Chapter 281 The Third Player
"Dazai Osamu" gave him a strange look, his expression was as calm as his.
He asked: "If I wish that this world is just an illusion, is there any chance that it will come true?"
His voice was very soft, and it disappeared into the air almost as soon as he spoke. His eyes were filled with a kind of emptiness, as if he was talking to himself: "How can I wake up from this world? Or is death the answer?"
He asked Saikai Haruto: "In your eyes, Mr. Mochizuki, is this world real?"
He paused for a second, and before he could answer, he shook his head and said, "Forget it, this answer is not that important to me."
The way he spoke looked like he was in some kind of disorderly chaos, but his eyes were calm, his voice was calm, and his expression was calm, as if everything was normal.
"Of course this world is real." Saikai Haruto said, "I am the one who finds it strange. Why do you think this world is just a game? Who is the 'bug' in your eyes, Dazai or me?"
He sighed, "I really thought you were the Dazai from another world, and I hesitated for a long time... Dazai's reaction was one thing, but your attitude was so obviously arrogant that I had to doubt it. Even if the appearance is similar, a person's core will not change. Unknown Dazai-kun, your attitude towards this world is really too contemptuous."
He sighed with great sincerity.
In fact, generally speaking, few "players" who travel through time and space recognize the nature of "travel through time" and regard this world as a real world. However, most of the blame should be placed on the world consciousness. I don't know whether it is the world consciousness of another world or this world. Therefore, they simply and purely regard this world as a "game world" and subconsciously think that they can always go back after "clearing the game".
Although the player's conclusion cannot be said to be wrong, it is indeed possible to go back, but the prerequisite is that you do not die accidentally in this world - as long as you wait to be "killed" by Xi Hai Qing Dou, of course you can still go back, in a sense, it can be regarded as "completing the game", right?
Unless there are any special circumstances, such as what happened to Saikai Haruto just now, where the truth is made clear - almost no player would think that "this world is not a game but the real world".
The "Hanayamain Haruna" in the previous world almost died at the hands of Fushiguro Shigeki, which was a special case, but she only had doubts in her heart. Even though she knew that "time travel" might be the correct answer, she would still refute herself and convince herself subconsciously, and finally repeatedly jumped between doubt and denial, almost driving her crazy.
In fact, Saikai Haruto rarely takes the initiative to speak such straightforward words to "players". The uncertainty and instability are too high. He still believes in himself more and is more willing to put the decision-making power entirely in his own hands.
But on the other hand, there are Shibuzawa Ryuhiko and Dazai Osamu here this time, especially Dazai Osamu - Nishimi Haruto believes that he can completely see that something is wrong with "Dazai Osamu", although he is not sure how much Dazai Osamu knows, but it would be a bit fake for him to pretend that he can't see anything.
On the other hand, he has already made up his mind to take advantage of this moment to find a good opportunity to "take the player away" directly. Even if there is no opportunity, he will create one. Although it may cause a little impact on the player, as long as his speed is fast enough, there will be no problem - if he stays in this world any longer, Dazai Osamu, the player himself, and even himself, will probably be in trouble.
It is precisely based on these considerations that Xi Haiqing Dou chose to almost show his cards to the players at this time.
As he expected, Dazai Osamu did not show any unexpected reaction to his words - just as he guessed, with the "book" in hand, Dazai Osamu himself should be the first person to see through the players' sense of alienation and contempt, so this was not surprising.
It's not indifference, but arrogance that treats the world as a playground.
Even though he is wearing the shell of "Dazai Osamu", the "overlooking perspective" nature of "The Fourth Disaster", coupled with the brainpower of "Dazai Osamu" himself, and perhaps a bit of arrogance in the player's own personality, makes his detachment and indifference to this world appear like a grain of rice stuck to the body - although it is not eye-catching or important, it sticks to the body and cannot be wiped off, and once discovered, it immediately appears out of tune with the surroundings, which always makes people care.
