Chapter 394 – Side Story 9   - Jupiter

Boom!

It was difficult to believe the clanking of two metallic training swords could be this deafening. It sounded like a missile had struck the area.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Several dozens of blasts rang afterward. A great blacksmith must have created the training swords because they didn’t break despite creating such powerful explosions.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

After a few more explosions, one of the swords changed. Still average-looking and blunt, the sword now had electric arcs dancing around it. Also, the arcs didn’t seem ordinary, as the arcs’ color alternated between blue and white.

“...”

“...”

The two fighters paused and stared at each other. If they continued, the electric arc-covered sword could cause some serious damage.

“Isn’t this against the rules?” said the one holding the normal training sword.

“What rules? We’ve always sparred like this, haven’t we?” His opponent sneered.

“Fine. Then I won’t go easy on you either,” said the annoyed fighter. His average-looking metal sword also changed, evolving into something with a mysterious dark glow.

“Hey, isn’t that going too far?” asked the fighter with the arc sword.

“You started it.”

“Hmph.”

The two growled at each other, preparing for another battle, but they were both smiling.

“Fine, let’s do this,” said the fighter with the arc sword. They struggled to find sparring partners due to their immense power. They used to live on battlefields long ago, but now they just enjoyed reminiscing about their glorious past.

“Let’s do this.”

The two darted toward each other. The arc sword clashed with the dark sword, creating a bright flash that engulfed the space around them.

***

“I’m dying here.”

“Stop lying, you jerk. I know you aren’t hurt at all.”

The two fighters were flopping on the ground. They were inside a vast training hall. Before they had fought, it was in pristine condition; now, it looked like a battlefield.

“He will be upset,” said one fighter. This place’s owner had put a lot of effort into building this training hall; now, it was in ruins.

“I mean… We destroyed it cleanly. He could be happy about that, right? It will be easy to rebuild and… I’m sure he had been planning to remodel this place anyway.”

“You’re also a pretty good liar, huh?”

The two smiled at each other. They hadn’t always been close friends; a long time ago, they had experienced something similar.

“I still remember those terrible times.”

“Yeah, I’ve been having nightmares lately, too.”

The two had fought enemies for so long that they now didn’t have many they could rely on. They remembered the vicious battles and the tears they had shed. One time, they had hugged each other and cried their hearts out. They knew they would be teased mercilessly if anyone found out about it. After all, they were one of the most powerful figures in the world.

Both of them blushed, remembering the embarrassing memory.

“Ugh.” “You were also thinking about that time, weren’t you?”

They had spent such a long time together that they could tell what the other was thinking by his facial expression.

Now, their swords only had their hilts left as they had obliterated each other’s blades.

“These swords are also ruined…”

“Paimon will be furious.”

They may have looked like your average training swords, but the truth was far from it. They were made of new materials only Paimon could create, which was why they could endure the incredible powers of these fighters.

“So do you like your new awakened power?” asked Lou.

“Of course. How did it feel to you?” answered Jupiter.

“Not bad.”

The two smiled at each other again. Lou rose and said quietly, “Jupiter…”

Jupiter frowned and muttered, “Don’t call me that, Lou. You’re grossing me out.”

A serious look appeared on Lou’s face as he mumbled, “I heard that you met Kronos.”

“...”

“Are you okay?”

Lou, once the king of hell, had changed a lot. He had gone soft and actually enjoyed it. When Jupiter didn’t reply, Lou continued, “You have lived almost an eternity, so how do you feel now?”

They had talked about everything in the past but never this. To Jupiter, Kronos was still a sensitive topic. He couldn’t help but feel mixed emotions whenever he thought about his father. He wanted to forgive Kronos but couldn’t. This was why Lou tread this subject cautiously.

Jupiter finally replied, “I don’t know.”

They both grinned at each other before Lou asked, “Is it today?”

“Yeah.”

Lou’s grin turned even shiftier as he offered, “Then you better hurry up. I’ll… take care of the cleanup here and Kim Gi-Gyu, so you go ahead.”

“Thanks.” Jupiter shook Lou’s hand.

***

Eden had become very busy because of Uranus’ appearance in the Tower. The world had gone into turmoil, and Eden had worked hard to resolve what had happened. Thankfully, the world soon accepted the incident with optimism. The media helped by sending positive messages.

-We may face danger anytime, but we are prepared. Instead of dwelling on what happened, we must train hard to be ready!

Everyone felt optimistic because, in simple terms, Kim Gi-Gyu had brainwashed them. The world he had created was amazing—A world filled with hope. They believed that Eden would take care of them, and they were motivated to become stronger for their future. This was enough to keep everyone satisfied.

‘Well, at least I got a vacation out of this,’?Jupiter thought. Jupiter, who had experienced the biggest change from the recent event, went by Kim Gil-Gyu now. He had broken his seal by acquiring his name back. His original plan had been to live among humans as someone only slightly stronger, but everything had changed.

