◈ Episode 558. Everything depends on what you think (2)
“I’m going to ask.”
I didn’t want to, but I had no choice.
“Are you a demon hunter or my servant?”
Former Shadow Mercenaries.
I turned to face them. I could tell by the precedent of Kichi. No matter how many times they lost their lives. The moment the contract is broken, the contractor can have a new life.
‘If I break the contract.’
If you choose Akshan, your time in the God Realm can just be a matter of time. Everyone would return to being Akshan Demon Hunters, hunting demons for the sake of peace on the Arcana continent and the rebuilding of a resurrected Akshan.
However.
[Kichi leaves ‘Akshan’].
[Wolfe leaves ‘Akshan’].
[Henderson leaves ‘Akshan’]…….
I knew it……!
Don’t you just love unity at times like this?
In the end, all nine of them left Akshan.
As I fell silent, Wolfe spoke up.
“I know we didn’t talk about it beforehand, but I didn’t know we’d agree on this. You gave me a chance, and I apologize for turning it down…….”
Instead of giving a proper answer, I threatened.
“It won’t be pretty.”
“?”
“A life as my servant.”
Why did Grandfell say “servant”?
‘A contract is a contract.’
It was in my change of heart.
To protect something.
You have to be ready to take something down.
I was the one who realized that.
‘I can’t play nice anymore.’
Of course, our Grandfell was not one to force others to join his cause.
Yes, it was a declaration of sorts.
No matter what his servants do.
It was Grandfell’s way of saying that as master, he would take full responsibility for everything.
I pleaded with myself.
‘So change your minds now, everyone……!’
Why, imagine being Grandfell’s servant and being whipped around.
How annoying would that be?
Of course, that doesn’t mean life as an Akshan demon hunter is easy. Other things aside, the amount of training he has to put in is unimaginable…….
“We stand by our decision, Commander.”
It was Wolfe who spoke again.
……Yes.
It really does.
“I understand your meaning.”
What are we going to do, Grandfell?
Looks like it’s just the two of us again.
In this damned Akshan.
“You can just leave.”
Shadow Mercenaries.
‘……Such a shame, really.’
Why, given their combat power, shouldn’t they be able to easily hunt down most of the demons that roam the Arcana continent?
Thanks to this, Akshan’s reputation will rise day by day.
I was getting a little excited.
One by one, they leave the office.
A message flashed across their vision.
[Akshan]
[Current population: 1]
[Current Fame: 4,129]
……Life is so lonely.
I swallowed hard inwardly.
There was a single shadow standing still.
“May I speak with you for a moment, Commander-in-Chief?”
It was Kichi.
I nodded lightly, and only Kichi remained in the office to face me.
So, what do you want to talk about, Kichi?
‘……What, you changed your mind, Kichi?’
Welcome.
Because even one person is important to me.
Good thinking, Kichi.
If you come in now, you could be the next in line for Akshan!
“I’m ashamed of myself for abandoning my contract.”
But what followed was.
Her voice was so serious that it made me cringe.
Well, I can see why Kichi can’t look up.
‘I’m sure she feels terribly sorry.’
In a way.
She’s just turned down one of my favors after another.
But don’t worry, Kichi.
Our Grandfell may have a bad back end.
I’m sure of that.
“If your pride says so.”
“……!”
“Follow me, that’s all I have to say.”
There was no need to ask whether it was a proud decision.
“Yes……!”
Kichi’s complexion brightened dramatically.
Anyway, Kichi has changed a lot, hasn’t he?
When we first met in the Kingdom of Yusra.
I thought she was so snobbish, but I liked her because she smelled like me.
‘So the number of victims of pride lighting has increased by one more.’
Grandfell, you guilty human.
It was a moment when I clicked my tongue.
Kichi’s hand on the doorknob, she turned her head slyly.
“And can I ask you one last favor?”
“You may say it.”
“…….”
Turning fully around, Kichi bowed deeply.
