Chapter 249

Yu Seongun came rushing over when he heard the news.

"Ah, hold on a second."

"Mr. Yu Seongun, it's been a while."

"Far too long, and it's good to see you, but Ju-hyeon told me something terribly ominous."

"You mean the news that I, 'Jio's Portrait,' will soon be getting a revamp."

"Can I request that the update be canceled?"

"This old-fashioned portrait has no such sophisticated premium features."

"What a terrible shame."

Yu Seongun had just arrived at Collector's gallery after an overseas business trip. He staggered over, unfolded a portable chair, and set it before the portrait. A passing fifth-floor Curator greeted him.

"Oh, I heard you were abroad."

"I flew straight back as soon as I finished."

"Well, keep up the good work."

"Heading home, are you? Oh, I'm jealous. Clocking out already, at four in the morning?"

"I'm going home to see my little Kyureung, so don't hold me up. I've got feeding to do."

"How can our friendship, forged through overtime, be so shallow...?"

"Well, that's what you get for daring to stop someone who's clocked out."

After the Curator coolly departed, Jio asked Yu Seongun a question.

"Kyureung sounds adorable just from the name. Who is that?"

"The goldfish they keep at home..."

"So goldfish these days don't just make noises, they go 'kyureung,' too. I've learned something new."

"I don't know. However much I listen, it sounds nothing like 'kyureung' to me."

"What does it sound like, then?"

"More like 'rumble, crash, boom.'"

"Isn't that a thunderstorm?"

"I don't know why they didn't name that goldfish Thunderbolt."

"I think naming a goldfish Thunderbolt would be far too cruel."

"You're right, my mistake. I'm so tired I'm talking nonsense."

Even a goldfish had its dignity, after all.

"Uh, anyway, back to the point..."

Yu Seongun took out a notebook and fountain pen, then asked another question.

"Mr. Arjio?"

"Present?"

"Excellent. I appreciate the quick switch."

A red braid was already trailing down beyond the frame. Yu Seongun narrowed his eyes with a thoughtful hum.

"I've heard you've recently begun preparing in earnest to become an evil god. What's going on? Does that mean the current evil god Arjio isn't complete?"

"Synchronization is stuck at 99.9%."

"What, it's buffering? Is it a bug?"

"You could call it a bug."

To put it one way, the computer was refusing to accept 0.1 of a file.

"The other 'Jios' are protesting quite vehemently at the moment."

"Uh... is that how assimilation works? You're more democratic than I expected."

"We can exchange opinions like that if necessary, but 'Jio' is effectively one being. I only seem separate because I haven't fully assimilated yet."

"What on earth is it like in there?"

"Ultimately, assimilation means becoming one..."

It was like a person growing by understanding and accepting emotions such as love, anger, and sorrow. This, too, required 'Jio' to reach understanding and embrace it. How could they become one if he rejected a particular value deep inside? They couldn't.

"Of course, he's already understood and accepted a great deal, which is how we reached 99.9%."

"For some reason, I suspect there are more decimal places after that 99.9%, but go on."

"Well... certain things come to mind when you hear 'evil god,' don't they?"

"Calamity."

"And 'Jio' hasn't come to terms with that yet."

"Does even calamity have value that needs to be understood and embraced?"

"As I understand it, isn't that precisely why Collector built this gallery?"

"You're right." Yu Seongun grinned. "That's why we're Collector."

They were a relentless breed who found alluring value even in calamity.

"So you'll eventually become a complete evil god, too."

Even so, he knew that 'Seo Jio' would remain the dominant personality. Just as 'Giovanni' hadn't become the dominant personality, neither would 'Arjio.' Perhaps that was why he wasn't particularly worried.

'At worst, a few guilds will get wiped out.'

Hmm.

'... Still, he did say he was the evil god of blood and wrath, so perhaps I should allow a little more leeway in the damage estimate... He said all battles would take place inside dungeons anyway, so government and Association measures should cover reconstruction.'

Gauging the extent of humanity's losses, Yu Seongun spoke again.

