Swoosh.
Oh Kang-Woo sipped a coffee he ordered as he looked down from above at the people filling the seaside streets.
Jingle.
A bell rang in the small coffee shop once the door opened.
"WelcâGasp!"
The employee smiled as they were about to greet the man who entered the coffee shop when they froze. A nearly two-meter muscular man, exuding suffocatingly powerful energy, smiled as he looked at the employee.
"E-Eek!" The employee flinched in shock.
"I would like a warm americano, please."
"Pardon? Ah, yes, sir! Wh-What size would you like?"
"Hehehe. The largest you have."Unlike his appearance, the affable man politely handed the employee his credit card. He then received a guest pager from the employee and turned to the coffee shop window seats.
"How long has it been?! It is so good to see you again, Kang-Woo hyung⌠nim?"
The man stared at the little boy sitting at the window seat in disbelief, his mouth agape.
Kang-Woo clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. "I told you over the phone that I shrunk for reasons."
"H-Haha!! I did not think you had gotten this small!"
"The way you speak is straight out of a martial arts novel like always."[1]
"I love martial arts novels."
"I didnât ask," said Kang-Woo, smiling as he stared at Kang Tae-Soo whom he had not seen in a while, to the point he could barely remember him. "Have you been well?"
"Of course I have! All thanks to you, hyung-nim!" Tae-Soo sat down and nodded strongly. "After all, you saved this world from the hands of those wicked demons!"
"..." Kang-Woo narrowed his eyes as Tae-Soo shouted excitedly. "How do you know that?"
Kim Si-Hun was publicly known as the one who saved Earth by killing the demons from the Ninth Hell who invaded Earth. Only a few people knew that Kang-Woo was the one who killed Bael and saved the world.
"Mm. You might not have seen me, but I was also battling the demons in Seoul three years ago," Tae-Soo expressed.
"Oh right, you were a member of Guardians too."
"And just then! As I was running away after we were ordered to evacuate, I saw you fighting against the leader of the demons by pure coincidence! Thatâs why I had an inkling that although it wasnât public, it was all thanks to you!"
"I see."
âWait a second. Then does that mean he saw me turn into a demon?â
Si-Hun, Cha Yeon-Joo, and others he was close to knew about his true identity, but Tae-Soo did not know Kang-Woo was a demon.
"The wings and horns you had back thenâŚ" Tae-Soo slurred.
âFuck. He saw them. Shit, what should I say? How can I bullshit my way out of having demon wings and hornsââ
"Were they cash items?"
âIs this dude an idiot?â
"Uhh⌠Yeah. Theyâre custom-made equipment I poured a lot of money into."
"Wow! I knew it! I do not know where you got them, but they were so cool! Flames were coming out of them too!! A man has got to have wings!"
"..."
Kang-Wooâs expression grew darker as he stared at Tae-Soo clenching his fist in amazement.
âWas this guy always this stupid?â
He searched through his memories but he couldnât recall them right away as if they were covered by a thick fog.
âNo wonder, weâve barely kept in touch.â
Kang-Woo had not kept in touch with Tae-Soo from around the time he dealt with Koreaâs Demon Cult and went to Japan.
"Kaaaahhh!! You canât go wrong with an americano!"
Tae-Soo, who came back to the table after getting his coffee from the counter, downed the steaming coffee like it was a cold beer. Seeing that, Kang-Wooâs memories of Tae-Soo became more vivid.
"Hehe. That aside, how is sister-in-law[2] doing?" asked Tae-Soo after emptying his coffee cup and then smiling bitterly.
"Sheâs doing great, of course. Weâre even thinking about getting married soon."
"Whoa! You guys were already hitting it off when I first met you two, but already?! I knew you two were meant to be from the moment I met you guys!" Tae-Soo shouted excitedly and nodded repeatedly. "Hehe. It sure was nice when I first awakened as a Player, running Gates with Si-Hun and sister-in-law⌠Iâll be able to brag that I used to be in the same party as Si-Hun for the rest of my life!"
Tae-Soo pounded his chest. His expression full of excitement carried a sense of sorrow he couldnât hide as he reminisced.
"..."
Kang-Woo remained silent as Tae-Soo shouted noisily to shoo away his sorrow. He could tell where Tae-Sooâs sorrow stemmed from.
