episode_0681

For a man who is first aware of love, there exists an illusion disguised as innocence.

It means that as much as you love the other person, the other person will also love you.

Son Si-woo was a representative example.

He believes.

‘Michelle likes me too. That’s for sure.’

It is clear that she also loves herself.

The basis for this was extremely weak.

‘It’s only natural that I love you this much.’

Since he loves her, she should love him back too.

‘You can’t be stuck like this without loving each other, right?’

Because I love you, that’s all I have to say about spending most of the day with you.

Some people might find him truly pitiful, but it was different for him.

trust.

Just believe.

The most devoted figure he has ever seen in her.

He believed so much that he accepted the bet, and before she arrived, he arrived at the Twilight Guild first and watched the two of them conversing.

And I was struck with great shock.

“My name is Michelle.”

A deep-cut red dress.

Clothes that reveal my body completely are a clear sign of seduction.

As expected.

She caught Kim Do-jin’s attention by sneaking peeks at her private parts without hesitation.

Just like you did to me before.

“… … .”

Thump! Thump!

My heart felt like it was going to burst.

‘Michelle… how did you do that?’

I believed.

Because she was the only one who stayed by my side when I was in despair.

Because she was the one who reminded me of so many firsts.

I was sure of it without a single moment of hesitation.

If there’s only one person in this world who’s on my side, it’s her.

Because I trusted him so much, the feeling of betrayal was even greater.

‘Michelle, Michelle, Michelle…!’

I wanted to storm out of here right now, grab her by the throat, and bury her.

Why on earth did you do that?

Was everything you had shown me until now just an act?

But I couldn’t bring myself to do that.

The moment you show up here, it will really all be over.

The funny thing is, even though he hated her so much, he still loved her.

I guess I should say that it’s fortunate.

I have never seen the woman I love having an affair with another man.

But that was only for a moment.

Suddenly, it seemed funny that I was thinking of this as a blessing.

‘What’s the use?’

Wasn’t the problem that her feelings toward him were all lies?

The world that was shining beautifully just a few hours ago is losing its light again.

It felt like going back in time.

Back then, all I could do was sit in a corner of the room alone and watch the world through a 32-inch monitor, where no one was around.

While I was feeling depressed, she finished her story and left.

Her final expression as she turned her back and left the guild master’s office was one of deep regret.

It must be because she is anxious about not being able to have sex with Kim Do-jin.

“You can come out now.”

Son Si-woo walks slowly, following Kim Do-jin’s words.

He asked.

“What are your thoughts on seeing that woman’s true self?”

“… … .”

I didn’t want to talk or listen.

“… I’ll go. I lost the bet. I’ll settle the contract with Jeong Sia as quickly as possible. ”

“What… , okay.”

Kim Do-jin didn’t speak to him anymore as he looked so disappointed.

Because I know better than anyone how painful and bitter it is to feel betrayed by a woman you loved and trusted.

Son Si-woo left the building with weak steps and walked aimlessly.

In the process, I passed many people.

“Oh, hand wash.”

“Hunter Son Si-woo, I’m a fan!”

“Can you please take just one picture?!”

“Me too, me too!”

“Me too!”

People running in an instant.

He realized again.

Why did Kim Do-jin hate his fame so much?

He took pictures with people with the corners of his lips raised in an effort to express his despair.

‘…Can’t you even be sad in peace?’

A life trapped in a mold where you can neither grieve nor reject things at will.

Even in the midst of sadness, this body naturally smiles because it is in front of people.

I want to scream at him to get out of my sight right now.

“What’s your name?”

He asks the name of the fan who asked for his autograph in an affectionate voice.

It was all an ingrained habit.

Like Pavlov’s dog, who automatically salivates when he hears the bell ringing because he thinks it means food, he must have had to swallow a lot of pain and sadness until this became a habit.

As I recalled all those moments, for the first time, I felt compassion for the human being named Son Si-woo.

People realized that what they see is not everything, and they despaired.

The fact that it is now up to you to bear the weight of such a life.

“Thank you so much!”

After everyone left, laughing and smiling, he was left alone again and laughed.

“Ha, haha.”

