Chapter 104

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 6, 2025

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest Telegram

Goomil-mil silently stares at me.

Behind me, Soo-oh wraps her arms around me and gives Goomil-mil a stern look.

I sit between them and bring up the topic she’s probably most curious about.

“Ms. Goomil-mil. If he wishes to return to his original form, forget it. It’s impossible.”

At my words, Goomil-mil frowns.

“Why? If you can be given and taken back, why can’t we just take him back?”

Maybe that could work… but since it’s never been done before, who knows what would happen. However, I have no intention of trying.

How did I turn him into a harvesting system anyway?

But if I explain this straightforwardly, I might get slashed with a sword.

So, I’ll stick to the facts while subtly deflecting blame.

“This is a contract, Ms. Goomil-mil. He made a contract with me under certain circumstances. Have you ever considered what would’ve happened if that contract hadn’t been made?”

My words make Goomil-mil pause in thought. Then, as she realizes something, her expression hardens.

That’s right.

On the day Omyeong-sung made the contract…

In Aksah Canyon, he and Goomil-mil were on the verge of death at the hands of Yoo Jo-young, the leader of a group of five swordsmen.

Especially Goomil-mil was in grave danger, and Om Yeong-sung took a severe injury trying to save her.

With their defeat imminent, Om Yeong-sung contacted me out of desperation to survive.

In his near-death state, he reached out to the power within him, which was enough for me to establish contact.

Instantly, all his wounds healed, and I helped him slay Yoo Jo-young. But after reviving, Om Yeong-sung became known as the killer of the faction leader.

Seeking to change his fate, he went to a place filled with monks but ended up being branded as a demon and forced into exile.

If Om Yeong-sung hadn’t made the contract?

They both likely would’ve died in Aksah Canyon. Even if Goomil-mil somehow survived by luck, it’d be unlikely, and she knows that.

“You made your choice.”

Soo-oh also made a contract to survive, just like the others. It’s simply the result of those contracts. When someone hits rock bottom, they usually resort to such measures.

When there’s nothing left they can do on their own, when their body won’t move anymore, and death seems inevitable— that’s when people who don’t want to die make contracts with me.

Surprisingly, those who fully accept death rarely reach a point where they’d even encounter me.

Even with determination, when every possible option fails and someone falls into despair, that’s when they hit rock bottom.

“So, it’s impossible to go back to the way things were?”

“Yes. Whether it’s even possible is uncertain.”

I don’t fully understand myself or why I strengthen people. I have vague guesses, but nothing concrete has been proven yet.

“Do you wish to return to how things were before the contract? To erase it entirely?”

To avoid escalating hostility, I emphasize the moment they chose to make the contract.

Goomil-mil falls silent. She already knows.

Hehe.

“People who know already do, but Goomil-mil, once someone takes me in, they can’t do it again. That means making another contract while gravely injured is impossible.”

At that point, they should just peacefully pass on and release their warmth.

Though, better not say that aloud.

Goomil-mil points at Soo-oh beside me.

“So, did this kid also make a contract with you?”

“She was on the brink of death.”

Back then, the Organization was still an enemy, and I didn’t know how meeting you would turn out. If word got out that I removed insects from someone’s body, there was a high chance of assassination.

Thus, I hastily made a contract to erase any traces. That experience likely contributed to the Organization becoming a harvesting system.

At least, I saw her wounds heal directly.

Though I didn’t expect her to become a woman.

“That’s when you contracted with the Organization, right?”

Ah, so you saw the Organization revive and kill Goo Gyeong-yong.

“Yes. The one who brought me into this world is the Organization.”

“Brought you here?”

Goomil-mil looks puzzled, and Soo-oh glances at me curiously from the side.

The Organization hasn’t told her this much.

Ah, right.

Here’s a way to prevent too many questions about my powers.

“It seems Eunjai’s contract remains. Normally, I stay quietly submerged in a cold sea down below.”

Goomil-mil likely knows Eunjai’s name, though she wasn’t present at his residence where Goo Gyeong-yong and the Organization went.

