I Never Run Out of Mana - Chapter 123

Chapter 123

123 . The Earth and Demonic Realm Are Both Busy

In a flash, the mood in the living room became cold .

We had expected convincing her to be a difficult task .

However, we had no idea that she would be this opposed to the idea .

As an Awakened and as a person, we all knew that this was a situation that could only be overcome with the sacrifices .

It was expected that if that sacrifice was to be their lover, the person in question might go into denial .

How could anyone label such a natural reaction as selfish and blame them for it .

If I was in So-Hyeon’s place, I would have been far angrier, not less .

As if he was hit on the head with a hammer, Jong Ho blankly stared at So-Hyeon .

His expression was one that I’d lightheartedly poke fun of if the situation was like the usual .

However, that expression didn’t feel too far from the one I might be making soon myself .

The thought that came to my mind was that I might have an expression just like that, or worse .

I felt once more just how dire the situation was, and how difficult convincing others of our decision would be .

If mother heard of this?

The situation would be the equivalent of a mother sending her two sons into the battlefields of war .

Regaining his composure, Jong Ho spoke .

“Hm… . . It’s a reaction I expected at least to some degree . ”

“Of course . In the entire world, who would agree so easily if they were in my shoes?”

“Yes . If you said that you were going to the demonic realm, I would have done the same . No . I would have been far more opposed to it . ”

“……”

“However, you already know that somebody has to do it . ”

“I’m an Awakened too . I know . I know better than anyone else, but…… This isn’t easy to accept even though I know in my head that it’s necessary . I thought that I had control over my own body and mind, but turns out that isn’t the case . Seems I’m making a fool of myself today . Funny . ”

“…… . ”

“It’s true that I’m wondering why it has to be you that must go there . But the bigger reason is that…… why am I not able to go there . The real reason is that I’m unable to answer why I’m unable to help you . This might be just me throwing a tantrum despite knowing that it’s impossible . ”

“I know how you feel . ”

Jong Ho looked at me as he said that .

After all, in the past, Jong Ho could only look at me as a bystander while I carried all the burdens myself .

He must have felt guilt that could not be suppressed multiple times, not being strong enough to help the brother that he cared about .

That was probably the reason why he knew how exactly So-Hyeon felt .

So-Hyeon didn’t speak .

She just listened to Jong Ho in silence .

“That’s precisely why you should send me off while pretending it’s ok . It’s for the person who is leaving . It’s also in consideration for the person who’s staying behind . That’s the best thing to do in a situation where we don’t have any other choice . ”

“……”

“I did the same thing too . Thankfully, the results were always ok . It’ll be the same this time as well . Believe it . ”

“…… . ”

“So-Hyeon . I understand how you feel . However, this situation will decide humanity’s survival . I know that it’s not a easy decision to make, but there isn’t any other way… . . If there is anyone to blame, please direct your anger towards my incompetence . ”

The conversation to convince her went on for a long time .

She had a resolved look as if she had finished gathering her thoughts .

Seeing her expression, Jong Ho thought that she had changed her mind and went to hold her in his arms .

Up to that point, this would have not only seemed natural, but a beautiful gesture to everyone else .

However, the scene of love and soul turned into love and war in a split moment .

“Move your hand . ”

“Hm?”

“I will kill you if you don’t . ”

“Ok… . . ”

“I still haven’t agreed to this completely . Also I’m a government worker . I’m ready to fight anyone with my life on the line . I’m angry enough to beat the shit of the demon king himself . So leave me alone . ”

“……”

So-Hyeon gave an embarrassed smile .

The rest of us had a hard time containing our laughter at the sudden change in atmosphere .

We were all looking at the floor and doing our best to hide it .

If anyone else saw how her emotions were leaking out, plain as day on her face, they would burst out laughing .

It was then that mother came out of the kitchen .

“Guess you were all talking about work?”

“Haha . Yes . Work and love . Love and work . ”

“Pfft! That’s quite the burn!”

“Hoho . Dinner is ready . You’re all famished, right?”

“No worries . Then… . ”

“Yes, please come and get seated before the soup grows cold . ”

****

“Karin…… . ”

“Yes! Magnificent sir Berdan . ”

Unlike usual, Karin was shaking in fear .

Right now, he could feel the killing intent that Berdan was letting out .

He could only think about how his body was going to be torn apart, each fearful speculation leading to his death .

He was nearly at the verge of fainting or losing his mind .

Berdan was shattering the armrest of his seat .

“Is there no way to get the Gate connected quicker… . . ”

“Yes, sir Berdan . That is impossible… . ”

“Kuhuu… . . ”

“It might be possible if you use your Authority . Currently all the magical energy of this territory is being funneled to form the Gate . That’s why……”

“I will ask you again . I won’t be asking anymore after that . Is there no way to hasten the formation of the Gate?!”

“Keruu! Maybe a couple more days at best, but if you wish for it, it’s not impossible!”

“Half a month . Get it done in 15 days . ”

“Kell! Sir Berdan . That’s not…!”

Berdan shot something out that flew right over Karin’s head .

The force of the impact caused debris to fly around the room .

Purple blood ran down Karin’s wrinkly bald head .

