Chapter 145

If not for stimulation, what joy is there in living this long life?

“There is the king of demons!”

“The beasts of the Black Forest have come out!”

People screaming like beasts with their throats slit.

“Prepare for battle!”

“Argio has come, aim for him!”

“Kill the wicked beast!”

The tearing sound of steel trembling with anger, fear, and excitement.

“Do not allow him entry!”

“Kill Argio, keoheok─…!!”

The final scream leaking through the inserted claws.

The faint vibration through the vocal cords and the warm blood.

The tears hide.

Vibrations shaking the whole body.

The wind brushing against the skin.

The red that covers the eyes.

If I put strength into my feet and kick the ground, the world shakes, and I dance, sing, clamor, and cheer with those who bare their teeth at me….

Who will be with me today, who will take my life.

Yes, let’s see together, my friends, what picture shall we paint with what blood now.

“Mon, monster….”

“…….”

Ah, truly.

“…Hah ha.”

Argio loved the battlefield.

***

Animal Kingdom_’Argio’

Synchronization Rate 61.9%

“…….”

Jio woke from his sleep.

“…Oh….”

He was impressed.

“This is better than I thought.”

“Meung.”

“This kind of thrill is quite…?”

To be honest, Jio had been doubting ‘Argio's’ tastes.

As Seo Jio, and as Giovanni, the existing Jio was not a person who enjoyed combat. In the first place, his personality did not particularly enjoy conflict, and he did not have any particularly active hobbies.

But as the synchronization rate increased, Jio began to feel more.

“It wasn't that he enjoyed conflict.”

Argio simply.

“Liked to clash head-on.”

“Mwaang?”

“…Now that I say it, I wonder what the difference is myself.”

With his hair turned red, Jio chuckled.

He hugged Dana.

“But being able to be faithful to my instincts… it seems to be a much more enjoyable thing than I thought.”

Jio recalled the dream he just had.

It wasn't about lingering in conflict and discord.

It was about giving one's all, body and mind.

It wasn't about enjoying slaughter, but about playing joyfully with the things on the battlefield.

That place was like a blank canvas, where it was fine to be stained with blood and for dissonance to arise.

In his dream, Argio painted a picture.

Making eye contact with the gazes directed at him, responding when the opponent roared, and enjoying the most delicious food last….

“…….”

Playing like that is quiet.

“…Charming.”

Jio's eyes curved distinctly.

He wanted to be soaked once more in that fulfilling ecstasy of having let go of all human dignity and reason.

***

“Good morning.”

“A good morning to you, my diligent friend.”

The Black Cape asked.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

“Ah….”

He hadn't particularly slept well.

‘How could I possibly sleep well after hearing talk of a Demon King and all that.’

Ju-hyeon couldn't come to his senses from the bomb the Black Cape had dropped last night.

And yet, it seemed the man himself had slept very well, but it must be a species-specific trait of humans to be swayed by the smooth talk of a great mystery, so Ju-hyeon hadn't been able to sleep all night.

It was because he had heard a story he couldn't handle.

“…….”

But he wasn't so out of it as to grumble about it openly.

“…Yes, well.”

“You did?”

“I slept well.”

Ju-hyeon smiled awkwardly.

“You are red today.”

“Didn't you say you liked this color the best?”

“I did think that you are good to converse with now as your emotional expression is distinct.”

“An honesty that is almost grating to the ear is my long-standing virtue. Thank you for recognizing it.”

“Haha….”

Ju-hyeon, who was observing Argio, asked cautiously.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

“Because I had a good dream.”

“What kind of dream was it?”

“It was a dream where people called me a monster.”

“…That’s a good dream?”

“It seems so, at least for me.”

The Black Cape's eyes curved thinly like a fox's.

“Though it would be far from it for you?”

“It is true that it is difficult for my short insight to understand.”

Ju-hyeon couldn't deny it.

“Such insults… do they not hurt you?”

“…….”

“…….”

Soon, Ju-hyeon’s face turned bright red.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, that is quite a surprising perspective.”

“I’m sorry…!”

Ju-hyeon knew well that it was a foolish thing to say.

The Black Cape was none other than an evil god.

