Chapter 168 – Monolith: Isolated Rock

“Kang Geom-Ma didn’t make any additional requests?”

In response to Changseong’s question, an employee standing in front of the great vault door replied:

“No, he just said over the intercom that he was finished. If there was anything odd… it was that his voice sounded a bit sad. But that was probably just my impression.”

“I see. If he had asked for even a single treasure, I would’ve gladly given it to him. Did he really come just to see the monolith? He’s quite a peculiar guy. Is he always like this?”

Changseong turned to look at Media. She responded with a calm expression.

“Geom-Ma is like that. He has no material greed at all. He doesn’t seem like a typical youth—he’s very sober, you could say.”

“In that way, he reminds me of Nibelung when he was young.”

“But not completely. Sieg is like that because he grew up lacking nothing, so he has no interest in those things. Geom-Ma is different… it’s like he’s focused on something beyond material things or fame. Every time I see him, I feel uneasy. As if I need to be by his side to support him.”

Media left the thought hanging and then shook her head.

“Enough talk. Let’s go in.”

“Let’s.”

When the two entered the vault, the monolith came into view in the distance. In front of it, Kang Geom-Ma stood still.

Although he sensed their presence, Kang Geom-Ma didn’t take his eyes off the monolith. Media spoke to him gently.

“Did something happen…?”

“No, no. I’m fine.”

Only then did Kang Geom-Ma look away from the monolith. He silently looked at the woman who was watching him with slight surprise. For a long moment, he said nothing.

Green hair and eyes of the same hue, fresh like the spring’s greenery. For a moment, she reminded him of the little girl he had briefly spoken with. In Kang Geom-Ma’s gaze appeared a faint compassion.

‘Mesther.’

At first, he thought it was just a mission and acted on impulse. And as a result, history changed.

What he experienced was not an illusion. The status window that appeared after completing the mission confirmed it.

‘[Hidden – Using the Crown of Flowers as a catalyst, the timeline World Good is rewritten.]’

If he had only received an additional reward, he might have regretted it.

After all, it was he who altered the course of history. Touching the past causes a temporal paradox with unpredictable consequences. The famous “time paradigm” from science fiction films.

Thinking about the great event this could trigger made any reward feel meaningless. Be it fame, gold, jewels, or the blessing of a legendary spirit… none of it held value.

Perhaps what he had done was a travesty. The official history had been severely distorted. And did he cause a historical split on top of that? The butterfly effect wasn’t even worth mentioning anymore.

Even so, in Kang Geom-Ma’s eyes, there wasn’t the slightest hint of regret. On the contrary, his expression was one of satisfaction.

Kang Geom-Ma calmly walked to the back of the monolith. There appeared a series of drawings with a completely different tone.

There were murals showing cows and sheep grazing, people tending to their gardens. In one corner, something was written in crooked letters.

They were images that allowed one to imagine how that girl had lived the rest of her life. Her trace had been engraved into that stone.

Kang Geom-Ma sighed deeply inside. Although it was a brief encounter, the impact had been profound. Maybe it was due to affinity? After all, he too had suddenly fallen into a completely unknown game world.

Different in form, but similar in essence: loneliness.

Suddenly, Kang Geom-Ma looked at Media. And he smiled slightly. He could already imagine what that brave little girl might look like if she had grown up.

‘She’d probably resemble this beautiful woman standing before me.’

The descendant of that girl, who had lost everything, had become an adult who looked after the young. A strong roof that protected Joaquin Academy. Not only him, but all the students.

The little girl might have lived in solitude, but her descendant lived surrounded by rich relationships and affection.

Kang Geom-Ma felt a slight irony. But that bitter smile faded and turned into a calm, gentle curve.

As he quietly examined the monolith, Kang Geom-Ma suddenly asked,

“Director… what does that writing in the corner say?”

“Of course! Since you’re the one asking, absolutely.”

Media responded enthusiastically. She observed the corner of the monolith carefully, squinting her eyes.

“The style is primitive… but it looks structurally like runic writing…”

She was one of the brightest minds in the world. Moreover, the Poison family had always been known for their talent in languages and script.

“The grammar is ancient, but the structure is solid. I can translate it without issue.”

While Media examined the inscriptions, Changseong, stroking his beard, muttered:

“…Hey, was this always here? I don’t think the Association’s researchers would’ve overlooked such a long text.”

“Oh, please! Shut up, gorilla! Geom-Ma asked with good intent, can you let me concentrate?”

Media shot Changseong a glare, then turned back to Kang Geom-Ma with a tender smile as if nothing had happened.

Changseong awkwardly scratched his cheek.

Media finished deciphering and began to read:

“I felt sad because the mister left without saying anything.
I wanted to tell him something, so I looked for a way… and then I invented something called ‘letters.’
My dad always said I was smart before he died, and it seems he was right.
There’s still a lot to improve, but I think this is pretty good, right?”

·

Twentieth spring since the mister left.

You know? To be honest, when I was left alone for the first time, I held a lot of resentment toward you.

Ah, of course, I’m also very grateful. You saved me from that winged monster.

Even so, it would’ve been better if you had at least said something before leaving…
Now that I think about it, you also left behind the flower crown I made for you, didn’t you?
Seriously, what a joke.

Thinking about it again, I don’t even miss you. Hmpf!

·

Fiftieth spring since the mister left.

Have I grown? Well, not as much as you, but now I can see over most of the bushes.

Now that I remember, you said you were three years younger than me, right…?

Then why the heck do I keep calling you “mister”? You’re younger!

·

One hundred and second spring.

