I'm the Only Totem in Another World - Chapter 200

Chapter 200: IF ━ What if I had joined hands with Asha （2）

“W-Wait a moment!”

Paya, who had been watching blankly, chased after Rake. I also tried to leave the altar with them.

Ah, there’s something I need to do before I go.

I thought that Jin Malak might be able to see me, just as I saw Udan in the Spirit World, so I tried making funny faces in front of the totem.

But he couldn’t see me until the very end. Was it because I was in the Spirit World, where the Loa’s power is stronger, that I was able to see him then?

Feeling disappointed, I passed through the wall. Should I follow Rake and Paya?

“Chieftain Rake! Are you planning to leave?”

“What if I am?”

Rake replied to Paya’s question without stopping or looking back.

“To gather relics and save that representative person, right?”

Paya struggled to keep up with Rake, but her strides weren’t as long as Rake’s, who had long legs, making it look difficult. It was a pure difference in physical ability. In the end, Paya was chasing after Rake, bouncing along.

“That’s right.”

Rake, who had arrived at her house before anyone knew it, opened the front door and went inside. Paya followed.

“I’m going with you! I have an excellent ability to read spiritual energy, so I’ll definitely be helpful!”

Ah, this is a little touching.

I felt a lump in my throat seeing them trying to save me, even though I felt sorry for Jin Malak who had lost （?） two key figures in an instant.

It made me think that I hadn’t lived a completely useless life after all.

However.

At this crucial time, it wouldn’t be good in many ways for these important figures to be wandering around looking for relics that could be anywhere because of me.

I wanted to tell them.

That I’m okay, and that they should focus on supporting Jin Malak in rebuilding the land. And that if they have some time after the reconstruction is finished, they can then look for ways to save me.

But my voice never reached them. I moved my mouth diligently, but my voice disappeared into thin air without even reaching my own ears.

“No. You’re better off staying here.”

Rake, who was packing her things, sighed. It seemed she had already made up her mind to find the relics.

Rake continued.

“I can run for three days and nights without getting tired. Can you? No, you can’t. You’ll only be a hindrance.”

“B-But still…!”

“What about the Tribal Federation? What about the Blue Moss Tribe? What are you going to do with the people waiting for your orders and the children who need your help? Can you leave them all behind?”

“You, you’re a chieftain too…”

Paya’s voice gradually grew quieter.

“No. I just handed over the position of Brown Rock Chieftain to Dodo a while ago. I got the tribe’s consent too.”

“D-Dodo became the chieftain?”

“He may look like an idiot, but he’s skilled and quite popular. With the support of experienced warriors, even that airhead will do well.”

Dodo becoming the Brown Rock Chieftain? That milk jug youth? Even I can’t get used to this.

Well, I guess there’s no one who’s perfect for the role of chieftain from the start. He’s a capable guy in his own way, so he’ll do well as he goes along.

He’s the Dodo who trained Grandpa Harry and trained Noah. There’s a high chance he’ll become a good chieftain who teaches the warriors well.

“In the first place, the previous chieftain died to a demon, and I was only temporarily in charge. I was chosen because I was the strongest in the tribe. I may be like that, but you’re not. You’re respected by the tribe members.”

“…”

“I’ll definitely save that person, so don’t worry and focus on taking care of the people here.”

Paya lowered her head at Rake’s words.

“…I understand. Please come back safely.”

Rake scoffed.

“Anyone would think I’m going to die. Who can kill me?”

Rake was right. Dark Cloud, Seven-Headed Dragon, Evil God, and Karon were all dead. The dimensional gate was also completely closed, cutting off the supply of demonic energy. The remaining demons would also be dying one by one.

She’s the one who cut off Karon’s head and her divinity has increased. At this point, even Close-Range Spy and Princess Dina wouldn’t be able to defeat Rake. Unless they joined forces.

“Take care.”

Rake, leaving a short farewell, jumped over the wall. Her appearance as she ran off like a shot, carrying a bulging sack on her back, was…like a phantom thief stealing something and running away.

‘Phantom Thief Rake. Goes to find the relics.’ Something like that.

I swam through the air, chasing after her. It was convenient because I could move forward just by wriggling my body.

Could Rake find the relics and turn me back into a human? I tried not to get my hopes up, but it wasn’t easy.

It wasn’t just because of expectations. I was also curious why Rake was going to such lengths to save me.

