CHAPTER 500: SEARCH PROJECTS

Late winter in Mong Mountain.

As he climbed along the winding ridge, a pavilion with a great view near the peak came into sight.

The wooden structure, as if imbued with the spirit of a master craftsman over many years, stood proudly under the winter sky.

Seeing each pillar and rafter meticulously maintained, it was clear that someone’s dedicated care had been consistently bestowed upon it.

Climbing up to the pavilion and looking down revealed a special landscape.

Thanks to the naturally created hollow terrain, the view was open on all sides, capturing the majestic scenery below like a painting.

“Did you make this?”

Seol-Hwi, sitting in the pavilion and gazing at the scenery, spoke up.

Earth Demon, sitting opposite, smiled and replied.

“Songhwa did. Not only is he skilled in sorcery, but also knowledgeable in architecture. He even chose the location, saying it’s perfect for stargazing at night.”

“It seems pairing you with Songhwa was indeed a wise decision.”

“It was exceptional. There’s nothing that child can’t do. Thanks to Songhwa, I’ve been living quite comfortably here.”

In front of the two were several bottles of liquor and glasses.

They naturally picked up the already poured glasses, nodded briefly towards each other, and drank.

“Ah…”

“Ah…”

Earth Demon grimaced as if the high alcohol content burned his throat.

Watching his candid reaction, Seol-Hwi put down his glass and spoke.

“How is it? How does it feel to have achieved the life you wanted?”

“It’s more enjoyable than I expected.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I have no subordinates to command, no worries about the future. What more could I ask for here?”

A brief silence followed, and Earth Demon added with a bitter expression.

It was a statement that made one think quite a lot.

“Well, this… I could have done it anytime if I wanted to.”

“No, you wouldn’t have been able to.”

“Why?”

“The liquor we’re drinking now is expensive and hard to come by.”

“Heh.”

Earth Demon let out a short laugh, and Seol-Hwi also smiled.

In truth, they both knew the real reason without needing to say it.

The position of the Fourth Disciple. Those tense days when they couldn’t afford to leave, not knowing when an accident might occur.

It was around the time when silence returned again.

“What will you do from now on?”

Earth Demon, who was emptying his glass, suddenly asked Seol-Hwi.

“Why are you curious about that?”

“Since you’ve truly become a god, I’m curious about your thoughts.”

“What would you like me to do?”

“I’d like you to stay here with me, having a drink like this every evening.”

“Wouldn’t it be a problem to laze around all day and drink every evening?”

“So what? To me, that’s romantic.”

Pour.

As Seol-Hwi’s glass emptied, Earth Demon filled it with more liquor.

Then Seol-Hwi, receiving the bottle, filled Earth Demon’s glass and spoke.

“I’ve already decided how I’ll live.”

“Really? Tell me.”

“I’ve decided to follow the path of romance.”

“Romance?”

When Earth Demon tilted his head in curiosity, Seol-Hwi continued calmly.

“I plan to live just like everyone else does.”

“What do you mean by living like that?”

“I intend to become human.”

“……!”

Earth Demon’s eyes shook greatly.

For one who has reached the realm of gods to become human again—What an unexpected story this is.

But more than that…

“Is that even possible?”

“I believe it probably is.”

“How? After stepping into the realm of the gods, wouldn’t you have gained immortality? What about that infinite power beyond human reach?”

“Don’t I have that?”

“Ah…!”

At that moment, Earth Demon realized.

The system, the absolute power that created him.

“Using that, I can live like an ordinary human. To feel sadness in sorrowful times, joy in happy times… And above all…”

Seol-Hwi’s gaze deepened.

“I can even adjust my lifespan like a human. Just one life, like ordinary people… I want to live like that.”

“Huh…”

Earth Demon clicked his tongue.

His expression held a peculiar emotion, not regret.

“Someone who has barely reached the divine realm now wants to become human again… Truly a strange tale.”

“Becoming a god was never the goal. I don’t have much attachment to it.”

“Listening to you, that makes sense.”

Earth Demon nodded.

There were undoubtedly many things he didn’t know, but he didn’t feel the need to ask now.

