episode_0168

53. I will be the dawn that divides the darkness. (1)

Three months have passed since the sky became dark.

During the first week, stories began to circulate among the people about the sudden changes in the sky, such as, ‘We are paying the price for failing to conquer the tower, the end of the world that was delayed has come, this is the work of a powerful person.’

The Internet, which is a communication channel that can be accessed through devices, is a place where such stories are constantly rising and falling, with no end in sight.

The sky turning black was a phenomenon that was experienced not only in Seoul, or even in Korea, but all over the world, and soon after, a message was delivered to everyone’s devices.

{I have come to bring an end to mankind. – Thanatos – }

A very simple yet clear sentence.

People thought the message was a prank, but as a week passed and two weeks passed, everyone became afraid as the sun showed no sign of rising.

Even the stars and moon that illuminated the dark night sky disappeared, and people fell into complete panic and discussed many ideas to find a way out of this situation, but the conclusion was the same.

That the end has truly come for humanity.

And after a month, all the towers began to twist and turn black in a strange way, and from every tower that rose above the ground, regardless of when it was built or whether it had been conquered, demons would come out and attack the people.

Many people fought to stop the demons, but they were unable to deal with the demons, who were stronger than usual, and so they simply built walls around the settlement and held out inside.

Yes, that’s how mankind began to walk the path to destruction.

In such a darkness of despair where not even a ray of hope can be seen, they cry out for a ‘God’ who will save them.

*****

” How’s it going there? Are they short on supplies or something? ”

– It’s okay for now. I got it last time. And since we have my sister anyway, you don’t have to worry too much. –

” Really? That’s good, but… How’s your body? Are you still having a hard time these days? ”

– It feels a little heavy, but… it’s still okay. More than that… –

In a dark room, a man shakes his glass of alcohol by the light of a device, and the voice of a tired woman echoes.

The man was taking a sip of his drink and caressing the children’s heads as two young children were still sleeping on his lap.

– More than that… ‘that guy’ hasn’t come yet? –

” Unfortunately, there is no news. Sorry. ”

– Why are you sorry? It’s the ‘guy’ who just disappeared without saying anything who is the bad guy. He’s like a fucking idiot… –

” Be careful what you say. If you do, I’ll listen. ”

– This much is okay?! Ugh… More importantly… Are you really alive? –

” Yeah. That’s for sure. Considering the sight of Cerberus with Ara and the power I have… she’s alive. I just don’t know where she went. ”

Taking another sip of his drink, he looked at the time on the screen of the dimly lit device and used the wind to float the children lying on his lap.

” It’s gotten pretty late as we talked. You must be tired too. Go and rest. ”

– Yeah… I guess so. I’m a little sleepy… Haaam… My body is like this, so I’m sleepy, and that’s the problem. –

” Haha. But I’m still jealous, right? Anyway, take care of yourself until we talk again. You’re not alone anymore, are you? ”

– Yes, yes. More importantly, would you like to be my husband? Don’t worry about anything. My brother treats me so well~ –

” Okay, I got it. When I have some time, I’ll go and cook for you. So, see you then, ‘Yeonseo’. ”

– Okay. ‘Hyunseok’, you too, cheer up. –

With those words, contact between them disappears and the light on the device dims.

Hyun-seok slowly got up from his seat, held the two children floating in the wind in his arms, and headed to the bedroom. He laid the children down and touched their heads, quietly saying her name.

” Charlotte… Where the hell are you? You broke your promise… Come back quickly… ”

It’s been three months since Charlotte disappeared. And three months since the evil god Thanatos appeared, bringing about the end of the world.

There was no light in the sky, only pitch-black darkness settled there, and the hot summer weather had disappeared into a bitter cold.

Is it because the sun has disappeared? Winter has come sooner than expected, with a cold that engulfs everything.

Many people died.

Because they couldn’t get food, because they couldn’t stand the cold, because they had to turn their swords against each other to survive.

The situation was the same not only in Seoul, but also in many other countries.

Rather, countries that have failed to properly establish settlements are almost completely cut off from contact, with only a very small number of people being able to contact them.

But those people too may soon… disappear.

Those guys who run on the ground, fly in the sky, and roam the sea, cutting through the dark night air.

Because the demons now known as the masters of the night are showing up everywhere.

The tower that was not conquered became a grotesquely twisted tower, a hideous sculpture that only gave birth to demons, and the tower that was conquered collapsed after a giant demon appeared from within it.

As if… he was trying to tell the gods that people’s prayers could not reach them.

But even in such circumstances, people did not give up on living.

If prayers don’t reach God, at least they can do everything they can.

They began to build a more detailed network of contacts through the device, sending supplies and personnel to places in need and helping each other survive.

Of course, there were times when they suffered damage and collapsed due to the continuous onslaught of demons, but they still continued to do their best to keep the light of hope from going out.

Two months had passed since then. Yet, humanity had not fallen.

Was the effort a prayer? Before people knew it, a message called ‘God’s Gift’ appeared on their devices with the names of gods they had seen or heard of in myths.

Inside the message was written a technique that would allow one to survive in the dark world.

