Ch.152Shadow Duel is Dangerous (2)

To be honest, at this point there were enough clues.

Through the various incidents I’ve experienced, I’ve gathered quite a few threads and could somewhat grasp the outline of this dungeon situation entangled with Earth.

However, before the Gildeon incident, I lacked the strength to take active measures.

‘Now there’s nothing holding me back.’

Through Serejia’s information, I gained confidence about many things, and I’ve already regained all my power.

No, rather, in the process of climbing back up from the bottom once more, I’ve acquired even greater strength than before.

‘My condition is better than I expected.’

And right now, I was looking for Shin Doyun to take care of the matter that concerned me the most.

I deliberately didn’t bring my other companions. There might be situations where I’d need to fight at full power.

Rustle.

Thud.

Thud.

“You came quickly.”

“…What business do you have with me?”

Since his memory was erased, the current Shin Doyun only recognizes me as Baek Seoha’s family member and an S-rank hunter from Korea.

Therefore, he wouldn’t remember this place where we first had our secret meeting.

‘Of course, that’s only if everything wasn’t a lie.’

The mastermind behind this dungeon situation has been somewhat confirmed. However, there was still one person whose identity I hadn’t completely uncovered.

The mysterious figure who contacted the returnee Shin Doyun, instigated Lee Jichul’s murder, and tried to interfere with Hades.

I came here today to settle things with that person.

“Don’t you remember this place?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You should know.”

In fact, I already had a sense of who was behind Shin Doyun.

It couldn’t be otherwise. After hearing various stories from Serejia, the answer became too clear.

‘She told me all the information in detail, but Serejia never once mentioned awakening or status windows.’

It was the same in the martial artist’s memories I had glimpsed before. The dungeon situation and the existence of giant gates were the same, but strangely, elements like status windows were nowhere to be found.

What does that mean?

‘Awakened ones and status windows should be considered completely separate from dungeons.’

Thinking about it, they were different from the beginning.

The dungeon situation was a process of invasion and harmful to us, but the status window was completely the opposite.

It helped rather than harmed us.

‘It’s more reasonable to see it as a countermeasure against dungeons.’

And there’s only one being who could do such a thing.

It means there’s a god on this Earth who doesn’t welcome the enemy’s invasion.

I suspect that this is the same person backing Shin Doyun.

“Why have you been silent?”

“…If you called me for pointless conversation, I’ll be leaving now.”

Shin Doyun still pretends not to know.

His act was so natural it was hard to see it as acting, but unfortunately, I already had my conviction.

“Let’s not waste time. I came here with my precious time too.”

At first, I thought I had just lost the trail.

It seemed like Earth’s god, having achieved their purpose, erased Shin Doyun’s memories and cut ties with him as he was no longer useful.

But thinking carefully, something felt off.

Why Shin Doyun of all people?

There’s Choi Hamin, a stronger returnee, and as I mentioned before, it’s nearly impossible to stop Hades with Shin Doyun’s abilities.

However, amidst these thoughts, I noticed one strange point.

‘So did Shin Doyun fail in the end?’

No.

Rather, if you think about it, it was close to perfect success.

Although he was thoroughly defeated by Lee Jichul, he immediately involved me, which led to Lee Jichul’s downfall, and that became the starting point for my full-scale conflict with Hades.

In the end, I even took down their leader Heimbell and Gildeon, so Shin Doyun’s backer essentially achieved everything they wanted.

At a glance, Shin Doyun didn’t do anything, but in a way, he got everything he needed.

“Something seems off. Can things in this world align so perfectly?”

Looking at it that way, several questions are resolved.

Since there was no intention to win through direct combat, Shin Doyun’s lack of power wasn’t an issue, and rather, including such aspects created the optimal position to draw me in.

At that time, due to our common identity as returnees and the information about the being connected to him, I couldn’t leave him to die.

But there’s one thing that bothers me in that case.

For something with intent, Shin Doyun’s actions were too natural and perfect.

