Chapter 147
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 147
Just because he lived without much thought didn’t mean Gio was a stupid person.
“…”
On the contrary, Gio’s brain worked even faster when there was something he wanted.
Seo Gio didn’t want his hometown to become any harsher. Giovanni wanted people to avoid committing sins without even realizing they were sins. And Arjio refused to engage in the pathetic, underhanded behavior unbecoming of a warrior.
“…”
How could he satisfy his own desires while still protecting this precarious peace? How could he make things better, not worse? Gio’s mind drifted back to his memories of being a priest.
He recalled the information he had gathered during his visit to Earth and the faces of the heroes who had come to subjugate him. Because he was more than just ‘Seo Gio,’ he formulated and discarded countless plans in the blink of an eye.
“…Right.”
Soon, his lips parted.
“This is good.”
A plan he liked had finally emerged.
“Yes, I think this is good.”
A clean plan, with no messy sacrifices.
A satisfied smile spread across Gio’s face like an eclipse.
* * *
Meanwhile, Ju-hyeon…
“…”
Unlike his host, he had a great deal on his mind.
“…It’s so confusing.”
Although his body felt more comfortable with each passing day, his mind found no such peace. His inner thoughts, which raged almost daily, would sometimes untangle only to knot themselves even tighter.
Sitting on the bed and staring blankly out at the terrace, Ju-hyeon muttered softly.
“Did he say he wasn’t having lunch?”
Because their talk had dragged on, it had taken place between breakfast and lunch. The Black Cloak had suggested they eat dinner later, saying Ju-hyeon seemed to need time to digest everything. Ju-hyeon had accepted.
“…Really…”
The Black Cloak, being the anomalous entity he was, wouldn’t have issues with digestion. The gesture was solely for Ju-hyeon’s sake. No matter how he looked at it, this was a god who didn’t act like a god at all.
When dealing with such beings, humans usually had to adapt to their rules. For an anomalous entity to bend its own rules for a human was, as far as he knew, unprecedented in history.
“…”
And so, he fell into deep thought once more.
“…Slowly, one by one…”
He had to stop looking at things so narrowly and keep the bigger picture in mind.
“Let’s take our time and sort this out.”
He already knew he was capable of it.
“I can do it.”
First, he took stock of his current situation.
He could probably request a transfer to another research institute, but each one was practically an independent kingdom. It would take a long time to adapt and blend in.
‘But staying at my current institute is out of the question, too.’
All the allies he had worked so hard to win over were gone. Now, only those eager to push him out remained. Staying would be an even worse move than transferring.
‘Should I aim for an administrative position at the headquarters instead of a research institute?’
Ju-hyeon was an expert on anomalous entities, so becoming an administrative employee at the Association headquarters wouldn’t be difficult. Since the Association President resided there, the headquarters maintained a relatively open environment.
“If it’s there, even someone like me from the Gita Orphanage might be accepted without much trouble.”
Just as he had unconsciously muttered, Ju-hyeon was indeed from an orphanage. Employees who entered through the orphanage’s special admission program were generally looked down upon, and Ju-hyeon’s particular circumstances made him especially despised.
“…”
But this option didn’t appeal to him much either.
“…Maybe the Association isn’t the only way.”
Having grown up in an orphanage sponsored by the Association and knowing that it collaborated with the government as an equal, he had naturally chosen that path. He had believed the Association was the best vehicle to create the world he envisioned.
‘But the Association might not have been as good a choice as I thought.’
It was already a highly established, rigid system.
‘Which means there is very little room for someone like me to squeeze in and make an impact.’
The Association maintained a stable state, and it had to. It was structured more delicately than Ju-hyeon had ever imagined, like a spiderweb with extremely close, interwoven relationships between each of its branches.
“Since I tried to bring about change in a place like that…”
It was only natural that he was met with hostility.
“…”
After pondering for a long while, Ju-hyeon finally spoke.
“…Then, would a private guild be better?”
He knew that although they called it a suspension, it was practically a forced resignation. In reality, he had been kicked out. He had to find another path, but right now, there wasn’t a single option he could choose with confidence.
“No, in a private guild, you just follow orders. The possibility of the same thing happening again is even higher…”
Ju-hyeon suddenly thought of his family at the orphanage.
“…”
Deep down, his heart ached.
‘…If only I had conducted myself better.’
Perhaps he had been in too much of a hurry.
The ideal he pursued was grand, but Ju-hyeon himself was insignificant. He had to move his short legs as fast as possible just to touch the edge of that ideal in his lifetime, but each step was agonizingly slow.
Was that why he hadn’t looked at his surroundings properly? Or had he been possessed by some Evil God? Perhaps it was both. In the end, his impatience had led his family and friends to death and suffering.
“…How…”
Ju-hyeon rubbed his face.
“How can I ever atone for that sin?”
How could he atone to those who were already dead?
If he couldn’t settle the past, he couldn’t move into the future. But how could he ever pay the price for the people who were sacrificed because of his foolishness?
“I hope they at least found peace, but I don’t know if I even have the right to pray for that…”
A bitter smile escaped his lips.
