Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1913: I am not the God you deserved…

From the conversation he had with the old man in the previous timeline, Aether knew that the man had been involved with the Slums and had secretly helped people who managed to escape from that place.

If that was true, then the old man must have known the Slums inside and out.

Aether looked at the old man and said, “I need to know how to get into the Slums.”

The old man slowly raised his head, and the grumpy expression that had rested on his face faded almost immediately.

“I think you’ve got the wrong idea. This is a pawn shop. If you’re not here to buy anything, then you should leave,” he said calmly, although his fingers had already moved beneath the desk, preparing for the worst.

Aether quietly watched him. He noticed the tension in the old man’s expression and the subtle movement of his hands beneath the desk.

It was clear that the old man was preparing to pull the same shit as before.

However, this time, Aether did not resort to violence or even threaten him. Instead, he simply smiled. “I didn’t come here to fight you. I already got some information from the other Slum residents you saved.”

Hearing that, the old man’s lips twitched. “Those ungrateful bastards,” he muttered through gritted teeth, clearly believing that someone had ratted him out.

However, Aether calmly shook his head.

“No, I didn’t come here to arrest you or cause any trouble.” He placed a hand against his chest before continuing,

“I just need to know how to get inside. My mother is trapped in there. She’s the only family I have left… and I won’t abandon her.”

The old man’s frown deepened as he stared into Aether’s eyes, carefully searching for even the slightest sign of deception. Yet, no matter how long he looked, he could not read anything from the boy’s expression.

Aether stepped forward and lowered his voice slightly. “Please, Sir…. I really need your help. She has zero Aevum!”

For the first time, the old man noticed something different in Aether’s eyes. There was no desperation, no attempt to manipulate him, and no fear.

There was only a quiet sincerity that made the old man hesitate.

And also… that important detail, ‘Zero Aevum’ enough to make the old man realise he was telling the truth.

The old man remained silent for a moment before finally sighing.

“The Slums are not a place that just anyone can enter. Security is strict, and the gates are heavily controlled. Those who possess a VIP pass are allowed through the outer checkpoints first.”

Aether gave him a small smile. “It’s alright. I’ll be fine.”

The old man stared at him for a few seconds before speaking again.

“I’m telling you, boy… you might die before you ever see your mother.”

Aether’s smile did not disappear. “I won’t. Besides, ‘giving up’ isn’t even in my dictionary.”

The old man studied the boy in silence.

There was something burning behind Aether’s calm expression, something that made it clear that no warning would change his mind.

“You’ll get yourself killed!”

Yet Aether only smiled.

The old man let out another tired sigh and shook his head.

“Well, it’s your choice, then.” He turned around and walked toward the backroom, disappearing behind the half-open door as he went to retrieve something.

Aether quietly watched him disappear into the room. Once the old man was gone, his gaze slowly drifted across the shop until it settled on a framed photograph sitting on a nearby table.

It was a picture of the old man with his family.

He stared at the photograph for several seconds… There was only a faint emptiness in his expression.

[Aether?]

Log called him.

Aether’s expression softened into a faint smile. “I’m alright… Haha. I was just thinking about the past…” he mumbled, his eyes remaining fixed on the photograph.

A short while later, the old man returned from the backroom with a rolled-up scroll tucked beneath his arm. He walked over to the table, placed the scroll down, and carefully spread it open across the surface.

The old man placed one finger against a particular section of the map.

“This is the Beta Division.”

Aether leaned closer, his eyes following the markings across the map as the old man began explaining the route into the Slums.

“You see this border where it shows the beach, right? Actually, it was fake…” the old man explained, tracing his finger along the coastline marked on the map.

Aether acted as if he was genuinely surprised and first time hearing this all.

It was similar to the hidden path Lily had discovered in her division, although the security here seemed slightly more relaxed. If he followed the route properly, Aether should be able to reach the Slums without attracting too much attention.

The old man continued explaining the route, pointing out several locations where security cameras were positioned and showing him which paths were safer to use.

“However, once you enter, there will be a checkpoint,” the old man said. “Without a VIP pass, they won’t allow you through unless…”

His voice trailed off as his eyes slowly travelled over Aether’s fancy clothes.

“If you load up very well, then you might have a chance,” as he handed over the map to Aether.

Aether nodded. “Understood.” He folded the map carefully.

The old man stared at him for a moment before sighing. “You really are determined to walk straight into hell, aren’t you?”

Aether gave him a small smile. “I have people waiting for me there.”

The old man did not respond to that.

