This place weirdly reminds me of the Four-Legged Rainforest..."
Gio looked around.
"It really does resemble it."
"Ppiing."
"Even echoing me like that—you've got the makings of a good friend."
"Ppiiii..."
"Yes, yes."
At their back-and-forth exchange, Honey popped out from inside the hood.
"Kurrrrk?"
"You're my child, Honey."
"Kurr."
Satisfied, Honey slipped back into the hood.
Were animals always this common in my life?
Even back in that peaceful mountain village in Gangwon Province, he used to run into boars and deer now and then. But somehow, ever since he became a portrait, animals seemed to flock to him even more.
"This too must be part of nature's cycle."
Spouting off nonsense, Gio thought to himself:
Was the Four-Legged Rainforest perhaps derived from here? It really is strikingly similar...
But Gio—as Argio—knew better than anyone that the Four-Legged Rainforest existed in a completely different dimension. Still, he was impressed at how his long-forgotten homeland now looked as if it had been painted into ruin.
"...What on earth happened here?"
The Black Forest had always been thick with trees. That much hadn't changed. But the dense canopy soaked up the rainwater and unleashed toxic mist at random intervals—its infamous trademark. That very structure only worked if the forest touched the sky.
The more he observed, the more questions he had.
Gio looked up at the ceiling.
The Four-Legged Rainforest was dragged into a cave during dimensional transition, but this time, I can't even guess. This place was simply destroyed—it never moved to another dimension, nor received one.
He had no choice but to keep looking around.
"Will you come with me?"
The deer tilted its head, then vanished.
"Hmph."
A shy friend.
"Leaving without even saying goodbye."
A word would've been nice.
"Looks like it's just us again today, Honey."
"Kurrururuk."
Honey cried like he didn't mind so long as his dad was there. Gio stroked the tiny bird perched on his shoulder with a light touch, then started walking again. The more he saw, the more he would understand.
Unlike the vibrant greenery of the Four-Legged Rainforest, the Black Forest was steeped in shadows. As its name implied, every plant was stained in deep greens and blacks, their overlapping leaves casting crushing shadows.
"This part's the same."
The Black Forest made it impossible to distinguish day from night.
"At least back then, we could tell time by the shifting cold and heat. But now that we're underground, even that's hard to figure out. Don't you think?"
"Kurr..."
"So is it just going to stay cold forever now? We'll need more time to tell... And even if time passes, who knows how warmth could exist underground?"
Unlike the Four-Legged Rainforest, where the plants had shapes you could still call plantlike, here grotesque and metaphysical aberrations were densely packed. To Argio, they were familiar companions.
"Good to see you again."
That one, if eaten, would tear your insides and make you vomit blood.
That one, if touched, would cover your body in hives and make you laugh uncontrollably for weeks.
That one, if left alone, would release spores that took root in your respiratory system.
Plants were supposed to grow under the sun. The fact that these thrived in shadow had made him wonder more than once if they were some species of demon. That impression hadn't changed.
Gio blinked.
"...Still, I can definitely see better than I used to. It's like back in the Gem's Waterway—darkness that should've been impenetrable, but somehow, I could see through it."
"Kkungkung?"
"Yeah. I couldn't see this well before. Ever since I gained corrupted divinity, I've been mixing with other personalities and holding varied powers, so darkness doesn't hinder me anymore... Or so I thought. I figured I was more human now, but maybe not?"
Hmm, maybe it's because I'm still a painting.
"Nice to be able to see clearly, though!"
As always, Gio remained cheerful.
"When the world felt heavy and silent, I never knew how to respond. Of course, I've got you, Honey, but I can't always rely on you—that wouldn't be proper parenting."
"Kkungkkungkkung..."
Honey grumbled, wondering why his dad didn't just use him in the first place. But even a father had his pride.
Not to mention, some plants explode when exposed to light.
Argio, who once lived in the Black Forest, welcomed the brighter world.
"But still, something's off."
He'd walked quite a distance.
"Why don't I see any beasts?"
"Kurrurrr?"
"Where did all my Black Forest family go?"
They said the forest had been destroyed—had all the living beings vanished, leaving only these silent, wordless plants? That couldn't be. If that were true, beasts wouldn't keep leaking in from beyond the 'Kingdom of Beasts.'
Then maybe they're hiding somewhere?
But hiding didn't suit the Black Forest creatures. This was a place where you had to grow stronger and more savage every second to survive. Hiding only delayed death.
"..."
Things really had changed while he was away.
"This is frustrating."
Like this, he couldn't even find whoever had summoned Argio. Perhaps these sentient dark plants had called him—but they showed no response.
Someone with reason definitely called me here.
There was even a pang of nostalgia.
"For now... heading deeper seems like the best option. I had a home I shared with my family before. It was riddled with traps and poison, not the coziest place, but still the best we had."
"Kurr?"
"Yes, it was a home. An ancient ruin, long worn and partially collapsed..."
If you call it home, it becomes one.
The path to the sanctified ruin of the Black Forest saints was rough, but with Argio's lifetime of survival experience here and little Honey—who purified everything like a tiny sun—it wasn't too daunting.
"Here we are."
They soon arrived.
"Surprisingly, it's still intact. I thought it might have crumbled in the descent underground, but I guess it was sturdier than I expected. Then again, it has stayed in this shape even after I died..."
Argio had once perished in a fire attack. The entire Black Forest had burned. And yet, the plants grew back stronger, and this ruin stood firm. It was almost awe-inspiring.
"Surely more heroes came and destroyed parts afterward."
"Kurrurur..."
"You like it too, huh? Yeah. It's a ruin worth admiring."
Argio stroked one of the unyielding stone pillars.
"..."
There were traces of young human lives growing here.
"...I wonder what happened to them."
Sometimes when he ventured out for raiding or amusement, people would be brought to him—some begging with clasped hands to be taken, others kidnapped simply because they caught his eye.
This place had been both a haven for beasts and a prison for discarded humans.
From what I recall, they all fled.
The outsiders had made a fuss about plagues and whatnot, so they were probably killed as soon as they left the forest. Or maybe they never even made it out.
They were too weak to survive the forest's poison and beasts.
Feeling sorrowful, Argio frowned.
"Since I'm here... I ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) should at least make them a gravestone."
"Kkurrk?"
"Even if, by some miracle, they escaped the forest and its armies, they still would've perished in this dying dimension. Whether by time, sickness, or something else—their end should be acknowledged."
He lifted the edge of his cloak and called out from the shadows.
"Dana, are you awake?"
"Ank."
"Go find the lost children who never made it home."
"..."
The cat, whose eyes mirrored the cosmos, blinked once.
"Meow."
Then she slipped into another shadow, spreading out across the Black Forest.
"Well then, Honey, shall we keep searching until your sister finds the strays? Since beasts were able to come through the frame, some of my family must still be around here..."
"Kurrururururu!"
Honey chirped joyfully. Exploring Dad's old homeland was fun, and meeting new friends was always welcome. Argio, caught up in that excitement, smiled.
"Where could my friends be?"
And then, Gio encountered something.
"..."
"...What are you? A fox kin?"
"..."
"...No, wait. Not a fox...?"
A wolf the size of a house.
"...A ghost?!"
"No, it's alive."
"It's a ghost!!"
A talking cowardly wolf, no less.
Were beasts always this disappointing, or is this a recent thing?
Argio found himself thinking like an old man.
***
He already knew that the beasts of his homeland had acquired "language." Even right before the evil divinity named "Argio" was sealed by heroes, the animals had laughed, spoken, and told stories.
But to actually converse with one—it's strange.
Back then, overcome by rage and hatred, divinity had no interest in chatting with some talking beast. He didn't even have the mental clarity for it.
If he ever spoke as the evil god after Argio the human had died, it was only to curse the heroes who came for him.
If that was the extent of my 'communication,' then... I was an idiot.
What a joke.
"..."
"...H-h-h-hum... man?"
"Yeah, I'm human. Can't you tell I'm alive?"
"I'm not sure..."
The wolf, as big as a truck, flinched and shrank as it stared at Gio. It could've come closer, but stayed well away, just tilting its head from afar.
Argio stared, exasperated.
"How are you supposed to know if I'm alive or dead from way over there? Come closer—I'm not someone you need to fear."
"...Why do you get to decide that?"
The wolf scowled in disbelief, yet slowly approached.
"...Can I sniff you?"
