Chapter 380: The Choice (5)

Chapter 380: The Choice (5)

Kronos had requested a conversation, and Gi-Gyu had obliged.

How come you look fine?! Gi-Gyu was baffled. After all, Kronos injuries had healed perfectly, and he had also stopped time for Lee Sun-Ho, likely the real god.

How is this possible? Gi-Gyu needed to find out.

A dark look appeared on Kronoss face, and he seemed uncomfortable. I took Ha-Rims power.

Ha-Rim?

Looking sad, Kronos explained, You might not have realized this, but Ha-Rim possesses a special power. And that was why she stayed with Ha Song-Su.

Gi-Gyu stayed quiet, and Kronos waved his Scythe of Time, transforming their surroundings instantly.

That wasnt a good space to chat, so I moved us. Let me continue. Ha-rim has a special power, and I didnt take it from her forcefully. Kronos patted his chest. She sacrificed herself for the real owner of this body. This might turn into a long story, so I need to hurry. Can you trust me?

Gi-Gyu nodded. He couldnt trust Kronos completely, but at this very moment, he was certain of two things: Kronos wasnt lying and wasnt hostile toward him.

Gi-Gyu knew that Kronos looked healed because he had temporarily reverted time.

Whoosh.

Kronos swung the Scythe of Time again, and they were in a different place again.

Where are we? Gi-Gyu asked while looking around. The new surroundings looked familiar.

Your guess is correct, Kronos answered. This is where Chaos was asleep. Where Babel was built Everything began here.

Time was still unmoving. Gi-Gyu had his back to Kronos, who gazed at it heavily, and was looking at Chaos wide open mouth.

Kronos continued, Were in the underground.

***

Gi-Gyu and Kronos strolled through the underground, which he found odd because Kronos had said they were short on time, but he didnt dwell on it. He had been here with Kronos before.

As they walked, Gi-Gyu focused on finding a way to defeat Lee Sun-Ho, even though it seemed impossible. Lee Sun-Ho's power was unmatched and seemed like something entirely different. He had lived up to his claim of being the master of the world. Gi-Gyu felt he had only seen a fraction of his power, which had already been traumatizing enough.

After walking for a while, Kronos finally spoke. "In the beginning, there was a being that was fittingly referred to as a god. This being was very different from the God we defeated with Babel, as you are aware."

The God, the one Gabriel had called fake, killed by Babel wielded Order.

Gi-Gyu asked, You mean the fake one?

Kronos stopped walking and looked at Gi-Gyu. "We used all our power to defeat a fake. I learned this when I was inside Chaos. The one we killed was nothing compared to the true godthe Creator, who has existed since the beginning of time. The Creator can create and destroy. He is the real god, whose every whim this world obeys.

Gi-Gyu could see the truth in Kronos eyes, who continued, This existence was born in and from the void. As time passed, he felt lonely. His power matured, and he began to feel desire. He wished to overcome his loneliness.

The world around Gi-Gyu and Kronos was silent.

That is why he created two swords.

Lou and El, Gi-Gyu mumbled.

Thats right. They are the Creators very first creations, existing since the beginning of time.

Gi-Gyu remembered Lee Sun-Ho calling Lou and El his tools.

However, the Creator still felt lonely; soon, he began feeling other emotions too. So, he willed various species like angels, demons, humans, and such into existence.

Gi-Gyu had never heard this before, so he listened attentively.

Kronos continued, But, as time passed, his loneliness only increased. Do you know why?

Gi-Gyu didnt answer, but his face said he knew the answer.

You know the reason, dont you? asked Kronos.

Gi-Gyu gulped loudly and answered, Because everyone revered him. No one considered him their equal.

Gi-Gyu guessed that this was why the Creator felt an overbearing loneliness. He had created everything and everyone in existence, and their fates were in his hand. Therefore, the Creator could never be one of them.

Im assuming this is how you must feel as well.

When Kronos suggested, Gi-Gyu didnt deny it. The sync had made him incomprehensibly strong. And over time, he had become something that wasnt quite human or any other species, and he couldnt help but feel lonely. This was why Gi-Gyu could sympathize with the Creator.