âI was planning on raising Tae-Soo to the end in the beginning.â
When Kang-Woo first discovered Tae-Sooâs talent, he was thinking about raising Tae-Soo as a dependable tank who could protect Seol-Ah. However, it did not take long for him to scrap that idea.
âBecause Si-Hun appeared.â
Tae-Soo was highly talented but couldnât compare to Si-Hunâ no, comparing the two was pointless, considering the rapid growth Si-Hun displayed.
âIf I had to say, Seol-Ah was more the unexpected variable.â
Si-Hun possessed enough talent to shock Kang-Woo from the moment they met, but Seol-Ah ended up growing at a speed on par with Si-Hun because of Seraphâs soul, which Kang-Woo had not expected in the slightest.
âHence, Tae-Soo was naturally left alone.â
He fell behind, unable to keep up with the two of them. He fell so behind that even if he were in a party with Si-Hun and Seol-Ah, he would only get in their way.
"Hahahaha! Wipe that gloomy expression off your face. Even I know I am nowhere near good enough to stay with them," remarked Tae-Soo as he laughed heartily, sensing the somber mood.
"OkayâŚ" Kang-Woo nodded with a smile.
It wasnât anyoneâs fault. To make a comparison, it was like three people starting a game together on the same day but could no longer play together because their gap in rank grew too large. No, if this were a game, they could just laugh it off, saying it was a skill issue.
âBut this is reality.â
A single mistake in battle could cost someone their life. Taking along a party member who was falling behind was not commendable; it was a moronic act that could jeopardize the entire party.
âAn ignorant act of goodwill is no different from ill will.â
Kang-Woo smiled bitterly.
Tae-Soo shrugged and continued, "But I have not let myself fall behind! I was officially promoted to captain in Guardians!"
"Oh, congrats, man."
Kang-Woo looked at Tae-Soo in genuine surprise. One couldnât be a captain in Guardians unless they were extraordinarily skilled.
"If youâre a captain of Guardians, wouldnât that mean youâre about the level of a World Ranker?" Kang-Woo asked.
"Mm. I would be in past standards, but not anymore."
"Oh, I see."
It had already been ten years since the Day of Calamity; the average level of Players had naturally risen over time.
âBut heâs at least a High Ranker.â
Although the average level of Players rose, only a few of them managed to reach the ranks of High Rankers.
âI knew I wasnât wrong.â
Tae-Soo couldnât compare to people like Si-Hun and Seol-Ah, but that standard was far too high for anyone to compare to. Tae-Soo was insanely skilled in regular Player standards. Kang-Woo put down his coffee cup and smiled.
"If youâre a captain, arenât you busy? Is it okay for you to be meeting with a bum like me in the middle of the day?"
"Oh, I was tasked to handle a special mission with Si-Hun. It is not something that can be resolved right away, so I have some time."
Kang-Wooâs eyes shone the moment Tae-Soo mentioned a special mission.
"Is it the Wikiholic investigation?" he asked.
"Hehe, I had a feeling you knew about it."
"How can I not when itâs so unique?" Kang-Woo said as he stood up. "Then come to my house today. We can have dinner together with my Darling."
"Going home already?"
"Itâs dangerous outside."
Kang-Woo needed to be extra cautious now that the Wikiholic was active. Tae-Soo nodded.
"I agree. You should be careful, considering your condition. I should have met you at your home instead."
"I called you here because I wanted to get some fresh air. Iâve been stuck at home all day lately."
"Hehe. Sister-in-law must have a firm hold on you."
"Uhh⌠Yeah. She does."
Seol-Ah did indeed have a firm hold on him in many ways, including his [censored].
"Right then, letâs go."
Kang-Woo and Tae-Soo left the small coffee shop near the coast and walked to Kang-Wooâs apartment.
"Whoa! That entire building is yours, hyung-nim?!"
As they were chitchatting, Tae-Sooâs mouth was left agape as he witnessed Kang-Wooâs super luxurious apartment building. One could only treat an entire apartment building as if it were their home if they were filthy rich.
"Yeah. I remodeled it to have an onsen, swimming pool, billiard room, bowling alley, and all sorts of stuff."
Such facilities were made but they only used the onsen because the entire building would collapse if Balrog or Si-Hun were to bowl.
