A brief standoff ensued. Shin, standing exactly ten paces away, neither approached nor retreated, simply staring at Sihyun. It seemed as if moving forward or backward was entirely Sihyun’s choice. Momentarily twitching his lips, Sihyun then lowered his gaze.
“What happened to Kang Sihyun?”
He had intended to ask with restrained emotion. However, his body didn’t follow his mind, and instead, a tightly suppressed voice emerged, laden with profound grief. He gasped for breath, and the robed Shin looked at him with a sympathetic gaze. Disliking the faint pity in his eyes, he asked again, this time with more control over his emotions.
“What happened to Kang Sihyun?”
The emotion recollected, his voice sounded cold as it slipped out. Shin hesitated, then took a step forward.
…That child has always been with you. Just as he has been since you came to this world. However, this time it’s not an incomplete but a complete union, making it difficult to meet again.
In simple terms, it’s as if the souls have fully merged, like in the myth of Adam. Sihyun scoffed, unable to understand.
“A complete union? Has he been well until now?”
Your power is complete, so your soul has also become complete. It’s just the natural order of things.
“The power is complete?”
…Wasn’t it incomplete before? As he muttered this, something suddenly nagged at him. He remembered why he had this dream. Sihyun’s expression turned rueful as the robed Shin nodded.
You've fitted all the pieces together.
Indeed.
It was the fitting together of the divine fragments that had caused the problem.
Regretting his rash actions without knowing what kind of waves they might cause, he thought himself foolish. As he was lost in thought, Shin’s hand descended onto his head.
You shouldn’t feel guilty. It was also predetermined that you would regain the power of the divine. Without it, you won’t be able to overcome the upcoming trials.
So, there was no need to feel any guilt or indebtedness, a voice echoed in his ears. It seemed like Shin was trying to console him, but it didn’t feel comforting at all. According to him, it was Kang Sihyun’s fate to merge with him all along.
He frowned, displeased with the outcome. Perhaps because his soul had become whole, Shin’s usual words felt unusually cruel this time.
Inhumanly so.
Since Shin was not a human being, it was a very natural fact, yet it felt strangely so.
Sihyun briefly looked down at his hands that were still holding onto Kang Sihyun. Even though it was a dream, he felt the warmth of that soul lingering at his fingertips.
Humans are truly fascinating.
He hadn’t thought much about it before, being too busy with dungeons and such. But now that Kang Sihyun had disappeared right before his eyes, he felt the emptiness of his absence and realized how significant a person he had been to him. It was stupid to only realize this after losing him.
“…So, I can’t see him anymore?”
There was no answer. Sihyun knew the answer deep down, so he pinched the bridge of his nose and ruffled his hair, not sure what to make of his feelings. The profound sense of loss was palpable.
His chest felt heavy. It was as if the emotions Kang Sihyun should have felt were transferred to him.
With a complicated expression, Sihyun stood while Shin caressed his black hair. Neither was good at conversation. It was ridiculous how much they resembled each other in that regard. Sihyun wasn’t called the son of a god for nothing.
Instead of offering clumsy advice that would disappoint him, Sihyun felt the comforting emotions from Shin’s silent gestures and revisited their conversation. It was hard to accept, but he had to. No matter how much he cried or clung to the hem of Shin’s robe, Kang Sihyun wouldn’t return.
Then he had to trace back the remnants left by him.
“I heard there was a bet.”
At those words, Shin’s fingertips twitched. Hmm, as he cleared his throat, Sihyun resolved to hear everything, as much as Kang Sihyun had heard from him, from Shin.
About the things that had happened before he came to this place and after he arrived.
Shin sighed almost like a complaint as Sihyun’s determined gaze seemed to convey his intent.
It couldn’t be helped.
A familiar phrase and one that Sihyun hated the most. But usually, when Shin said that, it really was a situation that couldn’t be helped, so he nodded and listened. The story seemed to be long, so he sat down, and the existence of the robe sat opposite Sihyun.
Shin explained the situation at that time in a soft voice.
There are heavenly secrets that ordinary humans should not know.
