episode_0578

“···How did you know?”

“Is that important?”

Maal looked straight at me.

I hope so for a while.

Maal looked at me with eyes that seemed like he had given up.

“···It seems you know that I am the god of Earth.”

“yes. “He hates the cross.”

“Have you ever read the Bible?”

＂···Because it is non-religious.＂

“The appearances of angels are all bizarre. But there is one thing in common.”

I have no idea.

Because they both look like they came out of Cthulhu somewhere.

“Angels have many eyes.”

I looked into hell.

As the saying goes, all angels described in the Bible were eyeball monsters.

And, I know what that eyeball means.

That they are the souls of those who left before us.

“Your reasoning is correct. “It’s because we were created from the wishes of countless living things.”

“I believe in the ‘world’, from simple molds to plants and ants.”

“The ‘world’ has lived for those who worship it.”

“Then one day, an ‘individual’ rather than a ‘world’ arose in our existence.”

“The world” is for everyone. ‘Individual’ is for one entity.”

Maal looks at me warmly.

“We were similar yet different, so we became separated from the world.”

“To ‘the world’ for the entire Earth and ‘God’ for humans.”

“To an evil god and a good god.”

“That’s me and Dantalian.”

In other words, Maal is a colony made from the souls of billions of dead ‘humans’.

─No different from hell.

The sublime reality of God or Genesis was nowhere to be found.

“Just as you think, the majority of humans are failures.”

“For example, Dantalian was derived from the period of failures that loathed successful people.”

“The humanity he talks about is ultimately for losers.”

That was correct.

But the group of losers was not ashamed of this.

“Even I, who was made a failure, had the desire to lick each other.”

“I ignored the warnings of the ‘world’ and did it for the sake of humanity.”

I’m listening to his warning…

The corners of his mouth rose in a voice that sounded as if he was regretting the trouble he had bought.

“It didn’t work out well.”

“Humans… yes. There was too much to wish for.”

＂Quok!＂

“You just have to live happily and die… After death, there is heaven and hell… where is that?”

We laughed heartily.

Hell didn’t seem to know what was going on.

How much did you laugh like that?

Maal starts crying.

“Have you ever thought about it? About the ending that comes after death.”

“Who wouldn’t try it?”

“No one wants to die, but everyone wants to go to heaven after they die.”

That is correct.

Any philosopher or scientist would regret or fear death.

In the end, I end up looking for ‘God’.

“I decided to create heaven.”

＂······.＂

My heart was beating wildly.

＇···I will create heaven.＇

Just a human being.

This is nonsense.

The human being who acted to realize that absurd idea felt so enormous.

“The ‘world’ wasn’t happy about this.”

“If the soul of Earth comes to Pangea, the influence of ‘the world’ will decrease.”

“But I was a ‘god’ that mankind looked up to, and I was mankind’s ancestor and family.”

“There is no heaven, but if I can make my children a little happier in the next life…”

Maal’s kind eyes give me shivers.

I felt paternal and maternal love towards this amorphous lump of flesh with nothing but eyes.

“That’s how I disappeared from the earth.”

＂···To create heaven.＂

I was out of breath.

“You chose the difficult path.”

It would have been easy to make people happy for the rest of their lives by giving them hallucinogenic drugs.

Praise yourself throughout your life.

Since the soul is a memory, that praise must have become one’s bones and flesh.

“Son, would you really be happy if you lived in a place like that?”

“Can you even judge that it’s fake?”

“We are the remnants of human ideals that desire perfection.”

···It was a challenge for us in the first place.

The seven servants are ‘the world’. The six servants take charge of ‘humans’.

It’s no different from Earth.

That’s why Maal, who had no intention of being praised, did not show up.

“I separated the twelve children I especially cared about and made them servants.”

“We consulted and talked and created the most beautiful and perfect human being.”

“But, I failed.”

“Humans are no different from animals.”

It was a very natural thing to say.

What would there be to do if humans were left alone?

There must be civilization.

“yes. At first, we thought it was because Hereos lacked culture and civilization.”

