Chapter 150
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 150
When I first woke up in this cabin and saw the dawn sky just as the sun was beginning to rise—
“I felt a peace here that I had only ever imagined.”
It was a beautiful sky.
Unlike the concrete jungle, where buildings completely blocked the view, the horizon here was vast and open. A pristine Milky Way sparkled, seeming as though it would shine on endlessly, no matter how much light gathered. The sweet scent of nature drifted on a breeze that was cool yet warm.
An inexplicable nostalgia stung his dry eyes, and his heart pounded heavily in his chest. He was so overwhelmed that he couldn’t think of anything else.
“Unlike reality.”
There was no noise here.
“Mr. Seo Gio.”
“You’re finally calling me that.”
“You are a powerful being, aren’t you?”
“Yes. Somehow, without me even realizing it, I became one.”
“And an Evil God, at that.”
“I still don’t quite understand the role of an Evil God, but yes.”
“…Do you not find me rude?”
At that, the Black Cloak asked back, sounding puzzled.
“Do you want me to think of you as rude?”
“No, but… to be honest, I find you difficult to understand.”
“What part is difficult to understand?”
“How can you exist in such a way?”
It made no sense.
“Even though you possess every kind of strength.”
In every aspect, ‘Gio’s Portrait’ was a powerful entity.
“In every single way, you are overwhelmingly powerful.”
“You flatter me.”
“It might sound like flattery, but from my perspective… it’s the truth.”
Discussing combat prowess with a great mystery like an Evil God was likely foolish, but when he had appeared in his red form, he seemed to be a master of battle. Despite his excellent mimicry of a human, his overwhelming presence compelled others to bow their heads.
To Ju-hyeon, he was a god. To the rest of the world, a terrifying humanoid monster. Even his dungeons worked diligently for their master. Ju-hyeon could feel that overwhelming power in the mystery and divinity the man harbored.
“Um, this might also be rude, but your appearance is no exception.”
“I’m often told I’m handsome.”
“I can see why. It feels only natural.”
He was the ideal of a handsome man. Though it was hard to tell beneath the cloak, his build was well-proportioned—neither too thick nor too thin. He was tall, nearly 190 centimeters, and his bearing was like that of an ancient noble or a high priest. The hands he always kept clasped behind his back were large.
Ju-hyeon was confident in his observational skills. The Black Cloak’s appearance alone could be a powerful weapon; that much was obvious in a world full of people vulnerable to visual appeal.
“You, Mr. Seo Gio, can never be the weak one.”
In any situation, in any relationship, he would always hold the upper hand.
“That’s why there are times I understand you even less.”
“I’m listening. What is it that you don’t understand?”
“It’s as if you…”
Ju-hyeon hesitated before letting the words out like a sigh.
“…act as if you understand what it’s like to be weak.”
It was a contradiction. A born powerhouse could never truly understand the weak.
It was like a god observing humans—they could memorize actions and patterns, but they could never show genuine consideration. Because they were strong, they could not comprehend weakness, just as a person born blind could not understand the color red.
“So, what I’m trying to say is…”
He felt his words getting tangled.
“Even though you are incredibly strong, Mr. Seo Gio, you seem to understand the weak. You show them consideration. You respect them. How can a being so powerful that he inspires profound terror do such a thing?”
“It’s because I’m just a human. I am not the ideal powerhouse you imagine me to be, Ju-hyeon.”
“That statement, too. You really do feel human, Mr. Seo Gio. You sleep, you eat, you cook. You want friends, you go out sometimes, you play jokes, you laugh, you cry…”
“I don’t believe I’ve ever cried.”
“I saw you acting like a spoiled child with your father. I also saw you whining to your children. Every single one of those moments looked so natural. That’s why you seem so genuinely human.”
A sudden question surfaced.
“Did you intend for my thoughts to lead me here?”
“I don’t intend anything.”
“Is that a lie you don’t even realize you’re telling?”
“Of course not. I’m a much more flawed person than you think, Ju-hyeon.”
“Even if you mean those words, they will still deeply affect any human who hears them.”
That was the nature of humanity.
They hung on a god’s every glance and gesture, completely swayed by them. A single conversation initiated by a grand destiny or by nature itself could become a Great Catastrophe; a single drop of affection could drive them mad.
That was the relationship between humans and gods. Ju-hyeon knew this well.
“I know that, but…”
He closed his eyes tightly.
Then, he looked at the Black Cloak once more.
Two eyes, one nose, one mouth, two ears. His skin was slightly pale, and his hair was gently wavy.
He was waiting patiently for Ju-hyeon to speak. No matter how hard Ju-hyeon tried to peer into his true essence, all he could see was his human form.
“…I can’t stop myself from seeing you as a person.”
It was the face of a young man.
“How old are you?”
“I’m twenty-nine.”
“Where is your hometown?”
“Gangwon-do.”
“Where did you live?”
“In Seoul.”
A faint smile brushed across his pale face.
“I taught students.”
“…You were a teacher.”
“Yes, I worked at a high school.”
“I see.”
A sense of emptiness washed over him.
“So that’s who you were.”
Look at that affectionate smile.
If this wasn’t a human, then what on earth was he?
“Do I finally look like a person to you now?”
“…Perhaps…”
He felt like he could finally see him that way.
Ju-hyeon smiled awkwardly.
“I keep asking similar things, but… why do you give gifts to good people?”
“Because when you see someone admirable, anyone would want to praise them.”
“I heard you strike up conversations with people you see.”
“Talking is a pleasant thing. Though I do feel sorry for those who are afraid of me.”
