[We meet again?]
Hugo was horrified by that voice.
The thing that had suddenly appeared behind him and pierced his heart was... no, it couldn’t be.
“H-how…!”
Behind Hugo was a young man in his late twenties.
But he was not human, and certainly not a monster.
‘A god.’
That was it.
What appeared before him was none other than !
And a being that could never exist in this place!
‘The 13th Original Owner?!’
There was no doubt.
The man hailed as the greatest genius even in the Divine Realm. At the same time, the man called a genius producer. From the clothes he wore, he was definitely the handsome man he had once seen in visions. Of course, unlike the scene when he was killed, he now looked extremely healthy.
And while he had a gentle impression unlike Igeon, his red eyes that flashed between his hair were as murderous as Igeon’s. So it was bewildering.
‘How is a guy already killed by the Holy Gods here…?!’
But what was even more absurd was not that.
“Kuh-huk!!”
The 13th Original Owner, who had unceremoniously shoved his hand into someone’s chest, pulled his hand out. And as if enduring the pain of having his heart ripped out, Hugo groaned and collapsed, but would you believe it.
“Uh, uhh?”
There was no pain at all.
And that wasn’t all.
“What? Why is my heart fine!”
Hugo felt his body with a bewildered face. There was no sign of a hole anywhere. So he thought the chest-piercing had been an illusion, but.
[Good, this should do it.]
……!!
The 13th Original Owner, smiling meaningfully, leisurely shook off his hand. And what was dripping from his hand was unmistakably his own blood! Because of that, Hugo, clutching his chest, couldn’t help but scream.
“What! That bastard really did stab me!!”
But why am I fine? No, not just fine—he felt a strange energy from his body. But regardless, the 13th Original Owner smiled brightly.
[Hey kid, we’re old acquaintances, right?]
“No, not at all?”
When Hugo turned serious, the 13th looked very disappointed.
[Goodness, how can you be so oblivious when we’ve met every day for the past twenty-four years.]
“Every day since twenty-four years ago?? What kind of bullshit….”
At that moment, Hugo’s eyes widened. It was because a familiar voice entered his ears.
[Warning. Leaving aside not knowing we’ve met, are you saying you still don’t know?]
[It’s asking if you can possibly not know even after hearing this alert.]
……?!
At the familiar female voice, Hugo nearly screamed.
“D-Don’t tell me this alert…!”
[Yes. The voices that the members of the Serpent Lord Seat hear are all me.]
?!
[Of course, the ones I’m directly speaking to are just you and the new Serpent Lord.]
……?!
Hugo was confused.
Then was this guy the voice he had been hearing since he joined the Serpent Lord Seat, the voice Igeon always hears? No, before that.
“Why is your voice a girl’s!?”
[Because it’s cuter that way.]
“Hey!!!”
As Hugo flared up, the 13th clicked his tongue, saying he had no sense of humor.
[You aside, would that ill-tempered bastard listen if given orders in a male voice?]
Hugo burst into a hollow laugh.
“What? Geonie wouldn’t necessarily listen better just because it’s a female voice.”
He didn’t have that kind of personality…. But after realizing something, Hugo’s mouth fell open.
“D-Don’t tell me, is that why you use Yeonwoo’s voice?”
[Well, for Igeon’s end, the pitch is slightly lower so he might not notice.]
The 13th laughed as if amused, but Hugo furrowed his brow. That wasn’t the point right now.
“Why is a dead person here?”
[!]
Hugo couldn’t understand. After all, hadn’t the Original Owners been murdered by the Holy Gods, and even their bodies exploited? At those words, the 13th’s expression became subtle. At that expression, Hugo’s gaze turned fierce.
“Could it be you were alive?”
As soon as those words fell, the 13th threw a punch at Hugo’s face.
‘!’
Hugo couldn’t help but be startled.
‘Crazy, his movements are above Geon’s?!’
He didn’t look like a combat type, but he was a master to the point that even Hugo hadn’t noticed his hand moving! Just as he thought he would be sent flying, Hugo blinked.
“……!!”
Because the 13th’s fist had passed through his face like a ghost. As expected. The 13th, having thrown a punch without warning, nonchalantly lifted the corner of his mouth.
[I’m already dead. This appearance is nothing but a lingering grudge.]
“Then…!”
[Right before my death, I secretly imbued my power into the divine authority of the Serpent Lord Seat. So that I could open my eyes when the conditions were met.]
In short, this wasn’t a normal situation. Thus, Hugo was flustered.
“Why did you do such a thing? Don’t tell me it’s for revenge?”
[No. It’s because of what will happen to Igeon in the future.]
……??
Igeon? Why is Geon’s name coming up here? But regardless of Hugo’s skeptical look, the 13th spoke.
[Anyway, like this, you will die. That’s why I came.]
“Wha, what did you say?”
[Even so, wouldn’t it be a bit sad to die young, leaving behind a wife and children?]
No, who the hell is this guy to suddenly hand out a death sentence? He was dumbfounded, but still, the other party was a former Holy God of the Serpent Lord Seat. He held back his anger and maintained his courtesy.
“Ah, I understand. So you appeared to help me, who is in danger of dying….”
[No.]
“Pardon?”
[You must die.]
“Pardon?!!”
[Ah, a slip. That’s not it. I can’t save you.]
……???
Hugo was dumbfounded.
‘This person, just the same.’
That crazy personality that seemed to toy with people. Just like his friend. So he asked.
“What is your relationship with Geonie?”
The 13th fell silent for a moment. It was less a look of reluctance to tell the truth, and more an expression of wondering if he should reveal this relationship himself.
“Excuse me?”
[Igeon’s great papa.]
“…Yes?”
[Igeon’s cool daddy.]
“…What??”
[Father.]
