Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 587

◈ 587. Words as Choices

Inside the large auditorium at Redrine Headquarters, Rembrary was healing those who were on duty that day after the gathering.

The atmosphere was rather quiet, as it had been for the past few days. It used to be boisterous, but it had been like this ever since the talk show aired.

Just as Rembrary was about to finish healing the last person and lower his hand,

“Um… Rembrary-nim.”

The last person didn’t leave and cautiously called out to Rembrary.

“What is it?”

Rembrary replied gently, and the person asked with a little more courage in their voice.

“Is it true that Rembrary-nim is involved with the Cataclysm [a major destructive event], and that Kim Murok is investigating it? Is that rumor true?”

“Where did you hear that story?”

“Some of the talk show audience members posted reviews. The talk show that aired a few days ago… Someone asked Rembrary-nim that question, but that part was all cut out when it was broadcast. They said the atmosphere was no joke…”

Before Rembrary could answer, Daeju, who was next to him, handed Rembrary a handkerchief and interjected.

“How clever.”

The last person didn’t immediately realize whether Daeju was talking to them or Rembrary, so they asked back timidly, “Yes?”

Daeju said coldly.

“You should have asked that question before receiving treatment.”

It was directed at the person who asked the question.

The person was flustered and apologized for being quiet before receiving treatment, but now asking such a question after receiving all the treatment.

“I’m sorry. It’s not that I had bad intentions, I was just curious. Everyone around me knows I come here, so if it’s really like that…”

“There’s no need to be sorry. There’s no need to be sorry for believing that either. It’s all up to you. But if that’s the case, you should at least show the will not to come here.”

Daeju criticized the person, but cleverly didn’t reveal whether the rumor was true or not.

‘So, is it true or not?’ The last person cursed inwardly.

But the atmosphere wasn’t right to ask any further, so the person hesitated, bowed, and turned around to go down the stairs.

30 minutes later. Finally, when only the two of them were left on the platform, Daeju took Rembrary to the private elevator and asked worriedly.

“Will it be okay? There will be more than one or two people like that. If it becomes known like this…”

“The believers will make a decision. Whether to remain a believer even if such rumors circulate, or to let go and leave.”

Even in this situation, Rembrary was calm, but Daeju couldn’t stop worrying.

“What if there are people who only try to use you while receiving treatment? Like that person just now.”

“I’ve only used it on myself for testing purposes, but, Daeju.”

But Rembrary’s answer was completely unexpected.

Daeju didn’t understand at all what Rembrary had tested, but for now, he replied, “Yes.”

“My treatment, you see.”

“Yes.”

“In your terms, it has a warranty period of 3 years.”

“!”

The elevator door opened with a ding.

Daeju stared blankly at Rembrary, who was walking out with his hands behind his back, and then hurriedly followed him out just as the door was about to close, asking.

“What does that mean? Are you saying the wound will reappear after 3 years?”

“That won’t happen.”

“But you just said the warranty period is 3 years…”

“Ah. It means that I can undo the treatment within 3 years.”

Daeju sighed.

“I didn’t know.”

Daeju tried to recall if he had ever heard such a thing. But no. He had never heard such a thing anywhere.

Rembrary instructed gently.

“Tell them secretly.”

It was a story he was hearing for the first time, but it wasn’t a story he disliked, so Daeju immediately replied, “Yes!”

Rembrary himself had never used it on others, but it was good to have such a safety device anyway.

At least the number of people who come in here with the intention of stabbing you in the back will decrease.

If Kim Murok hadn’t been preparing such a documentary, he would have opened the entrance wide and let anyone into Redrine, no matter what their intentions were, but as long as Kim Murok was preparing such a documentary, Redrine had to prepare for the backlash from the people.

Of course, the best thing would be to prevent Kim Murok from making that documentary.

“Ah, that’s right. High Priest.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Shin Jo-un and Jang Tae-ri have visited a few times. They said they can’t get in touch with you. I’ve been telling them you’re not here, as you said…”

“Keep telling them I’m not here. I’ll avoid them until the Kim Murok thing is certain.”