An empty laugh that mixes with the air the moment it is let out.

It was the worst day ever.

* * *

After sending Michelle and Son Si-woo away one by one.

I spoke to the hologram of the saint that emerged from the communication port for correction.

“If you don’t suddenly change your mind…, that’s almost certainly the case.”

I said that because you can’t be 100% sure about everything, but I think it’ll be okay.

No, at least they won’t refuse.

If it solves a long-awaited wish, how could I kick it away?

If an alliance isn’t formed, isn’t that ultimately our problem?

-“Actually, I’m still worried. Is it really right to join hands with them?”

Before meeting Michelle, she and I used our collective intelligence to learn about the Jealousy Cult.

A religion that worships the righteous god, but is treated as a cult and driven into the shadows.

Their behavior was not very good.

Kidnapping, assaulting, and brainwashing criminals to force them into becoming followers.

Because they have committed various criminal acts, including killing people, without hesitation for the benefit of the religious order.

The saintess seems to be extremely uncomfortable with the idea of joining hands with these people.

“I understand your feelings, Saint.”

Even if they are persecuted, they cannot simply be victims.

Because he committed that many evil deeds.

I also hate them both.

But still, I had to hold his hand.

There is only one reason.

“Our damage is reduced if they are present.”

-“… … .”

To reduce friendly damage.

They are people who have become quite close to each other, crossing the line.

“If I say something like this, the saintess might be disappointed… .”

I am that kind of person.

“I don’t care what happens to other people as long as my people are safe.”

Unfortunately, the country is not big enough to protect all other people while living.

I thought you might be disappointed by these words.

I think there’s quite a gap between how she thinks I am and how I’m saying this now.

But that thought was just groundless.

-“That’s right. We…, we are more important.”

“… … .”

To my surprise, she accepted my opinion.

-“That’s right, haha. Nothing is more important than us.”

However, there seems to be a difference between the ‘us’ I think of and the ‘us’ she thinks of.

Anyway, it was a good thing.

This probably means that, unlike when she was an upright saint, her thoughts have become much more flexible now.

-“The alliance is definitely necessary. But there’s one more thing I’m worried about.”

“What are you worried about?”

-“It is an act of acknowledging the Jealousy Sect.”

“Ah.”

The saint’s acknowledgement of the existence of the Jealousy sect is literally no different from notarizing it.

That means that when the evil deeds of the Jealousy Sect are discovered, the damage will come back to her as well.

“I don’t think you have to worry too much about that.”

-“… Is there a way?”

“Yes.”

I’ve already thought about it.

I made a promise to Michelle.

“The saintess only needs to acknowledge the existence of Invidia, the goddess of jealousy.”

I will admit that there exists a goddess of jealousy.

-“What do you mean…?”

okay.

That’s it.

There is a goddess of jealousy, but as far as the existence of a cult that worships her, well?

“Isn’t that something they should take care of?”

When I answer with a playful expression, the hologram girl shakes her head.

-“Dojin is really smart.”

“I will take it as a compliment.”

I didn’t think so from the beginning.

Since the Goddess of Jealousy exists and it is her power that is inherited, the existence of a cult is also necessary.

So at first I thought about officially acknowledging their existence and helping them accept it as a religion, but after learning about them, I changed my mind.

“The current religious order must be destroyed at least once.”

Don’t they say new wine must be put into new wineskins?

They are no different.

In order to be reborn as a true religion, the current jealous sect must disappear.

How can we expose a group that commits all kinds of evil deeds and has criminals as followers?

As she listened to the story, something occurred to her and she opened her mouth.

-“If Dojin-ssi’s will comes true, there will be a total of fourteen gods living on this earth, right?”

“Well… , I guess that’s how it’ll be?”

If you combine the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Pillars of Evil, there are fourteen in total.

-“Then, thirteen more religions will be born, excluding the Vatican Orthodox Church.”

“Maybe.”

-“Then… , if Dojin-ssi gathers the power of the Seven Pillars and the Seven Deadly Sins as planned… , will Dojin-ssi become an apostle who encompasses the fourteen religions?”

“Uh, um.”

Is that how it should be…?

Suddenly my head started hurting.