Kang Sihyun swam through a tide brimming with longing, dreaming once again.
A dream where two figures, faces unseen, sat side by side, gazing at the sky and conversing.
“You've been harmed.”
-I violated the cause and effect. Consider it paying the price.
“...Why did you spare him?”
-Indeed, why did I spare him?
It was a voice laden with regret, as if pondering over the past, immersed in long memories. The towering figure, after dwelling in such reminiscences, burst into a hearty laugh. Though it was a robust and spirited laughter, the more one listened, the sadder it became. It was as if all the sorrow had been distilled into laughter.
The wind blew.
Carrying a sound akin to a soft whimper, the wind rustled the garments of the two figures.
-That child was a first for me.
“…….”
-The first time I experienced the joy of companionship. The first affection I had poured into a being with its own ego, and the first ego I had bestowed upon a life.
“Father.”
-Perhaps that's why I was so clumsy. That child was, after all, merely born.
“…….”
-Yes, merely born.
A child that was perfect by the mere fact of its birth. My sin was not being satisfied with that.
As the giant figure spoke with a hint of bitterness, the person sitting next to it abruptly stood up, exclaiming. Why is that your sin? Why should you bear the burden of corruption? The giant figure laughed at the fervor of the companion's words.
There is joy within sorrow.
The figure seemed genuinely pleased that the smaller figure was expressing anger on its behalf and gently patted the head of the smaller one.
-Creating that child makes it my responsibility, so shouldn't I bear the sins it carries as well?
“There's no need for that.”
-There might not be a need, but there is a reason. I created him, after all. If I brought him into this world, I must take the corresponding responsibility. I understand what that entails.
“...What is it?”
The blunt retort was met with laughter from the figure.
-It means to be a parent.
“…….”
-Since I created that child, I am its parent. Sometimes I am angry with him, sometimes I deeply mourn for him, but I cannot wholly hate him. Since I am responsible for bringing his sins into existence, he remains my child, including his sins. How could I hate a being born of my own inadequacies?
The voice dipped into reflection.
As if reminiscing a long-held memory, the figure tilted its head. It was unclear whether it was looking at the sky or had its eyes closed. The smaller figure stared endlessly at the one it called father until his gaze returned to it.
-That's why I spared him and why I created you.
“Why?”
-When my choices brought chaos to the world and I was weakened, a being was needed to clean up the mess in my stead.
The figure spoke evenly, stroking the smaller one. The touch shifted from the head to caressing the cheek, treating the smaller figure with the utmost delicacy, eventually lifting it onto the lap and continuing the conversation.
-I realized something after creating my first child. Are you curious what it is?
“Is it that anything in excess is poisonous?”
-How could you think of that first? You're quite cruel.
“Who do you think I inherited this cruelty from, huh?”
-Don't be angry, just listen. There's something I realized after creating my first child.
Regardless of the small figure's response, the one called father seemed eager to share his epiphany. After a sigh, the smaller one said, “Yes, yes. Go ahead.” Seeming bored, it propped its chin. The giant figure watched this for a moment, then laughed softly and continued to caress the smaller one.
-That no life can ever be flawless.
“…….”
-It seems quite obvious when you think about it. If even I, the creator, am not without flaws, how could those born from my hands be flawless?
The giant figure spoke tenderly.
-The paradox is that, despite this, life becomes complete simply by being born. Isn't that fascinating?
“What nonsense is that? How can imperfection and completeness exist together? That's sophistry.”
The smaller figure responded as if it couldn't comprehend. The giant figure then, as if expecting such a reaction, let out a gentle laugh akin to a breeze, seating the smaller figure back next to him, gazing at the rising sun.
-Yes, sophistry.
“…….”
-Sometimes, things are composed of the very sophistries you speak of. That's what self is, and that's what life is.
“I have no idea what you're talking about.”
The voice sounded almost petulant. Instead of pondering such things, the smaller figure suggested the giant figure
worry about his deteriorating condition. Taking this as petulance, the giant gently stroked his smaller companion.
-One day, you will understand. After watching the cycles of birth and destruction by my side for eons, and discerning between good and evil.
“I doubt I'll ever understand, no matter how long I look.”
-The future shouldn't be preemptively judged.
Laughing, the figure watched the sun begin to set and then rose from its place.
-It's starting to get dark. Let's go back now.
Adam.
The figure called out the name of the smaller one.
With that, Kang Sihyun was freed from the deep dream.
“...Adam.”
Opening his eyes, Kang Sihyun unknowingly muttered the two syllables that remained vividly in his mind. It felt like a powerful and dear dream, yet he couldn't remember it. As he tried to rise, feeling a headache, a force pressed down on his shoulder, urging him to stay down.
“Stay down a bit longer. You just woke up, no need to rush.”
The voice was familiar, as was the half-polite tone. Someone's hand covered his eyes, offering solace, and Kang Sihyun mentioned the person's name.
“Iha Hyuk…”
“More precisely, Guild Master Iha Hyuk.”
“...Guild Master.”
He added reluctantly after being corrected, irritation clear in his voice, which made Iha Hyuk laugh. Kang Sihyun, with his eyes still closed, broached the subject.
He couldn’t guess how long he had slept.
