cerim
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Chapter 531 - Questions
🕑 Added 2025-01-05 09:38:22 +0000 UTC“What is your name?”
“Nathaniel Gwyn.”
“Do you have family and what are their names?”
“Sister Victoria and mother Thalia.”
“Your father?”
“His name was Robert. He’s dead.”
“I’ve noticed your mood shifting and your body tensing when you talk about him. Did you have a bad relationship with him? Also, you can refuse to answer these questions.”
“There’s no need. And yes, our relationship was bad most of the time.”
“Do you hate him?”
“I probably do, but recently I’ve been thinking about it, and I can understand him—at least partially. It doesn’t excuse anything, and I wouldn’t change what happened to him, but I can see how he ended up that way.”
“What did you come to understand?”
“He and my mother were both minors when they had my sister. They were in love back then and decided to keep her instead of going for another option. It’s crazy to think they were younger than me—actually younger than some of my group members now.”
“Do you blame them?”
“Not really. I’ve learned by watching my group that people are illogical at times, and even the best intentions can end in a terrible way. One of my group members killed her friend back on the 1st floor by mistake. She still hasn’t forgiven herself, and I’ve noticed it holds her back from training one of her skills.”
“Any other examples you’ve noticed?”
“There’s another member who could have gotten our group killed because she was desperate for us to have a strong bond. Another one would sacrifice others just to keep her sister safe. The brothers would do something similar, relying only on each other. I saw another one who bullied others, and I could sense his satisfaction at confirming he was stronger than the people around him. There’s also a really young girl who killed real people, attendees just like us, on the third floor when her sister manipulated her mind and blocked her fear.”
“I’ll count that as five answers.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve opened up a lot and answered my questions easily. Is that because of the vow I made?”
“Yes. I also find it surprisingly calming to tell you this, knowing that you don’t care about me personally—only about my behavior as a human being and my answers.”
“That makes me sound like a really cold person.”
“You never said I was wrong.”
“Yes, you’re correct. When you reach a certain age, it becomes… harder to truly feel for someone. At least in my case. Now, let me ask: How did all that experience change how you see your parents?”
“I think my father really did love us and my mother at first, but he was very young. His ‘best’ years passed while he had to look after kids. He lost his job multiple times. His parents died. Our first apartment burned down. I think all of that broke him, leading him to seek relief in alcohol and someone to blame.”
“And your mother?”
“I think she got stuck in the past. Like me—or you—she is also the main character of her own story, and in her story, she fell deeply in love with my father. She… she is a person who is very faithful to the people she once loves, even if those people change or hurt her. It was tough on her, too—her mother disowned her and other bad things happened. I believe she wanted to live in the past and try to take everything on herself to keep us safe.”
“But she failed?”
“She did.”
“Do you hate her?”
“No. I love her.”
“Even after all that happened to you and your sibling?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you find it fascinating how, no matter the race, we can think so irrationally at times?”
“I do. That was your hundredth question.”
“It was. Please ask yours.”
“Tell me about yourself.”
“That doesn’t even sound like a question, but I’ll humor you and answer. I was born a long, long time ago. It was so long ago I wasn’t even a Absolute yet when Lissandra Hawthorne and her disciple Ruby raged through the system, killing Absolutes and Rulers in their path. I belong to a bloodline that carries Parallax Eyes, and ever since I was young, it was expected that they’d awaken in me once my father died. I hated my father and that responsibility, but I also understood it. Sometime later, I even welcomed it. Now, after all these millennia, I’m thankful for that trait—though I had to survive so many attempts in my life. So many people tried to claim the Eyes: The Last Elf, the Magi himself, the Ruler of Envy, and many more. I’ve had my share of adventures.”
“Do you like to answer in ways that make me want to ask more and more questions?”
“That itself could be considered a question, but I’ll let it pass. And yes, I find it satisfying to see that frustration and curiosity in people—the same curiosity I’ve dealt with my entire life.”
“On Earth, we call people like that assholes.”
“Please only say that in your mind unless you want to be thrown out of the tower.”
“Will do from now on.”
“As for more about me... What else is there to say? I fought. I was betrayed. I gained friends, I lost friends. I outlived my bloodline. I was hunted. I visited planets you can only dream of. I fought wars that destroyed entire worlds. I spoke to Rulers and beings even older than them. I witnessed items I still can’t fully comprehend. I’ve lived a beautiful life.”
“That sounds... nice.”
“Indeed. So, once again, here we are at question number one out of another set of hundred. Up to now, you’ve only asked to satisfy your curiosity. Many attendees before you didn’t care—they only wanted ways to improve their abilities or gain riches, things like that.”
“I know I probably should be asking for that, but I can’t help myself. Besides, I will become strong without your help.”
“Ah, such pride in someone who is only a Champion candidate. Did you ever come close to dying before the tutorial?”
