Chapter 131

Some orphanages sponsored by the government and the Association were a type of public institution, and the man was from such a place.

“Ju-hyeon.”

“Yes, Director.”

According to the orphanage's rules, his name was Ju-hyeon, without a surname.

“If you have a moment, could you run an errand to the Association for me?”

“I will. What should I deliver this time?”

“It’s the roster of the new kids coming in, for them to review.”

He was born four years before the Great Catastrophe.

In other words, he experienced the Great Catastrophe around the age of four.

The child, who had even lost his name, was bright and diligent, receiving plenty of love from the adults and surviving under the care of others.

That was also the reason he could be at the orphanage.

“Understood. I’ll be right back.”

“Ju-hyeon is such a good boy.”

“It’s what I have to do.”

Orphanages affiliated with the Association generally selected smart, healthy, and diligent children.

Children who grew up here either became Hunters and gained independence upon awakening, or they were given the opportunity to be employed by the Association.

Ju-hyeon was one of them, but unlike the other orphans who just went with the flow, he had ambition.

“Ju-hyeon, you said you wanted to go to the Association's research institute, right?”

“Yes, even if I wake up, I prefer the research institute.”

He wanted to create a slightly better world.

He wanted to prevent as many tragedies as possible.

“I can help the Hunters, you see.”

Having experienced the Great Catastrophe with his own body, he had seen the misery of the world. He had seen how far humans could fall into the abyss.

Among all that, Ju-hyeon was on the particularly lucky side.

He hoped to share the good fortune he had received with others so that the same tragedy would not occur.

“Ju-hyeon, you’re so admirable.”

“Thank you.”

“The research institute is always short on staff, so I’m sure you’ll be able to get a job.”

“I hope so.”

If I can share what I have, there is no reason not to.

“I want to be of help.”

That was Ju-hyeon’s thought.

It was embarrassing to say, but it was his own kind of belief.

If I can help, I help, and if we can be together, we are together.

With such a mission, the man, even after getting a job at the Association, did not forget to support the orphanage that raised him.

“You must be busy trying to make a living, but thank you always.”

“It’s all thanks to you raising me, Director.”

“That’s my job, what are you….”

“I know it must have been hard taking care of us.”

Ju-hyeon was a mixed-race child, and his skin was dark.

The ‘Etc. Orphanage’ he had stayed at was a place where an unusually large number of foreign-descended children like him gathered.

“These days, most people don’t care about skin color or what not, but there was a time when you had it really tough.”

“It was right after the Great Catastrophe, so people were very sensitive.”

“I know, there was a lot of talk about why you had to take care of foreigners when you were busy looking after Korean children. I remember.”

“Ju-hyeon, that was….”

“I know I’m Korean, too. I was born here, after all. It was just, as you said, Director, a time when everyone was sensitive.”

However, because all records of nationality and what not had been wiped out, people at that time were highly wary of and treated with contempt anyone who looked even slightly different from an East Asian.

The Great Catastrophe was such a time.

“I understand, but maybe because the atmosphere of that time still remains… our orphanage still doesn’t receive much support.”

“It’s because I’m lacking. Say, by any chance, do the people at the Association look down on you or….”

“I can’t say they don’t. But it’s okay, you know me. I’m this smart and capable, so if I conduct myself well, I’ll secure a position soon.”

There was a degree of discrimination against Association employees who entered through the orphanage track, and the orphanage Ju-hyeon came from was a place that was looked down on even more.

His promotions were slow.

Naturally, he could not participate in any proper projects.

A researcher who could not get promoted was virtually no different from a handyman.

Nevertheless, with his diligence and hidden cunning, Ju-hyeon captured the hearts of his colleagues and, by showing his outstanding abilities, bought the interest of his superiors.

“Why do you work so hard?”

“It’s something I can do, so there’s no reason not to.”

“You’re diligent. I hope to see you around for a long time.”

While there were people who liked him, there were also those who worried or were sarcastic.

“If you work that hard, you get tired out quickly.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

It was true, so he accepted it and swallowed it.

Ju-hyeon was not a perfect saint.

But his goal was to create a better world, and he found the most clever ways to contribute to it.

