C338
Cale was reciting in his mind the words that had been engraved into him.
"The First Wanderer—"
Originally, there were seven families of hunters:
White Blood, Red Blood, Black Blood, Blue Blood, Purple Blood, Transparent Blood, and the Five-Colored Family.
Among these, the White Blood and Red Blood families no longer belonged to the seven families due to betrayal and extinction.
"Choi Jung Gun—"
Choi Jung Gun, now with his eyes closed and unconscious. Choi Jung Gun, whom Cale met during the trial of the sealed god, had told him to search for the Red Blood family. Additionally, he said:
"The heir to the king. The five family heads are protecting the heir to the king, waiting for him to grow and fulfill the grand plan."
The heir to the king. He is the Absolute God, and fundamentally, the entity Cale must stop is this Absolute God.
The divine world, the hunters, the demon world. These three forces are attempting to create an Absolute God.
"But my opponents are the hunters."
Neither the divine world nor the demon world are areas Cale can handle. No Name 1. In that world, the hunters are the entities that disturb Cale’s and his companions’ lives. His only hope is to stop these hunters and their grand plan of creating the Absolute God to maintain peace in his own life.
"That's right, Cale, you must not forget it."
Just as Cheapskate whispered, Cale had no intention of forgetting his original goal.
Black Blood, Blue Blood, Purple Blood.
"I’ve dealt with three places."
What remains are the Transparent Blood and the Five-Colored Family.
"The Transparent Blood is handled in the third world and in virtual reality. Those are the two places I have to deal with."
Of course, he knew that this virtual reality was the new world where the Absolute God would be born.
"All kinds of things will intertwine."
Without a doubt, Cale would experience all sorts of things in virtual reality. But his goal is simple.
Transparent Blood, Five-Colored Family, Absolute God.
Just those three things, and then Cale intends to withdraw from all of this.
"The matters of the heavenly world are for the gods—"
The matters of the Demon World are for the demons. Everyone handles their roles properly.
"That's why—"
The information about the Transparent Blood, the Five-Colored Family, and the Absolute God is crucial for Cale.
"The leader of the Five-Colored Family is the first Wanderer."
That information was clearly engraved in Cale’s mind.
"It can't be."
Choi Jung Soo opened his mouth with an expression of disbelief.
"The first Wanderer is currently missing— Ah."
A sigh of realization escaped his lips.
"If he's missing, then he could become the leader of the Wanderers."
Looking at Choi Jung Soo, Cale asked:
"Do you know anything about the First Wanderer?"
"Yes, I've heard."
Choi Jung Soo walked towards the altar where Choi Jung Gun lay and stopped.
In the center, adorned with all kinds of magic circles, was the altar where Choi Jung Gun lay.
In front of the magic circle, Choi Jung Soo had to stop.
"Beings who have the right to become gods are called Loners. After the five ancient gods appeared, Loners began to appear one by one in the divine world, each taking their place as a god."
The five ancient gods: Hope, Balance, Chaos, Denial, Justice.
"Among them, there was one who refused to become a god. He was called the first Wanderer."
Choi Jung Soo’s gaze returned to Cale.
"That's all I know."
Cale’s gaze shifted to the Lady of the Night, Aurora.
"It's similar to what I know."
With that look, Aurora spoke.
"Hmm."
After a pause to organize her thoughts, she continued:
"Choi Jung Gun. The first time I met him, just before he passed out, he said that 'the leader of the Five-Colored Family is the first Wanderer.'"
Choi Jung Gun, with an amputated arm, slowly losing consciousness.
"At that moment, I decided to save Choi Jung Gun, and after leaving a clue, I brought him here."
Choi Jung Soo spoke again while listening in silence.
"When I decided to become a Wanderer, one of the warning cases they gave me was precisely the disappearance of the First Wanderer."
"A warning case?"
"Yes. Wanderers are a kind of mercenary. They act on behalf of the gods when the people of the divine world or the heavenly world cannot."
