Chapter 96

Chapter 96. Final Request

"...Oh my, you're back sooner than I expected?"

Asset spoke with feigned surprise.

She was sitting comfortably inside the ruined tower, casually drinking tea at a tea table that looked completely out of place here.

"If you thought I came back sooner than expected, that means you expected this to take a long time from the start, right?"

I now had Jayeon in my arms and had become a father of two, with Modak riding on a wooden horse.

To Jjikjjik, as well as the married mouse couples I'd brought along as quest materials, I'd practically become a god.

And she thought it would take even longer than this?

If it had taken any longer, I might seriously have turned into some completely different kind of being.

The number of dead mouse couples Jjikjjik dragged back would probably have doubled, and even a water truck might not have been enough to collect all the tears of newborn life.

Thank goodness it ended quickly.

"Father, what is that monster? I can sense a very unusual energy from her."

"My senior."

"Ohhh! As expected! She's Master's senior! I can feel an incredible amount of power from her!"

"Hello, little ones~"

Jayeon stared at Asset with eyes full of caution.

Apparently, Asset looked extremely dangerous in Jayeon's eyes.

Well, considering her true identity was the Great Witch of Madness, she really was dangerous.

There probably weren't many beings on the entire continent who could make people flinch just by having their names mentioned.

"Can we do the introductions later?"

Enough of this.

I just wanted her to hurry up, mark the quest as completed, and throw the final quest at me.

I'd already wasted an entire week in this place.

I didn't want to waste any more time.

Kim Inbang already went back ages ago, started his stream, and is doing content in front of the palace... Why am I still...

Kim Inbang seemed to have failed to become a hero, but his achievements had still been recognized, and he'd even become vice-captain of a knight order.

Was it because he had genuinely been a pure young man who sincerely tried to become a hero?

If that was the case, then what the hell was I?

Considering the weight carried by the title of Hero, maybe these hardships were understandable.

But thinking about how even if I became a hero here, the Empire probably wouldn't treat me like one made me feel depressed.

"Let's see~ Oh my, you actually brought everything? But why did you bring so many tears and married couples? This is way too much."

I suppose you could call it the abundance created by the mice's insane reproductive power.

Inside all of this were the sadness and suffering of those forced to live inside cages for the sake of human benefit.

Well...

I hadn't actually locked them in cages.

I simply put a male and female together, looked away for a moment, and suddenly ten baby mice would pop into existence.

When I watched them, nothing happened.

The instant I looked away, babies appeared!

Why did this particular part feel so much like a game system?

Was it because this place had been made in a hurry?

Or maybe it was to lower the game's age rating?

Whatever the reason, it made things easier for me, so I wasn't complaining.

"All right. Now I'm going to mix these together and make one potion. It'll contain a complicated power made from many different possibilities and emotions. Originally, I asked you to gather these so I could open the path for you to become a hero..."

Asset tilted her head.

"But it doesn't look like you need it anymore. Do you still want me to make it?"

I didn't completely understand what she meant, but if I thought about it simply, the item made from all the materials I'd collected was probably something like a required item for class advancement.

But apparently, I'd already fulfilled that requirement, so I didn't need it anymore?

But I still wasn't a hero.

What was going on?

Were there more conditions required to become a hero than I'd expected?

Maybe once I left this place, I'd automatically receive the Hero title?

Hmm.

I'd find out eventually.

No point overthinking it before seeing the result.

"Make it anyway. I'll give it to my kid."

At those words, three pairs of eyes immediately turned toward me.

Dream on, you three.

I'm not talking about you.

I'm talking about Ien.

Ien already had more than enough armor and weapons.

Now it was time to give him strength worthy of all that equipment.

I'd already decided to treat him well, so I intended to go all the way.

Still, if I simply handed him everything without any effort, there was a chance he wouldn't appreciate what he'd received.

So maybe putting him through some kind of trial similar to what I'd just experienced wouldn't be such a bad idea.

"Then there's only one last, simple favor left. Once you finish this, our dear junior will officially become a magnificent hero! Aren't you excited?"

"What's the favor?"

