163th Episode, Route 1 – Fulfill the Recontract
I couldn’t hear Lucy’s last words to the end.
Of course, without hesitation, I was about to point to option 1. But then…
“Is that really the best choice?”
The all-too-familiar, irritating voice stopped me in my tracks. I turned my head.
Sure enough, there she was—Minerva.
“…I was wondering why you weren’t showing up.”
I muttered in a half-dead tone.
Glancing around, of course, time had stopped. The raindrops that had been falling were now suspended mid-air, shimmering like jewels.
Despite the gravity of the situation, I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of admiration at the spectacular sight.
“So, why are you here?”
She shot me a glare, her eyes rolling exasperatedly. Minerva shrugged nonchalantly and snapped back.
“I’ve told you clearly before, haven’t I? Treat your life as the most precious thing. If someone gives you advice, at least pretend to listen. You’re disgustingly stubborn.”
“…”
A sharp rebuke cut through the air.
No matter how many mouths I had, I couldn’t argue with her now. I decided to quietly listen, sealing my lips.
As expected, Minerva would probably mock my appearance, but instead, she was looking at me as if I were a lost stray dog.
“Look at yourself. Already… both body and mind, you’re utterly worn out. Tsk.”
Her tone, and even her gaze, carried a fair amount of sympathy.
I felt like I had heard those words somewhere before, but I couldn’t quite remember when. My memories were foggy. I didn’t have the energy to think deeply about it now.
As I looked up at Minerva with weary eyes, she sighed and continued, “What do you plan to do now? Are you going to continue the contract?”
“…Uh, yeah, probably.”
“A peaceful retirement somewhere, wasn’t that your dream? Isn’t this the perfect time to achieve it?”
There it was again. That annoying line. Oddly, I was certain I didn’t say that in front of Minerva before.
Something definitely happened in my past life that I couldn’t recall now. As I had felt before with Kern, it’s unsettling, like she’s reading my thoughts.
“If you don’t continue the contract, the regression point will collapse soon.”
Even though my face was twisted in obvious displeasure, Minerva smirked and began pacing.
She continued speaking dispassionately, as if reciting yesterday’s lunch menu.
“If you wish, I could erase just the regression point while you carry the evil curse, and you wouldn’t lose your memories. But if you’re too insane for us and we don’t want you around, we could also erase both the regression point and the curse, along with all of your memories.”
“Huh. Is that right?”
In any case, I had already decided to renew the contract.
I’m going pro. So, her words don’t matter. I paid them no mind, hearing them in one ear and out the other.
But then, what followed was something I couldn’t ignore.
“If you want to discard all of your experiences here, I could send you back to the very first moment with the regression point collapse. It’s not impossible.”
“…What?”
“To your world, before you came here… We’ll restore time completely.”
I couldn’t believe what I had heard.
“…To the beginning?”
“Yes. Do you remember that crosswalk where you died? We’ll take you back right before that. It’ll be perfect. You don’t like me, after all. We could make this meeting never happen.”
Minerva said it all so dispassionately, and I just listened quietly.
But then, despite everything, a hollow chuckle escaped me.
“I heard from Lucy that if the curse reaches its limit, it’s unavoidable. But with your help, it’s possible, isn’t it? The clumsy time magic used by witchcraft creations is like child’s play if there are no constraints.”
“…”
“Since this isn’t our world, the constraint won’t apply, so reverting to the very beginning is possible, even if sending you to a different regression point isn’t.”
Her tone was firmer than ever, and my resistance melted like snow.
I stared at Minerva, wide-eyed, and she reached out her hand toward me, almost simultaneously.
“I’ll help you. You’ve already exceeded my expectations. Returning the lost will of the Immortal Demon King was more than I hoped for from you.”
“…”
“You’re no longer needed. So… feel free to rest. Let’s drop all the painful memories you’ve experienced here. I approve.”
Despite her brusque tone, I could sense genuine concern hidden beneath.
I chuckled again, finding the whole situation absurd.
