"And if I had to guess, the reason you wish for the end of the world is because you either lost your family in a human-made disaster, lost someone you loved, or went through some unfair and unjust situation. Anyway, it seems like that's the reason…"
"Do you not consider the possibility that the new Revengers are the families of the deceased?"
Yoon Seo let out a dry laugh.
If he hadn't known about Kim Seohae's family, he might have considered that assumption, but not now.
"Their target for revenge is not humans, but monsters."
"Not everyone is like that."
"Not everyone is, but the families of the Revengers are. The disease called 'righteousness' runs in their bloodline."
"..."
"It's a disease you don't have."
"…Shut up!"
The pale person next to the leader shouted.
"Do you think we were like this from the start? We once pursued justice too! I can proudly say we were more virtuous and selfless than anyone else!"
"I know. That's why you awakened."
Beep.
Riceball, sensing the tense atmosphere among the humans, darted around Yoon Seo, its eyes sparkling. Kwon Jihan gently caught Riceball and held it close.
Kwon Jihan quietly listened, observing Yoon Seo's gaze, breath, and voice.
"Then, tell me. What injustice did you experience that turned you into doomsday cultists wishing for the world's destruction?"
A cold silence settled before the leader finally spoke.
"I lost my wife and daughter."
His voice was grim.
"When I came out of the dungeon, I found them both stabbed to death at home. It was midsummer, and their bodies had been decomposing for a long time. The culprit was a non-awakened burglar. He had stolen cash and cards to live in luxury. He went to prison and received a 10-year sentence. In five years, he'll be out. My wife and daughter won't return in five years, but that trash will walk free from prison."
The person next to the leader lifted his head.
"I was in debt, so after awakening as a C-rank, I risked my life entering A-rank or higher dungeons. My younger siblings were non-awakened, but they worked two part-time jobs while holding full-time jobs. Everyone worked hard to gather money. We finally paid off all the debt, and as we were going out to celebrate with a meal, a collision occurred. When I woke up, everyone but me was dead. The culprit was a drunk driver, and he'll be out in three years."
"My fiancée was a non-awakened. She was so kind and pure, to the point that you'd wonder why she hadn't awakened. Every time I went into a dungeon, she would see me off, crying. One day, I came out of a dungeon in a coma. I spent months in the hospital, during which fraudsters approached her. They claimed they had a skill to awaken someone from a coma. My fiancée spent all her money on them. But after taking the money, the fraudsters disappeared, and my fiancée hanged herself out of regret for her mistake. I woke up two days after she died. The fraudsters were never caught. They're probably living in luxury somewhere with the money they scammed."
Each of the eight people shared their stories of how they became doomsday cultists, then looked at Seo Chaeyoon.
What do you think? Do you still believe there's a reason this world shouldn't be destroyed?
Is there any reason this disgusting world should continue?
That was the look on their faces.
Outside, the sounds of monsters shrieking and battle clashed, but inside the tent, it was silent.
Yoon Seo recalled the moments when he felt disillusioned with the idea of justice.
The guardian gods were quiet, perhaps curious about Yoon Seo's response… and Kwon Jihan remained silent as well. Yoon Seo finally spoke.
"By your standards, the world should indeed be destroyed. It's a horrifying, disgusting, and vile place."
"Yes, you finally understand."
"But the world has always been that way. Even when you were living happily with your wife and daughter, even when you were peacefully living with your siblings, even when you were sharing love with your fiancée… Somewhere, there were people losing their wives and daughters to robbers, people losing their families to car accidents, people unfairly losing their loved ones. And…"
Feeling Kwon Jihan's gaze, Yoon Seo continued.
"…When you were enjoying a meal with your loved ones, patting your full belly and returning home, somewhere, there was probably a poor child being beaten by thugs, limping their way back home. That child likely wished for the end of the world as desperately as you do now. The difference is that the child didn't have the power to destroy the world. But now, you do."
"..."