"By all means."
"Okay, just a sec..."
The huge wolf cautiously lowered its snout to the much smaller Argio and sniffed. Then, as if reassured—or maybe catching a delicious scent—it gently pressed its nose against him.
"Oh dear, are you planning to eat me?"
"...?! N-no! No, I'm not!!"
"Then why the dramatic jump? You've got energy, I'll give you that."
"I-it's just that you smelled nice..."
"A delicious smell?"
"Not like that!!"
The wolf sounded deeply wronged.
"You smelled... nutty and sweet. Like soft, fluffy warmth."
"...Ah, are you talking about sunlight?"
"...Sunlight?"
Its voice shot up in pitch.
The wolf stepped closer again, wagging its tail. Its sharp eyes widened with surprise and delight. Argio realized it might still be quite young.
The hesitant wolf asked,
"Did you... come from the sunlight?"
"Never heard that before."
Gio pointed upward, puzzled.
"There's a sun up there, isn't there?"
"That one's fake."
"Fake?"
"...You are a ghost!!"
"Can't you hear my heartbeat? Are you even really a wolf?"
"If you know everything, why are you the only one who doesn't know this?!"
The wolf looked crushed.
"Humans are extinct!"
"Ah... as expected."
He'd figured as much—but it still stung a little.
"Smarter beings really are the most foolish."
Always. Everywhere.
Surely, it could've been different.
-x-X-x-
Even after all that, Gio had to spend quite some time convincing the wolf that he was, in fact, human.
"Do I still look like a ghost to you? I don't reek of death, my heart's beating, and even though you can't see it now, if you stabbed me, I'd bleed. Do I really not look human to you?"
"...Sort of."
"So resolute, huh."
In the end, the wolf never fully believed him.
"...Well, if it's that hard to believe."
Gio was a diligent adult who respected the full spectrum of life's diversity. Judging by the reaction, it had been quite a long time since humans had gone extinct, so he could understand the skepticism to some extent.
In return, he wanted an explanation.
"I'm curious—what happened here, leading up to the downfall of this place? If you agree to be my conversation partner, I'll make sure you're compensated. Just asking, do you like food?"
"You mean... your idea of a reward is food?"
"I know this forest well—it used to be called the Avilas Rainforest. Some parts seem to have changed while I was away, but if you've got food, that's always helpful, isn't it? What do you think?"
"Well... I guess that depends on what you're offering."
"For someone I thought was young, you sure know how to haggle. Admirable."
Argio grabbed the wolf's massive head with both hands and gave it a thorough scrubbing. At first, the wolf had stiffened at Gio's touch, but quickly melted under the masterful strokes.
"Oh, there. That's the spot. Wow, that feels good."
"That's the touch of a human, my dear wolf."
"How do you know exactly where to scratch? Is this magic?"
"I'm just that talented."
Even as a child, Argio had lived under the same roof with his beastly family. He was more than an expert in knowing how to hit just the right spots to make animals feel good.
And this one talks, making it even easier to read...
After a bit more petting, the wolf pulled back with a satisfied face.
"I'm not counting this as part of the reward, just so you know. You offered first."
"You say that with such conviction, but that relaxed face really isn't helping your case."
"Ahem. Anyway, no means no."
"Very well. Strip my bones with your words, then."
Argio was very fond of clever beasts.
"So, can I hear your explanation now?"
"You mean the story of the extinction, right?"
Having calmed down a bit after the touch and the chat, the wolf sat in front of Gio, visibly more at ease. Even with its enormous body settled, the Black Forest remained still.
This place was never this polite before...
Whether the wolf knew Gio's thoughts or not, it began speaking.
"To be fair, I don't know everything about the fall. What I know was passed down from my ancestors. Honestly, I'm not even sure what exactly counts as the 'extinction.'"
"Sounds like it happened more than once?"
"The first one was probably when beastfolk like us came into existence."
Most likely, it referred to the time when Argio—once human—died, and beasts gained equal intelligence and reason.
I think some of the heroes who visited me back then mentioned something similar...
But those memories were a bit foggy for the current Argio. He had been consumed by rage and hatred—barely sane. Maybe it felt hazy because he hadn't fully assimilated those memories yet.
Besides, I have no idea what happened after I was sealed. I only remember hearing that they tore each other apart and brought about their own downfall...
This might be his chance to learn the details. Argio was genuinely curious about the history his descendants could recite.
"They say wolffolk like me were born around that time. But to me, it never felt like some sudden change. Even in my ancestor's ancestor's ancestor's day, we were still wolffolk, more or less like this."
"You distinguish between ordinary wolves and wolffolk?"
"Yes. If we compare it to humans, it'd be like the difference between humans and monkeys. Of course, there were monkeyfolk once, but that's just another extinct race now. I heard they died out after a lot of wars with humans."
"Oh dear. Then how many races are left now?"
The wolf paused a moment before replying.
"Only three."
Wolffolk, crowfolk, and foxfolk.
"My mother said wolffolk survived because we value family, crowfolk survived thanks to their wisdom, and foxfolk survived by being deceitful."
"That last one sounds a little off."
"If you ever meet a foxfolk, be careful. They're total con artists."
"You're even baring your teeth now. And your tone's gotten a bit... colorful."
At least it was clear that the wolffolk didn't think much of the foxfolk. Judging from the tone, it seemed wolffolk and foxfolk clashed frequently, while the crowfolk maintained a kind of neutral ground.
The wolf scoffed.
"It's not like we bite first. They always start with their snarky crap. Those smug bastards think they're the smartest creatures alive. No honor whatsoever..."
"Seriously, watch your mouth."
"The next extinction was probably the birth of the evil god."
"Hm."
"They say it was a god of rage and war, but there's barely any information about him. That era was supposedly too horrifying and gruesome to leave any written records."
Argio's form back then was likely well-known—red braided hair, body adorned with jewelry and bone ornaments, beast fur, and striking features. Hard to forget.
And yet, here this wolf was, talking about ghosts.
So records of me—of Argio—were erased after all.
A wise choice. If it became widely known that humans had brought catastrophe upon themselves, the chaos might've been worse than what already happened. Not that it stopped them from self-destructing anyway...
"I've heard of the evil god. Caused plagues, kidnapped the innocent, devoured people alive. Gave beastfolk power equal to humans, throwing the world into chaos."
"Well, that last part gave birth to our race. So we're actually pretty grateful. We don't have much aversion to the evil god. He's our parent deity, after all."
"Parent deity, huh... That's a unique perspective."
Suddenly, paternal pride surged within him.
Maybe it was part accident, part fate that gave rise to this new species... but hearing the word 'parent' like that—feels kind of nice. That's right. I am their father, too...
Argio smiled faintly.
"Do you still feel no aversion to the evil god today?"
"Well, I suppose if I met him in person it'd be different... but right now, he's just part of an old tale."
"I see."
Now the story of the evil god Argio had become myth. The wolf didn't seem unaware that he was real—but his presence had lost all realism.
"But wasn't the evil god sealed?"
"There was another downfall tied to that."
The conversation dragging on must've tired him out. The wolf lowered his huge body and rested his head on the ground. Argio sat beside him and gently petted his head.
The wolf closed his eyes, soothed by the touch, and continued:
"Even after the evil god was sealed, the wisdom and power given to beasts didn't vanish. Humans, who thought everything would return to normal after the seal, panicked. They'd thrown in all their resources without thinking."
"Fools."
"Exactly. Who was the idiot who said, 'As long as we seal the evil god, it'll all be okay'?"
The wolf wrinkled his nose in disgust, and Argio idly stroked the fine fur along the bridge.
"They said the good and strong humans died during the sealing process. The survivors were branded monsters and shunned. The heroes scattered—some were found dead, others went missing entirely."
"Tragic, isn't it?"
"I just think they were stupid."
Those who gave everything to seal the evil god, then were abandoned by the very humans they saved. And the humans who couldn't even rally around such strength—they were doomed from the start.
"Worse still, even with the evil god gone, the plague from the Black Forest didn't stop. It kept spreading. Life was poisoned, shriveled, and the world turned into a desolate wasteland with nothing to eat."
To the wolf, this environment was familiar. But to most creatures at the time, it must have been catastrophic. Tensions rose, and humans and beasts finally waged war.
"A war?"
"To eat each other, apparently."
"Even though you spoke the same language?"
"Yes."
"How amusing."
