# Episode 23: “I’m Not That Kind of Person” (4)
While Evan was being misunderstood in the most absurd way…
On the way to the Great Wall.
Lapis confronted Spuer.
“Why did you suddenly say we should go? Because of this, Evan couldn’t enjoy the ball!”
“Wasn’t he not enjoying it anyway?”
“…”
Spuer’s words left Evan speechless.
Ugh!
It felt like a freezing dagger pierced his heart.
Not enjoying?!
It wasn’t that he wasn’t enjoying it; it’s that he didn’t get the chance to enjoy it.
As per typical guy behavior, Evan refused to acknowledge the truth.
Unaware of this, Spuer…
casually glanced at Evan,
checking if he was upset.
Perhaps feeling sorry, he quietly added,
“…I wasn’t mocking you.”
“Hmph. If you had been, I’d have given you a knuckle sandwich.”
Cough.
With the apology, Evan’s resolve softened.
Yeah.
Since it wasn’t intentional.
He wasn’t worried about getting angry and making Spuer mad.
Absolutely not.
Spuer spoke again.
“…I feel sorry. But, I must meet that person.”
“Who is it?”
“The name… I don’t know. But…”
Spuer hesitated for a moment.
Lapis stared at him intently.
His crimson eyes flickered strangely.
And somehow, there was a carrot clutched awkwardly in his hand.
Hmm, surely he wouldn’t wield that like a dagger?
Eh.
How could someone be killed with a carrot?
“…It’s someone who ‘managed’ me.”
“Managed?”
“Yeah.”
Spuer closed his mouth, indicating he wouldn’t say more.
Surely this is due to the sin of pride?
He has a talent for making people curious.
The first way is leaving sentences unfinished, and the second is…
‘The connection between heretics and Spuer.’
There was nothing like this in the original story?
Spuer randomly popped up as one of the sins.
The dark puppet master manipulating the unified new religion from behind, the hidden boss.
That was Spuer’s debut and last appearance.
‘Ah. Or is it revenge?’
The ones restraining Spuer weren’t remnants of heresy?
Perhaps they’ve had bad blood since long ago?
It would hurt anyone’s pride.
He’s technically a future sin after all.
Though he himself might not realize it.
‘Revenge… Should I let him do it?’
To Lapis, now that they’re friends.
He probably won’t bother Evan casually anymore.
Maybe even protect him.
Just maybe.
But not yet for Spuer.
He’s still less close to Evan.
If he were to suggest going back now,
there’s a possibility he’d get angry over hindering his revenge.
…It’s kind of scary.
Can’t I just tell him to go alone?
While Evan was seriously considering this,
Kuuuuuuuuh!
A loud roar came from beyond the Great Wall.
At the same time, a silver aura shot towards the sky.
‘Aah.’
Arthur’s aura.
Seeing it for real for the first time.
Evan looked on with interest.
‘So, it really has been restored?’
The aura was as thick as a pillar and emitted light powerful enough to illuminate the surroundings.
Is this only half of his prime?
‘Or weaker?’
Arthur’s biggest flaw is the damage to his Aura Vessel.
That’s not all though.
There’s another curse left by the Moon God.
The Curse of the Full Moon.
A curse that causes pain except during nighttime.
A power forcing Arthur to depend on the moon.
This curse must be why the heretics weren’t completely wiped out.
‘Maybe I should give him this potion first?’
Evan patted his chest.
There are two potions prepared this time.
One restores the Aura Vessel.
The other removes the curse left by the Moon God.
Just in case, he made them.
‘I’ll ask later.’
Our esteemed customer has filed an A/S inquiry…
‘No, wait.’
Could this be useful?
For enticing Arthur.
More precisely, for a trade.
In exchange for dealing with something scary!
‘Not bad, right?’
Anyway, with Spuer worrying me, if Arthur joins…
It’s like having a dependable bodyguard.
They’ve exchanged letters too.
He should agree to such a request.
“…Alright. Let’s proceed.”
“Yes!”
Lapis replied cheerfully.
Evan placed his hands on #4.
When he appeared through #4 into the Great Wall,
he saw a werewolf covered in blood lying unconscious and Arthur standing there.
…Hm.
Is this the wrong timing?
*
“Cough!”
Grays spat out a mouthful of blood from his red claws.
Surrounded by countless dead heretics.
No survivors in sight.
Total annihilation.
Without encountering an army.
Just one person.
The nightmare of heretics who chased them here.
“…You, monster-”
Cough!
Grays glared at Arthur.
“Did you chase us all the way here?”
“No.”