Falling unconscious in the Ice Castle was his last memory, but waking up to Iha Hyuk made it seem like it wasn't just a brief moment.
“...How long have I slept?”
“Me, or you, Mr. Kang?”
“…….”
“Come on, lighten up. It was just a joke. About two weeks. The dungeon was safely cleared, and everything that happened there was handled by Mr. Uiheon and Miss Misha, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“The media…”
“We’ve kept the reporters at bay, so you don’t have to worry about interviews.”
That was a relief to hear. Whether it was a dungeon or a catastrophe-class event, dealing with the aftermath was always the hardest part, but knowing Uiheon and Misha took care of it was both a relief and a source of guilt. Sensing Kang Sihyun's thoughts, Iha Hyuk spoke up.
“Mr. Uiheon and Miss Misha said to thank you. They stayed by your side until last week before returning. They took care of the association as a way of repaying you for the help in Russia.”
“Ah…”
Such unnecessarily kind people. Nodding, Kang Sihyun then asked about the next thing that had been on his mind.
“What about the kids?”
“The large-scale rift?”
“Yes.”
“They're all safe. Two catastrophe-class beasts did appear during the fight, but they managed to take them down without much trouble. It’s a bit ambiguous since they worked together, but Haru and Hamin, along with Daun, have been confirmed as nearly S-class, while Jihye, Geonu, and Seowoo are still under review.”
“They took down catastrophe-class beasts? Those kids?”
“Yes. They did well, didn’t they?”
Iha Hyuk replied nonchalantly. Kang Sihyun, shocked, pushed Iha Hyuk's hand away to look him in the eye, trying to discern if he was telling the truth. Iha Hyuk's purple eyes showed no flicker of deceit.
“Really?”
“Why would I lie?”
“...Ah.”
It was a complex feeling. He was glad to see the kids grow and succeed, but worried they had faced catastrophe-class beings on their own. Yet, knowing they had managed without major injuries brought him joy. Amidst these mixed emotions, Iha Hyuk simplified the conclusion.
“Congratulations, you can join them for the next dungeon.”
“...I suppose so.”
It was hard to believe. Iha Hyuk informed him that the kids, who had cleared a massive rift in just a week, looked solemn upon seeing him return injured. Now, they had gone to Cheongju to handle another catastrophe-class event. Kang Sihyun sighed lightly, imagining their determination.
He was mentally prepared for at least an hour of scolding.
“Oh, right. While you were asleep, a third dungeon appeared. Currently, Russia and the USA have each selected four S-class Awakeners to tackle it.”
“...What?”
Iha Hyuk dropped this bombshell nonchalantly. Kang Sihyun instinctively tried to get up, but Iha Hyuk held him down by the shoulders. Just let me go! Kang Sihyun protested, but Iha Hyuk calmly added more details.
“It’s in the Philippines. You don’t have to go there, right?”
“The Philippines?”
“Yes.”
“...You
should have started with that.”
Regaining his composure, Kang Sihyun relaxed. The Philippines was indeed a place he didn’t need to worry about going. Still concerned about the ability of regular Awakeners to handle it, he glanced at Iha Hyuk, who had just let go of him and was checking some documents. Iha Hyuk felt the gaze and turned around.
“Ruth is heading to the Philippines dungeon, so don’t worry too much.”
He must be a mind reader.
Surprised at how Iha Hyuk knew his thoughts, Kang Sihyun flinched, and Iha Hyuk chuckled. Saying it was all written on his face, Iha Hyuk signed off on the documents and pulled up a chair to sit beside the bed.
Crossing his legs, he rested his clasped hands on his knee and looked down at Kang Sihyun.
“...Why are you looking at me like that? Is there anything else?”
It seemed like the man had more to say, so Kang Sihyun prodded him first, and Iha Hyuk smiled, seemingly pleased.
“I think I’ve explained enough. Now, I’d really like to hear about what happened in Russia. Could you give me a detailed explanation?”
He emphasized "detailed" significantly. With no grounds for refusal, Kang Sihyun faithfully reported the events in Russia.
“Hmm, the weapon you mentioned using to defeat Nonus, is it that one?”
After hearing the story, Iha Hyuk nodded towards a long staff leaning against the wall. The staff, now twice its original size, shimmered in the corner of the room. Kang Sihyun, puzzled if it had grown after merging, nodded in agreement.
“Did your power increase after obtaining it?”
“Yes.”
“...Then there’s no choice. You’ll have to personally attend the remaining dungeons.”
“Wasn’t that the plan all along?”
“Well, the decision was going to be based on the outcome of this dungeon.”
The plan was to not send him if he returned severely injured or if he struggled against Gula’s offspring.
Iha Hyuk presented this plan with an unexpectedly cheerful demeanor. Kang Sihyun suppressed the urge to smack the unnecessarily bright smile off his face. Unable to hide his annoyance, he glared at Iha Hyuk, who seemed to have momentarily forgotten something and let out a short breath.
“I forgot to mention this.”
“What now?”
“You’ve become an S-class Awakener. Congratulations, Kang Sihyun. You’re truly S-class now.”
“...What?”
Kang Sihyun, who had been bracing for more bad news, asked in disbelief. Iha Hyuk responded with a meaningful smile, acknowledging his new status.
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