Chapter 393 – Side Story 8   - Kronos (8)

Uranus clenched his fist and punched at Jupiter. Uranus was smiling broadly, ecstatic to have killed Kronos.

‘What the hell am I doing here?’?Jupiter couldn't understand his current situation, but this fight wasn’t what confused him. ‘Why am I feeling this way?’?

What was this emotion? He had resented Kronos for the longest time. He used to dream about killing Kronos with his own two hands, so why was he feeling like this?

‘Just because he died for me… How could I feel this way?’?If he let his emotions take over, Jupiter feared he might cry. It made him snigger and laugh out loud.

Jupiter remembered Kim Gi-Gyu’s words.

“I’m going to make you independent, utterly separated from me. You must find your own life. A life not about me or revenge but one of your choosing. Whether you want to forgive or not, that is your choice.”

Gi-Gyu had said this when Jupiter’s physical form was ready. Jupiter wondered why he suddenly remembered these words.

‘Do I want to forgive him just because of this?’?Such a ridiculous thought. He and Kim Gi-Gyu had been living separately for a long time now. He had hidden his identity, kept his temper under control, and lived like a normal human among all these different species. No one feared or resented him. It was a smooth, average life, and he was thankful for it.

Looking at Uranus, Jupiter smirked and murmured, “That’s right. It’s not about forgiveness. I probably feel this way because I don’t like this situation.”

Jupiter concluded that he felt these strange emotions because he was angry. He was so weak now that, to survive, he had to rely on others, and he wasn’t happy about it.

Jupiter felt calmer now. He wasn’t becoming stronger, but he felt something surge inside him.

“Ackkkkkk!” Jupiter roared, and the sky began to rumble.

***

“Are you okay?!” Choi Leah looked concerned as she poured every healing potion she had on Kronos. “Wh-why isn’t it working? Why aren’t you healing…?!”

The hole in Kronos’ chest refused to disappear, but this was to be expected. Simple potions couldn’t heal a fatal wound like this. And the attack from Uranus was literally called the death ray, so, in all honesty, Kronos should have died by now.

“Why… am I still alive…?” Kronos whispered.

“Are you awake? Don’t try to speak!” Leah begged in desperation. The blood from Kronos’ wound was marring the ground around. “Please don’t say anything, and… don’t fall asleep! The reinforcements must be on their way.”

Kronos silently looked up at the sky. Suddenly, his eyes widened. “How…”

“I told you not to speak!” Leah yelled, but she couldn’t hide the faint smile on her lips. She explained, “We won.”

“What…?”

“I said we won! Kim Gil-Gyu! No… I mean, Jupiter! Anyway, he killed that crazy monster!”

It sounded impossible, but that was the truth. He could see Uranus’ corpse hanging in the sky. The corpse looked odd because it was completely black, like charcoal. And strange blue electric arcs sporadically danced around his corpse.

“But how…?” Kronos couldn’t believe it. He knew he shouldn’t waste any more energy speaking, but it wasn’t like that would increase his lifespan significantly. He was about to die, so why not die having one less question?

“...” Leah thought for a while, giving her tears time to evaporate and stain her face, before nodding. “Just don’t say anything and listen. I’ll tell you what happened.”

She continued, “After you were struck by that beam… It began. The sky started to change.”

“The sky…?”

“Yes, the sky. It began crying for some reason, raining down blue electric arcs.”

Kronos looked around him. ‘The monsters of Chaos…’?

The grime monsters were all dead. They looked burnt, just like Uranus. He guessed that electric arc rain had killed them all.

“Then, the biggest thunderbolt fell from the sky on Jupiter—I mean, Kim Gil-Gyu—no, I mean… Whatever! It fell on that guide!” Leah looked excited as she yelled, “I thought he would die! After all, that thunderbolt was scary. I was sure not even the strongest player could survive that.”

Kronos smiled as he reveled in Leah’s excitement. She was so engrossed that she didn’t even notice his smile. She continued, “But! All wasn’t as it seemed. That thunderbolt… It didn’t fall on him. Actually, he had summoned it!”

Leah looked up at the sky as if remembering what had happened earlier. She added, “He held the lightning as if it was a sword, and when he threw it at the giant. Kaboom!”

“It was all over…?”

“Yes. And the guide”—Leah pointed at the sky—“has been like that ever since. I tried to get closer, but the electric arcs around him are very strong. Thankfully, the floor is getting unblocked, so I’m sure we can get out of here soon.”

‘Jupi…’?Kronos watched his son from afar. He was ashamed that he didn’t even recognize his son earlier.

“What are you doing?!” Leah screamed when Kronos rose. He trembled like a twig but refused Leah’s hands when she tried to stop him.

“Thank you,” said Kronos.

“For what?”

“For helping me and for trying to save that child. Thank you for everything.”

“You…” Leah seemed to have realized something. She stepped back and stared at Kronos.

“I think you must be Ha-Rim’s descendant.”

“...”

“Aren’t you curious about what happened between us? Do you remember the story I told you before?” asked Kronos.

