Welcome to Paris (2)

"Miss Watts?"

Turning back, Ena was nowhere to be seen.

The fog was also becoming denser.

The profiler took a step forward when he suddenly heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Hey."

Usually, he would have thought he was mistaken and wouldn't react so strongly, but something in his mind brought up the memories of that time, as if he were reliving it.

It created the conviction that the one he just heard was the one in his memory, leaving no room for doubt, and preventing him from even thinking otherwise.

Norwood's eyes widened.

No, it was impossible. How could that person be here? That person is dead.

The illusions made people's minds bring up memories, memories sparked feelings, and feelings took over thoughts.

However, Norwood didn't even have the pre-knowledge that it was an illusion and was thus unable to guess it.

'That person is-'

"Hey."

The memory restarted, cutting his thoughts short. The concepts of 'that person is dead', 'that person will die' and 'that person is dying' blurred together.

Norwood then turned back toward the voice and saw that person.

His eyes shook, the smell of iron coming to his nose.

He felt nauseous.

The scenarios brought about countless tragedies.

Because of the system, a lot of people lost their loved ones.

Norwood didn't know if the one controlling the system was a divine being or if this apocalypse had a cause, but if there indeed was one, he would do everything in his power to get revenge.

No matter the cost.

After a while, the profiler finally broke free of the illusion, cold sweat all over his body.

Then, he saw Ena laying on the ground.

He shook her, attempting to wake her up, but failed.

However, even a few hours later, she still didn't regain consciousness.

Norwood closed his eyes.

***

Looking around, the smoke was even denser than before, turning into a grayish-white color, and I started to feel dizzy.

I couldn't see Norwood anymore.

As my vision swayed, I sighed.

Apparently, we entered the area of the illusion monsters first. It seems like we came at the wrong time.

Then, my surroundings became completely white, transforming into an empty room.

Tic, tac. Tic, tac.

The familiar sound of a clock came to my ears as I sat on the bench that appeared.

Is this supposed to be my most traumatic experience?

This is a bit lame.

Tic, tac. Tic, tac.

The clock continued to make the same sound, again and again, bringing back memories of the days I used to wait in that room for my father to finish work.

"…"

Even the patterns on the floor are the same.

Well then, let's search for a way to leave this illusion.

As I was about to get up, I heard the doorknob moving, which was especially unusual as it seemed bright outside.

Nobody should come in at this hour, though?

I frowned. How strange, is it one of my father's friends?

Then, a realization dawned on me.

I waited here for so much time, but if this illusion is supposed to show me the moment that impressed and pained me the most, which moment would it be?

No, wait.

The door slowly opened.

Please don't open this door.

Behind it, a child my age was revealed. Well, he was around my age at that time.

It was a kid with black hair and a pair of glasses.

Recognizing him, my eyes shook.

…Will.

The child simply entered the room and sat beside me, not saying a word.

Frozen, I lost all will to leave this illusion and simply stayed there.

Tic, tac. Tic, tac.

All other thoughts were erased from my mind, like a dream where I'm not conscious enough to realize that it doesn't make sense to know what is going to happen in the future while living in the present. But it was that future that made me stay here.

Tic, tac. Tic, tac.

I'll stay here until he leaves.

Tic, tac. Tic, tac.

***

I opened my eyes and found myself laying down on an unknown bed.

So that was my worst memory.

I'm so pathetic…

I sighed.

"Miss Watts?"

Deadpanning, I corrected the overly polite profiler who seemed to have been waiting for me to wake up.

"Emma."

"…"

Even though my name is actually Ena…

Wow, I gave my fake name by reflex, I'm so skilled.

Fully regaining my senses, I stood up.

I did well wrapping the knife in tissue before coming, imagine if I accidentally stabbed myself while falling when I lost consciousness.

Looking around, it seemed like I was brought into a tent by Norwood after he broke free from the illusion.

"For how long was I unconscious?"

"…Around 8 hours."

As much time had passed as in the illusion.

I have to apologize to Norwood later…

Taking in the sight of Norwood's disheveled state, I inquired, "Are you okay?"

Now that I think about it, he must have been quite shocked to see his most traumatic memory being brought up. Did someone close to him die? I pitied him a little.

The profiler only sent me back an odd gaze.

I made a mischievous smile.

"Were you worried about me?"