What evil god would be hurt by looking at the infamy piled upon them?

Even if it wasn't an evil god but a god of traditional providence, whatever humans chattered about would not have much meaning.

‘But.’

He couldn't just let it go like that.

“…….”

“…Hmm.”

Argio, tilting his head, asked.

“You have a face that has much to say.”

“…In fact, I do.”

“Then will you converse with me?”

“Would it not be an imposition?”

“A conversation with someone like you is valuable.”

The Black Cape sat Ju-hyeon down at the table, and he himself took a seat opposite him.

“I was originally going to prepare a meal.”

“I am sorry to have delayed your mealtime.”

“You have so much to be sorry for, it's fine to skip breakfast sometimes.”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“Those words are much better to hear.”

“…….”

Argio says he prefers ‘gratitude’ over ‘apologies’.

“…….”

Strength entered Ju-hyeon’s hands.

“Now, let us speak. What is on your mind?”

“…My words may make you uncomfortable.”

“Usually when that is said, it doesn't sound particularly unpleasant.”

“Then I can speak a little more comfortably.”

“I will listen to you with all my attention.”

“You… yourself….”

In a very cautious tone, Ju-hyeon continued.

“…Call yourself a human, don't you?”

The Black Cape had too many strange points to be called a typical evil god.

“You say honesty is a virtue, so I too will speak honestly.”

“I very much like such conversations.”

“I am not sure whether you are joking or being serious when you call yourself a human, but….”

“I have always been serious, what a pity.”

“Even taking that into account, you are an evil god unbecoming of an evil god.”

Ju-hyeon took a deep breath without letting it show. The tips of his fingers trembled faintly with fear. He clenched his fists tightly.

“I know that you have been considerate of me all this time.”

“That is because I wanted to make you my friend.”

“If it hadn't been for that, would you have made things very difficult for me.”

“I do not have such a clumsy hobby.”

“If there was someone in pain and struggling… how would you treat them?”

“Not much different from now.”

Argio continued nonchalantly.

“If they are an evil person, I will pass by, and if they are a good person, I will serve them a meal. If they need a conversation partner, I will ask for a conversation, and if they are lost, I will tell them where to go.”

“…Why do you go so far?”

“Because for me, that is not such a great consideration and benevolence. I very much enjoy it when someone eats my cooking deliciously, and I like to see a good and polite person smile.”

He said it as if it were all nothing.

“There is no grand cause or conviction.”

“…I am rather grateful for that.”

Because consideration and benevolence show their greatest true value when they are not grand.

“You are kind, after all.”

If this were a ploy as an evil god, Ju-hyeon would have already been bewitched, but it was fine even if it was all a lie.

Whatever the true intention, the gentle consideration he felt now could comfort many more people.

Ju-hyeon did not trust the Black Cape.

Great mysteries were beings that humans could not fully comprehend, so their benevolence was not benevolence and their love was not love.

Nevertheless, have we not lived our lives receiving the affection of the gods?

“What god would cook for a mere human. Who would wet their hands and spend that precious time in front of a fire. But you easily lowered yourself.”

“Aren't you thinking too grandly of a single meal?”

“You have no godly arrogance, nor the cruelty of an evil god. You call yourself a human and do not consider humans to be insignificant beings. There is no malice, no killing intent, only interest.”

So it was strange.

“Who, and why, called you evil?”

“…People called me that.”

“If you simply became an evil god amidst false accusations and insults, is that your sin?”

“We all commit sins.”

“At the very least, I know you are not one to be isolated in fear and contempt.”

Ju-hyeon, though hesitant, continued his words.

“I think you, being called a Demon King….”

“…….”

“…Should not receive such treatment.”

The end of his sentence trembled.

‘He’ll be displeased, surely.’

Having said what he wanted to say, Ju-hyeon worried that the others would get angry.

To a god who pursued his infamy to the point of spouting nonsensical things like being a Demon King, the words ‘unbecoming of an evil god’ would be a great insult.

But surprisingly, the Black Cape did not get angry.

“…You do?”

“…….”

“I see.”

He just looked a little sad.

“Do you too think I am not qualified to be an evil god?”

“…No!”

Ju-hyeon, who had been dazed for a moment, hurriedly shook his head.