He already knew that part.
"The first Wanderer disappeared while carrying out a mission given by a god."
"Which god?"
Choi Jung Soo’s expression immediately hardened.
-Disturbing.
As Cheapskate said, Cale felt an unknown discomfort, and Choi Jung Soo spoke.
"...Justice."
One of the five ancient gods. Justice.
The Lady of the Night, Aurora, spoke.
"I’ve also confirmed that information."
After hearing Choi Jung Gun's information, she asked the members of the Mediator Alliance to gather related information.
"It’s already a well-known fact in the heavenly world and the divine world."
"That's true. It's a kind of common warning for those who wish to become Wanderers."
"But—"
Aurora's voice grew somber.
"But it has not been revealed what mission the God of Justice gave the First Wanderer. All I know is that the God of Justice tried to find him but couldn’t."
"That's right. The fact that even the ancient gods couldn’t find him led to considering it a complete disappearance. Yes, it’s—"
Choi Jung Soo stopped, his eyes widening.
"Huh?"
Cale and Choi Jung Soo looked at each other.
"Why?"
In response to Cale’s question, Choi Jung Soo stammered.
"Now that I think about it—"
The first Wanderer. It is said that the God of Justice frantically searched for the first Wanderer, as if hunting rats, but he never found him. That’s why Wanderers are warned never to let such a disappearance happen again and to only accept missions they can handle within their capabilities.
But that's not all.
"That, the God of Justice, never said the mission failed, right?"
"So?"
"No, it’s just that—"
Choi Jung Soo remembered. In the past, Kim Rok Soo had said that one must memorize rules and regulations to avoid being deceived anywhere. Choi Jung Soo, who clearly remembered the part about Wanderers, sighed in resignation.
"...The God of Justice never said the mission failed."
Cale’s forehead furrowed, and Aurora, with a puzzled expression, said:
"Isn’t it possible that the disappearance happened because the mission failed?" "I'm not sure."
Choi Jung Soo shook his head.
"If the mission had failed, someone else would have taken it over and completed it. But clearly, there's no such story."
Choi Jung Soo clearly remembered the story of the disappearance incident. Cale spoke quietly.
"Something isn't right here."
It is known that the God of War and the God of Chaos are collaborating with the hunters.
"Is the disappearance of the First Wanderer and the God of Justice related?"
And that mission is still a secret? Aurora said:
"It smells fishy."
"Right?"
There’s definitely something. We need to investigate more about that 'mission.'
"I’ll look for more information about the mission."
Right on time, Choi Jung Soo’s words made Cale nod.
"Through the God of Death?"
"Yes. That will work."
Dragon Rasheel scratched his cheek and spoke.
"Hey. But if the God of Justice is also collaborating with the side of chaos, what do we do?"
It was a valid concern. At that, Choi Jung Soo and Aurora, along with Choi Han, hardened their faces. Especially Choi Han, who couldn’t take his eyes off Choi Jung Gun, was visibly upset.
"......" "......"
A silence fell over the room until one person spoke.
"Let’s let the gods handle it."
It was Cale.
"Let’s leave it to the gods to sort it out."
With a rather irritated expression, Cale spoke in an indifferent tone.
"The God of Death, or even the God of Balance or the God of Hope, let them take care of it."
In Cale’s eyes, full of irritation, disgust was evident. Gulp. And Aurora’s gaze towards Cale intensified. Balance, Hope. Mentioning those two gods so casually? The divine connection network, or rather, how deep is it? Looking at Cale as if he were more than a golden calf, like a golden bull. Cale, unknowingly, spoke carelessly:
"If they can’t at least help with what we’re doing, they should stay out of it."
Cale's task. It was to deal with the Absolute God and the hunters.
"If they’re gods, they should be able to do at least that, right?"
"Yes—"
Rasheel couldn’t say anything more at that moment.
"Right. They should be able to at least do that."