It sounded like the beasts had finally realized they weren't human after all. He wished he could've seen that moment—the absurdity, the comedy.
"What happened next?"
"The war continued endlessly. So many battles, big and small, that it was impossible to record them all. Eventually, both humans and beasts realized—they couldn't live here anymore."
"The environment had deteriorated that badly. The poison from the ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) Black Forest, the resource depletion from war..."
"Right. So..."
The wolf opened his eyes and looked up.
"They said they killed God."
"...God? You mean the evil god?"
"No. The Creator. The one who made the earth and sky."
"...I never imagined such a thing possible."
"Well, I don't know the details. I only heard there was such a history."
"And why would they kill the Creator, of all beings? Should've begged for salvation, not slaughtered Him."
"They said they begged—and when no salvation came, they figured they'd force it through death. As a result, the sky and earth were split."
Humans had taken the Creator's power and tried to build a new world.
"He was the god of life and creation."
They believed it was possible.
"They buried the broken, filthy world underground and tried to build a new one above it. They couldn't erase the old dimension entirely—without it, they'd have nowhere to stand while building the new."
"So instead of erasing it, they hid it underground?"
"That's right."
But they failed.
"As you can see, the world above is incomplete."
The wolf didn't know how humans had killed God or stolen that immense power, or how they tried to wield it to rebuild the world.
He only knew: it happened. It failed. And now, here they were.
"With the Creator dead, the true sun and moon vanished. Humans tried to recreate them using the stolen powers—but failed. They couldn't even make a new moon. So now there's only a fake sun."
"That explains the fake sun."
"The one above us isn't the old sun. That one made life bloom just by existing. This one just mimics it—it's an empty shell. Sometimes warm, sometimes freezing. It's not an environment anything can live in."
"No wonder not a single plant grows up there."
"They probably froze or burned to death long ago."
The wolf snorted.
"Those without the right to wield divine power grabbed it anyway. That was the sin. The world started crumbling. They say all that's left now is this forest."
Gio knew what that meant.
The world is becoming a dungeon.
A gameboard was being laid across reality.
"Everywhere else is gone?"
"Yeah. Now it feels like this place is underground and the world above is the surface."
"So aside from your three tribes, there's truly no one left?"
"There are some creatures that used to live in the Black Forest."
The wolf closed his eyes again.
"There was no choice."
...
Now Gio understood why creatures from the "destroyed Avilas Rainforest" had come through his frame. The three tribes had driven out—or killed—the original beasts to protect themselves.
Those that got chased out, or fled, must've stumbled upon my cabin. That explains their feral, crazed behavior.
They'd been exiled, robbed of their home, and starved under the false sun. No wonder they were half-mad when they found the frame.
"...Hmm..."
Still, Gio had killed them in one clean blow. That had to count for something.
That's nature's way, poor beasts.
A sudden surge of Gio's softer personas—Sergio and Giovanni—bubbled up.
Wait... did I just kill and eat some poor refugees who lost their homes and barely made it to a safe haven?
But what could he do? He'd already eaten them.
Besides, I've always lived this way in the Black Forest. What's there to apologize for now?
And the ones that attacked his home were clearly too far gone to be saved. Maybe, maybe he could've healed them if he'd tried—but really...
Why should I?
They weren't his family. Not his friends.
"...Ha."
"...Why are you laughing?"
"I'm justifying myself."
"...Suddenly?"
He was rambling internally because it all made him feel a little guilty. Argio thought, Why should I care?—but also, Ugh, poor bastards.
This split... is probably only going to grow worse.
He hoped that the "Gios" he'd meet in the future would be able to sort it all out peacefully.
"..."
Still.
Then who was it that called me here?
There were two possibilities. Either one of the beasts who had learned the language had summoned him... or some tiny remnant of humanity still lingered, barely avoiding extinction.
"...By the way, aren't you curious about me?"
"..."
"Silence is a wise answer too."
Gio nodded, then turned back to the wolf with a sudden thought.
"Oh, there's something else I wanted to ask."
"What is it?"
"Have you seen a deer?"
"...A deer?"
The wolf blinked.
"I've never seen one."
"It was an ordinary deer, only made animal sounds."
"Then I really don't know. I've heard the deerfolk existed once, but they've been extinct for ages. I've only seen deer in this forest."
"Are there any among your tribes who can't speak?"
The wolf thought for a moment.
"...There are. Language is something you learn. Even if the beast has intelligence, it won't speak unless someone teaches it."
"So young beasts can't speak yet."
"That's no different from human kids, is it?"
The wolf stood up.
"Now give me food. I won't ask for much—it's just an old tale I told. But my children will eat with me, so be generous."
"...You have kids?"
"Why are you excited about that? Of course I do. If we don't have offspring, our race can't continue. Even in this toxic place, we have to protect them. Reproduction is our duty."
"No need to worry, my friend. As you can see, I have very generous hands. Who would've thought you were the young head of a household—my heart's pounding!"
"Who said I was the head of the household?!"
"So how old are you?"
"..."
"...Seven..."
"Good heavens!"
Gio was deeply moved.
-x-X-x-
"Mr. Gio?"
Joo-Hyun tilted her head, her neck wrapped with Sankallut like a scarf.
"Is something wrong? You said you wanted to rest for a while, so I didn't schedule anything. Are you just bored of staying at the cabin?"
"There will never come a day, not even if I live to my last breath, that I grow bored of staying in that cabin."
"Then what brings you to my place today? You usually send a letter in advance, but I didn't get anything this time. Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Have you ever raised a dog?"
"Um... no?"
A dog? Out of nowhere?
"A dog?"
"A cute puppy."
"Wait."
That felt ominous.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
"I found some adorable puppies and I wasn't sure how to help them."
"If their parent's nearby, the mother will take care of them."
"They said they were hungry."
"That damned hag..."
"I'll assume I misheard that."
"No, you heard it right."
"I refuse."
"Come now, Mr. Gio."
Joo-Hyun looked troubled.
"I know it's weird for me to be saying this to you of all people, but... you're not supposed to just intervene when a baby animal has its parents around. Where did you even see puppies?"
"In the destroyed Avilas Rainforest. I've mentioned it before—my hometown, also known as the infamous Black Forest. I had the chance to visit recently."
"You saw puppies there? Are they actually puppies? I remember what you told me about how dangerous and notorious that place is. I really doubt you're talking about ordinary dogs..."
"..."
"Mr. Gio?"
The portrait, stroking his chin, spoke proudly.
"Liking cute things isn't a crime, is it?"
"...I suppose not?"
"And feeding a hungry beast isn't a crime either, right?"
"...I guess not...?"
"Then I am innocent."
"You might want to explain before declaring your innocence."
"Oh, come on."
Inevitably, the portrait's hair turned a vivid red.
"I came to share something adorable, and you greet me like this? It hurts."
"How do you get better at lying so shamelessly by the day?"
With the frame's center covered in thick black paint, it was hard to tell where his gaze was, but the fact that he'd gone full Argio was enough proof of how forced this situation was.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"My dear Joo-Hyun, you needn't worry about anything."
"Do you not realize I want to worry because of how suspicious you're acting?"
Groaning a little, Joo-Hyun hesitated before continuing.
"You're not doing anything that could endanger the world, are you?"
"Oh, come now. What a terrifying thing to say."
"That reaction was so theatrical it made me more nervous. What do you want me to do?"
"As I said earlier, I simply came to share some delightful news."
"The news about finding some puppies?"
"Yes. An adorable little family led by a seven-year-old head of household."
Argio declared,
"They're my children, too."
"...You mean like Honey? Or Dana?"
"If I had to pick, more like Dana. But they called me father first, so I'd say our bond is even stronger. We're a family proven by history."
"And what scam are you pulling on that sweet seven-year-old boy?"
"This will all become nourishment and strength for him."
"For whose nourishment and strength?"
A heavy silence fell.
"..."
"..."
Joo-Hyun narrowed her eyes at the portrait and asked,
"Is this related to that Demon King project of yours?"
"...Possibly?"
"Go easy."
Even as she said that, Joo-Hyun didn't truly believe Gio was a divinity who'd bring pain and rage to the world. He might be called an evil god, but the most wicked thing he'd ever done was overfeed someone until they were bloated. He was more like a demonic grandma.
"If you ever feel like introducing me to them, please arrange a meeting."
In the end, Joo-Hyun accepted the situation.