Swish – Arthur wiped his blood-stained sword with a cloth and said,
“It’s a coincidence.”
“A coincidence… You’re saying nonsense.”
“Exactly what it sounds like. I had no intention of targeting you.”
Arthur glanced at the direction of the mansion where the ball was still in full swing.
“You had bad luck, and I had good fortune.”
Isn’t that calling it fate?
Once could be a coincidence, but not twice.
“Or perhaps, it’s part of someone else’s plan.”
“Pre… cious?”
Grays realized Arthur was referring to someone else.
The faint emotion in his voice.
Uncertain whether it was fear or respect.
This demon possessing such emotions?
“Did they anticipate our arrival?”
What kind of monster could do that?
Grays gritted his teeth.
Whoever this figure is, it’s clear they’re a major player.
Toying with this demon so casually.
Like a piece on a chessboard.
He had to escape somehow and inform others.
To the comrades fighting alone!
Then,
Ziiing!
The barrier containing them began to waver.
Kuuuuuh!
Impossible?
Are reinforcements coming?
A hint of relief showed on Grays’ face.
Creak!
The barrier opened like a door, and someone stepped in.
It was a golem.
Its limbs were abnormally long, its obsidian body reflecting the moonlight.
‘What is this…’
Grays looked at the person riding the golem.
A cloak fluttering in the night breeze,
pitch-black hair and golden eyes.
An unreadable, expressionless face.
Arthur muttered softly upon seeing him,
“…Evan Alkart.”
Could this young boy be Evan Alkart?
A boy who hasn’t even undergone the coming-of-age ceremony?
Hard to believe.
Even if it were the duke himself, it would be believable in this atmosphere.
‘…He resembles him.’
Heretics inevitably end up entangled with the underworld.
He had seen the duke a few times as a bishop.
The golden eyes resembled those he had seen before.
After staring at Evan for a moment, cold sweat trickled down Grays’ forehead.
‘…A monster!’
He couldn’t read any emotions.
Grays’ strengths were his sense of smell and sight.
He could see every hair on the opponent’s body.
Yet, he couldn’t read anything?
Such perfect control.
He had only seen such presence from the duke or Bishop Blake.
To feel it from such a child…
‘Damn, I need to run…’
Thud.
The golem took one step forward.
Evan slowly looked at him.
Their gaze met, and Grays’ body froze.
Swish.
The golem gently set Evan down.
Evan stood alone.
“…Pleased to meet you.”
Evan looked at Arthur and spoke.
“Arthur Moraiter, correct?”
“…Correct.”
Arthur, who had been leaning nonchalantly, sheathed his sword at his waist and bowed respectfully.
“Knight of the Full Moon, Arthur Moraiter. It’s an honor to finally meet you in person.”
“The honor is mine.”
Polite language.
It suits him perfectly, sending shivers down your spine.
Even these small formalities.
It makes him seem like the true puppet master controlling everything.
Evan turned his head slightly.
“…And this one?”
“Bishop Grays. One of the leaders guiding the remnants of the heretics.”
Grays detected a sense of “difficulty” from Arthur.
“…It’s the leftover remnants from my incomplete work.”
“…It’s fine.”
Evan slowly shook his head, soothing him like a benevolent ruler forgiving a subordinate’s mistake.
Could it be…
“You handled it perfectly. More than adequately.”
“!”
Could Evan Alkart be Arthur’s backer?
Then…
‘Was our total destruction all…!’
Part of Evan Alkart’s strategy!
“Rather, I’m concerned if I haven’t caused you trouble.”
“…Thanks to you, I’ve become aware of my own shortcomings. I’ve never felt inconvenience.”
“Then I’m relieved.”
The true enemy wasn’t Arthur.
Evan Alkart!
The real enemy of the heretics!
“Grrrrr…”
The moment Grays couldn’t control his rising anger,
a chilling killing intent flew from the golem’s direction.
Shiver!
A body trembling with fear.
He forced himself to lift his head.
On top of the golem,
a white-haired girl with crimson eyes was glaring.
The object in her hand… a carrot?
Something he usually wouldn’t even glance at.
Yet now, it felt more dangerous than any legendary blade.
Moreover.
The blue-haired child sitting next to her seemed familiar.
“You, Spuer…!”
Spuer.
The child personally managed by God, destined to carry a massive fate.
Someone who could charm even a bishop with his silver tongue. Why is he here?
Could it be, already under Evan’s control?
…No.
Evan hadn’t even spared him a glance.
A reaction showing no dependence whatsoever.
Spuer was glaring at him fiercely, as if trying to burn him alive with his eyes alone.
‘…Does he have Spuer under his control too?’
