Chapter 63
My deduction had just been proven correct.
The constellations still aren't satisfied.
From what I could guess, to escape this gate, we'd have to satisfy those spectators' expectations.
Moreover, the constellations must have realized that I was aware of their existence.
Those audience members' gazes would continue to follow me from here on out. A rough road lay ahead, crystal clear in my mind. I hated myself for that moment of panic just now.
What could I do? The water was already spilled.
Better to leave a strong first impression.
The constellations were beings I'd eventually have to stand against.
But right now, I had to humor them.
At this point in time, even if a horde of hunters charged in, a single constellation could wipe them all out.
It wasn't for nothing that hunters had been left dazed and despondent when the Millennium Gate opened ten years from now. The gap between hunters and constellations was that vast.
〔…….〕
Mephistopheles, who had been grinding his teeth in silence for a long while, swept his hair back from his forehead all the way to the nape of his neck.
Suddenly cold and composed, he suppressed his anger and spoke.
《……It was groundbreaking.》
Thanks for the empty compliment.
《But now, what do you intend to do?》
Uncle Choi burst out.
"What do you mean, what? Let us out! We cleared it!"
《Cleared?》
"You can't change your tune now?! Even a monster has to honor its word!"
《How rude. I am no monster—I am a Ruler, guardian of the rules. Upholding ironclad principles is my very reason for being. However…》
Golden light flickered in the eyeholes of his golden mask. Everyone's legs went weak. Even Namgung Hyuni held his breath under the overwhelming killing intent.
《What you just pulled was a loophole.》
"Loophole? You joking? You piece of scrap metal!"
Uncle Choi had S-grade guts, at least. Amid the group's collective terror, he alone pressed his point.
"So what the hell do you want us to do?!"
《Who knows.》
Mephistopheles showed inhuman patience.
《That's for the arsonist to decide, not me.》
All eyes turned.
To me.
"……."
It hit me anew.
Humans are such hypocrites.
The same people who'd been thanking me nonstop until now stared at me—with a hint of resentment in their gazes.
"This is why the uneducated are…"
Someone clicked their tongue.
Their eyes shifted from me to the side.
"Am I wrong?"
Professor Kim Yi-hak said.
"'Uneducated' doesn't refer to your knowledge—it's your character that's lacking."
"Even if you speak crudely…!"
"You're just trying to pin the blame for this mess on one person. Everything you've survived so far is thanks to Seo."
"……That's……."
"Don't give me that 'it's just a hunter's duty' nonsense. If you truly believe that, then pay the appropriate price."
"……."
"Are you willing to pay whatever it takes to save your lives?"
"……O-Of course, if it means we live."
"There you have it."
As if he'd been waiting, Professor Kim turned to me.
"I can't ask for your cooperation, but the rewards from this gate will go to you and that eyepatch hunter."
What a terrifying man.
The professor was using me to save his ailing wife from her illness.
Was the upright Professor Kim Yi-hak really taking my side out of righteousness? No way.
Our goals just aligned, that's all.
〔……!! ……!!〕
Right, Hemo.
That's why I trust him more.
Someone who acts for tangible gain is far more reliable than one who suddenly changes personalities. Plus, from my position as a hunter, he was doing the dirty talking for me—a perfect megaphone. Reassuring.
Thanks to that, my mind was spinning sharply.
A stopgap.
No good. It might backfire if it made the constellations think I was stalling.
A breakthrough.
That was iffy too. I'd already bent the rules; I had no good reason to shatter them further.
Carve a shortcut.
With my specialty.
But find a way to spark interest in those jaded constellations.
〔……!!!〕
Huh?
Hemo's advice sent a chill up my spine. The static of enlightenment.
You're the best, Hemo.
I praised the red slime with a smile, then turned to Mephistopheles.
"Everyone's exhausted already, so let's keep it simple."
《If you try another lame loophole, those up there will punish you.》
"Who said anything about a lame loophole?"
I put strength into my voice.
"Let's weigh you and me—our values—on the scales."
《……? What does that—》
"Last time, in the COEX Gate, a Ruler named Shylock used the Golden Scales. If you're both Rulers, you can do it too, right?"
《Putting that barbaric goblin on the same level as me…》
Mephistopheles steadied his breathing with a sigh.
《Arrogant to the core, aren't you?》
His lips curled slyly.
《To pit a monkey's worth against a Ruler like me.》
I smiled too.
Without a shadow, unlike that devil.