The world now knew that Grigories existed and that Guide Kim Gil-Gyu was their leader. In addition, there were rumors that Guide Kim Gil-Gyu was even stronger than high rankers.

Eden didn’t want these rumors to spiral out of control, but it didn’t do much to control them either. Everyone knew about the handsome, kind, and powerful guide who held a high rank inside Eden. Kim Gil-Gyu became the most talked about figure in the world.

“Uwah, I heard that guy Kim Gil-Gyu disappeared!”

“I know… I wish I could meet him just once. It would’ve been awesome if he were my guide when I went through the tutorial floors.”

“My friend’s friend’s sister was taught by him long ago, and…”

Kim Gil-Gyu had become the biggest star in the world. Jupiter lowered his face when he heard people gossiping around him.

‘This is the worst.’?Jupiter hated the situation. He had to wear a hat and a black mask to not get recognized.

‘Should I change my appearance and get a new identity?’

He could change his outer appearance as he wished, and as one of the highest-ranking members inside Eden, it wouldn’t be difficult to get a new identity. As long as he didn’t massacre a bunch of people, Eden wouldn’t interfere. ‘That jerk.’?Jupiter seethed every time he thought about Gi-Gyu. He had become friends with El and Lou, but things were still complicated with Gi-Gyu. There was no doubt Jupiter cared about Gi-Gyu, but he also hated him. Was it because they were one and the same?

‘Well, they do say that you die when you meet your doppelganger.’?

Jupiter knew this was just a myth, but he couldn’t help but wonder. He didn’t understand the mixed emotions he felt toward Gi-Gyu.

“She should be here by now.” Jupiter looked up. He was currently at the Incheon International Airport. Thanks to the Tower and the gates, traveling between countries was now easier and faster, but not everyone had access to these convenient transportation systems. And most people still preferred to fly.

‘I don’t understand why she chooses to fly.’?The guest he was waiting for had access to the Tower and the gates whenever she wished. ‘Or she could teleport if she wants.’?

She could even instantly travel to the opposite ends of Earth. She could hop between dimensions if she wished, yet she insisted on flying.

‘She said it’s because she never got to fly in airplanes much in the past.’?Jupiter grumbled and got up, as her plane was about to land. When he stood up, people around him began to whisper among themselves. He wore a hat and a mask, but he still couldn’t hide his physique and aura.

The world had more players now, and they were all charming in some way, but Jupiter’s appearance was even more special. There was something mysterious about him, and he attracted people’s attention everywhere he went.

Ignoring them, Jupiter began walking. She would be here soon.

“Hoo…” His heart pounded. He wasn’t this nervous when he had battled Uranus; Jupiter wondered why. Nothing special was going on between them, and they weren’t even allies. However, one day, he just began to notice her.

‘I shouldn’t have drank that day,’?Jupiter regretted his decision at that party. It was the day he had decided to live as Kim Gil-Gyu. He received a new identity and got most of his power sealed away. He could never get drunk before, but for the first time, he got intoxicated that day.

And unfortunately, she, too, was drunk that day.

‘Dammit.’?Jupiter blushed, and he looked around, worried she might see him looking ridiculous like this.

“Hey!”

“...”

“Did you wait long? My flight got delayed a little, so I’m a little late. By the way, your face… Why are you so red?” asked the woman.

‘Fuck. She saw me.’?Jupiter became even redder. He was wearing a hat and a large black mask, but it was no use. This woman had the Evil Eye, after all. More accurately, she now had the Divine Eye.

“Yeah, I know. I’m embarrassed, but I indeed have the Divine Eye now.” She smiled. Jupiter watched the woman. She had long, straight hair, little to no makeup, and small glasses. Also, she was neither too tall nor too short.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“Don’t read my mind.”

“It’s hard to read your mind anyway. Long time no see.” She walked up to him and offered her hand. “Hi, Jupi.”

She smiled beautifully, and Jupiter stared for a moment before another voice chimed in.

“It has been a long time, Great Being,” Baal greeted.

“Dammit,” Jupiter swore, realizing that this stupid demon was still following Soo-Jung.

***

“I heard Uranus appeared,” Soo-Jung asked. Baal was driving, and Soo-Jung and Jupiter were in the back seat.

“Yeah, he made all kinds of trouble.”

“Hmm…” Soo-Jung seemed worried.

“Don’t worry. Everything worked out, including… that man.”

When Jupiter reassured her, Soo-Jung smiled faintly. Suddenly, she pinched his cheek, and Jupiter yelled, “Hey! What are you doing?!”

“I’m just so proud of you.”

“...”

They looked at each other awkwardly.

“You have changed a lot, haven’t you?” When Soo-Jung asked, Jupiter looked away silently. The warm sun shone on them as an uncomfortable silence fell.