“That’s why I taught the basic language and writing with sincerity.”

“And… Hereus became the ruler of Pangea just as we wanted.”

“But there was no humanity.”

“The perfect body became a powerful weapon to slaughter animals for fun, and language was used to intimidate others.”

I glanced at hell.

He was just looking at Maal.

Then, I made eye contact and quickly averted my gaze.

“Why did you give perfection to Hereus?”

＂···Actually, I knew. “Humans shouldn’t be perfect.”

“But why?”

“But what can we do? Hereos is the ideal of me and my children.”

Maal looked at hell.

Unlike the first time, with compassionate eyes.

“This world was created for you in the first place.”

[more? perfect? ···You’re talking bullshit.]

“I’m sorry it’s not perfect. But what can you do? “I am also just a human being.”

Maal looks at me with a chuckle.

“It wasn’t easy. “Creating the world went beyond human reason and ego.”

However, it would not have been possible to imitate the Earth.

Maal’s dream is a world where people can live happily, not another Earth.

“yes. “I wanted to create a beautiful world.”

“First, we created a beautiful animal.”

“But they all went extinct.”

“Or… I gave away my own beauty.”

Beauty that cannot be protected is poison.

There are not enough beautiful things to protect.

If other things are equally beautiful, it is because they are ordinary.

That’s what nature was like.

“It was a series of failures.”

“···Nothing went right.”

“At one point, in despair, I created animals from the original Earth.”

“Even this has become extinct.”

This is because the environment is significantly different from Earth.

“There was only one correct answer.”

“···I have to compromise with my ideals.”

It’s something that can’t be helped.

Compromising to fit the world is natural for everyone.

“But, I couldn’t give up on Hereos.”

“If I give up Hereos, why am I creating heaven?”

“Haven’t you been watching Hereos for at least 10,000 years?”

＂···It got worse.＂

He said he sacrificed 10,000 years for his dream.

I looked at the traces of those ten thousand years.

The trace was anxious to kill the servant.

“I thought my power was infinite.”

“So, I constantly challenged myself.”

“But nothing is infinite.”

Nothing is infinite?

Maal smiles shyly.

“As time passed, people on Earth gradually began to stop believing in God.”

“It’s natural since the face hasn’t been shown for tens of thousands of years.”

＂···I’m slowly gaining strength.”

“I too am failing and falling apart.”

“Now… the time has come when I have to let go of my dream.”

Silence fell.

Eventually, Maal starts his luck again.

“I am the dust called God and the intersection of losers.”

“Failure is everyday life. But… I am human.”

“So I couldn’t help but be curious.”

“Will my dream… come true? Or is it not worth it?”

It was a very human concern.

There is nothing perfect in this world.

But chasing perfection is human nature.

“I asked my two children and a friend whom I especially care about.”

＂I will leave everything to the Ain you have chosen.＂

That was me.

If so, it meant that the ‘ordeal’ was real.

“You passed Pluto’s test the fastest.”

“The dead admired you, sacrificed themselves to save you, and came forward to fill your shortcomings.”

Edeline said.

What brought me back to life was hell in the first place.

The baby of the Magic Tower… came forward for no reason.

‘Thank you, though.’

“Next, we passed Dantalian’s temptation.”

“What humans consider the greatest value is ‘harmony.’”

“Brainwashing makes that harmony easily possible.”

As I said, I could brainwash everyone into loving me or obeying me.

“But you respect others even if it means dying.”

＇Are you saying I’m stupid?＇

I don’t know whether to laugh or not.

“That’s because I am Dantalian’s representative.”

“Cast iron that doesn’t know how to bend is harder than steel, but it breaks easily.”

Maal was right.

That’s why adults pursue a water-like lifestyle.

However, my face was itchy.

＂Dragon is a child that cares especially for me.＂

“That’s why I must have been particularly harsh to you.”

“You trampled and destroyed what you loved.”

“But he had no choice but to admit you in the end.”

‘You talk just like your dad.’