"You lived happily without even realizing those unjust deaths, and now that you've awakened and gained power, you want to take away others' happiness just because you feel wronged. If, at the time you were living happily with your loved ones, that poor child had gained power and, claiming they had every reason to wish for the world's destruction, wiped out the earth—how would you have felt? Would you have thought, 'Yes, this disgusting world deserves to perish,' just like you're thinking now?"
"…So, are you just going to spout the typical nonsense about not seeking revenge?"
"Revenge is fine. I came here for revenge too. But I don't understand why innocent people have to be included in that revenge. If the world ends, it's not just criminals who die. Innocent families who just paid off their debts and were planning a fresh start will die too. What you're trying to do is nothing more than redirecting your unresolved anger and hatred toward weaker people, simply because they are easier targets."
"..."
"Like you, I've lost my family, my friends, and 1,201 comrades. Do you think I never wanted to destroy this revolting, disgusting world? Do you think I've never imagined that it would only take a few days with my skills to wipe it out? You may be asking me now to join you in destroying the world because all your happiness has ended, but I could have been the one to end your happiness long ago. However, I didn't, and that's why I'm standing in front of you today."
[Kwon Jihan/Hyung, sit down]
Yoon Seo barely suppressed his feelings.
"You, too, must have initially sought goodness when you awakened. That's why the betrayal hurts so much, why you're so bitter. I understand. But wanting to take away others' happiness just because you're sad—that's a petty mindset. If everyone had thought like you, the world would have already ended. But it hasn't, and outside, even now, many people are fighting for their lives. Think carefully while listening to this. Is the destruction of the world truly the right thing?"
"..."
The cultists were silent. All had their heads hung low, staring at their own chests, so their expressions were unreadable. Even if Yoon Seo asked if there were any hidden cultists, they wouldn't answer. And since he wasn't in a good mood, Yoon Seo stood up.
'I have no right to say these things.'
He felt deeply ashamed after giving a sermon-like speech when he had no qualifications to do so. Yoon Seo looked at those with their heads bowed.
There would be no more conversations with them.
Whenever he saw their faces, he would be reminded of the unjust deaths of good people.
And Yoon Seo already knew too many of those deaths.
As he left the tent, Kwon Jihan followed.
Neither of them spoke until they arrived at the camper.
***
After Seo Chaeyoon left, silence filled the tent.
"Treador…"
Someone finally called out to the leader after a long pause. Seven pairs of eyes turned to him, but the leader remained silent with his eyes closed.
'If everyone were like you, the world would have perished already. But it hasn't, and out there, many are still fighting for their lives.'
The words of the hero from the past weighed heavily on their shoulders.
***
Back in the camper, Yoon Seo was the first to finish washing up.
"Hyung, you can watch me shower if you want."
"Stop saying nonsense."
[The God of Death wishes to observe.]
Ignoring the guardian god's desire, Yoon Seo sat at the table and opened a coloring book. He was almost done with it; just ten more pages, and he could finish this final will.
Beep.
Riceball followed the tip of his colored pencil, interfering with his coloring. After all the battles, Riceball's feathers were now glossy and shiny—no longer just a cute companion, but a dazzling one.
Even without Riceball's distractions, Yoon Seo wasn't in the right state of mind for coloring. He was mentally exhausted, having overused
Yoon Seo didn't care whether the weak lived happy lives or not. He simply believed that the good people must be happy. Even if someone was born with wealth and power, if they were kind, they deserved happiness.
He couldn't stand seeing good people die unjustly. It disgusted him.
How could he release this anger?
Yoon Seo took a deep breath and thought about the upcoming battle.
There was about an hour left on
While mentally simulating the upcoming boss fight, Kwon Jihan came out after his shower, once again with his chest exposed as if he didn't know how to wear a robe properly, and sat in front of Yoon Seo.
"I don't like people who treat their lives lightly."
"Why are you saying that all of a sudden?"
"I was thinking about it while showering—those cultists were so annoying. As soon as they were caught, they tried to kill themselves. Why do they throw their lives away so easily?"
"Hunter Kwon Jihan."
Yoon Seo put down his colored pencil.
"What do you think, Hunter Kwon Jihan?"
"What do I think? That this filthy and disgusting world deserves to be destroyed?"
