Chapter 618: I’ll Just Tell Kuengi I Love Him!

 

Currently in the now-destroyed 9th-level world, Beatrice.

Pink Fur was the sole survivor of Beatrice.

To be precise, she wasn’t entirely alone when she entered the tower; there had been two of them. But in the end, Pink Fur was left alone.

Just before Beatrice met its end, Pink Fur had entered the tower with her son.

Both she and her son had sustained fatal injuries, barely making it inside.

"Mom…"

Her son, however, couldn’t hold on long and passed away, while Pink Fur survived with her tenacious life force.

The end of her world and the loss of her child.

Having lost everything she had ever loved, Pink Fur couldn’t accept this brutal reality.

So, she decided not to acknowledge her son’s death. She didn’t want to be alone.

And then...

"My son can get better if he receives treatment."

Clutching her son’s cold body, she wandered the tower endlessly, desperately searching for a cure that could never be found.

One day, as she roamed madly through the tower, Pink Fur’s fragile mental state shattered upon seeing her son’s body, which had decayed beyond recognition.

ROOOAR!

Pink Fur wailed, forsaking food and water for days. She felt she had no reason left to live.

And then...

—Why is she crying so sorrowfully? Is losing a child really that devastating?

The Endbringer, a being waiting to witness the end of worlds, looked at her with interest.

It was pure chance and curiosity.

The Endbringer noticed Pink Fur wandering with her son’s lifeless body.

—Why is she carrying that?

The Endbringer was intrigued.

As a being that awaited the destruction of worlds, the Endbringer had an abundance of time. For it, life was endlessly boring, listless, and dull, devoid of interest in anything.

In those monotonous days, curiosity after thousands of years felt precious.

Following Pink Fur, its curiosity deepened.

—Just how much did she love her child to feel this way?

Watching her wail for days, the Endbringer suddenly felt an unfamiliar desire.

—I want to experience that kind of love. I want to live as that bear’s child.

It was a longing uncharacteristic of the Endbringer, but the unattainable often becomes an object of fascination for all beings.

Driven by its desire to be loved, the Endbringer read Pink Fur’s memories.

Pii!

The Endbringer then sealed its own power and consciousness, transforming itself into Pink Fur’s son.

Even if Pink Fur recognized it wasn’t her true son and killed it, that would only mean the end of the world would come a million years earlier.

"My…son?!"

When the dark red liquid transformed into her son’s form, Pink Fur was shocked.

However…

"Son, you’re healthy now!"

She soon accepted the Endbringer as her child. Though she knew deep down it wasn’t her real son, she chose to believe.

She didn’t want to be alone, and she wanted to give to this being what she hadn’t been able to give her son.

Thus, Kuengi grew up, loved as Pink Fur’s son, surrounded by affection.

During a time of famine in the tower, food was scarce, but Pink Fur managed to find anything she could to feed Kuengi.

Bark, fire ants—anything to keep him from starving.

At night, they would share the warmth of each other’s soft fur, chatting and laughing until they fell asleep.

Then, they met Sejun, who was stranded on the 99th floor. With a newfound abundance of food, they found even greater happiness together.

Though Kuengi had begun to think of Sejun as his father, Pink Fur didn’t see it as a major issue—until Kuengi started imitating Sejun’s powers without effort.

Pink Fur began to worry that one day, Kuengi might turn into someone resembling Sejun rather than herself.

It felt like the end of her happy dream was approaching.

As a mother, she wanted to let Kuengi go gracefully…

And so, Pink Fur’s mind gradually sank into darkness.

 

99th Floor of the Black Tower

"Heh heh heh, work’s over!"

Sejun emerged from the portal with Kamangi’s family.

Pii!

[Master! Since we worked hard today, let’s have some roasted sweet potatoes!]

"We?! I’m the one who did the work, while you just went around bragging! When did you ever eat five green onions at once?"

Pii!

[Master, you’re silly!]

Kamangi, seemingly upset, hid inside the sling bag.

At that moment…

"Hmph, Chairman Park, I’m back!"

Theo proudly announced as he emerged from his bag.

