Pick Me Up, Infinite Gacha

[Aaron Side Story Episode 39]

5. The light of the heart (1)

* * *

Aaron closed the book.

The light leaking from the bookshelf faded.

“My story ends here.”

The story of a young man who wanted to become stronger.

He faced the wall of reality and despaired, but met the teacher of his heart and overcame the hardships, finally grasping hope.

‘To have a headache.’

Cheer.

It looks like someone is poking me with a needle from the inside.

Aaron took a deep breath.

Anyway, after that, Aaron faced the reality outside.

The fact that no matter how many times you climb the tower, the world will not return and that your older brother has become frustrated and dangerous.

While Aaron was training with his teacher, numerous incidents occurred outside.

But I overcame it.

His older brother Han Israt did not give up even in the face of the harsh truth.

All the heroes left there came together to save their older brother, and they opened the door to new possibilities.

that’s valhalla

It was the place where Aaron and Yurenet stayed.

Of course, the fight isn’t over yet.

Only at the end of time will we know how this war will end.

But no regrets.

win or lose.

Because it’s a path you’ve chosen yourself.

“okay. I heard Aaron’s story well.”

Yurnet replied a bit late.

Aaron added an afterword.

“I’m sorry for not being able to go into detail. I spent so much time there that I don’t remember the details.”

The years in Luanan are hazy like fog.

Aaron had to revisit the past several times to recall his memories.

The scene I saw just before was in the same context.

[The dreams Master says are all lies.]

[Because I know. I know.]

[What was Master here for? That dream is…]

There was no way he could have said such a thing.

This sight cannot be true.

Is it a side effect of spending so many years in a time-broken dimension?

It becomes difficult to distinguish truth from lies in memories.

‘therefore.’

The last sight you saw is the truth.

because it is not clear

If you ‘remember’ that way, everything fits right in front and back.

Aaron made up his mind.

[Can I… trust you?]

[I will. Even risking my life.]

Pounding.

My chest is beating loudly.

A feeling that something is out of place.

I feel dizzy, spinning and turning with mixed memories.

Was the Q&A with the therapist a false memory?

because.

Aaron could still remember.

Those earnest eyes that he entrusted to himself, asking for a teacher.

because yes

That woman in front of me had the same eyes…

“…!”

Something is strange.

Which one is false and which one is true.

In fact, even the memories I recalled were all my delusions?

Isn’t this library a dream?

Where is reality and where is dream?

dizzy.

Just sitting there feels like the world is spinning around.

I felt like I was going to get nauseous.

“Please calm down, Aaron. are you okay. It’s fine.”

“sorry. I’m dizzy for a moment.”

Aaron regretted it.

I couldn’t accept that offer.

digging into memories in the abyss

“Haa…”

Breathing became rough.

Aaron lowered his head and took a breath.

Aaron himself did not know why he was doing this.

‘I made a promise.’

It seems like you made some promise.

‘He said he would risk his life to protect it.’

Did I not keep it?

Did that woman in front of me appear to rebuke me?

I don’t know.

“Aaron.”

“….”

“Are you okay, Aaron? If you can’t calm down, I’ll make you a cup of hot tea.”

Squeak.

The woman in front of me pours tea into a teacup.

Kim spread.

“sorry. Your condition is strange.”

“Huh, it’s okay. This is what I asked for.”

Aaron took several minutes to calm down.

after.

I managed to reach for the teacup and drink the tea.

click.

Are your hands shaking?

Is the teacup shaking?

Aaron didn’t know.

“I don’t blame you. Aaron kept his promise.”

“A promise? I…”

“Did you bring him out safely?”

ah yes it was

It is certainly.

The master and the disciple escaped from Luanan.

After that, the disciple goes to the battlefield.

The teacher said he was retiring and went to a resort.

Before leaving, the teacher encouraged Aaron and handed over his weapon.

With the words don’t give up.

Aaron looked at the back and swore.