"If it would burden either you or this 'young head of household,' you don't have to. I just figured it might help me as your manager to get to know someone you clearly care about."
"I'll ask them once we've gotten a /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ little closer."
"Thank you."
Her tone and demeanor might seem rough and blunt, but the feelings she stirred were never harsh. Even now, wasn't she advocating for kindness in the name of the Black Cloak?
It won't turn out bad in the end.
Joo-Hyun believed in her foolish friend, Gio.
"I've been learning to cook lately, so drop by when you have time. If you tell me what that seven-year-old friend likes to eat, I'll make something for him. I feel bad just mooching off you all the time."
"A meal prepared by you, Ms. Joo-Hyun—I'm truly looking forward to it."
Argio smiled slightly, and his hair faded back to black.
"Then I'll visit again when time permits."
"Take care."
"May your day be peaceful."
"..."
The portrait vanished.
"...Hmph. Puppies, huh?"
What kinds of food could canines eat again?
***
"My friend! I've returned!"
"Oh."
The wolf, waiting at their meeting spot, approached with a calm tail wag.
"Thanks again for what you gave us last time. I couldn't feed the seasoned ham or jerky to the pups, but that big hunk of meat you specially brought for them helped a lot."
"I was wondering how to deal with the surplus meat anyway. As a cook, I prefer keeping my storage tidy."
"You said it was from a golden step-lamb..."
The wolf sounded awed.
"It wasn't tainted, so everyone loved it."
The wolffolk and other surviving tribes had only made it this far by avoiding or neutralizing poison. But every other creature had been exposed to the plague said to have spread from the Black Forest.
That plague even threatened their meals. The beasts of the Black Forest were not only vicious, but their meat was saturated with toxins.
Adults with some resistance might survive—but young pups stood no chance.
"Almost everything we hunt is dangerous..."
"Then what do you usually feed the children?"
"The blood carries the strongest poison. We'd chew the meat ourselves to drain it, then pass it to the pups. It works better than tools or herbs. We aren't as clever as the foxfolk or crowfolk."
"That must've been exhausting."
"If we didn't do that, the wolffolk would've died out long ago. It's been seven years since my mother—the chief—returned to nature. I've had no choice but to work harder."
"A young head of the household indeed..."
"Stop saying it like that! In our tribe, we're considered adults at two years old. Our growth is way faster than humans, even if our lifespan's longer. I'm not a kid!"
"And yet, leading a whole tribe at that age with such maturity..."
"Grrr... bark! Bark bark!!"
It wasn't until the wolf let out some involuntary barking that Argio stopped teasing.
"Apologies. Your reactions make me mischievous."
"I seriously don't know if your personality is good or bad..."
"If I had to choose—probably bad?"
He was an evil god, after all.
"May I visit your village again today?"
"...You already saw what it's like. The wolves aren't exactly thrilled to see you."
"I understand. Makes sense, really."
"They just grew up hearing nothing but terrible things about humans. That's why they react like that when a human-shaped being appears."
"I fully admit to the foolishness of humans."
"Well... if you say so."
"Besides, the children liked me, didn't they? I promised I'd come back. Don't make me into some cruel, heartless man who breaks his promises."
"You already have permission. Don't be dramatic."
The wolf moved his massive body toward the "village."
They lived inside enormous burrows, dug to avoid the toxins of the forest. To survive here with pups, they'd needed to carve out clearings free from corruption.
"Digging such tunnels must've been a feat. Impressive."
"We're not as good at it as the foxfolk. And our bodies are way bigger. It took tremendous effort. We owe it to our ancestors."
"Speaking of which, how do the crowfolk build their homes? They can't dig into the ground."
"I hear they build nests high in the trees—tying together branches they've carefully detoxified. Unlike us or the foxes, they don't live communally, so that might make it easier in some ways."
"They don't stay together?"
"Most birds don't, right? And I think the foxfolk only recently started living in groups."
Even with human-like—or greater—intelligence, they still retained fundamental animal traits. Still, he hadn't expected such separation in a world like this.
Sticking together seems safer, but being spread out would make full-scale annihilation less likely... I suppose both ways have pros and cons.
As they chatted, they reached the wolves' burrows.
"Ahem."
The wolf cleared his throat and lifted his head at the entrance.
"Awooooooo—!!!"
"Awoooo...!"
"Awooooooo!!"
A signal to announce "family" had arrived.
And a signal that I had arrived, too.
Wolves were incredibly sensitive, but they still communicated like this even when they recognized each other—probably to reassure their families: It's okay, it's safe, I've got this.
Then again, there are beasts who mimic others' forms and voices...
The foxfolk had pretended to be wolffolk before—sometimes for pranks, sometimes to steal food. And in this forest, some creatures could imitate another's appearance and sound entirely.
Being thorough is never a bad thing.
This world was dangerous.
"Come in."
"My thanks."
Following the chief into the giant burrow, Argio immediately felt the eyes of the wolves on him.
"..."
"...Grrrr..."
"...Whimper..."
Some were wary. Some terrified.
The common thread...
They were all afraid of Argio.
"..."
Smiling, he lifted the edge of his black cloak and lightly flicked it. A pre-prepared offering of the day's tribute—a sign that he meant no harm.
Before long, a mountain of meat formed on the ground.
"Woof! Woof woof!"
"Eeeek... growl!"
"Whimper! Bark!"
The first to welcome him were the wolf pups.
"Wait, kids—!"
"I said not to run up like that!"
Too young to speak, the pups had no idea why their parents were afraid of Argio.
They'd never seen anything like him. They hadn't even seen foxfolk or crowfolk before. Differences in appearance didn't mean anything to them.
"Kuuuuh..."
"Goodness, how adorable..."
Gio approached, touched by the pure and charming way the pups wagged their tails. After all the obsession of mermaids and the cruelty of modern society, it felt like healing.
As the adults flinched, the chief spoke.
"He's my guest. I guarantee his safety. Don't make him uncomfortable."
A firm tone from the leader. The mothers and fathers who had clamped their pups by the scruffs of their necks slowly set them down.
Meat without poison was incredibly hard to come by in this world. They had no intention of upsetting a guest who brought such gifts.
"..."
"...Hmm..."
Through the hesitant wolves, a friend of the chief stepped forward.
"Welcome, guest. Sorry if we made you uncomfortable."
"No, not at all. I feel quite welcomed."
"I'm glad to hear it."
Despite being thirty-five years old, the sturdy wolf seemed to be one of the elders supporting the young chief. She bowed politely, then bared her teeth in a smile and asked in a friendly tone,
"Would you be willing to tell us your name today?"
"I believe I already did."
The portrait smiled.
"Call me Gio."
Here, "Gio" was the word used to refer to beasts.
Arka sighed quietly, as if troubled. She seemed almost scolding. From her view, he was using a fake name even though he had a perfectly good one.
"That's not a name..."
"Why not? It could be."
Because truly—he had no name.
-x-X-x-
Quite some time had passed.
The wolves would grow wary quickly, then relax just as quickly, only to become frightened again just as suddenly—repeating the cycle.
"It's because everyone's turned into cowards."
Arka, the chieftain's friend, said that and apologized.
"I'm sorry, my friend. Just ten years ago, the wolves weren't this cowardly, but as time passed, their bodies weakened, and their minds deteriorated along with them. It's a sad thing."
"How could anyone stay the same in an environment like this? Even if everything else remains the same, living creatures change. And the world now is far too cruel to all who live. You must have endured much."
"I'm glad you understand."
As Arka let out a sigh, the chieftain, Gargar, came over.
"Don't say such depressing things to a guest."
"Well, since you never listen to my ramblings, I have no choice but to grab the guest and talk his ears off."
"We wolves have our pride, you know..."
"Gargar, pride doesn't fill an empty belly."
"Kkheunng..."
Gargar's groan sounded somewhere between a whimper and a growl. Supposedly, age didn't hold much meaning among the wolves, and they didn't concern themselves with it in their relationships—but still, it seemed a seven-year-old had trouble outmatching the experience of someone who was thirty-five.
Argio felt a warm stirring in his chest.
"You two get along very well."
"You often use that kind of... phrasing."
"Did it not suit the moment?"
"It suited it so well, it made my fur stand on end."
In human terms, it was like saying it gave him chills. Gio laughed.
"Your fur still seems perfectly fine to me."
"It's just a manner of speaking."