“Who knew coming into this alternative world would bring so many women worrying about me? It’s overwhelming, damn it.”
Lucy and now Minerva—people I never once thought would worry about me. Sethna or Seop Baek would have made more sense.
Jung Yong Park’s 24 years of life were suddenly brimming with an unprecedented golden period of mysteries.
‘But what should I do about this?’
Minerva. Even after observing me for over half a year, don’t you get it yet?
If you really wanted me to rest, you should have nagged me not to. By speaking this way, you have triggered Park Jung Yong’s passive skill:
Unreasonable stubbornness.
“Do you like me or something? Damn it, my face must be full of sins. Capital punishment, right?”
I joked sarcastically.
Of course, Minerva’s face turned uglier than I could describe. The serene face that looked like an angel when she kept silent twisted into something demonic.
“I clearly said not to throw in such nonsense. And here you are, ruining a perfectly thought-out offer. Are you looking for capital punishment?”
Minerva was furious, extremely infuriated.
It wasn’t the first time she was upset, but I had never seen her curse so openly before.
I didn’t know what to do amidst her tirade.
“Stop helping me if you’re annoyed. I’m renewing the contract anyway! Stop trying to mess with my mind, woman.”
I waved my hands dismissively, remaining calm.
Minerva inhaled sharply, then suddenly raised her voice. It was filled with incomprehension.
“…What turned you into this? You hate being bothered, right? What awaits you next to the Immortal Demon King is more torment. Are you this stupid?”
Minerva frowned even deeper than before.
Whereas her previous look was anger, this look now was filled with puzzlement.
“What’s with that look?”
Even her expression made me wonder.
“Look? What look?”
“I started this because you wanted me to. Thinking about it, it was strange from the very beginning.”
“…”
“Why are you so antsy about me quitting something you initiated? What exactly do you want from me?”
Minerva didn’t reply, just closed her mouth and averted her eyes.
No comment, huh? Yet again, is it the rules of the Celestial Realm? Damn, what’s the standard anyway?
Even the safety supervisors on labor sites have clearer standards than these people do.
“Why do you look so regretful? Was it your idea?”
I can’t understand.
Alright, it doesn’t matter. I don’t feel like understanding anymore.
Man, Park Jung Yong has lived his 24 years as a proud yes-man who never looks back. Once I’ve decided on something, there’s no backing down.
I began preaching in a stern tone to Minerva.
“Why would I change? True love is the only thing that can change people. Lucy’s deeply emotional, tender love brought spring to my frozen heart… right?”
“Damn it, not really…”
That was too dangerous.
Without a hint of humor, the combination of “Damn it” and “Not really” emerged.
Thinking about it now, the “Right?” at the end might have been a bit extra.
“I can’t sleep knowing I haven’t repaid my debt!”
Seeing Minerva fuming fiercely, approaching step-by-step, I quickly changed my words.
“What do you mean by that?”
Minerva slowly lowered the hand she had raised high, muttering words of restraint while containing her anger.
Had it been just a moment longer, I would have gotten a physical reprimand courtesy of her delicate hands. I let out a sigh of relief.
Nonetheless, I continued.
“I’ve been constantly battered. I couldn’t even properly retaliate against Hector Cassas.”
“Huh?”
“Pathetic, isn’t it? Damn it.”
Minerva’s eyebrows twitched. She appeared to understand my words but was still confused.
What’s there not to understand? It’s exactly as it sounds. She’s telling me to go back, lose all my memories, and return to my original world?
“Damn. I can’t do that.”
Because it would mean losing. Running away.
No, damn it, why should I?
I haven’t lost yet to that bald old guy. I don’t want to lose like this.
Which is why I have absolutely no intention of running or backing down.
“Bullshit. My fight is just beginning.”
It sounded like the conclusion to an unfinished comic script.
But the more I said it, the clearer my purpose became. A deep feeling of emptiness that had once overwhelmed me now surged like gasoline catching fire.
“Hector Cassas. I’ll dedicate my entire life, if necessary, to beating him to a pulp.”
