Episode 19
It was a white space.
And as soon as Geo recognized that place as ‘space’, the background changed like paint spreading.
The changed location is a small European-style laboratory with the smell of old books.
The book titles are all in illegible letters.
Outside the half-open window, rice fields are visible.
The papers blown by the gentle breeze fluttered and fell at Geo’s feet.
Geo picked up a piece of paper.
‘What was this called…? A formula?’
【I see. Is this the scenery of your bottom? No, it might be a little mixed with mine.】
A voice that resonates throughout the space.
The figure was not visible. Geo looked around in confusion.
Then laughter is heard.
Something touches Geo’s cheek as if caressing it.
【I wanted to see you.】
【My ■■■■.】
【Ah, now it’s time to ‘hold on’. Hold on.】
“……Who are you? Where am I? Are you the kidnapper?”
【You’re still fearless. I wish you were the kidnapper, but this is the world of the unconscious. I forgot that your status is infinitely weaker and more insignificant than mine.】
【I forced myself to do it because even engraving the stigmata was too much of a hassle. So, to be exact, I guess I should see it as your unconsciousness inside me.】
“What are you talking about?”
【Hmm. Is it because I’m young? I haven’t developed my senses yet. Haven’t the previous runners already been talking about it here and there? About the white world, and the encounter with a higher being.】
High class,
Constellations.
Those chosen by them,
……avatar.
These were the things that came to Geo’s mind like a light turning on.
Geo shouted in surprise.
“Star?”
The star laughed.
【You should know that the process that those guys on TV that you were watching so intently went through was not this peaceful.】
【What a merciful saint. In a non-contracted state, huh? You have to take responsibility for the causality that will prevent our cat from getting hurt……】
‘Awakening. Awakened… Wait, Dad!’
“Dad. What about my dad? My dad is Huntington. He’s out in the middle of nowhere! I can’t be here. I want to go to you. Let me out!”
【……】
The saint answered in a somewhat curt voice.
【What are you going to do when you go out? Something small. Something you can do on your own?】
“What does that have to do with Mr. Star!”
【Oh, sir?】
Boom, bang, bang!
“Let me out! Over here! Open the door! Save me!”
【Choose your words carefully. I’m just a beggar who likes to play kidnapping, but I have no intention of becoming a real kidnapping criminal.】
“Dear Mom and Dad. Geo is okay, so don’t give in to the threats. The 100 million that the kidnapper demanded is for my younger siblings’ tuition…”
【You punk. Can’t you put down your quill?】
Geo tossed the quill and inkwell aside with a careless hand.
It was so uncomfortable that it was hard to even write. I lay down on my back and stared into space.
“What do you want, you dirty bastard!”
【What on earth is your mother showing her daughter? Just wait and see… Husband’s Temptation, Wanted, Secret, why are the titles all like this? A little kid would probably watch Pororo.】
“Are you kidding me? Pororo weaned himself when he was four years old.”
Geo held his head up high as if he were a prodigy who had mastered the Thousand Character Classic.
Then he glares with contempt.
“Now that I look at it, even the sticker work…”
【It’s not a sticker, it’s a stalker.】
Seongwi muttered, sounding somewhat tired.
【I didn’t mean to say it like that, but you’re not giving me a chance to set the mood.】
“What the hell are you! What are you planning to do with me!”
【It is intended to give the world a new life.】
“……huh?”
Wheezing.
Little Geo’s short hair fluttered.
The wind blowing from behind.
I was clearly lying on the floor, but the floor disappeared.
Before I knew it, I was floating in the air. And when I blinked again…
Milky Way.
It was in the middle of it.
Hundreds of millions of stars were repeating the cycle of birth and death.
‘and……’
Born noble, lived fiercely, and died in vain.
This series of events was constantly repeating itself around Geo.
A wondrous and overwhelming sight that is beyond human understanding.
As Geo was staring blankly, a sound came into his ear.
【Wealth and power.
