Goblin Workshop In Me

136.

Ko Byeong-gap persistently asked about the ark, and Ariena explained it was a kind of elevator that connected heaven and Earth. A picture of the Korean Peninsula soaring above the clouds was drawn in Ko Byeong-gap’s head, like a floating continent. If there were such a thing, it would be quite a sight.

However, Ariena told him that the ark didn’t work that way physically. Besides, for the ark to be completed, there had to be no unbelievers on it. That was why their group of puppets, the Illumination, hunted humans.

“Originally, the archbishop planned to come and empty the ark himself. He said he would revive a Holy Warrior as his servant, but it died suddenly. Anyway, things went wrong because that crazy old hag Seo Si-hee’s caused a disturbance. That’s why seven people, including myself, came here in his stead.”

“What’s the current state of Go Geon-ryong?”

“He’s barely alive. I give it to that old hag. You could say she was so close… I knew it wasn’t an ordinary fight, but I didn’t expect her to push the archbishop that far.”

“Why do you have to empty the ark?”

“Well, I don’t know the exact reason because I just follow what the archbishop tells me to do. At first, I heard that if there were a human without Karma, it would negatively affect the ark.”

“That’s ridiculous. There are over fifty million people on the Korean Peninsula. Did you think you could kill them all?”

“That’s why there was a lot of backlash within the organization. This place is uselessly spacious and crowded, but the archbishop insisted. Why did he do that? Was he homesick? No one knows, but I don’t think it’s that absurd. Ten million are already dead.”

Ariena smiled.

“How far are you in your plans?”

“Haha!”

She burst into laughter. When the pain swept over her, her laugh choked off. Still, her lips quivered.

“It’s as close as it can be. I mean, humans are sick, especially those grown powerful and greedy. Immortality, immortality, and immortality. If you entice them with such things, they will move independently. Hey, why does America, the world’s self-appointed police officer, still have a fussy attitude? Why is China pretending not to see the rioting in its neighboring country? Yes, most of the country’s top leaders are of the same vein as us. They’re assholes who don’t even know that they’re trash.

“But they’re just your pawns?”

“That’s right; they’re throwaways. This is top secret, but I’ll let you know. Only we, the last members can ascend to heaven. Everything else is trash. They don’t even know that, and when the world of paradise arrives, they think they’ll be able to step aboard. Aren’t we all the same?”

“It’s not the same, but it’s amazing. How large is the Six-rays Bridge?”

Ariena rested for a while before she answered.

“World-class guilds, hunters, politicians. It can be said that most of them are in our hands.”

“How did you buy them all? It seems too much to entice them only with the promise of paradise.”

“That’s why we had to grab them. I caught them.”

“What?”

“I brainwashed them. Crap, if anyone in the organization has suffered as much as I have, tell them to come out. I can’t believe I’m going through all this trouble. My fortune is… anyway, killing me relieves that brainwashing. It won’t change suddenly, but they’ll slowly realize some things off. And then, the organization will inevitably collapse.”

Ariena said they would have doubts about the organization. In addition, the monsters would also be let out of her control. It would certainly spell disaster for the Six-rays Bridge.

“Has Illumination been around for long?”

“No, Illumination was made in a hurry. The adoption of this place to be the ark is relatively recent. If not, why would we need to work in such an insignificant country?”

“I see.”

Killing Ariena would terminate her mind control around the world. If so, Six-rays Bridge would lose their hands. Whether it was coincidence or fate, catching Ariena was a true blessing. Yet, at this point, Ko Byeong-gap couldn’t help but doubt.

“So, you must be treated as important as Go Geon-ryong in Six-rays Bridge. So why did you come all the way here?”

“What? That’s too much. Do you think that those creatures outside can touch me? It’s all thanks to you. You’re the one who made me look like this… so, you’re like the archbishop. I saw the things in you. What are they?”

Ko Byeong-gap didn’t feel the need to explain it. Ariena was dissatisfied but had no recourse to complain. Following that, Ko Byeong-gap asked after a few more trivial things, and she answered diligently. He felt like she had no regrets in life. And, in the end, the most important question remained.

Ko Byeong-gap opened his eyes. Ariena was still restrained. Her gaze was blank, and her eyes were dark. What was funny was that she had been laughing helplessly since earlier.

“So, how will the Six-rays Bridge behave after your death?”

Ariena trembled. She raised her head to stare at Ko Byeong-gap.

“That’s it. I don’t know, but one thing is for sure. They’ll be looking for me by now. Hmm, what are they going to do when I die?”

Ariena was lost in thought for some time. About three minutes later, her lips parted.

“Maybe they can advance the plan. Originally, the final work was scheduled for around the spring of next year. They’re going to put all their energy into trying to finish it within the winter. I don’t know since the archbishop isn’t feeling well… well, whoever wins, good luck. All I have to say is this.”

