Chapter 301 – Epilogue. Into the Void.
The end of the war was futile. … War was always like that.
Many people died and were injured. The damage was extensive.
In particular, there were only two people who survived the death squad of 22 people. Jihyeok and Ganesha.
A lot of S-class heroes died. It was an unbelievable amount of damage. Everyone was half stunned, especially the fact that Kurd and Geralt were also dead.
The war was won, but the trumpet of victory was not heard anywhere. Only the relief of having survived and the sadness of the death of a colleague swept around.
Even after the war ended, Ji-hyeok was in silence for a long time.
He killed the Demon King. So what happens next?
Jihyeok fell into confusion as he saw the world without any change. He eventually overcame the continent’s biggest crisis. Wasn’t that over?
… No, what does end mean?
Jihyeok wondered if everything would end like this and go back to reality. But there have been no signs of that yet.
It seemed there was something more. Something more…
At that time, there was a being that passed through Jihyeok’s mind.
The previous Great Demon King, Kukrov.
The one who realized the void.
Jihyeok tore up the space. He went into the void, then out of the void. The place where he was already standing was inside Kukrov’s Demonic Castle.
– Are you here?
Kukrov said that as if Jihyeok had been promised to come. The warrior looked at him with sharp eyes and opened his mouth.
“Explain.”
– Is there any explanation? It’s what you feel and see.
“I don’t know that, so I’m asking you.”
For some reason, Kukrov erased his expressionless face and smiled slightly.
– A destroyer from another world.
ㅡ!
– Isn’t that you?
Jihyeok raised his eyebrows.
– What do you think of your existence?
“What answer do you want to hear?”
– You yourself. Nature.
“… I am nothing.”
Kukrov laughed crookedly.
– Now is not the time to play with words like that.
“Why do you want to know that?”
– Because that’s where it all started. And it ends at the same time.
Jihyeok stared at him and opened his mouth.
“… Yes, I am from a whole different world.”
– I knew.
“When I die, everything starts over. Over and over again, over and over again.”
– So it was.
“Why did you keep quiet while guessing that?”
– Because that’s how it ends.
Kukrov loosened his jaw.
– And, the one who couldn’t accept that was Carmine. He didn’t want this to end. He was going to save the world with his own hands. … Exactly, it’s just the demon world.
“But it is not over.”
– That’s right. It’s not over yet. So you and I are still talking about this.
“Then how does it end?”
– What?
“… All this.”
– Do you want it to end?
Jihyo couldn’t answer right away. … In fact, there were too many lingering feelings in this world. I didn’t want it to end like this. Even if this is all an illusion.
“I don’t know.”
– Do you think the world will end if you disappear?
“… Isn’t it?”
– I don’t know about that.
What a joke
“I don’t mean to say nonsense.”
– I don’t joke.
“Then it must be bullshit.”
– Well. You’d better find some more truth in your time to criticize me.
“So, I was asking you. … If I disappear, will this world disappear?”
Kukrov spread his arms slightly with a look of no regrets.
– If it disappears, that’s it.
“Not to me.”
– I realized it in vain.
“Maybe. … After all, I am human. No matter how much you realize the void, you can’t help but have lingering feelings.”
The guy grinned.
– … So I didn’t disappear.
“… What?”
– Did you think that all of this would end if you killed the Great Demon King?
“I used to think so, but seeing that he is still fine, it doesn’t seem like that. … That’s why I came to ask you.”
– Do you think this world is only one?
Jihyuk’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean?”
– Do you think only you are special?
“… I don’t know.”
– The Void holds numerous possibilities. This is one of them. Here is your possibility. And somewhere in the other void, there must be someone else’s possibility.
The moment he heard that sound, Jihyeok’s back cooled.
“Tell me in detail.”
– This is your potential. A place that has everything. … Yes god It would be better to express it like that.
“… God?”
– God, man. … Heck, I don’t think I should say any more. It was just a bit dangerous.
Kukrov frowned and pressed his temples hard and released them.
“Am I a god?”
– I didn’t say you were a god. I said it was a possibility.
“… He spins his horse around. Doesn’t it seem like you shouldn’t mention it directly?”
Instead of answering, the guy smiled.
It was only then that Jihyeok realized that all of this was someone’s handiwork. … If you think about the words that were cut off earlier, it seems to be related to making a god, but if so, doesn’t that mean that a higher being is involved?
He had a mess in his head. In fact, if you think about it, creating a world like this was no different than God’s intervention.
God.
It’s god
“Then am I the god of this world?”
Kukrov did not answer this time either.
“I am human. God is omnipotent.”
– Stop talking about it.
“I get it. … Then, is there any way I can return to the original world?”
– I don’t know. I don’t know anything. I only seek emptiness.
“If it’s a god, that much…”
That moment,
The world suddenly went dark.
· · ·
Jihyeok opened his eyes.
He said, “Somewhere here,” And glanced around him.
… Something felt familiar, yet unfamiliar.
He looked around the room for a long time before realizing it belatedly.
Earth.
Hometown.
My room.
He was stupid On the monitor that was still on, the title of the game ‘Raise a Hero’ was visible.
