Chapter 144

Argio was, by nature, a cruel person.

“Basically, I desire blood and riches.”

“Is it okay to describe yourself like that?”

“What can I do when it’s the truth?”

The two continued their conversation in the Collectors' lounge.

Perhaps because he was still outside, Jio's hair was platinum blond, but his expression was as stoic and calm as that of the portrait.

‘…It’s very different from the face of the Priest I know, is this what he looks like because Giovanni has become a complete portrait?’

As Yu Seong-un was having such thoughts, Jio continued to speak in his characteristic low voice.

“Argio is talented in many areas, so he learns well whatever he sets his mind to, and is not afraid of new attempts. However, as his very nature is close to that of a beast, he prefers stimulating things. I don't think he's the impatient type, but….”

“Stimulating things, you mean the blood and riches you mentioned earlier?”

“In addition to that, he also enjoys alcohol and combat. Among them, he likes to compete with all his might against a worthy opponent. In fact, rather than competing, I think he wants the thrill he feels in the process of killing each other.”

“So he enjoys the thrill. My, my….”

Yu Seong-un laughed awkwardly.

“There are quite a few people like that among Hunters.”

“Is that so?”

“They are people who find the meaning of life in a life-or-death bloody battle.”

“I didn't know there were others with such a preference.”

“There are various preferences in the world, so, hmm… I can understand Argio’s story.”

“Thank you for understanding a preference that doesn't quite fit the social convention.”

After offering a light thanks, Jio continued.

“That's not to say he acts recklessly without any discretion. If he wants alcohol, he desires a master's high-quality liquor, if he desires riches, he covets treasures with a story, and if he fights, he prefers an opponent worthy of competing against with all his might.”

Meaning, he has extremely particular tastes.

“He also has the personality to invest and wait as much as needed to satisfy those tastes.”

“Is the reason you're giving a self-introduction like this related to the… Demon King statement from just before?”

“Of course, now that I’ve explained this far, it will be easier for you to understand, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

The platinum-blond Jio started stoically.

“I desire a battle with a hero.”

“…Oh…?”

“In the past, there were many heroes who sought me out.”

“…Heroes?”

“Because I am an evil god who threatens the peace of the world.”

There was a time when he was treated as the root of all evil for all the big and small troubles in the world.

“Back then, even if I didn't go out of my way, many quality opponents would come to me. They poured everything they had for the peace of mankind, to protect their precious people, and for the advancement of the world.”

“…….”

“I remember the battles with them being very enjoyable. The other divinities, excluding the Argio personality, seemed to have many stray thoughts like betrayal and what not, but at least that's how it was for me.”

Giovanni made a very disappointed expression.

It was a rather natural complaint, as it wasn't ‘Seo Jio’.

“Thinking back, I think that was the most cost-effective time.”

“Cost-effective….”

“I was so famous that many talented people sought me out without any separate promotion.”

“Promotion, so that’s the feeling.”

Yu Seong-un let out a subtle laugh.

“The talk about becoming a Demon King was because of that promotion.”

“It’s a kind of talent recruitment notice.”

Giovanni’s blue eyes sparkled with melancholy.

“As Argio, I am reflecting. It became even clearer after conversing with the God of Death. The many battles I had enjoyed as the evil god Argio were an extremely unfair gain.”

“Unfair gain?”

“I made no effort whatsoever to have a worthy battle, yet people sent me good talents. I thought it was my natural right, but in fact, it wasn't.”

“Isn’t the flow of logic strange?”

“The God of Death said that my infamy was not actually mine. It was a fame I was lucky to have for a short while, so now is the time to strive to reclaim it.”

“Oh, I see. That’s amazing.”

Yu Seong-un nodded.

“Aren't you resentful of the people who slandered and framed you as an evil god?”

“It's not that I'm not angry, but I've gained something more valuable than that, so it's okay.”

“This can’t be emotional at all.”

If you just look at the objective situation, there's no story more unjust than this.

‘A seed of a hero who showed sufficient consideration despite being born with the instincts of killing and pillaging, amidst all sorts of false accusations and slander… ended up becoming an evil god.’

