The Weight of Life
My stomach was still queasy from the barbecue party, but I popped a digestive tablet and laid my head on the pillow. The lights in my dim basement room went out as darkness fell.
Dae-baek-gong.
I'd been waiting to meet him. For whatever reason, I'd contributed to Che-yuk getting murdered. It wasn't the outcome I'd wanted, but...
No... maybe deep down, I hoped he'd die.
I had to steady my pounding heart. I forced my eyes shut, trying to sleep, but I tossed and turned until dawn. Finally, I drifted off without realizing it.
"Hoo... time is short."
The first words from Dae-baek-gong, familiar yet never quite comfortable, were always about time running out.
"Time is short..."
"It means there's not enough time to explain to you, young friend. Such a virtuous soul..."
I nearly blurted out that he should explain instead of saying that, but I held my tongue.
In my impatience, I brought up my biggest worry first.
"Today, because of me, someone who might not have died otherwise ended up dead."
Every meeting, Dae-baek-gong stared straight into my eyes from uncomfortably close range, leaving me flustered. But this time, he didn't approach or meet my gaze. He just stood in front of the hut, looking up at the sky.
I followed his eyes upward, but through my vision, the hazy sky of his realm was shrouded in something opaque—nothing visible. Yet Dae-baek-gong gazed at it for a long while before turning to me.
"Do you remember what I told you before?"
"Before...?"
"That if you offer a sacrifice, I can free you from karma and grant great rewards. In other words, about human sacrifice..."
I was too stunned to respond.
I never even thought about human sacrifice or offerings...
"I... that's..."
"Of course, it wasn't something you sought or did intentionally..."
"You mean..."
"This must be heaven's will. Such a virtuous soul... Through this singularity—or rather, the offering—you've gained, your body strengthening spell will now activate even in places where my earth energy doesn't reach."
"So, in places without your earth energy, spells don't work?"
"Obviously... To put it in terms a young friend can grasp, it's like having a cellphone but no charger—you can't use it. Even if my spells don't expire, without enough earth energy, it's the same as not having them."
"So, in places without earth energy, if I get badly hurt, I could die before regeneration kicks in..."
"Exactly."
"Then..."
"It's regrettable that our mutual understanding fell short, but perhaps that's heaven's will too. You've strengthened your spell in an unexpected way."
"Can't you strengthen other spells besides body strengthening?"
"Not with this. The life force you offered this time—simply put—lacks quality."
"Pardon?"
"Do you know why human sacrifice is so fearsome and vile?"
"..."
"The purer and more innocent the lamb, the cleaner and stronger the life force gained. Han Young-cheol's life force was like filthy, stained waste."
"Then how could it strengthen the body strengthening spell...?"
"No matter how dirty or vile the stain, life force stems from pure life itself, so its influence isn't negligible. Ultimately, his death prevents more victims, creating singularities from their brighter lives."
"So... even the most corrupted person's life force has significant impact?"
"Precisely. That's why you must be cautious."
"What do you mean?"
"I've watched humans over countless ages once they learn easy paths to power. So, my true advice to you, young friend: What comes easily corrupts easily."
"Corrupts?"
"Why do you think powerful beings who indulged in human sacrifice have vanished from the world?"
"Offerings... Those who squandered the rewards from human sacrifice... Most have disappeared or fallen into slumber..."
"Slumber means they could awaken. And what they've become... is beyond imagining."
"You've corrupted?"
"...Hoo... such a virtuous soul..."
"If it's hard to mention, may I ask something else?"
"Haha... go ahead."
"You said the regeneration spell grows by saving others' lives. Does Che-yuk—no, Han Young-cheol—getting murdered weaken it?"
"Such a virtuous soul..."
I didn't back down this time, waiting for his answer despite his reluctance.
"Since you didn't kill him yourself, the regeneration spell... has actually grown stronger."
"Pardon? Not just maintained, but strengthened?"
"Regeneration strengthens or weakens based on its impact on others' lives. Han Young-cheol turned lives into hell. The number of tormented spirits he's created... And do you think he'll stop at this incident?"
"No. I heard sex crimes have high recidivism rates. Especially against minors..."
"That's why his death saves countless future lives."
"Pardon?"
"Do you think victims of sex crimes can return to normal lives?"
I recalled Kyung-soo's frustrated rant about Ki-ha being subtly ostracized at school.
"No."
"They can't. They become tormented spirits."
"You mean..."
"One criminal destroys lives beyond measure. How many lives does his death save...? Regeneration has strengthened. With your grandfather's enhanced earth energy at Dun-bang Se-woon University Hospital, you're practically immortal."
"..."
Dae-baek-gong gazed at my stunned, blank expression.
"That's why I hesitated to explain in detail. From your perspective, pushing untouchable criminal scum toward death—without direct execution—strengthens spells and accumulates singularities. Exploit them well, and you could live gloriously forever."
"So, just helping trash like Che-yuk—no, Han Young-cheol—meet their end strengthens spells and makes my life smoother through singularities?"
Instead of answering, Dae-baek-gong changed the subject.
"When sinners evade proper punishment, the scales tip. Your actions yielded good results for you. But judging a sinner's punishment by human standards is tricky."
"So, I luckily stayed within the bounds of Han Young-cheol's punishment criteria?"
"He ravaged countless children, shattered families, crushed bright futures. By human law, he escaped execution. His crimes' cries shake the earth and seal the heavens—he deserved judgment. That's why no backlash for you."
"I got lucky?"
"Humans... once murderers, can never go back."
"Am I a murderer then?"
"Hmm... We don't call every driver a potential killer, do we? When sinners evade punishment, the flow tilts. You merely indirectly ensured proper retribution..."
"Then... why worry so much?"
"I'm concerned for you, young friend. Easy power corrupts easily."
"Saying 'I won't corrupt' here is meaningless, right?"
"Human words invite calamity. Deeds, not promises, prove it."
Seeing his worry, I realized he could grant spells but couldn't weaken or revoke activated ones—even he lacked that power. So, he feared I'd succumb to power.
Leaving his concerned face behind, I asked what I most wanted—but dreaded—to know. A truth I had to face.
"Are there... other contractors like me?"
"None."
My long hesitation dissolved in relief. But before it settled, Dae-baek-gong continued.
"You're the only one contracted to me."
I mulled his words, then had to ask again.
"That means..."
"This land's low happiness index and top global suicide rates have reasons... Even as crime's resentment crushes the earth, shakes the heavens, and curses all—some thrive. Those addicted to power without cost won't return to powerlessness, even knowing it dooms the world."
"No way..."
"Young friend... I said time is short because of this. Remember what I said about those taking human sacrifices' power without cost? Their end is the world's destruction—extinction."
"Yes..."
"You said mortals lack farsightedness, so I looked around the world."
"You mean..."
"Time is short... Haha... I saw typhoons raging, endless wildfires, choking volcanic ash flying everywhere..."
"No..."
"Using unpaid power may thrill, but it leads to ruin... I pity the innocents dragged along."
"Elder!!"