But Saikai Haruto also doesn't think that Dazai Osamu himself is completely ignorant of this.
"Dazai Osamu" said "Ah", still smiling: "So, Mr. Mochizuki guessed that I am not Dazai Osamu because of my attitude and the difference in my so-called 'core'?"
He thought about it and decided to reflect on himself for a second: The arrogance of smart people is one of the most common mistakes made by smart people. However, most of those who commit this mistake are fake "smart people". Could it be that he has become one of them?
But this seems to be inevitable. After all, the intelligence is unequal, and he didn't know the truth about this world at first. It's not his fault.
"I can't say that I treat this world as a game," he said with a smile, "but it's hard for me not to treat this world as a game. Maybe I am the 'bug'."
"Although the guess is interesting, and the testimony of the other Dazai seems to be very powerful, unfortunately, Mr. Mochizuki, you guessed a little wrong," he corrected calmly, "I am indeed 'Dazai Osamu', but not the Dazai Osamu you know, nor the 'Dazai Osamu' that the other Dazai knows."
"Ah, come to think of it, can I understand that you have seen another special Dazai Osamu in the 'book' who has also seen the 'book', right?"
After correcting Saikai Haruto, he did not say more about it. Instead, he turned to look at Dazai Osamu and said, "There is another Dazai Osamu who is similar to you but different from you. In the world where Kaoru Yokizuki does not exist, there is a Dazai Osamu who became the leader of the port mafia alone."
Because I had seen the appearance of the real leader in the "book", I was so sure that he was not that "Dazai Osamu".
Dazai Osamu said: "You are not him."
"Dazai Osamu" said: "I am 'Dazai Osamu' after I jumped from the rooftop of the Hong Kong Black Building."
Shibuzawa Ryuhiko couldn't help himself again: "So, you also want to say that you are also Dazai-kun's special ability, a special life form that is disqualified from the human world?"
Or has it been that these days supernatural beings have become as common as cabbages that are everywhere on the streets?
"Dazai Osamu" shook his head again: "No, this is the only thing that is absolutely certain. I am a real human being, not a supernatural being."
"How do we judge who a person is? Should we rely on the body or the soul?" He was confused. "But this body is indeed the body of 'Dazai Osamu', there is no doubt about that. And how do we judge the ethereal existence of the soul?"
Of course, "Dazai Osamu" had guessed that this world was real and not just a game world - after he met Dazai Osamu, after he met Shibuzawa Ryuhiko, after he met Mochizuki Kaoru... after he was "hunted down" when he came to this world.
Neither "Dazai Osamu" nor Dazai Osamu is a fool.
If I were to use games to explain it, there are simply too many "bugs" in this game world.
But if this world is not a game, how can he be "Dazai Osamu"?
The actor "Dazai Osamu" was genuinely confused.
He is certainly not "Dazai Osamu", but he is certainly also "Dazai Osamu".
He still couldn't be sure whether this world was a real world or an overly realistic game world.
"You and Dazai do have a lot of similarities, whether it's supernatural powers or some minor habits. It's not just Dr. Mori who finds it hard to identify, it's the same for me. It's not easy to tell you apart from Dazai. But if you yourself can't identify who you are, it's naturally even harder for others to identify you. Who a person is must first be based on himself." Saikai Haruto said, "So, is your goal still 'books'?"
This time, he neither called him "Dazai-kun" nor "Unknown-kun".
"Dazai Osamu" smiled faintly: "Yes, just like I said at the beginning, my goal has always been the 'book' of this world. If I want to verify whether this world really exists, 'book' is the most suitable choice, isn't it?"
"The book is not in my hand," Dazai said with a smile, "What a pity, you can't get the book."
"Speaking of which, I am really curious. In the plot you saw in the 'book', I once took the 'book' and did something to make you have such great malice towards me."
"Dazai Osamu" showed genuine confusion to Dazai Osamu: "Do you really want to kill me? Why? Is it related to Odasaku? Or is it Mr. Mochizuki?"
