Hold Out Until the End
A shadowy alley in Kara. Even the midday sun barely pierced this spot, and I was waiting for someone. Soon, a man hurried into the alley. It was the Holy Knight Alon.
He rushed over the moment he spotted me.
"Baekmyeon. You're out early."
I narrowed my eyes sharply.
"Cut the crap. Why'd you take so long? Do you know what time it is?"
"Sorry. The research meeting ran late today."
"Research? What research?"
"On the magic steam locomotive."
I tilted my head.
"Magic steam locomotive? What's that got to do with your group's meeting?"
"There's a passage in the Codex of Creation about a giant serpent, and we were debating if the locomotive might be that serpent."
In the Codex of Creation, the giant serpent was the pet and divine beast of Metria, one of the creation gods. It usually stayed by Metria's side but would swallow corrupt worlds whole to bring about their end, according to myth.
That's why doomsayers and conspiracy theorists often cited the giant serpent as a harbinger of apocalypse.
"So, what's the conclusion?"
"Nothing yet. We argued back and forth, but ended up deciding we need more thorough investigation."
It sounded like the usual pointless conspiracy debate. Utterly meaningless—no need to waste brain cells on it.
"Whatever. What about the Euroa Temple? Did you find the Anvil of the Absolute fragment?"
"We found the site, but no relic."
I nodded as if I'd expected that. The Euroa Temple had been raided by my runaway big sis's friends.
"Figured. So, what's the plan now? Check other sites?"
"No. On Alfredo Monk's request, we've suspended the search for the Anvil fragments indefinitely."
"Why?"
"Too dangerous."
"Good thing."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind."
Alon's face filled with deep unease.
"Baekmyeon. But is the world really ending?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well, if we go by Alfredo Monk's interpretations, hidden ruins no one else knows about pop up, and it all sounds pretty plausible."
I waved him off.
"It's just conspiracy nonsense. Don't sweat it."
"But aren't you taking it seriously? That's why you're paying attention to those backwater monks, right? There must be something to it."
"It's just Alfredo Monk that bugs me. A 9-Cycle holy mage holed up in some rural monastery? That's suspicious."
A 9-Cycle holy mage could become the world's top religious leader if they wanted. Living as a monk in the sticks was downright odd.
"Yeah, it is kinda weird."
"Exactly. Sure, 9-Cycle mages and Mind Masters can be eccentric—they've got their inner demons, pasts they don't talk about, higher-dimensional thinking. But Alfredo Monk? None of that. He's just... pathetic. Weird, right?"
Alon pondered before replying.
"Then there's only one explanation. He's hiding something."
"Bingo. That's exactly what I'm curious about."
"Couldn't we check the Central Church's registry? Someone like that must have left a trail somewhere."
"Yeah, I'm already on it."
"Ah, I see..."
"So you dig around too. Everything on Alfredo Monk."
"Got it."
I glanced at Alon sidelong.
"By the way, what've you been up to lately? If you're ditching the relic hunt, you must be doing something else."
"Not much besides studying the Codex of Creation."
"Anything at all—spill it."
"I go to Merselra a lot."
I furrowed my brow. No reason for original Salvation Holy Knights to head to Merselra. Frequent trips meant something was up.
"Dude, why didn't you lead with that? Sounds shady."
"It's really nothing."
"So what do those guys do in Merselra?"
"They buy tickets right there and hop back to Kara."
I rolled my eyes.
"Huh?"
"First-class gets you gourmet meals and all the tea you can drink, right?"
"True."
"Easy travel, good food and drinks—no complaints from them."
I stared in disbelief. They were joyriding on the research funds I provided.
No wonder the giant serpent research was such bullshit. Looked like they cared more about free perks than actual work.
"Is that why you're researching the giant serpent?"
"Yeah. Gotta ride it ourselves for research."
I waved him off dismissively.
"Fine. Head back and keep at it. Report anything unusual—especially on Alfredo Monk. Got it?"
"Yes. See you next time."
Watching Alon leave, I scratched my head. The original Salvation Holy Knights weren't worth my time, but Alfredo Monk had me jumping through hoops.
Back at the information agency's office, I saw a scene totally unlike the usual. Instead of Armida sis dozing at the counter, Hubeo sat there blankly, waving hello.
But free labor didn't make me happy. Having a guy—not even a customer—invade my space wasn't fun.
"Yan. Come on in."
I sighed deeply and flopped onto the sofa. Asking when he'd go home got old fast. No clue how to handle this guy.
"Yeah. Where's Armida sis?"
"Teaching the Great Saintesses 7 Divine Artifacts magic."
"Cool. When's she back?"
"Around sunset. Big spell practice today."
"Out to the Great Desert, then."
"Yep."
Hubeo flipped open a magic tome and started studying. I piped up.
"Magic studies fun?"
"Fun."
The dude was sick. Complex diagrams and formulas? Fun? Only a masochist would think that.
"What's so fun about it?"
"Math."
"Why?"
