Chapter 222.2: (Epilogue)

***

In the capital of the Reorkan Empire, Deferon…

At the party’s lodgings, Kang Yoon-Soo opened a book.

‘

Record of a Thousand Lives…’

he thought as he caressed the book. He had to keep the diary with him at all times so he wouldn’t lose his memories again.

‘

I can’t make another copy of this…’

The diary was effective because Iris had poured her heart and soul into writing it. Thus, copying its contents into another book did not have any effect at all. In addition, the ‘Record of a Thousand Lives’ was the only thing that helped Kang Yoon-Soo maintain his memories. He had tried many different experiments, but it was the only thing that had an effect on his memory.

‘

There are still a lot of mysteries surrounding the preservation of one’s memories…’

He looked at the ‘Record of a Thousand Lives’, which was the only book of its kind in the entire world.

‘

If this book gets burned…’

He could just burn the book right there on the spot. Then, he would be able to forget about the twenty thousand years of memories that haunted and tormented him. However, Kang Yoon-Soo could not afford to throw away his memories just like that.

Suddenly, the shadow of a child appeared behind him. It was a fragment of his memories, a hallucination that was only visible to him.

Kang Yoon-Soo continued staring at the book as he said, “I tried to forget about you.”

The child’s shadow continued to stand silently behind him.

“You said it yourself. You told me to let go of the past,” Kang Yoon-Soo continued. He gripped the book tightly and turned around before saying, “It seems that I can’t forget you, though.”

Kang Yoon-Soo looked at the shadow. He had no intent to hurt it or chase it away. He walked toward the shadow, then hugged it and said, “I’ll embrace you. I’ll embrace everything about you. The past that I tried to forget, and even the horrible deaths you faced.”

The shadow disappeared, and a young boy who appeared to be around ten years old stood in its place. The boy slowly moved his lips and spoke softly. “…”

It was a very soft voice, but Kang Yoon-Soo definitely heard it.

“That is a beautiful name,” he said. He continued sincerely, “I’ll never forget you for the rest of my life… you are my son, after all.”

The boy, who greatly resembled him, smiled before being absorbed into Kang Yoon-Soo. The memory fragment that had been the source of his nightmares was finally made whole.

***

Many changes had occurred on the continent.

Several conflicts, large and small, had broken out over the vacant throne, and dozens of powerful men who had suddenly gone missing in the past had joined the fray.

The new creatures called titans and Renos had revolutionized the continent’s stoneworking and construction technology from the ground up.

Numerous books with revised information about the King of All Things had been added to the library.

However, the ordinary people went about their daily lives as if nothing had happened.

It was a peaceful era.

Meanwhile, Kang Yoon-Soo’s party members were hiking up a hill.

Henrick, who was drenched in sweat, asked, “So, you promised to help the White Lion Clan from behind the scenes?”

“I’ll only provide them with information,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“Ha… Do you really intend to turn that guy, Han Se-Hyun, into the emperor?” Henrick asked.

“I promised him,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied nonchalantly.

“Since when have you been so honest?” Henrick grumbled, clicking his tongue. He added, “There is something I’m curious about, though.”

“What is it?” Kang Yoon-Soo asked.

“The thing that happened after you killed the Demon Lord…” Henrick said, scratching his chin as he continued, “It said that you completed all of the legendary quests. So… What was the final reward?”

Kang Yoon-Soo replied, “The right to meet the being sitting at the pinnacle of everything.”

“Being sitting at the pinnacle of everything…?” Henrick muttered in confusion.

“A being who is above a god, and the one truly omnipotent being,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

Henrick grimaced so badly that his entire face looked like crumpled paper. Then, he asked in a low, serious tone, “So… Did you get to meet that being?”

“I refused,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“What? Why?” Henrick asked.

Kang Yoon-Soo looked up at the sky and said, “It’s not as amazing as it sounds.”

“Hmm… I guess. If you say so. You fought against the Demon Lord, after all,” Henrick replied, rubbing his chin.

Iris flew above them as she urged them, “Henrick! Hurry up! The sun is going to set soon!”

“Shut up. It’s hard to walk because of the snow,” Henrick grumbled.

“I prefer men who take action rather than just flapping their tongues,” Iris said.

“What the hell does it matter to me what your preferences are?” Henrick grumbled again.

“Hmph! Nothing. Just think whatever you like,” Iris said before flying up.

Henrick was the last one to make it to the top of the snow-covered hill. The area on top offered a great, unobstructed view of the entire place.

The sun was setting, and its sunset hue shone down on the hill.

Kang Yoon-Soo released all of his summons, and Henrick took out Rick, whom he had completely repaired.

“Wow! The sunset is really beautiful! It’s a huge relief that papa recovered his memories as well!” Sally exclaimed before jumping up and hugging Kang Yoon-Soo.

“

Grrrr!”

White growled while happily running around in the snow.

Acle stood with an air of arrogance and said, “Hey, stupid lich. How are you feeling now?”

“I got adequate rest, so my bones have mended. Thank you for worrying about me, Acle,” Mini-Lich said.

“Hmph! Who said I was worried? Just make sure you don’t get hurt again. I’ll kill you myself if you do,” Acle said haughtily.

