CH 296

Go Hyung-Chul and Heo Sung-Hoon simultaneously answered, “We don’t know.”

Disappointed, Gi-Gyu remained quiet. They had no reason to lie. Then, he stared at Go Hyung-Chul questioningly.

Go Hyung-Chul had followed the Vatican players and found such valuable information. So, how did he not know the Vatican’s location?

Noticing the stare, Go Hyung-Chul muttered, “Staring at me won’t change anything. I can’t tell you what I don’t know. I followed them but couldn’t track them to their headquarters.”

Go Hyung-Chul slumped as shame flashed in his eyes. He added, “I wasn’t good enough.”

Raising his face to look at Gi-Gyu, Go Hyung-Chul explained bitterly, “It was partly because the Vatican players were more powerful than I thought, but… The bigger reason was that I just couldn’t trace them.”

“...?”

“I guess you could say I couldn’t follow their trail,” Go Hyung-Chul seemed to be mocking himself. “They disappeared like a mirage… I couldn’t find a single clue as to where they were going.”

Go Hyung-Chul had admitted that he was simply not skilled enough to find the Vatican. Instead of accusing Go Hyung-Chul, Gi-Gyu turned to look at Heo Sung-Hoon.

“The Vatican’s location has never been released. After their home was destroyed, they refused to share their location. Even the general manager couldn’t have found them.” Heo Sung-Hoon seemed just as frustrated.

“But I can’t understand this.” Gi-Gyu finally opened his lips. “I mean, they must be here somewhere on Earth, right? They aren't weak players. They are powerful, so how hard could it be to find an area with a large group of powerful players?”

Tilting his head, Gi-Gyu continued, “No one has been able to locate them after all this time? Is there not a single publicly active Vatican player out there? Or someone who likes to talk? Not a single traitor? I just don’t understand how they’ve stayed hidden for so long.”

It was a logical question, but Heo Sung-Hoon replied firmly, “Well, yes. No traitors and no blabbermouth. From the day of its inception, the new Vatican…” Sung-Hoon’s eyes didn’t waver as he continued, “It hasn’t had a single traitor. None of its players have ever uttered its location.”

Gi-Gyu felt uncertain. Was this really possible? If it were a short period, perhaps yes. But the Tower appeared over 20 years ago. So, how could no one find a single place?

A group with not a single traitor?

Was it due to the power of religion?

‘No.’ Gi-Gyu didn’t believe so. No religion had maintained that level of loyalty among its members. It was one thing not to have a single traitor, but how could they not have a single blabbermouth, a besotted prattler, or even a garrulous player?

“How strange,” Gi-Gyu mumbled. It almost felt like the Vatican didn’t exist on Earth.

‘And neither do those players.’ 

There were so many suspicious things about this place. It was odd that no one had found this organization suspicious.

Sung-Hoon seemed to have guessed Gi-Gyu’s thoughts.

Sung-Hoon explained, “The gate annihilated the original Vatican, so they had to rebuild it from the ground up. Also, the new Vatican only revealed its power a while ago. So, we can safely assume they keep themselves hidden to accumulate power.”

“...”

Gi-Gyu still couldn’t accept this situation.

“We just don’t know the Vatican’s exact location,” Go Hyung-Chul said. “But I do have some guesses.”

“That’s what I thought.” Gi-Gyu seemed more hopeful.

“But it doesn’t change anything.” Go Hyung-Chul was no longer self-mocking; he smiled bitterly. “Even if I have some ideas, I don’t have the power to find the truth…”

“...”

“So I have a favor to ask.” Go Hyung-Chul’s tone changed a little. It seemed that he was getting desperate, which surprised Gi-Gyu.

Go Hyung-Chul rose. “But before that… let’s spar.”

***

“Could everyone step aside for a moment?” Gi-Gyu asked his creatures.

Thud.

Hal slammed his halberd on the ground and rose. “Your wish is my command, Grandmaster.”

Botis, who had been sparring with Hal, stepped back and announced, “I am at your command, Grandmaster.”

The others followed. The death drakes Hal and his knights were riding also moved aside.

And lastly, Lou muttered arrogantly, “Is there going to be a fight?”

