Chapter 336

Start (17)

A newborn baby, and inside it, a man.

A filthy and cruel back alley.

A child running and running to survive.

A boy who grows up and enters an academy.

A young man, more saintly than a saint, who spreads his arms to protect his weak and poor friends.

A warrior who loses all his friends in a single moment and goes berserk.

A madman wandering through all sorts of worlds, different dimensions, and distant universes, carrying a rusty, broken sword, searching for his enemy.

A prisoner who kills and kills again, receiving divine punishment.

The man inside the baby seemed oddly familiar. But after entering the baby, his face and voice disappeared.

In the end, only the life of the punished prisoner continued endlessly.

“Ugh—!”

Huff! Huff!

Im Mi-seon gasped for breath.

“Can you remember?”

A man handed her a glass of water and asked.

Im Mi-seon emptied the glass in one go and calmed her pounding heart.

“I can’t forget even if I wanted to. My head might explode.”

“Don’t worry. The memories will fade as you write them down.”

“Ah, is that so?”

How could she doubt it?

Anyone who heard this would think she was crazy, but having experienced it firsthand, she would swear by her faith even if a knife were at her throat.

The fact that the man before her was an enigmatic being.

“Um, by the way, Mr. Deity? I don’t know when it will be completed, but we need to sign a publishing contract. But since we’re a small publishing house, I’m not sure if the CEO will approve it.”

Im Mi-seon was a professional.

Even in the midst of her hypnotic confusion, she displayed a strong sense of professionalism.

“One copy will do.”

“Huh?”

“Send it here when it’s finished.”

What the man handed her was a brown leather case.

When she opened it, the inside was a faintly glowing gray, with a name and address written on it.

“This person…”

It was a name no Earthling could not know.

「Son Jin-hyeok」

“He probably knows the story up to the berserk warrior. He’s curious about the prisoner’s story, so write it in detail.”

“Then I don’t need to know the beginning, right?”

“Is there a result without a cause? Even if it’s a story you already know, isn’t it fun to hear it from someone else? Aren’t there stories that are fun to read over and over again?”

“Ah, that’s right. You’re correct. I was being silly.”

Where did I put it… The man rummaged through his coat.

“You mentioned a publishing contract, right? I love contracts. Since I’m the one making the request, I should be the乙方.”

Thud—.

After rummaging for a while, the man placed a glass bottle that looked like it held over 4 liters on the table.

“What’s this?”

“It’s called wine. About 30,000 years old.”

30,000 years? That means it was made in the Paleolithic era?

“Want to try it?”

Pop—!

Without waiting for an answer, the man uncorked the bottle and pulled out a glass with his left hand.

‘Where does that huge thing even come from?’

As if understanding Im Mi-seon’s curiosity, the man just smiled silently and poured the wine.

Im Mi-seon’s eyes and mouth widened simultaneously.

It was a different kind of mystery compared to when she saw the business card. The sparkling purple liquid filling the glass looked more like a gem than wine, and the faint blue light radiating from the pouring wine created a spectacle she had never seen before.

“It’s a crystal glass. Very rare.”

But that wasn’t what surprised her.

The man took out another glass and filled his own.

“Let’s toast to your writing, your health, and your endless… coupling.”

“Huh?”

“Just do it.”

“Okay.”

Clink—.

Even though she didn’t intend to tilt the glass, the liquid flowed into her mouth on its own. She tried to swirl it on her tongue, but it slid down her throat in a strange motion.

And that was just the beginning.

“Ah—, this is…”

“I know. It’s good, isn’t it?”

“It doesn’t taste like alcohol.”

“Save it. There’s only one bottle in this world.”

After saying that, the man pushed his still mostly full glass toward her.

Im Mi-seon grabbed it and gulped it down.

“Thank you.”

“There’s plenty in my world.”

“Really? If you could give me a few more bottles—. Oops.”

Im Mi-seon quickly covered her mouth.