“Yes.”

“And Daeju.”

“Yes?”

“I’m going into the dungeon tomorrow, so please pack my things.”

“You’re going in already?”

“If Kim Murok completes the documentary before all the pillars are destroyed, Redrine-nim’s power may weaken again. It will be difficult to handle the demons at that time, so I have to hurry.”

Arriving in front of the office, Daeju opened the door and asked worriedly.

“Conversely, what if Redrine-nim’s power weakens after all the pillars are destroyed? Then the Earthlings might become the enemy.”

Rembrary shrugged.

“Even if they become the enemy later, we have to protect them now.”

Daeju didn’t agree with Rembrary’s words. Wouldn’t it be better to weaken those who will become enemies later in advance?

But Daeju also couldn’t allow the demons to invade Earth.

Realizing that it was a situation where it was difficult to do either, Daeju’s shoulders drooped and he asked.

“Which dungeon will you enter tomorrow?”

“I’m going to decide randomly.”

“Yes?”

“In case the Anchovy [slang for someone clingy or persistent] follows me.”

* * *

The next day.

Rembrary regretfully gave up the real sloth, packed his phone with the baby sloth picture as the background, and went to the dungeon.

But the uncomfortable and regretful feelings also affected his driving skills.

His driving wasn’t going well today. The car that Kim Je-woo had repaired a few days ago was smashed again.

The car cannot be fixed with Rembrary’s divine power. It would be nice if it could be fixed.

Rembrary got out of the car and barely pulled the bag out of the dented trunk.

“To dent it just this much. I’m really amazing.”

Still, it was fortunate that the trunk was only dented enough to open.

Rembrary smiled contentedly, closed the trunk again, and walked to the door, pushing the carrier.

He thought he would be a small child again if he went inside, so he deliberately brought a carrier for children this time.

‘I’m thorough. I prepare well.’

But just as Rembrary was about to enter the dungeon, someone clung to him from behind.

It was a feeling he had experienced once before, so Rembrary turned his head, half in doubt, half in disbelief.

It was Hwasa, looking tearful. And the person holding onto Hwasa behind him was, as expected, Shin Jo-un.

“Anchovy. What is it this time?”

Rembrary frowned as soon as he saw Shin Jo-un and asked.

“How did you get here?”

He deliberately didn’t tell even Daeju which dungeon he was going to enter, in case Shin Jo-un followed him.

He was dumbfounded that Shin Jo-un brought Hwasa again and clung to him again.

“Did you hear it from Daeju?”

“It would have been easier for both of us if that were the case.”

“Then? Did you search everywhere?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Shin Jo-un smiled, but Hwasa was sulky. His expression seemed to have the words ‘Why am I here?’ written on it.

Rembrary decided to take care of Hwasa first next time. That way, that nasty Anchovy won’t be able to follow him again.

“Why do you keep following me? Why don’t you understand that when I say I’m going alone, I want to go alone?”

Shin Jo-un replied nonchalantly.

“You do what you want. Why can’t I do what I want?”

“Because that’s convenient for me.”

“…….”

While Shin Jo-un was momentarily speechless, Hwasa unknowingly exclaimed.

“Amazing. The shamelessness is beyond the limit, so it’s admirable.”

Shin Jo-un clicked his tongue and said.

“I knew what you were worried about from the moment you changed the subject in the car, so stop doing useless things. And that’s none of your business.”

“You know what I’m worried about?”

“You’re avoiding me because you’re afraid the Kim Murok thing will splash on me or Jang Tae-ri.”

Rembrary was a little surprised that Shin Jo-un knew so accurately. But after thinking about it carefully, it wasn’t surprising.

Shin Jo-un was very smart. He’s quick-witted, so it’s natural that he noticed.

Besides, they didn’t fight before avoiding contact, did they?

“You’re doing this even though you know?”

