Chapter 568 – Best Friend (1)
—
– Han Kain
Patrick Biederman, Ryan Reynolds, and another unidentified wisdom.
After clashing with the three former participants, I made a certain resolution in my heart.
I need to refill the Sacred Sun.
At the time of my escape, I thought I wouldn’t recharge anymore.
The idea of charging real people rather than NPCs in the cursed room felt unsettling.
Realistically speaking, with the wish of oblivion and the obstacles from the Administration Bureau, it would have been a difficult task, and I still had enough strength left for one fight, so I was somewhat relaxed.
But that situation has changed.
The crisis announced by the hotel began before I could react, and the enemy is strong.
When situations change, plans must also change—it’s part of human nature.
…
The key points of Plan B are as follows.
First, the charging assessment of the Sacred Sun is more generous than expected.
The crowd doesn’t need to see me as a god.
Because when citizens in Room 206 regarded me as the successor of the creator, I felt a surge in power.
Elena’s total trust in my judgment could also be seen as a form of faith.
Appearance or name doesn’t matter.
This aspect is quite similar to real-world religions.
Does anyone know what God, Allah, Buddha, or Brahma looks like?
‘Yahweh’ is merely one of the speculations derived from the various names that the Jews originally used—Jehovah, Yahhoo, Yahweh, and so on.
Second, Iktus is still alive!
Let’s recall what happened during A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
I escaped through the main entrance, fell from the sky, and paused my body in mid-air while possessing Perro and using an hourglass.
I became a talking parrot, captured by the Administration Bureau, and during Iktus’s escape, I came out with him.
After that, Iktus cooperated with the demon Apollyon to retrieve my body that had fallen from the sky.
There was a minor conflict at the end, and Apollyon did die, but it wasn’t a big problem.
All this happened quite some time ago for us—but in reality, it was about a year and a half ago.
So for those living in the real world, it’s still relatively recent.
By the way, is it odd that the demon died but the demon worshiper is still alive?
Well, there’s no particular reason for him to die.
If anything, with the protector gone, I thought he would have fallen prey to the ruthless extermination of the Administration Bureau…
It seems Iktus had his tricks up his sleeve.
Knowing the details will be clearer once I meet him directly.
While I was organizing this situation, the person next to me cautiously asked.
“Um… Kain.”
“Yes?”
“What abilities did he have again?”
“Charisma that captivates people, a bit of divination, and power to resist my possession. But…”
“But?”
“Is that power still intact now that Apollyon is dead? We’ll have to see about that.”
“Also, is it okay to approach him recklessly? If he recognizes you—”
“Did I forget what my empty wish is in a dream?”
“Aha!”
“Since the Administration Bureau has lost most of its information about me, he wouldn’t be an exception.”
“Last! How did you find him?”
It was surprisingly easy.
“I heard from Ahri.”
“Huh?”
“The Administration Bureau found out he’s been hiding recently.”
“… He seems like someone with amazing survival skills but also a bit bizarre.”
“He’s my friend.”
It was a heartfelt statement, but I didn’t hear any response.
It seemed my colleague couldn’t agree.
“He’s now using the name ‘John.’”
“He’s one of the twelve apostles of Christianity. This friend really likes Christianity. If that’s the case, he might as well just go to church.”
*
– Iktus (ἸΧΘΥΣ)
About a year and a half ago.
I lost the god I had served my entire life.
An incomprehensible and terrifying entity erased the dignified Apollyon from this world.
I still vividly remember that day.
I screamed as I was hit by the remains of Apollyon falling from the sky.
Was this how Jesus Christ felt while searching for God in the wilderness?
Even the Messiah of Israel never lost his god, so the pain I endured that day was something nobody could understand.
I thought he was dead.
I thought there was no way to come back to life.
I wanted to abandon my miserable life.
…
But I survived.
There are probably various reasons for that.
First, the Administration Bureau was busy with damage control because it was an incident that startled the entire nation.
The second reason might be my own growth.
There’s an old saying.
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Humans become stronger through trials.
Even those chosen like me are no exception.