Cale was startled. The voice was from Choi Han. Cale turned his head. There was Choi Han, looking at him with a soft smile.
-Human, Choi Han is angry!
Yes. I know it too. Cale swallowed hard. He could feel that Choi Han was truly angry.
"I don't understand."
Next, Mary spoke in a mechanical voice:
"If they want to fight, they should just hit each other. I don’t understand why they have to make people who are living well and without problems fight."
-Human, Mary is also angry!
That’s true.
"That’s a good point."
"Thank you."
The way Choi Han and Mary spoke to each other was really—
-Human, both of them are angry!
That’s true. That sight was really a bit terrifying. It’s unpredictable what tricks those two might pull now that they seem to have their eyes turned.
"Ahem."
Cale fake-coughed before speaking.
"Is this the best condition Choi Jung Gun can be in right now?"
"Yes."
Aurora’s expression darkened.
"If he leaves this magic circle, the contamination will advance rapidly, and he won’t survive more than three days. Well, since he is a born-once, maybe he can last a week." "Um."
Cale thought for a moment and then asked:
"Can I enter this magic circle?"
"Huh?"
"To check his condition, shouldn't I get closer?"
"That’s true."
"Shouldn’t the magic circle stop in that case?"
"Ah. Don’t worry. This circle is designed to slow down the contamination; it’s not dangerous for other living beings. It’s for healing."
Aurora offered a kind smile. To which Cale responded with a kind face:
"Ah, so I can enter, right?"
"Huh?
"I want to check on Choi Jung Gun."
"Huh?"
Aurora was bewildered.
"Um."
She took a moment to organize her thoughts and then spoke cautiously:
"The contamination has an incubation period, but once it starts to manifest, it’s contagious. Of course, it only spreads if you come into contact with the liquid coming out of those lumps. You shouldn’t approach carelessly."
The contamination of chaos. It’s contagious.
"That’s why we’ve created this kind of magic circle to combat the contamination."
She cautiously looked at Cale and continued more carefully:
"As I understand it, you’re quite fragile. Like a candle in front of a typhoon."
Cale’s face scrunched up. Seeing this, Aurora quickly poured out comforting words in the way she thought most considerate.
"Ah, but of course, like a flame that doesn’t bend before any typhoon or wave. A life with a tenacious lifeline that I’ve heard you possess!"
"That’s true. That guy’s lifeline is tenacious."
Rasheel agreed. Cale’s face scrunched up even more.
"Anyway, the contamination of chaos is really dangerous. It’s better if you avoid getting too close. Of course, we approach for check-ups and treatments, but that’s only possible with proper protective equipment—, wait!"
Aurora’s eyes widened. Cale had already stepped inside the magic circle.
Woosh—
Vibrations were felt under his feet. However, he didn’t feel any harm to his body.
—In fact, I feel more vitality!
As Super Rock said, this magic circle seemed to be revitalizing his body.
"No, Cale!"
Aurora stretched out her hand in shock, but Cale had already taken a step forward.
Thump, thump.
Cale approached Choi Jung Gun.
"Bring the protective suit!"
Aurora shouted towards the outside.
"..."
Cale’s face turned cold as ice.
'The smell.'
A terrible smell stung his nose. It was the smell of the liquid flowing from the lumps on Choi Jung Gun’s body. The trial of the sealed god. In that place, the Choi Jung Gun that Cale had faced resembled the face he had seen in his youth during his high school days.
Young. Like Choi Han, his time also seemed to move very slowly, and he appeared younger than Cale.
"..."
Even his breathing was barely perceptible. Cale lowered his head.
"!"
But then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head.
Aurora’s cold and calm face held him as she said:
"I told you it’s contagious."
Despite the oppressive atmosphere radiating from Aurora’s golden eyes, Cale spoke calmly, knowing that this was Aurora's true character.
"I’m fine with that."
"What do you mean by that?"