She almost blurted out something shameless, entranced by the taste.

“Come. When you finish writing, I’ll invite you to my world. Consider this the contract.”

“Really?”

“As my true self, I cannot lie. There will be no pain there, and you won’t age in my world. If you want, I can even create a Playboy model male for you.”

“Huh? Playboy what?”

“Something like that.”

“Is that the country you live in?”

“The world I live in is Ataraxia, named after me, Ataraxil.”

“Ah… Ataraxia sounds familiar.”

“Even if you’ve heard of it, it’s a different place. If you want to be invited, keep the ring with you. The ring will prove the contract.”

What on earth is going on?

It can’t be because of the alcohol.

Even before drinking the wine, her head felt light, as if she were wandering in a dream.

She closed her eyes tightly and shook her head vigorously.

When she opened her eyes again, only the large wine bottle, two crystal glasses, and a jade-colored ring that must have been one of the man’s remained on the table.

The man who called himself Ataraxil had disappeared without a trace.

As if he never existed.

“Strong wine? It was sweet, but I feel strangely dazed.”

Shall I go fulfill another wish now? Only the lingering voice remained, swirling around the office like a breeze.

***

Still a hot September.

Son Yoo-jin, who finished class early, walked across the playground with her friends.

“Yoo-jin, what are you doing for Chuseok? Is Jin-hyeok oppa coming?”

“Yeah. We’re going to eat ramen with oppa, go to the beach, play yut, and look for hazelnuts on the hill. This time, Su-jeong unnie is coming too. I need to ask her about college.”

“I thought you were going to do something amazing, but Yoo-jin, you’re just like everyone else.”

“Living is the same for everyone.”

“Is Su-jeong unnie Jin-hyeok oppa’s girlfriend? I heard she’s really famous.”

“Ugh—, it’s all because of that entertainment news show.”

“Ah, what are you talking about? It’s all over everyone’s mini-homepages.”

Well.

Son Yoo-jin nodded.

Oppa is kind to everyone, so he never refuses autographs or photo requests. He even took pictures while eating.

Mom said that’s why people like him even more.

As she chatted with her friends, a second-year junior ran across the playground, kicking up dust.

“Unnies! Let’s go to the back gate! There’s a weird man at the school’s main gate!”

“Again?”

“Must be a flasher.”

They appear regardless of the season, but it’s worse at a girls’ school.

Son Yoo-jin stepped forward bravely.

“Looks like Yoo-jin is going to chase him again!”

“Let’s go!”

The Son Yoo-jin party’s flasher raid begins.

When Son Yoo-jin spotted the man, she froze.

“Huh? Hehe. That man isn’t a flasher.”

As Son Yoo-jin appeared at the main gate, the mysterious man smiled brightly and waved.

“Yoo-jin, do you know him?”

“Who is it, who?”

“He doesn’t seem like a pervert.”

Son Yoo-jin’s eyes welled up with tears as she smiled like a blooming flower.

“Uncle Goblin…”

The tall man who came all this way in a human body to meet Son Yoo-jin.

He walked toward her.

“You’ve grown so much.”

“Hi, Uncle…”

Son Yoo-jin shyly waved back.

Behind the sunglasses, eyes that held the universe met hers and smiled.

“Do you want to go drink cola with me?”

Her eyes sparkled as if she might cry, but Son Yoo-jin didn’t cry.

Instead, she smiled brightly.

“Yes!”

*

They bought cola at the store in front of the gate and sat side by side on a bench at the edge of the playground.

Kang Heon-chang and Jeong Sang-tae, who had come to pick up Son Yoo-jin after school, showed signs of wariness. Dugu Elil stopped Son Yoo-jin from reassuring them.

“Just leave them be. I know them too. They won’t even remember seeing me.”

“Me too? Will I forget too?”

“Probably not. Those connected by soul will remember again even if they forget, and will meet again even if they part. That’s why I came.”