That little lizard couldn’t just ignore it.

I felt a strong sense of duty to report on his evil deeds and punish him.

“What is the test given by that petty bastard?”

“I tested your stinginess.”

“They gave you a lot of money, took away your loved ones, and forced you to risk everything.”

As the saying goes, dragons have always been with me in my death, rise and fall.

“That bastard has less character.”

“I’m sorry. “He follows me very much.”

An adventure that risks everything.

What this clearly meant was crossing Panthalassa while being deprived of authority.

An ominous thought crossed my mind.

“By any chance, was it he who designed Ouroboros to attack us?”

“That’s right.”

＂······!＂

I was out of breath.

Maal gives me a soothing look.

“Neither Dantalian nor Dragon wanted to lose their families.”

“Anyway, what kind of test was it?”

“It was you who didn’t cut the rope.”

＂Holy shit──······!＂

It was luck that the rope didn’t break!

From the beginning, Prometheus said it was my destiny to cut that rope!

＇If someone didn’t help me, I would be ruined!＇

It was so close to ending!

But it’s okay to be angry for a moment.

＂···Someone helped me. So that I can come to my senses.”

Maal was silent.

＂···Is that you?＂

“Do you really need to know?”

need to know

At first I thought it was Dantalian.

But Prometheus said no.

But what if it’s not Maal too?

Who on earth helped me save the shipyard director?

It was clear that some servant had gone against Maal’s wishes.

“There is a hell inside your body that attracts the soul.”

“So?”

“The soul is generally drawn to its own family. “Like an attractive force.”

“···yes?”

A chill runs down my spine.

“You are dead. “The body was just alive.”

My lips were trembling.

“Dantalian faithfully supported your family, but he couldn’t help his illness.”

My heart was pounding.

Dantalian told me.

…My father had pneumonia. Don’t you want to go home?

Pneumonia, which occurs in people over 70, is the number one cause of death in the elderly.

＂······Keueuugh─?!＂

＇Please smoke in moderation?!＇

Tears streamed out.

He died and came to visit me. My giant. The person who created me.

He shouted at me when I tried to become weak.

Invoking an old admonition that was said every time alcohol was consumed!

“no! Isn’t it impossible──?! that···! Such a thing! “It’s clear that ‘the world’ will destroy this world, right?!”

I was wet with tears and my vision became blurry.

I was mentally preparing.

Because you are well over seventy. But if you leave like this…!

“I was born on Earth.”

“I also created a hole between Pangea and Earth.”

“All souls in this world also come from Earth.”

I couldn’t breathe.

I felt naked. I betrayed my father’s teachings and my giant.

Now I know how fucking shitty that is.

I couldn’t say a word.

“sorry···! I’m really sorry···!”

I hugged the hell out of me and cried.

I hope you can answer.

Still, my father didn’t answer.

I wiped out hell.

I want to see my father’s memory somewhere in here, a piece of my giant.

“… He must have been diluted in hell and lost consciousness, but he is truly an amazing person.”

I was furious.

I thought all I needed was my memory.

But, you really brought ‘Jeon Si-hyeon’?

You can’t even make that decision on your own?!

I glared at Maal.

“Why did you do this…?!”

“That was the contract from the beginning, right? Dantalian was just appeasing you. ···Be human.＂

─Contract.

My heart grew cold.

As I said, it was a contract.

I decided to stay in this world.

The reason I accepted my fate was because it was a ‘fake’ exhibition.

But now it’s real?

Now that your father has passed away? And you came here looking for me?

I had hell wrapped around me.

This guy is mistaken.

Cast iron doesn’t break, but steel holds up well, right?

─I was broken from the moment I arrived.

It was completely destroyed, with only the tip remaining.

“okay. If you kill me chasing perfection, the ‘world’ that discovers the hole I blocked will destroy Pangea.”

“It’s just a moment. “In just one moment, you will be living with your family on Earth.”

＂You will be able to meet your destiny soon. Dantalian is that kind of guy.”

In the end, it means that you can be happy no matter what you choose.