He believed there must be a good reason for the decision Seol-Hwi had deeply contemplated.

“Then, becoming human… is it in this life?”

“No, I’m planning to return to a past life.”

“The past? For what reason?”

“There are faces I must see again.”

Earth Demon thought that Seol-Hwi must have regrets from the past, actions he desperately wants to change.

Indeed, if it’s just one life, returning to the past would be better.

When they both emptied their glasses again, Seol-Hwi spoke.

“In that sense, I have a favor to ask of you.”

“What kind of favor?”

“When I disappear, this world will soon fall into chaos again.”

“Could it be that chaos is coming again without Jang Dal?”

“Weren’t there individuals who prepared to fight against Jang Dal? Like Mount Hua Sect’s Goo Jong-myung, Wudang Sect’s Jin Mu, and the Demonic Cult’s End Demon.”

“Ah…”

“Once the current chaos is resolved and a few years pass, some of them will likely train outstanding disciples. Or they might try to showcase the power of their sects or cults.”

“Probably. The desire to compete is something all warriors have.”

“So if they start competing among themselves, the Central Plains will become far more chaotic than it is now.”

Earth Demon agreed.

They had reached the level of Supreme Realm and Profound Demon.

It couldn’t be guaranteed that their minds wouldn’t change as the environment changed.

“So, from now on, live this life to resolve the situations I’ve created. To prevent fights and maintain balance.”

Earth Demon nodded without hesitation. There was no need for deep contemplation. Preventing the emergence of countless victims.

It seemed like something only he could do.

However, contrary to those thoughts, his response was blunt.

“Just like that?”

“Of course not. In exchange, I’ll grant you your wish.”

“A wish?”

Earth Demon looked puzzled at the unexpected words.

“I’ll keep the power of Heavenly Killing Star intact, but ensure it doesn’t cost you your life.”

“…What?!”

Earth Demon’s eyes widened at those words.

At the same time, he realized it wasn’t impossible because Seol-Hwi had absolute authority.

“Heavenly Killing Star…”

A mix of complex emotions crossed Earth Demon’s face.

The Heavenly Killing Star trait, which he cursed and which held him back all his life.

Though he imagined it countless times, the fact that it could actually come true left him feeling somewhat hollow.

“Of course. If it’s that, I’ll definitely do it.”

There was no reason to refuse. In fact, it was too sweet. Being freed from a life without a guiding star, from the pain of not knowing when one might die.

“But when in the past will you return to?”

This was a pure curiosity from Earth Demon.

If it were Seol-Hwi, perhaps he would go back to the life he regretted the most. Or maybe to where the person he wanted to meet the most was.

However, Seol-Hwi’s answer was unexpected.

“I’ll return to the point when I first met you.”

“What…?”

Earth Demon, with a confused expression, asked in response to the completely unexpected answer.

“Am I in that world too?”

“No.”

“Then are you planning to create me?”

“No.”

“Then?”

“I will become Earth Demon.”

“What did you just say?”

Earth Demon wore a bewildered expression. Seol-Hwi smiled at him.

“The life I’m living now, you see, it actually started from the life you set for me. When the system, that monster, first came to me, Earth Demon, you presented me with three choices.”

“…So?”

“In the life I’m going to live, I will become Earth Demon. Of course, the Earth Demon of that life won’t have the Heavenly Killing Star, nor will there be manipulators like Jang Dal around… But, well, what does it matter?”

Seol-Hwi continued with a cheerful voice.

“In the past, it was a life someone else presented to me, but now, it means something that I can present to myself.”

With Seol-Hwi’s answer seemingly filled with deep meaning, Earth Demon pondered for a moment and then asked.

“So you’re keeping the promise.”

“What promise?”

“It seems like it turned out just as you said when we first met. Back then, you said, ‘I will live your life now, and you will live mine,’ didn’t you?”

“As a result, it turned out that way. Ha ha ha.”

“Ha ha ha.”

They laughed awkwardly together. Perhaps because a farewell was imminent, their laughter carried a sense of regret and sadness.

“And actually, there’s another reason.”

“…What is it?”

