Chapter 472: Star, Identity Establishment (10)

Chapter 472: Star, Identity Establishment (10)

Hsans quiet, contented laughter took Chang-Sun by surprise.

You looked surprised.

From what Ive seen until now, you showed no emotions, Chang-Sun answered.

Have you seen me before?

Ive gone through a lot, so I saw you here and there.

In that case, I understand your surprise.

Hsan seemed to chuckle.

Ive lived for an eternity that you people of Eros wouldnt even be able to fathom. After living for that long, a person becomes emotionally volatile.

Chang-Sun nodded in understanding. Even Ubbo-Sathla spoke like multiple people, and it would not be an exaggeration to consider the Outer Celestial several people. That had to be what was going on with Hsan too.

Anyway, its quite interesting to see you here. Your <Mark> is from Worldline #801 People inevitably change on their own in the face of <Extinction>, like the guy I ran into the last time.

What is a <Mark>? Chang-Sun asked.

Tomte and Perkwunos had also told him their soul had the Number of the Beast, 666.

A prisoner number branded on our soul, which originated from the beginning of time Its something like that, and thats how our <Punishment> began.

A <Punishment>? Did we commit a crime?

Do I need to explain it to you when Im just a spectator? I dont think Im obligated to do that.

Hsans way of talking was hostile, but Chang-Sun instinctively realized that it was a test. Hsan seemed to be indifferent to all worldly affairs, so talking with him would be impossible if he did not feel like it.

You certainly dont, Chang-Sun nodded.

There you go. Then you can continue on your wa!

But you like me, so you may feel like explaining it to me. Chang-Sun grinned.

I like you?

You would have gotten rid of me like Balor or ignored me if you found me bothersome. Am I wrong?

Thats pretty confident of you.

Whooooosh!

Right at that moment, the subconscious ocean undulated, intensifying the pressure on the Divine Class that Chang-Sun had been expanding until then.

Whoosh, whoosh, swish!

The wilder the subconscious ocean raged, the harder the pressure on Chang-Suns Divine Class was. Even if Chang-Sun was a Demi-Outer Celestial now, there was an enormous difference in levels between him and Hsan. Chang-Sun would inevitably be crushed if Hsan did so much as lift a finger.

Have you not considered that I could kill you right here for your arrogance?

Anything.

What is the reason why you asked me the last question?

I can tell what your sides final goal is now, Chang-Sun answered.

Hmm?

You want to escape from this inescapable-looking swamp of despair and overcome <Extinction> to rise again and recover happiness. The happiness youre searching for is a life with Ithaca, Chang-Sun explained.

Hsans energy became unstable for the first time, indicating his emotional turmoil.

No matter how much you change, youre still me, the one whose name was Lee Chang-Sun. Then we must have the same ways of thinking and wishes, Chang-Sun said, looking at Hsan with a calm gaze. Am I wrong?

* * *

There was nothing grandiose about the life Chang-Sun hoped to lead, as he simply wished to live in peace with his lover, and it was no different for the Heavenly Dragon Emperor and Bel-Marduk. It would not be any differentno, Chang-Sun was certain that Hsan shared the same wish, because all his preparations seemed to be for such a life.

Ha. Hahaha.

Weak and plaintive laughter echoed throughout the ocean of darkness.

I cant believe that a boy who isnt completely free from Eros saw through me like this.

Chang-Sun watched Hsan quietly.

But it doesnt feel too bad.

Paaaah!

At that moment, the subconscious ocean undulated again, but it was a little different this time. Hsan mixed his energy into it to transform slowly. He looked the same as Chang-Sun and Bel-Marduk, but the air around him was completely different. The person whom Ithaca had met, and Chang-Sun had seen in the Mirror Maze of Myths, appeared in his true form and said, I feel like Perkwunos was right for the first time.

Hsan and Chang-Sun calmly met each others eyes, which held a reflection that was both different and similar, as if there was a mirror between them.

I think I can place my hopes in you, Hsan said incomprehensibly, seeping into the ocean again.

Restore the <First Wisdom> that we failed to absorb and complete gnosis to become whole. Then all your past crimes will naturally disappear. And

Hsans voice gradually faded away as he disappeared from the subconscious realm.

...youd better find our lost child too.

Leaving behind a remark that Chang-Sun could not understand, Hsan left the subconscious realm completely.

Thud!

A metal gate, so enormous that it made Chang-Sun look like a small dot, stood where Hsan had been. The gates surface bore a holy icon, depicting a huge tree with branches that extended over many realms as it stood at the top of a peaceful, small hill. A ripe apple was hanging on the end of its highest branch, and a serpent coiled around that branch, seemingly about to swallow the apple with its wide-open mouth.

The serpent caught Chang-Suns attention because it felt familiar for some reason; it made him think of the serpent that pursued the [Forbidden Fruit].

Rummmble!

Just then, the metal gate opened up with a loud sound, as if someone was inviting Chang-Sun to come in. Thinking that Perkwunos had to be beyond the gate, he slowly entered, unable to get the image of the serpent in the holy icon out of his head.