Chapter 137

At that moment.

The research institute that manages the evil god Sankalut, Seoul 21st Branch.

“Lord Sankalut?”

“…”

“G, God? Why are you such a withered color….”

“…”

“Lord Sankalut…!”

I was going to ask him to take me home if my wish came true.

Sankalut, who had been excited at the thought of going to his hometown, became sullen.

***

“Is that really all you need?”

Ju-hyeon, who had handed over the mark of Sankalut, asked with a dubious face.

“I have eaten and drunk a lot here.”

“I served you out of personal desire, so this is a sufficient reward.”

The black-haired Black Cape smiled gently.

“It’s a wonderful jewel.”

“…It’s not a real jewel, though.”

“You said it was the mark of the evil god Sankalut, right?”

“Yes, it’s a medium that allows communication with him.”

“There’s a geometric pattern inside. Did you carve it yourself?”

“That’s right, though it’s my first time making one, so I’m quite clumsy.”

“Clumsy?”

The Black Cape marveled as if it were something amazing.

“I can see that your talent is tremendous, Mr. Ju-hyeon.”

“I’m embarrassed that you say so.”

“It’s a very small pattern, yet all the necessary language is engraved.”

“Haha….”

He felt strange.

‘I never thought I’d be praised for making the mark of an evil god.’

More than anything, The Black Cape didn’t seem to be marveling at the fact that he ‘made the mark of an evil god,’ but rather just seemed to be marveling, saying, ‘to have created such a wonderful jewel.’

He felt really strange.

‘Is his status so high that the mark looks more like an ornament than a medium?’

It looked exactly like a rich man overflowing with money looking at a 500-won coin and saying it’s beautiful.

He received a compliment, but he wasn’t particularly happy.

Ju-hyeon wasn't so out of his mind to be happy about being praised by a huge, unidentified mystery for making the mark of an evil god.

“Doesn’t the fact that it’s the mark of an evil god bother you?”

“The only time I will call him is to invite him for a meal, so there is nothing to be bothered about.”

“Ah, is that so? A meal for an evil god too… a meal… hmm.”

Ju-hyeon fell silent for a moment.

“……”

And soon, a cold sweat ran down his back.

Does he really want to turn everything in all dimensions into pigs?

“Is there… a reason why you keep trying to feed something to others…?”

“There is no grand reason.”

The smile had disappeared from The Black Cape’s face, leaving only a calm, expressionless look.

Nevertheless, The Black Cape continued in a soft voice.

“It’s just that I am happy when other people eat the food I make.”

“I see, you’re very considerate.”

“More than anything, people these days are too skinny….”

“……”

“They don’t look healthy.”

“Gra—.”

Grandma?

‘Why is he making such a grandmotherly remark?’

The trend of the generation that experienced the Great Catastrophe being particularly serious about fattening up children existed everywhere in the world.

Especially the words ‘people these days’ made him seem like a very old man.

‘With a face like that of a young man?’

Does he even have any intention of pretending to be a 29-year-old Earthling?

Ju-hyeon contemplated which rhythm he should dance to in order to please the great being in front of him.

Should he correct him, saying it was an un-29-year-old-like remark?

Or should he just agree with him, saying you’re right?

“…I see!”

Ju-hyeon decided to just let it slide.

“But if you don’t mind, may I ask a few questions?”

“Mr. Ju-hyeon, you can ask me anything you want.”

“Thank you. Um, it is known to the public that The Black Cape is a monster….”

“Aha.”

The Black Cape’s hair flared red like light, and a deep smile formed on his pale face.

“I’m a monster?”

“…If I was rude, I apologize. I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m not angry. You weren’t rude either.”

He blinked his eyes twice.

“Hmm….”

And then he returned to having black hair.

“I think I got a little excited because your words were amusing, Mr. Ju-hyeon. Forgive my rudeness.”

“No, no. It’s okay.”

He didn't know what part was amusing, but as long as he wasn’t angry at his question, anything was fine.

Ju-hyeon smiled affably and shook his head humbly.

“But if my question made you uncomfortable, then I am truly sorry.”