[I swear with my all. After this fight is over, I will definitely go to see Master.]

And take over Master’s surname.

Last name… changed…

“…”

Aaron Delkard’s eyes twitched.

My name… it wouldn’t have been…

I would have sworn…

no.

It makes no sense.

The master left Luanan with Aaron.

It was alive until then.

thud!

Aaron jumped up from his seat.

I need to get there right away.

‘Where?’

I can not know.

I never even tried to find it.

No, from the beginning I…

“….”

Aaron sat down again.

He quietly bowed his head.

now i don’t know anything

I didn’t even know if the memory at that time was true or if it was my own delusion.

“Is this a dream world?”

Aaron murmured in a low-pitched voice.

“Are you a dream character? No, really. Up is like that. It is the power to make dreams come true. I can no longer know anything.”

Squeak.

Yurnet poured tea into her own cup.

The fragrant smell of tea spread in all directions.

“Is the memory written in the book a lie or reality? Am I making it up in my delusion or is this the truth.”

The silver-haired witch takes tea to her lips.

“You came to curse me. You came to curse me… resenting me for not keeping your promise. You…”

The witch in front of me knew it.

Even though hundreds of years have passed since then.

He is looking at himself with the eyes of the past without forgetting it.

“Aaron.”

“What is.”

“There is only one thing I regret.”

Yurnet put down the teacup.

“It is my immaturity.”

“…”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Aaron. I’ve made Aaron’s heart hard.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t blame you. I know you’re a good person because I’ve been with you. It’s our fault for taking on burdens we couldn’t handle from the start.”

Aaron said nothing.

“no. I am…!”

“It is not your fault.”

Aaron opened his eyes wide.

A man walked out from behind a large bookshelf next to the table.

Aaron’s eyes widened in shock.

The man walked over without saying a word and sat down at the table.

rattle.

The knife at his waist collided with the leg of the chair, making a dull sound.

“Excuse me. Listening to it makes me frustrated.”

The man looked at Yunet and said.

Yurnet smiled.

“It might be better.”

“Is it rather a good sword?”

A shadow wriggled in the corner of the library.

Aaron averted his gaze at the childlike high voice.

“Oops. I told you not to be noticed…”

Knocked out.

A girl appeared like a rabbit popping out.

“I wouldn’t mind if I got caught anyway. Eulacha!”

The girl kicked off the bookshelf, somersaulted, and landed on a large table.

Then he sat cross-legged in the corner of the table.

“It’s just interesting. A story about a fool without talent awakening through hard work. It was like a cartoon.”

“Whoops. It’s not a cartoon, is it a true story?”

“Then it’s even cooler!”

shit.

The girl looked at Aaron and laughed.

“Ujuju, our juniors are very worried. Do we look like we’re the kind of people who would argue about something like that?”

“okay.”

This time it was a female voice.

However, there is strong strength and will in his voice.

Aaron looked back.

“It is our fault for leaving him alone.”

Siris Argentheim.

The leader of the first party and Loki’s closest aide.

Everyone in this place is like that.

They were called the 5 Knights, including Aaron, and were active as key executives in Valhalla.

“…”

The one-eyed swordsman and Aaron’s gaze met.

A long cloak draped over one shoulder.

Aaron, who was dumbfounded, laughed dejectedly.

“Was it all there from the beginning?”

“I apologize. It’s a story I’ve been wanting to hear.”

Siris sat down opposite Aaron.

Lydegion spat out.

“If you are going to apologize, don’t do it in the first place.”

“….”

Indignation.

A tendon formed on Siris’ forehead.

Sensing the atmosphere, Nihaku chuckled.

“This is another big deal…”

Kheuhm.

Siris coughed.

And called Yunet’s name.

“Yurnet. to carry on.”

“yes. Siris-nim, do as you wish.”

In the midst of everyone’s silence, Yurnet said.

Aaron and Yurnet’s eyes met.

“And that’s what we all want. Because he was our colleague.”

colleague.