“I have to become you to live with the people I want to meet.”

“Who are they?”

“They exist. Such people.”

Seol-Hwi mumbled the last part vaguely.

Then, as he stood up, Earth Demon sensed it.

That he was about to leave.

It was then.

“Uh, Elder…”

A panting voice was heard from behind.

It was Songhwa. His eyes were red and bloodshot, perhaps from overhearing the last conversation.

“Songhwa, come here.”

“Elder…”

Songhwa hesitated for a moment, then approached Seol-Hwi and buried his face in his waist.

“Live happily. Follow your heart and make the choices you desire.”

“Does that mean I won’t see you anymore?”

“Ha ha, you rascal…”

Seol-Hwi gently patted his head and spoke.

“Life, as I’ve lived it, is a series of meetings and partings. Even without me, better connections will come to you, so don’t be too sad.”

“Sniff. Sob.”

While Songhwa wiped his tears, Seol-Hwi waited quietly.

When he calmed down, Seol-Hwi glanced at Earth Demon and spoke.

“Earth Demon, the trait of Heavenly Killing Star has already been removed.”

“…Thank you.”

Earth Demon was surprised by Seol-Hwi’s ability but didn’t show it outwardly.

Instead, he spoke in a calm manner.

“Live well. Even in that world.”

Seol-Hwi nodded. Then he looked at Songhwa and spoke.

“Take care of yourself, too. Always stay healthy.”

“Yes, sir. You will always be in my heart.”

“Your way of speaking is quite romantic.”

Seol-Hwi glanced at them one last time.

Then he slowly looked up at the sky and commanded.

“Let’s go now. To a place where no one is.”

The system appeared swiftly.

It was dry, but there was something different than usual.

[Moving in 10 seconds.]

Whether it was intentional or not, it left a lingering impression.

----------------------------------------

Seol-Hwi stood alone on an unnamed mountain.

He intended to attempt something here that he had never tried before.

[You have selected the Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation. To which point would you like to return?]

As Jang Dal had mentioned, Seol-Hwi had gained the ability to return to the past.

But this alone was not enough.

He needed to utilize the omnipotent system’s abilities more actively.

The world he lived in had to be more humane.

“Before the Heavenly Demon Cultivation Simulation is applied, to the very beginning. And…”

[The player will no longer intervene.]

He blocked the player’s intervention.

[A new Earth Demon is created based on the previous version of Earth Demon.]

[The created character Earth Demon is replaced with the character Seol-Hwi.]

He replaced the created character Earth Demon with his past self.

[The Heavenly Killing Star trait of the created character Earth Demon is removed.]

He eliminated the risk factors.

And.

[The administrator enters Seol-Hwi's body.]

[The human lifespan is applied.]

[When the administrator enters Seol-Hwi's body, all system functions cease.]

He confirmed additional possibilities that were only available as a human.

[Error! As an administrator, you cannot die like a human.]

He encountered difficulties here but dealt with it in another way.

[When the administrator becomes human and dies, entering a state of nothingness where nothing can be felt is possible.]

[As long as the system doesn't disappear, this state will continue.]

‘I thought it was possible.’

Becoming human, destined to face death.

And after death, becoming a being that cannot remember.

This was the way Seol-Hwi wanted.

[To which time in Earth Demon's life would you like to return?]

At the system’s question, Seol-Hwi briefly reminisced about the past.

The various lives proposed by the one he met after Siming Star.

Would he have made the same choice if he had chosen one of them?

What other customized lives might there be?

Various curiosities flashed through his mind.

‘Who could that person be?’

Then suddenly, a person from the past came to mind.

The one who stopped time and helped him.

A significant figure who played a major role in getting him this far.

‘He must also be a god. Unlike me, wouldn’t he have reached another realm? Like the Natural Realm…’

Nothing was certain.

The world is full of things you can’t know unless you see them yourself.

“Alright, let’s go now.”

Seol-Hwi faced the system window.

After confirming once more all the processes to become human.

He closed his eyes like that.

“Take me back to the point I mentioned earlier.”

[Programming will begin.]

This was the final farewell with the system.