"We'll just have to see which is longer or shorter."
Chilling.
Daggers flew and embedded themselves.
《…….》
It made my regret over that slip-up just seconds ago look foolish—I'd provoked Mephistopheles again.
I had no right to inwardly scold others for hypocrisy when I flipped my words like a pancake.
What choice did I have?
Even as a mere E-grade, I'd carved out my hunter credentials.
Don't show any weakness…
Especially in front of my Eternal Blessing contracted subordinates.
Sparkle.
Namgung Hyuni.
Professor Kim.
For some reason, I felt this odd sense of responsibility to show authority before them.
Is it the Eternal Blessing's influence?
I shouldn't get too immersed in the roleplay.
〔……. ……!〕
Thanks, Hemo.
My small, precious red slime friend.
With you, I can show my true self without worry.
Hemo's presence was a huge comfort…
Whoosh.
Suddenly, the air rippled. Jangsanbeom's fur on the floor rose. Mephistopheles glared at me with eyes full of rage.
《…….》
Our gazes clashed across the long hallway. Sparks seemed to fly at the intersection.
Oof.
Shivers down my spine.
Good thing I had the Surprise Texture Mask on, or I'd have shown an ugly face.
《Ha.》
A deflated laugh.
《Fine. Educating a dull monkey now and then might be necessary.》
Back to polite speech. Hate it.
《But before the game, let me be clear: all decisions regarding the gate rest with the stars.》
Mephistopheles extended a bony finger. At its tip, the Milky Way flowed as expected.
I nodded coolly, feigning composure.
"Ask them. Communication's your job as Ruler, not mine."
《I don't know how a monkey figured that out, but very well. I look forward to hearing your screams in that impudent tone. Sweeter than any chanson.》
Driving me nuts.
I quickly added, feeling Hemo—in clothing disguise—brushing away my goosebumps.
"Before talking to the stars, can I make one demand? This isn't us fighting. It's weighing whose existence holds more value."
《∅∅-grade gates are battles of wits. Who resorts to crude swordplay? That's for less-evolved monkeys.》
As he spoke, Mephistopheles glanced at Namgung Hyuni.
Twitch.
The eyepatch man's eyebrow twitched at being called crude, but he swallowed his fear.
《Wait here.》
Mephistopheles stomped, his shoe echoing. The next instant, he dissolved into particles and drifted toward the Milky Way like a sandstorm.
A eerie gust swirled through the apartment hallway.
Stalemate. A brief moment to catch our breath.
Haa.
I was barely standing, propping myself up on trembling knees.
Noticing, Uncle Choi pressed close to steady me.
Then he whispered.
"You got a plan, right? Yeah?"
"Plan's a bit grandiose… but yeah, I've got some ideas."
"If a brute like me has stray thoughts, it's nonsense. But from you? That's the plan~."
I chuckled.
"Don't trust me too much. What if I stab you in the back?"
"Heh. I'd punch ya back. Figure it'd be part of the plan."
Han Biyeol would nod in approval if he heard.
"You're my religion, bro. Gotta believe blindly!"
"That's kinda scary."
"Quit whining and fix that face! Haven't seen it change since Hangju Bridge. Putting on hunter airs?"
Hm. That's the Surprise Texture Mask's side effect.
Better keep that confession quiet—he'd freak.
That's when.
Thud, thud.
Footsteps unrelated to Uncle Choi. Two people. Professor Kim and Namgung Hyuni.
Ah, one more(?).
"If you're gonna set things on fire, warn me first! My wingtips got singed!"
Sparkle, cloaked in stealth. It perched on my shoulder, fussing over its wings.
Korea University professor. Bukgeukhae Corp's Seoul branch manager. Greenbelt Gate monster. Construction site ace.
I stood at the center of them. Four out of these five were my Eternal Blessing subordinates.
Our short-term goal aligned: escape this hellish gate first. Then we'd go our separate ways.
But.
I glanced down briefly.
Four red threads bound them to me as the core. I felt like the owner of a crimson spiderweb.
"Clearing is one thing, but why drag along those civilians?"
Namgung Hyuni grumbled.
I countered.
"They might seem useless, but they'll all help rebuild Bukgeukhae's image in the end."
"……."
"We build it up, one by one."
Namgung Hyuni's eyes narrowed slightly.
But he didn't complain further.
"So."
This time, Professor Kim Yi-hak.
"Can you clear it?"
"Yes."
I will.