Then…

"Off."

"Mrow…"

Theo clung to Sejun’s face before Sejun gently plucked him off by the scruff and placed him on his lap.

"Hmph, Chairman Park, with Lord Ramter’s help, I stamped Brinks, the Red Tower Manager, as my subordinate! And the money..."

As Theo started boasting about his accomplishments for the day—

BOOOOM!

A loud explosion shook the ground, accompanied by a tremor.

"What was that?"

"I don’t know, nyah!"

Sejun and Theo looked in the direction of the sound.

Pii?!

[What’s happening?!]

Kamangi, who had been sulking, peeked out in surprise.

ROOOAR!

Pii!

Moo!

Moo!

The sounds of Pink Fur, Kuengi, and the Black Minotaurs echoed, creating a sense of urgency.

"Let’s go!"

"Hmph, got it!"

Pii!

Sejun dashed off quickly.

And then…

What in the world…

Sejun witnessed a devastating scene.

ROOOAR!

Pii!

[Mom, calm down!]

Moo!

[Pink Fur, calm yourself!]

A large Kuengi and Umo King, both covered in wounds, were holding down Pink Fur’s hind legs with their knees, each gripping one of her front paws, struggling to restrain her.

Other Black Minotaurs stood by, ready to act if needed.

Why is Pink Fur…?

Sejun was at a loss.

Then…

"That…!"

Sejun’s gaze focused on the dark, ominous energy seeping through Pink Fur’s large, red eyes.

It was the same darkness he had seen in Kamangi’s mental realm.

"Corruption…"

How did corruption get here?

Unbeknownst to Sejun, a fragment of corruption from the World’s Energy had escaped, searching for a host and finding Pink Fur.

Just as Sejun noticed the corruption, the corruption also sensed Sejun.

ROOOAR!

Red energy surged from Pink Fur, causing her to stir.

Pii! Moo!

Kuengi and the Umo King struggled to hold her down.

This is bad!

Sejun instinctively knew that if Pink Fur continued in this state, not only would she be physically dangerous, but if she fully succumbed to corruption, she might never return to her true self.

I must stop this, no matter what!

"Theo, give them this!"

Sejun handed a bean set to Theo and sprinted toward Pink Fur.

"Understood, nyah!"

Theo moved swiftly and…

"Eat this, nyah!"

Fed the bean set to Kuengi and the Umo King.

"Hmph, I’ve done it, Chairman Park!"

"Great job!"

As Theo returned to Sejun’s knee, Kuengi and the Umo King, now empowered with sixteen times their strength, managed to restrain Pink Fur once more.

"Everyone, we’re going into Pink Fur’s mind!"

Sejun announced to his companions, then headbutted Pink Fur to enter her mind.

But…

Thud!

"Ouch!"

Wasn’t that how it works?

Sejun didn’t actually know how to enter a mental realm.

Pii! Pii!

[Heheh, time for the Great Kamangi Chief to step in and show you how, Master! Follow me!]

Thunk.

Kamangi headbutted Pink Fur and fainted.

Follow you?

Sejun headbutted Pink Fur again.

Hooonk.

Purrr.

Sejun and Theo lost consciousness.

And then…

Pii!

[Umo King, take care of my mom!]

Moo.

[Understood.]

Kuengi placed his forehead against Pink Fur’s, losing consciousness as well.

 

Chapter 618: I’ll Just Tell Kuengi I Love Him!

Currently in the now-destroyed 9th-level world, Beatrice.

Pink Fur was the sole survivor of Beatrice.

To be precise, she wasn’t entirely alone when she entered the tower; there had been two of them. But in the end, Pink Fur was left alone.

Just before Beatrice met its end, Pink Fur had entered the tower with her son.

Both she and her son had sustained fatal injuries, barely making it inside.

"Mom…"

Her son, however, couldn’t hold on long and passed away, while Pink Fur survived with her tenacious life force.

The end of her world and the loss of her child.

Having lost everything she had ever loved, Pink Fur couldn’t accept this brutal reality.

So, she decided not to acknowledge her son’s death. She didn’t want to be alone.

