"Save & Reset."
This is a skill I received from Agetha.
I've used this skill to redo time over and over again.
But when I suddenly calm down and think about it, I realize that I don't really understand this skill at all.
I've only felt like I've mastered "Save & Reset," but do I truly understand how to use this skill in its true sense?
Did she just say "Reset" now?
I remembered what Black Agetha muttered.
Instantly, I recalled "Save & Reset" in my mind.
I had thought that "Save & Reset" was one skill with two parts, "Save" and "Reset," and it was thanks to these two skills that I could return from death.
However, when Black Agetha mentioned "Reset," I began to consider the possibility that my understanding might be significantly wrong.
Could it be that "Save" and "Reset" are separate skills with their own unique abilities?
And did she only activate the "Reset" ability…?
So, what is the ability that "Reset" possesses?
I tried to find out when Black Agetha mentioned "Reset."
Suddenly, the world was engulfed in darkness.
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"Oh…?"
My consciousness awakens.
In an instant, I felt bewildered by the situation before me.
What stretched out before me was an eternal darkness.
There was no ground beneath my feet, and there was no sky. I couldn't even find a horizon.
"What is this?"
I remember Black Agetha mentioning "Reset."
What happened after that?
Before I knew it, I found myself in a world of nothing.
"Hey, is anyone here!?"
I tried shouting, but my voice was swallowed by the darkness.
It seemed like I had wandered into a world with nothing.
However, I couldn't just stand still.
For now, I should try walking and see if I can find anything.
How many hours had passed since then, wandering around?
No matter how far I walked, the scenery remained unchanged.
Since there was no sun, I had no way of knowing how much time had passed since I arrived in this world.
"Oh, I finally found a place. Were you here?"
"Huh?"
Suddenly, I heard a voice, so I turned around, and there was 'something' there.
I could only describe it as 'something.'
That's because I didn't have the words to linguistically explain what had just spoken to me.
This 'something' had a shape that was far removed from anything I knew. Therefore, I couldn't explain it in any way.
At best, I could say that it spoke like a human, but it wasn't human. It was also far removed from all forms of life and all forms of matter.
"You have a surprised look on your face."
'Something' spoke.
"Oh, there's just been so much happening, and my head is in a whirl."
"Indeed, you've been through a lot recently. Thanks to that, I've been entertained."
"Hmm."
I gave an ambiguous response because I didn't quite understand what was being said.
"So, where is this place, and who are you?"
"Hmm, that's a good question."
'Something' said so.
"This is the aftermath of a destroyed world, and who am I? Well, I can't think of a good word to describe me."
The aftermath of a destroyed world? What does that mean?
"Um, so the world has been destroyed?"
"Yeah, that's right. Look, there's nothing here, right? The world was destroyed, so nothing has continued."
"I see."
Certainly, describing this place as a world of nothingness seems like the most appropriate expression.
"You don't seem too shocked, huh? The world has been destroyed. Normally, I think people would be shocked when they hear something like that."
"Well, the story is so grand that it hasn't quite sunk in."
"I see. If you put it that way, it makes sense."
Nevertheless, it's strange that I still have consciousness despite the world being destroyed.
"Um, are you a god?"
I suddenly posed that question to the entity before me. If that entity were a god, it seemed plausible. The 'something' in front of me was supernatural, almost god-like.
"No, unlike a god, I'm not all-knowing or all-powerful. It would be presumptuous of me to call myself a god. I guess you can call me an observer."
"An observer?"
"Yeah, it's like my role is to observe the world."
"I see."
I didn't quite understand, and I felt like even if I delved deeper with questions, I wouldn't grasp it, so I decided not to inquire further.
"So, why is my consciousness still intact even though the world has been destroyed?"
"That's because you exist outside of causality. Do you have any recollection?"
Recollection? I didn't understand what causality was, but perhaps it meant that I could maintain my consciousness thanks to having "Save & Reset."
"Is Agetha the cause of the world's destruction?"
"Yeah, that's right. She rewrote causality."
"I see."
This conversation with the observer was filled with things I didn't understand, and I was getting perplexed.
"Now, let me ask you. Do you want to save the world?"
The observer said this with a more serious tone.
"As an observer, it pains me that the world remains destroyed like this. So, I'm thinking of entrusting the fate of this world to you. What do you say?"
"Well…"
"What's with that response? You don't seem enthusiastic."
"Um, I'd like to save the world if I can, but can I really do something like that?"
Saving the world is such a monumental task, and honestly, I don't think I'm up to the challenge.
"It's up to you whether you can do it or not, but hmm, this is a bit tricky. Alright, maybe you should try changing your perspective like this."
As if the observer had come up with a great idea, and spoke.
"Do you want to save Agetha Tsubaki?"
"If that's the case, then yes."
Suddenly, I recalled the tears that Black Agetha had shed. I wanted to know why she was crying, and my feelings towards the non-Black Agetha were also positive. I didn't even understand why there were two Agetha in the first place.
"That's a good answer. So, I'll entrust the fate of the world to you."
When the observer said that, and began some kind of work. I had absolutely no understanding of what it was.
"There are two important points to keep in mind. Your 'Save & Reset' is still active, but be careful how you use it. The other is that if it's determined that the world has been saved, I will forcibly return you to the original timeline."
"…Understood."
I nodded, but I still couldn't quite grasp the reality of the observer's words.
"Well then, go back to a specific time, precisely 100 years before the world was destroyed."
The observer didn't have hands, but I think if it did, it would have waved its hand. It seemed like I was going somewhere from here.
"Oh…"
When I came to, I was standing on the ground, basking in the sunlight. It seemed like I needed to start by figuring out where this place was.
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