Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint - Chapter 598



A Story of the Past. Old Testament – 5

Humans, who use tools with their exceptional intelligence, are still an overwhelmingly powerful species. Therefore, it is natural that the king of humans is also powerful.

However, no matter how prosperous the country becomes and how complex society grows, even if they establish complicated rules to live together and punish those who do not follow them,

As long as humans are beasts, the king of humans does not change.

“I have been watching you too. I vaguely know what you desire. You want to stop the fights, don’t you? You want to yell at others to stop fighting, right?”

Because the beast called human remains the same.

“But, I still don’t understand. How is what you are doing any different from them?”

The king of humans asked with pure curiosity. It was a question only the king of humans could ask.

The snowy mountains are cold. In the mountains where the snow never melts and piles up, having a large body is advantageous. It is good for preserving body heat and easy to spot prey or predators. That is why beasts living in cold regions are large.

Giants are the human form that survived in the snowy mountains, and they are the result of intentionally accelerated evolution under the name of ‘tradition.’ The giants are a species chosen by nature.

The jungle is teeming with life. Countless beings are born, eaten, and decay. Life circulates like a massive torrent at every moment.

In such a place, the law of the jungle is extremely natural. Even among the same species, there are no exceptions. Humans adapted and survived in the jungle, maintaining large numbers compared to other beasts. It was natural for humans, who competed for resources, to attack and eat each other.

The desert is the opposite. In the dry and barren sea of sand, life is scarce. Therefore, beasts are not competitors but comrades who navigate the harsh environment together. They are indicators that help find water or other prey.

In that place, beasts evolved to make the most of the unique resource called black water. The result was the creation of mixed beasts, the demon beasts. The demon beasts, tainted by black water, roamed in search of beasts, but they also filled the barren desert with life.

The king of humans knew these facts. Rather than understanding them with his head, he naturally accepted them in the process of representing the existence called human.

If they did not attack him, the king of humans would have left them all as they were. Because struggling to survive is life itself.

“Humans want to fight? Then let them fight as usual. If they want to reconcile, let them reconcile. If I step in and tell them to reconcile before they even fight, and if I beat up those who don’t listen, that means I want to monopolize the fight. How can I, the king of humans, monopolize the fight when humans don’t fight?”

And he could not accept the claim of the successor, even though he knew it. Just as he could not recklessly kill other monsters.

Despite the desperate request, the king of humans answered firmly.

“Human fights belong to humans. I can’t be the only one fighting while they can’t.”

‘Nuna’ shook off the successor’s hand. Leaving the powerless hand of the successor behind, ‘Nuna’ walked away, leaving footprints. Thud, thud. The dry sound of footsteps filled the space between them as it faded away.

“You can do it. Like a giant, like a cannibal, like a beast. Achieve it with your strength.”

“…I suppose I must.”

The Keeper of Legends still sobbed, lying on the ground.

“If you can’t change all humans, you can’t change the king of humans. Because that is the existence of the king of beasts.”

The Keeper of Legends, who knew everything in the world, also knew what kind of existence the king of humans was and what choices he would make.

But the Keeper of Legends had to ask ‘Nuna’.

“But, Your Majesty. You are so special. Humans know of your existence. Even if you are not conscious of it, all humans already follow and learn from you. Your actions are the norm, and your words are virtue. No matter how honest and great another monarch may be, compared to you, they are like fireflies under the sun.”

There was never an intention to become great. The power was given from the beginning. Understanding other humans is a natural action as the king of beasts. ‘Nuna’ intended nothing.

However, whether intended or not, ‘Nuna’ was already a great king and had the power to control a vast empire spanning the continent.

Neither ruling nor reigning, just being there.

‘Nuna’ would exist nobly as a king.

“The world needs a king to lead humans.”

Muttering, the Keeper of Legends stood up. She smiled sadly and bowed her head one last time.

“Your Majesty. There is still one left.”

“One? Ah, you said there were four monsters on the frontier? But we have seen three.”

“Yes. In the Lonely Mountain Yulim, there are fanatics who offer humans as sacrifices, deceive with lies, and serve superstitions. The Lonely Mountain Yulim is close to this land, so why not take a light visit?”