And then...

"My son can get better if he receives treatment."

Clutching her son’s cold body, she wandered the tower endlessly, desperately searching for a cure that could never be found.

One day, as she roamed madly through the tower, Pink Fur’s fragile mental state shattered upon seeing her son’s body, which had decayed beyond recognition.

ROOOAR!

Pink Fur wailed, forsaking food and water for days. She felt she had no reason left to live.

And then...

—Why is she crying so sorrowfully? Is losing a child really that devastating?

The Endbringer, a being waiting to witness the end of worlds, looked at her with interest.

It was pure chance and curiosity.

The Endbringer noticed Pink Fur wandering with her son’s lifeless body.

—Why is she carrying that?

The Endbringer was intrigued.

As a being that awaited the destruction of worlds, the Endbringer had an abundance of time. For it, life was endlessly boring, listless, and dull, devoid of interest in anything.

In those monotonous days, curiosity after thousands of years felt precious.

Following Pink Fur, its curiosity deepened.

—Just how much did she love her child to feel this way?

Watching her wail for days, the Endbringer suddenly felt an unfamiliar desire.

—I want to experience that kind of love. I want to live as that bear’s child.

It was a longing uncharacteristic of the Endbringer, but the unattainable often becomes an object of fascination for all beings.

Driven by its desire to be loved, the Endbringer read Pink Fur’s memories.

Pii!

The Endbringer then sealed its own power and consciousness, transforming itself into Pink Fur’s son.

Even if Pink Fur recognized it wasn’t her true son and killed it, that would only mean the end of the world would come a million years earlier.

"My…son?!"

When the dark red liquid transformed into her son’s form, Pink Fur was shocked.

However…

"Son, you’re healthy now!"

She soon accepted the Endbringer as her child. Though she knew deep down it wasn’t her real son, she chose to believe.

She didn’t want to be alone, and she wanted to give to this being what she hadn’t been able to give her son.

Thus, Kuengi grew up, loved as Pink Fur’s son, surrounded by affection.

During a time of famine in the tower, food was scarce, but Pink Fur managed to find anything she could to feed Kuengi.

Bark, fire ants—anything to keep him from starving.

At night, they would share the warmth of each other’s soft fur, chatting and laughing until they fell asleep.

Then, they met Sejun, who was stranded on the 99th floor. With a newfound abundance of food, they found even greater happiness together.

Though Kuengi had begun to think of Sejun as his father, Pink Fur didn’t see it as a major issue—until Kuengi started imitating Sejun’s powers without effort.

Pink Fur began to worry that one day, Kuengi might turn into someone resembling Sejun rather than herself.

It felt like the end of her happy dream was approaching.

As a mother, she wanted to let Kuengi go gracefully…

And so, Pink Fur’s mind gradually sank into darkness.

99th Floor of the Black Tower

"Heh heh heh, work’s over!"

Sejun emerged from the portal with Kamangi’s family.

Pii!

[Master! Since we worked hard today, let’s have some roasted sweet potatoes!]

"We?! I’m the one who did the work, while you just went around bragging! When did you ever eat five green onions at once?"

Pii!

[Master, you’re silly!]

Kamangi, seemingly upset, hid inside the sling bag.

At that moment…

"Hmph, Chairman Park, I’m back!"

Theo proudly announced as he emerged from his bag.

Then…

"Off."

"Mrow…"

Theo clung to Sejun’s face before Sejun gently plucked him off by the scruff and placed him on his lap.

"Hmph, Chairman Park, with Lord Ramter’s help, I stamped Brinks, the Red Tower Manager, as my subordinate! And the money..."

As Theo started boasting about his accomplishments for the day—

BOOOOM!

A loud explosion shook the ground, accompanied by a tremor.

"What was that?"

"I don’t know, nyah!"

Sejun and Theo looked in the direction of the sound.

Pii?!

[What’s happening?!]

Kamangi, who had been sulking, peeked out in surprise.

ROOOAR!

Pii!

Moo!

Moo!