Light smiled brightly as she pulled Sharp’s right hand. She exclaimed, “Kyahaha! Sharp! Let’s make a huge snowman together!”

Meanwhile, Rick timidly pulled on Sharp’s left hand and whispered, “Let’s go massacre some monsters.”

“Huu… Huu… Huu…! Somebody please save me…!” Sharp cried, trembling in fear as he stood between Light and Rick. It seemed as if he would end up in a world of trouble and see blood if he rejected either side’s offer.

Kang Yoon-Soo took out a shining bundle of hair and said, “Sally. Burn it.”

“Alright, papa!” Sally said enthusiastically as she burned the hair.

A bright pillar of light descended from the heavens the moment the hair burned up. Yuriel descended from above, fluttering her tainted black wings.

“It’s been a long time! Insignificant god… I mean, insignificant creature!” Yuriel said.

“You seem to be doing fine,” Henrick said.

Yuriel smiled brightly and replied, “Yeah! I snapped out of it after a while, but goddess-nim told me to work as a guardian angel until my wings turn white again!” Then, the angel tilted her head in confusion and asked, “But why did you call me?”

Shaneth smiled and replied, “I baked a lot of pies. Why don’t you come and eat with us while we enjoy the scenery?”

“Alright! But… What’s a pie…?” Yuriel asked.

“It’s the tastiest food on the continent,” Iris replied.

“Sally wants some too!” Sally exclaimed.

They each took a slice of pie. Shaneth lit a fire in the middle of the group, which burned so brightly that none of them felt cold. Meanwhile, Kang Yoon-Soo and Henrick shared a drink together.

Time passed, and dusk fell as the sun set. Their surroundings slowly grew darker and darker.

Once the area became completely dark, Kang Yoon-Soo took out a bottle filled with glittering dust. It was a bottle of fairy dust—the same one he had previously collected from the corrupted fairy, Quishow, underground. He opened the bottle and spread the dust all over the place.

“Pretty…” Sally murmured.

“It looks very beautiful,” Iris said.

The fairy dust scattered through the air like twinkling stars, then slowly fell to the snow. It was a beautiful, wonderful, and splendid display—a dazzling sight that did not require them to think about anything. It enraptured every single one of the party members, leaving them in awe.

Shaneth sat beside Kang Yoon-Soo and said, “It’s really a huge relief that you got your memories back. We wouldn’t be laughing right now if you didn’t.”

Kang Yoon-Soo stared silently at her, and she asked, “Is there something you want to tell me?”

“I’ll tell you once the time comes,” Kang Yoon-Soo replied.

“What is it about?” Shaneth asked.

Kang Yoon-Soo whispered, “My will.”

“Huh? What did you say?” Shaneth asked. She could not hear him properly due to the rowdy crowd around them.

Kang Yoon-Soo whispered again, “You have pie crumbs on your lips.”

“Huh? Really…?

Eup…!”

Shaneth murmured as her cheeks flushed red.

Kang Yoon-Soo looked at his companions and thought, ‘

I was able to protect them in the end.’

The ‘Record of a Thousand Lives’ was still with him, and he had already taken measures to ensure that the book would not get wet or be damaged. He had no plans to throw it away.

He had thought that he had nothing else to live for, as he had already lived for a very long period of time, but he had been wrong.

Protecting them was his reason to live, and he had still been able to protect all of them in the end. His precious people were alive and well in front of him.

However, he did not think this would be the end just yet.

“Kang Yoon-Soo… J-Just now…!” Shaneth exclaimed in surprise before tears started welling up in her eyes.

The others looked at Kang Yoon-Soo, and all of them were shocked.

The once-expressionless man was smiling for the first time.

“It’s been a long time since I felt happy,” Kang Yoon-Soo said.

The life he had desperately wished for over and over again was finally about to begin.

-The End-

***

Reaching the end of a story always feels awkward and strange, and to be honest, it feels quite amazing and unbelievable at the same time. ^^;

I started thinking and drawing up ‘Record of a Thousand Lives’ right after I finished my CSAT, and a year has passed since then.

All of the stories I have written are all precious to me, but ‘Record of a Thousand Lives’ is a special one that means a lot to me.

This was the first long novel I signed a contract for and finished, and this was also the novel that I wrote as soon as I turned an adult (20 years old).

It was really difficult for me to adjust to being a university student while working as a writer. I went through hell when my tests, assignments, headaches, and novel deadlines all overlapped with each other.

I could not help but really respect the other author-nims at that time. ??

Still, I managed to be punctual and avoid being late or taking any breaks during the time when the novel was up as pay-per-view! That was quite a relief, to be honest. ^^;

I am now 21 years old, but I am still lacking in many ways. It still feels surreal that I was able to complete the novel that I started writing with my own two hands. This would not have been possible if all of you readers did not exist.

Also, for my next work… I have a lot of ideas running through my mind, but I will have to think about them for now, since I have not really been able to decide on one yet.

I hope that you will continue to remember my name, Flatter, even though it is written in English so it might be a bit difficult for you to remember. ??

I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every single one of you who has read ‘Record of a Thousand Lives’ once again.

I am forever grateful to each and every one of you, and I will work hard so that I can come back with another good novel.

-Author, Flatter