I Became the Omega in a Game - Chapter 41

Laska readily agreed to Riche’s request and sent the letter to the Magic Tower.

“I was a bit surprised to learn Riche actually believes in that absurd dimensional theory, but don’t worry. For my sake, they won’t turn you away at the door.”

Despite the reassuring words, Riche couldn’t shake her unease when she thought of Grauji. People like the director were not easily judged or predicted. Sure, the Tower Master might not be exactly like the director, but the director was certainly like that—someone who could overturn a decision on a whim, leaving others frustrated in the wake.

‘The most infuriating kind of people.’

If it were just an average superior, she wouldn’t care as much. But those were not the traits befitting the head of an organization representing countless others. Then and now, there’s no one more maddening than a bad-tempered boss.

Having been thoroughly worn down by her superior—the director—in her original dimension, Riche couldn’t help but frown. Wasn’t it because of the director’s fickleness that she ended up using this damn dimensional travel device disguised as a game system in the first place? He had initially ordered the disposal of the high-tech but unverified machine, only to suddenly change his mind and command the formation of an investigation team. That’s how she got dragged into all of this.

Feeling a headache coming on, Riche pressed her fingers firmly against her temples.

When she gets back to her own dimension, she’s going to present all her research findings—and if a headhunter shows up, she won’t hesitate to switch jobs.

‘But none of that is possible without the cooperation of the Tower Master.’

And even if she does get that cooperation, is that the end of it? Probably not. The more she thought about it, the less hopeful things seemed. For one, she didn’t even know how far the dimensional travel research had progressed. Judging by what Laska had said, it didn’t sound like things were moving along very well.

Riche let out a sigh, her face expressionless.

‘Hopeless. Completely hopeless…’

But she couldn’t stop. As she made her way back to Grauji, she scrutinized her appearance with a careful eye. The gruesome scene she had witnessed in the forest still lingered in her mind, and after much deliberation, she chose a sharply tailored suit over a bright, clean outfit.

* * *

“Please, have a seat, Miss Riche.”

Riche took the offer without protest and sat down on the soft leather sofa. She didn’t have the energy to worry about trivial things like that.

From the moment she’d entered the forest until now, her nerves had been stretched thin, wondering if she had walked into a trap. Barely a few steps into the Mage’s Forest, a woman had appeared and introduced herself as the Tower Master’s aide. She wore a flowing black robe—evoking the typical image of a mage from the few fantasy films Riche had seen—but the way it paired with tailored culottes and a crisp white shirt made her look polished rather than outdated.

When Riche looked at her with suspicion, unsure of what was going on, the woman had even apologized for being late. Remembering how she’d been treated like a peddler and driven away during her first visit for not making an appointment, Riche had tensed up immediately.

What made it worse was that the Tower Master’s aide was overly kind. Even so, Riche couldn’t meet her gaze without recalling the humiliating moment with Grauji, groaning beneath him in shame. The aide seemed puzzled, unable to understand why Riche was acting so awkwardly.

Regardless, thanks to the woman who had come to greet her, Riche’s path to the Magic Tower this time was far easier than before. Rebecca, apparently casting some kind of spell, had them arriving at the tower in an instant—an ability Riche couldn’t help but covet. The last time she’d visited, she had wandered through the forest until her calves were rock-hard, with no choice but to walk. That made her all the more curious.

She had even asked if anyone could learn magic. Expecting to be brushed off by the notoriously arrogant mages, she was surprised by the gentle response.

‘If you have outstanding intelligence and a sensitivity to mana, you can learn magic.’

‘Mana sensitivity?’

‘To put it simply, it’s a kind of physical trait that lets you feel mana. Ah—why explain it? Let’s test it. Tell me if you feel anything.’

Rebecca had formed an odd series of hand signs. If someone had mana sensitivity, they could perform such useful magic. Riche’s heart had pounded with anticipation—but to her disappointment, she had none.

Still, unlike her previous visits, both Grauji and his aide had been kind this time. As she wondered what had changed, it struck her—Laska’s letter.

‘Did Laska really have this much influence?’

If anything, calling them just “acquainted” seemed far too modest. It was questionable, but at least it was better than being ignored.

“What’s your relationship with Laska? That cold guy actually asked me to take good care of someone—that’s not something you see every day.”

“What exactly are you trying to ask?”

Grauji tilted his head with a smile. Riche was about to speak, but the sight of that smile made her uneasy, and she stayed silent. When she didn’t respond right away, Grauji nudged her gently.

“Miss Riche?”

“Oh, I just owe him a favor, that’s all.”

“How interesting. He’s usually pretty selective about who he trusts.”

Calling a grown adult a “kid” left Riche with an odd feeling. As she silently stared at him, Grauji looked curious.

“Shall we get to the point? You must have been quite curious about something to come all the way here—why don’t you start with that?”

