Having been ill, Kang Sihyun gradually recovered over time, and after ten thousand nights had passed, he finally overcame his illness and was able to stand on his own two feet. The first thing Kang Sihyun did upon standing was to eliminate the remnants of Gula that remained in the world.
Although Gula had been expelled from the world, the monstrous creatures created by Eve were still causing chaos. Kang Sihyun took it upon himself to eliminate them in place of the weakened gods, expelling the children of Gula from the world and putting an end to the chaos. In doing so, he not only acted as the sword of the gods but also took part in overseeing the world alongside them, offering his opinions and advice on the creation of the gods. After a long time, the world finally knew peace.
No more destruction, no more chaos existed.
Humanity, having faced extinction multiple times, was reborn under the hands of the gods, forming communities, creating civilizations, and establishing nations.
It was the era of peace they had longed for.
Kang Sihyun was satisfied and happy to have achieved his long-desired dream with his own hands.
Thus, when the moment of death arrived, Kang Sihyun’s expression was incredibly peaceful, in contrast to the creator, who, unable to shake off unease, was engulfed in sorrow.
“…Are you alright?”
The creator, holding Kang Sihyun’s hand as he lay on the grass, voiced his concern. Kang Sihyun, knowing full well he was not alright, still found the repeated question from the god pitiful and managed to move his lips slightly, his voice betraying his lingering attachment.
If possible, he would have risen to reassure and comfort the creator.
But that was not possible now.
Though he should have enjoyed eternal life, his soul, damaged during the battle with Eve, reached its limit. Dissolution was inevitable.
“I will soon dissolve.”
Instead of an answer, Kang Sihyun confessed the calm truth, a fact the god, bowing his head, was not unaware of.
“My time by your side is running out.”
The spark of his soul nested in his heart was slowly extinguishing, evidenced by Kang Sihyun’s body gradually becoming transparent. With effort, Kang Sihyun turned his head to look at the god and smiled.
“I hope you find happiness, even in my absence.”
It was sincere.
He had wished to spend more time together and to witness the god’s happiness firsthand, but fate was inescapable. Thus, Kang Sihyun hoped for the god’s happiness even without his presence.
He wished the god would not be too lonely without the rest dissolution could offer.
Tightly, the god grasped Kang Sihyun’s hand, as if trying to gather the dispersing soul.
“Adam.”
“Yes.”
“My son.”
“I’m listening.”
“…I cannot bear to let you dissolve.”
Without you by my side, how shall I live?
The god’s profound sadness was palpably conveyed. Kang Sihyun looked at him silently. No matter what he said, his dissolution was inevitable. It was while he thought this that the god spoke.
“If you wish, I can rebirth you.”
“…What?”
“I can make you be born again as a complete human. Would you like that?”
It was an unexpected offer. Thinking dissolution meant the end, Kang Sihyun hesitated, his mouth slightly open.
“Though doing so means you won’t have a proper body to stay with me, you’ll go down to the world of humans and live with them. But, when your fleshly body’s life ends and you return as a soul, even if for a brief moment, you’ll be by my side again, Adam. Would that be alright? May I be so selfish?”
There was hesitation and uncertainty in the calm voice, likely after much deliberation. Given the time Kang Sihyun had been lying there, the god must have considered and reconsidered this situation for a long time.
How could he possibly refuse such a conclusion?
Kang Sihyun blinked as he gazed up at the blue sky, deep in thought and inner turmoil.
Dissolution was complete rest. A perfect break from all pain, all karma. It was incredibly sweet, yet Kang Sihyun wanted to experience life, even if it meant bearing pain.
He did not want to vanish like this.
“…Can I really live again?”
“Yes.”
“……”
“You, like humans, will undergo the cycle of birth and death, spending the gap between dying and being reborn by my side. Would that be alright?”
It was the third question. The god’s expression was gradually showing signs of anxiety. After a brief hesitation, Kang Sihyun nodded.
It was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Gradually, as Kang Sihyun moved his head, the sunlight became intense, and the god rejoiced. Gently stroking the back of Kang Sihyun’s hand
, he tenderly shared his plan.
“With my power, your soul is fragmenting, so I will withdraw the powers I gave you and mold a new vessel to contain you. Then, I will mold another soul to fill in your fragmented spirit. Your current state cannot withstand the power your fate holds.”
“Mold another soul?”
“Yes. I plan to combine the soul that retains memories of living as a demigod with a new, pure, and clean soul to make it strong. That way, you won’t fragment and will be able to endure your destiny, fully enjoying a new life.”