At least, during the last few hours, Norwood must've had enough time to figure out the situation. It's also obvious by the fact that I was allowed into a tent.

Since I can hear the sounds of people walking outside, it shows that we aren't in an illusion anymore.

Instead of answering, Norwood only stared at me.

"How about you?"

I lifted my head, meeting his gaze.

"You must've seen something horrible, yet you're acting like you're fine. Are you truly okay?"

These illusions had showed us our most painful memory. Norwood himself was deeply affected by the one he saw.

Even after breaking out of it, his mind still involuntarily recalled that moment. He had thought about it again and again while waiting for me to regain consciousness.

That was a natural reaction of the mind after experiencing deep emotional fluctuations.

'Yet, Emma recovered so quickly?'

Under that calmness, wasn't I only burying my feelings deep inside? Norwood's suspicions about me subsided.

I shook off his concerns.

"I'm fine. Now tell me about what happened after I fainted."

Norwood didn't reply, apparently not convinced,

"…"

I frowned.

Rustle.

Then, ending our staring contest, someone entered the tent.

"Oh, Sleepy Beauty woke up?"

A rather rude man smiled at me. Seizing this opportunity, I inquired about the situation from the stranger.

"Excuse me, Sir, we only arrived recently, could you tell us what's happening here?"

The stranger nodded.

"Of course."

He organized his words. As if he hadn't heard about it before, the profiler listened intently as well.

Norwood, you disappoint me. Gathering information is a must in an unknown territory. You really wouldn't survive in a mafia movie.

"We are currently in the middle of the 3rd scenario. I don't know if you noticed it when you arrived, but there are rankings displayed in the sky in this scenario too."

His face doesn't seem familiar so this person most probably didn't appear in my novel. The tent also seems quite empty. Even though his clothes appear to be in good state, I can see some places where it was torn here and there…

"After a while, we observed that our points and position increased depending on the number of monsters we kill."

Actually, killing a person works too.

"Since Paris is too big for only one person to control everyone, we decided to divide the area. Right now, there are three main camps with smaller camps under it. The place where you are now is a subordinate camp of Leader Marc."

Oh, too bad. That's not one of the main characters.

"My advice is to not get too close to the leaders. They are all dangerous in their own way."

How perceptive of you to notice this.

Norwood, don't look so curious, you don't want to know.

"Their names are Marc, Queen…"

Ah, was Queen a leader too?

Hello, Queen, you're the first main character I hear about.

Now that I think about it, let's avoid her camp, there were a lot of vicious main characters there.

…Why do I sound like a novel protagonist raising a flag? Let's stop jinxing things, okay?

"…and Cheon."

It's the one I was speaking about earlier. Another main character of my novel.

The manipulator, Cheon.

It's amazing someone really wears that name here.

Norwood spoke up.

"Cheon like Cheon Inho in Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint?"

Norwood, glad to know we have the same tastes, but no product placement here.

"What?"

The rude man didn't get the reference.

Ahem, I mean, Cheon is supposed to be a common surname in Korea… Well, we're in France and that's probably that person's name instead of his last name here (because I didn't give him a last name), but that's a detail.

Also, if you're curious about who Queen is, it's literally someone who thinks she's a queen. She behaves arrogantly and looks down on others, it's perfect for the role of a leader.

Now you can blame my naming sense.

However, her attitude doesn't mean that she has the skills to be a ruler. That's why, if I remember well, right now she's accompanied by Celeste—another main character once again—who is a gambling master.

My stomach grumbled, attracting their attention.

Now that I think about it, it's true that it's been a while since I've last eaten.

The stranger laughed.

"Oh, that was rude of me. I'll bring a meal for the miss right away."

Norwood, being the overly polite guy he is, followed him.

"Let me help you."

I'm not polite so I'll stay here.

Alone in the tent, the entrance remained slightly open, revealing the outside.

I waited there, unmoving, and rested my head against the tent.

「Tic, tac. Tic, tac.」

The memories from earlier resurfaced.

「Tic, tac. Tic, tac.」

I seemed to be able to hear Will's voice.

「You're such a crybaby.」

I absentmindedly touched my face, checking that I wasn't crying. My eyes were dry.

I wonder how Will is now?

Then, I looked up into the sky revealed by the slightly open entrance's tent.

「Tic, tac. Tic, tac.」

I stayed this way for a long time.