Chapter 86

A few days later…

Finally, a person came home!

Though there’s just one small problem—this person is a Harvester.

And not just any Harvester, but one we’re all too familiar with.

“Judging by the movements, that’s definitely the Heavenly Horse Technique that Immortals used to employ. But without the proper incantations, it’s just mimicry. There’s no way you could truly master it like this.”

I was working out when *he* approached me—the Male who’d been watching me for several days now.

Soo-oh stopped mimicking my motions and bolted into the kitchen. I wonder why she felt the need to run?

“Hello, Male.”

I set aside the branch I was holding. Honestly, I’m only exercising to maintain this body—and maybe to show off a little to Soo-oh.

“Are you done with your busy schedule?”

Back at the Future Hope Church, I’d always wait for responses, but here, I’ve learned to be more proactive. Being completely passive might throw people off in a good way sometimes, but it creates too many loose ends otherwise.

Of course, environment matters—but this place feels fine.

“Yeah, I’m done. Thanks for attending Jeonyang’s funeral.”

Surprisingly polite for him.

I merely upheld basic social etiquette. Even if you don’t know someone well, you still need to act respectfully during their memorial service.

Male stepped closer.

His strikingly pale skin, pitch-black scleras, glowing yellow eyes with dark purple centers, and his lavender hair—he’s undeniably eye-catching.

But ignoring those eccentricities… he’s quite handsome.

Still, with so much alien about him, some might see him as a monster. After all, closed societies often labeled those with different skin tones as “beasts,” refusing to treat them as equals.

And yet, the faded memories of a certain man paint an even stranger picture: *Blue-Skinned Reverse-Eyed Demon TS Beauty Male*. What on earth is THAT supposed to mean?

“Let me ask you something. Why did you bless that person at Jeonyang’s funeral?”

After reviewing reports, he’s finally turning his focus to me. If anyone knows the intent behind my actions, it would have to be me.

Heehee.

Blessing? You think being turned into a Harvester counts as a blessing? While you can vaguely sense what I am through invisible means, you seem unaware of your own condition—or how difficult it is for you to fully grasp yourself.

So let the misunderstandings continue.

“In ancient times, before currency existed, humans relied on bartering goods. I simply don’t have money.”

This is all true.

Past truths, present truths—but my real intentions remain hidden. No point revealing them now.

Misinterpret others’ questions and give vague answers—that’s how you easily deceive people. They’ll piece together their own conclusions from your words, and once they’ve decided, it’s hard for them to backtrack.

Male stared intently at me, then asked another question:

“Compared to the chaos left by Immortals, you’re living far too quietly. Why are you here? And what do you plan to do next?”

Hmm…

Now we’re getting deep.

This touches upon my essence.

So I’ll answer honestly:

“I’m here because of warmth. As for the future? Humanity doesn’t need too many blessings—they just need a little bit.”

Warmth has always been my ultimate pursuit. Male assumes I gained this warmth while being with Soo-oh, which works perfectly for fostering this illusion. That’s why I claim I dislike mass-producing Harvesters—it makes it seem like creating them is “work.”

Connecting this back to my previous actions: I exchanged the act of making Harvesters for material goods. Doesn’t it look like honest labor?

“You remind me of a fairy granting wishes.”

Here, “fairy” refers to divine beings replacing gods in this world. However, I shake my head.

“I’m nothing like that. You said it yourself: ‘Purple-Light-Distorted-Fourfold-Chaos.’ But I’m neither grand enough to be called a god nor chaotic enough to defy rules. I’m just… a human who became a monster.”

At the end, I toss out a subtle bait he can’t resist.

Male frowned.

“To call yourself human… bold words.”

Then he pressed further.

“Wait, weren’t you aware? I used to be human. Though I lost count of when exactly that was. Yep, I was human.”

Male looked genuinely surprised. Yeah, even though I don’t know exactly what I am, I understand how my words will sound. Saying I was once human invites this kind of reaction: a human who evolved into a monster.