“I don’t think so. I almost got hit by a car a few times, and when I was younger I fell from a tree I’d climbed—that might have killed me if I’d hit my head.”
“So how are you dealing with the constant threat of death inside the tutorial?”
“At first, I used a skill to help me handle it, to block my emotions so I could think logically.”
“You don’t do that anymore?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Why not?”
“If I kept doing that, I'd stay the same forever. But I want to grow, to keep changing. One day, I want to look back and compare myself to who I used to be.”
“Do you dislike who you used to be?”
“No.”
“Are you sometimes answering briefly just so I’ll ask you more questions?”
“Yes.”
“Smart. Do you dislike being asked so many questions?”
“They’re all pretty simple, and it’s often fun to think about them. So I wouldn’t say I dislike it, but it does drain my energy, and as time goes on, I can feel myself getting frustrated.”
“I see. So, do you dislike your past self and that’s why you want to change? Please don’t answer yes or no.”
“Maybe.”
“Haha. I guess I deserved that. So what is the real answer? I’ll count it as two questions this time.”
“There are things I’ve done, for which it wouldn’t surprise me if someone wanted to punish or even kill me. But I think I’ll continue behaving in the same way and deal with the consequences.”
“Wouldn’t you rather avoid creating such consequences?”
“Nothing is ever perfect, and there’s always a price to pay. It’s the struggles that make happiness feel meaningful.”
“Did you come up with that yourself?”
“I read it somewhere.”
“I see. What is your favorite color?”
“I’d say gray or black.”
“If you could spend a day doing anything you wanted before the tutorial, what would it be?”
“I’d sleep as long as possible, take a morning shower, and have a good breakfast. Then I’d go out for a run or exercise. After coming back, I’d take another shower, maybe pet a few cute animals on the way home, eat something good while watching a movie, and spend hours on the Internet learning useless facts that fascinate me. Finally, I’d stay up late while everyone else is asleep, enjoying the quiet streets, maybe even taking a short walk through the sleeping city.”
“What would you do if you became an Absolute?”
“That’s pretty random.”
“Yes, it is.”
“I have no idea. I’m not even sure what that position really means—it probably means different things to different people. I’ll need to learn and experience more before I can understand it.”
“Would you stop if you ever did reach that title?”
“I don’t know. Probably not.”
“Why?”
“On Earth, things are often really unfair. You can try your hardest, yet someone else gets rewarded more. People with better looks often have advantages. Someone might be born with a stronger body, or into a wealthy family. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, someone else beats you because they have better information or resources. Even the country or city you’re born into, or the color of your skin—these things can affect your entire life.”
“That’s true.”
“But with the system, those things matter less.”
“The First Generation is getting a huge advantage—something no one else from Earth will ever experience.”
“Yes.”
“It’s also the same with skills. Some people are better at handling them, or they awaken more powerful ones.”
“That’s also true. But I don’t think there will ever be a fully fair system. You’d need everyone to be identical.”
“There was an elf who said something very similar.”
“You’re making me curious again. Anyway, what we’re talking about is that I don’t consider myself the most talented. I’ve seen plenty of people who need only a fraction of the time I do to learn something. And yeah, people trained by Champions or Absolutes will have an advantage. It’s similar to what we have on Earth, but I still think if you put in the effort, you get rewarded. You can see the results of that effort in your status or skill levels. And the system is something nobody can truly control or exploit. Well, maybe only the Rulers can influence it a bit... and someone else?”
“You can try to ask that next time you get to ask a question, but I won’t answer it. So what does all of that have to do with you not stopping if you ever reach the rank of Absolute?”
“Why would I stop halfway?”
“...”
“Don’t call me weird. Enough people have done that already.”
“I won’t, Nathaniel. Another question: What’s your favorite food?”
“Pizza.”
“Oh, that round bread with toppings. I see. Are there people you would die for?”
“Probably. I’d need to be in the situation to know for sure. You seem to enjoy switching between silly and serious questions.”
“Do I? Does death scare you?”
“Dying itself doesn’t, but I feel sad thinking about my life ending and not getting to live longer—missing out on all the things there are to experience. There’s so much I want to see.”
“You said Earth has four seasons. Which is your favorite?”
“Either the end of summer or autumn.”
“If you could steal my Spatial Cache storage and face no consequences for it—neither to you nor anyone you care about—would you do it?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“You’ve treated me kindly so far and haven’t shown any ill will toward me. I have no reason to betray your trust.”
“Do you dislike betrayal?”
“I think it’s disgusting and one of the worst things you can do.”
“Have you ever betrayed someone?”
“Yes.”
“Do you hate betrayal because of the way you grew up—because of your father?”
“Very likely.”
“If you were told you would die unless you betrayed someone, what would you do?”
“I would die.”
