Chapter 66
Chapter 66
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: The Angel's Promise
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Where... is this place?"
Tae-jun couldn't help but feel disoriented all over again, just like when he'd returned to the Bureau moments ago.
He had definitely visited The Shop alongside his colleagues, yet when he actually stepped inside, he found himself completely alone.
"And this isn't even The Shop."
As someone who bore the rare distinction of being a two-time victim of what was practically the only such shop around, he knew exactly what The Shop was like.
At the very least, the overwhelmingly vast white cathedral where he now stood was nothing like the one he remembered.
"Have I gotten tangled up in another Tale?"
If so, his colleagues might be in danger too.
"Of course, the Squad Leader and Do-hyun would probably be fine, but Woo-seok... he'd scream and drop dead on the spot."
Tae-jun scanned his surroundings.
The cathedral, which gave off a profoundly spiritual aura as if built to honor someone, was so immense it seemed endless, yet it carried a strangely comforting warmth that soothed the heart.
"If this follows the usual pattern..."
Tae-jun headed toward the staircase stretching endlessly upward.
One might think he followed it without fear because he'd lost his sense of dread, but in truth, the top of the stairs exerted an irrational pull that drew people in.
The staircase went on forever.
The endlessly repeating white steps burrowed into Tae-jun's mind until he could still picture them even with his eyes closed. That was when something unexpected happened.
"This is...?"
The moment the stairs ended, the repetitive scenery vanished, replaced by a sight more beautiful than anything Tae-jun had ever beheld in his life.
As he stood speechless before what seemed like beauty incarnate, a voice thundered through heaven and earth.
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "Fear not me." The space folded in on itself, forming a single shape, and Tae-jun realized the true nature of this being.
"An angel..."
Its form wasn't static—it kept shifting, making it impossible to pin down any specific features—but it was undoubtedly an angel.
Not some fabricated entity like those from Horrifica, but one built up over eons from humanity's faith.
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "I am the angel, the good of humanity." It was truly an angel.
The angel's voice could be heard, yet it was also visible.
It was a sensation Tae-jun had never experienced before, but he adapted to it quickly.
Tae-jun couldn't open his mouth.
Fear wasn't the reason—the only thing he felt was pure bliss.
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "Revolutionary Tae-jun, companion of the Savior." "As promised for the near future, since you have come to me, I shall fulfill my vow." Tae-jun wrenched his mouth open with every ounce of strength in his body.
"What... what does that even mean? How am I a companion of the Savior? What's this promise from the future?"
The angel answered Tae-jun's question with utmost sanctity.
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "Little lamb, the victim of humanity's great sin—that is your true self, and your companion is the Savior. Thus, my grace has reached you both." Tae-jun realized tears were streaming from his eyes without him even noticing.
Every time he tried to speak, sorrow threatened to crush him, making it far harder to get the words out.
"Is that... something that happened in the past?"
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "Your doubt is both right and wrong." "Depending on the frame of reference, it is the future or the past—hard to pin down as just one." "It draws near in the future, yet since you sacrificed, it is also something that has already occurred." "I don't understand..."
For a split second, Tae-jun suspected the angel might be deceiving him with its riddles.
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "I know your doubts." "But this is no deception—it is my limitation." "Curse me, who can reveal so little to you!" "This is the rule of the world; I, a mere remnant, can say no more." Tae-jun couldn't believe that this immense grace was merely a "remnant."
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "Ah!" "Truly, our time grows short!" "The future grants me no more, so I shall give you what was promised." With those words, the angel performed the miracle of conjuring an old wristwatch from thin air.
"This is... one of the Bureau's really old watches."
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "Proof of the promise, and its purpose." "When the time comes that you know the Savior, give them this watch, and your role shall be fulfilled." "It is inevitable; if you desire it, it shall come to pass. Worry not." "That is the tale." The angel enveloped Tae-jun in gentle warmth.
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "I have called you here, and history has shifted, which may bring confusion." "But fear not." "The change is so minute it will scarcely affect you." The angel's resonance ceased, and a blinding light soon engulfed Tae-jun's vision.
👼 DIVINE PROCLAMATION 👼 "I am ever at the Savior's side. When the time comes, I shall meet you again." Tae-jun opened his eyes.
