Chapter 448
Emperor of Ascension Ludwig Schubert; Visionary Ha Baek-Yeon; Pilgrim Karl Andersen; and Trailblazer Jason Diaz—all four of the remaining seven Perfect Ones had gathered in one place.
This is more satisfying than I expected.
Despite being the one to summon them, Se-Hoon couldn’t help but look on with a faint expression of amazement. After all, the sight of them together was something he never could have imagined witnessing before he regressed.
Thinking that he was looking at a situation as rare as the end of the world itself, Se-Hoon made a subtle grin and opened his mouth. “I’d love to spend some time exchanging greetings, but... I know some of you are quite busy nowadays, so I’ll get straight to the point.”
All four stared silently at him. To an ordinary person, being the subject of their gazes would’ve been a heart-stoppingly terrifying moment. Yet Se-Hoon was unfazed, simply taking their silence as tacit approval.
“As you all probably know, the Sacred Craftsman has passed away. And if I had to specify the cause... I’d say it was closer to self-destruction.”
The only one Se-Hoon had actually defeated in battle was Caden. When Li Kenxie appeared, everything had become a clash of skill—with what killed Li Kenxie ultimately being the fact that he sacrificed his own essence to complete the vessel.
“But even then, I suppose it was essentially me who drove things to that point...”
“Are you saying you killed him?” Baek-Yeon questioned coldly, essentially demanding to know whether he really meant to say that in all seriousness.
And to that, Se-Hoon nodded. “Yes. At least that’s how I see it for the Sacred Craftsman and even the Eternal Nocturne, too.”
With that confirmation, the atmosphere grew heavy. Even if the Perfect Ones lacked strong bonds of camaraderie, there was still a sense of kinship forged from the countless battles fought side by side.
Yet, despite the tension, Se-Hoon didn’t stop.
“I won’t bother explaining why I did it. I get the sense that you already know. Furthermore... if any of you truly thought it was a problem, you’d have come to kill me long ago.”
“...”
“Anyway, what I really want to say is this: you all are no longer seen as immortal beings by the people.”
The first incident could be dismissed as an anomaly. However, when a second occurred, that was when people began wondering about a third—which was exactly what was happening with how humanity now perceived the Perfect Ones. In fact, even Se-Hoon believed the shift in sentiment would spread like wildfire.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean people will suddenly try to kill the once-saviors and protectors of humanity without reason. Naturally, that includes me.”
“‘Without reason,’ huh.”
Noticing the caveat in Se-Hoon’s words, Jason let out that mutter quietly before staring at Se-Hoon with a blank expression.
“So you’re saying... if there was a reason, you would kill me.”
Jason’s gaze brimmed with a murderous energy, the same energy that once had the power to decapitate a man in a single stroke.
“Well, there’s nothing really stopping me,” Se-Hoon declared, meeting the deadly gaze head on.
Just as the Perfect Ones didn’t hesitate to exercise force against those who crossed their line, Se-Hoon would make his move. His wariness was on full display, having fully shed the facades he had long concealed it with.
“...”
The Perfect Ones’ gazes grew deeper as they took in his resolve. The suffocating tension between them only thickened, and soon, it was about to solidify—
“...I understand what you’re saying, Se-Hoon.”
Decisively cutting through the charged atmosphere, Karl gave them a dry smile.
“To prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings or conflicts between us and others, you’re saying it’s time for us to make our positions clear.... Is that what you mean?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Until now, the suspicious actions of the Perfect Ones had been glossed over by the public. There didn’t seem to be anything to gain by digging too deeply, and above all else, no one had considered them a threat to humanity.
However, that was no longer the case. Wurgen and Li Kenxie had set a precedent, making it undeniable to all: the values of the saviors of humanity could very well be distorted. And so clarity was needed—before it was too late.
“What is it that you want us to take a stance on?”
To Ludwig’s question, Se-Hoon didn’t even hesitate.
“I want you guys to make a firm stance on what comes after the war.”
Three of the Six Great Demon Realms remained: the Forest of Repetition, the Garden of the Void, and the Abyss of the Demons. The Ten Evils had been reduced to seven with the death of Demon’s Edge. And as for the Harbinger Shards required for the Demonic Manifestation, three—along with the one taken by Tuner from the Black Sea to make four—were left.
Listing them out like that, the Demon Force still held considerable strength. However, Se-Hoon thought otherwise.
“If no major variables appear, I believe this war will end within two years.”
Aria and Eun-Ha had grown powerful enough to fight one-on-one against the Ten Evils. Luize, Sung-Ha, and Amir—though only under certain conditions—had all reached a level where they could reproduce the Three Dogs’ power. Jake now wielded sword aura as strong as his sister’s and could use the power of Premotion. And Lea could drastically boost their combat capabilities with her unique skill and the Sphere.
Even if it was just those seven allies, all of whom were fully trusted, Se-Hoon believed they could turn the tide.
“Of course, that doesn’t mean I’ll act carelessly by thinking victory is guaranteed. But the situation is clearly in our favor... and others are starting to realize, too.”
When the dreadful war against the Demon Force ended and humanity was finally free—what then?
Even Se-Hoon, a regressor, had never seen that future. Yet he still knew one thing would be certain.
“Once it comes to pass, the ones people fear most... will be you all.”
The presence of the Perfect Ones had always held back the onslaught of the Demon Force. However, that also meant, conversely, the Demon Force placed pressure on the Perfect Ones and forced them to restrain themselves.
If that opposing force were to vanish, what would become of that balance? The thought terrified many.
“Hm... You make a fair point.”
Even if they showed they meant no harm, most were bound to remain wary—especially now. Because of the precedent, it was only natural for the public to feel anxious.
