NOVEL WEB The conversation with the overall director O Philseong was more interesting than I expected.
“Pope, I’ve had a hero party in mind for a long time.”
O Philseong was treating me with utmost respect as the Pope. Despite my repeated assurances that he could relax, it seemed difficult for him.
Well, it’s only natural; a guy living in Korea probably hasn’t had a chat with a Pope before. It made sense he was being cautious.
Still, for someone who was uncomfortable around me, he was relatively friendly.
“So, only now that we’re here with the sequel have I forced it in. In fact, everyone opposed it except me, but I pushed it through. Wasn’t that great?”
“Yes. Truly well done.”
I just learned that the characters, including myself, in ‘Solar Scepter’ were actually the bosses of a dungeon designed to fight against forgotten past heroes.
I wondered why we were appearing in a sequel set in a distant future, but there was a reason after all.
“Oh, do you happen to know this? Liam, the hero, was originally very earnest.”
“…Is that so?”
An earnest Liam, huh? That was an extreme contradiction like ‘hot ice cream.’
I tried to imagine it for a moment, but it was not easy. I couldn’t even picture it in my mind, as if I was facing something indescribable.
“Then why did you change the setting?”
“Just… it was boring.”
O Philseong grinned, revealing his teeth.
A smile that matched his robust demeanor. It was a beaming face like a child.
“Typical heroes are rather dull, right? So I kept thinking about it and eventually changed him to a completely reckless punk, and that’s when I really liked it.”
At first, he spoke cautiously; now, the words flowed freely. The more we talked, the more his excitement seemed to grow.
‘Makes sense.’
His own character had appeared in reality. On top of that, he became Pope after experiencing various events that even the creator himself didn’t know about and had a child.
Looking back, it was odd he wasn’t more excited.
“I see.”
I nodded, squinting a bit. Mixing a bit of humor with sincerity.
“Thanks to that, I’ve had such a hard time supporting the very spoiled version of Liam during those troublesome times. There were days when I couldn’t even sleep properly.”
“…I apologize for that.”
O Philseong let out another awkward laugh and sipped his iced Americano. I followed suit, inwardly complaining.
‘Why am I drinking this?’
I was just being polite since he had his subordinate get it for me, but it still tasted bitter and gritty, leaving a bad aftertaste.
According to Seo-yoon, I’d get used to it gradually. For now, it was just a drink I wanted to avoid.
Tea was definitely much more to my liking. The various kinds of tea I had never tasted when I was Park Si-woo were now too delightful.
Was this change of taste included in the setting?
“Am I someone who likes tea, by any chance?”
It was an abrupt question, but O Philseong calmly replied without being flustered.
“Honestly, I didn’t think that deep because it’s just a character in the settings.”
“In that case, all the little things like tastes and habits….”
“Have naturally formed. It has nothing to do with me.”
I actually knew that without even having to ask.
The world I experienced through the game and the one I lived in were fundamentally different despite having the same core.
I was one of the many differences.
“I think that other world must be completely separate from the game. After all, your existence is entirely different from the game setting.”
O Philseong shared my thoughts.
The saint ‘Clitia Eluke’ was destined to die at the hands of the Demon King along with the hero party. Despite fighting to the end, they were eventually slaughtered.
A predetermined death and a tragic fate.
Yet the battle I actually experienced with the Demon King ended in victory. That was a development that could never happen in the game.
So I had been curious all along.
Ever since I realized I had possessed ‘Apollis Tales,’ I had always held onto a question.
“So how was that other world created? That has always been a mystery for me.”
I continued, stroking Rohan’s back as he squirmed.
“At first, I suspected the developers. I thought they might be transcendent cosmic beings pretending to be an ordinary development team.”
“We’re just normal people.”
“I know. I meant I suspected that until I learned there are many returnees like me.”
I thought all the riddles would be solved once I returned, but I still couldn’t grasp anything.
Unsolved mysteries and veiled truths. Everything was murky. Yet one thing was clear.
“Regardless, thanks to you, director, my companions and I have gained lives and are able to go on living. Thank you.”
I bowed respectfully for a moment with heartfelt sincerity. Then I looked down at Rohan and said.
“Rohan, don’t just stand there; hurry up and thank Grandpa.”
“Pope….”
My ‘father’ called me quietly with an expression that showed he didn’t know what to do. Perhaps it felt strange to receive fatherly treatment from me; he seldom accepted my jokes.
Well, he was still an unmarried guy, so I could see why he felt uncomfortable being treated like an old man.
On top of that, the age gap between us wasn’t that large, which probably added to his discomfort.
‘…Am I really an old lady?’