Lou usually trained alone, but at Hal and Botis’ request, he had decided to help them. He normally wouldn’t have agreed to this, but for some reason, he had agreed to their request easily.

As Gi-Gyu watched, something started to bother him.

‘Botis.’ Gi-Gyu thought with worry. At first glance, he looked okay, but further observation showed how slumped he looked. Botis was covered in blood. He could easily overpower Hal in the past, but it was no longer the case.

‘I was told that Hal defeats him every time now.’ 

They weren’t battling for real. They were only sparring, but Gi-Gyu had heard that Botis couldn’t win a single fight.

Gi-Gyu knew that Hal had grown exponentially, but he couldn’t help pitying Botis, who had his lips closed unhappily.

Go Hyung-Chul prodded, “Are you ready yet?”

For some reason, Go Hyung-Chul was giving the same vibe as Botis. They were both feeling disappointment and self-defeat.

“Botis, I hope you know how thankful I am to you.” Gi-Gyu touched Botis’ mucus-covered shoulder.

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“Grandmaster…?” Botis seemed confused. However, he didn’t ask questions and just stepped back since he knew a sparring match was about to begin.

The energy Gi-Gyu exuded next was aggressive. Go Hyung-Chul exuded the same kind of aura, but his was weaker. And instead of power and confidence, Go Hyung-Chul oozed desperation and despair.

Botis watched Go Hyung-Chul and thought, ‘He must be at his limit too.’ 

With time and effort, they both could become stronger. However, just like Botis, he was comparing himself to others around him.

‘He’s being too hard on himself.’ Botis sighed. Those around Botis used to be weak as kittens. But now, they were either just as strong as him or even more powerful.  

Botis hadn’t stopped getting stronger. It was just that his growth held little significance when compared to the others.

Botis walked away to create proper distance from the sparring match.

-Master!

Gi-Gyu stood facing Go Hyung-Chul when he heard Brun’s voice in his head.

-Do you want me to create a barrier around your match?

Brun sounded playful.

“No.” Gi-Gyu refused firmly.

Gi-Gyu asked Go Hyung-Chul, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Of course.” Go Hyung-Chul seemed nervous.

“I know you want a sparring match, but…” Gi-Gyu murmured.

Go Hyung-Chul shook his head and replied, “You don’t have to go easy on me.”

What Go Hyung-Chul wanted was a sparring match close to a real fight. Go Hyung-Chul was stronger than before, but it was nothing compared to the growth Gi-Gyu had experienced.

Gi-Gyu raised his bare hand and gestured. “Go ahead. Make your best move.”

Go Hyung-Chul didn’t refuse.

Whoosh.

He swiftly threw his dagger at Gi-Gyu.

***

Go Hyung-Chul still remembered the shock he had felt when he first met Kim Gi-Gyu. He had been busy investigating Project Adam when he learned about Gi-Gyu. He had thought he could gain some valuable information from this player.

At the time, Kim Gi-Gyu’s power and potential were shockingly incredible. But…

‘I had just as much potential back then.’ 

Go Hyung-Chul remembered his arrogant days. He had become a player at a very young age and quickly reached the high ranker position. But because he had achieved so much so easily, he became bored. So, he ultimately gave up the player life to become a paparazzo.

Go Hyung-Chul had always thought he was invincible. Kim Gi-Gyu was certainly powerful back then, but he used to believe he was just as strong. Actually, Gi-Gyu was weaker than him then.

But when they met for the second time, things had changed.

‘He’s a beast.’ Go Hyung-Chul remembered how fast Gi-Gyu had grown. He had spent much time and effort to find out as much as possible about Kim Gi-Gyu’s past.

Not too long ago, Kim Gi-Gyu had been one of the numerous weak players out there. Then one day, he just started getting stronger. Go Hyung-Chul still couldn’t believe how fast Gi-Gyu had improved. Every time Go Hyung-Chul had met him, he couldn’t stop himself from getting shocked by Gi-Gyu’s recent growth spurt.

‘He never stops growing.’ 

Time was fair to everyone. The player system, which relied on experience, wouldn’t be considered fair if it weren't.