The secrets that surround the world and the truth about the world belong to this category. And, Adam, your existence itself was one of these heavenly secrets. Because you were a demigod, the weight of the truth about your existence was heavy. Ordinary souls could not bear it, how could a half soul that was once whole and then torn apart handle it? I could not tell you the truth, and I had no choice but to bring you to this body with a plausible excuse.
As Shin continued his explanation, Sihyun asked if that excuse was the bet, and Shin nodded.
Not just you, but Eve was also my son. That’s why I didn’t want that child to be trapped in this lonely space, merely existing in solitude. That child needed something to immerse himself in, and a bet was suitable. Fortunately, that child was kind-hearted and really worked hard for your happiness. Sometimes he blocked your nightmares, and sometimes he helped you through dreams. Because of his enthusiastic nature, there was nothing I could tell you until you uncovered the truth on your own. So, I helped him to be more immersed in the bet. One day, when it seemed like that child was about to give up out of boredom, I set up a light device on you. I apologize for that aspect.
At the end of the long explanation, Sihyun frowned, not understanding what Shin was talking about. There had been many incidents since he entered this body. Suddenly, something crossed his mind. Shocked, Sihyun looked up.
“Rank?”
Hoping against hope, he asked, and Shin nodded. Sihyun burst out an incredulous gasp.
“I thought I was going mad because of that.”
Realizing that this world was a fictional world and that someone could invade his mind had been a horror at that time. With eyes full of absurdity and betrayal, Shin apologized again. His shoulders were slumped.
At that time, that child was really in a powerless state, so I was in a hurry. But seeing your reaction, I realized I had made a big mistake, and I never did it again. That child was also surprised and yelled at me, asking if I was cheating. His voice was so loud.
Shin lightly grumbled. Sihyun, remembering the one who had tampered with his memories, was annoyed and simultaneously remembered the angry image of Kang Sihyun, exhaling a sigh.
It was all in the past. There was no need to get angry now. Seeing his reaction, it seemed like Kang Sihyun had already expressed all the anger on his behalf. Instead, Sihyun decided to ask more questions. For instance, if he really hadn't tampered with his mind afterward, if he hadn't done such things to the other companions, etc. As he asked the questions he was curious about, Shin answered them all. Sihyun finally asked about the fantasy species.
“About Pia. Is she a divine beast?”
When he asked what he had speculated in the dungeon of Primus, Shin’s expression became subtle.
…She’s not a divine beast, but she has received my power.
That figures.
The power Pia showed was different from the powers that regular Irregulars possessed. What other Irregulars could have the ability to dream of premonitions and show people’s current situations through dreams? If that unusual power was Shin’s power, it made sense, and he felt clear inside.
Having resolved all the curiosities he had harbored, there was nothing more to ask. He wasn’t interested in the truth of the world, and he knew enough about Gula, so he sat quietly, and it seemed regretful that Shin was not continuing the conversation.
Is there nothing more you want to ask?
“No.”
He nodded. Shin went, hmm, pausing.
Then, have you nothing else you want to say?
“…Ah.”
If it wasn’t something he wanted to ask but something he wanted to say, it was a bit different. If Sihyun had just been Yoo Sihyun, he wouldn’t have said it, but having gone through the last conversation with Kang Sihyun, he had something he wanted to say.
From the response that hinted Shin had noticed Sihyun had something to say, Shin looked expectant. Sihyun felt a bit sorry.
What he was about to say wasn’t even something that could make him happy as a mere formality.
Just don’t say it.
It was a word he could live with kept inside. So, after a moment's hesitation, remembering the last of the boy whose happiness he had wished for, he finally spoke.
“I was a bit unsure, but now I think I understand.”
A soft voice flowed between the opened lips. At that, Shin’s slightly tilted head seemed to be asking what exactly? Sihyun looked him straight in the eye and chuckled as he spoke.
“I’ve come to realize that I both love and hate you, Father.”
It wasn’t
a laughing matter, but he didn’t know why he was laughing. Maybe it was because he felt relieved having vented his pent-up words, or maybe he hated that the atmosphere was getting heavier and laughed unknowingly trying to lighten it. That effort was in vain as the dark space was filled with silence, but Sihyun didn’t care and continued talking.