“Do you hate it that much? Imagine all the things you would miss. All your friends and family would have to live without you.”
“My answer doesn’t change.”
***
Comments
BJ
I love when Nat stands on business. You can feel that he truly means it and its powerful.
Val the mysterious Jedi
These chapters are awesome, feels like Nat is talking with an ancient being but fun nonetheless
Josh
I love this insight we and maybe even he himself get into his character
Belmont Igneul
“If you were told you would die unless you betrayed someone, what would you do?” “I would die.” GOAT
Obie Espinoza
“Nothing is ever perfect, and there’s always a price to pay. It’s the struggles that make happiness feel meaningful” This is a beautiful quote.
RatOverLord
Kyralon's special eyes
Sean
I guess you could 'end it' and 'start a new series' all while just posting in the same spot and publishing to the same ebook series. I'm glad it will go on after the tutorial though, seeing all of them growing and changing in a post apocalyptic Earth will be cool.
anonymous patreon
Yup, the story will continue even after the tutorial. I know it will be funny because the name will stay... but it is what it is
Sean
It feels like we're seeing a lot of little bits mounting and growing into big storytelling moments. Will the story continue after the tutorial? Or is it going to be a 'and they exited the tutorial and got to work' moment?
Sir Supports Alot
Guess it really is ruby
Sir Supports Alot
Wait looking back greed referred to lissandra as lady lissandra, cheers
huskyandhero
This goes down as a top 3 favorite chapter for me. I very much love the info dump and the mast of the parallax eyes
Kirin
Thank you for the chappie! So many informations. So many clarifying questions over specific other questions. I wonder what Mr. Absolute man does with all the questions.
anonymous patreon
thanks for pointing it out! I changed Victor to Robert. I didnt realize i already mentioned his name
Krzychu0304
Reading the chapter for the second time, calmly, a few questions come to mind; -Who was the last elf (for some reason it reminds me of communist elves) and Magi (it reminds me of the Bible and a certain anime of the same title); in any case, I conclude that there are characters at least as important as rulers, and I have a strange feeling that Magi is an even higher category of being. -This conversation gives me the de javu of a job interview; what does an ancient absolute, with a unique, hereditary eye trait, whose bloodline has accidentally disappeared, have to offer? -Isn't there a suggestion here that Nat will have to betray and kill his friend or he will die? *looks ominously at a certain adept of gluttony
Mark Bullock
Wut is the parallax eyes?
Damian Karis
Yes, and that was his father.
Damian Karis
The noble wasn’t a real person, and he was planning on killing Nat. Nat owed him nothing. Betrayal requires there to be trust to betray. I’m fairly certain that when Nat says betrayal, he means acting against someone he actually cares about, like a member of group 4. He wouldn’t care about tricking and hurting some asshole.
Cnote
Rob was the one Nat beat and Vic killed. In the kindle version anyway.
Damian Karis
I was rereading the books out on Amazon, and wasn’t his father named Rob, not Victor?
Poutine Au Syrop d'érable
Great chapter. It's nice to know more about the characters. Love ya
Poutine Au Syrop d'érable
So long ago I wasn't even a champion yet? So he wasn't an absolute before Liss. But so long ago, (Not long enougg) sentence feels weird.
max grok
From his viewpoint, that wasn't betrayal, and I have to agree with. The noble may have 'owned', but he never had his loyalty or trust, nor is there any single reason why he should've deserved either. In fact, he only ever obtained ownership with the explicitly stated goal of eventually killing Nat, and did not a single thing in his favor while actively sabotaging and abusing him the entire time. Calling his killing of that man a betrayal is frankly absurd.
CptJimmy42
Loyalty is sexy, Nat might be messed up, but he has his priorities straight, respect my guy.
Alex O'Connor
Can you remind me of which chapter we encountered Ruby
Andrew
Thank you!
Gustavo Claude
Ruby seems ignore the return of Lissandra for now. I think she is interested on how things developed. Maybe she wants to finish what they begun millenniums ago and because of that, she used her chance to control the tutorial to create this situation
mistermerf
This is feeling more and more like an interview to decide whom to grant the parallax eyes.
Slycerr
He also hated him...
Zaim İpek
I don't think current Ruby would have an ability taken over. Ruby probably has better mana control than Liss by now. Maybe not by a huge amount, but I think she absorbed Liss's teachings pretty well, and many thousands of years later her mana control should have exceeded Lissandra by a good amount.
Borbino the great
She’d still insult her mana control during the fight too😂 probably while taking over some ability of rubys
Pletter
“If you were told you would die unless you betrayed someone, what would you do?” “I would die.” He did not recognize killing the noble on floor 2 as betrayal.
Zaim İpek
I can already see Nat growing attached to his new Space Alien Uncle.
