Holy Idol [EN]: Chapter 399

399. I Can’t Lose

The director of the research center was completely overwhelmed by Rembrary.

Rembrary maintained a gentle smile throughout their conversation, but given the gravity of the situation, the director couldn’t help but perceive Rembrary as someone toying with him while smiling.

“How did you know there were people in the basement?”

“I heard it from the Lion Lord.”

No matter what the director tried, Rembrary wouldn’t yield, so the director nervously tapped the back of the sofa with his fingers.

Rembrary’s statement was untrue, but the director couldn’t dismiss it, especially since he himself had encountered the Lion Lord in the basement and escaped the research center with his help.

However, the director still felt it was too risky to simply hand over the ‘human-shaped monsters’ in the basement, so he attempted to persuade Rembrary once more.

“Those people aren’t dead, but they’re not waking up. Not in their current state.”

The director carefully watched Rembrary’s reaction, but Rembrary’s expression remained unchanged, like that of a smiling doll.

“The researchers who were impaled by chains in the research center are in a similar condition.”

“Still, give them back. I’ll take responsibility for the aftermath.”

Rembrary replied calmly again.

In truth, Rembrary understood the director’s concerns. They were legitimate worries.

But Rembrary knew that the ‘monsters that looked like people’ from another world were actually real people from his world, and he couldn’t be swayed.

On the other hand, the director remained convinced that ‘those things’ were not human, so Rembrary’s words sounded reckless and irresponsible.

However, he couldn’t outright refuse, so he muttered again, knowing it was probably futile.

“It would look suspicious if dozens of coffins were transported out of the research center and brought here.”

“It would.”

“Then, let’s start with a small number…”

“If you turn off the CCTV, our Lion will help.”

The Lion Lord was like a cheat code, so the director cursed inwardly. He had run out of arguments.

“Call me when you’re ready.”

* * *

“Let’s go to my place.”

As Rembrary settled into the back seat of the car sent by Daeju [a large company or conglomerate], the driver, who was already waiting, started the engine immediately.

Borrowing the Lion Lord’s power for this operation was a plan that hadn’t been officially approved yet. He needed to see the Lion Lord quickly, secure his assistance, and finalize a schedule.

Rembrary was confident that the Lion Lord would readily agree to his request, unless the Lion Lord was in a sulky mood and hiding in his territory.

“He’s not here?”

But upon arriving, the Lion Lord was nowhere to be found.

“Where’s the Lion?”

He tried calling, but there was no answer. He then asked Believer No. 305, who shook his head.

“I don’t know either. Maybe he went out to play?”

“That guy is never around when I need him.”

“If I see him, I’ll tell him right away that Rembrary was looking for him.”

Rembrary nodded, and No. 305 returned to the studio to continue his work, closing the door behind him.

Shortly after he went inside, a series of beeping electronic sounds emanated from the room.

‘He looks busy.’

He could sense how occupied he was just from the sounds, so Rembrary decided not to bother him further. He went to the living room sofa, turned on the news, and waited for the Lion Lord to appear. The Lion Lord never used the door when entering or leaving.

The news was still focused on the director’s decision to enter Redrine [presumably a dangerous or restricted area], and quick-witted reporters had already filmed and broadcasted the scene of Rembrary refusing him when he came to the research center.

He watched calmly for about 30 minutes. When the Lion Lord didn’t appear as quickly as he had anticipated, Rembrary went into the kitchen to find something to eat.

But when he entered the kitchen, he saw Moolu sitting at the table with a laptop, engrossed in something.

Rembrary smiled contentedly at the sight, feeling a sense of pride.

“Are you able to use a laptop now?”

“High Priest.”

“You’re so smart.”

Rembrary praised Moolu and walked to the refrigerator, feeling proud that the leader of the Holy Knights was so adaptable.

“High Priest, I have something to ask you.”

Because of that, when Moolu asked this, he was worried that he might ask about how to use the laptop, but he bravely allowed him to ask anything.

“Ask away.”

“Ah, then.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Moolu stood up from his chair and began.

“About that guy Woo Yeon-woo who recently called Redrine an evil god.”

But what came out of Moolu’s mouth was Woo Yeon-woo’s name.

Why is Moolu interested in Woo Yeon-woo? Rembrary wondered, nodding.

“Yes, why that guy?”

“His agency has only managed Wild Animal [likely a musical group] for the past few years, but they’re debuting a new rookie this time.”

“Oh, is that so.”

Rembrary was curious when Moolu mentioned Wild Animal, which he used to be a part of, so he asked.

“But why? Are you interested in celebrities too? Are you interested in Wild Animal?”