She now treated the Six-rays Bridge as if they were strangers. Ko Byeong-gap tilted his head.

“Aren’t you angry? I remember you said you didn’t want to die.”

“Hey! Don’t change your heart now. I just want you to keep your promise. If you break your promise and hand me over to the old hag, I will curse you. Keep that in mind.”

“Don’t worry. I will keep my promise.”

Ko Byeong-gap raised himself, wondering about how cruel Seo Si-hee’s torture process must’ve been. Ariena’s eyes followed.

“Are you going to do it right away?”

Still, she seemed scared.

“Why? Is there anything you want to say before you die?”

“Let me have a bowl of water.”

“Dorma.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Dorma answered immediately.

“Go get me a bowl of water.”

“Okay.”

In less than a minute, Dorma appeared with the requested item. Ko Byeong-gap put it to the side of Ariena’s mouth, and Ariena gulped it down.

“Ah… I’m finally alive.”

It was comical to say that she was alive with her death moments away. She laughed like a child.

“Thank you for the water.”

Those were Ariena’s last words. Ko Byeong-gap drew his sword, and Ariena’s head fell.

“Throw her body to the remaining Gruggles….”

“Yes?”

“No. Bury it.”

“Okay.”

Ko Byeong-gap left the building and thought about whether that last emotion he felt was compassion.

***

“Ariena is missing!”

Go Geon-ryong roared. Those before him averted his eyes. He staggered as he touched his forehead. Lan Zhi Ling hurried to help him but Go Geon-ryong shook him off.

He didn’t want to believe it at all. He was told that he couldn’t see Ariena since she had gone to Korea and went missing.

“Why didn’t you stop her? You just watched Ariena leave!”

“No, archbishop. Of course, we tried to stop her, but what do you want me to do? And archbishop, you were the one that ordered her to go.”

“What are you talking about…?”

“Calm down. Communication with her has been cut off, but everything will be fine. In the first place, the opponent that threatened her…”

Kajang!

They heard a cracking sound behind them. Go Geon-ryong, and the other members turned to see a laboratory employee had fallen on his butt. The floor was messy with broken glass. He looked up at the people before him and then down to his body.

“What am I doing here…?”

“…”

Go Geon-ryong had to swallow the bitter taste in his mouth. They could tell instinctively that Ariena Barbardi’s mental control had been released, and what it meant was clear.

“Ariena… is she dead?”

“What are the people who went with her doing?”

“Everyone, head to Korea.”

“Hmm? What did you just say?”

“He said, everyone, head to Korea.”

Billian frowned. However, he didn’t ask why. Go Geon-ryong explained immediately.

“I have to advance the date. The ark will be launched before the first month of the new year is over. So, until then, empty the ark. I will build the remaining pillars and go to Korea.”

“Look, archbishop. No matter how much we do, we can’t clean all of Korea without Ariena’s cooperation. Let’s just look for a different place…”

Go Geon-ryong stared fiercely at Billian, who trembled and took two steps back.

“The ark will be made in Korea. Instead, specify a location. It’s not a very large area, so we’ll be able to empty it in time.”

Billian wanted to ask why he insisted on that location so much, but he swallowed his words. Instead, he nodded silently.

“Okay.”

The next day, the rest of them headed to Korea, following the seven who left earlier. Go Geon-ryong, left alone, headed to the most secretive place in the hideout. It was a private area that only he could enter.

Inside was a large cylinder connected to all kinds of equipment, filled with an unknown solution, and holding a woman. She already died eighteen years ago. Go Geon-ryong succeeded in restoring the woman’s body from the bones it had been. However, it was still only a doll. Only the body was intact, and her soul was gone.

Go Geon-ryong stood in front of the cylinder.

“Soojin, just a little bit… wait a little longer. I’ll see you again soon.”

The next day, Go Geon-ryong left for Australia to build the fourth pillar.

***

Ko Byeong-gap felt confused while walking on the streets of Valtadren due to the guards who stood firmly by the locked gates. He tilted his head.

‘There’s no one in Ashvilam that can threaten us anymore, right?’

Their only enemy, the Gruggles, was currently on their side. If so, there was no reason to lock the gates and keep their security tight. Unlike the stormy Earth, perfect peace had arrived in Ashvilam.

“Open all the gates!”

“Yes!”

Ko Byeong-gap had all the gates of Valtadren swung wide open, and the number of guards reduced to 10%.

‘I’ve been too negligent in taking care of Ashvilam these days.’

Earth’s work was Earth’s work, and Ashvilam’s work was Ashvilam’s work. Ko Byeong-gap spent the first day in a long while as the Goblin Lord, not a hunter.