Chapter 209

Chapter 209. Succession (1)

Peeking glances. Rashar kept stealing looks at K, who sat across from Gretman.

Although he hadn’t given her a single glance since entering the tent, the fact that Gretman was the one with the business made it clear that he intended to ignore her.

Just a few months ago, they were exchanging warm greetings. It was an extreme change, one that made her wonder how things had gotten to this point.

Unable to release a sigh, Rashar swallowed it once more today. She found herself recalling the words K had blurted out time and again when she swallowed her sighs.

– Stop acting like I sacrificed myself for the Order’s benefit. It’s your misunderstanding.

– Why are you imposing your desires on me and expecting me to fulfill them?

– Today is the last time I’ll tolerate it. It’s distasteful to idolize me as if I’m some kind of saint.

Every time she dwelled on his words, her breath caught in her throat.

‘I had expectations, didn’t I?!’

She couldn’t deny it because he had struck the heart of the matter.

She had dared to hope that the ceaseless war she had endured from such a young age might finally come to an end—that the Outsiders the gods had brought would save this world.

Supporting the Outsiders in secret, even using her family’s resources beyond the Order’s, was probably motivated by the same hope.

‘Did I think that speeding up that day would work?!’

Among those Outsiders, she expected more from K and supported him even more. He stood out especially among them, after all.

On top of that, she’d heard from Gretman that he saw something special in K.

That unilateral anticipation ballooned rapidly and grew quite large, without considering the burden it might place on K.

She was merely happy that someone appeared who could solve the problem for her, since she was exhausted.

‘This surely is just an excuse, right?!’

She acknowledged that the selfish desire she hadn’t even been aware of was part of her hopes and considered apologizing several times.

But deep down, she still hoped for salvation.

Even now, she struggled with the impulse to use Palao’s authority every time she looked at K, wanting to see with her own eyes the potential for grand charity that could save millions.

Her true intentions barred her from apologizing.

‘A superficial apology wouldn’t help!’

It felt as though she’d fallen into a tunnel.

‘How can I regain how things were?’

While she resumed the same dilemma she’d pondered a hundred times or more, Gretman, who had entered the tent before her, spoke.

“I’m asking for the third time now. Have you received any indication from Karlos?”

“I am not an apostle of Karlos, though?”

“Don’t resort to useless wordplay. We have no time.”

“We, you say…?”

K let out a small, dismissive sigh as he perched on the wooden table in the tent.

“Let’s speak accurately. It’s not we, but you who are running out of time, isn’t it?”

Rashar’s shoulders flinched slightly. Gretman’s brows also furrowed slightly. But K continued, indifferent to the reactions.

“It seems like you’re plotting something with Gilenios Begram…do you think I’ll just comply?”

“You wouldn’t, given your nature. That’s why we requested help from Karlos.”

“You’re practically singing praises of Karlos. Is he supposed to be some sort of almighty solution? Truly impressive faith. Aren’t you an apostle of Palao? Ah, right… it’s absurd to cling to a vanished god.”

“How dare you mock the Goddess before me.”

Gretman’s demeanor turned sharply knife-like in an instant. Rashar unconsciously inserted herself between Gretman and K.

Fortunately, the situation she feared didn’t arise. Gretman clicked his tongue briefly, adjusted his bearing, and conceded a step.

“Considering you’re an Outsider, I’ll overlook it this time. But don’t speak of the Goddess in my presence again. It’s not just the Goddess. While I won’t demand your reverence for them, that doesn’t give you the right to mock them either.”

Rashar, who had stood before Gretman, turned back. K gazed at Gretman with a peculiar expression. Then, suddenly.

“Do you know what those gods you so fervently extol have done?”

He posed a cryptic question.

“Enough of that talk.”

Gretman dismissed the question, avoiding an answer. Rashar swallowed a dry mouthful and glanced back at Gretman.

“What have the gods done…?”

What has occurred to spark such words?

There was no opportunity to inquire further.

“How utterly absurd…”

It was K, rubbing his face roughly, who first interjected with a voice more agitated than moments before.

“Look here. You seem aware of it—knowing that, do you still have the heart to praise the gods? That’s quite the remarkable faith.”

“What’s got you so upset? There shouldn’t be anything adverse for you.”

K’s expression rapidly hardened. After a brief, intense silence, he let out a dismissive sigh.

“Well, that’s fair enough. This situation isn’t my fault, and I’ll no longer care.”

“Since idle prattle has ceased, answer me properly. Has Karlos given you any indication…?”

“I haven’t received any indications or had any direct conversation.”

“That can’t be right…”

“Instead, he gave me this.”

K curtly interrupted Gretman, extending his hand. In it, he held a piece of paper. Rashar leaned slightly to get a look at the paper. Only a few letters at the edge were visible from where she stood.