He knew well enough that the past could not be undone. Humans had to move forward from the moment they were born, a fact that remained true even after making a catastrophic mistake.
A mere human could not scoop up spilled water. All he could do was clean up the mess as thoroughly as possible.
“…Hmm…”
The problem was that human death couldn’t be cleaned up as easily as spilled water. This was especially true for Ju-hyeon, a non-Awakened with no power whatsoever.
‘Would it have helped if I were a priest of a denomination like the Sun Cult?’
He couldn’t grant rest to the dead, and because he served no god, he couldn’t even beg for their mercy.
‘It would have been nice if I had been a little more diligent… but regretting that now is completely meaningless.’
Ju-hyeon’s thoughts drifted to the Black Cloak, who was somewhere in this cabin.
“…Well, even so, this is…”
Ju-hyeon chuckled awkwardly.
“It’s just too shameless.”
For a brief moment, he had wondered if he could pray to the Black Cloak for the peace of his family and friends, but he quickly dismissed the thought.
The fact that the other party was an Evil God was a concern, but above all, Ju-hyeon wasn’t shameless enough to demand such a privilege. How could he, a non-believer, ask for the mercy of peace?
‘Such a privilege is something even a priest who has served a god for a lifetime can rarely receive, not something an unbeliever like me can carelessly demand.’
Unless he suddenly awakened as a priest at this late age, it was impossible. Still, he decided to do his best for the souls of those who had died because of him.
“If I don’t forget my mistakes, if I reflect on my sins, and live with gratitude and apology to them…”
He thought that maybe, just maybe, his feelings could reach his deceased family and friends.
“…Yes.”
That was where he would start.
“First, I should make a grave.”
The bodies of the dead had been recovered, but that was merely ‘cleaning up,’ not a ‘funeral.’ He had been so out of his mind that he hadn’t even set up a place to mourn them.
‘Was it because I thought I would join them soon?’
The failure was too big, the price too high. He had committed such a catastrophic sin that he couldn’t even think of recovering; he was just consumed by guilt. He didn’t have the courage to make up for it and move forward.
“…”
Ju-hyeon chuckled awkwardly.
“But that would be even more cowardly… It’s no different from running away because I don’t want to take responsibility.”
Nothing was certain.
He had thought that joining the people who died because of him was the right way to apologize. But that might have just been running away. The current Ju-hyeon had no way of knowing the ‘right path.’
But one thing had become certain.
“Yes, I’ll make a tombstone.”
The bodies had already been ‘cleaned up’ and could not be recovered. He had tried to get them back, but he was only told that they had already been disposed of.
That was why he hadn’t thought of a tombstone before, but now he knew he had to make one. He finally had the mental clarity to do so.
“I need a space to mourn.”
That was how a human, not a god, prayed for the peace of a departed soul.
He would draw the faces of the people he remembered, engrave their names, and record his stories with them. At the very least, no one could call such an act ‘bad’ or ‘wrong.’
“And after that…”
What would he do after that?
“…”
Ju-hyeon pressed his lips together.
‘At least, dying with them isn’t the right path.’
And he didn’t want to do that anymore.
Until he received the Black Cloak’s help, he had been in a state of utter despair, but not now. He now had the breathing room to ponder and choose a better path.
But he couldn’t think of what that ‘better path’ was.
‘…Should I go to the Temple of Abundance, which values relief? No, the religious world doesn’t accept change easily. It’s as bad an option as the Association. Then, should I start a business with the money I’ve saved? I have a few items in mind, and if I try to change the social atmosphere little by little…’
He pondered for a very long time.
“…”
Grumble.
“…Ah.”
When he came to his senses, it was already getting dark.
“Is it dinner time?”
The Black Cloak would be waiting.
* * *
After finishing another ecstatic meal, the Black Cloak showed interest in Ju-hyeon’s state.
“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”
“…”
“…”
He knew he would be found out, of course.
“…I do have a lot…”
No, the expression ‘found out’ wasn’t right. No matter how much a mere human racked his brain, in front of a great anomalous entity, wasn’t he always in the palm of their hand?
Above all, the Black Cloak was the one who had rescued him when he was hesitating to summon Sankalut. Since this entire situation might have been part of his plan, Ju-hyeon didn’t bother to hide anything.
“I’m thinking about what to do now.”
“I heard from Father that you are contemplating a new career path.”
“A new career path…”
It was a remarkably neat and normal way to put it.
“…Indeed.”
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t wrong.
The path he had taken so far had failed. He had judged that it would be better to find a completely new path rather than try to turn back. If one were to package that ‘new path’ a little more neatly, then ‘contemplating a career path’ was correct.
“I was trying to divine how my life would unfold.”
“Do you have a talent for divining fate?”
“…Th-that’s absolutely not what I meant.”
Ju-hyeon’s face flushed red. He had dared to use the word ‘divining’ in front of a living, breathing embodiment of fate.
How ridiculous must that have sounded? It was like trying to teach a fish how to swim. What on earth had he been thinking?
‘I seem to be exceptionally honest in front of the Black Cloak. Is this also one of the effects of his divinity?’