Yes.

The boy was Aaron’s colleague before being his teacher.

Yunet said.

“I really want to know. what happened there.”

They are looking at Aaron.

Their hearts were in accord.

what happened there and how it happened.

would like to know

At that time.

It was a chaotic time outside by the time Muden and Aaron started training in Luanan.

Everyone has gone through difficult incidents by bumping into a wall of reality.

In the meantime, their presence in a remote dimension may have been considered trivial.

“no.”

Aaron’s prediction was rejected by Yurnet.

As if reading your mind.

“It was not trivial.”

“Yes… Are you?”

Are they questioning themselves?

Aaron doesn’t know.

But one thing was clear.

that they deserve it.

They also told Aaron the story about the Master and this world without hiding it.

However, Aaron did not want to reveal the past because his memory was ambiguous.

‘Was this the purpose from the beginning?’

Aaron smiled bitterly.

“There is something I want you to know.”

At Yurnet’s words, Aaron raised his head.

“It is also for you to uncover his whereabouts.”

“Is this for me?”

“Aaron-sama will feel sorry for him if he is always wandering around like that.”

Yunet said.

“We also do not know the circumstances. how it happened what happened. what was his intention. But yes. It’s not good to go on like this. Aaron, are you reluctant to hang out with us?”

“….”

“I don’t know if we did too. I couldn’t treat you as you deserved as a member of the 1st party.”

“I…”

“I will tell you calmly. You came from outside, and he appointed you as his successor without a proper explanation. And he quietly disappeared.”

Aaron’s body stiffened.

It was true.

From the point of view of the first party, it was no different than having a stranger sit in his seat, saying that a colleague he had been getting along with suddenly left.

“….”

Aaron was born in Taoni.

The ones Aaron bonded with were the heroes of the Taonier side, such as Han and Jenna Iolka, and he had never spoken to the heroes of Niflheim.

However, due to the boy’s whim, Aaron’s affiliation changed to Niflheim.

Without the time to build a proper relationship with them.

The stone that rolled in was the one that pulled out the stone that was embedded in it.

‘Even if time passes, they don’t get close.’

This was what Yurnet said when she invited Aaron to this place.

Something is blocking the way between them.

Neither do they intend to reject Aaron.

We just didn’t know what to do with each other.

“That’s why ‘us’, including us, Aaron-sama, must know the truth.”

It’s true.

Aaron had nothing to say.

“You speak really well.”

“Oh, thank you for the compliment.”

“What can I do?”

“There is nothing different from before. All you have to do is put your hand on the book and recall your memories. A video of your memory will appear on the bookshelf for everyone to see.”

rattle.

Aaron pulled up a chair and sat down.

I took a breath afterward.

‘The next memory.’

After leaving Ridigion and Yurnet.

what happened there

How did the two of them leave Luanan side by side?

‘truth.’

Maybe the boy is enjoying his vacation at a resort somewhere.

While grumbling about when the disciple would come.

‘scary.’

The back was cold.

My heart was beating wildly.

But Aaron suppressed that fear.

I thought I was waiting.

in that book.

Master himself.

Only when you know the truth can you choose your future.

What Aaron lacked was the courage to take a step forward.

I decided to try it.

Aaron raised his hand on the open bookshelf at once.

The feeling that something deep in the chest is being sucked in.

This time it’s even deeper.

Memories tightly locked with several padlocks were not easily allowed to be read.

Still don’t give up

Cold sweat began to form on Aaron’s forehead.

While barely holding back the urge to keep his hand away, he let out every last breath.

exhaling air from the lungs.

Hidden memories came out with breathing.

The light began to shine on the bookshelf again.

light of truth.

Memories buried in oblivion rise with bubbles.

This was my last memory.

It was the last time the master and disciple spent.

‘To retrieve Master’s heart.’

At that time, Aaron made up his mind.

Even at the cost of my life, I will help Master.

I thought so.

And

the last memory came up with the light.