Ubermensch – Chapter 91

Chapter 91

“Who is Kal-El?”

“Superman’s real name. He’s an alien from the planet Krypton…”

“Superman? Krypton?”

“…Never mind. Forget it.”

As Mason blinked in confusion, Steve Queen gave a wry smile.

“Anyway, the Great Eater… no, the World Tree was an escape spaceship to evacuate that lifeform, right?”

“That’s right.”

Chong Daolong asked,

“Then why did it lure in monsters and devour them?”

“The World Tree had a terraforming function. It needed a vast amount of energy to terraform Earth into an environment suitable for this alien.”

“Is the core energy absorbed from monsters through the Lunch Bell the means for that?”

“Yes.”

At that moment, Massoud, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

“This might be a question that’s off-topic… but what exactly was the disaster that those who sent the World Tree experienced? If a simple escape spaceship could display that much power, it should be able to handle most disasters on its own, right?”

“I don’t know exactly. But… the stars in the night sky all disappeared at once, and the entire environment of the planet turned into hell.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means exactly what it says.”

Mason added, as if in explanation,

“It’s telepathy that was directly transmitted to my mind…”

At that moment, a scene from his dream suddenly flashed through Mason’s mind.

The giant with the silver arm. The Mason with white hair, looking out at the universe, spewing infinite hatred and madness.

“…I don’t know anything other than what the World Tree showed me.”

Mason mumbled, trying to gloss over it.

Steve Queen, noticing that Mason was hiding something, narrowed his eyes, but didn’t press him further.

Then Jean Bosung spoke.

“Then the original sin of this invasion lies with the alien lifeform that Raid Leader-nim brought.”

“No, the World Tree simply acted according to the command given to it. The command to create an environment where this alien could live. Because it’s a kind of AI, it followed the command without any room for reinterpretation or negotiation.”

“If someone dies from a gunshot, is it the bullet’s fault that it was lodged in their body, or the person who pulled the trigger?”

Jean Bosung looked at the alien lifeform with cold eyes.

“This monster’s parents sent the spaceship that caused this, and this monster is the owner of that spaceship. Therefore, the monster should naturally pay the price for its sin.”

“Is it right to hold a child accountable for the sins of its parents?”

“The actions taken to save a child are the sins of the parents.”

Jean Bosung’s words were in the realm of faith.

He was a good person, and a devout believer.

Therefore, he could only be more harsh towards those who existed outside his realm.

“I disagree with that.”

“Then what do you suggest we do?”

“We should protect him as a refugee.”

“That’s a noble sentiment.”

Jean Bosung wore a sad expression. It was a face full of sincerity.

“If only I could agree with that… it would have been nice.”

“Can’t you?”

“Too many people have died. I’ve seen too many deaths of good parents and good children. I guess I’m… too petty to be merciful even to a monster.”

“Monster? If we don’t call beings who have intelligence and can create culture human, then who in the world can be called human?”

As the two men’s argument showed signs of dragging on, Steve Queen clapped his hands sharply.

“I don’t know if this is a doctrinal debate or an anthropological discussion, but save the bickering for later.”

“…Then what are we going to do?”

At Jean Bosung’s question, Steve Queen looked around and said,

“Let’s settle this rationally. By vote.”

Jean Bosung said,

“He’s a monster, and an invader before that. I believe he should pay the price.”

Massoud pondered for a moment before saying,

“I think… we need to observe him for a while. At least until we confirm whether he can live among humans and whether he can be educated.”

Jean Bosung calmly looked at Massoud.

The two men stared at each other for a moment, but it was only for a moment.

The two warriors respected each other too much for their feelings to change over a difference of opinion on a single event.

“Chong Daolong. What about you?”

“The Great Eater didn’t invade our territory. It doesn’t seem like my place to judge, so I’ll abstain.”

Steve Queen looked at Mason.

“Raid Leader Mason will obviously be on the side of keeping him alive…”

“Yes.”

“I don’t particularly have any ill feelings towards the alien. However… since we’ve already obtained a sample, I’d like to dissect and research it if possible.”

Steve Queen looked at Batkhishig.

“It’s 2 to 2. Brigadier General Batkhishig. It seems this alien’s life hangs on your vote.”

“I…”

Batkhishig was conflicted. In a brief moment, a myriad of emotions flickered across his face.

He looked at Mason, then at the alien.

Batkhishig made up his mind.

๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑

When Mason arrived, Deroa was sitting quietly in front of the Korean trailer.

“You’re here?”

No, actually, she was far from quiet. She was enjoying a leisurely time amidst a pile of canned beer and squid legs.

Mason cautiously asked,

“Deroa, are you…”

“You know, so why ask?”

Deroa said nonchalantly.

“My core. It’s shattered.”

“Deroa…”

As Mason tried to offer words of comfort, Deroa abruptly cut him off.

“Hey, if you’re going to talk about depressing things, just shut up and…”

She tossed him a can of beer.

“…Just drink this.”

“…Okay.”

Mason, taking the can of beer, sat down next to Deroa.

“Thank you for everything. For all of it.”

Deroa smiled contentedly. But it was only for a moment. She then said curtly,

“Of course you should be thankful, you punk.”

“Yeah.”

Deroa gestured with her chin towards Mason’s side, asking,

“Is that thing you brought with you a drinking snack?”

“No, it’s an alien.”