I followed her for days as she ran without rest. Being a ghost, I had no physical limitations.

The sun and the night changed several times.

Rake searched for relics, scouring the Goddess Religion’s temples that had been destroyed by demon attacks, deep caves, and abandoned tribes with no one to manage them.

Kieeee!

There were also a few times when she had to fight demons that were still alive. Perhaps due to the lack of demonic energy, the demons were in a state similar to hibernation. Rake uncannily found and killed such demons.

“Are you watching me, by any chance?”

There were times when Rake spoke to me. I don’t know if she felt my gaze, or if she wanted to believe so.

“It’s quite difficult. I’ve gone through four regions, but I haven’t been able to find any relics that meet the conditions. Many were also damaged by demons.”

My answer or reaction wouldn’t have been possible （, but it didn’t matter.） Rake continued to talk to herself, assuming I was watching.

“Ah, look at that. A mole. Do you remember? When we were wandering through the tunnel dug by the Tunnel Demon, you said I looked like a mole.”

Rake started talking to herself more often. Was it because she was lonely? Or was she really feeling me? I wanted to believe it was the latter.

[There was a time like that.]

I replied to her words. Words that neither she nor I could hear.

“A mole…It’s actually cute when you look at it this way. It’s amazing how it digs the ground, sniffing with its nose, even though it can’t see.”

Rake picked up a mole by its tail.

[Rake. It’s dangerous to handle a mole carelessly just because it’s cute. It could grab you in an instant and drag you into the ground. Someone I know also…poof.]

I chuckled to myself, making an outdated internet joke. I was so lonely that I couldn’t bear it unless I let out some nonsense like this.

It was different from being a totem without arms or legs. Even minimal communication was impossible. Even if I was floating next to Rake, I couldn’t make eye contact with her or have a conversation.

That fact was incredibly difficult. I now understand how Udan felt when he was lying down.

A few more days passed. Rake was still searching for relics.

[Rake. Why are you going to such lengths?]

I asked her as she looked around the temple. Of course, there was no answer.

[You don’t have to go this far. Of course, I want to go back too…but I know it’s hopeless.]

[But…thank you. For giving me even a small glimmer of hope.]

Our one-sided conversations continued.

[I’m getting tired. If I close my eyes for a moment to rest, I feel like I’ll fall asleep forever. Was that how Udan felt?]

“I’m going to get a good night’s sleep here today.”

[Rake. I miss your warmth. It was so warm when you leaned against me.]

“It’s a nice day. Maybe I can find a relic today.”

[I want to go see Paya and the people of the Tribal Federation…but then I’ll lose track of where you are. Well, there’s nothing I can do about it. I have no choice but to stay with you until you’ve found all the relics you need and return.]

“You…no. Should I call you Sanz-nim? I remember when I used to lean against you. It was the happiest moment of my life.”

[It’s snowing…Beautiful.]

At some point, I stopped counting the days. I only knew that a considerable amount of time had passed.

Unfortunately, Rake had not been able to obtain even a single relic.

“I’m saying this now, but I don’t know who Sanz-nim is. I still don’t know what you like or dislike.”

Rake, lying down with her sack as a sleeping bag, said. She, who had changed her worn-out clothes several times while traveling, was looking at the stars pouring down like a waterfall.

“But I believe that Sanz-nim is the only one worthy of praise. You fell into a strange world and worked day and night to protect people you didn’t even know. This is something that no god could do.”

[…Rake.]

“No matter what anyone says, you are my only god.”

[Thank you for saying that.]

Time passes.

[But…I’m getting tired.]

Time.

[I’m strangely tired even though I don’t have a body that can sleep.]

It keeps flowing.

[I think I need to sleep for a bit.]

Time that doesn’t stop.

[Don’t go too far…]

Leaving me behind, who can do nothing, it keeps flowing.

[Wait for me a little while. Until I can find it.]

I, who had become exhausted at some point…fell asleep.

How much time has passed?

I felt a bright light, so bright that it hurt my eyes that had been covered by my eyelids.

“Sanz-nim.”

At the sound of someone calling me, I slowly opened my eyelids. A beautiful woman with long, white hair was holding my hand.

I felt a warm touch.

“Uh, ah…”

My tongue wouldn’t move properly. Who is this person?

This person is… This person is…

Ah.

“R-Rake.”

Yes. That was her name.

“My guardian.”

“Sanz-nim…!”

She smiled brightly and hugged me.