Instead of answering, Cale demonstrated with his action.
Woosh—
An intangible energy surged from him. The moment Aurora felt that energy, she was startled.
"Boss, bring the protective suit—, ugh!"
The horned man entering through the door stopped as he inhaled.
"This energy is similar to chaos."
Cale Henituse’s face, smiling elegantly, was reflected in Aurora’s golden eyes.
"Right. It’s similar."
—Because I stole it! Ha ha ha ha!
The Dominating Aura was laughing loudly. Cale averted his gaze from Aurora and looked down at Choi Jung Gun. Aurora didn’t stop him this time.
—Cale, this is familiar.
The chaotic energy left in Choi Jung Gun.
—It’s like the Saint of the God of Chaos. That’s his energy.
When Cale had fought with 1- and 2-star dragons. The hunter Wanderers who had fought with Choi Jung Gun in the abandoned temple of the God of Chaos. Among them was a saint.
There’s no need to wonder how he appeared here.
The saint had helped in the past to imprison the World Tree in the prison of time. There was no reason the entity that had appeared in Apitoyu before couldn’t appear again.
The lair of Lord Dragon Neo.
'Virtual reality.'
The game Raising My Precious Absolute God. It’s likely that the saint had traveled through Neo’s lair, which contained a portal to that game. Or perhaps he had used the dimensional travel method that the hunters use.
"It’s a shame."
Perhaps Cale had narrowly missed the opportunity to face them.
'What’s a shame?'
Aurora felt a sinister unease at Cale’s words. Just then.
"It might be possible."
What? At the moment Aurora’s gaze returned to Cale, he heard the voice of the two ancient powers.
—Now I know how to infiltrate.
The Sky Eating Water, confined for so long in the lake infused with the power of the God of Chaos.
—To purify, I just need to experience a bit more of that power.
The entity that can incinerate and purify Dead Mana, the Fire of Destruction.
One was familiar with chaos. The other was exceptional at purification.
—Just once!
—Just once!
Both spoke at the same time.
—If I just face another with the power of chaos, I might be able to expel the contamination from this body!
The Sky Eating Water raised its voice,
—Just once, if I only have a real chance to purify this contamination of chaos, I might be able to purify Choi Jung Gun's contamination!
The Fire of Destruction exclaimed. Currently, the only person Cale knew who could inflict such contamination was one. Additionally, Cale remembered the drawing on the tablet that Sui Khan had brought, the purification ritual. Surely, only he would know how to perform it.
Cale spoke over Aurora’s shoulder to Choi Jung Su and Choi Han.
"The saint. If we catch that guy, we might be able to save Choi Jung Gun."
Or.
"We just need to catch someone who knows how to use the power of the God of Chaos."
Cale smiled softly.
"Then, we might find an answer to this contamination."
Choi Jung Su’s and Choi Han’s expressions brightened. As he watched them, Cale felt a small anxiety grow.
The God of Chaos. Methods to face him were developing.
'Do I have to fight a god, right?'
I should only be facing the hunters, right? Cale deliberately changed the direction of his thoughts.
"Yes. All of this is to fight the devotees of the God of Chaos."
If he was going to face them, he would need, one by one, the powers of the God of Chaos. Cale was satisfied with his own reasoning.
"...Could he eliminate the worst disaster, that, without the help of a god... with his own power...?"
That’s why he didn’t hear properly what Aurora said.
"Sorry? What did you say?"
When asked again, Aurora spoke in a broken manner. The worst disaster. The contamination of chaos. One of the three great evils passed down through the generations in the demon and heavenly worlds, an absolute calamity that even forces the Gods to bow their heads.
"...Can you eliminate the contamination...?"
"Ah, yeah. Maybe?"
As Aurora watched Cale shrug casually, she unconsciously asked:
"What’s your ultimate goal, then?"
At Aurora’s abrupt and sudden question, Cale simply answered honestly.
"To live a lazy life."