"No, not that… do you think there are any remnants left?"
"There aren't any more here. They're probably nervously waiting outside."
"How are you so sure?"
"Because you, hyung, gave me the confidence. What are you talking about?"
Kwon Jihan stared at Yoon Seo quietly.
"It seems like the one most affected by the plan to instill distrust in Galaxaia is you, hyung. Maybe because you naturally don't trust people."
"…"
"Don't worry too much. The people here volunteered, fully prepared to sacrifice their lives for justice. They're not the type to be scared of remnants or to fall for such division tactics easily. As long as you stay strong, hyung, everything will be fine."
Yoon Seo felt his anxiety ease. At the same time, he found it somewhat amusing.
Kwon Jihan was far healthier—both physically and mentally—than Yoon Seo had expected. His convictions were strong, and he didn't get shaken by these things.
When the cultists talked about wrongful deaths, Kwon Jihan probably thought of his mother and his pet dogs too… yet, his strength in not showing it was admirable.
In fact, the poor child who was beaten by bullies that Yoon Seo had mentioned was actually Kwon Jihan. He surely knew that, but he didn't bring it up.
"And I know you deliberately changed the subject, hyung. Let's get back to my story."
"What story?"
"The one about not treating your life lightly."
Yoon Seo sighed.
"I'm not trying to side with those crazy bastards, but they didn't attempt suicide because they took their lives lightly. Ending your own life doesn't necessarily mean you undervalue it."
"Why do you want to die hyung?"
"…"
Yoon Seo sighed again, but this time it was a deeper, heavier sigh than before.
'And when I found out you were living because of those wills.'
Before entering the Great Dungeon, Kwon Jihan had clearly said it. He knew that once he finished all the last wills, he intended to die.
He hadn't said much more after that, so Yoon Seo left it alone. He didn't expect the topic to resurface here.
"I just don't understand. I don't get why you want to die, hyung. Is it because of guilt?"
"Guilt… something like that."
"Alright, think about it hyung."
Kwon Jihan gestured in the air as he explained.
"If the reason you want to die is guilt over your fallen comrades, shouldn't you be living instead? Because your fallen comrades didn't leave those outlandish last wills because they wanted you to die. They wanted Seo Chaeyoon to live… They desperately wanted you to live."
Kwon Jihan took a deep breath and continued.
"So, even in that critical moment, when they were about to breathe their last, they squeezed out the last bit of their strength to leave a will. Thinking, 'How can I make sure our youngest wants to live longer?' How many squats should they ask for so our youngest can live a healthy life? How many mountains should they have you climb for you to feel relieved? So, if it's guilt about your comrades, then you can't die, hyung. Right, Riceball?"
Beep.
Riceball responded loudly.
When Yoon Seo couldn't say anything, Kwon Jihan continued.
"If the reason you want to die is exhaustion from life… if you're just sick and tired of living, that's something else."
"That's right. I'm tired of life."
Yoon Seo answered promptly, and Kwon Jihan, as if waiting for this response, asked immediately.
"So, you want to find eternal rest and peace?"
"Rest? No, it's the opposite. I want to die to avoid becoming happy."
"…"
This time, Kwon Jihan fell silent. He looked as if he'd been struck.
"…That means you know, hyung, that living is the path to becoming happier."
Kwon Jihan's face contorted with anguish.
It seemed like Kwon Jihan was trying to convince Yoon Seo with words like, "You can't find rest and peace by dying; you have to be alive to get them."
Yoon Seo worried that Kwon Jihan might start crying. But instead of shedding tears, Kwon Jihan just took deep breaths before speaking.
"I want you to live, hyung… for a long, long time, happily. Without any suffering, enjoying all the pleasures of life. But to do that, I need to understand the real reason you want to die, and I just can't figure it out."
"…"
Yoon Seo had never really found some fundamental reason for wanting to die.
He wanted to die simply because he wanted to. He didn't want to live because he just didn't feel like it.
'There's nothing to look forward to in the future,' was a thought he dismissed from his mind. Honestly, these days, he had just a tiny bit of hope for the future.