“As I said before, I am not uncomfortable or angry. It’s just, how should I put it….”

The Black Cape’s lips curved gently with interest.

“After a beast and an evil god, now a monster.”

“……”

“Isn’t it quite amusing?”

“…Oh….”

It’s not amusing at all.

“…I see!”

Ju-hyeon decided to just let it slide once more.

“I thought you were an evil god, Mr. Black Cape, but it doesn’t seem like it as much as I thought.”

“Are you saying I’m not like an evil god?”

“A little.”

“I don’t really like that.”

The Black Cape, who feigned contemplation for a moment, continued.

“Let me say this in advance, I am an ordinary human.”

“Ah, yes sir.”

“I’m a human who can sometimes become an evil god, a priest, or an animal.”

“That’s amazing.”

Ju-hyeon endured one more time.

“Then should I just think of you as an ordinary human…?”

“Of course.”

The Black Cape nodded.

“The fact that I am rumored to be a monster outside was just a warning for my safety and the safety of others.”

“A warning for your safety and the safety of others?”

“It was not intentional, but perhaps because I live in a painting, there are times when I inadvertently threaten others. It’s a warning to be careful of each other in advance.”

And though he didn't say it, there was another intention.

Although he had merged with the battle enthusiast Argio, perhaps because the synchronization was not yet complete, Jio still felt uncomfortable fighting with someone.

So it was closer to managing his image so that they could avoid fighting each other in advance.

It was the result of thinking that few people would want to fight the protagonist of a terrifying ghost story.

Jio wanted to avoid conflict if possible.

‘Though I don’t know what will happen once I fully regain Argio’s memories….’

Anyway, that was that.

“…Actually, even if you are an evil god, I don’t really understand.”

Jio continued.

“What is a god, and what is an evil god? As a human, it is difficult for me to know.”

“…That’s certainly a difficult topic. I can’t say for sure either.”

“Right?”

He nodded his head.

“It’s difficult to define my existence clearly.”

So even if Ju-hyeon asked, there was only one thing he could say for sure.

“I can only say for sure that I am nothing more than a single person.”

“A single person….”

“I might be a slightly unusual person. I do strange things sometimes. But that’s all.”

Jio had never once thought that he might not be human.

“Was that a sufficient explanation?”

“…Yes, thank you for helping me understand.”

Ju-hyeon was just dumbfounded.

‘Right, I’ll just memorize it like that too.’

Then it will be so.

“But I feel like I’m staying in your house too much, Mr. Jio….”

“Have you fully recovered?”

“Thanks to your great consideration, I have recovered.”

“And your heart?”

“……”

To the speechless Ju-hyeon, The Black Cape smiled gently as if soothing a child and said.

“Isn’t this a peaceful place?”

“…You’re right. It’s so peaceful I don’t want to leave.”

“There will come a time when you want to leave someday.”

Jio knew.

‘Humans are creatures that don’t have vain thoughts only when their mind and body are prosperous.’

So he did just that.

‘As expected, when people are full, they become 10 times nicer.’

He had said he was going to summon an evil god, so he made him into a body that wouldn't have any vain thoughts.

He himself didn’t know, but Jio’s influence was also significant here.

The opponent who ate the food filled with the desire to enjoy his food together helplessly became a gourmet, and by synchronizing with Jio, the owner of a thoughtlessly clear brain, his mind and body became at ease.

‘This is a good phenomenon.’

Jio hoped that Ju-hyeon would become his friend.

“Please tell me whenever you want to leave.”

“…Yes.”

“You do not need my permission to enjoy your life.”

“That’s….”

Ju-hyeon answered hesitantly.

“…Right.”

He asked.

“Why did you introduce yourself as an evil god?”

“Because that’s what people called me.”

Strangely enough, there was no other reason.

***

“…Ah.”

A new employee flinched.

“Mr. Seo Jio?”

A tall silhouette was standing in the company hallway.

Even as she called out to him, the woman felt an unknown sense of disharmony.

