episode_0070

22. Splitting Garam Settlement (4)

I told everyone the story of the gods, along with the story of the man I met at the clinic in Mokdong Settlement, the story of the suspicious pill, and the story of Han Jin-oh who took it.

Of course, I kept the story that I was… the insurance for creating a new god… a secret.

When they heard the story, they all reacted as if they had heard an unexpected story, and they looked at me with serious expressions, perhaps sensing that things were getting quite serious.

‘ Well, it’s not a stretch. It’s a story about a god who is hard to believe in, along with the reason why the tower appeared. ‘

” So… Charlotte, what you’re saying is that the Tower is a world reset program that appeared after the death of the god Gaia, and the ability is Gaia’s last gift to counter the Tower… right? ”

Mr. Lee Seok-hyeon asked, pressing his thumb between his eyebrows and making a gesture as if he had heard a headache-inducing story.

” Yes, and it has also been revealed that the tower was touched by the evil god Thanatos, so from now on… we may need to be more careful when attacking the tower. ”

” Then, Charlotte, can we assume that the current Obelisk Cult is the one that worships the evil god you mentioned? ”

This time, Seo Jin asked me.

” That’s highly likely. Right now, I think it’s that group that’s spreading these pills, and there have been sightings of them reaching out to outlaws and ordinary settlers. ”

” Then, there is a chance that the group that is with that old man now is also part of that religious group… ”

” I guess it’s high… ”

” Sigh, really bad things keep happening. I wonder how my sister is going to deal with this. ”

Yeonseo was sticking close to Seojin, thinking about what Yeonwoo, who had just left the room, would do.

” Well, I don’t know what to do right now. It wouldn’t be good to provoke them. ”

While they were discussing what to do next, Hyunseok raised his hand and asked Seokhyun Lee and Jin Seo.

” Hey guys, is it okay for a second? I have a question for you. ”

” What? I’ll answer for Seok-Hyeon, who doesn’t know anything. ”

” So you said that the child was definitely looking for his mother? Then, where is that woman? ”

” Huh? Really? Oh, come to think of it, Senior Seojin. The uncle was here, but I don’t see the aunt? ”

” I definitely… didn’t see the lady. I definitely remember… her being with the man. ”

” Seojin hyung. I think we need to find that lady. ”

” Okay. I’ll look for it as soon as possible. ”

With those words, Seojin and Jinhee got up from their seats and headed outside, and Yeonseo also went out saying she would go with Seojin.

” Then I should go out too~ ”

” Are you going out too, hyung? ”

” Uh. Seojin hyung said, he told me to stay in my room, but you know I can’t stand staying still, right? So I’m going to go out and look for any traces of evil spirits that might be around. ”

” Really, if I don’t listen and Seojin hyung says something later, I won’t know? ”

” Ha! It’s not like I’ve been doing this for a day or two. Anyway, I’m going out~ ”

” Okay. Be careful and let me know if you find anything. ”

After answering dryly, Lee Seok-hyeon also left the room.

*****

‘Huh…? Everyone’s gone. That means…’

While I was thinking that, Hyunseok hugged me from behind, which made me flinch in surprise.

” Tongue… Hyunseok…? ”

” I’m sorry if I startled you. But… I think you have something to tell me. ”

” Haha… As expected, you recognized me? ”

” Yeah, because I’m always watching you. ”

” Oh my… Really… Are you saying something like that in this situation…? ”

” Why? It’s just the two of us anyway right now, right? ”

I was carried by Hyunseok and dragged to the soft sofa, where I sat on his lap.

” So, what’s the story you intentionally hid? ”

” Haha… You’re asking me that right? ”

” You don’t like it? ”

” I don’t hate it. Rather… I thought about what you would think after hearing this story. Just listen without getting angry. Okay? ”

” Yeah, don’t worry about it. ”

I lifted my head up into his arms and looked at him, and began to talk.

The story of when I lost consciousness and attacked him.

The incident where I attacked him because of the seeds of evil spirits planted in my body while I was under the influence of the evil spirits.

An incident where I almost forgot my entire past and fought Patruna due to the power of the evil god.

And the story about Patruna and my body.

As he finished speaking slowly and calmly, I could tell from his expression that he was quite angry.

” What the~ You said you weren’t angry~ ”

” Charlotte. How can you hold back your anger after hearing that? Even though she’s my sister!!! ”

” Hyunseok, that kid gave up a lot for me too. So don’t be so angry. And at first, I was a little… angry, but in the end, it was my choice. ”

” Charlotte…! ”

He hugged my body tightly and whispered in my ear.