‘But he…’

The world seemed to work differently for Kim Gi-Gyu. Go Hyung-Chul found it unfair. Was Gi-Gyu born this way? Gi-Gyu’s fate was different, and he had things Go Hyung-Chul could never dream of.

‘And now, he’s the most powerful being I know.’ 

Gi-Gyu illuminated and darkened the world. He was so strong that it looked like he could swallow the world whole. The disappointment Go Hyung-Chul felt was immense. He knew he wasn’t the best in the world, but he used to believe he was someone important. But compared to Kim Gi-Gyu, he was a nobody. He had felt even worse after discovering he was just a laboratory project’s byproduct.

Go Hyung-Chul found it hard to keep his mind straight. He refused to show his confusion, but his uncertainty about his future was real.

While chasing after the Vatican players, Go Hyung-Chul had realized the truth. He was growing, but everyone else was just growing faster. Someday, he would end up at the bottom. He had no parents or memories, and the fear of being left behind was eating him alive.

As if he was shaking off his despair, Go Hyung continued to throw his daggers at Gi-Gyu.

Clang.

Unfortunately for him, not a single one could leave a mark on Gi-Gyu. He assumed Gi-Gyu blocked the daggers with his bare hands because…

‘He’s so fast that I can’t actually see him.’ 

Go Hyung-Chul knew better than anyone that Kim Gi-Gyu wasn’t even using his full strength, but he still couldn’t clearly see what Gi-Gyu was doing.

How could he have thought he was a high-ranker and the greatest paparazzo? He wasn’t one in a million. In front of him was the real hero who would light up the world.

‘But still…’ Go Hyung-Chul exploded with sorcerous energy, and his Evil Eye lit up. He never wanted these red eyes, but they grew hotter with each passing second, exuding unnatural heat. A power he had never felt before enveloped him.

It had to be thanks to the energies in Eden because this power was alien to him.

‘With this, perhaps…’ Go Hyung-Chul had known he wouldn’t win. All he wanted was a little proof. Something that would show he could someday reach a higher level.

Fwoosh.

The overwhelming magic scattered everywhere, and Go Hyung-Chul simultaneously turned into fog and disappeared. It was his specialty, and Eden’s help had improved the skill even more. He became hopeful. If he could use this to put a tiny scratch on Gi-Gyu…

Gi-Gyu grabbed Go Hyung-Chul’s scattered form and forced him to materialize. Gi-Gyu asked, “Do we have to keep going?”

“...”

Gi-Gyu let go of Go Hyung-Chul’s neck. He fell to the ground and thought about his last attack. He had put every ounce of his strength into that attack, but it was nothing more than a handful of dust to Gi-Gyu.

“I heard,” Go Hyung-Chul, sitting on the ground, mumbled.

“What?”

“Shin Yoo-Bin, who was just a ranker, suddenly gained the power of a high ranker. Perhaps more.” Go Hyung-Chul’s red eyes burned as he watched Gi-Gyu. “It’s because she synced with you, isn’t it?”

Gi-Gyu could feel the emotions within those red eyes. When he grabbed Go Hyung-Chul, he had felt Go Hyung-Chul’s feelings. This was why Gi-Gyu knew what he would say.

“Sync with me,” Go Hyung-Chul requested. “I will let you have me, so please…”

Go Hyung-Chul knelt with his head bowed. Botis, Hal, and the others gathered in the training hall didn’t say a word. It seemed that Go Huyng-Chul didn’t care that he was being watched. He continued, “I want to become strong too. I want to get more power. I want to kill my enemies with my own hands.”

He was sobbing as he begged, “Please sync with me.”

Tears rolled down Go Hyung-Chul’s red eyes as he screamed, “Make me strong too!”

‘Just why…?’ 

Gi-Gyu wondered what had happened to Go Hyung-Chul that made him want power so badly. But he didn’t have to contemplate for long to deduce the reason.

‘It’s the Caravan Guild…’ 

The fight against the Caravan Guild was already bigger than anyone had ever expected. Normal humans couldn’t even think about getting involved in such a fight.

It was evident that Go Hyung-Chul wanted to exact revenge against the Caravan Guild.

“My answer is…” Gi-Gyu looked at Go Hyung-Chul, who looked hopeful.

“No,” Gi-Gyu answered firmly.