Through the pain of the sky collapsing…
I survived and gained strength.
*
In the conference room with the major shareholders and directors of Sunrise Corporation.
“Here’s the mid-year report for XX year. Our sales have skyrocketed by a whopping 13%, primarily thanks to the vigorous contributions from the Diamond tier—”
“There’s more good news! According to recent announcements from the Chinese government—”
“The revenue from the Vietnam branch is also on an upward trajectory—”
With the joyous news ringing in, everyone wore bright expressions.
What does it mean when Sunrise’s sales and profits are increasing?
In the end, that just means the shareholders and directors are getting richer!
Just look at the sincere expressions on their faces.
Right, this was also the lesson I learned through my past experiences.
What’s needed to cultivate people’s sincere hearts isn’t sermons or blessings.
The gold deposited in their accounts is truly the greatest miracle!
There’s one more amazing fact.
When I gather my believers and preach while granting the “great blessing,” dreadnought troops from the Administration Bureau come marching in.
On the other hand, when those who have prospered through business and gained gold bow down voluntarily, the military doesn’t come, and the government even gives them commendations.
That doesn’t mean Sunrise’s success is unrelated to the “order”.
“Ha ha, Director John! You’ve outdone yourself again.”
“Truly, ever since I decided to trust and follow you, everything has been smooth sailing!”
“Director John! You are truly… a heavenly being!”
Just look at the expressions on everyone’s faces that seem ready to burst into tears.
The directors and shareholders, as well as the publicly presented chairman, all bow their heads to me.
They are no different from my former believers.
The outdated term “god” has simply changed to “Director John,” and the target of their prayers has shifted from Apollyon to “Director John.”
Ultimately, the direction of more people bowing down to me remains the same; one side gets military actions, while the other gets commendations.
The question of which direction is wiser has already been answered.
In the past, ‘someone’ bestowed this wisdom upon me.
Had it not been for him, I would have likely lived my life playing the role of a rural cult leader.
“…”.
Who was it again?
Who granted me this wisdom?
I was sure I knew, but for some reason, it had slipped my mind.
“Director? What’s wrong?”
“Oh no, nothing. I was just thinking for a moment.”
About a month ago? Or was it two?
During that time, a lot of my memories suddenly became hazy.
I can’t recall what exactly happened during Apollyon’s death.
In the middle of this deep thought.
“Director! Director John!”
When I slightly raised my eyebrows at the frivolous voice, someone who had recently joined the board appeared.
“Director Park Jin-ho, what’s going on?”
“I’m amazed! I, Park Jin-ho, am once again in awe of your brilliance, Director John!”
“… Too flattering.”
What’s going on?
Why such admiration all of a sudden?
“You’re doing such great things without anyone knowing! I wish you had given me a hint!”
“…”
What the heck is this guy talking about?
What great thing did I do?
I don’t even know myself, so what am I supposed to let you know?
I was bewildered, but the surrounding directors and shareholders were already wearing expressions filled with anticipation.
Just as I was awkwardly about to laugh it off, the emcee, announcing today’s mid-year financial report, boldly proclaimed.
“Alright! Sunshine family, today’s most joyful news is special! Let me introduce our new family member, whom Director John has brought with remarkable prowess—”
What the heck did I do?
Who did I bring with my remarkable abilities?
“—Miss Elena Ivanova!”
The moment the unbelievably beautiful lady appeared, silence took over the conference room.
Of course, it didn’t take long before that silence was broken.
“Everyone, let’s welcome her with applause!”
“Wowww!”
“W-Welcome!”
In an instant, the faces of shareholders and directors turned cherry red, and chaos reigned.
It wasn’t just because the person entering was a stunning lady.
She, Elena Ivanova, is the owner of the world’s most luxurious cruise ship, the Esper, and is said to have personal assets worth at least a billion dollars.
While there are wealthier individuals in Korea, finding someone as beautiful, famous, and connected with global celebrities like her is rare.
What kind of advertising effect and networking would occur if such a celebrity joined the company?
Expectations began to rise all around.