Aether then reached into his belongings and took out a pouch filled with gold and gems he had obtained from Beta.

He held it out toward the old man. “Thank you for the help, Sir.”

The old man immediately pushed the pouch back toward him.

“I didn’t sell you anything, so there’s no need for that.”

Aether blinked and looked at the pouch before looking back at the old man.

“You sold me information. I think it’s worth something.”

The old man shook his head,

“I’m refusing to take money from someone who is about to walk into the Slums and possibly get himself killed.”

“Then consider it payment for your time.”

“I don’t need it.”

Aether stared at him for a moment before softly sighing and shaking his head.

“You stubborn old man…”

The old man grumbled as he pushed the pouch away again. “And you’re an irritating brat.”

Aether chuckled softly.

For a brief moment, the atmosphere inside the small pawn shop became strangely peaceful.

Then Aether’s gaze drifted toward the picture frame he had noticed earlier.

Aether stared at it for several seconds before asking quietly,

“Is that… your family? Where are they?”

The old man followed his gaze and reached toward the photograph, and straightened it with two fingers.

“Yeah. They’re in a happy place.”

Aether remained silent.

Did he regret his actions from his previous timeline?

Ruthlessly killing this man who had helped him?

Honestly, no.

Just as Aether had said before, if he regretted his actions, then he would be rejecting a part of himself.

He had done what needed to be done. That was all.

He would not pretend his hands were clean simply because he had found another path.

Every burden was his to bear, whether it was a curse or worship.

Whether people hated him, feared him, cursed him, or eventually prayed to him, he would carry all of it within his heart.

That was the price of his choices.

Aether looked at the old man again.

“Do you have any wishes?”

The old man blinked.

“Wishes?”

“Yeah.”

The old man stared at him for a few seconds before letting out a dry laugh.

“What are you talking about, brat? Wishes? Haha… What are you, a God?”

A faint smile appeared on Aether’s face.

“Just humour me, old man.”

The old man shook his head. “You really ask strange questions.”

Then the old man looked away.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

“I don’t have any…”

His voice gradually faded as his eyes returned to the photograph.

His fingers lightly touched the edge of the frame.

“I wish… I wish everything could go back to how it was before.”

The words carried a quiet melancholy.

Aether stared at him for several seconds… and he lowered his head, knowing that wish could never come.

Aether slowly stood from the chair and turned toward the door again and began walking away.

However, just as he was about to leave, a voice so soft and ethereal echoed through the quiet shop.

“I am not the God you deserved… but I will be the God you need.”

The words lingered in the air after Aether had already stepped outside.

The door closed behind him.

The old man blinked as he stared at it, his expression filled with confusion.

“What the…”

He remained seated for a moment, staring at the closed door.

There was something strange about that kid.

The old man could not explain it, and perhaps that was what unsettled him the most.

Just as he was about to slouch back into his chair, his foot struck something beneath the desk.

Clang…

The old man looked down.

His eyes widened slightly when he recognised the pouch.

He bent down and picked it up, staring at it in disbelief.

“When did he…”

He opened the pouch and saw the gold and gems inside. Then he noticed several words written across the fabric.

“This is for the map, old man~”

The old man’s lips twitched as he read the message.

For a moment, he tried to maintain his annoyed expression.

He failed.

A soft smile slowly appeared on his face as he shook his head.

“Really…”

He looked toward the closed door once more.

“What a weird boy.”

For a brief moment, the old man looked down at the pouch in his hands.

Then he quietly muttered, “I hope you find her, kid.”

[+200 AP]

***

**

*

Meanwhile, Aether immediately followed the map without hesitation. The moment he left the pawn shop, he activated his skill and bolted toward the border at full speed.

He knew that if he wanted to, he could simply contact Genome Beta. With her authority and resources, getting into the Slums would probably have been far easier than taking this route.

But… that was precisely the problem.

He could not reveal the truth to her.

Whatever happened in this place, Aether had to handle it alone.

The fewer people who knew about his circumstances, the safer it would be for him and everyone connected to him.

So he continued running through the middle of the night, his footsteps barely making a sound against the empty streets. The cold air rushed past his face as the city gradually disappeared behind him.

Without stopping, it took him only half an hour to reach the border.

The sound of waves crashing against the shore slowly became louder as he approached. Beyond the darkness, the ocean stretched endlessly beneath the night sky, its surface reflecting the faint lights scattered across the distant city.

Aether slowed down as he approached the border.

Several soldiers were stationed nearby, watching the restricted area.