” Okay. If that’s what you think, I won’t say anything more. But promise me this. If… even if you become a new god, stay by my side. ”

I lowered my head at his words.

He probably knows that… if I… fully grow up and become a new god… I might not be able to be by his side. But even knowing that, he wants me to be by his side.

I also want to be by his side forever. That’s why… I turned around, grabbed his face, smiled, and answered.

” Of course. I’ll… always be by your side. So don’t worry. ”

” Yeah… ”

I placed my lips on his and gave him a long, lingering kiss.

Feeling each other’s warmth, they share a sweet yet… passionate kiss, with the hope of being together in the future…

*****

” Jinseok, what happened? ”

” Still no answer. ”

Charlotte and everyone else left the room and tried to contact the father of the child at the center of the situation, but they were unable to have a proper conversation due to the group blocking them like swords.

Yeonwoo and Jinseok were sitting in an office in the museum’s office building with their co-workers, watching the situation.

” Okay, let’s take a look at the situation there. More importantly, what’s the current situation at the settlement? ”

” First of all, there are no major problems with the barriers except for the main gate. We are currently assessing the casualties.

And once you’ve arranged your group to gather in the library and the other settlement residents to avoid meeting in the exhibition hall on the other side, it should be fine. ”

” Phew, okay. How did people react? ”

” There were some people who almost fell for it, but since there were many people who saw it in person, it seems like they didn’t fall for it.

So, they are trying to send more and more people out of that group, but they are telling them it is dangerous and they are not letting them go.

But I don’t know what action they will take. ”

Yeonwoo thought as she tapped the desk.

As I told Charlotte and everyone else in the room earlier, that crowd wouldn’t believe anything I said.

It is not a situation that can continue like this, but it is difficult to even assess the damage to settlement facilities and human life caused by the demons.

I just hoped they wouldn’t move.

As I thought that, I got up from my seat again to check on the situation of the people I had dropped off from the group. The moment I got up, the device on my wrist started ringing.

” Hey? It’s Jinhee? Yeah, Jinhee. What’s wrong? ”

[ Oh… Sister! We’re in trouble! The devil… The devil showed up!!! ]

” What?! What are you talking about?! No, where did the devil come from?! ”

[ It’s an exhibition hall! Right now, in the exhibition hall, there’s a demon… no, this is… people… becoming demons! ]

” What?! What the…!? Seriously… No way…! Okay. I’ll send someone now, so evacuate the people! ”

[ Evacuation? Oh… But people are being taken over… and we’re evacuating them…!? ]

” Yeonseo said that you can tell when it changes, so you’ll know when you see it! Where is Yeonseo? ”

[ Yeonseo… went outside the building with senior Seojin to look for people. ]

” Person? Who did you go looking for? ”

[ The wife of the man who is the child’s father. It was said that it was strange that he was not seen… ]

” Hoo, I got it. I’ll contact Yeonseo, so you cooperate with the people around you to drop the devil on the person, okay? ”

[ Yes! But I don’t know how long I can hold out! Whoa!!! ]

” Jinhee?! Shit, it’s disconnected. First, everyone, be on high alert! You never know where the demons might come from, so contact those who can fight and have them guard the area. And tell those close to the exhibition hall to go to support! ”

At Yeonwoo’s words, everyone in the office started to contact each other in unison, and Yeonseo got up from her seat and left the office.

” Yeonwoo?! Where are you going! ”

She stopped in her tracks as Jinseok’s hand grabbed her and opened her mouth.

” I’m going to meet the old man. ”

” What?! I told you earlier. I can’t meet you… ”

” I know. But looking at the current situation, it seems like you’re the one who’s messing around. ”

” What does that mean? ”

” I told you before, right? About the pills Yeonseo mentioned. ”

” Wait, so the demon’s appearance just now has something to do with that? ”

” Yeah, Jinhee said it. People… became demons… ”

” Oh my god… That was really true…? Okay. Instead, let’s gather some more people and go. It’s dangerous for your current health, okay? ”

” Okay. And call Hyunseok. Tell him to go to the exhibition hall quickly. ”

” Don’t worry, I already contacted you. ”

” Haha! As expected, our Jinseok. I really like how he acts quickly~ ”

Saying so, the two of them walked towards the child’s father and his group in the library along with the people around them.

Not knowing what they might encounter.