Asset pulled out a huge cauldron, poured every ingredient I'd brought into it, and began boiling them while slowly stirring the mixture.

Then, leisurely, she began to speak.

"Actually, since you already possess the qualifications of a hero, the most I can really do is stamp you with a 'Well done!' and send you on your way."

"That's a long introduction."

"Everything needs deep roots, you know. Anyway, this little favor of mine can't be accomplished inside this tiny palace."

Ah.

I could smell a huge quest coming.

Even the way she started speaking sounded like she was saying,

I'm about to tell you something incredibly important~

It was already making me uncomfortable.

Asset casually tossed strange things, things that definitely weren't among the materials I'd collected, into the cauldron, which was making loud popping noises.

She seemed reluctant to let this moment pass.

After all, this was probably her first chance in four hundred years to breathe the air of the world again.

I could understand why she didn't want it to end.

"Junior, you know Partiens, right?"

"Of course. Pastien. Your younger sibling."

"Huh? I think that name was a little different? Uh, well, whatever! Could you help my younger sibling?"

Pop!

Smoke exploded out of the cauldron and covered Asset's face.

Even without the smoke, I probably wouldn't have looked directly at her expression.

Still, I could imagine the distant, sorrowful look she was probably making.

She must have felt terrible whenever she thought about her younger sibling, who had spent four hundred long years simply guarding her remains.

As someone without a family...

As someone whose entire family had suddenly disappeared one day...

I couldn't understand the weight of those feelings.

"As an advance payment, I'll give our junior's naked daughter a set of clothes and a ring."

Ta-da!

A hanbok suddenly popped out of the cauldron.

How should I put this...

It really looked like a proper traditional hanbok.

But we were in a fantasy world.

And Asset was a witch, something no fantasy world could ever be complete without.

Seeing someone like her create an outfit that looked completely out of place ruined the immersion a little.

Still, the fabric looked smooth and expensive.

And since Jayeon didn't have any clothes right now and I'd only been covering her with leather, this was actually an extremely useful advance payment.

The outfit was mostly pale green, which suited Jayeon surprisingly well.

She had pale skin and a small branch growing from her forehead.

"And this! The name of this ring is..."

Asset paused dramatically.

"Since our daughter doesn't have a mother, let's call it Mother's Embrace! It's a very, very good ring, you know?"

[Mother's Embrace: Once per day, blocks one fatal attack directed at the wearer.]

"Oh, this really is good. Senior, there were some problems with your explanation, but the final product is excellent. I'll forgive you."

"I don't know what exactly you're forgiving me for, but accepting that means you're willing to do my favor, right?"

"Yes."

Of course I was.

More than anything, I'd already been wondering from the beginning how I could coax Pastien over to my side.

Hayang might have spent those twenty years laying some groundwork, after all.

She was a Great Hero, so I couldn't think of any way to defeat her directly.

And unlike Grandpa Alo, she didn't seem to possess some object that would completely destroy her mentally if she lost it.

Besides, how weak could the mentality of a four-hundred-year-old grandma possibly be?

"...Thank you. My younger sibling is incredibly stubborn and rigid. But that kid also has a ridiculously innocent side."

That was good news for me.

If she was foolishly innocent, then there was a good chance Hayang had managed to manipulate her properly.

She might technically be my other half, but when you thought about it, she was also an incredibly intelligent AI.

Surely she would've handled things properly.

I believed in her.

"All right! Here's the special potion I made! And this is your certification proving that you're qualified to become a hero."

While I helped Jayeon put on her clothes, Asset handed me a stiff paper card.

A witch's hat symbol had been stamped onto it.

I supposed it was basically a card containing the certification of the Indomitable Great Witch.

When I thought about it, it was actually an incredible object.

It represented recognition from someone powerful enough to be counted among the strongest beings in existence.

If I went to Jjikjjik right now and said,

"You're really strong. I acknowledge you!"

Wouldn't he collapse on the spot, scream with joy, and start crying?

But Jjikjjik didn't even have eyes, a nose, a mouth, or ears on his face.

How exactly did he manage to perform all those functions?

Was I simply supposed to ignore it because he was a game NPC?

