episode_0078

24. What’s Left at the End (3)

After Yeonwoo’s broadcast ended, we slowly got up from our seats and headed to the theater in the library area.

The road to the theater was so quiet, as if they were waiting for someone to die.

Everyone was silent because they knew what they were about to see.

I was just looking at the old man walking ahead solemnly.

So, opening the door to the museum’s luxurious leather theater and looking inside, I found the interior quite splendid.

Of course, it hasn’t been properly managed since the tower appeared, but it’s still the best place I’ve seen so far.

In the past, it was a place where various performances such as classical music, dance, and plays were held, so the stage was quite large and wide.

There were already people preparing, including Yeonwoo and Seokjin Kim, who had arrived and were preparing.

People who had heard the broadcast also sat down one by one and talked to each other about what was going on.

” Come this way. ”

When the person from where Yeonwoo was saw us, he started guiding the old man and us to the back of the stage.

The sight of the old man walking slowly to the back of the stage just looked calm.

My heart ached at the irony that when there was just a little space left to make everyone laugh, it ended up making everyone horrified.

A stage decorated as if paying tribute to someone, rather than with flashy decorations.

Soon, it seemed that he was worried about the end of the person who would go up there.

Let’s slowly lift the stage curtain and take a peek inside. There were now many people sitting.

I turned around and approached the old man and asked him.

” Are you ready? ”

” Anytime… Hoo, don’t make that face. I’ve already understood and decided on it. ”

” Yes. ”

I felt like I would cry if I stayed in front of the old man any longer, so I left.

*****

” Are you okay? ”

Hyunseok looks at me with a worried expression

” It’s a little… difficult… ”

I went up to him, hugged him, and buried my face in his arms.

” Charlotte, please listen to the uncle’s last request. Okay? ”

” Yeah. That’s the best I can do right now. ”

As I was spending time in his arms, Yeonseo approached me.

” I was wondering where you went and you were here? ”

” Can’t I do this? ”

” Everyone here is having a hard time. ”

” I know. I know. ”

Yeonseo came towards me with a sigh, and I hugged Hyunseok a little tighter at that sight.

And she strokes my head.

” I didn’t really… have anything to say. ”

” I know. You’ve been through a lot of hardships too. ”

Yeonseo’s blunt expression disappears and she shows a cheerful expression.

” That’s right. I thought I could just go to the Blue House without any problems. ”

” We… In the end, all we can do is attack the tower or defeat the demons. ”

Yeonseo, who had been stroking my head, took her hand off my head and spoke.

” That’s right, that’s all I can do. But that’s enough, right? Isn’t it? ”

” Maybe so. ”

” Everyone has things they can and can’t do. So don’t be so depressed. ”

With those words, Yeonseo left the room where Hyunseok and I were.

Before we leave, let me just say that it will start soon.

*****

Not long after, someone who appeared to be a staff member called me and headed towards the stage.

The old man had already gone up on stage, and we followed him up on stage.

The curtain rises and the people sitting in front of you are visible.

Right now they are watching us without knowing anything, but soon, some will start screaming or running away in surprise.

But my eyes were drawn more to the old man who was silently waiting for his end next to me than to the people in front of me.

” Thank you all for coming. And first of all, I would like to apologize. ”

After Yeonwoo bowed at a 90-degree angle to greet us, we greeted Jinseok Kim and the people watching.

” Right now… our settlement is overflowing with much pain and sorrow. Many people have lost loved ones and have left.

Originally, we were going to hold a funeral and gather like this, but there was a group that suddenly left, so we had no choice but to change the order. ”

” Why on earth did they leave? ”

I asked about those who disappeared from the audience.

” That… We don’t know. We definitely talked to their representative and decided to leave after holding a joint funeral… ”

Yeonwoo took a deep breath and opened her mouth.

” He used his ability to incapacitate all the management personnel outside and then suddenly left.

