Old People Don’t Hold Hands - Chapter 159



Only Krnovel

Episode 159, The Manifester (3)

To be honest, as someone who has seen this situation countless times… … .

It wasn’t that difficult to figure out the situation.

That’s understandable, I’ve seen countless people kneel down and beg in front of me before.

And the reason they were crying mostly came down to one thing.

therefore.

Asking for your life now.

… … as you said.

Nokin also had both fists neatly placed on his knees as if he was begging for his life.

He was bowing deeply, as if his head was almost touching the floor.

As if my life or death could be determined in an instant by one choice.

… … Right, I just came here today to chat.

Since it’s like this, I can’t help but take it out.

So, this is the negotiation mode that I haven’t used for a long time.

It was natural that I could gain the upper hand as my opponent was desperate.

And when I realized that fact, I immediately crossed my arms and tried to look as strict as possible.

He looked at Nokin, who still had his head down, with his chin raised.

“You need my help? I have no idea what that means.”

When asked like this, Nokin clenched the fist on his knee even harder.

“I, I guess you don’t know. You’ve been in the labyrinth all this time… …, ah, no, to begin with, our news wasn’t well known outside, so ah, I guess… … .”

He cut off Nokin’s words as he tried to explain the situation in some way.

“Okay.”

“……to?”

No, it’s frustrating to hear that.

Koreans have long said that explanations should be short and concise so that they are easy to understand.

therefore.

“Just tell me what’s important.”

When I said this, Nowen looked up at me as if he had no choice.

“… … This place is abandoned.”

He said some pretty shocking things.

“… … Abandoned? By whom?”

“This place, no… … , we are all now abandoned by the elders.”

……what?

***

After that, I moved to a different seat with Nokin and continued the conversation calmly.

To summarize what I heard from Nokin, it is as follows.

First of all, there were elders who were managing this hideout.

… … And they were the first ones to consume the blood crystals.

For example, like the woman called ‘the Saint’ who is trapped in the glass case here.

“But you said you’ve never seen the elders, and yet they’re the ones who manage this place? How is that possible?”

“… … He did not show himself in person, but sent a welcoming body to manage this place.”

“Welcome?”

“… … Yes, but since all the welcomers were wearing red robes, no one could see their faces.”

Hmm… … , that’s right.

So, you’re saying that you just brought them in as leaders without knowing what the elders looked like or where they are now?

“… … Was there any reason to invite the elder? He must have been nothing more than a welcoming body, without even knowing his true identity.”

“Just like the saint here, the elders each possessed powerful powers. They were on a different level from us, who were mere imitators… … .”

“The purity of the crystals you ingested was high, so the power you possessed was also strong.”

“… … That, that’s right.”

The more we talked, the more I couldn’t help but wonder what on earth this ‘blood crystal’ thing was that was associated with this group.

When you eat it, you will awaken and gain powers… … .

The thicker the concentration, the more powerful the power it gains?

… … I should have dug into this no matter what happened in EndWorld.

At the time, I thought it wasn’t worth looking into because the Geumdae had fallen so quickly while suppressing the rebels that it was almost a waste of time.

The more I looked at it, the more I felt sorry for the resource.

… … While I was quietly reflecting on what happened in EndWorld.

Now that I think about it.

Even when the cold-blooded masters rose up and rebelled, the elders never showed up.

… … Even Geumdae, who was the leader of the rebellion, said that it was the first time he had heard about the elders.

Just like that, the elder suddenly disappeared… … .

Then does it have to do with the owner of pale blood?

however.

“… … Didn’t you expect the elders to disappear?”

“… … That’s right. Because it disappeared so suddenly… … .”

“Contact was suddenly cut off, so I thought this place was abandoned.”

“……you’re right.”

The disappearance of the elders.

And the group of manifestors who still remain in the hideout.

Hmm… … .

“… … So, do the people here know that the elder has disappeared?”

At my words, Nokin seemed unsure and put more strength into his hands.

“… … No, I don’t know.”

… … All he could answer was like this.

After answering like this, he hesitated for a long time.

“… … If they found out they were gone, this place would quickly fall into ruin. … … I had no choice but to hide it.”