Even the king’s warriors, weary from the journey, agreed with those words. If it was the Lonely Mountain Yulim, it was within the influence of ‘Nara’. Walking on the land where they would be treated by the people of ‘Nara’ was close to a tour.

If it was that close, why was there no particular influence on ‘Nara’? Why were there no legends about the fanatics?

That was something to find out when they went to Yulim. ‘Nuna’ decided to go to Yulim.

The news that ‘Nuna’ had coldly dismissed the Keeper of Legends spread quickly. After all, ‘Nuna’ had been absent for nearly ten years because of the Keeper of Legends. Although no one showed it, they were all greatly pleased inside.

Nevada was the same.

“My lord. You have done well.”

“Huh? I did well?”

“Yes, my lord. You have made the right decision.”

“Hehe. It feels good to be praised after a long time.”

‘Nuna’ was embarrassed, not like the great and noble king she was. Nevada recalled the old days after a long time. When they picked up a lost child somewhere in the great forest. When the two loners were everything to each other.

The unusually quick-learning girl watched Nevada’s every move closely and followed suit. The girl was so bright that once taught, she would grasp ten things.

Nevada, while boasting, was afraid that the girl might catch up to her completely, that she might no longer need her, so she studied hard.

Fortunately, before Nevada’s limits were exposed, the king’s warriors came. Thanks to that, Nevada didn’t have to show ugly jealousy. And for her merit in serving ‘Nuna’ and recognizing her talent, she became a warrior of the king.

To Nevada, ‘Nuna’ was a king, a benefactor, and a friend.

She tried not to consciously think of the status of a friend, but that was also the status she held most dearly in her heart.

“You don’t have to listen to everything El says. Though she is capable, El is merely your subject. She presumptuously tries to sit above you and handle everything as she pleases. You must clearly distinguish the hierarchy as you do now.”

“Hierarchy… Because I’m strong, I’m the top, right. Yes.”

Perhaps ‘Nuna’ was the same.

‘Nuna’ murmured sadly and spoke to Nevada.

“What do you want from me?”

“Pardon?”

“The warriors say they want to be commanded by me. What command did you desire to become my warrior?”

Nevada waved her hand and replied.

“The command should come from you, my lord. I dare not wish for anything.”

“But I don’t particularly wish for anything.”

Neither did Nevada. There was nothing in particular that he wished for.

Just like this. Wherever they went, whatever happened. As long as they were together like this, that was enough. If there was anything Nevada wished for, it had already been fulfilled….

“Until you have something to wish for, I will stay with you.”

In the lonely mountain of Yullim, there wasn’t a single blade of grass or a single tree. The mountain, which seemed to be made by stacking rocks layer upon layer, was covered in a gray hue, with sunlight scattering in all directions. On the barren land, not even mist would rise, and the clear light played freely without hesitation.

Yullim was probably the best place to feel the aesthetics of emptiness. No trees, no grass, no mist, no clouds. Only after everything was cleared away could one truly understand what this world was filled with.

This journey was long compared to the distance. It wasn’t because there were many obstacles. It was mostly because they were warmly welcomed and stayed longer in each place they passed.

It was still an era with few conflicts. Many humans came to catch a glimpse of the human king. Some came seeking to resolve disputes, but ‘Nuna’ did not punish even after revealing the truth. This was called generosity and mercy.

The storytellers spread the tales of ‘Nuna’s’ achievements. The three monsters of the frontier, who fell at ‘Nuna’s’ hands. Described as vulgar, cruel, and grotesque, the three were depicted as demons who dared to commit taboos and were punished by the human king.

Their circumstances and situations were erased, and they were only given the title ‘Kanjaka,’ meaning a calamity that shouldn’t exist. People pointed fingers and slandered them.

Even as the fabricated truth spread, ‘Nuna’ made no corrections.

Leaving countless stories like footprints, ‘Nuna’ headed to Yullim.

To meet the last monster, the fanatic of deception. To meet the Radiant Celestial, Bael.