Chapter 769: Oliver

“Of course, I’ve been waiting a long time!”

Ewan, who was sitting awkwardly between Eve, Pandora, and Lilith, suddenly stood up and shouted.

The members of the Anti-Development Committee around them were shocked by his reaction.

Oliver, however, merely responded calmly.

“I don’t recall ever asking you to wait, Ewan.”

“Was he always like this?”

Ewan acted as though he couldn’t believe it. Regardless, he casually stood next to Oliver, while Oliver walked forward as if he had somewhere to go.

Behind Oliver, Eve, Pandora, Lilith, and some members of the Anti-Development Committee naturally followed.

“I’m a bit hurt, you know? They say people show their true colors when they succeed, but this is over the top. After everything between us?”

“What exactly is between us?”

In response to Oliver’s question, Ewan spread his fingers and started folding them one by one.

“First, you called me because you needed me, and I came, didn’t I?”

“Wasn’t it because you needed money?”

“Probably not… And I saved you the first time we met, remember?”

“I could have handled it on my own.”

“That’s not wrong… We also drank together at Angel’s House.”

“If I remember correctly, we paid for it.”

“It’s not about who paid, it’s the fact we drank together! Don’t twist the truth.”

“I’m just correcting a false statement. And I didn’t intend to criticize you, Ewan. If it felt that way, perhaps that’s something inside you.”

“I never said you were criticizing me!”

“I just thought you might benefit from feeling that way. Has your conscience returned?”

“…”

Ewan, who had been flustered, suddenly went completely quiet.

Seeing him, who was usually so shameless, like this was amusing. It made Oliver wonder, ‘Maybe I should’ve done this sooner.’

In a wounded voice, Ewan mumbled.

“You’re really too much. I care about you so much, but I can’t even punch you because I’m out of strength. It’s pathetic.”

“I’m just teasing. I know how much you’ve helped me, Ewan.”

“Your jokes aren’t funny.”

“They are. Ask the people following us.”

Oliver pointed back at the group that was trailing behind them, including Eve.

Ewan wrinkled his brow and shook his head, as if disappointed.

“Don’t torment them. Forcing lies using power and position is bad.”

“It’s not a lie. It’s the truth. Everyone—”

“—An Ogre-man!”

Just as Oliver was about to continue, Ewan suddenly pointed and yelled.

In the direction he pointed, there sat an Ogre-man, a type of mutant, beside the ruins.

This was the same Ogre-man they had met when Bartholomew had guided them past. Unlike before, the bandages that had covered his entire body were now unraveled, like the other Anti-Development Committee members free from Hell’s curse.

“Guooo!”

The Ogre-man seemed to recognize Oliver as well and stood up, bowing his head slightly.

Due to their height difference, it seemed like he was looking down at Oliver, but at the same time, there was a sense of respect. At least, that’s what it felt like.

Oliver approached the Ogre-man, greeted him politely, then turned back toward Ewan.

Before entering the secret passage under the ruins with the help of the Ogre-man, Oliver intended to wrap up his conversation with Ewan.

After all, what lay ahead wasn’t something an outsider like Ewan could be part of.

Oliver asked Ewan.

“Where did we leave off?”

“I’m not sure; I’m getting old… Ah! I remember. I was stopping your tyrannical lie by using my power. No need to thank me.”

Ewan looked back at Eve and the others with mock humility.

Those who saw him either turned their heads or lowered their gaze, avoiding eye contact with Oliver.

Watching them, Oliver spoke.

“Ah. I remember. I said I recognize how much you’ve helped me, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Yes, you’ve saved Kent several times for me and helped others as well. I properly thank you for that.”

Ewan waved his hand dismissively.

“That’s not something you need to thank me for. I did it because I wanted to.”

“Regardless of your intentions, it’s undeniable that I benefited greatly. So, once again, thank you for your help.”

Oliver bowed his head respectfully.

The people around them gasped in shock, and even Ewan was visibly startled, his expression stiffening.

Ewan’s voice dropped a tone.