Once again groaning, the wolf chieftain quietly lay beside Gio, who was much smaller in stature compared to him. It seemed he was being considerate of the sleeping pups.
Despite his massive frame, he made not a sound. It was easy to see why he had become chieftain at the age of seven.
"You're always so silent."
"You hand out praise far too easily."
"There's no wolf as quiet and swift as you."
"Why else would I be the chieftain?"
"I knew that. I just wanted to say it."
"You say strange things again..."
Mumbling like that, Gargar slowly closed his eyes. Gio, already accustomed though it hadn't been long, gently stroked Gargar's forehead and scratched under his chin. Gargar's face relaxed in clear pleasure.
"Mmm, good. Very good... under the ear, too, please. Oh, yes, there. That's nice."
"Such a demanding customer."
Argio teasingly scolded him and kept scratching. Arka, watching Gargar with eyes full of amusement, lay down beside Gio as well.
He didn't mean to ask for a scratch himself—it was just that the scene was quite entertaining.
"They say humans are good at scratching fur. Seems true."
"Humans possess the perfect form to bring relief to all beasts."
"When you say things like that..."
Arka whispered.
"You don't sound human."
"Oh? Then what do I look like?"
"Something pretending to be human."
"That might be true."
"That might be true."
"You keep saying that."
"I embrace all forms of diversity."
Said nicely, he was open-minded. Said harshly, he had no convictions.
Having evolved into a portrait, Gio had long since lost any claim to being a "normal human." And yet, he himself still believed he wasn't so far gone. His mind remained open.
"Anything's fine."
People could see him however they wanted.
"We all live trapped in our own little worlds, don't we?"
"Your love for obscure, ambiguous words doesn't sound very human either."
"Then maybe I'm not human."
He didn't need to be neatly categorized.
"..."
"..."
"I respect you both."
Gio had no intention of defining himself as a single thing. That had always been true—and it would remain so. Why should someone so versatile have to be confined to a single identity?
That wouldn't be fun at all.
***
A fox arrived, having heard the rumors.
"Would you be willing to show us some mercy as well?"
"Well now, this is quite the reaction."
Gio marveled.
"So even the foxes here know how to take human form?"
"Ah, it's crude, but it's our best magic. Our ancestors used it often during the wars with humans. I guess it became hereditary, haha!"
"But why choose to appear as a human to come see me?"
"Well, to gain your favor, of course! Living beings open their hearts most quickly when they resemble each other. There are exceptions, of course, but it's a long-standing, universal trait among lifeforms."
"Aha, I see."
Contrary to the sly image he had imagined when thinking of a con artist, the fox chieftain was surprisingly clear-spoken and refreshingly blunt. Argio quietly observed him.
'...And yet, to feel this much like a conman—it's impressive in a way.'
Was it the slanted eyes? That paper-thin smile? His expression played a part, but the overall vibe was slick and suspicious.
Still, that made it interesting.
"So you mimicked a human and came to find me?"
"This may be terribly rude for a first meeting, but our bellies are just as empty as the wolves'!"
The fox chieftain, disguised as a human woman, showed a pained expression.
"We have young ones who haven't reached adulthood yet too—not just the wolves. The adults, who've built up some resistance, won't die from eating anything... but the pups still have very weak immune systems. They're born with some basic resistance thanks to their mothers, but only just enough not to die the moment they're born."
"That's quite a sad story."
"Yes. To be honest, I'm telling you this because I want your sympathy. But I'm not lying. The fox tribe isn't as hardy as the wolves. And we can't purify poison like the crows with their research."
The fox chieftain gave an awkward smile.
"The best we can do is feed poisons in small doses at the right time to build tolerance—but even that 'right time' often never comes, and too many pups die. At this rate, we foxes too... will go extinct. So I came here."
"Hm, fox cubs are quite adorable. I'd love to see your cute little ones. Would you invite me? I imagine if I visit under the chieftain's name, it'll help ease the others' anxiety."
"Ah, of course! If you'll allow it, we'll serve you with everything we have!"
The skill with which he rubbed his hands together was astounding.
"..."
Though he was trembling.
"My friend, Gargar."
"...Not sure if I should get involved in this situation."
"I'm only asking for another opinion."
"All right, I'll listen."
"Do you think it's all right if I make more friends here?"
"...That..."
Chieftain Gargar looked at the ever-smiling red-clad human and the fox chieftain Laami, who was trembling pale every time Gio looked away. It was the first time he'd seen his nemesis react like that.
'But I understand.'
Gargar nudged Gio's back with his nose.
"...Help them."
"Oh? Are you sure?"
"We never had a future anyway. All we could do was find the least painful way to die... and the warmest, coziest grave."
Seven years old—certainly not much, but he had become chieftain for a reason. Often clumsy, yes, but never a coward.
And yet, before Gio, he often tucked his tail like one. Not because he didn't understand what that meant. But they had no choice. The future was dark, and the hand extended toward them—red though it was—was gentle.
"We want a future."
Wolves could do anything for their families.
"Only with a future can we choose. Only then can we have even the slightest chance. We already know that if we just keep dying off like cowards, we won't be able to do anything."
"So then."
Argio smiled.
"You'll take the hand of the evil god?"
He didn't believe they were unaware.
'Maybe they didn't realize it at first—but surely things have seemed increasingly strange.'
An extinct race—humans—wrapped in silk and treasure suddenly appearing alone? That was already absurd.
And from the start, he had asked about the world's history. The parts he was interested in were all about the "evil god." Even if records of his appearance were lost, there were enough hints to strike fear.
'Like student Chara once said—some were afraid of me just for being a portrait.'
Did it feel like he was on another level?
'When I stacked poison-free meat into a mountain in a world where such a thing can't exist.'
Able to traverse dimensions. Likely once a historical being. Powerful enough to make even proud wolves tuck their tails. A god of blood. A divine, wicked being.
"..."
"..."
The evil god of ancient history—or at least something close to it.
"You all seem quite afraid of me?"
"...That's true."
Laami, the fox chieftain, tried to hide his fear. For all his weakness, his mind moved faster than any other race's. And yet, here he was, in his own body, as chieftain.
'He must be desperate.'
Even conflicts between beast races had nearly disappeared in the past decade. They could no longer afford to fight when they barely had strength to raise their young.
Especially the foxes, always most anxious about their possible extinction.
And now, suddenly—this "human."
"I'm still scared. But..."
"But?"
That gentle, coaxing voice led the chieftain to make a decision.
"You treated us as friends."
Wolves don't abandon family. They don't betray friends.
"So... can't you help us just a bit more?"
"Hm..."
"Survival means nothing if the wolves are alone. The damned foxes, the proud crows—they all must survive. Otherwise, what's the point of enduring so long?"
"You speak rather prettily."
"F-Fine, forget it if you don't want to!"
"Ahaha!"
Gio ruffled the wolf's face with both hands. He was too proud and too adorable to resist.
"You really are a coward!"
What fear could a helpless human possibly inspire?
"Fox chieftain, what should I call you?"
"L-Laami is fine! That's my real name, not an alias. If you give us a chance, we'll do our best to win your favor!"
"I don't extract vows so easily. You can rest easy."
Gio was a rather gentle evil god.
'Feels kind of nice to know my infamy has spread this far.'
He never denied being the evil god. He loved it. The river of blood born from his own and his enemies' blood was a sacred wickedness—something to be welcomed, and something that came naturally to him.
Unaware of the future trouble it would bring, Gio smiled in satisfaction.
"I thought I'd been forgotten by history—but to know everyone remembers me feels... rather nice."
"You have strange tastes..."
"Gargar, if you have something to say, speak up."
"N-No, I didn't say anything."
"Well, if my friend says so, then it must be true."
Argio turned again to the fox chieftain, Laami.
"Lead the way."
"Ah..."
"I'll give the help you seek."
There was only one thing Gio wanted in return.
"Be my friend."
Let's live happily.
***
Left alone, Gargar was approached by the flapping of wings—a crow.
"Was that truly your decision?"
"Elder Valf."
It was Valf, the chieftain of the crow tribe.
"There was an overwhelming stench of blood on him. He dispenses mercy with joy, yet holds not a sliver of goodwill for his enemies. If he really is the 'Forgotten Wrath'... his feelings toward us are likely not so kind."
"..."
