Chapter 294: Chapter 294

Gio had, in fact, intended to go visit his beloved fans today.

“Even your tiny beak brings your dad unbearable pain.”

“Ggng gng gng gng gng...”

Awakened by Honey’s alarm, Gio finally rose from bed.

“Shall we eat before anything else?”

Gio successfully lured his son with food.

‘At this point, it’s getting concerning.’

It seemed Honey cared more about Gio’s public image than Gio himself did.

Not that Honey was the only one acting . Even Dana—who had never cared for worldly affairs—had come by to give a meaningless flick of her tail. And the teddy bear that usually basked in the sunlight had quietly come over to stare, then silently left.

‘Why is everyone so desperate to shove me into that socialite gathering?’

Introverted as he was, Gio trembled at this injustice. A person was allowed to prefer bed over people. He’d always been a true introvert who recovered through solitude.

At this point, you might wonder: Why is that considered a “socialite gathering”?

‘All they did was come together to see one of my paintings, then ended up socializing amongst themselves, and eventually grew into this giant volunteer collective. There’s no way those people aren’t socialites.’

Even non-socialites would’ve been converted by now. Gio shrank further into himself. He didn’t want to leave the house.

For now, let’s just eat breakfast.

“Let’s try fried rice.”

He’d been eating nothing but meat lately, and something cleaner sounded good.

‘Mr. Argio was truly something else.’

Unlike “Giovanni,” who preferred vegetarian and seafood-based meals, Argio was a full-blown carnivore. He could eat nothing but meat morning, noon, and night and still only gain muscle. But Sergio wasn’t that extreme.

“Tomato and egg fried rice sounds good.”

He went to the garden and picked tomatoes of a decent size, then pulled up a sturdy spring onion. A little garlic too. He made scallion oil, lightly cooked the tomatoes and eggs together, set them aside, stir-fried garlic and rice, added sauce, then folded in the tomato-egg mixture.

For reference, Gio’s serving was in a ramen bowl.

He should’ve just served it in his usual large bowl.

‘I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat much after all that meat.’

Regretting it, Gio went back and served himself a full portion. The rice was well-cooked, not too greasy, and delicious. Nothing beats fried rice for breakfast. It was hearty and clean.

“Not spicy. That’s nice.”

“I’m glad you liked it too...”

Honey had completely absorbed the plate into its body and was digesting it. Through the plump, transparent body of the waterbird, the floating plate was visible. Gio gently reached in and pulled it back out.

And with that, breakfast came to an end.

But unable to resist the stares from his family, Gio rose from his seat.

“I suppose I should visit Mr. Ather first.”

Well, it was a bit sudden.

But it was time to conclude the tale of the sleeping hero.

“I had actually thought it’d be fine to just stay home forever.”

At the familiar voice, Ather opened his eyes.

“Everyone seems obsessed with turning me into a celebrity.”

“So, you’ve awakened?”

It felt like he had been asleep for a very long time.

Surprisingly, his voice came out smooth.

The moment he called the name, the haze in his mind began to clear. Even the presence of his body and his final memory. Ather unconsciously raised a hand to touch his neck.

He felt something faintly clink.

“...What was the meaning behind this gift?”

“It symbolized our friendship.”

“...I don’t quite understand.”

A faint laugh escaped him.

The god crouched beside him looked pitifully out of place.

“It’s too peaceful and warm to believe this is your house.”

“Well, the Sun God lives here, after all.”

“Would that disappoint you?”

“I don’t really know.”

The first thing he felt was exhaustion.

“...I can’t feel any strength in my body.”

And he was so drowsy.

“It’s probably because it’s so warm here.”

“Warmth is a good thing.”

“The way it dulls my mind isn’t entirely pleasant...”

“You always try to think too much.”

“The human brain’s ability to think was its greatest trait.”

“You come back from the dead and still act all rigid.”

“...I died and came back?”

“I thought this might be the afterlife.”

“If you want it to be, it can be.”

“You must get told you’re fickle a lot.”

“I’m more consistent than most.”

The hand that had been fiddling with the gem on his necklace dropped limply.

“If I asked to die, would you grant it?”

“You’re neither alive nor dead right now.”

“That sounds like you’re saying it’s up to me.”

“Of course. From now on, you can become anything.”

“You mean I can choose anything too?”

“If it’s within what I can help you with.”

The evil god whispered.

“You’ve endured so much hardship. Through a life that was neither short nor long, you fought and strove—for a better self, a better world, a better deed...”

That was probably true.

“But this fickle evil god decided he shouldn't presume to know a hero’s heart. So tell me: here, in this picture that is neither life nor death—what is your truth?”

“Is it the end, or the beginning?”

“That’s a hard question.”

“You can stay as you are, too.”

“...I wanted to live.”

“I know your stubborn will quite well.”

“I just... wanted to survive. And that’s probably because... my entire life was centered around my goals.”

That must’ve been it.

“...I still don’t know. But if there’s one real emotion I feel right now... it’s emptiness. It’s unpleasant and pleasant at once. I’ve never felt what it’s like to have nothing I need to do.”