'Living isn't fun,' was another thought he dismissed. If he were being honest, he still wanted to play 'Hunter and Skill.'
'The fundamental reason I want to die.'
Yoon Seo thought deeply.
If it were guilt over his fallen comrades, as Kwon Jihan suggested, then yes, he should continue living. After all, what they wanted was for Seo Chaeyoon to live.
But if you asked if he was seeking rest and peace, the answer was a definite no. Seo Chaeyoon didn't deserve rest and peace.
Yes, that's why he wanted to die.
"I don't deserve…"
"…"
"I don't deserve to live."
"Why?"
Kwon Jihan asked immediately. A look of confusion flickered in Yoon Seo's brown eyes.
"I don't know. It's just… at some point, I started thinking I had to die."
"…"
"Since the Great Dungeon, I've thought that once I've finished all the wills, I should die because I don't deserve to live."
"Why do you think you don't deserve to live?"
Kwon Jihan spoke in a somewhat murky voice. It wasn't directed at Yoon Seo—it sounded more like he was talking to himself.
Kwon Jihan was deep in thought, and Yoon Seo also sank into his own thoughts. There was a strange feeling he couldn't quite put into words—a subtle discomfort when he thought about the reasons for wanting to die. It wasn't something as simple as saying, 'because of the horrible things that happened in the Great Dungeon.'
Beep.
Riceball cried out, asking for attention, and though Yoon Seo wasn't really in the mood, he was about to play with it using his fingers. But Kwon Jihan's hand moved first. Riceball fluttered its wings, playing with Kwon Jihan.
"Our little one has no sense of the mood."
Kwon Jihan's voice had lightened up a bit, and Yoon Seo felt relieved inside.
"Hyung, did anyone leave a will telling you not to get into a relationship?"
"Why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?"
"I'm just really worried. Please answer me."
Looking at Kwon Jihan's handsome face, Yoon Seo answered reluctantly.
"There was no such will."
"Good. You seem a bit unstable, so I think you should meet a mentally strong younger guy."
"What nonsense is this?"
"A super strong ability user who fits your ideal type, someone mentally tough enough that you could lean on them, a trustworthy younger man."
"…"
"Wow, it's really hard to find someone like that. Could such a person even exist in this world? Hyung, if someone like that appears in front of you, don't let them go. They'd be the only one in the entire universe. Maybe they're already circling around you, so look nearby. Anyway, there's only one person like that in the world."
Kwon Jihan kept rambling with a fake serious expression.
Yoon Seo's face started to turn red.
Then, as if he suddenly remembered, Kwon Jihan asked.
"By the way, hyung… when and how did you realize you were okay with guys too?"
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Well, whatever. Hyung has lived a long time, so I guess a lot has happened."
Yoon Seo was about to argue that he wasn't that old but closed his mouth when he saw Kwon Jihan's expression. His face was on the edge of irritation and indifference, yet even in this moment, the way his lips pouted slightly was cute.
Yoon Seo thought it'd be awkward if this mood continued, but luckily it didn't last long.
"Ah. The
"Let's go."
The
It was time to hunt the boss monster.
As planned, Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo headed toward the boss's location, while the others began moving toward the swamp's perimeter.
While flying towards the boss, Yoon Seo glanced at Kwon Jihan. Kwon Jihan noticed immediately and looked back at Yoon Seo.
"What? Don't worry about the boss. I'm strong enough for you to rely on me. I'm also younger."
Kwon Jihan, continuing the earlier joke, made Yoon Seo shake his head in disbelief.
In truth, while talking with Kwon Jihan about the reasons for wanting to die, one scene had flashed through Yoon Seo's mind.
Lee Domin.
A vision not present in his memory.
In that vision, Lee Domin, dying, was glaring at Yoon Seo with eyes full of rage, spitting out curses dripping with hatred.
Looking at him, Yoon Seo thought,
'I must die when I leave the Great Dungeon.'
'I don't deserve to live.'
Nothing like this had happened in the Great Dungeon. Yoon Seo wasn't even there when Lee Domin died.
So what was that scene?
Why did he think he had to die for Domin?
His heart churned with unease.
***