"I-I am so envious!!"
"Hehe. Iâm sure you make lots of money yourself, donât you?"
"Ngh. Even so, not enough to live in a place like this," Tae-Soo smiled bitterly and shook his head.
Whoooomâ!!
As they were chatting away, they were enveloped by golden light out of nowhere.
"...!"
"Th-This isâŚ!"
Anxiety filled Kang-Woo and Tae-Sooâs expressions.
[Children of the broken Law.]
A giant lion with a radiant golden mane appeared in front of them.
âMotherfucker!!â
Kang-Woo fiercely frowned as the monster known among Players as the Wikiholic, the golden lion nearly five meters tall, stood in front of him.
[I will test whether or not you are worthy of pursuing the truth even within the tilted scale.]
"H-Hyung-nim!"
"I know!"
Tae-Soo quickly stood between the Wikiholic and Kang-Woo.
Ker-thunk!
His wristwatch turned into a white shield covering his upper body. Kang-Woo, who was behind Tae-Soo, anxiously touched the golden barrier around them.
âShit.â
He gathered the meager amount of demonic energy from the Abyss into his hand and hit the barrier but it did not even budge.
âMy body hasnât been destroyed, so I canât destroy the barrier using the Demonic Sea.â
Self-harm was pointless because it did not register as a threat to the Demonic Sea. The Wikiholic did not seem to have any intention of attacking, and Kang-Woo had no way of defeating the Wikiholic who possessed Deific Essence.
âThen the only choice left is⌠to answer its question correctly.â
Kang-Woo gritted his teeth and clenched his fists. Cold sweats ran down his back. It was the least desirable choice but there was no other way.
[Here is your question,] said the Wikiholic.
Kang-Woo gulped.
[The manâs full name is Andrew Warhola Jr., and one of his best-known works is theMarilynseries. He was a leading figure in the pop art movement from the 1960s to the 1980s, a pioneer of modern art, and left an undying legacy. What name is he best known as, and recite one of his famous quotes.]
"Huh�"
As Kang-Woo had heard, the question sounded like an SAT question. His eyes widened.
âI think⌠I know this.â
He did not have even an ounce of interest in art but the individual was so famous that he had at least heard the name before.
"His name is⌠Andy⌠AndyâŚ"
Kang-Woo fell into thought as he pulled on his hair.
Boom!!
Just then, Tae-Soo confidently stepped forward.
"Hahahahaha!! I was worried over nothing!!"
"Wait a goddamn second."
âPlease, just stay put.â
"I have the answer!"
âThereâs no fucking way you do.â
"That artist said this!" shouted Tae-Soo as he clapped his hands together.
Kang-Wooâs eyes shone as he saw how confident Tae-Soo was. He stared at him full of anticipation.
âHuh? Could it be? Thereâs no way he would be this confident if he didnât knowâŚâ
Tae-Soo put down his shield and shouted, "Take a shit!"
âThe fuck? You want to take a shit right here and now?â
"Only then will you become famous!"
âOf course, youâd become famous if you take a shit in public.â
"That is the most famous quote from the artist I admire the most, Andy Asshol!"
"Son of a bitch."â
âAdmire most, my ass. You shouldâve at least gotten his name right, dammit.â
"Haha! Perfect answer, is it not?!"
[...]
The lion with the golden mane stared at the two men.
Kang-Woo quickly extended his arm and shouted, "H-Hey! Wait! Iâll answer it! Give us a little more timeâŚ!"
[Wrong answer,] the Wiliholic said firmly. [You are not worthy of receiving the Great Akartâs blessing.]
A golden wave wrapped Kang-Woo and Tae-Soo.
"Youâ" Kang-Woo turned to Tae-Soo, who was dumbfounded about why his answer was wrong, before getting swept by the wave. "FUCKING MOROOOOOOOOOOOON!!!"
Kang-Woo and Tae-Soo disappeared along with Kang-Wooâs desperate screams.
1. His way of speaking doesnât translate well to English⌠â
2. This is how Tae-Soo refers to Han Seol-Ah. â
erigiiiâs Thoughts
Poor Choi Eun-Bi (the mage in Si-Hunâs first party)... Completely forgotten by both the characters and the authorâŚ