"...To be completely honest, there are a few problems with calling you a hero!"

Asset grinned.

"But if I told you, 'Sorry~ I can't give you the qualifications of a hero,' you'd probably flip this entire palace upside down, wouldn't you?"

"Well... that depends on what the people in the Hall say."

"Ahaha! You're strangely rational about that. I really can't understand you."

"Neither can I..."

That meaningless exchange became our final conversation.

Inside the ruined tower standing in the middle of the desert, we silently faced one another for a moment.

Then we separated without any special farewell.

Maybe it was because I somehow felt this wouldn't be the last time we met.

Maybe the atmosphere was simply awkward.

Or maybe neither of us knew how to properly say goodbye to someone.

I simply walked far enough that Asset disappeared from sight.

Then I blinked.

When I opened my eyes again, I was standing in front of the massive doors of the towering structure.

Thankfully, nobody was nearby.

Before any problems could occur, I unsummoned Modak and Jjikjjik.

Modak probably would've been fine.

But Jjikjjik could easily remind people of something unpleasant at first glance.

He had a bit of a fallen angel feeling to him.

And almost everything he said sounded like he was worshipping and praising me.

It would be troublesome if someone overheard those words and caused unnecessary problems.

"The traces of madness are completely covered with leather. I secured them with chains so they won't flap in the wind. And our Jayeon is still safely in my arms."

"Where are we, Father? I can feel an incredible amount of life force and power here. It's making my mouth water!"

"We'll eat something delicious once we get outside."

Jayeon's eyes sparkled.

No, they were literally sparkling.

For Jayeon, the phrase eyes like jewels wasn't even figurative.

It genuinely looked like someone had placed gemstones shaped exactly like her pupils inside her eyes.

"Ah! Indomitable Knight Kim Ingwang! Did you pass the trial?"

Apparently, they'd been carefully watching to see whether anyone came out of the tower.

The people from the Hall whom I'd met when I first arrived, all wearing white hoods, hurried toward me with small steps.

They smiled politely as they asked the question.

I silently nodded.

Then they began guiding me somewhere.

Why weren't they questioning Jayeon's existence at all?

I still hadn't gotten any answers about Kim Inbang's suspicious behavior.

It would probably be best to remain cautious while following them.

Then again, maybe everything really was just my paranoia.

Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to relax and simply follow them.

Hmm!

My thoughts were contradicting each other!

What was I supposed to do at times like this?

"Father, don't you think there might be a trap?"

"Don't worry, Daughter. Your dad has eyes that can read the flow of things. I can detect traps like that unbelievably well... probably..."

"Father... have confidence!"

Jayeon looked at me seriously.

"Father! You possess wonderful abilities!"

"Daughter...!"

Modak had never said anything like that to me!

Well, maybe that was because he was stronger than me!

Still, it felt like all the anxiety in my heart had been washed away at once!

To be fair, my daughter was apparently a Transcendent Being.

Even from just hearing that title, she sounded like some high-ranking species whose basic specifications were on a completely different level.

And yet she still spoke about me like this...

One daughter really was worth ten sons...!

After getting a full injection of confidence from Jayeon, I cleared my throat softly and spoke to the people from the Hall walking in front of me.

What?

A trap?

There's no way something like that exists!

"Where are we going?"

"We're heading to the final interview regarding your registration as a hero, Kim Ingwang."

An interview?

We were walking through a corridor overflowing with the same mysterious and beautiful atmosphere I'd seen when I first entered...

For an interview?

More importantly, why was there even an interview?

Weren't the examiners responsible for these trials beings comparable to Great Heroes, like Asset?

Did they not trust the evaluations of people like that?

"Originally, there was no interview system."

The guide continued.

"However, recently, a large number of Outsiders have begun appearing in the world. After seeing how quickly they grow, the Great Heroes decided that if we were careless, a large number of uncontrollable heroes might be created."

The players did it again...!

A-ma-zing!

Still, I understood their reasoning.

Compared to NPCs, players grew stronger at an absurdly fast rate.

And as time passed, more and more players would eventually reach the realm of heroes.