“AHH! I shall get it in the next 15 days! Kemuruk…”

“Exactly 15 days from now . Karin, it will be in your best interest to not disappoint me . ”

“Yes sir! I understand . ”

“Begone . ”

Karin ran as fast as he could .

Just like how a penguin acts after seeing the treats the trainer brought, he waddled his chubby body out of the castle in an attempt to survive .

Karin headed for the far end of the Keruoh territory where the Gate was being formed .

The Gate was a similar size to the portals that formed on Earth .

Since it wasn’t completely formed yet, the portal looked transparent .

Monsters of great sizes were lines up in front of it .

At the end of that line, in front of the gate, stood a Butcherer, 2m in size .

The arm of the Butcherer was a weapon in itself .

The arm didn’t have a spec of flesh on it, and instead had a bone like hard pair of scissor-like appendages .

Its appearance resembled that of a monster that appeared in Incheon when I was fighting against Dark Lady, which had dealt massive damage to the surrounding areas by self destructing .

Its body had tears all over it and was rotting away, and it seemed that its body was bloated up to the point of exploding at any given moment .

Karin rand towards them madly .

Even as he ran, the Butcherer continued to butcher away .

The heads of the monsters that lined up were cleanly being severed by the Butcherer .

Next to Karin were other goblins without intelligence, diligently carrying the corpses away .

The reason why the Butcherer was butchering away next to the Gate was to gather magical energy needed to power the Gate .

One might ask why the monsters aren’t just hurling their bodies against the gate .

They might wonder, why go through all the trouble of gathering the magical energy in the Butcherer .

It’s to be expected .

As explained before, monsters have their rank chosen from birth .

Depending on the rank, they are born with innate Authority or abilities .

But that’s not the end of it .

The ranking of the monster also determines how much maximum magical energy they can hold .

Any extra magical energy going over the amount the monster can handle won’t be absorbed .

One thing that was interesting was that humans did not have a limit on how much magical energy they could absorb .

By killing the monsters, they could absorb magical energy without limit .

However, they did not know how to use that magical energy freely .

Karin had to pour in magical energy far more condensed than what was currently being poured in .

That was the only way that he could hasten the Gate’s connection .

It would be the only way that he could continue to survive .

It didn’t take long for him to arrive in front of the Butcherer .

Around that time, a Butcherer that had obtained the maximum mana it could absorb jumped into the Gate, disappearing into smoke .

“Kerut! You filthy lower class monsters! We need a bigger bowl!”

“KUWUH!”

“KWUH!”

“Tsk tsk . Stop what you’re doing right now and get me some Sand Hounds! Right now!”

“Kururu . ”

“There’s no time to waste . It’ll be the death of me at this rate . Keruk . ”

****

“Whew! Thank you for the meal . ”

“I wonder if I’ve lived this long to taste such a wonderful meal, hoho . ”

“Ah, I’m most glad . How was… . I’m not sure if it was to young So-Hyeon’s tastes… . . ”

“Mother, I think I’ll need another bowl . ”

“Hohoho . Even your speech is so pretty . Hand the bowl over to me . ”

“Yes!”

While my mother went to the kitchen with the bowl, I quietly spoke to those gathered at the table .

“I really don’t want to ruin this atmosphere…… but I think I won’t be able to tell her if I don’t go for it right now . ”

“It’s better to get the hard stuff done first and out of the way . ”

Jong Ho agreed with what I said .

Perhaps because So-Hyeon had comes to term with the news already, she also nodded with a softer expression .

Unlike them, the members of the association had cloudy expressions .

This situation was the equivalent of handing over a task to that they could not do on to me .

It must be tough for them to bring it up .

Mother came back with a bowl of rice .

“Here you go . Please let me know if you want more if you finish eating . ”

“Yes! Thank you, mother!”

“My my . How sweet you are… . ”

It was then .

The commander spoke up .

“Um… . Madam……”

“Do what you must . ”

“…… . ”

“…… . ”

“These two sons are my only family . How could a parent not know of the worries their children carries? On top of that, they’re too simple natured to hide their expressions properly . ”

“Mom… . . ”

“Mother… . . ”

“You two idiots . How long are you going to make me wait before you speak up!”

Mother lightly gave us knuckle sandwiches on the top of our heads .

As if my brain had been frozen, my mind went blank .

It wasn’t because of the impact of mother striking down my head .

It was because I was shocked at her reaction to the news .

Mother continued .

“The son that I gave birth to, as well as the son I never had, both are my babies, so how could I not be worried? However… . My boys have never disappointed me once all this time . They always made the right choice and followed the right path . ”

“… . . ”

“If it’s something that they hid and weren’t able to bring it up… . They must’ve have been struggling a long time to find their answers . That’s enough for me . I have faith that my boys have found the right answer . I am sure of it… . ”

“Thank you, madam…… . I am ashamed that I can only show you not of our heroics, but embarrassing moments . ”

“Not at all . ”

“It must have been a hard decision, and I thank you for it . ”

“Mom… . ”

“Take care of yourself . Jong Ho, be careful at least for the sake of your fiancee . Don’t forget to eat, and if… . if you can contact me, do as much as you can… . . ”

“……”

“……”

Pretending as if she was okay, she continued to cut an apple for us .

Our hearts were filled with strong emotions, but we all did our best to suppress it .

And like that, dinner ended .