I'm the Only Totem in Another World - Chapter 179

Chapter 179: Escape from the Spirit World No. 1 （9）

The reason why Paya had been unable to learn necromancy even after seeing Malak’s ‘Zombie Control’ was because that ability wasn’t in the realm of shamanism but a divine power, a blessing, that transcended it.

A divine power is not something that is learned, but something that is inherently possessed. It’s no different from a superpower. So there’s no way anyone else could learn it just by watching.

Of course, Malak didn’t have the ‘Zombie Control’ blessing from the start. He simply learned it thanks to the goddess’s mysterious ability called ‘skill,’ but there was no way Paya would know those circumstances.

Karon’s necromancy is different from a divine power（skill）. It has a clear principle and a formula. Its achievement was so tremendous that an ordinary mortal couldn’t reach it, but the foundation that makes up the framework of shamanism wasn’t very difficult.

Of course, that was from Paya’s perspective.

Paya was the one who grasped the concept of ‘spirit magic’ in a few hours when it was forcibly shoved into her head by Malak’s blessing and made Tteunteuni a spirit. It was easy to understand the principles of necromancy.

‘…No. There’s a reason taboos are taboos. Malak-nim might be disappointed. Even if I use necromancy, I need Malak-nim’s permission.’

Paya, who barely suppressed her shamanistic interest that rivaled a scientist’s curiosity, rose from her seat.

“It’s nothing. I was just curious about something for a moment.”

“I see.”

Luna nodded.

“How is Grandpa Harry? Is he doing well?”

Paya, suddenly curious, asked.

During the all-out war, Harry controlled the Giant and subjugated more than six high-ranking demons. Though he did get off the Giant muttering about dying because he burned his passion too intensely then.

Since that day, Harry had been holed up at home recuperating.

“Yes, he’s very lively. He’s just being lazy. If he says he’s all better, he’s afraid he’ll be tasked with repairing the ballista or the catapult, so he’s pretending to be sick. Ah, you can’t tell anyone, okay?”

Luna and Paya chuckled.

“What is Great Chieftain Kanto-nim doing? He hasn’t come out of the tent.”

“Op, Great Chieftain Kanto?”

Paya stopped herself from saying ‘Oppa.’ Before brother and sister, they were chieftain and priestess. She had to observe decorum in front of others.

Luna was a more intimate relationship than ‘others,’ but exceptions lead to mistakes. Paya wasn’t yet confident that she wouldn’t make a mistake, so she didn’t call Kanto by the title ‘Oppa.’

“He’s sparring every day so he doesn’t get rusty, and he’s encouraging the warriors. He’s a strong person who everyone relies on.”

Luna recalled Kanto’s image of laughing heartily. To have the energy to encourage others even after experiencing that hellish war firsthand.

Luna’s heart still pounded whenever she thought about the seven high-ranking demons falling from the sky. When Karon opened the dimensional gate in the air a while ago, her vision went dark and her breath quickened.

Maybe Kanto was truly a strong person in the true sense of the word. Or maybe he’s a psychopath who can’t feel fear.

“Would you like to have some tea? If you have time.”

Luna offered to chat. There were few people in similar positions, and even fewer children her age. She wanted to take this opportunity to talk with her and relax.

“Shall we?”

Paya was also feeling uneasy. It wouldn’t be bad to lighten up by having some casual conversation.

Late at night, inside the science facility. A barbarian girl and a civilized girl chatted while holding cups that resembled beakers.

▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄

When I was young, there was a game I really liked.

It was a game called ‘Undertale,’ and considering it was made by a single developer, its quality was excellent, and it was talked about by many gamers.

I really liked that game. I liked it so much that I combined the name of a character in that game and the title of a fighting game character to make the nickname I mainly use.

If you ask me why I liked it, it was because of the charming characters. Even though characters that weren’t even human and lived in a completely different world appeared, I was completely captivated by their charm.

“I wanted to see the ending where everyone is saved.”

This work had three main endings: neutral, pacifist, and genocide.

A guy who was teased by his friends for his bad control was so immersed that he spent days on end playing the game, determined to see the pacifist ending where everyone could live.

Was this an extension of that?

Thinking about it now, I think I’ve been working really hard to save the people of this unfamiliar world. What kind of sense of duty did I have to do that?