“Hey, don’t be so light-hearted. You can’t keep doing this, you know.”

“That’s precisely why I’ve lowered my head. Gratitude should be expressed properly. If you hadn’t acted, a great tragedy might have occurred—for me and everyone.”

“What’s so funny?”

Oliver lifted his head and replied.

“It’s amusing that even I, who act so independently, can barely stand without the help of others. Without that help, I would’ve fallen and never gotten back up.”

Ewan stared at Oliver, then let out a slow chuckle. It wasn’t his usual frivolous laugh, but a deeper one.

“You’re talking about something so obvious.”

“I acknowledge that.”

“But most people forget that obvious truth… Maybe because it’s just too obvious. Oh, by the way, I don’t see your Quarterstaff?”

Oliver looked at his empty hands.

“I don’t need it anymore. I left it with Forest.”

“Are you sure about that? Isn’t it a heavy burden?”

“Yes, I’m sure. He’s my intermediary. I trust him to handle it.”

Ewan smiled, hearing Oliver’s confident answer.

“Heh heh… So, you really intend to leave, huh?”

“Yes.”

“Then, this is goodbye for me, right? As an outsider, I can’t follow you down below.”

“Unfortunately, yes. Sorry.”

“It’s fine. To be honest, I don’t really want to go down there anyway. It’s too gloomy. Instead, I’ll give you a farewell hug. Don’t get shy; come on.”

Ewan, his usual playful grin returning, spread both arms wide.

The onlookers, including the Ogre-man, were stunned for the second time that day, and a third time followed quickly after—even Ewan was shocked.

Because Oliver stepped forward and hugged him without hesitation.

“It’s been a pleasure. I wish you blessings on your future journey.”

Oliver patted Ewan’s back gently, as though comforting him.

Ewan, shocked and nearly unable to maintain a straight face, took a moment to collect himself, then burst into laughter.

“Wow… It’s been a long time since I’ve been this surprised.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course! I’ve been all over the craziness of this world. From the land of giants to worlds where rats shoot guns. I’ve even met a few gods.”

“And what was that like?”

“Meh. Nothing special. They’re not all that different from us.”

Oliver gestured toward the Anti-Development Committee.

“Foolish, selfish, they make mistakes just like these people… They’re just a bit more powerful.”

“I guess I’m similar to them.”

“Maybe? Or maybe not.”

“…”

“None of them ever surprised me like you just did, though.”

Ewan’s words left quite the impression. Oliver didn’t bother to ask what he really meant. For some reason, it felt like he’d figure it out on his own one day.

Instead of wasting time with unnecessary questions, Oliver turned to the Ogre-man and made a polite request.

“Could you open the entrance for us?”

“Guoo!”

The Ogre-man, acting as though he had waited for this command, used his gigantic hands to lift away the ruins.

Underneath was a hidden underground passage, one that Oliver had seen only once in the past. He turned to the others and spoke.

“Let’s go down.”

***

Step.

Step.

Step.

As they descended the stairs, they emerged into a familiar underground corridor.

The corridor, although ancient, had ornate decorations, with elegant shields, swords, armor, and torn and faded portraits hanging on the walls.

Back then, Oliver had wondered what this place used to be, but now he knew.

Before the Great Calamity, it had been a temple for those who ruled Randa, where they worshipped devils and indulged in their derived pleasures and sense of superiority. The proof was.

Step. Step. Step…

As they progressed deeper, images depicting their past sins began to appear on the walls.

Offering up the lower class of the city to rid themselves of disease and old age, to take youth and vitality.

Those sins accumulated, bringing about the Great Calamity, creating what is now Z-District.

Some members of the Anti-Development Committee who followed, like elder Bartholomew, slowly bowed their heads as they witnessed their past sins.

Step. Step. Stop—

Oliver suddenly stopped walking.

Naturally, Eve, Pandora, Lilith, and the elders of the Anti-Development Committee halted as well.

“Back then, Bartholomew brought me to this place.”

“…We know.”

The elders, with bowed heads, responded.

