[Human thoughts and decisions change in the blink of an eye, like flipping through the pages of a book. Before long, you turn to a new chapter, and the story you just read fades from memory. For most people, books are just like that. Once read, they slowly sink into the sea of forgotten things. Unless it's something truly special, no one mourns their loss. That's just how humans are... always discarding the past.]
And so, the glowing orb above (the Supreme Deity) continued:
[Nostalgia like yours isn't normal for a human. Ordinary people don't grieve for strangers. Even if they do, it's fleeting... just a passing thought like, 'Ah, how unfortunate...' But you? You're still hung up on that world's story.]
"I'm just pissed about being yanked back so suddenly. I don't care as much as you think. I just believe in seeing things through to the end."
[Seeing things through? What a strange way to put it. Entering that world to 'capture the Female Titan' was the beginning. Succeeding was the end. What's left unresolved?]
Logically, that was correct. But Haruya couldn't accept it.
Completing the mission wasn't the same as achieving his goal. Beyond the task, he wanted to change himself, to return to his own world...
To change, he needed to accomplish something; like fighting alongside Annie in that world.
Why?
Simple. He wanted to see if she could defy fate.
After all, Haruya's own struggle was about rebelling against the world. If he could witness even one success, wouldn't that offer some solace?
Looking back, Haruya had never regretted anything so much.
Taking Annie to the Forest of Giant Trees, completing the mission, then being summoned back... was that really the best outcome?
[Stop dwelling on the past. As a human, you should look forward! Isn't that how humanity progresses? If people clung to stagnation, they'd never have advanced this far.]
"This isn't 'dwelling on the past'. It's a 'mission' I have to finish. I hate loose ends, especially when I'm the one who dragged Annie into that forest."
[So what? Do you want to go back? At this point, humanity is surely clashing with the Female Titan. Based on worldline predictions, she'll lose. She'll be captured.]
The Supreme Deity's voice grew clearer as 'He' floated closer.
In this vast, empty plaza, 'His' synthetic tone continued:
[Changing a world isn't something one person can do. To maintain balance, the world self-corrects... you know this. Unless of course the changes are minor. For example, your Titan rampage killed many, but since it didn't affect key events, the world ignored it. But if you'd killed Mikasa or Armin... The death of pivotal characters would drastically alter the future. Worst case? The world resets... like your Checkpoint ability. That is, it might revert to its initial state.]
"That's overkill. You're saying the world would restart? From the Big Bang?"
[Foolish human~ Not to that extent. If the world doesn't reset, there's only one explanation: The timeline you entered was always meant to unfold that way. Understand?]
"Obviously. Different worlds, different branches... parallel universes, right?"
[There's only one universe. The 'parallel' aspect lies in its dimensional layers. But never mind, that's too complex to explain now...]
Switching to a lighter tone, 'He' added:
[If a reincarnator/transmigrator seduces a main heroine, two outcomes arise: 'The world changes, adapting to the new timeline', or 'The timeline holds, and the world erases the disruption'. In short, if some delusional traveler builds a harem, the world might erase him along with the mess.]
"I see. So unless it's a 'flexible' world, reckless romancing is suicide..."
[Precisely. If you're into that, pray you land in the first type.]
A world that changes with the traveler's actions, not one that erases them...
Travelers aren't just visitors. They're variables. They decide a world's fate.
Of course, absurd behavior gets corrected. Those kinds of travelers deserve to vanish.
"Then how do I tell which type of world I'm in?"
[In a mutable world, your actions cause ripple effects. In a fixed one, changes are subtly undone until a full reset is needed.]
'So the Attack on Titan world was fixed...'
That's why Haruya couldn't alter its course.
Not that it mattered. Even in a mutable world, courting Mikasa would've been a death wish.
[With travelers multiplying, worlds are growing stricter. Best avoid stupidity.]
"If there are so many travelers, why's this place so empty? It's just you and me." Haruya glanced around the desolate expanse, "Maybe you should visit the 'Supreme Deity' next door."
[I have standards. Got a problem?]
"What's so special about me, then?"
[Your idiocy. Or perhaps... your naivety.]
"Naivety, huh? If I could kill you, I'd try."
[Oh? Should I take human form and fight you? I'll go easy on you and borrow Saitama's abilities...]
"Don't joke. That's just plain cheating..."
Saitama, the protagonist of 'One Punch Man', wasn't just strong, he was a walking paradox. A man who treated planets like playthings.
If Haruya had that power, numerous worlds would be his toybox...
[Back on topic. Nangou Haruya, do you want to return to that world?]
"If you're asking whether I want to see the aftermath of my actions, then yes. Even if you've already predicted it."
[My prediction assumes you don't return. Going back risks erasure.]
Haruya fell silent.
He had plans. Desires. But was returning truly the right choice?
[Then let me ask you this.]
"What?"
[Humans love to say 'justice prevails.' Victors become justice incarnate. Think of Liu Bei, Oda Nobunaga, Caesar... what's your take on them?]
"My take? On what?"
[Their life's work. Their so-called 'justice'.]
Without waiting, the Supreme Deity added:
[They clung to their ideals, achieved greatness, but how did it end? Most never become kings, but those who chase justice... are fools.]
In the end, tragedy awaits. Heroes rarely live to see their legacy.
Haruya scoffed at the implied warning.
But...
That world had its own path. He had their saved data. So...
"No. I won't interfere. Not now."
[Not now? So you will later?]
Haruya raised his hand, smirking at the Supreme Deity's taunting tone.
"Of course. Once I become a god."
[Oh? Oh?]
"It's possible, isn't it?"
Because...
"My justice... is to become a god. That way, I'll have everything."
The most audacious declaration a traveler could make.
As for the outcome?
That remained to be seen...