‘Since I’ve set such a big goal….’

Appropriately, so that I don't get tired out quickly.

‘I just have to do them one by one.’

He was not impatient.

He did not desire things like honor.

But he had confidence.

Among the researchers, he was exceptionally smart and a fast learner.

He was not an Awakener, but thanks to always managing his health, he was healthier than average.

Such a Ju-hyeon also did a lot of volunteer work.

“From the Association?”

“Hilarious, they must need a test subject or something, right?”

“What makes you so great that you’re helping out?”

The people in the outer districts, or those inside and outside of them who needed help, were highly guarded.

Nevertheless, Ju-hyeon consistently contacted them, talked, and interacted with them. After some time passed, they softened.

“Thanks for the treatment last time.”

“The kid in that house over there is sick, they say….”

“By any chance, is there any more food? You know, since it’s winter.”

Some of them were genuinely grateful, and some of them treated Ju-hyeon like an egg-laying hen.

There were those who occasionally acted rudely, but Ju-hyeon was not swayed and steadily continued his service.

“…I’m busy.”

But even that was good.

He participated in the Association's research, and in his spare time, he studied or volunteered.

Rude people existed everywhere on both sides, and there were inevitably things that made him angry. Still, it was good.

‘If I build up a bit more experience, someday I’ll be able to rise to the position of team leader. If I become a research team leader, I’ll be given the time and resources to conduct personal research. Then I can also proceed with research on dungeons or monsters.’

It was when he was spending his days busily like that.

“…Huh?”

“Aaaaaaaah…!!”

“What, what’s.”

A person ran out and grabbed Ju-hyeon’s ankle.

“Save me, save me please…!! I was wrong!! I was wrong, I’ll never do it again!!”

“Wa-wait a minute….”

“You motherfuckers, I said save me, no!! I don’t want to die!! At least not like that…!!!”

“Ugh…!!”

The research institute staff murmured, and not long after, the security team appeared.

No, it seemed they had been chasing the man to catch him in the first place, as they immediately subdued him.

As he stood there dumbfounded, holding his throbbing ankle, a researcher who seemed to have followed along apologized.

“Oh my, is your ankle okay? It’s not broken?”

“Pardon? Ah, yes. Ah… no, I think I’ll need to receive treatment.”

“It’s our mistake. The Association will provide treatment, but we’ll compensate you separately from that.”

“More importantly, that person just now…?”

“Hmm?”

The researcher looked at Ju-hyeon’s face and tilted his head.

“Ah, you haven’t been on a proper project yet, have you?”

“Is it related to that?”

“He’s a response agent, a response agent. He ran out because he didn’t want to do his job.”

“A response agent….”

He did know of them.

“Are you talking about the people who participate in the experiments?”

“In other words, just a test subject, really.”

“…….”

“You don’t seem to be used to it.”

The researcher chuckled.

“Just think of it as something like that, it’s no big deal.”

“…As far as I know, I heard that the response agents are given proper treatment and compensation.”

“There are levels to that, too. Mr. Ju-hyeon, who hasn’t been on a project yet, wouldn’t know, but that one just now is closer to a lab rat.”

“I’m pretty sure I heard him ask to be saved.”

“He got scared because he’s scheduled to enter the Red Room after meeting the Hourglass. I should have managed him better, I’m surprised he was stronger than I thought.”

“…The Hourglass? The Red Room?”

“Since you’ll be working with us soon anyway, Mr. Ju-hyeon, I’ll let you in on it a bit beforehand.”

It was a benefit that seemed to reward all his efforts up to now, but his heart was pounding and cold sweat was flowing, so he didn’t have a moment to be grateful.

Ju-hyeon was soon able to see the ‘Hourglass’ and the ‘Red Room’ the researcher had spoken of.

“That is a monster that eats a person’s time. On the outside, it’s an ornately decorated hourglass, but if it doesn’t eat a person’s time once a week, the decorations become simple. When that happens, an anomaly occurs… you’ll learn about that later.”

“…….”