Even after having three kids, I had constantly denied it, but I was starting to accept it. I was undeniably becoming an old lady.
But isn’t mid-thirties still considered pretty young? Honestly, it wasn’t the age to be told I was old.
“You don’t need to feel too burdened.”
I decided to ignore my conscience and resolved to keep calling O Philseong ‘Father.’
Compared to my actual age, I looked quite different, so people might genuinely mistake us for a father-daughter duo.
“Please accept my humble token of filial piety.”
I reached out my left hand, which wasn’t holding Rohan, toward O Philseong. Then, I closed my eyes and prayed slowly.
“Gracious Sun, I believe you have been watching. I will offer generously. I already know you will allow it. My heart is surely the Goddess’s heart, isn’t it?”
It was irreverent for a prayer to the Goddess, but no problem. In fact, it was what the involved party desired.
“Oh, and while I’m at it, may I ask if you’re intervening in earthly matters? There’s been a slight leak of Sacred Power lately…. If so, please refrain from doing so.”
Having finished my solemn prayer, I slowly opened my eyes and began to emit Sacred Power from my hand.
The gentle pink glow that burst forth from my palm was soon sucked into O Philseong’s body, absorbed.
“It’s done.”
“…What did you just do?”
“It’s obvious, isn’t it?”
I gave a thumbs up to the bewildered O Philseong.
“It’s a 1st-grade anti-aging blessing. Father, live long and prosper.”
O Philseong wore an expression that was a mixed bag of pleasure and confusion.
Perhaps due to this, Rohan giggled.
“Rohan, what are you doing? Don’t laugh at Grandpa.”
As I was scolding my ill-mannered son, O Philseong suddenly spoke up.
“Is the Goddess you’re serving the one I know?”
It was an unexpected question, but I wasn’t surprised. I had been somewhat waiting for this.
“As the overall director, it’s understandable you’d be curious. You must be wondering whether it’s okay to bring a real Goddess into the game.”
“Yes, well….”
“But please don’t worry too much.”
I raised the corners of my mouth and looked up.
“The one I am serving now is a being that didn’t appear in the game, a completely fundamentally non-existent figure. Isn’t that interesting?”
“Indeed… it is.”
O Philseong’s eyes sparkled as he nodded vigorously.
It was such a ridiculous sight that even Rohan smiled broadly.
*
After chatting away for a while,
We began discussing business matters in earnest. It was time for the most important talk.
“I’ll get straight to the point. ‘Saint Clitia’ needs a buff.”
“That’s not possible.”
The moment I brought it up, O Philseong shook his head firmly. I almost got hurt by how strict he was.
When I asked why it wasn’t possible, I got a rather realistic answer.
“The dungeon ‘Time Training Ground,’ where you and your companions appear, is a relatively recent addition, nearing endgame content.”
“So… does that mean she’s strong enough as is?”
“Yes. While you keep your weak appearance as per the setting, the other companions are strong.”
Now that I think about it, I had seen something similar on green wikis. All the companions except for me had descriptions saying they were ‘complicated.’
“The standard tactic has always been to attack the Pope first to quickly eliminate the healer. If we buff her now, how will the players react…?”
“I understand what you’re trying to say.”
It seemed getting ‘Saint Clitia’ out of her weakest character status wouldn’t be possible.
It was unfortunate, but I couldn’t force unreasonable demands, so I decided to give up.
Instead, I opted for a different request.
“Then how about this?”
It was a much more realistic suggestion than a buff.
“Please add ‘Pope Clitia’ as a new boss. Make her ridiculously tough with tons of health and absurd patterns, so even over thirty high-level users would struggle to take her down.”
“…Wouldn’t that be too overpowered?”
From his reaction, he seemed to be under a big misconception. I kindly clarified the misunderstanding.
“Director, I am hoping to become a ‘way too overpowered’ boss.”
“…….”
“If there are any opposing developers or users, I’ll send Liam to handle them gently, so don’t worry.”
O Philseong didn’t appear to feel reassured at all. He was clearly someone who couldn’t take a joke.
“It was just a joke. If you don’t want it, a moderately strong boss would be fine as well.”
“I’m glad to hear that….”
“Let me list the skills I know how to use, so please consider it seriously.”
“Yes, just a moment. I’ll take notes.”
Seeing him pull out his smartphone from his pocket, I quietly began to speak.
“My ultimate technique is to emanate perfect Sacred Power from my chest, temporarily controlling the hearts of people.”
“…….”
O Philseong, who had briefly frozen, soon began to awkwardly chuckle. He was once again under a big misunderstanding.
“This isn’t a joke.”
I was more serious than ever.