[Your ■■ is getting nearer.]
The system message whispered in my ear. It had been repeating itself over and over again for the past few days.
“It seems that it won't be long now.”
“Yes.”
My mother and I were sitting face to face over a table, drinking tea together. We were watching the display panel installed in the [Industrial Complex]'s reception room.
– The American continent, annihilated! What's the next target for these Outer Gods?
– Emergency evacuation order issued in North-East Asia!
– Nebulas have abandoned Earth. “There is no place left to run.”
The last place the news program showed was the Korean Peninsula. Refugees streaming in from all over the world ensured that the whole peninsula was bucking raucously even now.
I was well aware of what they were hoping for by coming here.
[Next Great Apocalypse scenario location is 'North-East Asia'.]
[6 days, 8 hours and 24 minutes remaining until the start of the Great Apocalypse scenario.]
My mother inside the panel was making an announcement in my stead as the representative of the [Industrial Complex].
– The [Industrial Complex] won't stop accepting new citizens. However…
My mother smiled bitterly and spoke. “It's quite embarrassing to watch, isn't it.”
“But, it suits you well. You're like the President, actually.”
In all honesty, it was fine to think of my mother as the current master of the [Industrial Complex], not me. The citizens of this place would rather listen to her more than me, at any rate.
“You should show your face to Seoul's residents at least once before leaving, son. Even a simple greeting from you will become a great source of strength to them.”
For sure, I could hear the reporters using megaphones to shout their questions from outside the [Industrial Complex].
– Demon King of Salvation-nim!! Is it true that you have returned?
– Demon King of Salvation-nim! Please tell us your plan to stop the Apocalypse!
….My plan, is it.
I smiled bitterly just like my mother. “If that's the duty of the mascot, then well.”
We quietly sipped the tea.
The skies were dark and gloomy. So gloomy, in fact, it'd not be strange to see a thunderbolt fall from the sky out of the blue and shatter the Peninsula in half.
“It's so peacefully, isn't it?”
“I guess so, mother.”
Even so, we said those things.
The tea leaf inside the cup gently trembled. To think, I'd enjoy such a leisurely tea time. This would be the first time in our 30-something years of relationship as a mother and son.
The event I so wanted to experience only came knocking on my doorstep as the apocalypse of everything approached us.
My mother, she didn't ask me anything. Not a thing about what I would do from now on, what I would gain at the end of this story, nothing. I knew that was how she operated, though.
“Well, I'll be on my way now.”
“The Heavenly Wind God was searching for you. Before you embark, please do make sure to speak to him first.”
….Pungbaek? Why was he looking for me this time?
I couldn't help but recall that unpleasant incident back in the Great War of Saints and Demons. Was he thinking of doing something uncouth again just before the Final Scenario? I lightly nodded my head and exited the room.
There was someone waiting for me there.
[And here we are. You somehow managed to get this far, Kim Dok-Ja.]
It was none other than Bihyung, looking so much better than before after becoming a Great Dokkaebi. The long coat fashioned out of a white tiger's fur really suited him well.
I spoke in a sarcastic tone of voice. “You were actually waiting for me?”
[The reunion of you and your mother is a pretty popular Fable among your subscribers. So, I just couldn't bear to interrupt the flow.]
Bihyung shrugged his shoulders and spoke up.
[Constellation, 'Demon-like Judge of Fire', is dabbing her eyes away.]
[Constellation, 'Abyssal Black Flame Dragon', is grumbling while handing over a handkerchief.]
This damn guy, sending that out as another broadcast.
[And so. The Final Scenario is literally just around the corner.]
“I know.”
[How reliable you are. I'm sure you already know this, but the Final Scenario is…..]
“Bihyung.”
My quiet call stopped the Dokkaebi from talking anymore. He stared at me.
“Why did you select us?”
[Applicable individual is not a 'Character'.]
Chapter end
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