At the 13th’s disgruntled expression, Hugo’s mouth gaped. No, he had thought they felt similar, but…!
“Father?!”
However, the pouting 13th, as if he had never done so, looked at Hugo with worry.
[If things continue like this, both you and Igeon will die. No, all of humanity will die.]
“…Yes?”
Wondering what that meant, the 13th approached Hugo.
[Anyway, thanks to you awakening as a Vassal God, I was able to take on this appearance, but it’s still just a grudge.]
At those words, Hugo tilted his head.
‘You were able to take this appearance?’
But soon, the 13th looked at Hugo a little sadly.
[I cannot prevent your deaths.]
……!
The 13th narrowed his brow.
[Humanity annihilated. And Igeon will definitely be killed by them.]
Hugo was shocked. By , did he mean the Lord of ? But the even more shocking part wasn’t that.
[Igeon will disappear before he even fights.]
?!
[Igeon can only exist on this timeline. In other words, the moment that being regresses once more, Igeon will vanish.]
……!!
That was Igeon’s weakness. And the 13th seemed extremely wary of .
[That uninvited guest wants my son’s 5th stage power.]
!
[So that he himself can use that power. And once he obtains , he will kill Geonie.]
“By …”
[A power I can’t use because it’s tricky. But it’s a power Geonie can use. There is a way for everyone to live. That’s why it would be nice if you helped. Well, if you don’t want to, it’s fine.]
Hugo was startled.
“Ah, no, there’s no way I wouldn’t…!”
[Really?]
The 13th smiled. He seemed about to say something, but soon let out a sigh. It meant he had little time left.
Perhaps because of that.
[Then kid. It will hurt a bit, but bear with it a little.]
“Yes? What do you mean hurt….”
But right at that moment.
“…Kuh-huk!”
Hugo couldn’t finish his words. An attack from behind had pierced his stomach. Of course, the one who attacked this time was not the 13th.
“Ah. Finally found you.”
……!!!
The voice heard this time was none other than ! And it wasn’t a normal appearance.
‘The Lord…!’
Half of the body was human, but the other half was the Lord. At the same time, Hugo vomited blood. The 13th’s soul had long since vanished. Only his voice remained.
[Do not be afraid. The protection of the Serpent Lord Seat shall be with you.]
……!
[Well, it’s been a while for me, too. If it doesn’t work, it can’t be helped.]
?!
Leaving only such incomprehensible words, the 13th’s presence disappeared. And perhaps having not noticed his existence, glared fiercely at Hugo with a grin. Having altered his plan, he was targeting Hugo.
“If I kill you, Igeon will definitely evolve to the 5th stage as well, right?”
Hugo glared and clutched his stomach.
* * *
Meanwhile, around that time.
9 PM.
The city restoration was more or less entering its finishing stages, and they were preparing for a light evening party. Before tomorrow’s countermeasure meeting, it was meant to celebrate Hugo’s birthday and the new life. However.
“Mr. Hugo is a bit late. He said he would come right away.”
I Jaewon looked at his watch and worried about Hugo. He tried contacting him just in case, but he couldn’t get through to Hugo.
“Did something happen to him?”
At those words, Igeon, who had been making a baby gift, furrowed his brow. Because if something happened to Hugo, even without the system, he would immediately know by his presence. Well, if there was something bothering him, it was that something seemed to be constantly interfering with him. Of course, he trusted Hugo’s skills. Even though he always nagged him, Hugo was the partner he relied on most for his combat ability and judgment.
‘I think nothing major will happen, but.’
Since he acknowledged his skills, he rather thought that going out to look for him would be a nuisance. But soon, Igeon stood up from his seat.
‘He’s making Jiu and the kids wait.’
But it was then.
Ding-dong.
“!”
At the sound of the doorbell ringing through the sanctuary, everyone’s expressions shifted.
“Mr. Hugo must have arrived!”
Everyone hurried toward the front door.
“Ah, seriously, Dad. What took you so….”
But upon opening the door, they were startled.
“Express delivery!”
“Express delivery?”
“Yes. It’s an item sent by Mr. Hugo Otterus.”
At the delivered gift box, they rounded their eyes.
“What did Mr. Hugo send?”
But soon, they smiled brightly. And they looked at Cheon Jiu.
“Mr. Hugo said he’d buy a gift, so he must have sent it in advance.”
At that sight, Igeon clicked his tongue.
“What did he go overboard buying this time, even the box is fancy.”
Cheon Jiu brought the box and laughed.
“Oh, this seems to have come for Mr. Igeon, not me.”
“Me?”
Igeon, who had been making a holy relic for the baby, frowned. But soon, he went “Ah,” and acknowledged it.
“He must have sent it for me to check first.”
When Igeon smiled, the youngest holy disciples shouted.
“Then Mrs. Jiu, please open it quickly!”
“That’s right!”
At those words, everyone laughed and placed the gift on the table.
“What did Dad send?”
“Open it quickly.”
“You don’t have to send things like this.”
Cheon Jiu shyly opened the lid. Everyone watched with expectant eyes. But that moment.
“Ah.”
What did she see? Cheon Jiu’s face paled the moment she opened the gift lid. And as her hands trembled, the Cheon siblings looked uneasy.
“Mom? What’s wrong?”
“Did Dad send something weird without any sense again?”
But Cheon Jiu couldn’t even answer, and she dropped the gift box.
Thud!
And at the object that came out of it, the Cheon siblings and the holy disciples all turned white as sheets.
“A, Dad!!”
At the object that rolled out of the gift box, Igeon’s expression also stiffened.
And that was an item sent by the Lord.
-I am sending a gift.
At the same time, the sound of his reason snapping could be heard.
[ awakened to the 6th stage.]
[Conditions have been met.]
(Continued in the next episode)