Read Novel Full Book 2 Chapter 634
Book 2 Chapter 634
Residue's threat did not stop at mere intimidation or warning but exerted real pressure. Gamzard was surely feeling something other than just the blood pulsing within his body.
It must feel like swallowing a time bomb.
“……”
Even so, his agitation was extremely brief.
He opened his eyes wide, sent over a trembling gaze, then closed his eyes again and took a deep breath.
When he opened his eyes again a moment later, his pupils were almost steady.
“Did you hear where this place is?”
“They said it’s the Allocation Center. It’s changed a lot from the place in my memories, though.”
“The Allocation Center you remembered is gone. If that place was the field of new departure, then this place is the field of new beginning.”
“……”
Departure, beginning.
Though sometimes used with the same meaning, they are fundamentally different. Gamzard’s tone also seemed to make a distinction between them.
Residue stood up without haste. It occurred to him anew that sitting side by side with the guy was uncomfortable.
In any case, he had already embedded lightning into his body, so the authority over this bastard’s life and death now belonged to Residue.
When he sat down again in front of Gamzard, the bastard spoke.
“What is happiness?”
“……”
The beginning of bullshit is usually abrupt. It had always been that way, and this time was no different. Residue’s half-lidded eyes showed signs of boredom.
Even though Gamzard looked straight at Residue’s expression, he continued in a composed voice.
“It comes when three elements are satisfied.”
Gamzard extended three fingers, then folded them one by one as he spoke.
“[Goal], [Capability], and lastly, [Friend].”
Then he unfolded the fingers one by one again.
“First, the goal. A happy life must have a goal. A life without purpose is no different from that of a plant. Therefore, from a broader perspective, what distinguishes a mere organism from an intelligent being is the presence of a goal in the heart.” 𝐑áŊՕᛒĘș
Is this truly a correct claim?
A goal does not necessarily bring happiness. Sometimes it is the goal that makes people suffer and drives them mad.
However, Gamzard’s next words somewhat eased the sense of discomfort Residue had felt.
“Secondly, capability. In order to pursue the goal, you need the capability to move toward it, even slowly, one step at a time. No matter how hard or painful the goal may be, it must not be something that is utterly impossible to achieve.”
In that case, the capability Gamzard speaks of could also mean talent.
Residue still had no interest in this bullshit, but for now, he decided to listen until the end.
“And finally. When the goal is achieved, the existence of a friend to share that happiness with is also indispensable.”
“……”
“At this point, a friend can be redefined as another entity. A parent or child, lover, or perhaps a companion.”
“So?”
“What do we have?”
Residue felt as if hot wind was swirling from Gamzard.
“The goal was castrated, the capability suppressed. And we never had any companions to begin with.”
“……”
“What do you think? Don’t you think we’ve lived too long forgetting what happiness is?”
Without even giving Residue a chance to respond, Gamzard continued speaking.
It wasn’t just a feeling. His tone was indeed getting faster.
“How many Absolutes with goals have you seen? I’m not talking about goals instilled by others. I’m talking about a single goal that one truly desires, a unique milestone in this world.”
“……”
“Can’t answer? Of course. You probably haven’t seen one. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you’re bad. Everything was manipulated to be that way. We had no choice but to walk that path according to someone’s intention.”
Gamzard clenched and opened his hand, licking his lips rapidly with his tongue a few times.
An appearance unable to hide his excitement. Residue knew exactly when such a heated state would emerge.
It was when he told others about his dream.
“Think about it. Right after becoming an Absolute, you're dragged to the Top Universe and forced to realize you’re just a frog in a well... It’s a process where the pride and self-respect built over a long time are stripped away. The being who was once the Absolute of a universe, the confidence that considered oneself the most special, is shattered from the beginning.”
“And you say that’s someone’s scheme? That’s quite the grand conspiracy theory. And that’s not something a bastard like you should even be thinking about.”
Gamzard was one of the representatives of the [Council of Absolutes] who governed the Top Universe.
If there were truly a conspiracy, he would not be someone to suspect it but rather one of the Absolutes orchestrating it.
“I’m nothing more than a puppet. A seat like this, if the existence known as Gamzard were to die, someone else would have taken over anyway.”
Residue let out a deep sigh.