Then she tugged at the hem of her robe.
Why are you staring at the hem of my dress like that?
Isn’t this a simple request?
You’re not asking for a guarantee or something, are you……? It’s me, Lee Hoyeol. The nightmare of the red scabs all over the house came flooding back.
“……Can I keep it?”
I mean, what? That’s weird, Grandfell. Say no right now!
“I am no longer part of Akshan, but I wear this Akshan uniform.”
What, was that a thing?
Well, yes and no.
I shouldn’t have held on to the hem of that skimpy dress.
“Actually, why not?
Above all, if the Akshan clothes were recovered again, Grandfell might use some excuse to sneak them on. At least to prevent such unfortunate incidents.
As always, I responded with a lot of condescension.
“Of course, I’d be happy to.”
.
.
.
Of course, the real conversation is just beginning.
‘First, let’s check it out.’
[Hidden Quest: The Witch Hunt].
The Hidden Quest to rescue the Saintess had completely lost its purpose, and rightfully so, as the Goddess had slipped away into Freyja without a trace.
I checked the changed quest window.
[Hidden Quest: Whereabouts of the Goddess]
You are the only one who knows the whereabouts of the missing goddess.
Darkness.
Will you show mercy.
Will you give her what she deserves?
The choice is yours alone, Infinitely Deep Darkness.
-Face the Goddess. (Ongoing)
They declared war on me.
The momentum of the Pantheon was gone.
As if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, the Pantheon was already in ruins.
‘The Goddess who barely escaped…….’
Even the Goddess had been fooled by the blasphemous Method act by Grandfell, and had even promised Freyja that she would not move from within.
“It’s a vain ending worthy of an illusion.”
Hey, Grandfell.
You’d better not think about wrapping things up.
Because I’m not going to overlook the reasons why.
[Six Sight Brooch 5 of 6].
Let’s think about it soberly.
If I hadn’t recovered the three brooches from Hell.
Would I have been able to win this war.
I thought I could win.
Until I saw what the Holy Relic could do.
[Relic: Heavenly Sword Excalibur]
[Rank: Mythic]
[Restriction : ???]
[Effect : Dominates all weapons of enemies and allies].
[Description : This holy relic was once kept in the Treasury of the Pantheon].
The real Excalibur.
A mere item with the power to win or lose a war. Indeed, no one could stop Guyver’s charge with Excalibur in hand.
‘There’s more.’
The Holy Relic that summoned the Infinite Warriors of the Pantheon was also capable of deciding the outcome of the war.
A holy relic.
It meant that its wielder possessed enough power to rule a single world for all eternity, beyond the ages, so even the Gods couldn’t use it easily.
Only the most revered Goddesses on the Arcana continent would be able to keep a holy relic in their holy place, Muon. So be honest with me, Grandfell.
‘How can you surpass even such a holy relic?’
This [Six Sight Brooch] is only [Unique] grade.
Every time the Six Sight Brooch shines.
My karma level skyrocketed.
If the Shadow God saw this, he would be horrified.
What’s 1,000 karma, now I’ve easily surpassed 6,000. The power of such karma? The moment I stepped with the Heavenly Demon Reign in the Pantheon, I could feel it.
[The relic responds to your karma.]
[The relic responds to your karma.]
[The relic responds to your karma.]…….
The holy relics stored in the Pantheon treasury seemed to be sanctified.
It seems like bragging to say this out loud, but…….
It was as if they were begging him to use them.
When Gwicheol saw that, it muttered to itself from the waist.
-Hus, he is already my master.
That is to say.
Doesn’t that mean that the holy relics consider me their master? Yes, 6,000 karma was that level. What is the identity of the Six Sight Brooch that holds such ridiculous karma?
Dalgak.
I put the brooch down on the desk and look at it.
At least you have a conscience.
I guess he was bothered by my harsh gaze, the snout opens his mouth.
“It will return when the time is right.”