As far as Goo Gyeong-yong and the Organization know, that’s true.

Old powers, unverified but seemingly trustworthy, create illusions of reliability. People trust them blindly because they’ve been practiced for ages without knowing their true nature.

“Gods…!”

She’s clearly surprised and seems to think she understands, even though nothing has been truly revealed.

“The gods also had the same hair color, right? Did contracting with you turn them into gods?”

Ah, this needs clarification.

I shake my head.

“No. His rise to godhood was purely due to his own abilities. Even if I give my power, most people end up dying after wielding it against greater forces.”

Thus, I can’t establish a connection to call upon me.

There are wise individuals, but they often settle into their current situations and live contentedly.

Still, among the hundreds of people I’ve seen after turning them into harvesters by force instead of explosion…

Few have lived happily and passed away satisfied.

Very few die of old age.

Most are killed prematurely for various reasons.

So, I was right. Giving power without demanding much in return leads to self-destruction.

Faded memories and rare writings by world intellectuals mention similar ideas.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Yes, great power inevitably turns into great evil.

Not everyone succumbs to this, though.

Tisah is the most extreme counterexample I know. He defied this trend and died of old age.

Exceptions exist, but they’re like defective products.

Even these “defects” gave off plenty of warmth, sometimes because they faced enemies that couldn’t be stopped without dying.

Humans are emotional creatures rather than rational ones. Even if someone is good and righteous, killing someone within their boundaries often results in hatred.

Even if the person deserved to die.

From a mechanical standpoint, it’s irrational and illogical.

“I merely offer myself. Everything gained afterward belongs solely to them.”

It’s a preemptive defense: don’t blame me for being unfair.

“Choseol, then what do you gain?”

Goomil-mil makes a good point. Contracts imply exchanging something valuable.

For mutual benefit.

“Ultimately, I take everything they’ve achieved after death.”

Though in reality, I only take warmth. That’s how I worded the contract.

People then associated me with the concept of the God of Death.

I used that perception to my advantage.

And it worked so well that everyone wanted to become harvesters.

Oh, I was thrilled back then.

I thought I had the world flowing exactly as I wished.

Who would’ve guessed the glass bottle wouldn’t withstand the pressure?

“You’re ruthless. Taking everything they’ve achieved until death means everything after the contract is yours.”

Exactly.

Since I always watch over them.

“Then, did I do something wrong?”

I did nothing wrong. They needed power to change reality, and I desired warmth. It’s a fair trade.

Sure, it’s technically a scam contract.

But that’s only true in countries where human rights are enshrined in constitutions.

Not here.

“Or do you think wanting immediate strength by mortgaging the future is wrong?”

Someone who benefited from it?

I subtly criticize. This question accuses her of applying double standards after gaining everything she wanted.

A normal person would brazenly deny responsibility here, blaming others while claiming innocence.

But unfortunately, good people find that difficult. Thus, when the final reckoning comes, they often gain far more significant benefits than selfish individuals.

But those aren’t immediately visible, right?

Fools can’t even calculate such things.

“What do you do in the end?”

Wise people ask again to learn what they don’t know.

“When someone dies, I take their warmth. That’s all.”

Since we’re connected anyway, there’s no need to actively seek it out. Though I know about contracts transferring to children, I don’t intend to mention it.

I’ve stated facts, but I never claimed to reveal everything, right?

I’m not smart enough to remember and manipulate everything perfectly. Trying to force it would surely cause errors somewhere.

Rules hold immense power when followed.

Goomil-mil stares at me intently.

“In the end, all I’ve learned is that this contract cannot be undone.”

Just then, Soo-oh gently tugs on my clothes. Meeting her gaze, she hesitantly asks:

“Do you, Choseol, wish to return to where you came from?”

“No.”

This answer came surprisingly quickly.

“There’s nothing there. I prefer being here.”

Patting Soo-oh’s back, I said this. I wonder if I spoke too soon. Saying it when she’s rebellious might leave a deep scar.

Speaking too late might shock her deeply, so I mentioned it while we weren’t too close.