I’m sorry I have nothing more to say. ”

At those words, people in the audience began to murmur.

As if she had expected this, Yeonwoo unnie tapped the microphone and continued speaking.

” I know it’s hard to accept an unexpected situation, but what I’m about to tell you is quite… shocking, so please listen carefully.

This time, the demons that attacked our settlement were Lycan Slope and the wolf-type demons under his control.

In particular, these lycanthropes live in human disguise, but when the order comes from the leader of the pack, they break out of their current form and return to their original form.

So we investigated the surroundings to find out when they came to our settlement and found… bodies of people in the nearby forest. ”

When they heard that a body had been found, some people broke into tears, others were so shocked that they were speechless and just stared at the stage, and others shouted that it was nonsense.

” Judging from the condition of the body, it seemed to have been there for two weeks… But that wasn’t the only problem. The suspicious religious group that I’m currently hearing rumors about…

They also took advantage of the gap to come into our settlement and spread ‘this’… ”

At those words, Kim Jin-seok handed a box to Yeon-woo, and Yeon-woo opened the box and picked up a bright red candy.

” This candy… is a dangerous item that can turn people into devils. If you have it, please give it to the nearby management immediately. ”

Some people were so shocked that they started giving it to people around them, and others…

” What are you talking about!!! A person turning into a demon, that’s ridiculous…! This is supposed to give you the power to survive!!! ”

A man who looked quite young stood up from his seat, shouting.

Then, as if he were never going to hand it over, he tried to get away from the people.

” Then, if I prove it… it will work. ”

Everyone in the audience, including the man who was trying to escape from those words, looked at Yeonwoo.

” Do you remember the person next to you? This is Kim Dae-hyun, who lost his beloved wife and daughter in this incident. ”

” Hello. My name is Daehyun Kim. ”

When an unexpected person appeared, their eyes turned to him.

” Mr. Daehyun Kim here… will show you in person. ”

” What kind of nonsense is that! Are you making me a scapegoat?! ”

At those words, the old man took the microphone from Yeonwoo and spoke.

” This is all my opinion. Rather, Yeonwoo here suggested that we find another way, but I… have already lost two precious people.

So, I hope that no one will come across someone with the same sorrow as me, and that’s why I’ve chosen to do this. ”

He handed the mic back to Yeonwoo and took the candy in his hand.

” Sir. ”

” Phew, Miss… I’m really sorry, but… please… grant me one last request. ”

” Yes, don’t worry. ”

And as he put the candy in his mouth and swallowed it, an evil spirit’s energy spread out from his body.

I made this theater my sanctuary before going on stage, so that it would not be visible to others.

Then, black smoke began to spread out from his body for others to see, and he began to drool and convulse.

” Kkeueugh!!! ”

His body swelled up more and more as he groaned in agony as his body twisted.

His hands and feet were already beginning to grow sharp lycanthropic fingernails and claws, and his once thin hair was beginning to grow, covering his entire body in fur.

And finally, he got up, his upper body puffed out enough to tear his shirt, and his eyes opening with gold instead of black pupils.

No, it’s not him anymore.

There was just one demon there.

The people in the audience who were watching the scene just stayed still, and the man who was trying to get away from the management just stared blankly.

” Grrr… ”

” Okay, then goodbye… ”

I quickly pulled out Durandal and passed through his body.

And then my head fell off, I fell to my knees with a ‘thud’, and my body slowly collapsed.

When I picked up his head that was rolling away, there he was with a calm expression on his face, as if he had let go of his foolishness.

So he left.

To where his wife and daughter, who had left first, were.

Indeed, what was he thinking at the end?

Did the god who created this situation hate the world? Or did he just give up on everything and not think about anything?

Many thoughts came to mind, but when I think of his last expression, I think he must have thought that he would see his wife and daughter again.

If it weren’t for that, you wouldn’t be looking so calm.

She held his face in her arms and cried.

It was a brief encounter, but what he went through was so sad.