“A voucher…”

It was one way Outsiders received divine blessings. Trying to discern whose blessing it was, she leaned further to spot the word ‘Meferoseta.’

“Indeed, it’s the most certain way for you. Why haven’t you used it?”

“I’ve been somewhat busy.”

“Then use it now.”

“I don’t particularly want to…”

“If you continue to be uncooperative, we have no choice. We’ve assisted you; it’s time for you to repay that.”

“Repay a debt?”

“Yes.”

Gretman spoke while clutching the hilt of the sword at his waist. He was declaring that if K refused, he would compel him by force.

With a deep, weighty sigh, K tore the paper he held. His eyes turned a shimmering gold. The moment reminded Rashar of their first meeting.

“Ugh…”

At that moment, K clenched his mouth shut and squinted as if in distress. Rashar hurried over, alarmed.

But before her extended hand could reach, K swatted it away and glared fiercely at Gretman. After examining K with a scrutinizing gaze, Gretman spoke.

“Well then, what will you do?”

The silence didn’t last long.

“You certainly have a reason for such confidence.”

Letting out a long breath, K stood from his spot and waved his hand in the air. A pocket watch appeared at the spot. As he tucked it into his pocket, he spoke.

“Lead the way.”

“Good, you should have done so from the start.”

Rashar found herself unable to follow the conversation excluding her that ensued between the two.

Yet, she sensed that Gretman intended to take K somewhere. Thus, as the pair moved to exit the tent, she tried to follow.

“You don’t need to accompany us.”

Gretman didn’t permit it so readily.

“What do you mean… I still can’t trust you fully, Gretman.”

“Your trust isn’t important. This is all the Goddess’s will. Your role is over; return to your place.”

Rashar had no intention of complying with Gretman’s demand.

“Something could happen to K, I must accompany you.”

“Why?”

However, Gretman wasn’t alone in opposing her company. When she turned her gaze quickly, K was facing her directly.

“Why are you tagging along?”

Though she opened her mouth with something to say, the words didn’t follow.

Confronted by his indifferent yet cold gaze, she found herself unable to utter a word. Whether he noticed her state or not, K repeated his rejection.

“I don’t need your help; just head back.”

Taking another step toward the tent’s entrance, he paused just before exiting.

“Oh, and about Ahel.”

“What do you mean…?”

“There’s no need to have him around anymore, is there?”

“But…”

“It’s discomforting, being supported in exchange for you expecting something from me. If I’d known, neither you nor the Order could expect anything substantial, to begin with.”

Words failed her in the face of his crude choice of words.

“Once again, I’ll say it plainly, I have no intention of sacrificing myself for you. I lack the capability to salvage this world turned upside down by madmen obsessed with their spilling soup bowls.”

“…….”

“Of course, I plan to repay what I’ve already received. Living on the edge of corrupted areas, it’s sufficient to fulfill my part.”

Putting us in corrupted areas to nurture us, wasn’t that the intention?

As he continued speaking, Rashar’s gaze lowered further.

“So don’t expect more; there’s nothing I can grant you.”

With a curt finality, K stated he’d retrieve Ahel, without waiting for Rashar to respond, he left the tent, leaving her behind.

Left alone, the surrounding noise felt disproportionately loud in the sudden stillness.

The fierce rain that battered the tent like piercing holes in the sky added to the solitude as she stood there, staring blankly at the ground.

A while later, a rustling presence drew her notice.

Plop, plop.

She quickly raised her head, but the voice that layered above the rustling was not of a familiar person.

“Hmm, hmm, indeed the equipment boost is good.”

“That’s obvious, considering you came running with a burning… huh?”

It was Kim Yul and Yang Taeho, K’s companions, who opened the tent after braving the storm.

“Oh, Rashar nuna?”

“Aha, aren’t you the apostle? How have you been?”

“Oh, well…”

Surprised by their sudden appearance, Rashar could barely form a proper respond. In her hesitation, Kim Yul entered first, greeting her with warmth.

“It’s been a while! Were you here to see hyung?”

“Well, that is…”

“Hyung just messaged saying he went somewhere for a bit…but, were you with him?”

Rashar nodded gradually and, for the first time since she met them, managed to construct a complete sentence.

“Yes, well, something like that. I intended to accompany him, but he said it wasn’t necessary… haha.”

She awkwardly laughed, attempting to gloss over the situation.

“Well.. that’s indeed true.”

“Pardon?”

“Hmm?”

“Our party leader isn’t a child, is he? There’s no need for you, the apostle, to accompany him, is there?”

Yang Taeho said directly, gazing at Rashar with unexpected words.

Damned System

TL’s Corner:

Sadje, K is being harsh on Rashar.