Unlike Zeta, there were far fewer soldiers stationed here, and most of them looked barely awake. Some stood with their weapons resting against their shoulders, while others occasionally glanced around with tired expressions.

Aether quietly observed them before looking down at the map.

The route marked by the old man pointed toward the right.

There.

Aether turned toward the narrow alley beside the border and pulled the hood of his jacket over his head.

He slipped into the passage without attracting any attention.

The path became narrower the deeper he went. He eventually found the dug-out pipe mentioned on the map and lowered himself into it, crawling through the cramped passage before reaching the sewage channel on the other side.

The smell was unbearable.

He continued forward until the passage finally opened near the electrical fence surrounding the restricted area.

The fence hummed quietly as electricity coursed through it. Finding an opening just like the other one, he entered through it.

Once he reached the other side, he stood up and continued toward the ocean.

The waves grew louder with every step.

Eventually, he reached the coastline.

In front of him stood what appeared to be nothing more than an enormous ocean wallpaper on a thick, clothed veil.

Aether stopped before it.

He reached up, lifted the display cloth, and stepped underneath it.

The moment he passed through, the scenery changed.

And just like before…

He arrived at a place that barely had any color in it.

The Slums.

Aether immediately bolted toward the checkpoint.

Since it was the middle of the night, there were almost no people around. The usually crowded checkpoint was practically empty, with only a single armed guard stationed there.

Aether approached him.

The armed man blinked when he noticed someone arriving at such an unusual hour.

“It’s rare to see people coming through at this time,” the man said, extending his hand. “ID.”

Clang…

Something heavier than an identification card landed in his palm.

The man looked down.

His expression froze when he saw the pouch.

He opened it slightly.

Golden light reflected across his face as he caught sight of the gold and brightly colored gems inside.

His eyes widened.

For a brief moment, his eyes practically formed a pair of ‘$’.

Then his entire attitude changed.

His stern face softened into a welcoming smile.

“Welcome, Dear Sir.”

He immediately stepped aside and gestured for Aether to enter.

The armed man’s face practically radiated happiness as he held the pouch tightly in his hand.

Since he was the only person stationed here tonight, there was no need to share the unexpected fortune with anyone else.

He glanced around before quietly pocketing the pouch.

Then, with a sly little laugh, he walked away.

Aether paid him no attention.

He opened the map and carefully examined the route, comparing his current position with the marked destination.

Then he took another map from his storage.

This one was a map of the Zeta Division.

He had already drawn the route he remembered from his previous timeline.

He could not remember every detail perfectly, but he remembered enough.

The number of turns.

The direction in which he had been taken.

The markings were rough and vague, but they were enough to guide him.

Aether immediately started running.

The distance was far greater than he had expected, and he knew it would take considerable time to reach the location.

So he pushed himself to his absolute limit.

His breathing became heavier as he accelerated.

The world around him began to blur.

Buildings, broken streets, flickering streetlights, and abandoned structures turned into streaks of light as Aether continued forward without slowing down.

He did not stop.

The Slums gradually became darker and more broken the deeper he went.

Aether continued running until, finally…

Step.

His footsteps slowed.

He had reached the location.

Aether’s chest rose and fell rapidly as he stood there, covered in sweat. His legs trembled slightly from the strain, as though he had been running for hours without stopping.

He slowly looked around.

The surroundings were familiar.

The broken houses.

The unpaved paths.

The damaged walls.

And then…

His eyes landed on a huge container.

A container that held chilli paste.

Aether’s eyes narrowed slightly.

‘Yup… this is the place.’

He stood there for a moment, allowing the memory to settle in.

Then he moved forward.

His legs still trembled as he approached the house.

The closer he got, the faster his heart began to beat.

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

Aether stopped in front of the door.

He raised his hand.

His fingers hovered inches away from it.

He was about to knock when-

‘Open?’

Aether’s eyes narrowed.

He slowly pushed the door farther open and stepped inside.

The interior was completely dark.

Not a single light was turned on.

Aether stood near the entrance and quietly looked around.

“Hello? Is anybody here?”

His voice echoed faintly through the house.

No answer.

Aether frowned.

Something felt wrong.

As he took another step forward, he felt something beneath his boots.

Wet?

The floor felt strangely damp, almost as though some liquid had been spilled across it.

Aether’s frown deepened.

He reached into his storage and pulled out a small flashlight.

Click.

The light switched on.

He slowly raised it and swept the beam across the dark room.

The light passed over the walls.

The furniture.

The floor.

Then—

!!!

Aether froze.

A figure was lying on the floor, covered in blood motionlessly.