He was back at his desk in the Bureau, but he was certain it hadn't been a dream.
An old watch was clutched in his hand.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The Bureau was quiet.
It seemed no one had returned from The Shop yet.
Tae-jun pondered the angel.
In a world like this, it wasn't impossible that it had been a demon in disguise.
But Tae-jun couldn't entertain such doubts.
If that divine presence hadn't been holy, and everything he'd experienced was the devil's trickery, he'd never trust anything again for the rest of his life.
That was Tae-jun's conviction.
He had no choice but to believe the angel's words, yet they plunged him into confusion.
"A sacrifice and a Savior."
The angel's words were as vague and ambiguous as a quote from some classical novel, impossible to unpack without calling in a fortune-teller or an archaeologist.
Of course, the angel had said it was inevitable that he'd find the Savior.
Assuming the angel spoke truth, there was no need to worry—but that didn't erase the questions nagging at him.
"Why today, of all days?"
This was already his third visit to The Shop.
He couldn't fathom why there'd been no reaction the first two times, only for it to summon him now.
"Come to think of it, why me at all?"
Tae-jun examined the watch closely.
It was one of the standard-issue Bureau watches.
But it looked battered—covered in dirt and ash, dented in places, giving it a gruesome appearance.
"At least it's still working."
The time was off, but the second hand and hour hand ticked along at the correct speed.
Just as Tae-jun finished inspecting it, the elevator doors opened with a ding, accompanied by a commotion.
"Quick, let's lay the Squad Leader down."
"Yeah, that sounds best."
Se-jin was slumped on Do-hyun's back, unable to support himself.
"Huh? What happened?"
"Oh, he suddenly passed out back at The Shop. He'll come to soon enough."
This minor alteration to history—that Tae-jun hadn't been with them—went completely unnoticed by anyone.
"Squad Leader, are you okay?"
Do-hyun laid Se-jin down on the sofa in the corner of the office.
Even at Do-hyun's call, Se-jin showed no sign of stirring.
As worry spread among the group and they debated heading to the hospital, Se-jin finally groaned.
"Ugh... uh..."
Se-jin pried his eyes open, clinging to his fleeting consciousness.
"Squad Leader, are you with us?"
To Do-hyun's question, Se-jin rasped a faint reply in a hoarse voice.
"Shin Jin-seong... Ring any bells?"
"If you're talking about the guy the Merchant mentioned earlier, no, it doesn't."
"Same here. Damn it."
Se-jin was utterly bewildered.
The name felt strangely familiar, even though he'd never heard it before.
It was foggy, like peering through mist, and trying to recall it brought on splitting headaches that shattered his thoughts.
"Ha... What the hell did that Merchant do?"
Se-jin's gaze turned toward Tae-jun.
"Tae-jun, out of the blue here—do you know anyone named Shin Jin-seong?"
"No, sorry, doesn't ring a bell. Actually, more importantly, do you know whose watch this is?"
Tae-jun held out the wristwatch he'd received from the angel.
As Se-jin struggled to sit up, Do-hyun checked it for him instead.
"Hmm... It's so worn the serial number's illegible. Without a serial, we can't look up the owner. Where'd you find it?"
"Oh, well."
For a moment, he felt like he absolutely shouldn't talk about what happened.
It was an unpleasant hunch that speaking it aloud would instantly rewrite the future the angel had mentioned.
"...I picked it up on the street."
"Hmm. Wristwatches can be reissued upon request, so it might belong to one of the staff who lost theirs."
"Got it. Thanks for the help."
As Tae-jun showed his disappointment, Do-hyun paused thoughtfully before speaking up.
"If you're really curious, we could restore it."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Do-hyun glanced at Se-jin.
"Anyway, with the Squad Leader in this state, it's not like we can get much work done today. Why don't you head down to Basement 11? Take Woo-seok with you."
"Huh? Me too?"
While Woo-seok balked at the extra assignment, Tae-jun was deeply grateful for their kindness.
"Thank you!"
Tae-jun headed to the elevator with a grumbling Woo-seok in tow.
Ding—Basement 11.
It wasn't long before they arrived on the eleventh floor, where a massive steam engine belched out heat.