Victory and glory.
Omniscience and omnipotence.】
【You will not fail, you will not fall down.】
【Mortal victory is not eternal, but yours will be eternal.】
【The world is at your feet whenever you want.】
【If you wish, even death will not dare to swallow you up.】
It no longer resonated throughout the space.
【However, all of this is possible when you and I are entangled.】
He whispered close, secretly and lovingly, like a loving lover.
【Belong to me. Be bound to me again.】
【Let’s make a contract, please.】
【Just one word. Then the world and I are yours.】
Kyeonji almost answered as it was.
It almost was like that.
But the word ‘I will do it’ stopped just before it could come out of my throat.
What caught the little boy who was about to fall for the temptation of the stars…
Father: Kyeon Tae-seong.
It was his back that I had been looking at until a few hours ago.
Before we knew it, the space had returned to its original white color.
His feet touched the floorless floor. Geo looked up into the empty space.
There was nothing there, but I definitely felt eyes on me.
“……”
Nine-year-old Gyeonjio hesitates.
The transcendent being answered generously.
【Not bad. You are human, and if you have to distinguish between them, you are somewhat neutral, but closer to good.】
“……Can you hear what I’m thinking?”
【Is reading you an exception to my thoughts?】
I feel a little sad because this star is strangely affectionate.
That must be why. Geo grumbled as if he was complaining for no reason.
“Are you stupid? How is it not bad to want power but not want to be a hunter?”
With power comes responsibility.
Kyeonji-oh remembers the eyes that pushed his father’s back.
The gazes were violent and barbaric enough to be traumatic.
I was greedy for the power to protect my family and loved ones, but…
I didn’t want to be pushed around to stand up for those people just because I had power.
More precisely,
I was scared.
【Hmm.】
The saint who had been looking down blankly burst into laughter.
【I want to gently coax and appease her since I am in the position of begging for a contract. But I can’t help but feel sorry that this is a useless worry.】
That’s a really childish tone. Geo naturally got upset.
“What are you serious about now!”
【You don’t have to do it.】
“place……?”
【Come out only when you feel like it.】
【That’s okay.】
【That’s right. Think of it as the role of the king in the play you’re doing this time.】
A bystander king who did nothing but had an abundance of power.
【Getting pushed on the back? I can hear the sound of dogs eating grass.】
【Who dares to bark at a throne built by force? That world should be grateful just for your presence.】
The saint spoke in a very calm manner. It seemed like it would be perfect if he spoke while scratching his stomach.
Little Geo was rarely flustered.
“No, that……”
【You honestly chose that role as the king, right?】
“Well, that’s true, but.”
【Lazy, violent, moody, and selfish.】
【What can you do when your innate nature is exactly like a tyrant? It’s not like you can change your nature by awakening.】
‘This guy is spitting out nonsense……’
【I didn’t say that, sir.】
To the point of being secretly petty.
Geo was a little annoyed and asked.
“Oh, how old are you? I’m nine.”
【……Anyway. Well, it’s fine whether you just play and eat every day or do something else, but please go to the top often.】
“tower?”
【I mean, the Tower of Babel. There are fewer restrictions there.】
The wind blowing without any direction brushes the bridge of my nose.
It felt like something was tickling his fingertips. Geo shook his head and shook it off.
The saint laughed softly.
【Unfortunately and unfortunately, it will be quite some time before we can have a direct conversation like this.】
【Once the covenant is made, you and I will be able to communicate only through ‘Babel’.】
“why?”
His voice had many tones mixed in it, but to Geo, it sounded clear as one now.
【Because our levels are different.】
‘desolation.’
The tone changes again, as if it was a mistake.
【Because you are so insignificant. No matter how much I try to split you up and kill you, you won’t even be able to see properly. What can I do?】
【But if you go to the top, the barbell will act as a buffer, so you too, grow up quickly…..】
“however.”
【hmm.】
“I didn’t say I would sign the contract.”
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