If there was a dungeon with such a story, and the boss of that dungeon was Argio, what a huge bomb it would have been for humanity. Just the vague imagination of it made a baffled laugh escape.

Yu Seong-un, rubbing his neck, asked.

“What was the end for you as Argio?”

“It was a seal.”

“A seal, that doesn't sound very pleasant.”

“But I was glad because I was able to stop the meaningless killing.”

“And if it had been a meaningful killing, you would have liked that too?”

“Hmm… no.”

Surprisingly, Jio denied it.

“At that time, I was a divinity created by being clumped together with so many different victims, so there were many times I had to explode in an anger I didn't want. I didn't have the initiative, so to speak.”

He says that unless it's his own anger, it's worthless.

“Getting angry, placing value on an opponent, all of it had to be solely under my authority. But at that time, I couldn't, so….”

“Was it unpleasant?”

“It was truly unpleasant beyond comparison. Even though I was called a beast my whole life and lived like a beast, I knew how to act cleverly, but it felt like all of my precious reasons had fallen into a mud pit.”

Giovanni gave a faint smile.

“So how admirable and grateful are they? The heroes polished their noble souls and gave me rest. It is a meaningful gift accomplished by dedicating their entire lives.”

“For a Demon King, you like heroes too much.”

“I respect brave warriors. They possessed upright and good souls, had excellent insight and judgment, and knew how to be prudent in all matters and sometimes act boldly.”

“Your love for good and polite talents was the same back then, too.”

“You are right, Mr. Yu Seong-un. I have always loved those who dream and strive for it. No matter how the result turns out, the process of their efforts at that time is so valuable in itself.”

Yu Seong-un understood Jio's words.

‘What a long-standing preference.’

Seo Jio, Giovanni, and Argio. Though the expressions were slightly different, in the end, the image of a human that ‘Jio’ loved and cherished was similar.

Whether short or long, strong or weak, regardless of the degree and direction, in the end, he loves those who have walked the path of a hero.

‘In that respect, I can certainly say he is god-like.’

Great mysteries generally like heroes.

“…….”

Yu Seong-un laughed like a sigh.

“So you want to become a Demon King to compete with such heroes again?”

“Yes, that's right.”

“Why does it have to be a Demon King? You could just suggest a sparring match.”

“Because what I want is not a duel, but a fight to the death.”

“So you mean everything, including life, has to be on the line.”

“A fight when you carry everything, or when you've thrown everything away, is the most interesting.”

“You were like that too?”

“I faced every battle with death.”

Jio’s hair was momentarily dyed red.

“It is a delicacy that is hard to taste.”

“…….”

“…Ah.”

He returned to his platinum blond hair. Giovanni laughed awkwardly. It was the smile of a good-natured, handsome man.

“I’m sorry, I often lose control as I am not fully synchronized.”

“…As long as you don't go on a killing spree because you can't control it, it's fine.”

“No matter how out of control I am, such a thing will not happen.”

“Because Argio doesn't enjoy such meaningless massacres in the first place?”

“You are right, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“Hmm….”

He thought for a moment.

“…But, you know.”

“Yes, I am listening attentively.”

“How do you plan to act like a Demon King?”

“…….”

“You are, how should I put it?”

Hesitating, Yu Seong-un finally continued.

“You don't have a personality that suits evil deeds.”

“Th-that is….”

“You're not good at doing bad things, are you?”

He never thought he'd end up saying something like this to an evil god in his life, but it was an unavoidable fact. Jio was not an existence whose nature was well-suited to committing evil acts.

“You even said you didn't do meaningless massacres when you lived as Argio.”

“I did enjoy frequent bloody battles, though.”

“So did you pick fights first? Did you bully innocent people?”

“That's… not it.”

“Have you ever done any other bad things besides that?”

“…….”

After hesitating for a long while, Jio opened his mouth with difficulty.

“…Theft?”

“Whose things did you steal?”

“Of the detestable pigs….”

“Alright, at least you didn't bully innocent people.”

“But bullying people who have no connection to it, isn't that too cowardly.”

“Isn't the fact that you say that a disqualification from being a Demon King?”