There was conviction in Gamzard’s voice, and he was deeply immersed in his own argument. At this moment, he even seemed to have forgotten the existence of the lightning flowing through his body.
“The Giant, he tore out his own heart to create a refuge for us. It was to build a home for the Absolutes. After that, the [Council of Absolutes] began to worry. What should we do now? How do we survive in a world where Destruction has arrived? …God is dead. And the remaining Rulers continued to show no more than minimal interest in us.”
That was to be expected.
To beings like the current Lightning God or the Demon God, the Absolutes held no meaning.
“At that time, we happened to glimpse the lives of humans, as if by fate.”
“……”
“They were dazzling. Humans were already living, having adapted to even this kind of world. It felt as if we had witnessed a single flower blooming in the midst of despair, and we…”
“Ended up imitating that life?”
For the first time, Gamzard smiled brightly.
“We had an epiphany. A lesson that happiness could be found even in the smallest things.”
“……”
“A wise being can find dozens of meanings even in a blade of grass by the roadside. We too, through the mortals we had ignored or simply regarded as beings to protect, came to learn… no, to once again become aware of happiness.”
It now seemed Residue was starting to grasp the true nature of this nauseating city.
“Then the role of the Allocation Center is-”
“We needed roles. New roles that we could immerse ourselves in, temporarily forgetting our identities as Absolutes.”
“……”
In other words, this entire city is no different from a giant stage play.
Residue let out an even deeper sigh than before.
Gamzard continued speaking as if he hadn’t noticed that sigh.
“Lukas Trowman, you seem to have grown considerably powerful as an Absolute. I know that you could kill me easily now with just a flick of a finger. But think carefully. No matter how strong you are, can you handle all the Absolutes in this city? They’re all living in peace now, but that doesn’t mean they’ve given up their powers as Absolutes. You-”
“Gamzard, shut your mouth.”
Though short, Residue’s voice made Gamzard fall silent.
In that moment, Gamzard felt a familiar pressure from Residue’s voice.
Residue pressed his temple tiredly and spoke.
“…First, I would like you to praise this body’s tolerance for not vomiting at your filth. The Top Universe and the Council of Absolutes… I thought those were terms most useful to use against the Rulers, the Twelve Void Lords, and the Four Knights. But what is this disgusting sight before me?”
“Disgusting?”
“Saying I’m disappointed doesn’t even begin to cover it. I find your situation pitiful.”
Despite his words, a smile was spreading across Residue’s face.
It was a natural expression that emerged the moment he truly felt anger, a smile that was also an expression of rage.
“You forgot happiness the moment you became Absolutes, and your goals disappeared? You say a grand conspiracy is controlling you all? Puhaha… This body could refute every one of those pathetic claims head-on, but for the sake of argument, let’s say it’s true. Even so, does that justify your evasion of responsibility?”
“Evasion of responsibility?”
“Weren’t all of those your choices?”
Residue looked at Gamzard’s face.
Seeing the dumb look staring back at him, as if not understanding a thing, he momentarily wondered whether this bastard might be one of the Hides.
If that were the case, it might actually be a relief.
“Every Absolute, once their qualifications are met, is given a meeting with God. And God always grants the right to choose. Whether to reign as king of a small world, or to move on to a greater stage.”
Residue twisted the corner of his mouth.
“And every single one of those Absolutes accepted that proposal. Why? Because they believed they were the best. They became the strongest in their own world, obtained the title of Absolute, and naturally grew curious. They looked forward to meeting the Absolutes of other universes, and no doubt gained confidence that they could defeat them all.”
Of course, that wasn't the case for all of them.
They each had their own circumstances, and there were cases like Lukas that didn’t require looking far to find.
An existence that didn’t become an Absolute by choice.
An Absolute who, knowing that his presence would harm his home universe, had no choice but to leave.
“But that confidence didn’t last long… It got crushed, crumpled like a wad of garbage and rolled through the mud. And in my experience, the more refined the person, the quicker they are to rationalize in such moments.”
This was something only Residue could say.
“Who told you bastards not to have a goal? Who told you not to be happy? No one. Not the Rulers, not even God said any such thing.”
“……”
“Then what are you bastards doing? Leaving your home universe, clashing with other Absolutes, and in the end crawling under a Ruler, all of it was your own choice, so why are you suddenly acting like the protagonists of a tragedy?”
