The World Mistakes Me for Terminally Ill - Chapter 103

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The World Thinks I’m Terminally Ill Episode 103

“So what do you mean by asking me to hand over the role? If we can’t complete the play anyway, this magic circle will absorb all life force and complete the painting.”

“That’s exactly it.”

“…?”

“Currently, we’re forced to choose between two options. First, complete the [Swan Lake] play before the painting is finished. However, the person who takes the ‘protagonist’ role gets trapped in the collection.”

This is the escape route the Black Mage proposed.

However, there’s one fatal problem here – we have to sacrifice an actor from the play.

Even if the Actress takes the female lead role, [Swan Lake] is a play that requires both male and female protagonists, so we’d need another sacrifice.

“And second. Abandon the play and complete the [Black Swan Lake] painting.”

But choosing the second option is even more impossible.

“The Black Mage clearly said ‘once the painting is completed, you’ll be preserved in the completed painting.’ This probably isn’t a lie.”

The Black Mage may cleverly hide facts, but he doesn’t tell outright lies. Therefore, this is a true statement.

Then the maid’s statement that ‘you can escape once the painting is completed’ becomes false.

‘But the maid probably wasn’t lying either.’

It’s just that the maids were also deceived by the Black Mage’s misdirection.

Let’s recall their words again.

[2. When enough life force gathers to complete the ‘painting,’ they can go outside.]

Now, who are ‘they’ here?

The maids? People who were unwillingly preserved in the painting? Or us?

That’s right.

We don’t know.

‘They’ is a pronoun, after all.

“This is why you need to read contracts carefully.”

If we get preserved and only a few designated by the Black Mage are freed, that’s also an escape.

Moreover, the phrase ‘going outside’ was also problematic.

Since possession of others’ bodies seems possible, going out doesn’t guarantee it’s in your own body.

Erban made a disgusted expression.

“Ugh, this is pure fraud!”

“Originally, contracts are about how well you can hide and find fraud. Why do you think lawyers exist?”

In the end, this is a game where the Black Mage wins no matter what we choose.

So to escape this place, we had to choose something other than the options the demon originally proposed.

“After all that rambling, you’re just saying this won’t work and that won’t work either. What does that have to do with the role?”

The Actor frowned and crossed her arms, muttering ‘how indecisive.’ Her argument was that it would be wiser to just sacrifice one person to save the absolute majority.

That’s also what the Black Mage was aiming for.

‘In other words, it’s the normal ending.’

But I had already concluded that I wouldn’t let the real host of this place get away with it.

I couldn’t accept either the first option of a normal ending or the second option of a definite bad ending.

So what choice did I have? I had to find my own true ending.

“That’s because there’s a third option that hasn’t been revealed to us.”

I raised the corners of my mouth and recalled what the Black Mage had first proposed to me.

‘The method to prevent this is quite simple. Before the painting is completed, you must complete the play that has been frozen forever in one scene! Then the preserved time will be released and the painting will crumble.’

He definitely gave me the answer.

Complete the frozen play ‘anew,’ release the preserved time, and destroy the ‘Black Swan Lake’ painting.

“We’ll create a completely different play. Not [Swan Lake] which serves as the background for [Black Swan Lake].”

To do that, I’ll replace the female protagonist.

With me instead of the original Actor.

“Wait. Even so, isn’t it the same that one person sacrifices for the many? You, as the protagonist, will be preserved here, won’t you?”

“It’s different. When I say I’ll change roles, I don’t simply mean replacing the protagonist, but rewriting the ‘rules’ of this world.”

“What?”

Thirty years ago, [Swan Lake] where the Actor was the protagonist was a play with a definite sad ending where both the female and male protagonists die.

Therefore, it’s the rule of this world that outsiders who become protagonists must also meet death within the play.

But what if I replace the female protagonist and write a completely different play?

The rules will change.

Rewriting an already determined ending.

That was the escape method I designed.

“My play doesn’t need a pitiful female protagonist who just waits for the other’s choice.”

To change the play, three preparations are needed.

First, actors. This is ready.

Second, a passage. Since the ballroom itself became a flat surface of the painting when the 12 o’clock bell rang, we need a ‘passage’ to get outside.

For this, Kai and Ruone will complete a new [Black Swan Lake] that’s not the way the Black Mage intended.

By having Ruone, who inherited the painter’s progress, capture the rules of the ending I rewrote in the painting, creating a door that connects to reality.

‘And lastly.’

The third is right here in this sealed room’s magic circle. The device that absorbs life force and maintains the barrier of the entire ballroom.

If our capable mage and sorcerer reverse-manipulate this magic circle to change the play’s setting, we can reach the hidden ending.

“According to the premise, when the play is completed, the [Black Swan Lake] painting will break, and when the play ends, this space will have no choice but to let us out.”

That is the only ending of this play.

“It’s soon now, right?”

“Yes, the sun will rise in a few hours.”

After seeing off the Black Widow, the maids who had been trembling in the corner timidly poked their heads out again.

Because the long-awaited day was finally approaching.

When the first bell of dawn rings, they will finally be freed.

As they looked outside with eyes that couldn’t hide their excitement, they suddenly paused at a faint vibration they felt.

“What’s that?”

Rumble-!

At the same time, a strong vibration that could be clearly felt shook the entire ballroom.

An ominous tremor rising from underground.

Creak-

The chandelier above swayed with an uneasy sound. At this unexpected turn of events, the maids looked around with ‘surely not’ expressions.

“N-no way, right?”

Soon, betraying their expectations, the entire space collapsed with a thunderous roar. The maids also screamed as they fell down.

“Kyaaaah!”

“Mommmmy!”

What was revealed as the ballroom collapsed was the night view of a city with the atmosphere of 30 years ago.

A silver moon floating in the sky.

And beneath it, a giant clock tower standing tall.

Tick-

The hour hand pointed to 5 AM.

Everything was surreal, like a midsummer night’s dream.

‘And here’s a piece of advice: you can live long if you keep your mouth shut.’

The highest-ranking maid’s eyes widened as she saw the withered funeral flower that had fluttered down from her head gradually turn red under the moonlight.

Someone standing on the clock tower caught the flower that had blown in the wind.

“Shall we begin then?”

The Black Widow.

And the henchmen by her side to serve her!

The maid thought.

‘Th-the mastermind!’

Inside the theater.

After the Black Mage’s brainwashing was lifted, Ruone came to his senses.

“Get up quickly. We’re busy.”

Kai called to Ruone, who was looking around at the suddenly changed surroundings.

Since Elisia’s group had decided to overturn the play inside the painting, those outside had to coordinate accordingly.

Time was tight since they had to complete a new [Black Swan Lake] before the first bell of dawn rang.

Kai explained the situation to Ruone as Elisia had requested, in order to complete the painting.

“You know that Black Swan whatever thing, right?”

“Huh? Yeah, of course. It was Master’s final request.”

“Then draw that here. M- Mother will decide whether to sponsor you after seeing it.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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