“Should I say what I said earlier one more time? That’s none of your business.”

“I didn’t say anything because I thought you’d come out like this.”

“You don’t like me making decisions for you, do you? It’s the same. When you do this, I don’t feel grateful, I feel unpleasant because it reminds me of bad things.”

Shin Jo-un said firmly, and the temperature of his voice was a little lower than usual. Even lower than just now.

‘If you’re going to fight, please take your hand off my shoulder.’ That’s what Hwasa thought, but Shin Jo-un continued to hold onto Hwasa.

Rembrary also reluctantly backed down when Shin Jo-un looked at him with a gaze that he couldn’t give in to at all.

“Okay.”

It wasn’t because he expected to see the baby sloth again if he took Shin Jo-un with him.

And right now, Shin Jo-un, in a hurry to get here, had temporarily forgotten that he would turn into a baby sloth if he entered the dungeon with Rembrary.

* * *

Shin Jo-un only realized it after his body shrank inside the dungeon, but his body was already in Rembrary’s hands.

Rembrary, holding the baby sloth with a satisfied expression, stroked the lion’s mane and looked around.

This was inside the kitchen of the Demon King’s mansion, and there was no one inside except himself, the baby sloth, and the lion.

But seeing the food boiling in the pot, it wasn’t that everyone was away from home.

“Where do you think everyone went?”

“…….”

“Roar.”

Hwasa answered appropriately, but Shin Jo-un firmly maintained his silence.

Rembrary chuckled, seeing Shin Jo-un’s inner thoughts clearly.

He probably doesn’t want to make the ‘Aww, aww, aww, aww’ sound that the baby sloth can’t avoid.

A pitiful Anchovy struggling to escape the predetermined future. Rembrary laughed inwardly.

But he didn’t tease him for the sake of a good future. Because he has to bring him in again next time.

At that time. A sound seemed to be heard from beyond the archway, and the Demon King and Cloth appeared from there.

“Have you thought about it all?”

Cloth, who came inside, asked and went straight to the pot, and the Demon King pulled out a chair opposite Rembrary and sat down.

Although the beginning was omitted, it seemed that the demons had left for a while after telling Rembrary to think about something.

“Yes. I’ve done it.”

Rembrary answered appropriately, even though he didn’t know what was going to happen.

Then Cloth quietly continued cooking, and this time the Demon King asked.

“You still haven’t changed your mind?”

“Yes.”

Rembrary answered appropriately this time as well.

The Demon King sighed and said.

“No one will welcome you. That will be very hurtful.”

Rembrary now understood the situation a little more specifically. It must be after the last situation in Dungeon 2-1.

At that time, the Demon King asked Rembrary whether he would stay here or not, and Rembrary answered that he would leave.

Even after that choice, the Demon King had clearly advised Rembrary to think about it one more time.

This time, no choice appeared, so Rembrary just said it his own way.

“I’m going because I want to go, and that’s not wrong. I don’t care what others say.”

“You will care.”

“I don’t care.”

Still, the Demon King had a worried expression.

“You might get hurt.”

“It’s okay.”

Again, no choice appeared.

Rembrary wondered if the Demon King would let him go willingly at this point, or if something else would happen.

The Demon King didn’t answer right away. He was lost in thought, only tapping the table.

After several minutes of doing so, the Demon King finally opened his mouth.

“Still, stay for a few more days and think about it. I’ll tell you about someone else who has gone through something similar to you. After hearing that story, you’ll change your mind.”

“Even if they’ve gone through something similar, it’s not me. I won’t change my mind.”

“Hey, kid.”

No sooner had Rembrary finished speaking than Cloth picked up the sloth, grabbed it by the armpits, shook it, and made it kick Rembrary with its feet.

Rembrary stared blankly at Cloth. At the same time, a choice appeared before his eyes.

1. Say you’ll listen

2. Say you’ll listen attentively

3. Say you’ll listen carefully

“…….”

‘Do I have to listen no matter what?’