"It can't be that I took the 'book' and wanted to destroy the world, right?" He made a joke and sighed helplessly: "It's really puzzling. I don't have that idea now."
However, if he got the "book" but failed to verify the conjecture, or if something unexpected happened...ah, it seems that even he himself is not sure now whether he will have the idea of "wanting to destroy the world" at that time?
Dazai Osamu also began to feel uncertain.
The smile on Dazai Osamu's face disappeared.
"No, I just don't believe you. You are very good at lying, and so am I." Dazai Osamu said, "And what you said is not worth my belief."
Dazai Osamu never makes meaningless gambles, nor does he leave the decision-making power to others - except in special circumstances.
Obviously, this is not one of those “special circumstances”.
"It's really puzzling. I rarely tell the truth..."
"Dazai Osamu" sighed in frustration, experiencing the rare feeling of being tricked by himself - these days no one believes the truth when you tell it.
The world is becoming more corrupt and people’s hearts are no longer the same as they used to be.
He continued to speculate: "So, it is related to both Odasaku and Mochizuki-sensei. In the future you saw in the 'book', someone got into trouble, and it is related to you and me——"
"——Why?"
“…Odasaku?”
A familiar, low voice suddenly sounded, with obvious surprise and confusion. Dazai Osamu and Saikai Haruto were both startled, and subconsciously turned their heads to look in the direction of the sound.
Empty?
No one showed up.
"It's just a trick. It's Odasaku's voice, but he's not here and nothing has happened."
Dazai Osamu took a hand out of the pocket of his black coat, and a small mobile phone appeared in his hand. He pressed another button, and Oda Sakunosuke's voice rang out again in the same place, and if you listened carefully, you could even hear the slightest sound of electricity.
After thinking for a while, he added: "... However, I can't guarantee that he won't show up after a while - after all, if he wants to come, there's nothing I can do to stop him."
He didn't mean to be threatening by saying this, he was just speaking the truth.
After all, given Oda Saku's personality, if he knew that Dazai Osamu might be in danger here or that he might encounter some trap - specifically referring to him as the "bad guy" - he would probably still come in even if he knew the effect of "Ryuhiko No Ma".
"Dazai Osamu" sincerely hoped that Oda Sakunosuke would not appear, or that he could resolve the matter before Oda Sakunosuke appeared.
He had placed the things outside in advance, but Oda Sakunosuke's voice could not be considered prepared in advance. It could only be regarded as a small backup plan he had prepared beforehand to deal with emergencies, which was finally ready just now - before coming here, he first went to find Akutagawa Ryunosuke.
Thank God, he was not picked up by Dazai Osamu like Nakajima Atsushi, and was still wandering in the slums of Yokohama with Xiaoyin. When he found him, Akutagawa Ryunosuke was still alone.
The next thing was simple. He asked Akutagawa Ryunosuke to help find Oda Sakunosuke.
He didn't have the crazy idea of letting Akutagawa Ryunosuke fight against Oda Sakunosuke, because he knew that he would be 100% unbeatable. Of course, he also didn't want to do anything to Oda Sakunosuke... He just let Akutagawa use some tricks to record Oda Sakunosuke's voice and passed it to him - a little bit of modern technology, he was quite good at it.
This makes things very simple.
All he wanted was for Dazai Osamu and Mochizuki Kaoru to lose consciousness for a moment.
Taking advantage of the moment when the two people's attention and vigilance were diverted by Oda Sakunosuke's voice, he took a black pistol in his hand and pointed it at Mochizuki Kaoru.
Among the people present, only Shibuzawa Ryuhiko did not react to the sudden strange voice and his attention was not diverted at all. As a result, he was lucky enough to notice the lightning-fast and smooth movements of "Dazai Osamu".
"What a wonderful drama, a very unexpected scene." He couldn't help but say, his interest became high: "Now I kind of believe that you are indeed Dazai-kun from another world."