Hi, little brother? You know, I’ve been thinking over these hundred years, and suddenly it occurred to me… maybe you come from a very distant future.

Could it be a woman’s intuition? After that thought, I stopped waiting for you. I just hope that someday these words reach you.
Although, if I could make a small selfish wish…

·

Three hundred and five springs.

Last winter was especially harsh. Every time it gets this cold, loneliness becomes heavier.
I wonder if I have to keep living for so long…

Sometimes I’ve thought about giving up, but I can’t. It’s the life you saved for me, little brother. So I’ll try to live as much as I can.

·

Spring number three hundred forty-seven.

Spring number three hundred ninety-one.

Spring number four hundred twelve.

Spring number four hundred seventy-six.

·

Spring number five hundred.

Did you know that today is my five hundred and twentieth birthday?

Lately, I don’t think life is that hard anymore. Rather, I feel happy to be alive. Sometimes I even want to live another thousand years.

…But if I were to live that long…

……

Could I someday reach the future where you are, mister?

As he listened to Media’s voice, Kang Geom-Ma gazed at the markings carved into the monolith.

As the years passed, the handwriting became more orderly.

In each stroke, one could feel reflection and a struggle to live.

“Make up your mind whether to call me mister or little brother… idiot.”

Kang Geom-Ma muttered to himself. He could barely contain the emotion.

At that moment,

—Flash!

[The level of the human being has increased significantly.]

Kang Geom-Ma rested his forehead against the rough surface of the stone and closed his eyes. Then, he began hitting it hard again and again.

It had been a long time since he felt like this, with his heart about to burst.

If no one had been watching, he would’ve screamed at the top of his lungs.

***

After finishing our business, we left the Seoul branch. Even though Media insisted it wasn’t necessary, Changseong came to see us off.

Right before I got into the car, Changseong held out his hand for a farewell handshake.

“Sorry I didn’t treat you to a meal. And honestly, I didn’t really do much for you.”

“……”

I stared at that big hand for a moment, then shook it. I replied in a neutral tone:

“Next time I come to Korea, let’s do it.”

The response was so direct that both Changseong and Media were surprised.

Even Changseong himself seemed surprised by his own suggestion. He stood there stunned for a few seconds with his hand still in mine, then let out a hearty laugh:

“Ha ha ha! Then it’s a promise!”

After many farewells, Media and I got into the car. The black sedan started moving immediately.

I looked out the window for a moment, then turned my head to the side. There was Media, nodding off.

Pof.

Before long, her head came to rest on my right shoulder. I didn’t move her.

The driver, watching through the rearview mirror, slowed the car slightly. The engine became quieter.

Thanks to that, Media was able to sleep peacefully the entire ride back to the Academy.

***

Lancelot Company. Considered the best among all existing hero agencies.

“Haa… haa…”

A man ran panting through the corridors of gleaming marble. It was Kane, All Mute’s secretary.

Kane arrived at the door labeled “training room” and stopped to catch his breath. He didn’t even knock before entering. It was against all Western protocol, but there was no time for that.

“Ellie!”

All Mute, who was lifting a 220-pound dumbbell, only rolled her eyes.

“What is it?”

“Do you remember that sashimi swordsman we saw at the festival?”

All Mute nodded with a confused expression.

“Of course. He also appeared at the Joaquin incident fighting demons. The foreign press hasn’t stopped talking about him. They say he’s the reincarnation of the founding hero.”

“And you think this is the time to be praising your rival?”

All Mute furrowed her brows.

“Rival?”

“You’re competing for a seat among the Seven Stars! What else would he be? A friend?”

“Ah, that.”

Her indifferent reaction made Kane snap:

“Is this the time to be working out?! The White House just called! Ellie, if you don’t get the spot, they’re going to pass a bill to hit us with a tax penalty.”

“Paying taxes isn’t unusual. It’s just the accumulated amount of what we didn’t pay.”

“Are you kidding me? The amount is three hundred million dollars! Three hundred billion won! That’s the entire quarterly revenue of the company! What do you think happens if it gets seized?”

All Mute lifted and lowered the dumbbell without much interest.

“Paying taxes is every American citizen’s duty.”

“……”

“And you know I’m not particularly interested in the Seven Stars seat. I only considered it because the White House insisted. If someone else is more qualified, let them have it. The Sashimi Saint was the hero of the Joaquin tragedy.”

That’s right. All Mute was that kind of hero. Direct, honest, able to recognize others without hesitation.

That made her lovable to the public—but a headache for her agency.

Honesty? Fine. But in this society, everything comes down to money. And having a star without a business mindset was practically a slap in the face to American capitalism.

‘If it’s come to this…’

Kane let his shoulders drop in defeat. He muttered just loud enough to be heard:

“Well… if that’s your decision, there’s nothing we can do. But the ‘citizens’ who were hoping to see the next Seven Stars hero come from our country… they’re going to feel pretty stupid, you know?”

“……”

“And you think the company is doing this for money? All of this reflects the will of the people. They truly want you, All Mute, to be one of the Seven Stars.”

Thump. The dull thud of the weight disc rolled until it hit Kane’s foot. He glanced sideways at All Mute.

Her expression clearly showed what she was feeling. After staying silent for a while, she said:

“Book a flight to Joaquin Academy.”

Kane suppressed a smile that almost escaped.

“For when?”

“As soon as possible.”

“Okay.”

Kane immediately made the call to prepare the private jet.

‘I’m sorry, Ellie. I know that was low. But it was the only way to save the company.’

The only weakness that could move the noble hero All Mute…

Was her intense patriotism and nationalism.