“Isn't there a Demon King somewhere in the world who likes a fair and square match?”

“A subjugation party doesn't get formed for a fair and square Demon King in the first place, Jio. Heroes don't gather either.”

“…You are right about that, Mr. Yu Seong-un….”

Jio looked quite troubled. Since analyzing Jio’s recently quite varied expressions was a rather enjoyable task as a curator, Yu Seong-un admired his face while drinking the cheap instant coffee mix placed on the table.

‘It really is a harmonious face that's a pleasure to look at.’

How long has Yu Seong-un's art appreciation lasted?

Only after a considerable amount of time had passed did Jio continue.

“…When Argio’s infamy was high, my reputation rose on its own without me having to worry about such things, it’s truly a shame. They say you don't know what you have until it's gone, and that's my situation.”

“I feel like that’s a bit of an exaggeration, though.”

“Could I not expect a similar situation this time? Like people framing me on their own even if I don't do anything particularly cowardly, or considering me the incarnation of evil… something like that.”

“I’m really sorry, but it doesn't seem particularly easy.”

Yu Seong-un said with an awkward laugh.

“Let's think about that part gradually. For now, there’s the matter of Mr. Ju-hyeon who is resting at your house, and you said your self-awareness as an evil god isn't perfect yet.”

“You are certainly right about that, Mr. Yu Seong-un. The situation is not favorable to become famous as a Demon King right now. Thank you for your appropriate advice.”

“A Demon King… hmm, well. I’ll also give some thought to that Demon King project. If possible, I'd like to think of a way with less damage, is that okay?”

“I would like to ask that of you. My heart is full of the desire to compete with excellent talents, but I am also reluctant to have people fear me so much that I cannot make friends.”

“Thinking about it from that perspective, it might be better to split your identity further. Black Cape, Hunter Seo Jio, and the evil god Argio… hmm….”

Having said that, Yu Seong-un hesitated slightly.

“…I also have a wish that other people wouldn't be afraid of you.”

“Thank you for understanding, Mr. Yu Seong-un.”

“For one, it seems like it would be a big problem in terms of thinking about the peace of mankind.”

The existence of the Source can shrink and expand its body based on the ‘story’ that surrounds it.

He had barely managed to separate ‘Jio's Portrait’ into ‘Seo Jio’ and ‘Black Cape’ to create a safe zone, and now a Demon King?

A cold sweat ran down Yu Seong-un's back.

There was an additional problem that not as a Gardener, but just as the human Yu Seong-un, he could feel.

“In addition, hmm….”

“What is it?”

“…A subtle sense of guilt…?”

“I don't think there was anything to feel guilty about.”

“No, it's like… that is….”

Aren't I plotting to turn a perfectly fine person into a global piece of trash?

‘And if he wants to recreate the situation from his time as Argio… it means making Jio, who has committed no crime, the root of all evil and piling on baseless accusations and insults.’

Even if he himself is satisfied, is this right?

‘Of course, the perspective of the Source is far from the human sense of guilt, but still… Jio also has a human ego… so it’s a bit of an ambiguous situation to say he's not completely human….’

It felt really strange.

“…I'll think about it hard, so let's not put anything into practice for the time being.”

“I was at a loss as to what to do, so it is truly a grateful thing that you will think about it with me.”

“Well, there's no need to be thankful for something like this….”

A way to make Jio a harmless Demon King.

‘Never mind whether it makes sense, this isn't something I should be meddling with on my own authority.’

Yu Seong-un barely suppressed a sigh.

It seemed he would have to see Bisabeol as soon as he got back.

***

And so, Jio returned home.

“…….”

A similar worry to Yu Seong-un’s, Ju-hyeon also came to have.

“…Ah, a Demon King.”

“In summary, yes. What do you think?”

“Please give me a moment to think.”

What on earth is this?

“So….”

It sounds like he wants me to make him a global scapegoat for insults.

The upstanding young man, far removed from wicked schemes, was thrown into confusion.

“…That is… a bit….”

“Hm?”

“Isn't that too unconscionable…?”

Doesn't that defeat the purpose of being a Demon King in the first place?

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