Almost at the same time, the others gave Shibuzawa Ryuhiko an indescribable look.
Is this guy really... afraid that no one will notice that he is still there? Is he treating himself as an audience and them as a performance? Is he just trying to create chaos?
"Do you want to use me to get the 'book' from Dazai?" Saikai Haruto's face was filled with an indescribable weirdness.
"I think you may have made a wrong decision."
"Maybe?" said "Dazai Osamu".
He said thoughtfully: "Ah, actually I also want to know, if I use your special ability, Mr. Mochizuki, and add the 'book' that can connect to the origin of the world, what effect will appear? Can I create a more special feature?"
It is an easy-to-see fact that Mochizuki Kaoru's ability can tear space, but his neutralization can ensure that his ability will be ineffective when it touches him, so "Dazai Osamu" is not worried that he will use his ability to escape.
He had known Mochizuki Kaoru for a short time, and had known him for even less time. The information he had about him was incomplete, but "Dazai Osamu" could also realize that he was very important to Dazai Osamu.
For Dazai Osamu, threatening him personally was not a threat at all. On the contrary, he might even be looking forward to it more than he was. Moreover, he was not sure that he could control Dazai Osamu in an instant.
But Mochizuki Kaoru was different - the strange thing was that no matter at any time before, even when he said that he was not "Dazai Osamu", he did not see any sign of defense against him from Mochizuki Kaoru.
What's more, he was much closer, almost within his reach - literally.
Although he calls himself a "mystery novelist", and although there are killers who have switched to writing novels, Oda Saku is a special case. Dazai also knows that Mochizuki Kaoru used to work in intelligence, and it has been almost ten years since he retired and started writing novels... Dazai feels that with his current skills, he should be able to defeat him - although the leader has been sitting in an office for four years, his physical skills have not regressed.
Facts have proved that he did successfully subdue Mochizuki Kaoru without any accidents.
Dazai Osamu on the other side also became visibly tense.
"Dazai Osamu" feels that his current image must be very similar to the villain boss in the comics.
Or is he destined to be defeated by the opposing protagonist?
But forget it, let him be a villain... If this were a comic anyway, it would definitely be an if line within an if line, and it wouldn't appear in the main story. What if the "villain" wins in the if line?
Moreover, most villains fail at the last step, but at least they are successful in the previous steps... At least he has to get the "book" first, right?
Otherwise, Dazai Osamu would feel unwilling to die.
"Teacher Mochizuki..." He heard Dazai Osamu calling Mochizuki Kaoru's name. The voice sounded a little anxious, but a little strange. That kind of anxious tension seemed to be subtly different from what he thought.
It's a very subtle feeling. There's something indescribably strange about "Dazai Osamu".
He glanced at his gun—safety on, loaded, range tight…no problem.
He glanced at Mochizuki Kaoru again - he wondered if Mochizuki Kaoru only had one expression left. Until now, his expression was still calm, completely calm, as if nothing would be a surprise to him.
Saikai Haruto hummed, "Ah, actually just like he said, I also want to know, Dazai, what kind of ending will the 'me' you saw in the 'book' have?"
"Because of the connection between the 'book' and him, I have developed special abilities. Am I going to die because of this? It seems a bit strange..." he said, "It's actually a bit hard to imagine that I would die because of someone else."
"It's not death, Mr. Mochizuki." Dazai Osamu insisted and corrected him: "It's just a temporary disappearance."
"…Mr. Mochizuki, I didn't bring the 'book' out. I didn't lie." Dazai Osamu said, "Although it has been kept in the building of Gangkuro, it is likely to have arrived at the Special Ability Division now."
"You can trust me," he said.
The subtext is also pretty obvious - don't make it up on your own.
"Then it's similar to my guess." Xi Haiqing Dou said with a smile, and the curve of his lips widened a little: "Although Dr. Mori said that you and Dazai are very similar, he still lost this bet."