But Im different. Gi-Gyus tone turned respectful. Because I have Lou and El with me.

Lou and El treated him without pretense. Because Gi-Gyu had them, he knew his loneliness must be different from that of the Creator.

Kronos smirked, and they resumed walking.

"I know my apologies won't fix anything," Kronos said, looking at Gi-Gyu. "You asked why I changed my mind, right? Well, after spending a long time in Chaos, I devised a new plan. But my method of achieving it remained the same. I was willing to sacrifice anything in this world to see it through, even after I escaped Chaos.

Kronos looked genuinely guilty. My other selves I was after them to steal the power they had gathered.

Gi-Gyu still looked tense, his fist shaking visibly.

And every time I found a trace of them, do you know what I learned? Kronos asked, but Gi-Gyu didnt answer.

I realized that they loved you. Even though you didnt exist yet, their love for you was real. Ive met countless versions of me, and every single one was like this. After watching them, I changed my mind.

Gi-Gyu didnt know how to respond, so he asked instead, Who is Soo-Jung?

Kronos had warned Gi-Gyu before not to trust Soo-Jung. She hadnt reappeared yet, and she had seemingly lied about his family.

She told me Kronos had my family, but this is obviously not true.

What did she give him false information and create confusion? Why was Soo-Jung hiding Gi-Gyus family?

Shes Kronos was about to explain when unpleasant sounds rang from different places. Kronos tensed visibly, and Gi-Gyu didnt bother asking why. He knew exactly what was happening.

Kronos explained, Lee Sun-Ho found this place. We dont have time. Take this.

Kronos hurriedly handed Gi-Gyu his Scythe of Time, and Gi-Gyu took it promptly. Instantly, it turned into a watch around Gi-Gyus wrist.

My father's watch. The watch still looked the same as before.

Kronos forehead began sweating heavily. Jung Soo-Jung, code name Lucifer, is Eve She'll come to find you even if things work out according to my plan. I warn you againyou must not trust her. Never! You must make your own decision!

As soon as Kronos stopped yelling, Lee Sun-Ho ripped the world into two.

There you are, said Lee Sun-Ho, standing in the burning world Gi-Gyu and Kronos had been in before time had stopped.

Gi-Gyu clenched his fists when he heard Kronos whisper in his ears.

Ill bet everything I have left to turn back time. You will only get one chance.

Click.

Suddenly, the hands on his fathers watch began moving anticlockwise. It started slow; soon, everything in the world flipped upside down. When Gi-Gyu regained consciousness, he found Lou and El in his hands, yelling at him.

-Snap out of it!

-Master!

Give me back what is mine. Lee Sun-Ho, his eyes white, was gazing at him.

Kronos. Gi-Gyu became momentarily distracted even though Lee Sun-Ho was standing right before him. He knew there was no time, but there was so much he still wanted to hear from Kronos.

But he isnt here. Gi-Gyu couldnt feel Kronos presence anywhere. Realizing what he had meant by betting everything he had, Gi-Gyu squeezed Lou and El in his hands.

Nothing belongs to you.

...! Gi-Gyus eyes burned bright blue as he glared at Lee Sun-Ho. He whispered, I will not let you take anything from me.

Clunk.

Brun appeared on Gi-Gyus chest and turned into armor.

[Dragon Hunter]

Only a shell of Gaias system was left. It felt like time had stopped as Brun connected with all of Gi-Gyus Egos.

-You need to get this done.

-We believe in you, Master.

Lou and El chimed in as they connected with Brun as well. Something like this had never happened before, and Gi-Gyu had no idea what would come.

Finally, Brun covered Gi-Gyus entire body, including Kronos watch.

Whir.

Inside the pitch-black armor, Gi-Gyus eyes opened. They shined red, blue, white, and black, and Gi-Gyu looked at Lee Sun-Ho.

[God Hunter has been activated.]

The shell of the system announced.

[God mode enabled.]

Gi-Gyu rushed toward Lee Sun-Ho.