Perhaps because creation was not his realm, despite the god’s attempt to explain simply, Kang Sihyun struggled to understand. As Kang Sihyun blinked in confusion, the god chuckled and reached out to brush back his black hair.
“Your memories will be sealed and released upon death, remembering me. So, enjoy a new life to the fullest as a human, Adam.”
Be unbound by anything. Live freely, away from me for a while.
It was like a spell. In the god’s words, tinged with regret for past mistakes, Kang Sihyun looked at him. Their eyes met, filled with complex emotions, and the god smiled affectionately.
“I will watch over you and wait for your soul to end its life and return to me.”
With that, the god released Kang Sihyun’s hand and spread his palm wide towards the sky. Soon, a bright light enveloped the god’s hand, and before long, a small blue flame ignited over the large hand, spreading a pure and clear energy. Realizing the nature of the flame, Kang Sihyun looked at the god.
“This is the soul that will merge with you.”
Shin brought the blue flame closer so that Kang Sihyun could see it clearly. Sihyun stared at the flame blankly, feeling a tingling sensation in his heart. He couldn't believe that he was being reborn, that his soul was merging with another.
"...It's pure."
Whispering softly, with emotions of excitement and anxiety intertwined, Shin nodded in agreement. The blue flame was the most pure and clear among all the souls he had ever crafted.
"This soul will live on with you, Adam. Though you are distinct beings, you are one and the same. The soul that will merge with you…"
Shin trailed off, closing his mouth as if pondering something. Sihyun's questioning gaze turned to the creator. Shin, reminiscing on old memories, finally concluded his words.
"Eve."
"......"
"I shall call it Eve."
It was a name laden with deep meaning and emotion. After a long time, Sihyun closed his eyes upon hearing the name. Memories he had forcibly suppressed resurfaced.
Memories from the beginning.
His sister, who had smiled brightly with a face more pure and clear than anyone else.
The woman who had been there at the beginning of his existence.
A being he had loved as much as he had envied, precious yet never to be seen again.
Quietly inhaling, Sihyun opened his eyes to gaze at the pure soul resembling the Eve of the beginning and faintly smiled.
"It's alright."
As time passed, hatred diluted, and memories amplified longing. Though the curse was detestable, Sihyun, who longed for the Eve from his old memories, nodded at Shin, sensing a similar sentiment within him.
With Sihyun's agreement, Shin gently stroked Sihyun, now partially faded.
"I love you."
His voice was a soft echo as Sihyun's eyes closed.
Gradually, ever so gradually, his body felt as if it were sinking heavily into the sea.
"......"
His eyelids lifted in the darkness. Sihyun looked ahead with groggy eyes as if awakening from a very long dream. A familiar figure stood before him.
The robed entity.
An enigmatic being that had appeared in his dreams countless times, only recently confirmed to be Shin.
His expression twisted. Now, Sihyun knew exactly who he was.
The being that was born with the beginning of the world, who crafted the first life and suffered through its corruption, wandering in solitude while Sihyun slept.
Shin.
And.
"...Father."
His lips parted with difficulty, releasing a whisper so faint it was barely audible. The robed figure flinched at the sound, too faint to be heard. Though nothing was visible behind the robe, Sihyun was certain he was smiling.
It was only natural.
After all, Sihyun, who had stood by his side longer than anyone else, knew him best.
It had been a very long time.
Wrapped in strange yet familiar memories, and feeling foreign emotions become his own, Sihyun suddenly felt enveloped in something warm, as if being hugged.
"Father."
Realizing the identity of this presence, Sihyun looked at Shin. There was much he wanted to say, many stories to share, many questions to ask. However, he could utter no words as his vision darkened.
Someone's hand covered his eyes.
"I'm sorry to put you through this again. Soon, the long seal will break, and chaos will return to the world. Even if I take back the powers, the fate bestowed by the dimensions remains. Go, my son."
To where you belong. To the ones you must protect.
The whisper pierced through his ears and echoed in his mind.
And a small mutter followed.
"I have watched over you for a long time, yet you never held affection for anything else. Now, it seems you have things you love. Hence, I've prepared a small gift for you. I hope you receive it before it's too late."
The tone sounded somewhat joyful yet also carried a tinge of sadness. Just as Sihyun was about to respond, the voice resonated once more.
"I bestow upon you the true name I had kept for your protection. You are the protector."
Adam.
With that voice piercing through his mind, the world before him flashed brightly.
"Hey, Kang Sihyun!"
Opening his eyes, Sihyun was met with the worried face of a boy.
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