This was said to "Dazai Osamu". He said calmly: "Why? Because I used Oda Sakunosuke and you, but you think Dazai Osamu would not do this?"
In fact, it has come to this point, and it is meaningless to say whether he is "Dazai Osamu" or not...but "Dazai Osamu" has no intention of clarifying or denying it.
"No." Unexpectedly, Saikai Haruto said, "Because Dazai would not do something that is doomed to fail like you. If it were him, his plan would be more cautious and thorough, and he would not be so soft-handed as you."
Before he even finished speaking, or even saying two sentences, in the blink of an eye, "Dazai Osamu" opened fire without hesitation, and Saikai Haruto was even quicker and turned around to grab his wrist, pulling it, twisting it, and tilting his head. After only a few seconds of fighting, the offensive and defensive momentum of the two men underwent a shocking reversal!
He took Dazai Osamu's gun in his hand, turned it around twice, tossed it back and forth in the air, then took the gun apart and threw it to the ground.
Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he once again stood between Dazai Osamu and "Dazai Osamu".
He looked at "Dazai Osamu" and said sincerely: "Perhaps you haven't found out yet, although I have been clean for a long time and my skills are a little rusty, but a long time ago, I was still a killer with good skills."
So threatening him is really the wrong target.
"Ah, I didn't do my homework well enough. I didn't expect such a big mistake to happen. What a pity."
"Dazai Osamu" remained calm: "So, Mr. Mochizuki, are you going to kill me now?"
He even had the heart to smile, "Although there is no one to die with me, it would be great if I died in your hands, Mr. Mochizuki... I wonder if death can allow me to leave this body?"
It even looks like there is some eagerness to try it.
"Mr. Mochizuki, don't believe him." Dazai Osamu decisively grabbed one of Saikai Haruto's arms, his eyes sharp: "He is not 'Dazai Osamu'."
"No, I'm not talking nonsense." "Dazai Osamu" couldn't help but refute him: "I've said that this body is indeed 'Dazai Osamu'...ah, although I think that whether it is this body or me, I have no regrets about 'death', it is better to say that I have always been looking forward to it...If death can send me back to the original world, it would be great. So Mr. Mochizuki doesn't have to bear any burden, but it would be better if there is no pain..."
He suddenly changed the subject: "So, Mr. Wangyue, you really don't want to consider the 'book'?"
"Ah, I know." Saikai Haruto said, "Although the soul and the like cannot be seen, but as far as the body is concerned, I have never doubted that you are not 'Dazai'."
"But you don't need the 'book'. I'm not sure if the 'book' can send you back to your original world, but I think I can do it."
As soon as he finished speaking, he took "Dazai Osamu" and strode back quickly away from Dazai Osamu. At the same time, a silver-white blade light flashed by. The dagger that appeared from nowhere first slashed through the sleeve of Saikai Haruto, who was urgently grabbed by Dazai Osamu, and then pierced through "Dazai Osamu's" heart in an instant!
"Dazai Osamu" frowned and couldn't help coughing, and blood gushed out from his heart to the ground.
Nishimi Haruto held the dagger tightly in one hand, and smiled gently at Dazai Osamu and the others leisurely: "Don't worry, I applied a special potion on the dagger, which will stop the heart from beating and have the effect of suspended animation... But as long as you find a psychic named Yosano Akiko to treat it in time, you will be fine."
His palms were long and strong, with distinct joints. The veins on the back of his hand holding the dagger moved slightly. Because the movement just now was too fast, some of the bright red blood flowed along the dagger that pierced his heart and splashed onto his fingers, looking quite eerie.
Dazai Osamu blinked his eyes weakly, his face twisted in pain. If he hadn't been speechless, he would have really wanted to ask, "Is everything you said true?"
To be honest, he felt that his heart might have been completely pierced through. He suspected that the man in front of him with a seductive look and gentle eyes really wanted him to die... and couldn't wait to be with Xie Ye Akiko.
And it really, really, really hurt... so much so that he had no doubt that this world was real.