The sounds of Pink Fur, Kuengi, and the Black Minotaurs echoed, creating a sense of urgency.

"Let’s go!"

"Hmph, got it!"

Pii!

Sejun dashed off quickly.

And then…

What in the world…

Sejun witnessed a devastating scene.

ROOOAR!

Pii!

[Mom, calm down!]

Moo!

[Pink Fur, calm yourself!]

A large Kuengi and Umo King, both covered in wounds, were holding down Pink Fur’s hind legs with their knees, each gripping one of her front paws, struggling to restrain her.

Other Black Minotaurs stood by, ready to act if needed.

Why is Pink Fur…?

Sejun was at a loss.

Then…

"That…!"

Sejun’s gaze focused on the dark, ominous energy seeping through Pink Fur’s large, red eyes.

It was the same darkness he had seen in Kamangi’s mental realm.

"Corruption…"

How did corruption get here?

Unbeknownst to Sejun, a fragment of corruption from the World’s Energy had escaped, searching for a host and finding Pink Fur.

Just as Sejun noticed the corruption, the corruption also sensed Sejun.

ROOOAR!

Red energy surged from Pink Fur, causing her to stir.

Pii! Moo!

Kuengi and the Umo King struggled to hold her down.

This is bad!

Sejun instinctively knew that if Pink Fur continued in this state, not only would she be physically dangerous, but if she fully succumbed to corruption, she might never return to her true self.

I must stop this, no matter what!

"Theo, give them this!"

Sejun handed a bean set to Theo and sprinted toward Pink Fur.

"Understood, nyah!"

Theo moved swiftly and…

"Eat this, nyah!"

Fed the bean set to Kuengi and the Umo King.

"Hmph, I’ve done it, Chairman Park!"

"Great job!"

As Theo returned to Sejun’s knee, Kuengi and the Umo King, now empowered with sixteen times their strength, managed to restrain Pink Fur once more.

"Everyone, we’re going into Pink Fur’s mind!"

Sejun announced to his companions, then headbutted Pink Fur to enter her mind.

But…

Thud!

"Ouch!"

Wasn’t that how it works?

Sejun didn’t actually know how to enter a mental realm.

Pii! Pii!

[Heheh, time for the Great Kamangi Chief to step in and show you how, Master! Follow me!]

Thunk.

Kamangi headbutted Pink Fur and fainted.

Follow you?

Sejun headbutted Pink Fur again.

Hooonk.

Purrr.

Sejun and Theo lost consciousness.

And then…

Pii!

[Umo King, take care of my mom!]

Moo.

[Understood.]

Kuengi placed his forehead against Pink Fur’s, losing consciousness as well.

Inside Pink Fur’s Mind

"Grr, Master, stick close to me!"

"I’m not that weak!"

"You’re still a blowfish!"

"Hmph, it’s time for Chairman Park’s Giant No. 2 to shine!"

"What?! There’s a No. 2 as well?"

"Hmph, yes there is!"

As Sejun and his companions talked, they moved deeper into Pink Fur’s mind, where a bright light glowed.

"Only Kuengi’s here," Sejun remarked, looking around.

Kuengi eating, Kuengi sleeping, Kuengi yawning—Pink Fur’s mind was filled with nothing but memories of Kuengi.

And then…

"…"

They saw Pink Fur gently stroking a small grave with a sorrowful expression.

Her body was not in good condition.

Gurgle, gurgle.

Corruption had consumed about half of her, whispering to her persistently.

"No!"

"I would never!"

Each time the corruption spoke, it tore at Pink Fur’s wounds, claiming more of her.

We need to take down the corruption quickly!

"Everyone, let’s go!"

Seeing the severity of Pink Fur’s state, Sejun hurried forward with his companions.

But…

—He’s here! Park Sejun is here! Go kill him!

"No! Kuengi loves Sejun-nim! I won’t let him be harmed!"

—Are you just going to let Kuengi be taken from you?

"I don’t want that!"

—So, Kuengi isn’t really your child…

"No!"

Inadvertently, this only fueled the corruption.

