The S-Rank Character Is My Alt

Chapter 93

[So, I decided to destroy the world. It turned out that life was actually more bearable that way.]

The monitoring room was silent. Lude sipped the barley tea that had been provided, as speaking for a long time seemed difficult for him.

Kang Ihyun stared at Lude, holding his breath and unable to speak. Kang Sujin, who had barely recovered her composure among the three, continued the conversation.

"Alright. You, that is. First, I'm sorry. I understand that you lived a life like that. Hmm, then... are you trying to cancel that registration now?"

Lude closed his eyes slightly at that. After that, he re-registered with the management bureau as 'Lude' and went around clearing dungeons.

Life was still bearable living as an S-rank. It was about the money, but more than anything, he felt he could recover his heart slowly because he gained a sense of accomplishment in his own way.

However, since that recovery was still built upon a strong distrust of the world, he seemed to have a greater desire to prove his own existence rather than think about protecting a world that was going to be destroyed anyway.

[...What I said at the awards ceremony is everything.]

But after joining the Sanctuary and meeting countless people, Nari, who slowly recovered in the right direction, thought such things.

[Perhaps, that the world I’m living in isn't… hell.]

Saying that, Lude looked toward the monitoring room and smiled faintly. He knew they couldn't see out from inside, but Lude's smile looked exactly like he was directing it at Kang Ihyun. Lude continued speaking.

[And that is all thanks to the business card Hunter Kang Ihyun handed me that day. So.... I wanted to say thank you. That's why I asked them to bring you here.]

At those words, a sound of Ihyun choking up and holding back tears was heard. He snatched the microphone from Kang Sujin and spoke again.

"Lude!!"

[Yes, I'm listening.]

"I... I would have died that day if Lude wasn't there. Even if you didn't come to save me, even if other Hunters saved me, I wouldn't be here today. So, I’m not the one who saved you!"

Tears finally poured from his eyes. Kang Ihyun wiped his eyes repeatedly with his sleeve and said,

"So, it wasn't me. You’re the one who saved yourself, Lude!"

Lude's eyes widened at those words. He looked up with an expression of surprise and then burst into laughter.

Kang Sujin watched that scene for a long time. Unlike before, it was the refreshing laughter of someone who had truly shed something. Lude chuckled and spoke again.

[Thank you. So, you know what.]

"Yes!"

At that, Kang Ihyun quickly wiped away his tears and looked at the monitor. Lude smiled awkwardly and spoke to him.

[I'll begin the contract termination procedure soon. The Lord of Chaos said that mid-term termination is possible, but I don't think he'll let me terminate it so easily. I'll resist with all my might, so if I fail....]

"I can't."

[....]

"I can't. You were about to tell me to kill you, weren't you? I can't do it. Absolutely can't do it. Absolutely not!!"

Kang Ihyun cried out in rage and shook his head repeatedly. Lude, his expression wavering at his voice, again kept silent. Seizing the timing, Kang Sujin took the microphone back from Kang Ihyun.

"Then, Lude. I have a few more things to ask, would that be alright?"

[Yes, it's fine.]

"Now that I’ve.... heard what you said. As I listened to the story, I felt like I knew… exactly who you are."

Lude smiled at that. Kang Sujin looked at him with a disbelieving expression. Although his own name didn't appear in the story Lude told about his past, Kang Sujin felt she knew. Isn't there only one person in the Republic of Korea who would have suffered such a plight?

[...It’s because I can trust you, Guild Master.]

Lude's appearance, having said that, gradually wavered. The spirit energy scattered from him like a mirage. Lude gradually disappeared as if being kneaded like clay, and when the spirit energy particles vanished, a small girl appeared in his place.

[Hello. Let me greet you again.]

Kang Sujin's eyes widened. The small girl with black hair, black eyes, and a sharp impression continued speaking.

[I’m the one who was controlling 'Lude', which means.... Uh, this is my main character I guess. My name is Shin Bitnari. I apologize for deceiving you.]

Nari smiled as she said that. Kang Sujin stared blankly at the monitoring room for a long time, unable to speak. Nari, looking a little flustered, hesitated and then continued.

[Well, so um. Just... Please bear with me until tomorrow. Okay? Please monitor me here only until the contract is terminated. I'll finish it somehow by then.]

"Ah? Ah, yes. Yes.... Understood."

Kang Sujin, who had been dazed by the unbelievable situation but then regained her composure, wiped her face once. Only then did Lude's peculiar actions all make sense.

It was terrifying that an illusionist who was capable of completely creating a person, a person completely outside the standard, had intended to destroy the world. She took a deep breath, realizing how fortunate it was that Nari had changed her mind.

"Very well. Then, I'll assign monitoring personnel here until you completely terminate the contract with the Constellation. And after that, I will handle the cancellation of your Hunter registration by proxy."

[Yes, thank you.]

"However, if you contract with that Constellation again after that, no, I know you won't, but I think some measure is needed for that part."

Kang Sujin, thinking again about how immense a catastrophe almost struck the world, felt goosebumps covering her body.