Shaking off his embarrassment, Ju-hyeon glanced at the Black Cloak.
“…”
“It is tea brewed from grain.”
“Ah, thank you.”
Before he could observe any further, he was being fed yet again. At times like this, the god was really like a doting grandmother.
“…Is it corn tea?”
“You mentioned last time that you liked savory things.”
“Ah, you were being considerate.”
“The corn I’m growing was clamoring to be eaten.”
“I see, the corn was clamoring…”
Hold on.
“…Clamoring?”
Ju-hyeon looked down at the corn tea with a suspicious gaze.
“…Ahem.”
The aroma was too good to resist.
‘The food is innocent.’
Taking a sip, his mind and body instantly felt at ease.
‘A calming effect this time?’
Having consumed food that immediately benefited his health dozens of times already, Ju-hyeon was no longer surprised. With a clearer mind, he looked at the Black Cloak once more.
“…”
The world teaches you not to look into the eyes of a god.
“What is the matter?”
“…It’s just…”
It teaches you not to expect anything from them. Ju-hyeon knew that, too.
“…Could you give me some advice?”
Nevertheless, like all humans throughout history, he desperately needed the help of a great anomalous entity.
Ju-hyeon was someone who had tried to talk to Sankalut, of all beings. Compared to typical Evil Gods who bullied and devoured the weak, the Black Cloak was certainly someone worth seeking advice from.
“How does my future look to you, Gio?”
“I do not see the future.”
Just as Ju-hyeon thought he was being refused, the god continued.
“However, I have often seen people like you, Ju-hyeon.”
“…People like me?”
“Simply put, a born hero.”
“…”
Ju-hyeon’s face crumpled in embarrassment.
“…You said that last time, too. Why do you keep saying I’m a hero?”
“A hero is someone who always chooses the greater good over personal desire.”
The Black Cloak smiled gently.
“They are people who value what lies outside themselves more than themselves, intangible concepts more than what can be held in their hands, and a foundation that will last forever more than a fleeting moment. You are such a person, Ju-hyeon.”
“…”
“I know the stories you have told me and those you haven’t. Right now, you are grieving the sacrifices caused by your mistakes, but what is more important is your conviction.”
The Evil God’s smile was filled with a playful interest.
“…Am I someone who sacrifices the few for the many?”
“No, that’s not it. You are someone who gives your heart even to small tragedies that have nothing to do with you. Even if you saved ninety-nine out of a hundred people, you would grieve the death of that one person. I know well that the only pawn you are willing to sacrifice is yourself.”
“It’s not really like that…”
“You are indeed a hero, Ju-hyeon. You have a kind heart, and you treat everyone you meet with respect. I think you are an excellent talent.”
For a moment, the Black Cloak’s hair flushed red, as if a flame had ignited within it.
“So I was thinking of coaxing you a bit.”
“Ah, excuse me? Me? Why?”
“If I push your buttons, you might become a decent hero…”
“Please leave me out of it, I beg of you.”
Ju-hyeon was terrified. He had never expected the god to easily withdraw that damn Demon King Project, but he had absolutely no desire to join that parade of deceivers under the name of ‘heroes.’
As if he had expected that reaction, the Black Cloak smiled slyly, looking like a pleased fox.
“I don’t do such underhanded things.”
“I-I see…”
“But I want to make you my friend.”
“Why are you so obsessed with friends?”
“The more friends, the better.”
“That’s true, but…”
He hadn’t expected that logic to apply to a god.
‘I also don’t really understand why such a great anomalous entity wants to make a mere human his friend.’
However, having dealt with the Black Cloak a few times now, he wasn’t so easily flustered. Ju-hyeon let out a slightly awkward sigh, but he didn’t freak out at every single word.
“So… I, uh…”
“Hero.”
“Ugh.”
“Why do you hate it so much?”
“It gives me goosebumps.”
Anyway, setting that aside.
“So, what happened to those people like me in the end?”
“They became gods, became history, or disappeared cleanly without a trace.”
“That’s harsher than I imagined. Isn’t that a bit extreme?”
“Isn’t it shameless to walk such a path and hope the result isn’t extreme?”
“Do you really need to bring conscience into this…?”
“Anyway.”
Arjio laughed lightly.
“What do you plan to do now? Do you have any work in mind?”
“For now, I’m thinking about some minor clean-up… but I haven’t found a job.”
“So you plan to leave the research institute. Then you won’t be doing anything for a while.”
“When you put it that way, I do sound quite unemployed, but yes, that’s how it turned out.”
“If that’s the case, why don’t you hang out with me?”
“…Wait, hang out? With you?”
“You can think of it as monitoring and supervising a natural disaster like me.”
“What on earth…”
“Doesn’t it sound fun?”
“…”
Ju-hyeon fell silent.
“…”
“…”
After a long moment, he spoke.
“…Maybe?”
And so, at Gio’s request, Yoo Seong-un came for Ju-hyeon, leading him by the hand and dragging him all the way to the front of Bisabeol.
It was a future he had never anticipated.