“And I suppose those blessings you’ve given humanity are making them feel like they’ve got a fighting chance now?”
“...I can’t say you’re entirely wrong.” To Baek-Yeon’s question, Se-Hoon could only offer a wry smile.
With the Blessing of the Eternal granting people infinite chances and the Blessing of the Sacred Lantern being a compass that helped them keep moving forward without losing their way, more and more of humanity became filled with certainty once more.
Now, the fear of challenge or hesitation of death no longer held them back.
Thanks to the restrictions accompanying the Blessing of the Eternal, people probably won’t stray toward crime too easily... but still, it’s not like it’ll eliminate that risk completely.
If the Seven Saints’ betrayal stemmed from fear and impulsiveness, then the next betrayals would come from those convinced they were doing the right thing. And such people, even if they were few in number, were far more troublesome.
Please... just don’t let some lunatic who thinks killing a Perfect One and gaining a new blessing is the way to save humanity show up...
Se-Hoon prayed. The mere thought of it already gave him a headache.
“...So, we just need to say what we plan to do after the war?” After being lost in thought for a while, Jason finally asked a question.
“Yes. That’ll be enough.”
“Then I’ll be going back to running my orchard.”
It was basically what he expected. Still, Se-Hoon wanted to know a bit more.
“You don’t plan to expand it or anything?”
“No. The original size was perfect for me.”
Even with the Demon Force, Jason had always refused to leave his orchard unless they approached the area. Because of that, once the Demon Force disappeared completely from the planet, there was indeed a good chance that Jason would go years without stepping outside again.
“I plan to stay here at Paradise Monastery, focusing on training and mentoring new disciples,” Karl declared next.
“And what about the Pilgrim’s Faith?”
“As long as no one violates its doctrine, I have no intention of interfering. It’s not my place to act recklessly.”
Hearing that answer, Se-Hoon gave Karl a curious look. On the surface, Karl seemed just as harmless as Jason. But unlike Jason, Karl dealt with a certain “interference” from his God, or rather, the Golden Ring.
Though I know he’s not the kind to give orders himself... it’s still best to be cautious.
If the Golden Ring were to deliver a divine revelation ordering the destruction of humanity, Karl was someone who just might follow through. With him, a certain level of caution was warranted, regardless.
Taking a moment to organize his thoughts, Se-Hoon then turned to the two who hadn’t yet spoken.
“I suppose I’ll continue overseeing Babel and living the same way I do now. If there would be a difference... it’d be that I might focus more on researching the Towers of Heroes.”
“Even after the Demon Force is gone?”
“When one trial ends, another is bound to follow. That’s how I see the world—and that’s why I must push forward without stopping.”
Ruminating over the ambition filling Ludwig’s answer, Se-Hoon gently rubbed the Hero’s Ring on his finger.
“...What if that path requires someone’s sacrifice?”
Considering he was the same Ludwig who had handed over a dangerous piece of equipment capable of wielding the power of Origin without a single word of explanation, Se-Hoon had to ask.
If Ludwig were someone who viewed sacrificing the few for the greater good as justified, then he could easily cause a major catastrophe, twisted by his own values.
“If you’re referring to those who were sacrificed in the war against the Demon Force, then I consider that inevitable. There’s nothing we can do about the lives lost during a trial.”
“...”
“But if you’re talking about the despicable act of trampling over someone’s potential just to escape a trial... then I swear, I would never do such a thing.”
Just like before, the same genuine conviction filled Ludwig’s words. However, that just made Se-Hoon narrow his eyes.
So he’s not the type to achieve his goals by any means necessary, like Li Kenxie was.
While it was a bit unsettling how Ludwig viewed the Demon Force as merely a stepping stone for humanity’s growth, as long as he wasn’t actively promoting that view, Se-Hoon considered his direction somewhat acceptable.
“In that case, please make sure to explain things clearly next time so that they don’t get misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood...?”
Puzzled, Ludwig then happened to glance at the Hero’s Ring and let out an awkward smile.
“Ah... That was my mistake. Since I saw you were able to wield our powers, I just assumed it’d be fine...”
“I’ll let it slide this time, since you didn’t mean any harm. But there won’t be a second chance.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“...People outside would faint if they heard this conversation.”
At that sardonic remark, Se-Hoon turned his head toward Baek-Yeon.
“Would you be willing to share what you plan to do?”
“...” Silent, Baek-Yeon looked up at the sky. “I don’t know.”
“...Excuse me?”
“I still have no clue as to what I’ll do once the war ends. I don’t even know if I’ll be alive by then. That’s all I can say.”
Hearing how matter-of-fact she sounded, Se-Hoon gave her a subtle look.
“There’s really nothing you want to do?”
“Not particularly.”
“A hobby, maybe, or something like that...”
“If I had something like that, I wouldn’t be living at the top of a snowy mountain, would I?”
Speechless, Se-Hoon couldn’t argue. Not knowing what to do, not having any desires... to an ordinary person, it would be a normal state of helplessness.
However, when it came to a Perfect One being in that state, that was different.
Every Perfect One has their own wish.
A being who had transcended the world’s laws in pursuit of their deepest wish was showing no drive or will whatsoever? If a Perfect One had truly fallen into such a state, there could only be one explanation.
“May I ask you something?”
“Go ahead.”
“...Did you already fulfill your wish?”
Only if she had achieved her wish completely—so much so that there was nothing left to pursue—would it make sense for her to lose her drive.
Her upcoming answer to that made the other Perfect Ones turn to Baek-Yeon as well, causing a heavy silence to settle.
Then, for the first time, Baek-Yeon slowly opened the eyes she had always kept shut.
“Yes.”
With dull gray eyes, like water that had lost all color, she looked directly at Se-Hoon.
“You fulfilled my wish already.”