At least those who have been able to use the technology to survive for the past three months without having to worry about food.

And now, the ‘dawn’ that split the darkness that colored the world was coming towards them.

*****

There were one or two women in a church with pure white marble and stained glass windows that shone beautifully in the light.

” Goddess… Are you leaving now? ”

A woman wearing pure white armor and holding a large shield asked the woman in front of her.

The woman in front of her looked at her with amber eyes, her long, bright yellow-blond hair with red tips fluttering.

” Yes. Now… it’s time. ”

” But… still, here… I need help…! ”

As the woman wearing pure white armor knelt down, the woman in front of her, no, the goddess, slowly approached her and stroked her head.

” Granditas. You don’t need my help here anymore. You and your comrades are here. ”

” But…! ”

” Of course, I’m not leaving completely. But now this place… is yours to guard. As the new ‘goddess’. ”

” Yes…? ”

[ Goddess of Purification and Judgement. In the name of Manienu… I appoint you… as the ‘Guardian Goddess.’ ]

With those words, pure white wings of flame spread out and began to surround the body of a woman named Granditas.

Soon, the wings that had been covering her disappeared, and a goddess with long gray hair and wings was born.

” This, this is…! ”

[ Now, from now on, this world is in your hands. Of course, don’t worry, I and the other gods will help you. ]

” Thank you…! ”

[ Really… You’re no different from when I first met you. ]

” I’m… sorry, I’m sorry… ”

[ No need to be sorry. It was a compliment. Thank you very much. Granditas. ]

” I’m the one who… Thank you so much…! ”

The two women, no, the two goddesses, embraced each other and recalled the first time they had met.

A little girl with gray hair who was lying on the floor hungry, and a blonde goddess who suddenly appeared in front of her.

Because that meeting was the beginning of a story that would once again save the other world, ‘Maderona’, which was falling apart.

[ Then… I’ll go and see. Please take good care of this world. ]

” Don’t worry! I will make sure that what you taught me… will not be in vain! ”

The blonde goddess smiled faintly, grabbed the pure white greatsword as big as her body that was standing next to her, and snapped her fingers to create a ring of pure white flames.

As she entered the ring, Granditas, who had been watching her from behind, slowly waved his hand at her.

I hope that the path ahead for her, who saved herself and this world, will be filled with happiness.

It has been 10 years since I came to the other world, ‘Maderona’.

10 years… It was such a long time. No, maybe it was short.

But during that time, while adventuring with Granditas and saving this other world… I was able to realize… what I was lacking.

No, I might have known.

What I realized was… what I heard in the conversation with Thanatos, the woman who was trying to destroy the world.

‘God… cannot exist without the faith of the people.’

Yeah, this simple yet important thing… I didn’t realize it.

What Vulcan said, ‘What is God?’

At first, I just thought he was an omnipotent being. That’s what people usually think of as a god.

After that, I thought they were beings similar to humans. Beings who knew joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. Because in mythology, there were images of them hanging out with humans.

But even thinking like that, I couldn’t pull out the ‘third sword’.

I had no choice… The girl in front of me. I went on a journey to teach Granditas how to live… no, how to fight.

The world I was in with her and she, Patruna, was protecting. I went around Maderona and helped many people.

At first, he was just an adventurer passing by. Then, he was a warrior who helped those in need. And finally… he was a goddess and her apostle who came to save the world.

That was the last of me and Granditas.

Before I knew it, a religion was born in this world that believed in me, [Manienu, the Goddess of Purification and Judgement], rather than Patruna, and after that, I was able to obtain this third sword that I now hold in my hand.

[Sword of Judgement. Juwayez.]

As Vulcanus said, it could draw out all of my strength… The power of this sword was truly… great.

I’m trying to refrain from using it as much as possible because it could burn everything if used incorrectly… but I’ll probably have to use it with all my might in the upcoming fight against Thanatos.

While I was thinking that, I landed in a forest with a ‘kwang!’ sound.

” Are you finally back…? But, where am I? Why is the sky so dark? ”

As I opened the device, all the contacts that had been disconnected until then started ringing at once, so I closed it again and looked around.

Somehow, it feels like a familiar place. I’ve definitely been here before…

While I was thinking that, countless arrows made of ice flew towards me.

A sharp voice is heard as he turns his body and swings the Juwayez with one hand, making them all disappear.

” I was finally sleeping when I heard a loud noise and wondered who it was… It was that annoying lady who ran away. ”

” This voice… Yeonseo? Yeonseo?! ”

Dark night. I snap my fingers and the surroundings light up with sparks. What I see before me is…

Long blue hair tied to one side and hanging down in front of her shoulders. Her chest looks slightly larger than before. And…

There was Yeonseo, caressing her slightly bulging and puffy belly.

” What are you looking at? Is this your first time seeing a pregnant woman? ”

I just blankly stared at her and then said to myself, ‘Yes, this is Yeonseo! ‘ and slowly walked towards her and hugged her.

” I missed you…! ”

” Seriously… Do you know how hard it was for us? You idiot. ”

I’m back.

Back to where I should be.