He means the remaining piece, right?
That’s not what I’m worried about.
That’s very much like you, Grandfell, anyway.
‘But I wonder if that’s why I’m so relieved.’
What if it was a mystery item?
I’d have tossed it in the inventory immediately.
But as the vengeful spirits of Hell say.
It had always belonged to Grandfell, to the Claudi family.
In the end, I decided.
‘Enough whining.’
Let’s use it while we can.
Of course, the God of War escaped from the Pantheon.
The Ten Thrones, who must have watched everything from the Demon World through Evil Eyes.
I needed overwhelming power to ensure I didn’t lose anything against them. That meant I needed the power of the Six Sight Brooch. Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.
‘After all, it’s my power, too.’
Yeah, it all depends on what you think, right?
Unless you’re used to being in control.
It’s something you just have to get used to.
As they say, there’s give and take in everything. The Six Sight Brooch was worth the effort to get the full use out of it, even if it was a bit of a chore.
‘In that sense.’
I suppose I’ll just have to get under Grandfell’s skin for a while, won’t I?
To realize something.
Because we need your great talent, Mr. Grandfell.
Dalkag.
I moved quickly, taking out the teacup and reaching into my inside pocket.
I tore open a green tea bag and slowly brewed a cup of tea.
Apparently pleased with my flattery, a lazy voice spoke.
“Only time knows the answer.”
……Suddenly, I hear something.
An unexpected Grandfell style of speaking.
I glanced at my watch and gasped.
It was almost time for afternoon tea.
Well, at least the damn teatime biological clock is accurate, right?
*
The company lunch was not pleasant in the least.
“How much does our representative Kim Hyunmin drink?”
“What? I only drink a few beers…….”
“Eh? Are you already taking care of your health?”
“There is such a thing, and I’ve been drinking since…….”
“Eing, even I, an old man, drink alcohol. Our lively Assistant Manager Kim is already thinking about his health? I’m very disappointed if it comes out like that~”
“……If you give it to me, I will take it.”
“Yes, yes. Is there anyone who drinks well to begin with? It will increase as you drink it all.
How good is the atmosphere when Assistant Manager Kim drinks so voluntarily?”
When should I quit this damn company?
Gulp.
The day Kim Hyunmin is kicked out.
I sipped my drink, imagining pushing that annoying face away.
It seemed like he was genuinely tired of it.
“Oh my, our snack killer, employee Jeong~”
He moved on to his next target.
Kim soothed his bitter stomach with a few pieces of meat.
He turned his attention to the TV.
Rising drunkenness.
He couldn’t hear what was being said…….
The people next to him were talking like loudspeakers.
“I told you, I didn’t like it from the start.”
“What else.”
“Lee Hoyeol, that look in his eyes. His eyes are so mean.”
……What?
“It’s just the arrogance dripping from his eyes……. It’s like he’s advertising that you guys and I are on a different level, and the way he’s wearing his clothes, it’s like he’s just oozing superiority……!”
……Hoyeol?
“Imagine if such Lee Hoyeol could change your mind. As I said last time, the destruction of the world is not an exaggeration, and all the mercy he’s been showing you has been mercy in a good way, but in a way, it’s like a pitiful pity.”
Giving ‘a pitiful pity’ for……?
……Gulp!
Maybe it’s the alcohol I’ve been drinking.
If not, come now.
Maybe it’s because the regrets from decades ago are overwhelming.
kwag.
“Say that again, asshole. pitiful pity?”
“Keu, keugh?!”
“A-assistant Manager Kim Hyunmin? Hey, Assistant Manager Kim! What’s wrong with you, man!!”
Kim Hyunmin said while grabbing the man by the scruff of the neck.
“You talk like you know something about Hoyeol.”
.
.
.
The light suddenly came on for Hyunmin.
“Hyunmin, have you made a meal yet?”
“Huh? Emm…….”
“If you don’t mind, would you like to go on a field trip with me?”