"I haven't studied your history, so I can't say for certain... but you're going to be pretty nasty, then?"

"You and Ater both say the most appalling things right in front of the person concerned. But to answer your question, I'm afraid so. Even with that conflict-averse happy pig and the saint of mercy diluting me, you would all do well to prepare yourselves."

"Good grief, is our portrait finally hitting puberty...?"

"Am I not a little old to go through that again now?"

"Twenty-four is young."

"How generous you are in deciding who counts as a child."

"I learned it from you."

After all, this was someone who wouldn't even treat eighteen-year-olds as adults, though they were of age.

"I'd better file a report about this. Don't worry, though. I have no intention of interfering with your Demon King project. I'm a man who believes artistic value can be found even in suffering and death."

"A welcome contrast to Ju-hyeon, who was exceedingly uncomfortable about it."

"I suppose I won't be able to ask you for mercy if I encounter you in a dungeon?"

"I certainly know the value of mercy. I know the value of acceptance and salvation, and of fellowship as well."

His golden eyes curved deeply with his smile.

"But whether the evil god knows those things, I cannot say."

"Oh, don't give me that." Yu Seongun smiled unruffled, unwrapped a lollipop, and put it in his mouth. "You know it all."

Everything in the world had value. The question was how well it suited the times and circumstances.

* * *

Arjio said, "People need to get angry sometimes. How can you go through life doing nothing but showing mercy?"

Giovanni said, "People need to show mercy sometimes. How can you go through life doing nothing but getting angry?"

"Now, now. Should a priest who claims to serve a Divinity of providence be playing such dirty tricks? Giovanni, you simply don't show anger because you never feel it, don't you?"

"Do you think I've never resented or hated anyone? I merely exercise a little compassion and understanding. They are essential to a community of intelligent beings."

"But how can everyone possess ideal compassion and reason? Listen, my friend. Most people aren't as patient as we are. Even on Earth, there's a saying that fists are closer than the law. That didn't come from nowhere."

"I have no desire to resort to violence when everyone could be better off by following the rules. Above all, don't you enjoy violence for its own sake, Arjio?"

"It isn't violence. It's merely the process of growing stronger and working out the knots in my heart. What fault is there in taking pleasure in that noble means itself?"

"This is the trouble with evil gods..."

"Look who's talking, mercy bomber."

Seo Jio said, "Could we please go paint now?"

"Very well."

"Of course."

It was time to finish the 'Amusement Park of Dreams.'

* * *

"..."

The Moon Cult priest looked around.

"..."

A desk and walls piled high with research work. A wheeled board. Everywhere he looked was filled with precious knowledge and beloved creations, each impossible to tear his eyes away from.

"..."

As he wandered about, he took in the contents. Research into The Root. It was progressing remarkably smoothly. This was something he could even pass on to the Association. He immersed himself in it as though bewitched.

Then he came to his senses.

"... Ah, right."

This was a dream.

"I was investigating the dungeon's structure."

The papers he had been holding drifted through the air.

'I've already spent a month distracted by enjoying these dreams... I nearly made the same mistake again. Should I be grateful I came to my senses now, at least?'

At the Association's request, the Moon Cult was continuing its research into the dungeon 'Amusement Park of Dreams.' As a Virtual Dungeon, it wasn't easy to understand. A place where 'dreams' came true exactly as one wished—how very abstract.

'What's astonishing is that all the knowledge available here has practical value. That means this realm wasn't created from my knowledge. No, some of it must be reflected in how it constructs the setting or adjusts the circumstances... but that's not all there is to it.'

Even the knowledge concerning 'The Root' had practical value.

"..."

He had written down the condition, 'A dream where my research bears fruit,' and placed it beneath his pillow. That simple act had brought him numerous breakthroughs in just a few days. It left him feeling hollow, yet the pleasure was addictive.

'Enough to make me want to live in this dream forever...'

But that was impossible.

'This is a kind of lucid dream. Whether the dreamer can lengthen or shorten its duration at will seems to depend on their individual capabilities. But spending longer in the dream doesn't increase the time spent asleep in reality.'