So this is where it begins. Riche swallowed, trying not to make it obvious. She was bold by nature, rarely nervous, but this time was different. This was a matter of true importance.

“I’ve always been… interested in the magical academies.”

“Ah, is that so? In what way?”

Grauji seemed genuinely intrigued, and Riche began listing off what she’d picked up from Laska.

“I’ve had many interests, but I’ve always found the attempts to alter human genetic traits using elemental magic fascinating. And the possibilities of non-Alpha-Omega magical evolution that you presented thirteen years ago—that really captivated me.”

Her eyes sparkled like someone genuinely interested in the topic. She recalled Laska’s advice—that mages, despite pretending to be stoic, usually liked being praised for their research and abilities.

Whether the trick worked or not, Grauji covered his mouth with a fist and laughed. Of course—who doesn’t like a bit of praise? Thinking of the cold, intimidating director, Riche felt a little more at ease.

“A regular civilian interested in the stuff only crusty old scholars care about? Now that’s enough to make me excited. So tell me, Miss Riche, which part left the biggest impression on you?”

To this, Riche answered without hesitation.

“Dimensions.”

“Dimensions?”

He sounded surprised. Riche nodded eagerly, like someone thrilled to be meeting a revered scholar.

“The paper you published five years ago on extradimensional entities really stuck with me. The idea that there’s land not just from another continent but from somewhere completely inaccessible through normal means—how could that not be fascinating?”

“I had no idea you were that interested in my work. Had I known, I wouldn’t have sent you off so easily last time.”

Grauji clicked his tongue with regret. Riche licked her lips, sensing the mood was in her favor.

“If dimensions like that truly exist, wouldn’t it be possible to travel from here to another one?”

…

Was she merely aware of the concept, or had she actually discovered a path to interdimensional travel? How could he find out without arousing suspicion? Riche was still working out how to respond, but she didn’t need to think much longer.

Grauji began to explain dimensions in detail. Riche pretended to be an ordinary person, reacting as one might expect—though inside, she was impressed by how advanced his knowledge was, especially for someone from a “primitive” dimension. She listened intently, even letting slip a hint of admiration.

Then he asked casually, as though it were nothing:

“So, when did you arrive here, Miss Riche?”

“Here? If you mean the Doblak Empire…”

“No. I mean, when did you arrive in this dimension?”

Riche froze. Grauji, meanwhile, wore the same annoyingly cheerful smile.

“No matter how much I asked around, all I could find was that you worked in a bar in Doblak. Nothing else unusual.”

Riche’s shoulders twitched.

She had only met Grauji for the first time yesterday.

And in that short time, he’d already investigated her past?

Why?

How did he know?

“There’s no way someone could leave no trace behind.”

At those words, Riche reflexively blurted out a lie.

“I used to live in the mountains, farming slash-and-burn style. Since I don’t have any ties to this place, it makes sense, doesn’t it?”

She lowered her eyes as if embarrassed. But in her mind, a voice whispered—it’s useless.

“Ah-ha.”

Sure enough, Grauji let out a light, melodic sound of acknowledgment, his face betraying not even a shred of belief. Riche, realizing there was no use in pretending, erased all expression from her face and stared at him with cool eyes.

“Miss Riche?”

“……”

Grauji propped his chin against the broad palm of his hand and gazed at her steadily. The teasing grin that had played on his face earlier had disappeared without a trace.

“It’s a shame when you make things so boring.”

“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

He hadn’t revealed a single card of his own, yet he was fishing for all of hers—that felt far too much like a thief’s logic. Riche answered in a dry, flat tone, not even blinking. A flicker of amusement passed through Grauji’s eyes.

“Was it eighty years ago? I’m not sure. I don’t really keep count.”

Crossing his arms, Grauji leaned back into the plush chair.

It was only a small increase in the physical distance between them, but even that seemed to loosen the tightly bound knot within Riche. Her shoulders sagged ever so slightly. She had, without realizing it, been incredibly tense.

“I saw him right after I became the Tower Master.”

Him?

Sweat forming at her brow, Riche focused on his words. Suddenly, Grauji’s eyes gleamed with a strange light.

“An extra-dimensional being. That’s what I decided to call him.”

He smiled at her—gently, eyes crinkling—as if enjoying the intake of breath she tried to suppress.

“Someone like you, Miss Riche. A dimensional traveler.”

For the first time in ages, Riche felt her mind go completely blank. And yet, her sharp, rational thinking kicked in immediately, analyzing the situation.

So—there had been others. Whether by accident, or swept up in some dimensional rift, there were people who had ended up here, just like her.

Riche was thrilled. What Grauji had just said—if taken at face value—suggested that although the gap between dimensions was far, the seams between them were loose enough for anomalies to occur.

‘That’s how he came to know about other dimensions.’

But why was he so certain she was a dimensional traveler?

And why was he telling her this?

What did he want?