“You see the room attached to the other side? You’ve probably seen it once or twice while coming and going on errands, Mr. Ju-hyeon, it’s all attached with the flow of movement in mind. The monster that lives in there is a bright red jewel, and it’s only satisfied when it eats the blood of the elderly and newborn babies.”

It was difficult to understand.

“…Eating time, you mean, so….”

“Since it’s difficult to get a newborn or an elderly person these days, we just turn them into an old person and put them in.”

“…Then both the monster called the Hourglass and the monster called the Red Room will be satisfied. Right?”

“You understand well. I’m really grateful that you seem like you’ll adapt well, Mr. Ju-hyeon.”

“Haha….”

In a word, they were a sacrifice to be offered to a monster.

“Is that okay? Is there a problem, or, um.”

“The response agent who was just put in was a 5th-class citizen.”

The researcher added, as if it was something he should know.

“Don’t worry about it too much.”

Because he’s a murderer who’s killed dozens of people. The researcher who said that patted Ju-hyeon’s shoulder a couple of times and then disappeared.

Ju-hyeon saw numerous researchers endlessly walking around the lined-up rooms of monsters, talking with each other, or entering certain rooms.

Even though he was in a crowd, he felt like he was left all alone.

“…….”

Ju-hyeon soon came to his senses and did what he had to do.

He was faithful to his assigned tasks, went out to volunteer and talked with abandoned citizens, and even had difficulty requesting a conversation with the Association President.

But nothing got better. Everything was the same. The same daily life.

His family at the orphanage, his friends on the street, asked.

“You look very tired these days.”

Ju-hyeon was comforted by that.

“The things that happen at the research institute are not as… noble as I thought.”

“If a place like the Association was only noble, that in itself would be a surprising thing.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

He gathered his wits.

“Thank you for listening to my story.”

He was able to stand up again because he had family and friends.

‘I’m someone who survived the Great Catastrophe. I can endure this time too, and I have to find a better way.’

So he tried to do even more.

Ju-hyeon, who had gained authority, even used himself as a test subject and showed results.

But he only saw the endless repetition of the tragedy he so hated to see.

Even though he had done so much because he didn't want to see this repetition of tragedy.

“…….”

“You have overexerted yourself. We will give you a vacation, so please come back after a month of recuperation.”

“…But….”

“I know what you want, but in your current state, you will only fail to properly carry out even your assigned tasks.”

“…Understood.”

It was a suggestion made directly by the Association President who had taken notice of the overworking Ju-hyeon since their conversation the other day.

Ju-hyeon was about to be stubborn for a moment, but then realized that his mind and body were very disheveled and soon conceded.

He didn't want to be stubborn without any countermeasures.

“I’ll rest for a bit.”

But he shouldn't have.

“…….”

When he returned after recuperating until his body had roughly recovered, his hometown had been burned down.

Some of his friends on the street were not seen, and something was in disarray.

Ju-hyeon couldn't even compose his bewilderment and ran around here and there to grasp the situation.

“What?”

And he soon learned that the cause was him.

“Because of me?”

“A few people who had a grudge against you must have started something.”

“A grudge, what on earth….”

“They were here and there, weren't they?”

Someone from the orphanage he had considered his hometown, someone among the friends on the street he had thought he was close to, and some of the staff at the research institute he had considered capable colleagues, all hated Ju-hyeon, apparently.

It wasn't that Ju-hyeon was completely unaware of those feelings.

Envy and jealousy, or disgust, the conflict that arose from having different ideologies.

Because he knew that, he had been even more careful, but in the end, things blew up.

“To be honest, I didn't see you in a good light either.”

“…….”

“It felt like you were the only one acting all clean, wasn't it?”

That was a bit.

“…Haha.”

It sounded horrifying.

The reason he hadn't heard the news sooner was, apparently, because the research team leader in charge of Ju-hyeon had done it to break the spirit of him, who seemed to harbor strange schemes.

Saying that he couldn't work together with a guy who had strange ideas.

As for whether he had stood out that much, well. He hadn't.

‘I thought I was being careful.’

He had tried to understand the ideologies of his other colleagues as much as possible.

There were many times he had conceded.

However, there were also times he had made suggestions.