I’m annoyed.
Damn it. I’m ridiculously annoyed.
I want to show him a thing or two. I’m going to give him hell.
Who cares about preserving the balance of the world?
Manipulating Lucy, killing Gena, using Zenon, making Tara cry. That son of a bitch threw me into an abyss from which I cannot escape.
What irritates me most is that I haven’t even managed to throw one punch at his ugly face yet.
“I’ll take the Dragon-Slayer Sword for myself, and Lucy, who I barely managed to save, will be mine! I’ll rip the guy’s head off!”
Kwajik! I clenched my fist tightly and struck the ground, using the rebound to rise.
Only then did strength return to my knees. Finally, I had found the reason to stand again.
Looking down at Minerva with my now elevated gaze, I spoke fiercely.
“I’ll destroy the balance of the world myself.”
Preventing the hero from killing the witch?
Fine, come try it. I’ll rip her head off myself.
This immediately brought to mind the name of that organization.
“…Adrang.”
If it’s the witch hunters, they’ll assist my revenge.
No, even if they wouldn’t help someone like me, the Immortal Demon King, the task of killing the witch to upset Hector Cassas will surely gain their cooperation.
“Looks like Adrang’s prediction was right after all.”
This is serious. The heightened Hero Sense of high-level adventurers.
As these thoughts crossed my mind while recalling my conversation with Adrang, I gave a wry smile.
“That’s right. You were… that kind of person, weren’t you?”
Minerva murmured bitterly and began walking away.
Shaahh— The sound of rain brushed past my ears. Time had resumed its flow.
Minerva turned for a moment across the rain curtain.
“I’ll warn you just once, even though you’ll probably figure it out soon enough.”
“Go ahead.”
“You want to kill the witch, correct? In the eyes of the minor deities, this might be something to celebrate. So officially, I can’t stop you. But…”
Just as I was about to rejoice at having formal approval, there was a but.
She stared at me intently with a gaze that chilled my heart.
“Her death won’t be a good thing for you. The minor deities don’t really care whether the witch or the hero lives or dies. We merely follow instructions handed down from above.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“Don’t blame me for the consequences later. I’m sick of this nonsense.”
The meaning was unclear, yet for some reason, an intense feeling of heaviness weighed down on my chest.
Then Minerva vanished completely from the spot.
“Damn, woman. I’ll handle it.”
I let out a slight sneer and reached toward the panel in front of me.
Of course, option 1. I chose to renew the Immortal Contract.
‘Did you think I’d let you run free after saying your piece?’
Lucy’s final words remained unheard.
Was I really about to end it here? That’s not Park Jung Yong. That’s Oh Jung Yong or Choi Jung Yong.
With a firm determination, I reached out, but the panel faded away like a mirage. There wasn’t even a distinct sound effect. And then…
Paang—!
Suddenly, with a pale green flash, something formed in front of me.
I gently grasped the small oval object in my hand. The familiar grip confirmed its authenticity.
[Detailed Information – Egg of the Immortal Demon King]
[Incubation Acceleration: Using the accumulated curse from the previous guardian as a catalyst, the incubation period was shortened.]
[Remaining Time Until Hatching – 3 Days]
Just like in Halzenberg, an announcement panel popped up.
That silently informed me the contract had been renewed.
“…Long time no see.”
I lightly stroked the egg now in my hands.
It gave weak thumps, thump, thump, and exuded a black aura each time.
Another dark panel covered my vision.
[The Point of Immortality has been renewed.]
[Date – Continental Year 1108, January 23, 04:48]
[Location – Markeiteuriseu, Capital Crossfade, Cathedral of No Gods]
[Notice – The Immortal Demon King is nearing revival.]
[Notice – The Point of Immortality will renew every 12 hours until the full revival of the Immortal Demon King.]
Finally, it felt real.
Lucy was returning to me. I closed my eyes and clenched my fist tightly.
Until Lucy’s resurrection, there are 3 days remaining.