"Even if he isn't the 'Forgotten Wrath,' it makes no difference. That thing is not human. It is nature imitating humanity. It is wrath, pain. And it lies effortlessly. That makes it not divine obedience, but wicked rebellion. Can you still accept it?"
"I chose the future."
"I see..."
Valf sighed with pity.
"Do you really think he can distinguish between friend and slave?"
Gargar blinked slowly at the elder who had helped him so much over the years. He, too, feared the brilliant, blood-scented being pretending to be human.
'If only he were a ghost, it would have been easier.'
But Gio's blood ran warm. His heart beat. He had a tongue to taste, a stomach to fill. These were the privileges of the living. And Gargar had grown weak before that fact.
In the end, Gargar affirmed the existence of that bright-red being.
"He gave blessings to our young."
"Perhaps a wicked blessing."
"More than that... he smelled like sunlight."
"...Sunlight?"
"A savory, sweet scent."
Gargar closed his eyes.
"Warm, soft, fluffy..."
He could still smell it clearly.
"...A comforting scent—one I wanted to swallow whole."
"Wolves are so hopelessly instinctive, it's almost foolish."
The crow let out a long sigh.
"I understand your choice."
"You're leaving?"
"I must watch more. If we want a future too."
"Go safely."
"You as well."
Flutter―!
The crow took off.
"..."
Gargar looked toward the direction where the foxes were.
"...Anything is better than this."
Better pain and anger than a world of only death.
-x-X-x-
"Welcome!!"
Paang―!
Flower petals burst into the air, greeting Gio.
"We've cleaned the burrow so that our honored guest may rest comfortably!"
"Was the journey tiring? We've prepared foxes to fan you!"
"If you desire anything at all, please don't hesitate to tell us!"
Chieftain Laami, still disguised as a human, watched her kin welcome their "guest," sneaking glances at Gio's reaction. She smiled with her usual slanted expression, rubbing her hands together.
"To ensure you may look around freely, we've already spruced up our burrow. You may explore as much as you like. We may not be able to offer a meal, but this much humble service we give with glad hearts."
"Oh, I see."
Gio looked around.
"This is quite a different atmosphere from the wolf tribe."
"Hehe, the wolves have no interest in decorating their dens. They're strong, both physically and mentally, so even a bare cave is enough for them. But we foxes are terribly delicate."
Laami made a deliberately sad face.
"Without a soft bed, our bodies break down. If our homes are dim, we grow depressed. So we try to decorate our burrows as best we can."
"Interesting. What about the crow tribe?"
"Since they're the smallest among us, their homes are small as well. They use twigs, leaves, mud, and their own feathers to build round nests—like eggs."
You could call it the most cost-effective kind of house.
"Of course, they collapse easily, but that's why crows claim every tree in this forest as their home and frequently move from one to another."
"So it's not wrong to say the entire forest is their home?"
"They've even drawn the most detailed map of this forest. Unlike us, they can fly to places too dangerous for others and conduct explorations."
"I see..."
The fox burrow was undeniably different from the gloomy dens of the wolf tribe. Despite the world having ended, it was filled with gold and treasures from who-knows-where. Each area was neatly arranged, the mood bright and orderly.
"You're even growing plants."
"Ah, those..."
Laami laughed as she looked at the plants placed throughout the burrow.
"They're air-purifying plants to help with breathing. We can't build fancy devices like the crows, but we foxes are no slouches when it comes to using our heads."
"Without them, you can't breathe? That's odd, considering you crossed the Black Forest without any device to meet me."
"Well, I'm the chieftain! The strongest and cleverest fox must sit in this seat. Of course, I'm not the only one who can withstand the Black Forest's toxins. We have those who primarily work outside—hunting and gathering."
"Hmm."
Gio turned his gaze to the other foxes watching him with smiling faces. They were still pale, their smiles trembling slightly from fear, but it was clear they were doing their best.
"Are foxes always so good at disguise?"
"Specialization in shapeshifting is one of our tribe's greatest advantages!"
"I see!"
The artificially cheerful atmosphere made Gio think:
'They're cute.'
And also exhausting.
Argio wouldn't have cared how others perceived him, but as Sergio or Giovanni, he instinctively rejected this sort of thing. He stroked his chin, relishing the contradiction of emotions.
"Are all the ones here adults?"
"Yes, they are. We've put the immature ones out of sight. They might make mistakes."
"Oh dear, no need to fear me that much."
"..."
"So thoughtful."
He praised them for their consideration, and Laami's face went ghostly pale. It was clear now—she'd hidden the young foxes not for any practical reason, but because she feared he might harm them.
Gio thought again.
'Adorable.'
So what was he supposed to do with this?
'Honestly, it's a bit... awkward.'
All these "Gios" had a tendency to act first, think later. They liked to imagine the best and worst outcomes, then charge ahead when the time was right.
The problem was how these foxes reacted. The wolves hadn't shown this level of fear, so at least he hadn't felt guilty.
'But these ones are truly terrified of me.'
And they were trying their hardest to appease him, groveling with all their limbs. That desperate plea for mercy—it didn't bother Argio, but Gio wasn't sure how to handle it.
Even showing just 5% of such devotion would usually lead him to shamelessly declare, "We breathed the same air, we're friends now, right?"
"..."
But in this situation, if he said, "Hey, wanna be friends?" the answer would obviously be, "Yes, I'll gladly be your floor mat, just please spare me!"
So Gio decided to bury the idea of pen-pal friendship deep in his mind.
This kind of uncomfortable goodwill was a fuzzy concept for him. He pitied the givers, and while he wanted to repay their sincerity, the odds of that gesture being welcomed were low.
'What's the right way to handle this again...?'
Rarely for Gio, he stumbled.
"..."
"..."
Look at that. This awkward silence was uncomfortable for him, and terrifying for them.
They weren't confronting him head-on like the wolves, or silently observing like the crows—they were showing submission he hadn't even asked for. What was he supposed to do with that?
"Hmmm."
As Argio, all he'd ever done as the "evil god" was lash out.
"Alright, then..."
He decided to start by feeding them.
"You said you were hungry, right?"
"Ah, yes! If you would take pity on us and grant mercy... We'll do our absolute best to give you anything you desire...!"
"The wolves said poison-free meat was enough."
"! Same goes for us—it's more than enough!"
Everything they could hunt or gather from the Black Forest was poisonous. Even that was becoming rare, and most of what remained was far too dangerous for the foxes to hunt.
"If you give us the chance...!"
"I already planned to give a gift, so don't worry."
But simply giving didn't sit right with him. Even if they seemed weak now, Gio wanted to be their friend. He disliked relationships where he just "bestowed" things.
'Maybe I'll try nudging a bit.'
Unfortunately, this wasn't going to turn into a cozy relationship right away.
He decided to make a "trade" offer to comfort the foxes groveling at his feet. Give-and-take made everyone more comfortable. It was a harmless trick.
'Besides, I'm looking for someone.'
No matter how much time passed, the voice that had once called him hadn't come again.
'How can they be this relaxed about it?'
In the end, Gio would have to find the caller himself. He wasn't about to lose a promising new friend.
'It might get complicated, but with help from ❀ ❀ (Don't copy, read here) the locals, it'll be easier...'
He smiled and bent down to meet Chieftain Laami's gaze.
"Now then."
"..."
"How about this."
She, still in the form of a human woman, was quite small compared to him. Gio tilted his head gently, softening his voice so she wouldn't feel threatened.
"But when a gift is given, it's only natural to expect something in return..."
"..."
"What do you think?"
"...We had prepared for that, of course."
"Hm?"
How did she know what I was about to say?
"Most of the foxes prepared for this are elderly and waiting to die, but I—I am only seven, still young for a chieftain. My flesh is tender, and I am in excellent condition among the foxes. Surely I will not disappoint your palate."
"W-Wait a minute."
"Yes...!"
"..."
Argio remembered—finally.
"...Ah."
Come to think of it, there was that story about the evil god eating people alive.
***
Gio eventually resorted to asking for help from Sankallut, another evil god like himself.
"If you help me, I'll hold a festival of blood."
"Gio?"
"Have you ever heard of blood-sausage soup?"
"...Why do you call that a 'festival of blood'?"
"I could also offer you blood-filled sausage."
"No, really, your word choices... is this because you're an evil god?"
"I want your opinion."
Though Joo-Hyun had come along with Sankallut, who was now her guardian, and tried to intervene several times, Gio paid her no mind.
He was in a rare state of personal crisis.
