The Conqueror's Boast and the Abyss of Despair
Do you know who I am? I hung out yesterday too? I partied hard with Min-su!
At the pinnacle of the Tower, the heavenly constellation [Overcoming Conqueror], Arpa, was facing off against an unprecedented number of stars.
"Sorry, but I can't spill personal deets on my little bro. Ask him yourself when you meet later."
Arpa swept his gaze over the frantic constellations desperate for even one more word from him, a smug grin plastered on his face.
Savoring their reactions just enough, he finally spoke.
"Sure, I'd glimpsed Earth through my apostles before, but going there in the flesh? Totally different vibe. Felt like this body was alive, you know?"
Plenty of constellations had ways to meddle on Earth via their apostles just to escape the Tower somehow. But that alone couldn't break free from the Tower's chains.
'Means my Min-su is that incredible.'
To achieve what even gods dreamed of but couldn't—this guy pulled it off like snapping his fingers. Min-su was more important to him than anyone he'd ever encountered.
These grand beings, each with epics etched into their very souls, genuinely pissed off? The sight alone was hilarious.
And it didn't end there.
"You think I'm an idiot? Nah. Earth's unchanged. But there's one difference."
Arpa's sly smile deepened.
"I've become blood brothers with my precious little bro."
"Me? Hung out with my lil' bro? PC bang together? Meals together? Yeah, we're inseparable bros now. But if you think you can treat me like that… Hmm. Should I make a list of bad constellations, outer gods, for my bro to never talk to?"
Even if just one day ahead in summoning, facing him directly versus never meeting carried massive weight. Especially since that human picked the [Conqueror] first out of sheer loyalty and kindness.
Even if the [Conqueror] lied, the human would believe him. Too late for the others, no matter how long they'd watched first. All that remained was losing the precious human to that blond tanned beast king and wallowing in defeat.
"Did you think I was some saint? Power's born the moment equality shatters in the heavens. But misuse it, and backlash hits."
"However!" Arpa was the [Conqueror]. No way he'd squander this chance Min-su granted.
"Like… a list of good, kind constellations? Depends on your behavior."
Min-su, my bro. I'll fleece these pig-like constellation bastards for you. You'll love it. Threats and deals? My specialty.
Grinning ear-to-ear as he eyed sacrifices, wondering what holy relic Min-su needed most, Arpa's brows furrowed.
'This…'
Far away, a voice calling him from Earth reached his ears.
Arpa had planted many apostles on Earth for conquest. Empowered by his authority and guidance, they'd reached peaks in various fields, like Jeong-yeon. Some excelled in science too.
Scientist Shin Ho-seop. Arpa made him an apostle, building a massive corporation.
Conquest's funnest part? Early to mid-game, nurturing apostles with limited resources. Once Ho-seop became a corporate titan, Arpa lost interest. No more growth, or meaningless at best. One character, one ending.
Before moving on, Arpa gave him a gift: healing his research-worn body. A graduation present.
After that, Arpa ignored him, focusing on new apostles. He brushed off countless calls. Playing a max-level character already thriving? Boring.
But this call felt different.
'Min-su?'
He sensed his bro's aura from Ho-seop. Arpa instantly pierced dimensions, peeking in. Couldn't descend fully, but could watch via Ho-seop and exert some power.
'Min-su, my bro!'
Arpa waved happily. Just one day apart, but seeing him made him grin. Ho-seop? Invisible.
* * *
Why's hyung popping up there?
The divine presence dominating the area screamed crisis, summoning ability at the ready—turns out it's Arpa hyung. Min-su was dumbfounded.
'At least it's not some other god.'
Yu-bin's dad worshipped hyung. Better than an unreasonable god. Hyung would understand.
"O great constellation! Why do you not answer me?!"
[Overcoming Conqueror] wonders what his little brother is doing here.
Yu-bin's dad wailed desperately, but no reply. Pitiful sight.
"Min-su, you know this constellation?"
"Uh… yeah. Kinda…?"