Even if Shin Bitnari broke ties with the Constellation now, there was no guarantee that she wouldn't contract again. This was a part that could operate contrary to her will.

According to her, Shin Bitnari was the only person on Earth who could talk to the Cthulhu Constellations.

They couldn't just sit back and watch, unable to know how those Constellations might manipulate her.

[Ah, about that.... After that, I have someone who will monitor me. I heard the Guild Master meets them once or twice a year?]

"Huh?"

"Guild Master!!"

With those words as the last, someone pounded on the monitoring room door. Kang Sujin was startled, immediately turned off all the equipment connected to the monitoring room, and stepped outside. The security room staff looked embarrassed at the door.

"What's the matter?"

"Well, about that. A visitor came, but you didn't answer the phone. They say they want to see the Guild Master."

"Send them away. I don't have time for two days."

"T-They are someone I can't just send away like that. So, I think the Guild Master should first...."

Kang Sujin, unable to understand what he was saying, raised an eyebrow. Just then, ding. The elevator door opened. The security staff made a sound of hic.

"Ah, no, seriously. I told them no, but they were so pushy!"

The elevator door soon opened. Kang Sujin's eyes widened. A person who had never accepted an invitation for a long time was standing inside.

A sturdy physique, a black suit, and horn-rimmed glasses with fierce eyes. It was Nan, the Guild Master of Mago. His usually slicked-back hair was slightly dishevelled, perhaps because he had rushed up.

He adjusted his tie and strode toward Kang Sujin. Without a chance to ask what the situation was, Nan spoke.

"I apologize for coming without contacting you late at night."

"Huh? Oh, no, that.... It's fine. What brought you here?"

Kang Sujin blinked. Mago, which had avoided contact with other Guilds, had come here. And just moments ago, Shin Bitnari had said she had 'someone who will keep an eye on her.'

Surely, the reason Mago had avoided White Night and the Sanctuary all this time....

When her thoughts reached that point, Nan spoke urgently. Kang Sujin had never seen his desperate expression before.

"My goddaughter asked for help, so I came. I was told I could get the details from you, so what must I do?"

* * *

"...Nari."

And in the empty monitoring room. Kang Ihyun looked up at Nari with a tear-streaked face. Nari smiled, looking at the camera.

[Yeah, I'm listening here.]

Seeing that smile, Kang Ihyun wiped his tears again.

The initial feeling was shock. That Nari had lied to him. And that she had harbored such thoughts.

However, the more he listened, the more Kang Ihyun internalized Nari's pain. And the emotion he felt when she finally said she didn't want to give up on the world was.

"Thank you."

[For what?]

"For not giving up. Thank you for that. Thank you for not giving up on living. Thank you for being here."

[...Is that so? You say that even though I almost drove countless lives to death so I could choose to live.]

Kang Ihyun shook his head. But he soon realized that Nari couldn't see the place and cleared his throat, saying,

"That day, I mean. The day your spirit energy went out of control in my room. That's what you wanted to tell me, wasn't it?"

Kang Ihyun still remembered the words, 'If you knew what I was thinking, you wouldn't be able to stay by my side either.'

At first, he didn't quite grasp the meaning of those words, but now that he had heard the whole story, he felt he understood.

Nari remained silent. Silence sometimes signified affirmation. So, Kang Ihyun had to give that answer.

He sniffled and continued speaking.

"It would have been the same."

[....]

"Even if you had told me that, even if I had known what Nari was thinking then, it would have been the same for me. I don't care if the world is destroyed or not. I just... I wish you would be happy, I wish that for you."

[Yes, I figured you would say that.]

That's why I gave up. Nari smiled as she said that. Just as Jeong Suho had said, Nari wouldn't have been happy even if the world was destroyed. Because she already harbored a little hope in the world.

And this believer, who intensely trusted her, would surely always agree with her words.

So, Nari needed to stop the destruction, not just for herself but also for Kang Ihyun.

Honestly, the raw violence, the disregard, the pressure, all came back to her vividly. But didn't her mother say?

'You must always go in the right direction.'

And the first result of Nari choosing the right direction was now inside the monitoring room.

Nari finally understood her mother. Even if she had truly accepted the beast's words and regressed, her mother would still have gone to subdue the Tier 1 Gate.

Even if she knew Nari's life would crumble like a candle in the wind afterward, even if she knew she would die, she wouldn't have stopped the conquest itself.

Because she knew that if she stopped, the people who followed her would make the wrong choice.

Nari couldn't stand idly by and watch Kang Ihyun make the wrong choice.

[Kang Ihyun. I won't tell you to kill me. So.]

Her eyes narrowed faintly. Realizing that the moment of contract termination was approaching due to the sudden sleepiness, she smiled at Kang Ihyun one last time.

What kind of expression is Kang Ihyun making right now? Nari couldn't know, but with the thought that he would be happy, she opened her mouth.

[Save me. Before I truly start having bad thoughts.]

Thud, with those last words, Nari collapsed to the floor. Knowing that she had fallen asleep for the contract termination, Kang Ihyun clenched his fists tightly while watching her.

"...Yes, I will definitely save you. No matter what."