“You mean that player who killed the Creator?” Leah looked serious, unlike when she had first heard about it.

“Y-yes. Look at him now. I’m sure you believe me now. The Creator was thousands of times stronger than that beast. No, he was probably even more powerful than that. And there was one player who fought him. During that time, I… did many terrible things.”

“...”

“Then, somehow, I obtained this body, which belonged to Ha Song-Su. And you… I think you’re related to the woman named Ha-Rim who was in love with him.”

Leah couldn’t understand, but she tried to remember.

Kronos continued, “Everything I told you is the truth. Whether you believe it or not is your choice.”

“Then”—Leah gulped—“Kim Gil-Gyu… What is your relationship with him?”

“He’s someone I must beg for forgiveness from… I have done unimaginable things to him all his life. I don’t have much time, but I must use my time to plead.”

Kronos floated up by using the last of his energy. Leah wanted to help him, but she didn’t have much power left. Kronos rose higher, and looking down, he whispered, “He’s my son.”

Kronos flew toward Jupiter.

***

Crack, crack.

The blue electric arcs had formed a massive barrier around Jupiter, so just getting close to him seemed impossible.

‘I think I understand what must’ve happened.’?As Kronos got closer, he began to see more clearly. ‘Jupi… My son…’

Jupiter was a special child from birth. He was born to the most powerful ruler and possessed a vast shell comparable to God's.

‘Perhaps that was why he didn’t have the power of a ruler.’?

All ruler descendants were born with a special power. Kronos could manipulate time and space, Uranus controlled the sky, and Gaia was the master of the land. In a manner of speaking, a ruler was someone who could control an element. But despite being Kronos’ child, Jupiter had awakened no elemental power.

“At the time, I thought… his giant shell was his main power,” Kronos mumbled. But it turned out that Jupiter was even more powerful than he had thought. “I’ve done such a terrible thing to you.”

‘Jupiter’s power isn’t his giant shell. His true power actually never awakened until now.’?

The requirement to activate a ruler's power varied from person to person and may include factors such as age, physical changes, or encountering a specific person. In Jupiter's case, his power had not been activated until now.

“You resemble your grandfather,” Kronos muttered. The ability to control lightning was just a part of the power to control the sky and the atmosphere. Jupiter had just awakened this power and was about to lose consciousness.

Kronos grinned with satisfaction and relief. “I guess I get to do at least one fatherly thing for you.”

The longer it took to awaken a power, the greater it would be; the harder it would be to accept. This is why the other rulers normally taught their children how to wield their powers

Of course, Jupiter had received no such care. Since his power awakened so late, it was likely the greatest one in existence. And at this rate, Jupiter might end up in danger consequently.

“Ugh…” Kronos pushed his hand inside the electric barrier. The smell of burning flesh filled the air as his flesh turned black. Enduring the pain, he reached out to Jupiter.

“Accept this,” said Kronos. He accumulated every bit of power left inside him. Thankfully, fighting with Uranus had somehow made some of his original power return. It was enough to make Jupiter’s new power dormant and heal him.

“I’m sorry…” Kronos whispered as Jupiter’s electric arcs swallowed him. Through the agony, he added, “Please do not forgive me.”

***

“Asshole.”

He couldn’t understand what was happening.

“Did you do this on purpose?” the familiar voice questioned.

‘Jupi?’?He tried to open his mouth, but he was no longer in control of his body. ‘What’s going on?’?

Kronos had no choice but to listen to the conversation.

“No, I didn’t do anything. I’m just as shocked as you are.”

“You’re lying. You’re the god of this world and have complete control over the Tower, so how could you not know what was happening inside the Tower?” Jupiter’s voice was sharp, but Kronos could tell he felt comfortable with whoever he was talking to.

“No, I didn’t do this.” The voice that responded to Jupiter sounded familiar to Kronos as well.

‘Kim Gi-Gyu…’? Kronos could never forget this voice. As he listened, Gi-Gyu and Jupiter continued to talk.

“When I killed the Creator before, Kronos sacrificed himself to turn back time. You know that, don’t you?” asked Gi-Gyu.

“...”

“I think a gap was created in time then, which must be how Kronos came back to life. Uranus too…”

.

“Dammit. If I were stronger than you, I would’ve beaten you up, Gi-Gyu,” Jupiter argued.

“I’m telling you, I didn’t do this!”

Gi-Gyu and Jupiter’s argument sounded like music to Kronos.

“So what are you going to do?” asked Gi-Gyu.

“Do what?” Jupiter sounded annoyed.

“I’ll do whatever you ask me to. I no longer possess you, so you can make your own choices. Nothing has changed. I will trust you and do as you ask.” Gi-Gyu sounded sneaky.

“So you’re making me take responsibility for whatever might happen, huh?” Jupiter still sounded frustrated. Even though Kronos had his eyes closed, he could feel their eyes.

“Yes, I’m forcing you to make a choice here because… it is only right that you do. You certainly have more rights than I do.”

“Fuck.” Jupiter cursed before muttering, “I…”

All Kronos could do was listen.