Chapter 124

“…….”

“…Hmm….”

Jio nodded his head.

“If it’s all over, may I leave?”

“Why not listen more?”

“It is heavy enough. I can't breathe.”

“I’ve never seen such a fuss.”

“The limit of my violence is friendship quarrels and lovers' quarrels.”

“The main point is not over, so please wait.”

“I am good at that.”

“You are truly a diligent one.”

Pleased with the admirable listener, ‘Argio’ continued his explanation about himself.

“Thus the evil god ‘Argio’ was born, and the world approached its ruin even faster. The vengeful spirits of more saints than one could count gained divinity… would you expect that to be tame?”

The humans said that the evil god was tormenting them by commanding wicked magical beasts, and in reality, it became so.

“To use a metaphor you would easily understand, should I say something like a Demon King?”

“I will understand it as the Demon King from a fairy tale book where a kidnapped princess or a brave hero appears.”

“It’s not much different, since that’s about how roughly it’s been mashed together and expressed.”

A peaceful world, the only ominous area that existed.

From there, the Demon King played his tricks, spread an epidemic, and began to torment humans with his magical beasts.

That continued for such a long time that it could well be recorded in the history books.

Humans began to live holding their breath under the Demon King’s tyranny, and the world was ruled by terrible magical beasts.

“Now that the Demon King’s tyranny has reached its peak, what should appear now?”

“A hero?”

“As time passed after the evil god appeared, those who would seal this wicked beast began to appear.”

“Should I call that a very typical response….”

“They eventually succeeded in sealing this ‘Argio’.”

In the process, the heroes did learn about the truth of the Black Forest, but, well.

“It’s not that important of a part.”

In the end, they hid the secret story of the evil god’s birth.

“Perhaps they just couldn’t accept the foolish mistake committed by their ancestors, whom they had believed to be virtuous. The being they believed to be the evil of the world was in fact created by the hands of humans, so how great must that shock have been?”

“Do you resent them?”

“No, in the first place, they are not the madmen who burned down my home and family. They are not the target of my anger. Above all, a life where I must continue an unwanted anger, crushed by countless vengeful spirits, is not something I can welcome either….”

‘Argio’ spoke calmly.

“I am grateful.”

Anger had to be entirely his own.

“Do you know how terrible it is to express an anger that is not even my share? Do you know how foolish it feels to be angry over something without any value? I could see why an evil god is called an evil god, to think I had to enjoy a massacre I never even wished for.”

It was an absurd treatment.

“I know I have not lived virtuously enough to receive a god’s mercy and grace, but isn't this a bit too much? Massacring those without fighting spirit and who are innocent is not my joy. What meaning is there in killing a child who knows nothing and is terrified?”

“Surprisingly normal words….”

“Anger must be equal to feel its value and joy. But the pain and despair of the saints were too great for me to stop alone. The anger of those who had to die horribly in the darkness without knowing why was too immense.”

But to him, anger was not such a pathetic thing.

“I affirm myself. I affirm all of myself, so life is enjoyable and there is nothing to hold me back. Therefore, the anger I feel should also have a worthy value….”

In that sense, he was grateful.

“They are called heroes, but they were no different from scapegoats. Just because they were strong and talented, they were dragged into a battlefield they had no responsibility for, had to seal the Demon King, and had to suffer much pain and sadness in the process.”

“…….”

“They did not want to fight. They were not warriors but single human beings, someone’s family, and someone’s friend. And to get back their happy daily lives with them, to clean up a mistake that was not their own fault, they had to hurt so much.”

How illogical was this?

“But in the end, the world was destroyed. Isn’t that obvious? In the first place, this evil god was created by humans, and do you think sealing him would make the anger of the remaining beasts disappear?”

“Then how did your world get destroyed, Mr. Argio?”

“It was destroyed while fighting miserably and vulgarly to the point where there was no meaning in distinguishing between human and beast. It was a very childish fight. Those who remain have likely long since degenerated into monsters….”

Tsk, ‘Argio’ clicked his tongue.

“Humans committed many evil deeds using me as an excuse. Even if their lover had an affair, they chattered that the evil god seduced them, and even after killing someone themselves, they said the evil god led me down that wicked path, and the reasons for fighting with the house next door and for a war with the neighboring village were all the fault of this cruel beast, weren't they?”

In the end, their shifting of responsibility created the evil god, and made him even stronger.

“They didn’t seem to think that such laziness would also fuel the evil god’s ferocity. Thanks to that, the story of ‘Argio’ was recorded in history in an even more terrible form, and in step with that record and memory, ‘Argio’ became a very cruel monster.”

“It’s like you got it back in return.”

“That’s why they should stop making excuses using me. Don't you think? They inflated and grew our bodies and even got on our nerves. It might have been okay if they weren’t ashamed of the beast born from their own womb and had revealed the secret of the saints.”

Thus ‘Argio’ pleaded.

“Hey, Jio. My friend who is so much like me.”

“I am listening.”

“I want to let out only my share of anger.”

That was what ‘Argio’ wanted.

“Those who want to fight can fight with me, and those who have sinned against me can offer their blood with me. I am an honorable warrior with my family, a greedy person who is only satisfied when I achieve all that I desire.”

That was his wish.

“I will give you myself, so please take care of the descendants of my family.”

“These people called ‘Jio’ keep talking about their families.”

“Didn’t the one called Giovanni before me wish to support his father? I am similar.”

“In what way should I take care of them?”

“You can go to the ‘Animal Kingdom’ that you painted and bestow mercy on the pitiful beasts.”

“I do not think I am in a position to bestow mercy.”