If Moolu said he was interested in Wild Animal, he was willing to show him the music video he filmed when he was in Woo Yeon-woo’s body.

“Ah, no. I’m not interested in such a strange group.”

“!”

“It’s not that… this.”

Rembrary was a little upset at the mention of a strange group and turned back to the refrigerator, but Moolu didn’t notice because he was busy tapping on the keyboard.

Even as Rembrary was looking for a brown bread to eat in the refrigerator and closing the door, Moolu was still diligently typing something with his eagle-like typing skills.

“This.”

Then, finally finding it, he quickly turned the laptop screen towards Rembrary.

Rembrary looked at the screen with a sullen expression.

There was nothing particularly special. A news article introducing the super rookie that LLL Entertainment was releasing for the first time since the upheaval.

News that anyone could tell was paid for. And a photo provided by LLL Entertainment in the middle of the article.

“What is this…”

Rembrary, who was about to ask if he liked solo artists better than groups, was surprised and widened his eyes when he saw the photo.

Moolu carefully watched Rembrary’s reaction, and when he noticed that Rembrary seemed a little surprised, he quickly asked.

“Doesn’t this rookie look like Lumena’s High Priest? The same person… I think.”

“Kkokko.”

“Yes. The person you always called Kkokko.”

Rembrary forgot all his previous resentment and took two steps closer to the table, staring intently at the screen.

He remembered the man in the black priest’s robe next to the Demon King.

‘Kkokko went into the hands of the Demon King. The Demon King is inside Woo Yeon-woo. But why is he suddenly debuting as a singer? Did the Demon King connect Kkokko to LLL Entertainment, pretending to be Woo Yeon-woo?’

It was a possible story.

But why? Is there any reason to do that? He couldn’t imagine it. Or did he simply think it would be good to get Kkokko a job?

“High Priest?”

“Is it just a photo that’s been uploaded?”

“No, there’s a short teaser video.”

“Play it.”

Moolu turned the laptop screen back to his side and moved his hands around, then said, “Here,” and turned the screen towards Rembrary.

Rembrary stared intently at the screen. It was a short video, but it was definitely Kkokko.

“No, why is this guy suddenly releasing an album after going to the Demon King?”

“Yes? Did he go to the Demon King?”

“Yes.”

Moolu was shocked by the surprising information that came out naturally, but Rembrary didn’t notice because he couldn’t take his eyes off the video.

As Rembrary’s expression even hardened, Moolu thought that Rembrary was shocked that Lapsus had gone to the Demon King and asked worriedly.

“Are you okay? No, more than that, Rembrary. If Lapsus has joined hands with the Demon King, shouldn’t we not just leave him alone?”

“That’s right. We have to respond.”

As Rembrary answered seriously, Moolu tensed up and looked at him.

Rembrary turned the monitor towards Moolu and said with determination.

“I should release an album too.”

“Yes?”

Moolu, who had been tense, was flustered and watched Rembrary’s reaction. He wondered if he was joking.

But Rembrary had a serious expression.

“High Priest… do you want to be a singer?”

As Moolu asked carefully, surprised by that, Rembrary frowned.

“What are you talking about?”

“You just said you were going to release an album.”

“It’s idol, idol [a pop star].”

“Ah. I see. Idol.”

As Moolu’s pupils trembled as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have, Rembrary, who had actually lived as an idol, felt inexplicably bad and pointed at the laptop with his finger.

“And it’s not that I want to sing and release an album, it’s that Kkokko seems to have received strange powers while joining hands with the Demon King, so I’m trying to stop him.”

“Strange powers?”

* * *

A college student leaned against the wall, panting, and a friend approached worriedly and asked.

“Are you okay?”

The friend tried to put a hand on his arm, but the college student shook off the friend’s arm so violently that it felt bad.

As the embarrassed friend removed his hand, the college student grabbed his waist again, bent over, and muttered.

“That person… I need that person…”

His appearance was so painful that the friend forgot what had made him feel bad and asked.

“What are you talking about? Who is that person?”

“That purple hair… I need purple hair.”

“Purple? What are you talking about… Ah! Are you talking about that strange person who erased your pain?”

Too painful to answer properly, the college student nodded, and the friend recalled the time a few days ago when the college student had smiled and said, ‘All the pain is gone.’

“Are there any other characteristics? How can I find him if you just say purple hair!”

The friend asked worriedly again, intending to ask the person for another treatment for his friend if he lived nearby.

However, the college student only shook his head and panted.

“I don’t know. Just purple hair…”

At that moment. Another dormitory student passing by nearby came up and asked excitedly, “Purple hair?”

“Are you guys talking about Woo Yeon-woo’s junior singer? Lapsus?”