Zaim İpek
They will definitely fight, but it will be more of a friendly spar for the master to see how far her disciple has grown. I think Liss would be very happy to lose a fight against the current Ruby, and no doubt she will still give comments and critique afterwards for what could have been done better.
mitchell kaiser
I do really love this chapter, it really helps flesh out Nat. Plus the banter is great, I hope we see this absolute in the future!
Rocotrap
I'd hope ruby actually did that on purpose hoping against hope that this situation would actually happen and Liss would eventually break free
Rubeno
Thanks guys
Sir Supports Alot
I believe I can predict a battle between returnee lissandra and ruby, judging from what we can presume ruby is the reason eladore was put in the system, and the reason why her master was copied. I can't see things being very happy judging but how much she disliked being a copy
trainedturtle
never thouht id enjoy a question and answer chapter this much
Michel Kommers
This was too short dammit. Keep up author.
Snake With An Aurora Borealis
It was Lily with Disintegration, yes.
TWA32237 .
Lily accidentally killed Kevin when using her disintegration on the Cinder Bear. Took out his lower jaw but also half of Kevin's face too.
Max
Tftc!!
Max
It was Lily with disintegration because she couldnt controll it.
Lonnie
These chapters are to help prove Nats not as much of a psycho anymore. Yay? I wonder if the absolute will do like liss did and practice an unrefined beneficial technique in front of him and see if nat can learn and improve on it in future visits.
RadiantSpren
I believe so
Iron
I like the lil q&a session here lol
Sondadir
Maya and her [ Focus ] maybe ? I'm going to have to reread the first few chapters now or this question will haunt me 😭
Rubeno
This eseries puts high emphasis on character development and talent seem to be intertwined with personality as in the System dispensed initial active skills according to ppls characters. I wonder if talent can change just as person changes. Either become better as person grows... or maybe even other way around.
Rubeno
Apropo therapy do you remember who killed his friend causing them to hesitating in training their skill? Was it Lily with her Disintegration maybe?
Rubeno
The System is as fair as if not worse reality because it rewards with most power (better rarity classes, skills etc) those who already have power. With no know-how gained from elites from tutorial MC blood and tears would only result in ruining his potential. In real world at least you don't have godlike dictators (Rulers) who bend entire reality (the System) for their gain or always promoting might makes right (Absolute). EDIT: The System also ONLY rewards murdering shit. You can't lvl up by being good blacksmith for ex.
Rubeno
I feel like he had no plans on Earth because he lacked motivation. We've seen snippets of him going against "more talented" than him but he at the end never amounted to anything always seemingly giving up rather than seeing things till the end. Also, MC gained Focus skill because he's quite divorced from his emotions. Maybe he even wanted it subconsciously because he desired to escape from pain?
Sondadir
Is.. Is Nat getting therapy ? We can't let it happen, he will grow too strong !
Krazo
It's his love and TALENT with mana. Do we even know what we're his plans on earth? We know that he was spending a lot of time in gym, and was good there, but beyond that? The most sense for him to be planning to become would be some kind of fighter sport, but I don't remember any mention of that. I doubt that a guy who got Focus skill would be a NEET. Maybe he was doing a bunch of menial jobs to support his mother and didn't have time to focus (heh) on his own education?
Funny guy
Danks fur da chappie!
Fred Mwilima
This is an amazing way to get some deeper insight into nat!
Sailesh Kumar Kumar
TFTC
Rubeno
Good chap. I enjoyed exploration of characters albeit there's missing MC main motivation why he's striving so hard in the first place whereas he would remain in mediocrity on Earth. I think it was it was his love for mana finally giving him purpose albeit I may be mistaken as MC is quite bit... chaotic emotionally.
zoarian
The Last Elf?! RIP Dobby The choice to only use dialog works but I think you could make the voices more distinct. Maybe give the Warden a speech mannerism related to his eyes, like saying "I see" when he understands somethings. Lots of interesting tidbits. There are apparently beings older than Rulers... Beings related to the System, old Absolutes, a specific race? If I was Nat, I'd ask what the System wants. I don't think he'd get an answer but presumably all the pairings and stuff serve some purpose.
Ryan H
This is a great way to tell us more about Nat without it feeling like info dumping, even if a lot of it is reinforcing what we already know. I don't think I've ever enjoyed reading an all dialogue chapter before as much as in this story
mathulu
Cool chapter. Thanks Cerim. It's quite nice how these questions flesh out Nat a little. Even make him a little more relatable too.
Thunderhoof
Mr. Gwyn and the Big Steppers
deinowithglasses
"How do you know what the future Controller of the System, Biscuit, is saying when he uses so few words?"
John Anastacio
So much characterization. Kyralon will be able to say that one of his greatest feats is that he made Nathaniel Gwyn talk so much about himself, more than anyone else.
Venno
TFTC