Right?

“Human? You? That… thing?”

Male pointed at me with his index finger. He really did point directly at me. Meanwhile, I observe myself through a perspective no one else shares.

“All I have left now are dim memories. One day, I suddenly transformed into a monster.”

I was trapped in a cold, dark place until I went mad. Then I saw light. I thought I was underwater, submerged in the ocean.

But it turned out I was a Formless Monster.

“Thank you for calling me. I mean it.”

I don’t mention that this gives me a chance to gain warmth. Male seemed puzzled by my words, staring at me for a long time.

“Why do you consider yourself a monster?”

Oh, he’s asking about that now?

I expected him to lecture me about limiting Harvester numbers or avoiding reckless creation—but instead, he goes straight for the core.

“I lack self-restraint, humility, moral judgment, and compassion. That’s not human.”

I don’t hate my mistakes, don’t yield to others, don’t distinguish right from wrong, and don’t pity others’ misfortunes. Instead, I find joy in environments where warmth arises naturally.

A society full of morally upright individuals doesn’t kill each other—but in a society filled with unethical people, murder becomes common. Fortunately, such scenarios create more opportunities for warmth.

Male smirked at my explanation.

“Your standards for humanity seem unrealistically high.”

“So yeah, that’s why I like this world.”

You all will live by killing and dying. That’s what you believe, right?

Male kept staring.

From behind the kitchen pillar, Soo-oh watches me with labored breathing, likely affected by some invisible energy field I can’t sense. It’s wasted effort, but whatever.

“Alright, I get it. I think I understand you somewhat.”

Ah, Soo-oh gasps.

Did he drain her energy? In other words, he interrogated me, found me unshaken, and made his judgment.

Classic technique used by those accustomed to power dynamics. Some might call it thug-like—but it’s simple and effective, especially for those sensitive to such vibes.

“Will you stay here permanently?”

Male took a step back, glancing around as he asked.

I pondered my response.

Hmm…

Good. The very act of contemplating sounds human.

“I’m thinking about it.”

“Thinking?”

I gestured toward Soo-oh. When she caught my eye, she grinned widely, then quickly hid behind the pillar again when Male noticed.

“This isn’t the best learning environment for her, is it?”

Male alternated his gaze between me and Soo-oh before nodding in understanding.

“You speak as if you’re her parent.”

If I appear too human here, it undermines my earlier declaration of becoming a monster. I don’t see myself as human anymore, after all.

People interpret things differently based on presentation.

Especially someone like Male, who seems convinced he’s pierced my true nature.

“This girl belongs to you, given by Male. If I’m going to raise her properly, shouldn’t I aim for optimal results?”

In short, I treat her as property.

But over the past few days, Male must have observed us closely. From his perspective, our interactions probably resemble a family unit, making this statement absurdly funny.

“Alright. That’s how you feel. Let me teach you then.”

Huh?

What did he say?

Suddenly offering to teach? Directly? Didn’t he refer to himself as “Myself” earlier? Did he switch character arcs?

When I blinked in confusion, Male gave a sly smile.

“While I’m at it, I might as well keep an eye on you.”

Ah.

Guess I slipped up somewhere. This is why I avoid excessive conversation with intelligent people.

Up until now, I thought I was guiding things well—but did he spot some contradiction? I didn’t reveal any major inconsistencies, since I stuck to facts. Still, my intentions could’ve caused discrepancies somewhere.

Fortunately, my heart rate doesn’t change under these circumstances.

Considering Soo-oh, rejecting him now would be odd.

“Alright. Do as you wish.”

“Great. I’ll visit during your training sessions. See you tomorrow, Choseol.”

With that, Male waved at Soo-oh and turned away. Clearly, he makes no effort to hide his intention to monitor us. He already knows our daily routine, doesn’t he?

What’s Male planning?

At that moment, the memory of the Faded Man flickered with the word “female corruption.”

Is this old memory finally breaking down?

—