In other words, there was no need to endure it.

“If you save me, the soul of Earth will continue to flow into Pangea.”

“This means that either Pangea or Earth will decline, or one of the two worlds will collapse.”

“So, rather than doing it as a favor from a friend, I will approach it with the mindset that I am making a decision on an important matter for the benefit of tens of billions of demi-humans.”

How dare he look at me like a human being filled with hope.

“Was this world worth existing?”

My lips are trembling.

I now asked the only remaining question.

“Why can’t you say it? Aren’t you a human?”

Maal looks into my eyes.

Soon he spoke openly and with a smile.

“It wasn’t me who decided that.”

＂···You are human.＂

I picked up the hell and went towards him.

As the saying goes, Maal was a being who deserved to die.

＂···We will make your wish come true.＂

─He deserves to die.

I live for my people.

But there is also respect between people.

I could sacrifice my life for my people, but I couldn’t sacrifice my life for my parents.

Because my parents are people who value my life more than their own.

So he abandoned me like I was stealing.

[That was your choice.]

Stand tall─

My body stiffened at the familiar voice.

But I couldn’t look at hell.

“···father.”

know.

Just as Edeline said, I will be destroyed when my stronghold falls.

But it didn’t matter if it was destroyed.

If I met my father’s eyes now, it was clear that I would collapse.

＂I’m a human too…＂

My body is shaking.

Because I can’t move on. But Maal closed his eyes.

As if he knew what I would choose.

＂I’m a human too━━!＂

He screamed and stabbed Maal.

Clap!

I drove the spear into Maal.

But hell could not pierce Maal.

Because they… forgave Maal.

I collapsed on molten hell.

“Do you know why I have been living my life…?!”

“I killed someone!”

“To the point where I can’t even count them—! Thousands of people───!”

＂I killed him cruelly at will…!＂

“I promised not to kill him… but he tried to kill me again…”

“I gave up all decency, morality, and patience───!”

“I am! Just me! I am the only one abandoned by the world…! “I’m the only one left in this world…!”

“I thought everything my father told me was wrong…”

“Because I couldn’t protect anything…!”

＂But…now…!＂

···Now, what should I do if you discipline me again?

If I were to ask you to be polite again, seek your principles, and be patient…

What have I become…?

＂If you come now… then I’m just a bastard…?”

I looked at my father.

“It’s not a person…”

[Dad has never been ashamed of you.]

My father’s eyes smiled at me.

[Look. The hundreds of millions of people who are with you have made room for your father, right?]

The corners of my mouth tremble.

Because I couldn’t bear to cry any more.

“···Is your mother doing well?”

[then.]

“What about your sister?”

[You’re doing well right.]

“I’m doing well too…”

[You will know when you see it. You bastard.]

＂Kuh—! Hehehehehe…!”

My father seeps into me.

“I’ve been asking you for 20 years to quit smoking…”

[love.]

Don’t hesitate.

“···yes. I love you too.”

My giant forgives me.

I wiped my tears and looked at Maal.

＂···Live.＂

“I want you to suffer more.”

I can never forgive Maal.

＂And, my people will tell you.＂

Killing him was too light a punishment.

“Thank you for creating this beautiful world.”

I got up from my seat.

Evolution is nothing more than mutation.

─Deformity.

Kihyung is a failure.

Most of them die and disappear.

However, Pangea, which emerged from tens of thousands of years of failure, was definitely beautiful.

“···How can you say it is worthless just because it failed?”

“Please fail. Please make a beautiful world for my family to live in by failing endlessly.”

So that my family can be a little happier.

Maal smiled more fully than ever.

＂······Okay.＂

I stood up.

“I have a wish.”

“Dangerous.”

Maal cut off my wish with a single cut.

But this is the paradise I dreamed of.

I looked straight at Maal.

“I just want to help people like you.”

I could be wrong.

At that time, you just have to fail.

It may just be one of countless failures, but it doesn’t matter.

“And surely there is something to be gained from failure, right?”