"Math is the most perfect discipline in a world where answers are absolute."
"Freak."
Hubeo eyed me steadily.
"Yan. Why do you hate math so much?"
"Math is the most imperfect discipline in a world that can't calculate human emotions."
Hubeo nodded as if enlightened.
"Ah, that's why I can't confess."
"No, that's your personality. What kinda guy can't confess to the girl he likes?"
Hubeo chuckled.
"Bet you'd be the same. I've seen you up close."
"Oh yeah? You know how many girlfriends I have? Quantity aside, quality's top-tier."
"How many confessions have you made in your life?"
A mental dagger stabbed my heart. Zero.
"Ahem. Perfect man's plight. No room for them to confess."
"You must've liked someone. No way never."
Suddenly, an elf woman flashed in my mind.
"Eh, there was one. But tragic end."
"Why?"
"Held a knife to her throat, took her hostage. Heh."
"For real?"
"Yep."
Hubeo narrowed his eyes.
"You're messed up."
"What?"
Then the door opened—Armida sis with Shura and Arietta. I cut off Hubeo and greeted them.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"Done quick?"
Armida sis shrugged and sat at the now-vacant counter.
"Tried, but they got distracted. It's a large-scale spell—dangerous without focus."
I glared at Shura and Arietta.
"You two better shape up. Train properly if you're gonna do it."
As their ears drooped, Armida sis snapped at me.
"Little bro. Your fault."
"Me? How?"
"War crisis over, right?"
Caught off-guard, I waved frantically.
"Not over—just immediate threat gone. Yosrahim Empire and orc tribes haven't disbanded yet. War could spark anytime. Embers still burning. That's why northern border troops stay, and Bastain Kingdom reinforcements linger."
"But you're leisurely coming to the office?"
"Sure, but situation's not resolved."
"Enough time to marry, though."
Marriage talk, as expected. Thought war scare would buy time, but it was back on. Might need long-term strategy.
To dodge, I racked my brain at light speed and eyed Hubeo. Temporary fix there.
I hustled Armida sis, Shura, and Arietta outside.
"Sis. Why bring that up in front of Hubeo?"
Armida sis looked wronged.
"What? You're marrying anyway, right? Don't wanna, little bro?"
I checked Shura and Arietta's faces before answering.
"Not that—timing's bad."
"Why?"
I thumbed the office.
"My buddy Hubeo."
"So?"
"He's in major pain right now. No marriage talk around him."
Armida sis, Shura, and Arietta perked up.
"Why? Heartbroken?"
"Heartbreak's old news—I'd say nothing. But Hubeo's current ongoing agony. Super sensitive to marriage stuff."
Armida sis peeked inside cautiously.
"What happened?"
"Tragic tale. Love of his life versus family-forced marriage. He's torn between two unimaginable pains."
"Oh no!"
"Yeah. Can't even go home—camped at our office."
Shura jumped in.
"What exactly?"
"Heart-wrenching story."
I spun Hubeo's tale with extra drama. Pathetic love game or not, I embellished till it became epic romance, shaking the three women to their cores.
Armida sis dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Poor Hubeo. Had no idea."
"Yeah. Loving one woman but can't confess due to family's pressure. No one gets it."
Arietta pressed.
"Why force Hubeo like that?"
"Noble society's flaw. Politics and power—marriages seal alliances. Noble heirs and ladies can't choose freely. Duty of birth."
"But ditching heirship lets him marry his love?"
I nodded.
"Sure. And Hubeo would—he'd toss heirship for love like trash."
"Then?"
"His dad's in the way. Heirship passes through dad first."
"Oh?"
"Yep. Not his own heirship to ditch—his dad's. Dad's dreamed of that duke title forever. Unfilial as hell. Plus, grandpa died young—dad suffered plenty."
Arietta covered her mouth.
"To win love, he stabs his dad's heart beyond heirship?"
"Exactly. Beyond family—hurting a loved, respected father. That's Hubeo's real dilemma. As a friend, I'll back any choice, but can't force it. Love or dad? Not my call. Just cheer from the sidelines."
I sighed long, gazing at the clear sky with poignant, friend-loving eyes. Many wouldn't get it, but Hubeo was my best bud.
Armida sis, Shura, and Arietta looked heartbroken.
"I see."
I herded them back.
"In we go. Too long out, Hubeo'll wonder."
"Okay."
Back inside, I gazed at Hubeo soulfully.
"Hubeo?"
"Yeah?"
"You bastard!"
Tears welling, I hugged him tight.
"Dude, what's up? You sick?"
"Hubeo. I get it all. Yeah, your pal's here. Chin up."
"Uh, okay."
Perplexed but nodding, Hubeo went along. Shura and Arietta teared up at true male friendship.
Perfect. With Hubeo here, no marriage talk from Shura or Arietta.
Heh? Marriage? No matter what, I'll hold out till the end.
Old saying fits: Marriage is the grave of life. I'm not dumb enough to dig my own while chasing women.