A little red snake tilted its head.
"What troubles you? You seem uneasy."
"My children are afraid of me."
"I believe that's natural?"
"It's not natural to me. And by the look on your face, I can already tell you'll be no help at all."
"Sudden blame only makes me feel unjustly accused."
"I feel unjustly accused too."
He was helpless in the face of this strange, broken atmosphere the foxes had shown.
Argio had grown used to rejection, wariness, or rage. He had no experience with trembling children trying to show affection while being utterly terrified.
"They think I'm obviously going to eat them."
"What exactly have you been doing in the 'Animal Kingdom'...?"
"Honestly, I feel wronged, my friend."
He'd heard of such rumors, but Argio had never actually eaten a person. Even when Gargar told him the stories, he had only laughed and thought, "So my infamy's grown that big, huh?"
"Could it be I was punished for trying to enjoy some honey?"
"..."
Joo-Hyun silently smiled and placed Sankallut, who had been wrapped around her neck, onto the table. Realizing where he'd been placed, Sankallut straightened his spine, eyes wide, and stared at her.
"So I'm really being offered as a snack to an evil god. I never imagined our friendship meant so little. I assure you, my body doesn't taste good."
"Well, since Gio made that body, I'm sure it tastes fine. But I didn't put you on the table as a sacrifice. Gio just wanted to talk to you. I wanted you off my neck."
"I don't believe you. This is a table, and I'll be eaten. Crunch, crunch. Please spare me. I have value."
"It's just a table, and we happened to be at it. Gio wants advice. That's all."
"You're lying. I don't want to be eaten. Put me back."
"I'm not lying. Why would an evil god be scared of being on a table...?"
"This is Gio's stomach. This is the altar. I will be devoured. You lied to me. You said I'd be sent home. I feel betrayed."
"Your vocabulary's really improving."
As Joo-Hyun grimaced, Gio sniffled, explaining Sankallut's behavior.
"To him, this table must feel like a sacrificial altar. After all, history shows that things placed on tables tend to get eaten."
"Is this really the time to bring up history? And hasn't he eaten with us at this table many times before? Why be afraid now?"
"Back then, there were plenty of tastier things. He didn't think it would be his turn. He even got his own plate. He assumed being invited meant he wouldn't be eaten."
"If divine beings want to live on Earth, they should go back to kindergarten and relearn common sense. I can't keep up with their thinking."
Still, she understood.
'So this is what Yoo Seong-Woon meant.'
As a curator, he had warned her again and again how different divine beings thought. What seemed trivial to humans could be mortal insult to the mysterious. She had to learn their "rules."
'If Gio hadn't helped me, I would've made serious mistakes.'
Embarrassed, Joo-Hyun gently patted the snake's head. She had a duty to raise this clueless and foul-tempered god properly. She coaxed him gently.
"Take this as a learning moment. Gio will never eat you. And if things really get scary, I'll put you back on my neck."
"Scary human... scary human..."
"I didn't expect you to cry."
Gio interjected at the sight of the snake shedding crystal-clear tears.
"Crocodile tears."
"Aha."
So that was the plan—to earn Joo-Hyun's sympathy. Somehow, it didn't make him angry. It just made him curious about what Gio actually wanted advice on.
"What happened in the Animal Kingdom?"
"Joo-Hyun, my noble friend. Please hear me out."
"You're speaking so formally today... Alright, go ahead."
"I returned to my hometown, and..."
After listening to the full story, Joo-Hyun's face twisted into something complex.
"..."
"You're angry?"
"You're not angry after being smeared with such a terrible rumor?"
Joo-Hyun could understand the fox tribe's position. When death was the only thing left, what choice did they have but to cling to whatever they could, even an evil god?
What made her angry was the humans before the collapse—those who recorded Argio as the worst kind of monster. How vile could they be?
"You don't even know what I did back then."
"I don't need to. We've spent time together."
She didn't know exactly what he'd done, but she was certain he hadn't committed acts like cannibalism. Argio was a god of pure wrath—not a being of such vile acts.
"Even objectively, it's unlikely you'd eat humans. Livestock are bred to yield more meat. Humans don't exactly have good meat yield."
"Exactly. I'm a gourmet."
Along the same lines, he had no intention of eating foxes who could speak, disguise themselves, and had nothing to offer in terms of meat.
Still, it was hard to explain that while delighting in the evil god's infamy.
"No matter what I say, they'll just be scared."
It was exhausting.
"I just wanted to ease their fear and make a trade, but she suddenly offered herself as a living sacrifice, so I gave them food and ran."
"Well... giving food despite that is very Gio-like. But was there something worth trading with the foxes?"
"I was going to ask them to help me find someone. Someone in the Animal Kingdom called me. I haven't found them yet. I wanted help from the locals."
"Isn't it unusual that you can't find someone who called you? You usually have no problem with that on Earth. Why now?"
"Because it's hard to track the location. The voice was faint. And the area is twisted due to the dungeoning. If they called again while I was in the Animal Kingdom, I'd know immediately—but for now, it's difficult."
"Don't tell me... they're dead? I hate thinking this, but that place sounds chaotic and dangerous."
"I don't think they're dead. But there's no choice now but to find them myself."
It wasn't realistic to search that massive forest alone. He couldn't send Dana or Honey by themselves either—it might be dangerous.
He had only asked Dana to collect spirits because she could identify them with precision.
'That's different from a full-blown exploration. It could be dangerous.'
Not just for his children, who'd have to enter the forest, but also for the forest that would have to endure his children.
If he could solve it with local help, there was no reason to risk more.
And if he could comfort the other beast tribes in the process—well, that would be ideal.
"..."
Thinking of that, Gio felt wronged all over again.
"My children are afraid of me..."
"Please don't cry."
Joo-Hyun was at her wit's end.
'Twice in one day... I've seen an evil god cry twice in one day.'
This ridiculous situation continued until Yoo Seong-Woon visited Joo-Hyun's home.
-x-X-x-
"So, what exactly were you doing?"
Gio responded to Yoo Seong-Woon's question.
"I was discussing what the wisest course of action might be."
"Didn't look like anything that constructive was going on."
See—Joo-Hyun had already collapsed on the couch, completely drained. For an upright citizen like him, not yet fully adapted to divine logic, spending time between two evil gods had clearly taken its toll.
Yoo Seong-Woon took Joo-Hyun's place at the table.
"So if I summarize this... Arzio, already widely known as an 'evil god,' is wondering how to befriend the animals in the 'Animal Kingdom,' right?"
"Correct."
Gio nodded.
"Up through the wolf tribe, I felt no sense of crisis whatsoever. I thought Gargar was scared of me simply because he's a bit of a coward."
"That poor guy must be so wrongly accused..."
"Yes, I misunderstood. It wasn't that Gargar was cowardly—it's just that the wolves are especially tough. They accepted me so easily that I became arrogantly confident in my own social skills..."
"And the result of that overconfidence was the fox tribe's terror."
"If I'd known this would happen, I would have hidden myself more thoroughly from the start."
Though he said that, both Yoo Seong-Woon and Gio knew he never would've made that choice. This wasn't true regret—just a flat, one-dimensional lament.
"Hm..."
Yoo Seong-Woon rolled his eyes.
"What about your go-to solution—feeding them?"
"Oh heavens above, it didn't work."
"So even your almighty food strategy failed. I always knew you'd crash and burn someday."
"Maybe my cooking wasn't good enough, or I picked the wrong menu. No matter how much I tried to coax and soothe them, the fox tribe couldn't let go of their fear of me."
"That's pretty normal..."
Maybe not for Yoo Seong-Woon, who was familiar with the mystical, or Joo-Hyun, who was weirdly fearless—but for most sentient beings, it was entirely appropriate to fear a terrifying god of legend. Gio looked deeply wronged.
"But when I fed student Chara—Cha I-Sol's family member—her guard clearly went down. I believed in my culinary skills, only to be betrayed."
"Well, back then no one knew anything about you. But for the fox tribe, you're like a living natural disaster—someone from the ancient past who ate people, built rivers of blood, and did every wicked thing imaginable. How could good food make that fear go away?"
"I feel wronged."
"I think the ones who should feel most wronged are the wolves."
They'd been so tough that Gio had thought, "Ah, this much is fine hehe." They, who'd seemed indifferent to him, had no idea that Gio had never once considered them threatening. They probably thought any mercy from an evil god was just a whim.