Because I’m their god? Because I like being worshipped by them? Because I want to manifest and wield powerful strength?

Or because I couldn’t just stand by and watch people suffering because of demons?

“It’s not like that either.”

I’m not a person who’s so dutiful, ambitious, righteous, or driven by desire. I’m not smart enough to see the big picture either.

I’m good at self-awareness. I’m just an ordinary citizen who wants to live a quiet, leisurely healing life.

I’m a person who’s a million light years away from being a god or a hero. I just have a little better mental resilience than others.

“But why?”

If I think about it carefully, the reason is simple. I just want to see them alive.

I might have been fascinated by the indigenous people of this world who persevere in protecting the values they believe in even in the face of the apocalypse.

Yes, the answer was ‘love.’ I had come to love these people. It’s a completely platonic love… a great love.

I’ve been spending my time and mental energy to protect the things I love.

“Ah, fuck. This is so cheesy.”

Let’s stop. I have too much time on my hands, so I’m thinking strange thoughts again. I stopped talking to myself and got out of the straw bed.

This is why the stream of consciousness is dangerous.

Let’s stretch.

“Ugh.”

It’s probably getting light out. I need to get going. I came out of the tent and gathered the followers.

“You’re leaving already? You can stay a little longer.”

Mera, the leader of Gabun’s followers, greeted me with a worried face. It seems she’s been racking her brains over Karon.

But I’ve been spacing out and healing myself in my own way.

“It’s alright. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Now that it’s dawn, I need to leave quickly.

If Karon hadn’t personally come to declare war（?）, I would’ve acted with a more relaxed mind, but it’s an emergency now.

“It can’t be helped. May the blessings of the Loas be with you on your journey.”

“May the blessings of the Loas be with Gabun’s followers.”

We exchanged brief farewells and left Gabun’s followers. The monster ladybugs, whether they were called Rabak or Rabap, were nowhere to be seen.

I went to the place where I clashed with Rabak.

“Wh, where is this…?”

“I wanna go! I’m scared!”

“I told you to wait here.”

The followers, whose souls had been restored, were scratching their heads.

“Mommy! Food! Waaah!”

Maybe because their memories were gone, some followers were showing signs of regression to infancy. A hairy man who looked like he was good at banditry was sucking his thumb and rolling on the ground.

“Tsk.”

It’s a good thing that man isn’t Denzo. I took care of them and set off on my journey again.

“From here on is Udan’s domain.”

After hours of walking while panting, Nike entered a huge cave. This entire cave was Udan’s domain, she said.

“We have to go through this cave. It’s a shortcut.”

“Alright.”

As expected of a bear, she seems to have just slept in the cave.

“If you walk a little further, you’ll come to the village where Udan’s followers live. You can ask their permission and pass through.”

I nodded at Nike’s words. Well, I haven’t fallen out with Udan, so it should be fine.

We arrived at the place where the village was supposed to be, but there was no one living there.

There were many houses made by weaving trees, but there was no sign of people, as if they had all moved away.

“What happened…”

Nike, flustered, hopped around to check the village. I felt a sense of dissonance in this desolate space.

No, I found it.

“Nike. Can’t you see that?”

“Huh?”

Nike turned her eyes in the direction I was pointing.

“What’s there?”

It seems Nike can’t see it.

I called the other followers to look, but no one saw what I was seeing.

“It’s nothing. I thought I saw something, but it was just my imagination. Let’s go.”

I made an excuse and left the place. It’s a lie that it was my imagination.

I saw the soul of a bear, presumed to be Udan, lying on the ground. The soul couldn’t move or speak. It’s a ghost that only I can see.

The bear’s soul was constantly shaking.

“…”

What should I say? I feel like I’ve seen the end of the fight that’s about to happen.

After much thought, I made up my mind and left Udan’s domain.

It’s best not to tell anyone about this.

▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄

“That’s far enough! Representative of Malak! I’ve come to make you pay for daring to make a fool of me, of Tuga-nim!”

A tall woman, her face red with anger, and a group of warriors blocked our path.

“…Asha?”

Why are you here?

I felt guilt creeping up on my shoulder.

No, you’re the one who should feel guilty. You’re the bad one.