Everyone went to sleep and woke up at ordinary times. Neither time nor their bodies suffered any abnormalities. Aside from being terribly addictive, this dream had no side effects.

'But I'm here to complete the assignment I received from the Moon Cult. I mustn't let this sweet dream bewitch me any longer. I'll have ample opportunity to savor an even greater variety of knowledge once I've fulfilled my duty to the cult...'

It was as he repeated this to himself that he heard it.

"Why resist?"

"..."

"Isn't it wonderfully sweet?"

"... What...?"

He looked behind him.

"..."

But this was still his laboratory. A dream fashioned in the image of his own lab. There was no reason for an unfamiliar voice to be heard here. He looked in every direction, but could not see its owner.

This time, the voice came from his right.

"Someone as bright as you must surely know that none of the knowledge you see and hear here is illusory. This place is full of profound, mysterious knowledge that will contribute to the advancement of humanity and the world... All of it is your achievement."

Then it came from his left.

"Do you feel empty because it's a dream? Yes, perhaps you would if you had dreamed of spending money with abandon. The same would be true of a dream where you ate your fill of delicious food. But you know, don't you?"

"..."

"Knowledge cannot be illusory. So long as it is not a lie, knowledge is knowledge, and it is noble. Now, look. All the knowledge you have yearned for is piled high before you."

"..."

"Perhaps you blame yourself because you didn't achieve all this on your own. But there's no need. I shall make an exception and grant you my permission. After all, was it not your own strength and choices that brought you this far...?"

Then whispers came from all around.

"You needn't struggle." "You are working hard enough." "Now, what else did you want to know?" "Poor thing. This cramped pen is your entire world." "Shall I show you a library this time?" "Don't you want to see the world?" "There is such a wealth of knowledge here." "The Root is a truly mysterious concept." "You can save more people." "Who else could discover knowledge of such value?" "It is too soon for you to learn this, but I shall make an exception." "You have been given a wonderful opportunity." "Do you already wish to wake from this sweet dream...?" "Sleep deeper, deeper still." "Reach out." "Imagine more." "What is it you want?" "What desires do you harbor?" "All the knowledge once forbidden to you is here." "Aren't you curious?" "This is a dream for you alone." "It is your dream."

The priest's mouth opened and closed.

"..."

He must not answer.

'... I mustn't answer a single word.'

If it were merely a monster, he might be all right. But if it was one of The Root's children, things would get complicated. A mystery with authority, like a Divinity or a dungeon itself. A human could be warped in an instant.

The moment that thought occurred to him, he sensed a presence behind him.

"My dear fellow... It truly hurts to be ignored like this."

"..."

"It seems this dream isn't to your satisfaction."

He must not look. He had to pretend he couldn't hear.

"How very peculiar. You don't even recognize your own contradiction. Haven't you always believed that nothing matters except knowledge? I distinctly remember you creating this dream because that was what you wanted..."

"..."

"All the knowledge you desire is here. Why not stay a little longer? Don't you want broader knowledge? And yet, out of concern for your duties in reality, you seek to pick apart this sweet dream. Reality, reality... What is so important there?"

"..."

"Are you worried about what you left behind in reality? Your duties there, your fellow priests, the brothers who trust and follow you? Have no fear. As you know, this dream is long, while reality remains as it always was. Why try to return to reality despite that? Come, sink a little deeper into sleep. A little deeper..."

CLINK.

With the sound of jewels or something similar knocking together, a hand gripped his shoulder.

"It takes only a moment to cast something aside."

Whatever it might be.

"..."

"..."

A moment later, the presence vanished.

"... Ugh..."

Trembling, he turned around, but nothing remained. Only the dark shadows of his laboratory. For a long time, the priest stared into those empty shadows as though glaring at them.

Then he recalled what the voice had said.

'... What's so important about reality?'

... Indeed, what was?

'Why was I trying to go back?'

The man stood there like that for a long time.

(To be continued)