“Why do you keep taking bad people away?”
“My children do that for me, but it was never my intention.”
“So there really isn’t a single grand reason for any of it.”
“I’ve never been one to think too deeply.”
“I understand.”
If all of this was true—and even if it wasn’t sincere, as long as he continued on this path—Ju-hyeon would never dare to even think of denying this being’s existence.
Was it too greedy to feel this way? He simply couldn’t bring himself to hate this being, who seemed to be made of ideal peace.
He had tried to stay on guard because the man introduced himself as an Evil God. He had wanted to keep his distance because the being was too immense to feel safe around. And yet, he found himself wanting to open his heart.
“…You didn’t use some kind of ability on me, did you?”
“I’d appreciate it if you could be more specific.”
“An ability to… make people helplessly… let their guard down… and play with them…”
“…? I don’t quite understand, but is that a compliment?”
“It could be… or it might not be…”
“…Ah…”
Ju-hyeon cursed his own foolishness.
What on earth was I hoping for when I asked that?
When the figure before him was highly likely not his true body, wanting to interact with him as an equal was a mistake from the start. To a god, the standards of human truth and falsehood were entirely different.
Whether he actually possessed such an ability or not, and whether he was even aware of its existence—until Ju-hyeon could determine that for himself, every word spoken by the divinity before him could be either truth or falsehood.
“I’m sorry, that was a strange thing to say.”
“I don’t fully understand, but…” the man asked, “don’t you want to be friends with me?”
“…Pardon?”
“Is that why you were complimenting me?”
“What? Oh, no…”
“In the end, it seems you’ve taken a liking to me.”
“That’s… uh…”
“Are you still unsure of what you want to do? Are you still wary of trusting me?”
“…I…”
“You view relying on anyone other than yourself as a sin, Ju-hyeon. I acknowledge the value of that foolish conviction of yours.”
“Since that is your way of life.”
When Ju-hyeon hesitated to answer, the man continued.
“You don’t have to think so deeply. I wanted to be friends with you, and now it seems you want that too. Besides, you aren’t the type of person to settle in one place.”
“…Is that a compliment too?”
“You may take it as one. But what I want to say is that there is absolutely no problem with us becoming friends. Are you also someone who cannot see the present because you regret the past and worry about the future?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then there is even less of a problem. You have the grand ambition of world peace, and I will make a rather fitting friend for that. So, I would like you to become this portrait’s second friend.”
His expression remained impassive and calm.
“Take your time. You are a diligent and polite person, Ju-hyeon. Whether it’s sooner or later, you will find the right path for you.”
“I might make an irreversible mistake.”
“There is no such thing as an irreversible mistake in this world. Why do you think such a phrase even exists? Humans are meant to live in the present and move forward, yet they do the opposite and dwell on a past they can never reclaim.”
“Because humans are foolish creatures like that.”
“I admit my way of thinking is unusually simple and light. But reflecting on the past and growing from it is a privilege of living things. And really, that’s the only choice we have.”
“I know that, but…”
“Ju-hyeon.”
The man spoke with the calm of a Buddha.
“Are you afraid of trying something new because of a mistake that hasn’t even happened yet?”
“Who knows who might be sacrificed again because of my mistake? I have committed a sin.”
“Ju-hyeon, the people of the world are not lambs waiting for you to save them.”
“Trying to take responsibility for all of them is its own form of arrogance.”
That struck him like a blow.
“They are living their own lives. Even if they get caught up in your mistakes, that too is a life that deserves respect. Do not make the mistake of thinking that the lives they chose and cultivated for themselves belonged solely to you.”
“…But…”
“Reflecting is good, but if you let fear take over, the only paths you’ll see are running and hiding. And I know you aren’t that kind of person, Ju-hyeon. You will eventually find your own way. I am merely here to ease your hesitation.”
“No single individual is some grand, all-encompassing being. Even if they exert a massive influence, they are ultimately just a passing current. Even if someone looks like a giant, that is merely one of their traits. No being can ever be a perfect guide.”
He continued, his face still completely devoid of expression.
“To me, you seem like a good and polite person with heroic qualities. That is just a trait of yours, not your entire being. There is no need to let yourself be consumed by it.”
“…Ah…”
“Don’t let the goal you wish to achieve consume you simply because you desire it so deeply. You wanted the world to be at peace, and that is why you are trying to do this. It shouldn’t be the thing that ruins you.”
“That’s…”
“Your caution and wariness are great strengths and virtues, Ju-hyeon. But if you must ponder over everything before you can trust it, you won’t have much left by your side. So, for now…”
“Shall we be friends?”
He grinned.
“I’ve always had a bit of a romantic notion about having a pen pal.”
“…That’s a nice notion.”
Would that smile make him dull? Would it make him complacent? Even so, he found himself captivated by the sense of security it offered.
He wondered which ‘Gio’ that smile belonged to, but soon concluded that it was a meaningless question. If what the man said was true, then trying to distinguish between the different ‘Gios’ was a pointless endeavor.
At this point, even hesitating felt embarrassing.
“…Let’s do it. Friends.”
“Oh.”
“This is a bit awkward.”
Ju-hyeon wore a subtle smile.
“Though problems might arise.”
“We can figure that out as we go.”
“I was about to say the same thing.”
“Opportunities always present themselves.”
“Or we can make them ourselves.”
“You understand perfectly.”
“…So…”
After hesitating several times, he squeezed the words out.
“I look forward to our friendship.”
At that, Seo Gio smiled.
He looked remarkably human.