Now it was clear.
What this place was, and what the Council of Absolutes was thinking.
So Residue didn’t hold back and spoke openly.
“Happiness, capability, friend. Puhaha… What a cheap comedy. Hiding in fear, yet still running your mouth. What did you say the name of this nauseating city was? [Sin City]? No. You bastards don’t deserve such a grand name, so I’ll give you a new one myself.”
Residue spoke with a faint smile.
“How about [Refuge for Cowards]?”
“…You.”
Gamzard gritted his teeth.
“You insult us without even knowing what sentiment the Council had when creating this city?”
A fierce emotion surged on his face.
It seemed the forgotten past, the true face of the radical Gamzard, was revealing itself.
Residue flinched upon seeing that face.
“…Hmm. My apologies. I went too far.”
“……”
“But I can't stop at just making you feel insulted. I’ll have to think a little harder. How about this one?”
Residue now smiled wide enough to bare his teeth.
“[Refuge for Super Cowards].”
Kwaaang!
At that moment, Gamzard slammed the table.
Was there some kind of mechanism installed in the table?
Did the sound alone trigger a response?
Or perhaps, had there been eyes watching from the beginning?
Whatever the case, it was unclear, but the walls on all sides were smashed as multiple Absolutes revealed themselves.
Before Residue could react properly, a hand shot up from the floor and grabbed his ankle tightly. The grip was so strong it felt like it could crush his bones.
Before he could shake it off, Absolutes wielding weapons rushed at him from all directions.
Thunk! First, two blades stabbed into Residue's shoulders. The attackers threw their full weight onto him, trying to pin him down. As the pressure overwhelmed him and his knees buckled, the remaining four weapons pierced his calves and palms, anchoring him like spikes.
In the blink of an eye, Residue’s limbs were nailed to the ground, making him look like a four-legged beast.
“This new guy seems mad in a rather nasty way.”
“Representative, are you alright?”
The Absolutes who revealed themselves glanced at Residue with scorn, and a few of them moved toward Gamzard.
“I’m fine. But don’t take your eyes off that one. He might be Ruler level.”
“Don’t worry. We’ve completely sealed his movements. Even if he is a Ruler, in that condition, there’s no way he could move…”
“How stupid are you bastards, exactly?”
Still restrained, Residue muttered in a lowered voice.
“You can’t catch lightning.”
“What?”
That was the last thing a nameless Absolute said.
Suddenly, the entire field of vision turned white, and a bolt of lightning struck down from above, piercing through the bodies of all six Absolutes. Kwa-rurung! The sound came slightly later. The Absolutes fell to the ground with their eyes rolled back, smoke pouring from their mouths.
In the meantime, Residue stood up, still impaled by the weapons.
Even after the Absolutes appeared, Residue had not looked at them once. His gaze had remained fixed solely on Gamzard.
As he walked toward him with long strides, Gamzard began to back away.
“Who… who are you? Are you the Conqueror Retip?”
Without answering, Residue yanked out the sword embedded in his hand and threw it to the floor. Clang. With a loud metallic crash, blood dripped from the wound. He didn’t stop there, he pulled out and threw away each weapon embedded in his body one by one.
Clang, clang. With each sound, Gamzard’s expression changed by the second.
“Destruction incites fear. I don’t know how far that rule applies, but it seems most intelligent beings are no exception. Judging by the state of you lot, it seems even being an Absolute doesn’t mean you’re any less afraid.”
“What are you talking about…”
“Foolish one. Don’t you see it yet? You bastards have already contributed significantly to the acceleration of world Destruction.”
The power held by the group known as the [Top Universe] was not insignificant. If all of them had lost the will to fight Destruction, then that alone was no different from moving up the world’s end by several months.
So this place, right now, was the gathering ground for the most pathetic beings in the universe.
“You were supposed to fight, and the Top Universe should have remained a refuge. A place where Absolutes, worn out from their missions, could catch their breath… A place that, like in the past, could help them forget Destruction for just a moment, so long as they were here. It could have been that. Thanks to the sacrifice of that foolish Giant. But Gamzard.”
Residue let out a deep sigh.
“What happens when you turn a refuge into paradise?”
*****
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