Jihyeok was dumbfounded. It was like a spring dream. … It feels like more than a hundred years have been compressed in one breath.
Everything was as it was then.
Even though I wanted to come back so desperately, I wasn’t really happy or anything like that when I came back. It was surprisingly calm.
Jihyeok came out of a small room. And he just walked down the street. It would be the first time he’d seen him in a hundred years, but he was strangely used to it. As if he had just seen it.
What is this? Could it be an illusion? Am I in a fantasy?
He could not distinguish between reality and fantasy. Whether this place is real or virtual.
After wandering the streets in a daze, he slowly returned to his room. Then he turned on the cell phone he had left earlier and called his parents. The beep that had been ringing a few times clicked.
– What is he doing? Make all the calls
“Mother.”
– Yes son. … What’s wrong?
“It’s not like that.”
Suddenly calling her mother, and now calling her mother, seemed to feel something strange.
“Mom.”
– Oh, Jihyeok.
“I just want to call you. … I want to hear my mother’s voice.”
– It feels good to hear Jihyeok’s voice too.
“Mom.”
– Huh.
“I love you.”
The words suddenly stopped and continued.
– I love my son too. … Is there really nothing wrong?
“Yeah, nothing really happened. … I just want to be filial all of a sudden…”
– Chii… , You want some pocket money?
“No. Not really. Just because I love you.”
– Okay. Contact me if you need money. Do not worry. Understand?
“Yes.”
– Uh, drama.
“… Yes, look I’ll call you back later.”
– Yes, I love you son.
“Yes, Mom.”
Too too.
The call was disconnected. Jihyeok sat on the bed for a long time. Then, all of a sudden, tears started pouring down my face. And he sobbed for a while.
Ah, ah, ah ah ah ah ah.
It’s real.
Really came back
It goes real.
Well, it was really real.
Real, reality.
Jihyeok cried like that for a long time, then stopped a little bit.
So what have you been through so far?
Was it just virtual?
Were you really in the game?
So how did I get out of there?
By killing the Demon King?
Then why are you late?
God?
Am I new?
I don’t think so.
Jihyeok’s mind was too complicated.
I couldn’t understand how this happened.
Why did he get caught in such a world and go through hardships for a hundred years?
No, does he really have to go through that?
Wasn’t it really a dream?
It feels like a fleeting dream right now.
Isn’t it nothing?
Could it be my misunderstanding?
Jihyeok fell asleep exhausted from worrying.
… However, when I woke up the next day, I was still in my room.
· · ·
“Are you acting a bit strange these days? There are many times when I am blank.”
“Uh? … Yes?”
The woman sitting across from Jihyeok pursed her lips at his sullen attitude.
“Have you no appetite?”
“… Ah yes. I’ll go first.”
“Uh? Me, I ate it all.”
When Jihyeok got up, the woman jumped up too. Pretending not to be the eyes of the college girls around her, she became attached to him.
Of course, Jihyeok was deeply troubled and had no time to look around him. Ji-hyeon, who followed him closely, was a bit upset by his ruthless attitude.
“Jihyeok, do you have an assignment?”
“… I don’t know.”
“Let’s go to a cafe if there is.”
“You go alone.”
“… Okay.”
In the end, Ji-hyeon, whose pride was hurt, fell off Ji-hyeok and went somewhere. Of course, Jihyeok felt relieved as if he had just lifted a load.
The world was so peaceful. Jihyeok couldn’t come to his senses from the terrible peace.
It was nice to be back in reality. … But, why do I miss that world so much?
Honey… , Siuya…
I remembered the family I left behind. Anguish spread in Jihyuk’s chest.
Princess Ganesha’s wild twin lust.
Bald Gide’s vulgar chatter.
Mafushu’s flawless and bright smile.
Elizabeth’s unfounded confidence.
La Rocha’s obedient attitude.
… A lot of longing piled up in Jihyeok’s chest one by one. The more he did, the more he struggled in pain.
It wasn’t that this place wasn’t important. … But it was precious there too. Neither could be lost.
… Can I go there again?
Jihyeok jumped up from his bench and quickly started running to his room. Then he threw the bag he was carrying on the floor and immediately sat down in front of the computer.
– Raising Heroes
I obviously ran the game and looked at the title, but nothing changed. I must lose my mind here and go to the other world… !
Wasn’t this Wasn’t this the reason it passed? Is it just a coincidence?
Jihyeok was frustrated. He tried to find a way, but to no avail.
What is it
What is it?
What is my existence
Hero Kang Ji-hyeok?
Or college student Kang Ji-hyeok?
Jihyeok sat down on the bed helplessly.
Will I not be able to see my wife and son forever? … Really young?
No, no, no.
Jihyeok held his head in pain. Terribly.
… Then, suddenly, the enigmatic former great demon king, Kukrov, came to mind.
Yes, he was definitely there before coming over here. He was with the gnome.
Then suddenly he came over here.
How?
Just wanted to return home
Then what if you want to go to the other world again?
So maybe the door will open again?
… The moment I thought, a hole suddenly opened in the air.
It was an infinite void.
Vacuity.
A place with all possibilities.
Jihyeok woke up as if possessed by something.
… And he slid his body into it.
With another family
Right there.
