of the collapse.

The entity secured ample space with its two arms and extended a long, snail-like head. It was white. So white that it could be recognized even under the moonlight.

It moved as if to clear away anything that obstructed its path. Its tail swung wildly. The sound of the world shattering echoed continuously.

The landscape of Seoul, which took decades to build, crumbles into ruins in mere minutes.

Debris from buildings falls. People die. Like dominoes, one building collapses onto another, and the city center is instantly turned into a wasteland. People die.

With the sounds of all those deaths as its anthem, the “Great Monster” fully revealed its colossal form.

Its undulating, amorphous body flowed like something between solid and liquid. The black patterns etched on its surface gnawed at the minds of the people.

There were no eyes, no ears, no mouth. The surface of the Great Monster lacked any organs for communication. Yet, those who witnessed it could feel an eerily vivid malice.

That is a monster that exists to bring down human civilization.

Gordius looked down at the PC bang building crushed beneath the Great Monster’s tail and spat out a curse as if chewing it.

“…Damn it.”

At last, he understood the “Disaster.”