The immense fate that even God hesitates to tamper with?
Just how far has he calculated?
What does he want?
Anger began to twist gradually.
Fear.
Like the first time he encountered God…
‘…No! That’s not important!’
Grays shook his head.
Whatever the result, it doesn’t matter.
The water has already spilled.
Then…
All he can do is give his best effort now.
“Spuer!!!”
Grays shouted.
Arthur didn’t have time to react.
“By God’s command!”
The single privilege granted to the one managing Spuer.
The authority to command.
A privilege that someone with Spuer’s great destiny can never refuse!
“Kill him immediately!”
“…”
“…”
Spuer’s hand twitched slightly.
Just that.
He didn’t move at all.
…Huh?
Why isn’t he moving?
Didn’t he promise to follow?
Right then.
Lapis’ hand moved, and something white flashed before his eyes.
Swish-
His vision flipped upward.
Grays belatedly realized his neck had been cut off.
Lapis’ angry voice rang out.
“How dare you… target Evan? You?”
Her eyes, dyed completely red.
Within them, gears clicking audibly.
He noticed belatedly.
The white-haired child too carried the same destiny as Spuer.
‘Two… with the same… sin?’
A fate even God struggles to handle.
Having two of them and still remaining intact?
What heavy fate does he possess?
…Wrong connections.
Too big of a player.
‘Aah, oh Lord…’
Grays slowly closed his eyes.
Before losing consciousness,
he prayed to God one last time.
May blessings be upon the remaining comrades…
“…”
Thud-thud-thud!
The severed head rolled across the ground.
Evan looked down expressionlessly.
Arthur spoke.
“…Seems like he’s very angry.”
“Lapis.”
“…Sorry, Evan.”
Realizing she went too far, Lapis became despondent.
Evan looked at her for a while.
‘Holy crap! I’m so scared.’
Already trembling from facing Arthur, he’s even more terrified now!
Scared enough to pass out!
Still, he managed to hold onto his sanity.
If he collapses here, it’s all over.
Somehow, he needs to endure!
“Sorry… ”
“…No, you did well.”
Evan patted Lapis’ head and turned to Spuer.
“Have we achieved our objective?”
“…”
Silent Spuer.
His expression clearly showed dissatisfaction.
Was one bishop insufficient?
Then.
“…There are other heretics nearby.”
“!”
Arthur spoke.
“To be precise, there’s an ancient dungeon they used as their base.”
Ancient dungeon?
Ah.
I remember now.
Should we call them instant dungeons?
Single-use dungeons.
They usually had strange murals drawn inside.
‘Rewards were somewhat useful, right? Probably.’
Rewards generally included ancient golem cores or useful materials.
I planned to visit around two years later.
Reason I’m not going now?
Not because I’m scared.
It’s because my body is still weak.
You never know.
‘Going now isn’t necessarily bad?’
I might die alone in the dungeon.
Always need to be careful.
“Originally dangerous for me alone, but with you present, it’s uncertain.”
“…?”
Wait, me?
While Evan was bewildered,
Spuer, perhaps tempted by the limitation, looked at Evan.
“…I want to go.”
“Spuer.”
“If we go there… I think I can find the answer I desire.”
Spuer showed his first earnestness.
Typical behavior of the sin of pride.
What’s in that dungeon?
‘Ah, hidden pieces are irresistible.’
Unless it’s Hanol Lee Han, someone like Evan, a seasoned survivor with over a year’s experience, would definitely be tempted.
Hidden pieces or dungeon rewards could greatly aid survival.
Who knows?
There might be precious golem creation materials.
Also, there are reliable companions here.
“…Arthur.”
“What is it?”
“I propose a deal.”
Evan reached into his pocket while steadying his trembling heart.
If accepted, I’ll go; if rejected, I’m still going!
“The potion that can further restore your Aura Vessel and the potion that can remove curses.”
“!”
Arthur’s eyes widened.
Shock.
‘How does he know about my curse?’
Not even the Holy Maiden or his younger sister knows about this curse.
Impossible to be involved with that detestable God.
Then, did he notice with his own eyes?
‘…Scary.’
All of this could be part of his orchestrated plan.
More frightening is that there’s no escaping it.
If it’s truly possible to remove the curse?
Then…
As the Holy Maiden said, perhaps he can save his younger sister.
“…The curse.”
Arthur spoke.
“I choose the curse.”
It could be considered his lifelong goal.
If he can sever that detestable moon and rid himself of this curse.
All of this, for the sake of severing the moon.
‘If you wish, I’ll gladly become your sword.’
Willing to play along in this game.