Dugu Elil hinted at his regret by saying he couldn’t stay long.

“Did General Sanyal come?”

“He’s coming with oppa for Chuseok. We couldn’t even start looking for him because we didn’t know where he went. Oppa said he couldn’t focus on work either. Did you protect General too, Uncle?”

“Protecting something is only by one’s own will. I only help those who are desperate.”

Is it fate? Son Yoo-jin nodded.

“Feed this to the other Sanyals.”

What Dugu Elil handed her was a handful of pills the size of goat droppings.

Sniff sniff—.

It had a slightly pungent smell, perfect for dogs’ tastes.

“What’s this?”

“A wish.”

Though he looked human, he still acted like a riddle.

But she knew he wasn’t a bad being.

Even if he played the villain for his boss’s sake, this goblin uncle loved all things, adored small and cute things, and was fascinated by trivial things. That’s what he said when he was in Atlanta.

“I’ll make sure to feed them.”

“Take this too.”

This one?

Dugu Elil rummaged through his coat.

Where did this one hide? Muttering, he searched his sides and armpits until he pulled something out.

Squeak—.

A puppy.

Its nose and eyelids were black, and its fur was a darker brown than a yellow dog. At first glance, it looked like a mixed breed, but Son Yoo-jin could tell its breed at a glance.

“A gift.”

“Wow—! So cute—.”

Son Yoo-jin held the puppy to her cheek and sniffed it.

Squeak squeak— pant pant—.

The puppy seemed to like Son Yoo-jin too, wagging its tail and licking her chin.

“Ah—, that tickles—.”

Memories of happily petting Hongshi, the puppy, and Geon-ma came flooding back.

“I had a hard time finding this one.”

Son Yoo-jin was shocked and turned to look at Dugu Elil.

“Is this Cheon-ma?”

“Yes. He wanted to return to you. I wouldn’t have forced him if he refused. The Sanyals are quite romantic.”

He said he was showering her with blessings.

But it was a miracle he could handle, so there was no need to worry.

“Cheon-ma, welcome—. Thank you, Uncle.”

“He’ll live as long as you.”

Dugu Elil scratched his side like someone with an itch.

“What are you doing? Do you have allergies or something?”

“I have more to give. Ah, it’s in my pocket.”

From his jacket pocket, he pulled out a transparent cube case. Inside was a turquoise egg tied with a pink ribbon.

She didn’t need an explanation now.

As she took the case, Son Yoo-jin asked.

“Will Haengun-i live long too?”

“Longer than an eagle.”

Son Yoo-jin couldn’t lift her bowed head.

It was unclear whether she was looking at the case or the ground.

“It’s happy but unfair.”

“You mean receiving a Sanyal and an egg as gifts?”

“Yes. Not everyone can enjoy this. It’s not ordinary at all.”

“Ah, child, think about it.”

Son Yoo-jin turned her head to look at Dugu Elil.

Her face reflected in his eyes, which held the universe.

“Is it a big deal to govern a couple of souls with overflowing power?”

“Hmm…, that’s a bit hard to understand.”

“Don’t you think knowing me, facing me, and talking to me is a greater privilege?”

Dugu Elil petted Cheon-ma’s head as he continued.

“Knowing me is an unparalleled privilege. Compared to that, these gifts are as insignificant as ruling an entire galaxy. You are the human who revived my lost emotions. Don’t consider such trivial things as special favors.”

Ah, I see. Only then did Son Yoo-jin show understanding.

“I took meeting you for granted.”

“As natural as breathing.”

“Hehe, yes.”

“I exist everywhere and nowhere. I have no scent, no voice, no form, so I remain in no one’s memory.”

“I remember you. That must be special treatment, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. Now tell me your story. Hearing it in your voice will surely be different from watching from afar.”

School stories, friend stories, family stories. Son Yoo-jin told Dugu Elil about the daily life he wanted to hear.