“No, you are more than qualified.”

And.

“Above all… please stop this mad evil god’s tantrums.”

“Yes? Me?”

“I believe you are more than capable of doing it.”

“Oh, gods of heaven and earth.”

“Is that a term for the Source? Very reliable.”

“There is a misunderstanding, I do not know how to deal with a dangerous being like an evil god.”

“I will pass this off as a very witty joke as well.”

“You really only hear what you want to hear. You are definitely a ‘Jio’.”

“This narrow hearing is one of the talents that helped me survive in the Black Forest.”

‘Argio’, who laughed as if it were ridiculous, said.

“Worry not, your vessel is larger than this ‘Argio’s’ vessel, so there is no way you cannot handle it. It is just that I, the last personality to die, came out to this place, but if you want to become one with ‘Argio’, you will eventually become one with those countless madmen.”

“Can I really not back out? I have no confidence.”

“Did I not say it was a tantrum? In the end, the ghosts of the Black Forest are just children who are barely over 10 years old. No matter how long they lived, they couldn't pass thirty. I’m asking you to accept the tantrums of immature kids with the heart of an adult.”

“…….”

A question briefly arose in Jio’s mind, and he asked.

“Then how old are you?”

“I died at the age of 24.”

“I couldn’t tell you were so young because you were hidden by a mask.”

So he died around college age?

“For that age, you are quite… mature.”

“Isn’t it that the culture of the Earthlings you remember is much slower?”

‘Argio’ tilted his head.

“In Seo Jio’s memory, the Earthlings acted childishly and threw tantrums even after they passed 20. It is a culture that is different in many ways from my dimension, where one is treated as an adult responsible for a family from the age of 15.”

“15 years old is a middle school student, Mr. Argio.”

“You can think of it as a cultural difference. Since it is a matter of a completely different dimension, it can’t be helped that the brain structure itself is different. Anyway, since you are older than me, I believe you will do well on your own.”

He laughed.

“Since I will be with you in the end, too.”

“…I don’t want to develop an antisocial personality.”

“I think you already have a sufficiently antisocial personality.”

“How can you say such a thing when there is no model student like me anywhere?”

“Isn’t there a saying on Earth that there’s a limit to delusion?”

“…….”

The haunted portrait lost his spirit.

“…Mr. Argio is right.”

“I am very happy to have won this.”

***

“…….”

Animal Kingdom_Argio

“This feeling… is not very pleasant.”

Argio’s Quest

“To think there is such a quiet world.”

“Kuru?”

“Yes, I don't like it.”

Control of the Evil God (0/1)

Rain on a Dry Forest (0/2)

“I feel like I’ve drunk a lot of bad-quality liquor….”

Synchronization Rate 1%

“That’s right.”

“Kkuk.”

“This will be fun too.”

“Kurururu?”

“I have a cute son too.”

Jio, who was lying in bed, suddenly pulled the small water bird into an embrace.

“Peace is not as bad as I thought.”

Now, there were no fools screaming in anger in his ears.

Control of the Evil God (1/1)

Synchronization Rate 21.1%

“…….”

“…….”

“Is there anywhere to fight?”

“Kkungkkungkkungkkungkkung!!!”

“Ayaya….”

He couldn't get a grip and got scolded by his son.

***

Around the time, Jio was busy getting his mind in order as ‘Argio’.

“What are you doing?”

“Drawing a picture.”

“You know how to draw too?”

“Wanna see?”

“Yeah.”

The youngest of the Cha family, Cha Isold, was having an idle chat with his partner.

“Ta-da.”

“…Well, you did say you were drawing a picture, I don’t think you ever said you drew well.”

“For this level, didn't I draw it well enough to have everything it's supposed to have?”

“That’s why I don’t know what it’s supposed to have.”

“Look, this is the cape….”

“Ah.”

Cha Isold’s partner, Iruda, nodded her head.

“By any chance, did you draw the Black Cape?”

“Yeah, now that you know, it looks plausible, right?”

“Certainly, the fact that it’s black is plausible.”

“Ruda, please say I drew well, even if it’s just empty words.”

“You dreeew weeell.”

“You’re the first friend I’ve met who can’t give an insincere compliment.”

Cha Isold laughed heartily.

“Here, look again.”

“I think it’s okay not to look.”

“This is the arm. This is the leg, this is the torso….”

“Uh-huh, right. I see.”

“This is the eye.”

“…….”

Iruda tilted her head.

“…Eye?”

“Yeah, eye.”

“…You’re talking about a human eyeball, right?”

“Did I draw it that badly?”

“It’s not a problem like that….”

The eye was too big.

“…….”

So big that it was drawn behind the human face, the body, far beyond it.

“…I thought it was something like a halo.”

“Huh? Does it look that way?”

“Usually, when you say eye, it’s attached to a human face, like us.”

“There are people who aren't like that.”

“People who aren't….”

Iruda looked again at the drawing stained with black.

“…Is it even a person?”

“The Black Cape is a person too.”

“I don’t think so.”

Neither the Black Cape in the rumors, nor the Black Cape in this picture.

“…Hmm.”

Just a moment ago, she thought it was just a poorly drawn picture.

But seeing the numerous, huge, and intricately intertwined eyes, it became a little creepy.

“Cha Isold, you… you said you don’t serve any particular god right now.”

“Yeah, I don’t. I’m not confident yet because I don’t know what I should do.”

“Really?”

For someone like that.

“I see.”

She could feel a ‘gaze’ from that clumsy drawing.

It was an ominous gaze, of a lower temperature than the one she was receiving.

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