He had always lived with purpose. He lived fiercely, and now, with every goal accomplished, he stood alone. Neither alive nor dead, he was looking for a road forward—or a home to stay in.

“Will you give me a new goal?”

“Trying to turn me into a ruthless employer? Denied.”

“Tell me what I must do.”

“Haven’t you already done so much?”

“...If I have no task, I have no reason to live.”

The evil god asked plainly.

“Is that truly how you feel?”

“What do you want? Tell this wicked dragon. I’m curious.”

“...I’ve done everything there was to do in the human world.”

“Not everything there was... everything I wanted to.”

It didn’t really matter.

“Who is standing behind you now?”

“There is a gaze filled with mercy from the sun.”

“And a gaze that grants heavy peace?”

“I’ll never fully understand you.”

You, my god, are so far, far away.

“...Now I wish to sleep forever.”

“I wish to live forever.”

“Even after everything, you’re still greedy.”

“I’ve always wanted to climb higher.”

He wanted the peace that every human deserved. But he also desired the favor that no other human could earn. He was tired enough to crave sleep, but still hungry for heights. Contradictory to the end.

Just sitting still, waiting for fate, was terrible. But carving out fate was equally exhausting. Wasn’t that the paradox?

Ather looked at the only god he could serve.

This specter, reborn anew.

“Am I a monster or a man?”

“Whichever you choose to be.”

“Is that your mercy again?”

“Maybe just indifference.”

“You know me quite well.”

Too kind a compliment.

“...I want to know you, but that’s likely impossible for a lifetime...”

“That kind of defeatism doesn’t suit you.”

“...Please bury me in your land.”

“Would that satisfy you?”

“...In your earth, your sky, your underworld—put me in all that is yours.”

“I will live forever while being dead.”

“Isn’t that horrifying?”

But Ather had lived this way all his life. Even now, he couldn’t veer off that path. He was greedy, fiercely so. He could never give up comfort and honor.

“You said this place could become the afterlife if I wanted it.”

“Then please accept me.”

“Neither living nor dead?”

“Yes. That’s what I wish for.”

The god gave a rare smile—one of sorrow.

Yet it brimmed with affection.

“There’s a role that suits you perfectly.”

“...Would you tell me what height that role sits at?”

“It exists deep below... and far above.”

Ather gently closed his eyes.

“...It might get noisy, but I think I can sleep deeply...”

“Then what will you call me now?”

“I’d like to name you after your hair, but someone already holds that title.”

“If you’ll permit me, I’ll take a name from this gem.”

“Hmm, yes. That’s good.”

The god reached out and plucked off the necklace.

“Open your eyes. Look at me.”

He held the silver string, raising the transparent gem into Ather’s line of sight.

Sunlight from the attic window poured through the gem. The light coming from the sparkling crystal took on color. His vision was filled with red. Pale, brilliant red...

Suddenly, Ather realized.

“...It looks like my eyes.”

“It’s my favorite gemstone.”

The god gave him a name.

“You will be Violet.”

Ather closed his eyes.

Peace settled over him, and his soul left his body.

In that way, he melted and colored the world.

A resident of Palette has been confirmed to have vanished.

Confirmed residents: Ather, Deer.

Would you like to assign them to the Palette again?

Color: ‘Ather’ has been successfully assigned.

Color: ‘Deer’ has been successfully assigned.

You’ll need to leave many spots open.

The child was afraid.

“Mom... Mom... it hurts...”

“What’s this kid blabbering about?”

“Look at it bawling.”

An adult snickered, and another laughed too.

“What kind of kid thinks a carnation has a mom?”

“Talk about delusional. Shit.”

“Hey, let’s go. This one’s useless now.”

“Clicking their tongue... Guess this one lasted longer than most. Kids, huh.”

“At least it was free labor.”

“True that. Got any sturdier brats?”

The adults left. Only pain and cold remained.

When the child stirred faintly, something white came into view.

“Mom... take me with you...”

Why am I the only one still here?

Children of similar height stood in the distance. Kids holding flowers. Carnation kids. The warm, soft colors drew the child’s hand. They wanted to crawl over—but it was too far.

Their body lost strength.

“...Don’t want to be alone...”

Being alone was terrifying.

Amid the white figures, a glimmering jewel appeared.

A spellbinding light that stole the child’s gaze.

The violet gem approached and gently took the child’s hand. Caressed the cold cheek. Then lifted the child into its arms. The big, firm embrace felt just like the father they’d only imagined.

Thump, thump, thump. The gem’s footsteps brought quiet tremors—like a heartbeat.

And once inside the frame, it didn’t hurt anymore.

One day, a group of illegal guild members vanished.

“What kind of guild?”

“Ones that used Carnation kids in factories.”

Only the building remained behind.

“So they just skipped town?”

“No one died, right? Just missing?”

“They said the place was full of waterbirds.”

The Black Cloak’s waterbirds hated evil.

“They’re dead, then.”

It happened from time to time.