Chapter 330: The Battle of Styx 1 (1/2)
“W-What do you mean…!”
“As I’ve explained.”
“E-Eek?!” Kwak Jung freaked out. “D-Do you expect me to believe that?”
His response was not exaggerated. After his visit to the underground historic site in Esmeralda, Kang Chul-In revealed that he was someone who had returned to the past. How could one not be surprised?
“It’s up to you to believe it or not.” Kang Chul-In shrugged. “However, if you really can’t believe it then I expect you to follow my orders without any questions, even if you don’t understand their rationale.”
“...”
“I won’t entertain any objections.”
“Huh...”
“Or disobedience.”
“...!”
“Instant death.” Kang Chul-In warned. “Any infringement and I will swing my sword.”
“...!”
“Even if it’s you.”
“Your Majesty...”
Kwak Jung couldn’t utter another word.
This man… he is serious…!
Kang Chul-In’s declaration was shocking. Even though Kwak Jung was frequently beaten up by Kang Chul-In whenever the latter felt like it, he was still his master’s favorite subordinate. To warn him of the death penalty… it indicated how firm Kang Chul-In’s resolve was.
“Your Majesty… what you just said, is it true?”
“I won’t say it twice.”
“...”
“I didn’t tell you that story to ask for your consent. It was to prevent you from going astray if you don’t understand my orders.”
“Argh…!” Kwak Jung moaned.
He could neither believe nor not believe Kang Chul-In’s story.
It doesn’t seem like he’s lying, however… He recruited me when I was a mere gang member. He also somehow realized that I had lung cancer and brought me to do surgery...”
Kwak Jung pondered about Kang Chul-In for a moment.
True… if he had lived twice, he would have known much more than the rest. He would know how to become strong quickly, and he would have seen through the Lord’s personalities and traits… Damn, this man… knows too much to be someone from the present...”
He began to piece together the truth. The astonishing moments that Kang Chul-In had shown… they were possible if he was indeed someone who had returned from the past. It was just difficult to believe it, even though his brain could comprehend it.
“Just take it easy.” Dorian told Kwak Jung.
“Sorry? What do you mean?” Kwak Jung replied in confusion.
“It’s simple.”
“S-Simple?”
“Yep.”
“H-How…?”
“Think about the reason.”
“Reason?”
“Why do you think us earthlings were summoned to Pangaea?”
“...!”
“Level up. Lord shops, quest system. Haven’t you wondered who made these things?”
“W-Well...”
However...
“Even now, quite a few explorers are researching to uncover the secrets of this continent. I also have quite a lot of friends who study ancient ruins professionally.”
“Hmm...”
“It’s weird from the very beginning. The humans, units, objects and buildings that we Lords can summon, where did they all come from?”
“...”
“Those summoned humans? They can’t remember anything. If we ask them about it, they reply that ‘we were asleep beyond the dimension’ like robots.”
Dorian was right. Nothing made sense in Pangaea. Even if one tried their best, not a single inquiry could be addressed in this continent.
“But when we listen to Kang Chul-In, it all makes sense.”
“...!”
“1,000 years ago. Dragon Lord Emilia and the Emperor of Blood and Iron fought with the Agnaga, which led to the demise of both parties. However, before they died, the two of them created System Erinyes to prepare for the second coming of the Agnaga and to reconstruct this world. At the center of it all is Kang Chul-In, the reincarnation of the Emperor of Blood and Iron.”
“Ahem…!”
“Well, doesn’t it make sense? Even if you don’t want to believe it, there’s no other plausible explanations. Also...”
“Also…?”
“Look at me!”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Do you think I believe Kang Chul-In because I’m really an idiot?”
“...”
“I only believe him because he seems believable! Do you follow me?”
Kwak Jung did not reply.
“...”
He just stared at Dorian with an awkward expression.
“What an analogy...” Kang Chul-In swept his face with his palm.
“W-What?”
Dorian raised his eyebrows after observing Kwak Jung and Kang Chul-In’s response.
Brrrr…! His body trembled.
“You guys...” He began to ramble in anger. “You two were thinking that I’m an idiot, weren’t you!?”
He exploded.
“...”
Kang Chul-In and Kwak Jung were at a loss for words.
“Is he going through puberty?”
“I think so.”
They then had a discussion about Dorian’s condition.
“What the… at that age?”
“Mental maturity isn’t always proportional to age.”
“Ahem…! W-We shall have to be careful...”
“Yes. It’s a sensitive period, alright.”
“I agree. I was reckless during puberty too. I think that was when I began to go astray...”
“Treat him well.”
“Ah, yes… as a senior...”
The two of them arrived at a conclusion that Dorian was definitely going through puberty.
“You bastards…!” As a result, Dorian really hit the ceiling. “I’m out!” He sulked.
“Don’t look for me! I warned you!” Dorian left as he huffed and puffed.
“...”
Only the two of them were left in the room. Kang Chul-In and Kwak Jung shook their heads.
“I really think he’s going through puberty.”