No matter how I thought about it, rather than acting, he just seemed like an incompetent guy.

But that perfection planted firm doubt in me.

“Well, humans can’t act that perfectly.”

But what if he wasn’t human?

The very existence of Shin Doyun’s backer was just an assumption.

Only Shin Doyun himself knows the truth, and I’ve never seen it with my own eyes.

In a way, it could also be an illusion.

‘If it weren’t for Gordon’s story, I might have missed it.’

Gordon believed he was a lich who chose half-immortality, but he actually wasn’t.

So what’s different here?

The moment I realized this, what I had vaguely believed to be true suddenly felt unfamiliar.

“Does this entity you supposedly made a contract with really exist?”

“……”

Shin Doyun didn’t answer my question. He must have realized there was no point in evading anymore.

“Seems like I’m right.”

The moment I confirmed this, Shin Doyun’s demeanor changed.

From just a mediocre hunter with A-rank level power to a higher-dimensional being that exuded solemnity.

After a long silence, Shin Doyun spoke softly.

“…Impressive. I thought I hadn’t made any mistakes.”

“It was too perfect, that was the problem.”

Finally, a sigh of resignation followed.

And at last, the truth I wanted to hear came out of his mouth.

“Yes. You’re right.”

“……”

“I am the creator of the system.”

It was a truly blatant declaration.

“I created hunters and associations. I’ve protected Earth from the clutches of powerful enemies until now.”

And.

“As you’ve noticed, I was also the one who bound your power.”

“You’re being so honest that I’m starting to get angry.”

“Forgive me. As you know, it was necessary.”

Of course I know. Although it ended up with me forcibly uncovering his identity, it was clear that he was acting for Earth’s sake.

“So, it seems you have a reason for wanting to contact me like this.”

Of course. If not for that, I wouldn’t have thought to reveal the truth first.

And Shin Doyun also seemed to have a rough idea of the reason.

“You’ve been observing until now, so you know, right? We’re not enemies.”

“That’s certainly true. I thought you had a somewhat anxiety-inducing nature, but peeling back the layers, you’re surprisingly dedicated.”

Of course. No matter what, this is my homeland and home.

How could I let anyone invade it?

“So, let’s not move separately with poor efficiency.”

Having recognized that we’re not enemies, there’s no reason to be cautious in the face of a powerful invader like a high-ranking god.

If I can get help from him, who is supposedly Earth’s god, it would be a great assistance, and Shin Doyun would also need more cards for future events.

Rejection wasn’t an option. Slowly approaching me, Shin Doyun extended his hand first, offering a handshake of peace.

“…Looking forward to working together.”

“That’s what I wanted.”

To be honest, I wanted to give him a punch, but that anger wasn’t enough to ruin the matter at hand.

And compared to that, there’s a much more important issue remaining.

“Then now, will you return my original body?”

“…What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Give me back my body.”

Shin Doyun pondered for a moment, then frowned as if he still didn’t understand.

I tilted my head in bewilderment.

“Wait, don’t you know my original form? I’m asking you to return me to that state.”

“Why are you asking me? I don’t know anything about that.”

“You didn’t do it?”

Since I naturally thought it was Shin Doyun’s doing, I was thrown into confusion and kept thinking.

But there was no need to ponder. If not Shin Doyun, there was only one person who could have done it.

‘…This half-baked fraud is the real deal.’

I held my forehead, barely suppressing my anger, and sorted out the remaining business with Shin Doyun.

When I returned home, I saw Serejia sitting comfortably on the sofa, eating ice cream and watching a drama with Seoha.

With my eye twitching at the sight, I approached behind Serejia leisurely and asked.

“…Is it delicious?”

“Yes. Earth’s snacks are truly amazing. I’ve never tasted something this soft before.”

“I see.”

“Kyaak!”

Right after, I snatched it, cast an enlargement spell on it, and dumped it upside down on Serejia’s head.

It was time to punish the culprit who had caused all my suffering.