And the corruption, strengthened by feeding off Pink Fur’s mind, was resistant even to the primordial power in Sejun’s gaze.

"Pink Fur, snap out of it!"

"Get a hold of yourself, nyah!"

"Grr, Pink Fur, think about how sad Kuengi would be! If you cross that line, it’s truly over!"

Sejun and his companions called out to Pink Fur urgently, watching her succumb to the corruption.

"Just leave me alone!"

The situation grew more dire as Pink Fur resisted further.

Rumble.

Nearby, the Kuengi figures began to crumble, and skeletal bears rose in their place.

I’ll handle this!

"Kamangi, guard the area! Theo, let’s go!"

"Understood, nyah!"

Sejun and Theo approached Pink Fur on top of Giant No. 2, aiming to confront the corruption directly.

If the gaze attack had an effect, touching it directly should be even more powerful.

As Sejun got closer…

"Don’t come any closer!"

Pink Fur swiped at him with her paw.

Bam!

Chairman Park’s Giant No. 2 blocked the blow and gripped her paw tightly.

"Got it!"

Sejun placed his hand on the corruption seeping into Pink Fur’s body.

But…

"Huh?!"

No effect?

Contrary to his expectations, the touch had no impact on the corruption.

—Heh heh heh, how foolish.

Instead, the corruption began crawling up Sejun’s arm, attempting to engulf him.

"Stay away from Chairman Park!"

Theo struck the corruption with his paw.

—Ugh! A mere cat who can do nothing on his own!

The corruption lashed out at Theo, taunting him about his insecurities.

"Hmph, that’s right! I, Vice President Theo, am nothing without Chairman Park!"

Theo coolly accepted his flaw, leaving the taunt ineffective.

"Theo, let’s just rip it out!"

"Hmph, got it!"

Sejun and Theo grabbed hold of the corruption attached to Pink Fur, attempting to tear it away from her.

—Argh! Let go!

The corruption fought back.

BOOOOM!

"Grr, never let Master get hurt! Got it?"

"Yes!"

Kamangi’s family, battling the skeletal bears, kept a watchful eye on Sejun.

As the chaotic battle continued…

Rumble.

The surroundings darkened, and an overwhelming force pressed down.

"What?!"

Sejun, faint of heart, immediately lost consciousness and was thrown back into his own mental realm.

"Kuengi is mad!"

Thud. Thud.

A giant Kuengi appeared, radiating a dark crimson aura.

For this once, the Endbringer lent Kuengi its power.

—This bear isn’t even your real mother! Don’t you realize?!

The corruption spoke to Kuengi, trying to provoke Pink Fur. Her resistance had grown stronger upon Kuengi’s arrival.

But…

"Kuengi’s real mom is the one right here! And Kuengi won’t forgive you for making her cry!"

It only served to shorten the corruption’s lifespan.

Smash!

As Kuengi’s punch connected, the corruption simply vanished, as if it had never existed—such was the Endbringer’s power.

And then…

"Kuengi, I’m sorry. The truth is, you’re actually not my…"

Pink Fur tried to reveal the truth she had kept in her heart.

However…

"That’s not it! Just tell Kuengi you love him!"

Kuengi interrupted, shaking his head.

Sniffle… "Kuengi…you’re my only child…" Sniffle… "Kuengi…is also a Crimson Giant Bear like Mom…Kuengi…needs Mom, too!"

He clung tightly to Pink Fur, crying into her embrace.

"Yes, Mom loves you too, Kuengi. And I’m sorry."

Pink Fur hugged him back tightly, tears streaming down her face.

What did it matter if he resembled her or Sejun? He would still be her son…

"Grr, shall we head out?"

Kamangi left with his subordinates.

Left alone, Pink Fur and Kuengi laughed together for a long time, forming an unbreakable bond as mother and son.

Back in reality…

Pii! Pii!

[Mom, look! Kuengi made fire really well!]

Fwoosh.

Pink Fur realized belatedly that the black hair on Kuengi’s head had simply been singed from his fire play.

ROAR!

[Son, no using fire for a week!]

Pii?

Kuengi found himself banned from using fire for a week.