"..."
"..."
Into that near-standoff silence, Sankallut spoke up.
"Give up."
"Who said you get to decide that?"
"For beings as insignificant as these to not fear a divine being recognized by the dimensions themselves as a sacred evil... Even I, who don't understand how to communicate with intelligent life, think that's quite a shameless expectation."
"You get more articulate every time you insult someone. Is it that your interests and aptitudes finally aligned, Sankallut?"
"Yes, I find it entertaining."
"Evil god, through and through."
"You too."
How wholesome.
'Terrifying.'
Despite the awkwardness, Yoo Seong-Woon sided with Sankallut.
"I agree, honestly. Even among humans—let alone gods—it's not easy to comfort someone who's deeply afraid of you without brainwashing or charm skills. If there's a historical reason for that fear, it's even harder."
"You think so too?"
"If you rush in without giving them space, you'll just intensify their fear. I've said it before, but Gio, you can be... greedy."
"Isn't it only natural to want to enjoy everything I can?"
"You might be able to do anything you want, but unless you resort to vile acts like mind manipulation, it's not going to be easy."
"...So time really is the only answer..."
"You're acting kind of impatient, which isn't like you."
Yoo Seong-Woon crossed his arms and asked,
"Is there a reason? You're not the type to force friendships. Usually you'd just leave people be if they were scared, or accept it if they wanted to grow close."
"Like you said, it's just my own selfishness."
Arzio let out a deep sigh.
"I shouldn't have let myself think about my family."
"...Ah, so that's it."
Yoo Seong-Woon had heard the story of "Arzio" before.
How he'd grown up in the Black Forest and shared tender times with beast-like family members.
Even if they hadn't spoken the same language back then, there was no way he hadn't loved them. And now, the races in the "Animal Kingdom" revered the evil god as something like a parent deity. That meant the emotional connection must have been immense.
Like an old man who thought all his family was dead, discovering he still had distant blood relatives. And those relatives were children supporting entire households. That might explain why he was so desperate to care for them...
And that "old man" now ran a loan shark business. It made more sense to see his kindness as whimsical than as genuine love.
Strictly speaking, it was ridiculous to even call them "family." They were too distantly connected. Asking for "benevolent charity" made sense in that context—it was more like being treated °• N v l i g h t •° as a pet than a family member or friend.
Still, their bellies were empty. And in such a desolate world, any surviving family would be unbearably precious.
"Hm... I guess being animals at the core plays a part. Even if they've gained human-like intelligence, they're still wolves and foxes, right? Their reasoning and emotions must be far more instinctual."
"Exactly. The world ended, but only humans died. Isn't that strange? They could do so many things, but the smarter they were, the dumber their decisions got..."
Clicking his tongue, Arzio lifted himself from the chair where he'd been slumped.
"...It feels wrong to keep scaring them. I'll give up my greed too. If I, a scary old man who doesn't even feel like family, go around acting overly friendly, it'll just make things worse. There's no way we'd become close."
"Did you just read my mind?"
"Oh, how alike our thoughts must be. What joy."
"...That's kind of gross."
Still, Yoo Seong-Woon nodded.
"Try to be objective. I get what you're trying to say, but to them, you're not family or a friend—you're an evil god. Maybe one day you'll become something else, but not yet."
"Fair enough."
Gio admitted he'd been too hasty.
***
The crows were wise.
They remembered the longest histories. They excelled at strategy, wielded magic more skillfully than any other, and created tools to protect their small and fragile bodies.
There was no way they didn't know about the "evil god."
"..."
Perched silently on a branch, they observed him.
If he's not human, why does he take human form?
Valf, the crow chieftain, was the first of the three to recognize Gio for what he was. He had flown tirelessly through the Black Forest, trying to keep the crumbling world from collapsing entirely.
Unfortunately, crows lacked the keen sense of smell wolves and foxes possessed. But their vision was sharp. He saw the small figure in the black cloak, soaked in light and shadow and death, and knew he was not human.
There was nothing human in his appearance... and yet.
Valf saw it.
"..."
The bloody aura.
The divine presence imitating human flesh beneath that noble hide.
Ah. He is a god.
An unexpected guest visiting a ruined world.
Even Valf, with his dull sense of smell, caught the thick scent of blood and felt the burning rage in the red strands of hair. And yet—his voice was soft. His gestures, kind. His steps, deceptively light...
At 114 years old, Valf remembered countless histories. He understood: this was the "Forgotten Wrath."
He will be the end—or the beginning.
Death or opportunity.
But what to choose?
Would the chance to choose even come?
Valf knew more about the "Forgotten Wrath" than most. Not only did he eat living beings, he demanded constant live offerings from humans and sometimes, on a whim, would go hunting and plunge the world into chaos.
A vicious beast. A monster who enjoyed taking human form. A weaver of beautiful, delicate battlefields.
Valf was afraid.
Perhaps we were born from his rage, but that doesn't mean he sees us that way. It's likely he never even noticed. What kind of affection can exist for life created in a single step?
The only faint hope was that "Gio" had shown interest in beast-shaped lifeforms for quite a while.
What about them had amused him so?
That they could speak?
"..."
Still, perhaps it could be endured.
...Better to become a slave to the evil god than for these living beings to die. Even if that mercy costs them the future, what matters now is the opportunity. Gargar seems to understand that.
But that was a lesser evil—not the best path.
With luck, maybe they'd gain a better future. But they might end up with collars around their necks, slaves to a wicked divinity. Maybe our generation has no choice, but thinking of future generations makes it feel like a sin.
Gargar, the wolf chieftain, said he would trust the god because he had treated him like a friend. But the crows weren't as loyal as the wolves. They didn't cower like the foxes, but they had to be more cautious.
"..."
"You there."
The evil god below called out to him.
"Yes, you."
"Caw."
"So much on your mind."
"..."
"Why is everyone so thoughtful all of a sudden?"
"...What do you want from us?"
"I want you to be my friend."
It felt genuine.
But how can one trust anything a god says?
He couldn't.
To mortals, gods were vast, unknowable forces. Whether they understood or not, things would happen as the gods willed them. Still, Valf thought, pondered, and trembled.
Because a single gesture from the evil god could extinguish their tiny flames of life.
"The word 'friend' feels so hollow."
"Then what words are you waiting to hear from me?"
"Your constant joy frightens me. You wear a human form but aren't human. Your every word feels like fate—it shakes the world."
"Well then, what if I promise? That I won't harm you?"
"This lowly creature cannot believe even that. Forgive me."
That gentle face and kind touch—they could be easily faked. They had no right to choose. Destiny would come. The living could only prepare.
And so the crow dared to suggest—
"Please enslave us."
"What's the difference from being a slave?"
"Bind us to your soul. Rule us with your tongue. Crush us with your hand. Let us find bliss in a single glance from you. Please contract us."
"Such frightening words..."
"We beg for a deal, not mercy."
"Oh, poor thing. You really think that's a 'deal,' don't you?"
The evil god laughed deeply.
"I understand your fear. Yes, kindness you can't comprehend is even more terrifying. But when I name a fair price, cowards like you can finally feel at ease."
For he was wrathful—but merciful.
"So I refuse."
"..."
"There's plenty of time, isn't there, Valf?"
"...You're saying we'll eventually come to rely entirely on you."
"I was born arrogant and never learned to do things I don't like. If I'm going to win anyway, why make losing moves?"
"O divine one, have you come to rule this place?"
"I came because I saw its potential to improve."
The evil god narrowed his eyes.
"Still, if you're so uneasy, I'll ask you a favor. If I do, I'll owe you. And when the disaster you fear comes, you'll have something to claim from me."
"Speak it, I'll do as you ask."
"Find the one who summoned me."
It was the voice of a ruler.
"The one who called me back to this desolate, silent homeland—find them. They may be a beast, a human you haven't seen, or something hiding and playing dead."
Who was it that summoned this god again?
That meant someone knew his true name.
A name even Valf, who had lived 114 years, didn't know.
Someone had summoned this god of war and wrath—and Gio had answered, taking human form to stand here now.
Was this the end? Or the beginning?
"..."
When a god issues a trial, there is no choice.
"...I'll find them."
"I look forward to it."
Valf felt the beginning of calamity as he took to the sky.
***
"..."
Gio rubbed his face.
'I really do look kind of scary, don't I?'
This damned face of his.
-x-X-x-