At the last moment, Batkhishig had sided with Mason.

Whether it was out of gratitude for defeating the enemy Great Eater, or sympathy for the alien, he didn’t know… but in any case, the alien’s custody was entrusted to Mason.

“Are you stupid? Where in the world are there aliens?”

“You do realize you’re talking to a person from the future, right?”

“…!”

Deroa gave a wry smile.

“Hah, it’s really true that you live and learn. Right?”

“You got that right.”

Deroa took a sip of her beer and said,

“I’m going back home. I need to catch up on being a good daughter.”

“Won’t you stay in Korea? There’s a lot you could do as a researcher or support staff.”

“Cut it out. Curtain call isn’t my style, and I’m getting tired of babysitting.”

“…Okay.”

Deroa looked at Mason.

“Big guy.”

“Yeah?”

“About Seo Yeonhee…”

She hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“When she comes back… I want you to take care of Seo Yeonhee in my place.”

“Does the great Seo Yeonhee need looking after?”

Mason said with a laugh, but Deroa’s expression was serious.

“People think Seo Yeonhee is my safety net because she’s a troublemaker, but it’s actually the opposite. Seo Yeonhee didn’t cross the line because I was there. Because she had to come back to me. But now I can’t be by her side… someone needs to be a place for Seo Yeonhee to return to.”

“…”

“It won’t be easy. Actually, being Seo Yeonhee’s friend isn’t an easy task.”

“Harder than being Deroa’s friend?”

“Of course it’s harder. When have I ever caused you any trouble?”

“…”

“…”

Thud!

Deroa jabbed Mason’s side with her dainty fist.

“Aren’t you going to answer…?”

“No, no. There wasn’t, and there isn’t.”

“You only speak the truth when you get hit.”

Grumbling, Deroa leaned her head against Mason’s shoulder.

“My long stint as a player is finally over.”

“Do you regret it?”

“No, not at all.”

Deroa looked at the horizon where the Great Eater had disappeared, the green horizon dividing the sky and the earth.

“I’ll remember that horizon for the rest of my life. And every time I think of this scenery, I’ll smile. That alone makes it worth losing my core. It’s not something just anyone can do, to achieve something you can be proud of for your entire life.”

Deroa smiled wistfully.

“When you think of me, remember me by this scenery. Big guy, I’ll also think of you by this scenery.”

“Alright, Deroa.”

Mason quietly murmured.

“Thank you for everything.”

“Me too.”

Mason smiled.

Tomorrow, and the day after, he would have to fight another battle on another battlefield.

Deroa would disembark from there, and Mason would have to keep fighting.

Mason looked at the horizon.

“Yeah, for sure…”

But he could be sure of one thing.

“The scenery is better without the Great Eater.”

Mason took a swig of his beer.

The most refreshing beer he’d ever tasted.

๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑๑ஓ๑

The war was over.

It was time for the warriors to depart for new battlefields, and for the Mongolians to rebuild their homeland.

The first to leave were Massoud and Jean Bosung.

“Our homeland is still teeming with monsters, so if you’ll allow us, we’d like to return as soon as possible.”

“While I congratulate you on the steppe finding peace, the Jihad is not over yet.”

Batkhishig saluted them and said,

“The Mongolians do not forget kindness, and I especially do not. I pray that your god will grant me grace, and that the day will come when I can repay this kindness on your land.”

“New reinforcements are always welcome.”

Mason extended his hand to Jean Bosung.

Jean Bosung shook his hand with a kind smile.

“Since you’ve already accepted him as a guest, raise him right.”

“I’ll try.”

They returned to their home countries via teleportation.

Next was Steve Queen.

“If you have any good business opportunities, let me know.”

Steve Queen winked at Batkhishig, and Batkhishig said with a laugh,

“I think our Minister of Economy will be in touch soon.”

Steve Queen, grinning, looked at Mason.

“We’ll be seeing each other again soon, so there’s no need for grand farewells, right?”

His gaze was meaningful. Mason gave a wry smile and said,

“…Yeah, see you later.”

The last one remaining was Chong Daolong.

He said with a stern expression,

“My country cannot cede an inch of land, nor a single person. If your country disrupts our borders and causes an outflow of people from Inner Mongolia, my country will never stand idly by.”

“…”

Batkhishig’s face hardened at Chong Daolong’s harsh words.

But Chong Daolong wasn’t finished.

“If you and your country do not forget that fact… we can remain comrades.”

“I won’t forget.”

Chong Daolong nodded.

He looked at Mason and said,

“Brother Park, although we both have jobs that leave us with little time to rest… let’s have a good drink sometime when we get the chance. I’d like to boast about the fine liquor of my homeland.”

“You’d better not make a drinking bet with me. I can break down alcohol biologically.”

“The beauty of drinking is getting drunk on good liquor, why would Brother Park think of a way to avoid getting drunk?”

Chong Daolong chuckled heartily and teleported away.

Looking at Mason, who was the last one left, Batkhishig said,

“Thank you for coming to this land.”

Mason shook Batkhishig’s hand.

“Thank you for opening your heart.”

Batkhishig glanced at the alien Mason was holding.

“I haven’t forgiven it. It’s just… my gratitude towards you was greater than my grudge against it.”

“…Is that so.”

“We’ll see each other again someday, in another war.”

“Yeah. Someday, in another war.”

Mason teleported away.

And, everyday life began.