NABC Chapter 242: Growth (7)
Chapter 242: Growth (7)
Chapter 242: Growth (7)
Youre
Lim Hye-Sook paused, seemingly unable to continue. The awkward silence this time was particularly long.
Gi-Gyus true identity was like the ending of an acclaimed whodunit mystery. The end twist was here.
You arent a weaker version.
...
Well, I suppose it would depend on whom you talk to. If they insist youre the weaker version, they wouldnt exactly be wrong. But Lim Hye-Sook finally seemed ready.
You are Jupiters body. You are what Kronos is seeking. Throughout history, Gaia made different versions of her family, which always included herself, Kronos, and Jupiter. And in every generation, they loved each other. Gaia and Kronos always fell in love and always had a child together. The child would always have Jupiters real physical form. It was as if Gaia wanted to give this child all the love she had for Jupiter.
Gi-Gyu had suspected this for a long time. In summary, Kronos was looking for Jupiters physical body on Earth, and the body
Gi-Gyu asked quietly, So, my body belongs to Jupiter. Does that mean my psyche is just a weak knockoff of Jupiters?
Technically, yes. Gaia created your mind but gave you free will. She loved Jupiter, but since his consciousness was locked away, she created a new existence befitting his body.
Gi-Gyu couldnt say anything.
To be born as a mere placeholder.
To be synthesized for a purpose.
Anyone in his shoes would have felt the same emotions as him.
Gi-Gyu felt empty and worthless.
He moved his finger; his own body seemed strange to him now. Everything felt unfamiliar, and his senses felt dull.
Lim Hye-Sook murmured, Dont feel too upset about this. Gaia did create your minds foundation, but you alone accomplished everything that makes you what you are.
All right, Gi-Gyu replied.
The story wasnt quite over yet. Lim Hye-Sook continued, Gaia had no plans of ever introducing magic to Earth. However, Earth has a piece of all the old worlds, so they, especially the rulers
They regained their consciousness, and magic was reawakened, Gi-Gyu finished her sentence.
Exactly. History repeats, I guess. It was weak, but magic still existed on earth, and Some anticipated this and prepared for it. A good example would be Kronos, your father.
Kim Se-Jin, a different version of Kronos, was created to be however Gaia wanted him to be. Kim Se-Jin resembled the pre-insane Kronos. The one Gaia used to love. Kim Se-Jin anticipated what was to come and prepared by gathering power.
Soo-Jung took over the story and added, He waited for the day when another version of him would arrive to take his son.
Since Kronos wanted Jupiters body, he was bound to escape the Tower, where he was trapped, to steal Kim Se-Jins son.
And Kronos finally came, Lim Hye-Sook explained.
...!
All the preparations were completed, and your father had become the strongest human. Sadly, it was all for naught. Kronos was no longer a simple dimensional ruler; he had become an entity closest to being God. Your fathers death and what happened to your mother You probably thought it was just an accident, right?
Could it be
It was actually a fight between two Kronos. A battle between the real and the fake. Your father, who was the weaker version, couldnt win. He lost, and you were stolen.
Kronos, Gi-Gyu whispered. So Kronos was responsible for his fathers death and his mother's injury?
Lim Hye-Sook continued, Since Kronos had succeeded in kidnapping you, we all thought it was over. Once Kronos took Jupiters body, there was no way to fight him.
We?
Im talking about the mercenaries. Kim Se-Jin proposed the formation of this group. Its purpose has since changed; originally, it was created to protect you. It was like a group of bodyguards for you. The very first high-rankers, including Oh Tae-Gu, fought Kronos.
...! Gi-Gyu couldnt even count how many times he had been shocked today. Association President Oh Tae-Gu knew about him, and the entire mercenary system was put in place to protect him. However, Gi-Gyu couldnt focus on these new findings.
Father.
The one memory he had of his father
That man glaring at him
He wasnt Kim Gi-Gyus father.
He was Jupiters father and the ghost that wanted to take over the universe.
But it was then when Jupiters old consciousness awakened, Lim Hye-Sook resumed.
What happened then?
It was a miracle and a disaster.
Miracle? Disaster?
Youre connected to Kronos. Lim Hye-Sooks eyes darkened.
***
After syncing with Kronos, you began stealing everything from him. You were like a massive all-swallowing storm. It was abrupt and quick.
...
You received all the memories Kronos held inside Chaos, and the memories and powers formed when God, Chaos, Kronos, and everything else merged. Kronos was weakened instantly and had no choice but to retreat.
So Kronos ran after he was defeated.
However, the problematic situation only grew after that, as you became uncontrollable. Jupiters consciousness molded into something terrible after years of oppression, and everything from Kronos combined inside your small immature body. The combination lead to nothing but utter bedlam.
