Chapter 25 (1/2)
Statue...?
-Father, are you seeing it?
I turned back to the call as I heard her voice from the phone.
“Yes, I saw it.”
-Take a closer look at the statue.
I got closer to the TV at her words. Then my eyes once again shook. This, don’t tell me...? The statue looked familiar. It was equipped with a white cotton tee, old trousers, and a rusty dagger. The face hadn’t been carved yet and the hair was unrestrained but it was definitely me.
-Is it right...?
I couldn’t answer her question. It was because a familiar face appeared on the next screen.
-I’ll take you to the village chief of Mulan, Chen. Hello.
-It is nice to meet you.
-Many people are curious about the statue. Can you explain?
...This guy. Why the hell would he do something like this?
-Hum, it is a statue of the hero who saved our Mulan.
-A hero? Can you tell me the details about how he saved Mulan?
-Okay. I will tell you. The first time I met him...
Chen’s story continued for a long time. Chen talked about the first time he met me to facing the goblins alone in the field. The good news was that he didn’t say my name. He also didn’t say what I looked like.
The reporter continued to relentlessly question him but Chen said it wasn’t interesting to know it in advance. He asked the reporter to check the face when the statue was completed. He never revealed it.
-It is really unbelievable. It's amazing that a low-level user has cleaned up a goblin village by himself. It will be interesting to see the face that is attracting attention. This has been Reporter Lee Suyeong.
The interview ended and I returned the remote control to Jeongdo. Jeongdo was looking at me with suspicion. “That... is it perhaps Grandfather?”
...He was sharp with useless things.
“No. I just got a phone call from a friend because something new is being built in Mulan.”
“Ah, Grandfather has just started. How can you clean up a goblin village? Haha.”
...Rotten guy. I felt strangely offended and squeezed Jeongdo’s head hard.
“Ack! Why did you hit me?”
“Go in and study. This guy!”
“I have to take a break from my studies to recover my head!”
“Don’t speak. Tsk tsk.”
Ah, right, I forgot that I was on the phone. I listened to the phone and the call was still connected. “Cough, I’m sorry.”
* * *
I hurried to finish the call and headed straight to the capsule. I entered the new virtual reality world. I looked around and saw traces of fire. I guess it was probably Philos and the soldiers who had set fire to the village after coming here. This place probably couldn’t be rebuilt. It seemed there would be no more goblins as they intended. The smell of burnt wood entered my nose and I hurried out of here. It wasn’t difficult to reach Mulan.
“It is finally here.”
I ran at high speed when I left but once I returned, I felt like I was walking slowly through the scenery. I didn’t know why but time was a pretty mysterious thing. I couldn’t help smiling at the sight of the new trees, flowers, and animals. Suddenly, I saw the west gate and my mouth curved. “It has been a while, young man.”
I greeted the familiar face.
[NPC Guard Carl]
“Hah! Elder, it's you? I was told to report it immediately when you came.”
“It’s fine. I’m going to find Philos so don’t make a fuss.”
“Ah, yep!”
“Then I’m going.”
I patted him on the shoulder and stepped inside. I didn’t look back but I could see the sword being raised in a salute. I stepped into the village with a light smile. After a while, I appeared at Chen’s smithy.
Creak.
There was the sound of the old hinges and I saw a familiar face when I stepped inside.
“Ohh! If it isn’t the hero of Mulan? Welcome! Did you see the huge statue in to...”
“Demolish it.”
Chen was stunned for a moment before carefully asking why. “That... for what reason?”
“I hate being bothered.”
“That is the reason?”
“Yes, that is the reason.”
“......”
We stared at each other’s faces for a long time. It was Chen who opened his mouth first. “Hah, I’m sorry. I never dreamt you would dislike this.”
[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ has woken up and is looking at you.]
“I’m really sorry. However, can’t you think about it again for the villagers?”
Chen’s face was really desperate. It seemed he wasn’t the only one who thought so. Then...
Damn, why was this happening? Nevertheless, I couldn't do this on my own. The villagers wouldn’t knock down the statue if they didn’t agree. I let out a sigh. “Hah...”
[The first apostle, ‘Prometheus,’ is curious about what happened.]
There was nothing to be curious about, this guy. Chen’s sagging shoulders looked pitiful. He never dreamt that I would oppose it like this. It couldn’t be helped...
“I have a condition. If you listen to it then I’ll allow you to build the statue.”
“Oh, really? What is it? I will make sure to unconditionally reflect your opinion!”
“First...”
* * *
Buzz buzz.
Mulan’s square was bustling. Many people were watching the huge statue being built in the center.
“Wow, are they sculpting the face now?”
“What type of face will it be?”
“I don’t know who he is but I’m sure he is a great user. I’m really curious.”
The surrounding area was filled with users sitting down on mats purchased from the general store. At the same time, Chen appeared there.
“Look over there. It is the chief.”