Of course, some ominous voices were also heard.
“I heard there was an accident on the Esper recently…”
“Oh, Director Park! What does her beauty and wealth matter?”
“Seriously! If the ship sinks, they can just build another!”
Naturally, those comments were quickly suppressed.
Ultimately, whether this beautiful lady brings any substantial help to the company doesn’t matter much.
What’s crucial is that people’s hearts have begun to see a future filled with gold.
“Ahem! Hello there.”
“Wow! You speak Korean well?”
“Yes! It’s not widely known, but I lived in Korea during my childhood.”
“Oooh!”
“I deeply resonate with the vision of Sunrise Corporation. The reason I decided to invest this time is—”
Was there any grand vision for Sunrise other than my selfish desires?
The founder like myself was hearing about this vision for the first time as the beautiful lady started talking animatedly.
A conference room filled with dreams of happiness.
Iktus – or John as I’m now called – was left wondering about just one thing.
“…”
Who brought that woman in?
Wasn’t me, so why is everyone making a fuss about me bringing her in?
Soon, amidst everyone’s gaze, she began to approach.
Some might have been envious of the situation of a beauty approaching me and shot me jealous glances, but…
I was busy hiding the cold sweat flowing from extreme tension.
— Thump!
“Hello there?”
“… Hello.”
In this moment of choosing what to ask this famous lady first, something—soft and alive—climbed onto my shoulder.
“Hmm?”
“Ha ha! This is my precious parrot. Please treat him kindly.”
A completely absurd act.
If it were a regular person, there would surely be an uproar over this nonsense, but here stood a wealthy beauty who brought rosy dreams to the company.
Thanks to that, everyone laughed it off.
“Ha ha! It’s such a cute bird!”
“What’s its name? Does it speak well?”
“It’s named Perro, and he speaks quite well. By the way… I have a request.”
“Oh! Please go ahead!”
“I have something to say to Director John personally. Is that possible?”
“Of course! This way, there’s a soundproof room.”
As if bewitched, the unknown lady entered the private room with her parrot.
If nothing else, the claim that “he speaks well” turned out to be true.
Because the parrot whispered to me from my shoulder.
“Friend, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
Now I understood.
It was this bird that orchestrated today’s bizarre affair.
“… It’s nice to meet you for the first time.”
“Such a pity. The time we could have spent together… I never imagined you would build such a wonderful enterprise.”
“….”
“You had talent in business? I had no idea.”
A suspiciously friendly creature was acting familiar with me.
But strangely, it didn’t feel awkward.
Though we hadn’t met before.
Though the voice was unfamiliar.
It felt strangely familiar.
As if this ‘friend’ existed in a part of the memories I had forgotten.
“I believed in you, I knew it! My precious friend, Iktus.”
“….”
Hearing my true name, Iktus (ἸΧΘΥΣ), which I had hidden from everyone since that day, didn’t surprise me.
It was because I subconsciously thought, ‘it makes sense that this bird knows my name.’
“Iktus, answer me.”
“‘Ik’ is the surname, and ‘Tus’ is the first name, you know.”
“We’re going to do big things from now on.”
No matter how others view it, I decided I’d cast away the blonde lady and this suspicious bird.
So, as I gathered the ‘noble power’ at my fingertips at that moment.
“Oh! This wave! Impressive!”
“….”
“I was hoping for this, and here it is. You must have gained power by picking up shards when Apollyon died, right? Just like I expected, my friend.”
“If you know that much, it’s better to retreat quietly before I take action—”
“Friend, I’m telling you for your sake. The building is currently surrounded.”
In that instant, I was speechless.
“The Administration Bureau agents have come with a strike team of seven. Feel free to check if you’re curious.”
“….”
“Well? Are you now thinking of partnering with me?”
“… I don’t really get why you’re so eager to partner. This incredible bird-friend, we can both do our best in our own territories—”
“Why are you being so stingy? We’re best friends.”
“….”
“There’s nothing that’s yours or mine between friends.”
These words struck me as the most ominous I had heard so far.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.