“Our school seniors were teased for having thick legs. They said it was because the school is on a high ground. But since physical education was strengthened, those comments disappeared, so it must have been lack of exercise.”

“There’s a boy named Kim Ho-jin in our neighborhood. One day he asked, ‘Who will Son Yoo-jin marry?’ So I said, ‘Someone like my oppa.’ Then he said, ‘Wow, you’re all set to get married.’ Can you believe it? I was about to say something, but then I realized he was right, so I just laughed. Where else would I find a man like my oppa?”

“My dad farts too often. It was funny when I was little, but now I can’t help but frown. When Jeong Won was a baby, he played behind dad and fainted with foam in his mouth, so I had to help.”

“My dream is to be an engineer. Whether it’s my dad’s company or oppa’s company, I want to build a huge spaceship and visit where you are, Uncle, and meet the aliens Eun-jeong unnie saw to grant her wish. Do you know what her wish is? To poke an alien in the butt. When I asked why, she said aliens don’t wear clothes, so she can’t grab their collars.”

Dugu Elil couldn’t stop smiling as he watched the chattering girl.

You’re living happily and joyfully.

Seeing you happy fills me with happiness too. Dugu Elil wanted to keep listening to Son Yoo-jin’s voice, speaking only with his eyes.

Soon, a haze seemed to rise from Dugu Elil’s body, and his existence began to fade.

“My allotted time is up. If you ever need my help, make a wish on the ring.”

But I know. You’ll keep the ring just to remember me…

Dugu Elil’s voice had already turned into a breeze.

“Yes. I’ll just live an ordinary life. But it would be really nice if you could visit like this sometimes. If it’s not too much to ask, I’d really like that.”

Let’s make that a contract. The ring will prove it.

Even after Dugu Elil’s figure completely disappeared, the wind still blew.

“It’s not a promise, right?”

It’s the same thing.

“Hehe—. Yes. I’ll wait.”

It might be fun not to tell him. Let’s keep it our secret. Isn’t it fun to have something even he doesn’t know?

“Hehe—. Right. I’ll keep it a secret.”

To fulfill his wish, your wish, and the Sanyals’ wishes, I temporarily borrowed a body to contain my immense power.

But I am still so foolish, so foolish.

Thus, I realized too late.

That all of this was ultimately for my own satisfaction…

“Anyone is fine, right? Hehe—. Oppa said it. ‘What’s good is good’ might sound bad, but in reality, everyone’s happiness is what matters—.”

Son Yoo-jin stopped talking.

The wind, which had no scent, started to smell like dust.

“Ah, he’s gone. Hehe—. Goodbye, Uncle—.”

She waved cheerfully at the empty air.

She put the case with the egg in her bag and carefully held Cheon-ma, who sat quietly on her lap, wagging his tail.

Squeak—. Pant pant—.

“Good boy, pretty Cheon-ma. Let’s live together for a long, long time.”

Hehe pant—.

Soon, when Chuseok comes, oppa and General will return, and Su-jeong unnie’s family will come too.

I’ll get to see the neighborhood oppas and unnies’ silly antics.

Son Yoo-jin now fully understands what oppa said.

– “The happiest time is going home. Even if I just read books or take naps and waste time, the time going home is when I envy no one in the world. That was true even when I was younger and poorer. Mom and dad were waiting, General came to greet me, and little Yoo-jin smiled when she saw me. For me, that time is still my happiest memory.”

I thought it was because I was tired from sports, the competitions were tough, or living alone in Seoul was lonely. Of course, that’s part of it, but oppa said he feels happiest when he thinks of the picture of the family gathered together, laughing.

“Cheon-ma, shall we go home now?”

Pant pant—. Squeak—.

Cheon-ma wagged his tail in circles.

I guess that means yes.

She got up from the bench, holding Cheon-ma in one hand and stretching out her other arm.

And she shouted.

“Hehe—! Let’s go—!”