You mean
Kronos defeated your father but didnt kill him. I dont know why Kronos let him live. Was it because Kim Se-Jin looked like him? Or was it because Kronos saw his old self in Kim Se-Jin? Either way, Kim Se-Jin and your mother survived, so we thought we had hope.
Gi-Gyu got a bad feeling from this.
His hands had stopped trembling. Was it because he had heard about his father now? Gi-Gyu wanted to hear more about his mother and Yoo-Jung, but now wasnt the time.
So what Ha Song-Su said to me And why Andras is targeting me must be because
Adam. Your body is the only successful product of Project Adam. So they want your body, Soo-Jung answered.
It was finally clear why Andras wanted him.
Wait, the only successful product? asked Gi-Gyu. Was Soo-Jung saying that Ha Song-Su wasnt a success?
Ha Song-Su isnt perfect. Hes close, but Its hard to explain. There is something strange about his form. This has to be why we survived his attack. And probably why he hasnt made another appearance since that battle. Im guessing Andras and Ironshield are desperate to complete Ha Song-Su; consequently, they are staying hidden.
This explained why Andras and Ironshield were nowhere to be seen. All the new and shocking information was making him dizzy.
Lou suddenly chimed in and said, Well, we at least know one thing for sure.
Gi-Gyu turned toward him.
Lou added, Your stupidity isnt just your fault.
...? Gi-Gyu looked at him questioningly.
Soo-Jung and Lim Hye-Sook agreed.
Thats true
You are right about that.
...? Gi-Gyus eyes widened even more.
El and Yoo-Bin didnt say a word, but they had the same understanding expression as Lou.
Lou explained, Im saying that Gaia purposefully made you like this.
What?
The smarter you are and the clearer your mind is, the riskier syncing with anything becomes. The thoughts, feelings, and ideas of your sync targets will continuously affect you, making going insane seem like a sweet release. Get it?
...
That is why Gaia made you like this. Youre stupid because she didnt want you to lose yourself. You should be thankful that you can think at all.
Something felt wrong and
Gi-Gyu felt annoyed and confused.
Soo-Jung smiled at him and offered, Now, well tell you what you need to do. Go to the 60th floor. How much do you know about the 60th-floor test?
A little, but
See? Just blame Gaia for him being so slow, Lou mocked.
For some reason, Gi-Gyu was beginning to be resentful toward Gaia.
Watching him in amusement, Soo-Jung said lightly, The 60th-floor test Its hard to explain. I guess its like a chamber of time and mind?
What do you mean?
Well All of your senses will disappear, and only your mind will remain with you. The whole point of the test is to survive a specified amount of time.
Gi-Gyu understood what Soo-Jung was saying, but
He protested, Why should I go there now? We dont have much time to waste
No, we have plenty of time. Soo-Jung explained, Ha Song-Su cant make a move for at least the next four months. It might be even longer. Perfecting him as an Adam will take a long time.
...
Do you think he came out unscathed from our last skirmish? We did our best and left some dents on him too. Our enemies cant launch another attack before repairing and perfecting him. Do you think it was just a coincidence that Andras didnt show up when you fought Asmodeus?
Soo-Jung emphasized each word as she said to him, Youre strong now. You dont have to fear them.
...
Without Ha Song-Su, they wouldnt even dare to attack you. They wouldnt harm us either because they think youre with us. There is just one unknown: The probability of another hell kings appearance. We still dont know much about whats happening in that world. Even Baal wont tell me about things like that.
Soo-Jung stretched her arms and stood up. It seemed that, just like everyone else in the room, she was tired from having to finish such a long story.
And besides, we can deal with the hell kings ourselves. Everyone gets a different amount of time in that test, but it shouldnt take more than three months. Im certain of this. Trust me.
Three months, Gi-Gyu muttered. Is it really okay for me to waste three months during such an important period?
I told you we can handle it here. What you need to do is to spend this time organizing your thoughts and improving your abilities. And lastlySoo-Jung narrowed her eyesJupiter. Consider what you have heard about him here and decide what to do with him.
The things Gi-Gyu had learned about Jupiter today, what he had felt while using Gods power through the metal chains, the fact they couldnt be separated
And
This was probably Gaias plan all along.
Gi-Gyu knew that at this rate, Jupiters seal would soon disappear; it would devour him. Their situations would switch.
Therefore, Gi-Gyu had to resolve this situation.
Now, go get stronger. Well discuss the rest when you get back. Soo-Jung left the room.
Those still in the room were silent, lost in their thoughts.
***
That was a year ago.
But on Earth, only three months had passed.
Gi-Gyu passed the 60th-floor test. He shivered a little, realizing his Egos werent in good condition. Despite being in the Tower, he could accurately sense their feelings and health.