“You are irresponsible, merciless, and harsh only towards me. Kang Sihyun and I went through things we shouldn’t have because of your mistakes, and I grew up experiencing all the misfortunes that weren’t necessary. I wouldn’t have said this before, but Kang Sihyun would have spoken without hiding it. I quite hate you for all the mistakes you’ve made.”
It was just plain speech, neither especially exaggerated nor deliberately devoid of emotion. Shin didn’t know what to say and just blinked. As awkward in speaking as he was, Sihyun decided to speak his mind first.
“…But I love you that much.”
Adam.
“But don’t misunderstand. It’s not like I love you like I did before. I know you care about me quite a bit. After all, you’re my father. But I’ve been looking at you too long, and too many things have happened for the desperate affection from thousands of years ago to continue unblemished. So, now I’m trying to frankly accept that I don’t love you like before and that I somewhat hate you. So, you should accept it too.”
It was like a notification. If others heard it, they might say it was cruel or heartless. But aren’t parents supposed to take their children’s whims? So, Sihyun thought he would be whimsical for the first and last time. Fortunately, judging by Shin’s expression, he seemed shocked but not hurt.
Instead, he seemed to understand as he smiled a little more lightly.
“I’ve loved you enough until now, so I’ll try to love the people by my side more.”
I’m trying to be more faithful to my life.
The added words were a whisper to himself. He had decided to be faithful only to his current life after getting rid of the old-fashioned past and after everything was over.
As he spoke, after a brief silence, Shin nodded.
Whatever it is, I’ll support you. Do as you wish. But there’s one thing I’d like you to know. Even if you hate me…, I still love you.
A gentle hand touched his cheek. Raising his head toward him, Sihyun whispered softly, a parent is supposed to be like that. As Shin laughed as if he had lost, the space began to shake. It was a sign familiar to both Sihyun and Shin.
I guess it’s about to wake up.
“That’s right.”
He answered nonchalantly, looking up at the sky. The dark sky was about to split open, and as he stared blankly, Shin brushed Sihyun’s hair behind his ear.
Is the last battle left?
“It just happened.”
Now, only the final war with Gula remained after leaving this place. Wondering if he was about to say something unnecessary because he had lingering feelings for Eve, he narrowed his eyes, but the words Shin uttered were unexpected.
…It won’t be easy with four cores.
“What?”
An ominous sound made him look at him. He had to hear the answer, but the ceiling began to collapse. As Shin’s figure blurred, Sihyun panicked, and Shin reached out and stroked his cheek, smiling.
Take care. I’ll always be watching over you.
That was the last.
Boom!
With a violent shaking, the ceiling collapsed, and the floor sank. A massive sinkhole opened beneath his feet, and Sihyun involuntarily screamed as he woke up from his sleep. When he opened his eyes, what he saw was the familiar white ceiling.
“What kind of dream made you scream like that?”
The voice of alarmed Armus sounded. More baffled was Sihyun, holding his pounding heart and staring at the ceiling. It didn’t take long to realize he had woken from a dream. Suddenly anger surged.
Damn father.
Insufficient with four cores. What does that even mean?
If you’re going to tell me, tell me everything instead of always being like this. As the only son, it was maddening enough to make him groan looking at the sky, and Armus seriously worried if he had lost his mind. Sihyun let that pass and checked the divine weapon lying next to the bed where he lay.
One bow and five arrows.
As he reached out and grabbed it as if spellbound, his heart thudded, slow but stronger than ever. Proving he was alive.
He swallowed and let his divine power flow. The white divine weapon responded to his energy, buzzing, but this time, his heart didn’t race as before. Holding the divine weapon and feeling its wavelength was no trouble, a sign that he had truly become a complete soul
. He muttered Kang Sihyun’s name and turned his head. The hand holding the divine weapon was stronger than usual, and his blue eyes looked outside the window.
The wind blew the curtains, and the chilly air flowed in. The last page of the calendar was torn off, and it was suddenly the first winter of his 19th year, and now only the final showdown remained.
Having overcome Primus, the biggest obstacle on this journey, with the combined strength of his loved ones, it was his turn to shine in the remaining final war.
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