[Overcoming Conqueror] looks shocked.
[Overcoming Conqueror] asks if you've forgotten our couple-seat rendezvous yesterday, if he was just a one-night playmate.
"O-one-night stand?! Min-su!"
"Misunderstanding! He's a guy to begin with! No way guys do that! Hyung, quit joking!"
[Overcoming Conqueror] bursts out laughing, kuhahaha.
This hyung, seriously!
[Overcoming Conqueror] asks what the situation is.
"Well, here's what happened…"
Min-su explained everything so far.
[Overcoming Conqueror] sighs that such a thing happened.
[Overcoming Conqueror] apologizes, says he's sorry.
"Not something for you to apologize for, hyung."
If anything, we barged into his house.
[Overcoming Conqueror] shakes his head.
"O mighty [Conqueror]! Grant me the power to vanquish these foes of darkness!"
Smack!
"Old man, shut it."
Yu-bin's dad kept calling desperately, but Idaine, once an S-rank player, subdued him effortlessly.
"Ah… So, because of the gift you gave him back then, he delusionally thought he could revive his dead wife and got obsessed?"
[Overcoming Conqueror] nods.
Those who lost the [Conqueror]'s interest always sought him again. None heard his reply anew. Yet they all lived well after. That's why he left—post-success.
Ho-seop too, until one problem: his wife's sudden death.
His beloved wife. Gone. Science couldn't save her.
Grieving madly, he recalled the constellation's gift: healing his broken body. That power could revive her!
Delusional nonsense. Sane, he'd know it impossible. But sanity fled.
O constellation! Why no answer?!
Ah, I can no longer hear him. Need a new apostle. One he'd approve.
Yes… there's one.
"So he planned to make Yu-bin his apostle…"
Min-su stood before Yu-bin's tank.
To revive his wife, modifying his only daughter. What tragedy.
Why'd Yu-bin accept this?
Min-su decided to get her out first.
"Old man. How do I get Yu-bin out?"
"……."
Doubtful he'd answer rationally in that state.
"Old man! How do I get Yu-bin out?!"
Idaine grabbed and shook him.
"A-awaawawa!"
"Old man! How?!"
"I'll talk! I will!"
Surprisingly quick.
"Can't."
"…What? You still—!"
"N-not that! I want to, but can't!"
Unexpected answer.
"Before the procedure finishes… pulling her out collapses her mind."
* * *
Sometimes I wonder. If Mom were alive, Dad wouldn't be like this, right?
Once so kind. Mom gone, Dad snapped.
Apostle of a god to revive dead Mom? Impossible.
House I no longer wanted. Decided to climb the Tower alone. To save Mom with my power.
[Golden Melody Performer] scolds you for pushing too hard.
Why care about me? First time seeing me. You don't know me.
[Golden Melody Performer] puffs out chest, offers to help you climb the Tower.
Should've refused then? Or not mentioned YouTube? My fault either way. If not me, you wouldn't vanish.
Mom, now constellation too. Two to save.
Didn't want to return, but only hope. Now I have courage. Your song gives me strength.
So I'll endure. Beat this. Silvia.
Pain wracking her whole body. Endless despair. Centuries trapped here? When does it end? Does it?
Sometimes regret. Shouldn't have accepted. Begged him to climb Tower, save Silvia?
Then recalls Silvia's song. Hope and power for me.
At first, song sustained. But now…
Sorry, Silvia. Think I'm at my limit.
Know releasing consciousness means madness. No longer me. Must hold for Mom, Silvia.
But… so tired. Can't anymore…
Why think of him now? Op-pa, was it? Heh… what meaning? All over.
Body falls limply. Into deep abyss below.
Splash!
The devouring void split.
And grab!
Warm hand caught her.
"Hey. Not paying back my money and running?"
"…Ajusshi?"
"Not ajusshi."
Why… you here?
"We agreed on oppa. Sneaking away now?"
He smiled. That smile washed away the abyss's dark, all past pain.