It was a weekday afternoon, so there were still a few employees who hadn't left work, yet none of them gave a glance to Seo Jio, who was standing in the hallway wearing a cape.

It was as if they were avoiding him as if he didn't exist.

By the time she realized that, the person looked at her.

“I’ve seen you before.”

“That’s right, you remember me.”

“Your name was probably….”

He said.

“Ms. Park Ju-hui?”

“……”

For some reason, she felt strange.

“…Yes, I’m Park Ju-hui.”

It was because for a moment, it felt like an unbelievable miracle that he was calling her name.

‘That’s a strange thought.’

She could quickly shake it off as a ridiculous thought, but an unknown feeling of unease remained and bothered her.

Park Ju-hui, who had approached him, asked.

“I thought you were on the dawn shift, but you’re here at such a late hour?”

“It’s a hobby. I was having a little Q&A session.”

“A Q&A session as a hobby?”

“To be precise, should I call it a survey?”

The eyes that held the sea curved gently.

“Ms. Park Ju-hui.”

“Uh… Yes, please go ahead.”

“What kind of being do you think an evil god is?”

“…An evil god….”

Suddenly, a sense of silence washed over her.

Along with it, she felt a sense of detachment from reality.

Even at this moment, the employees passed them by without a word.

It was an understandable situation since the company was full of individualistic employees, so without any particular suspicion, the woman answered Seo Jio's question.

“Wouldn’t it be a god that does bad things?”

“In that case, if an evil god doesn’t do bad things, would they become an ordinary god?”

“That… if they have committed evil acts in the past, I think they would still be an evil god.”

“That was a good reference.”

He smiled a picture-perfect smile.

“It must have been a random question, but thank you for answering.”

“No, on the contrary… I’m the one who should be grateful that you remember a humble C-Class Hunter.”

“Regardless of such grades, you are a good person, Ms. Park Ju-hui.”

Seo Jio’s eyes curved deeply.

“You are kind to me, aren’t you?”

“Uh… that’s….”

A good person just because she was kind?

The woman was a little worried by the unexpected pushover-like remark.

The scope of a ‘good person’ this man was talking about was excessively wide.

‘Is he perhaps being bullied?’

Park Ju-hui, momentarily flustered, looked around.

A lanky man standing in the middle of the hallway should have been noticeable, but no one was looking this way.

“…Excuse me….”

A strange suspicion arose, and she asked cautiously.

“Perhaps, um… your colleagues, are they not on good terms or…?”

Cough!!

A loud cough was heard from somewhere.

“……?”

“It seems someone choked on their saliva.”

“Ah, I see. That’s too bad.”

Cough, cough….

Another cough was heard from somewhere.

“Too bad….”

Cough—!!

Another cough.

“……”

At this point, Park Ju-hui couldn't help but grasp the situation.

‘…What is this? It’s like someone is giving me a hint?’

At that moment, something caught her eye.

“Uh….”

Under the cape.

The tail of an unidentifiable beast popped out.

“…Excuse me, Mr. Seo Jio. This is….”

“Ah, forgive me.”

He smiled slightly.

“Sometimes I can’t control it.”

“…Control?”

“I will be careful next time.”

Without any other sound, the tail had disappeared.

“……”

As if to say you saw it wrong.

“It’s not that the employees here are discriminating against or bullying me as you think, Ms. Park Ju-hui.”

“…Ah, ah, yes. I’m sorry.”

“It’s just that the skill I have is a little special, so everyone is being careful.”

“Being careful because it’s special…?”

“It’s nothing to worry about. It’s getting late, so I hope you get home safely.”

“……”

“Ah, right.”

Seo Jio held something out.

“This is a reward for keeping me company.”

“…It smells sweet.”

“It’s fruit jelly. It’s not that sweet.”

“…I see….”

“Then I hope to see you again with a smiling face next time.”

He gave a light nod, then turned and walked away somewhere.

That black cape comes into view again.

That jet-black cloth….

“……”

For some reason, the gift in her hand felt heavy.

“…Huh?”

Even when she let out a gasp with a cold sweat.

Not a single employee turned around.

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