“No. It's just a difference in perspective, from a human's perspective, such a thing is not right!”

He felt reverence and joy at the same time.

Surprisingly, it was possible to have a conversation with Argio.

He was an evil god with whom it was possible to share opinions.

He did not possess a surging malice, only the purity of one who seeks pleasure.

From that point, Ju-hyeon gained the will to converse.

An indefinable hope.

“Certainly, what I am saying may sound absurd to you. You may not understand. But the dream you spoke of yesterday and said was good today ultimately means using an innocent person named Argio as a scapegoat for insults.”

He knew that the gods had a separate perspective, but Ju-hyeon, through his conversations with the Black Cape, had felt that he had a certain degree of self-awareness as a human.

He was a god with quite a human-like side.

Argio had gained a wicked divinity despite being unfit for an evil god.

“I, this… at the very least, do not think this is a desirable act.”

“…….”

“Even though I properly understood what you want and what you are trying to do.”

He had said he wanted a desperate battle with a hero.

That would be sincere.

But if, for that, a ‘person’ named Argio had to be slandered by the people of the world and have all sorts of false accusations piled on him, then that was something that should not happen.

“Please do not make people commit sins.”

“Commit sins?”

“Are you not trying to make ignorant people treat an innocent person as a sinner?”

“How is that a sin?”

Argio asked.

“A wicked beast deserves to be treated as a sinner.”

“If they do not commit a sin, no one should be treated as a sinner.”

“I can enjoy a quality battle, and people can find a place to direct their resentment.”

“That certainly may feel rational, but it is a transaction twisted from its very foundation.”

“Aren't there many people in the world today who are looking for someone to resent?”

“Those many people have the right to be angry in the right direction!”

Ju-hyeon became a little desperate.

“I have been thinking all night after hearing your words. I have thought of countless ways to make you a Demon King and give so many people a breather. But in the end, what is left?”

“Well, a breather for many people?”

“That is not actually a breather. If one becomes comfortable by turning the arrow of resentment towards an innocent person, that is close to a resignation one can only feel because they are broken. It would be because they have given up that they become comfortable.”

“What have they given up?”

“They have given up on living as humans. They have given up on the chance to become better. It is a world full of humans who are not worthy of consideration, but if there is not even a minimum of consideration, for us….”

Hesitating, Ju-hyeon finally continued.

“Nothing will be left.”

Only beasts who can only live by blaming others will remain.

“I may be exaggerating. But you have that much influence, don't you.”

“You seem to be overestimating me.”

“At the very least, there is no Korean who does not know of the Black Cape. That is the proof.”

Ju-hyeon pleaded.

“The people who can become human, please do not turn them into beasts….”

“…….”

Argio was silent for a while.

He finally said.

“You are a hero.”

The Black Cape pitied Ju-hyeon.

“How pitiful.”

“…Pardon?”

“…….”

“…….”

In the short silence, the evil god's hair was dyed black.

“Hmm, is that so….”

“Uh….”

“I understand what you mean.”

“…Were you displeased?”

“No, it was a valid opinion.”

He had a stoic face, as if he didn't know how to make an expression.

For a moment, he wondered if he was angry, but there was no sign of it.

He simply continued.

“So let's find a point of compromise.”

“A point of compromise… is it?”

“Where people can remain human.”

“Yes.”

“A point of compromise that will not hurt me.”

“…Ah….”

A word he had uttered himself but never thought would come from that mouth.

The Black Cape said ‘hurt’.

After a long while, Ju-hyeon asked cautiously.

“…When you were called an evil god, were you hurt?”

“It became a great weapon and tool for me.”

The jet-black evil god continued.

“But I was angry.”

He spoke of his pain like an adult reading a fairy tale.

“So I must have been hurt as well.”

“…That is.”

“I don't know for sure, but probably so.”

The Black Cape said.

“Thank you for letting me know.”

“…I, just….”

“Shall we have a meal then?”

“…….”

Ju-hyeon, unable to do anything about his face which was subtly distorted in bewilderment, soon nodded.

“…Let’s do that.”

He couldn't tell if this was consideration, or stubbornness.

He was a truly strange god.

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