“Perhaps in his haste, he intended to reveal the truth to me. But I ran away, following Ewan because I didn’t want to know.”

The elders remained silent. They didn’t know what to say.

“Of course, I understand. I avoided the truth, while you all were desperate to break the curse on your descendants as soon as possible.”

“…That’s correct.”

One of the elders finally broke the long silence, admitting the truth.

The reason the Anti-Development Committee sought forgiveness from Oliver wasn’t for themselves but for their descendants.

Their children were cursed at birth, inheriting both the twisted bodies and the lack of rights to atonement for sins not their own.

The sins of the parents had become the sins of the children.

It was unfair, but at the same time, there was no other way.

Making those who had reveled in their superiority and committed many sins face their own wrongdoings—

To feel the pain of others, they had to experience that pain themselves.

Thump.

One by one, the elders dropped to their knees, bowing their heads.

“We would like to thank you. Thank you for pardoning sinners like us.”

“…”

“Thanks to you, our children are returning to their original forms—”

“—Oh, I think you’re mistaken.”

The heads of the elders, who had been bowed, gradually lifted to look at Oliver.

“You’re all under the impression that I forgave you because I saw Bartholomew’s efforts. But if that’s what you think, you’re sorely mistaken. All I did was return you to the bare minimum, a starting point. The same applies to your descendants.”

“…”

“Now, you must start over and truly atone for your sins by living a proper human life. The same goes for your descendants.”

“…What should we do?”

An elder barely managed to ask.

Oliver shrugged.

“I don’t know. That’s for you to figure out. But kneeling and bowing won’t be enough.”

The elders glanced down at their own arms and legs. Their knees were bent, preventing them from walking, and their arms were touching the ground, unable to do anything.

“The first step would be to lift your hands off the ground and straighten up. Only then can real work begin.”

The elders hesitantly rose, taking cues from one another.

While they got to their feet, Oliver looked around at the paintings on the walls and offered a suggestion.

“Here’s some advice… Keep your attitude the same.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t remove these paintings of your sins from the walls. If you keep reminding yourselves, instead of forgetting, you might understand how to live properly.”

The elders’ eyes glimmered as if in sudden realization.

Before they could speak, Oliver added one more thing.

“If you need help, you can always go to Forest. He’ll probably assist you a bit.”

“…Understood.”

Their answer was small but resolute. Oliver scratched his cheek.

“If that’s enough of an answer, can you now answer my question?”

“Ask us.”

“Is there a door inside?”

Oliver pointed toward the distant corridor. While it wasn’t clear exactly what he meant, the elders intuitively knew.

“Yes, it’s the Gate to Hell.”

The Gate to Hell referred to the door made from the branch Oliver had thrown.

More precisely, the massive black-red tree that had grown, using the criminal Bartholomew as its source.

When Oliver had fought Bartholomew in Z-District, this black-red tree had been formed. One day, it had mysteriously vanished.

Oliver hadn’t paid much attention to it afterwards, but now he understood.

It had been fashioned into a door in these underground depths—a door to Hell.

Whether this had been Bartholomew’s plan all along or not, Oliver didn’t care.

What mattered was that the door existed, and he intended to use it.

“Is anyone guarding it?”

“The Children guard the door.”

“Please remove them.”

“All of them?”

“Yes, from here on, it’s my responsibility. Or rather, it’s ours.”

Oliver gestured toward Eve, Pandora, and Lilith.

The Anti-Development Committee members were confused. Oliver turned to them and spoke.

“Is this surprising? Were you expecting me to use you as materials for opening the door?”

The elders silently nodded. That’s precisely why they had followed him here.

To atone for their sins by dying—

“Don’t think you can wash away your sins by dying. Atone by living.”

“…”

“It’s much harder that way.”

“…”

“Take the children out.”

“…As you wish.”

Bowing once again, the elders followed his command. A moment later, Oliver, Eve, Pandora, and Lilith entered the twisted, fleshy room.

Inside the grotesquely distorted space stood a tree, carved into a door, its black-red wood gleaming.