"Mr. Mochizuki!!"
Guessing what he was going to do next, Dazai Osamu's heart was beating rapidly with a strong sense of uneasiness. He strode forward without hesitation and tried to grab him.
However, Xi Haiqing Dou was faster than him.
"Don't come over here, Dazai."
He loosened his grip and took another step back. The invisible space around him twisted, tore, and collapsed.
"If it's special, there's no need for a 'book' at all. I can do it all by myself."
"The effect of the Mirror Man is to tear space apart, but if you infinitely stack superpowers in the same space, you can even create a special "special point" that can tear open space to other time and space. No one knows this better than me. Maybe this is the most special thing about space-based superpowers?"
He said: "So there is no need to use the 'book'. I can create a special point that can connect to another world by myself."
"I guess you, Dazai, already knew this." The pair of light gray eyes that always looked very cold without the glasses were now filled with an especially gentle apology: "I think the original 'me' should have used the same method, right?"
"Why... Mr. Mochizuki..."
Dazai Osamu's voice was trembling: "...Why do you do this?"
"It shouldn't be like this..."
"Why is this happening again?"
——Why is the result exactly the same as what he saw in the "book"?
Creating special abilities is not as simple as he said.
The special points that are equated with space are extremely dangerous, let alone stepping into them - if you are not careful, you will be left in the space, and even the owner of the special ability cannot distinguish the direction in those spaces.
Both "Mochizuki Kaoru" and Dazai Osamu are very clear about this.
"Don't come closer, Dazai." Saikai Haruto said gently, "Although it seems that I am beside you now, this is just a refraction projection of space. The process of creating anomaly points cannot be reversed. However, if I encounter your "Disqualification from the Human World" at this time, I have never tried it, and I can't be sure what will happen."
"He is not from this world, but in a way, he is indeed from another world... In a world without me, the life of the other you sounds very boring, and the relationship between him and Oda Saku seems very stiff... But in just a few years, he expanded the influence of the Port Mafia to the entire Kanto region, which is also very impressive, Dazai. Although he told a lot of lies, there are still many truths in these things, I can feel it."
"Although I didn't expect it at first, I now seem to understand why that 'me' would do such a thing. Although it's not something I would do in the past, I would do it now."
He said: "As long as I touch his heart at the moment when it stops beating, his ability will no longer work on me, and I can use this ability to bring him back to his world."
Dazai Osamu retracted his hand, clenched it into a fist and let it fall.
"…But Mr. Mochizuki, what are you going to do?"
Dazai Osamu's voice was dry, his breath was unsteady, and his shoulders seemed to be shaking slightly, like a fish that had suddenly come ashore and out of water: "Even if you are a superpowered life form, the consumption of your superpowers and the loss of space will make you disappear..."
"I remember you told me that even you, if the distance is too far and there are no coordinates, you will get lost in space when using your special abilities, and it will be difficult to find your way back... Why is it like this again?"
——Why did this happen? Why did it end up like this?
"Because this is what the other 'me' did, and it's a decision I made for myself. I think it's not bad. After all, if the other you stays in this world forever, it's not a good thing for this world, right?"
Saikai Haruto just looked at him gently and said, "I will not die. I am just missing temporarily. Just like you said, I will only be away for a short period of time. In the end, I will come back."
That enchantingly beautiful face seemed too calm at this moment, with a faint smile on the corners of his lips and eyes that showed the insight and comfort of an elder, as if he was just going on a spur of the moment trip.
"If I can't come back soon, I left a book for you and Oda Saku. You have seen it before. Don't peek at it alone."
Saikai Haruto thought for a moment and added: "Remember to take good care of Atsushi-kun and my flowers for me. I'll check them when I come back."
"Of course, you can also come back and tell me the stories about me that you have read in the 'book'. I am looking forward to that day."
The moment Dazai Osamu's heart stopped beating, Saikai Haruto took him and disappeared from Dazai Osamu's sight.
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