Perhaps such small, small parts gathered together to result in this ridiculous ‘hazing ritual.’

But my family, my friends, were not 5th-class citizens.

They were ‘innocent citizens.’

No matter how hard it was to find things like human rights in this world, this was something that made no sense.

‘Why did no one stop them? Why is no one suffering from guilt? Why am I the only one in agony?’

Someone said this.

“Just let it go. One wrong move and you could become a response agent too, Mr. Ju-hyeon.”

“Can it really be like that?”

“If we're short on manpower, researchers get deployed as response agents too.”

“I’ve heard that the research institute is short on manpower all the time.”

“Above all, you’ve already played the role of a test subject before, Mr. Ju-hyeon.”

“Is that a problem?”

“It might not be a problem, but it could be a justification.”

“…I understand.”

And someone else got angry.

“Fuck, I knew this would happen. This is why you can’t trust those Association bastards!”

“No, I….”

“My friends died because of you! What about the ones who are missing, did they get dragged off as test subjects?”

“…It’s not like that….”

“You hypocrite bastard, does it feel good to backstab after pretending to be nice? So disgusting, really….”

“…….”

He was tired.

“…….”

It would have been nice if he was just tired, but he was angry.

It was an order that didn't make much sense, but it was difficult to judge rationally in this tired anger.

He was so angry that he wanted to burn all this anger by sacrificing himself….

‘…It could happen.’

Humans were inherently capricious and self-centered, so things like this could happen.

Ungratefulness was one of the characteristics of the human species.

They quickly forget what they have received and are sensitive to losses.

It was something he had started knowing all that.

There had been countless times he had been hurt by such things.

But he had lived with a smile because he wanted to create a better world, because he didn't want to see the same tragedy, because that was his belief.

‘It can happen.’

But a thought suddenly occurred to him: he was human too.

“…So….”

When he came to his senses, the mark of an evil god was in his hand.

He had created the mark of Sankalut, one of the evil gods.

“…This can happen too.”

He hadn't used it yet.

Sankalut was said to be the evil god of blood and honor.

It was said that if you offered the blood of a newborn, or an elderly person, who died in terrible pain, it would grant your wish and send the soul that died in the process to paradise.

Nevertheless, the reason he had not yet summoned the evil god was not because Ju-hyeon was kind or because he was thinking of enduring this time as well.

It was just that he hadn't thought about who to kill and what wish to make.

‘…To think I’m thinking of getting angry first without even having something I want, that doesn’t make sense. Have I always been this stupid?’

A feeling of being completely empty.

“…The one who dies can be me.”

It felt like being a puppet tied to a thin thread, not by his own will.

He had the authority to approach the ‘Hourglass,’ the monster that eats human time, but due to various things that had happened, he wasn't sure if he still had such authority now.

“Still, I should be able to summon the evil god.”

That was enough.

“As for the wish… hmm.”

What should I wish for?

‘Should I ask them to bring my dead family back to life.’

Ju-hyeon blankly entered the ruined orphanage that had been burned down.

The bodies had all been collected, but the ruined building in the secluded location had not even been demolished.

Ju-hyeon silently entered the blackened children's room.

In the room that was relatively intact, traces of the children could be seen.

“…This is….”

There was also an unknown drawing that had somehow been scorched without burning up.

“Did they draw the Black Cape?”

It was quite famous for a while.

‘There are not a few children who talk about or draw the Black Cape.’

Ju-hyeon, who was staring at the drawing with lifeless eyes, soon dropped it down roughly.

He heard a thud as it hit the floor.

He sat down on the scorched bed with his weary body.

It was then, as he was looking at the mark of the evil god he had created.

“…….”

“…….”

“Magnificent.”

An exclamation filled with wicked interest.

He realized that someone was standing near the entrance of the room.

“It is a jewel that smells of blood and wealth, is it not?”

“…What….”

“If you give that to me, I can give you a prettier and more valuable jewel.”

“Where are you right now…?”

“Hey there, gentleman. Shall I guess what you’re thinking right now?”

A man in a black suit was leaning against a gold-leaf frame.

“Aren’t you hungry?”

“…Pardon?”

It was out of the blue.

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