On top of that, as the game's service period stretched from one year to two years and beyond, there might eventually be support programs for new players.

Maybe someday, a complete beginner could receive a Hero title within their first week.

Players multiplied quickly.

They became stronger quickly.

And on top of that, they were uncontrollable, unpredictable, and impossible to regulate.

From the NPCs' perspective, players were practically natural disasters.

Some players might simply dance around the village square wearing nothing but underwear.

But others could destroy entire nations through propaganda and fabricated rumors.

Some might even commit mass slaughter.

"The Outsiders... I apologize for saying this to you, Kim Ingwang, but they tend to be rather... free-spirited."

Someone could even become the ruler of a country and start something like a world war.

From the NPCs' point of view, they had every reason to be extremely cautious.

"I understand."

Imagine someone like me suddenly becoming a hero without any restrictions.

Who would take responsibility?

The Hall of Heroes?

And if this place got shut down because of that responsibility, where would future heroes get promoted?

Their intention was probably to create as many filters as possible.

And if something did go wrong, they could simply place responsibility on the interviewer.

That would be convenient for the Hall.

But still...

No matter who the interviewer was, there had to be some standard questions designed to determine whether someone was suitable to become a hero.

And there would naturally be a roughly predetermined set of correct answers.

In that case, wouldn't strategy guides for Hero advancement appear on the forums before long, making the interview meaningless?

I could already imagine posts appearing.

NPC X has this personality, so if you answer like this, they'll give you a higher score.

It was painfully obvious what would happen.

"Please sit over there and wait for a moment. The interviewer will arrive shortly. We've invited someone from outside, so we ask for your understanding if it takes some time for them to arrive."

"Ah, okay."

Just like when I'd waited in front of the tower earlier, I sat there blankly staring at an elaborately decorated door while boredom slowly consumed me.

I occasionally played around with Jayeon to ease the boredom.

But apparently the interviewer was going to arrive much later than expected.

Quite a lot of time passed, yet nobody told me to come inside.

"Daughter~ Who do you think the interviewer will be?"

"Whoever it is, if they can't recognize Father's worth, then they have no worth as an interviewer."

"Ahaha... No, not like that. I mean what kind of person do you think would come to judge whether someone has the qualifications to be a hero?"

"I haven't even been alive for a full day yet, so I don't really know."

Hmm.

Fair enough.

Well, maybe some hero would come.

Perhaps someone similar to the kinds of people Grandpa Alo had introduced me to back at the café.

If that happened, would I be able to say whatever that person wanted to hear right in front of them?

Ugh...

I didn't really like the idea.

"Huaaahm~ Mm... Father, I'm sleepy..."

"All right. I won't wake you, so sleep as much as you want."

"...You won't leave me behind... right?"

"Hey, if someone heard you, they'd think I've abandoned you before. We're staying together, so don't worry and sleep."

"Okaaay..."

We weren't related by blood.

There was nothing actually connecting us like that.

But if I'd ever had a niece...

No.

If I'd really had someone I could call my daughter...

Maybe this was what it would've felt like.

A warm feeling spread through my heart.

It was a sensation I hadn't experienced in a very long time.

The warmth that came from having something called family seemed to melt away the heart that had been filled with suspicion and caution.

"Family, huh..."

Even Asset, the Great Witch of Madness, still worried about her family, Pastien, after four hundred years.

And what about Pastien?

She had spent four hundred years guarding Asset's remains.

Should that be considered the ultimate form of familial love?

Every one of them cared deeply about their own families.

Was that part of the Chairman's philosophy?

Maybe even he thought there were lines you shouldn't cross when it came to someone's family.

Then why did you do that to me?

Because it was someone else's family?

You piece of trash.

Feeling my thoughts starting to darken again, I looked down at Jayeon.

She was leaning against me, sleeping peacefully with soft breaths.

I could call them Daughter and Son hundreds of times.

But did I really think of them that way?

Even while calling them my son and daughter, I still struggled to properly look at their faces...

Hmm.

My thoughts were turning dark again.

Now... I need to move on from the past that Chairman created for me...

...

Starting tomorrow!

Yeah!

Everything always starts tomorrow...!