… … Well, that’s true.

Even though they say they have a huge hideout underground in the Holy Land.

The situation inside the hideout did not look so good.

Most of them are trapped underground and can’t move.

… … The appearances and clothes of the apparitions I just encountered didn’t look all that good.

Still, the reason why the manifestors are stuck here is probably… … .

It must be because of the elders.

Gives you the confidence that you can always bring about miracles with your powerful force.

… … He gave such great strength to someone who was helpless and on the verge of death.

If we were to consider the successor, he would be a god-like being.

… … Well then, I understand to some extent.

Why me, Nokin.

… … No, is it that you need the owner of pale blood?

“Knockin.”

“… … Yes, yes! Mr. Declen.”

“I have one thing to check. Do all of the people here worship the Elders as gods?”

“… … .”

At my words, Nokin bit his lips and remained silent.

“… … I can’t say no. It’s true.”

……also.

At this point, the puzzle has all been put together.

Even though they are hiding underground because they are afraid of being executed if caught, a manifester is a manifester.

Perhaps if everyone here decided to cooperate, use their abilities, and live by stealing from others, it would be possible.

The ones I encountered in the labyrinth were strong enough and had practical powers to spare.

Even so, the reason why they had to live underground without proper food or clothing was…

The leader who led them here.

So, there was only one thing I could do: trust in the elders.

The moment it was revealed that the elders who had been the center of gravity had disappeared, the internal situation would have been greatly shaken and split in an instant.

… … Most of those who were separated would end up falling into the hands of bandits.

If the evil deeds of the manifesters spread like wildfire, then in conclusion… … .

My plan to somehow change the treatment of the manifester was bound to come to nothing.

Even though the manifesters are now tightly hidden, the moment they actually commit evil deeds… … .

Not only adventurers, but the perception of citizens will become completely fixed in that direction.

… … In conclusion, I was in a position where I had no choice but to accept Nokin’s proposal in some way.

However, as long as Nokin was unaware of this fact, I had no choice but to act as if I had the initiative.

I sat with my legs crossed, pretending to be relaxed.

Let’s just look at Nokin.

“… … .”

Nokin was completely unaware of my circumstances and just kept his head down and begged.

“What you want from me is for you to become the master of the pale blood and lead those here.”

“I, that’s correct… …! D, if it’s not Mr. Declen, then there’s no one better. After all… … .”

“But how can you be sure that I will become the master of Pale Blood? Back then, I was just mentioned as a candidate.”

“… … Originally, the owner of the pale blood was to be chosen by the elders when they found a candidate.”

“Selection of the Elders?”

“Yes, yes… … , but now there is no elder… … .”

“You’re just pretending to be chosen, and you’re trying to push me forward as the owner of the pale blood.”

“… … That’s right. Since no other candidates besides Mr. Declen have appeared in the first place, most people consider Mr. Declen, the first candidate, to be the master.”

“… … .”

“In fact, if you just make it public, everyone… … will worship Mr. Declen as the master of pale blood… … .”

“… … Then, what will you do if the elders appear later?”

“It probably won’t appear. The seeds of the illusionary body have all died, and, above all else… … .”

“… … ?”

“When they return, Lord Declen will already be our true master.”

… … Oh, is that so?

“You don’t just want me to act as your leader, you want me to come under you?”

“If it weren’t for you, Dee Deklen, the Elder’s disappearance would be revealed, and we would be destroyed. Dee Deklen is our only hope. Please have mercy on us… … .”

“Hmm… … .”

He pretends to be troubled by Nokin’s words and folds his arms.

It was a condition that was quite appealing to me.

… … Even if we leave this place as it is, we will have to put aside the catastrophe that will occur.

How can you get this many legions without any losses?

… … When you think about what will happen in the future, it’s something you can’t help but accept.

But still, he pretends to be troubled and remains silent.

Nokin also looked at me, fidgeting as if he was feeling sorry for me.

“You can do whatever you want with us and our entire hideout. If you just lead us, I will give you everything I have… …!”

Eventually, it got to the point where Nokin was getting really excited and betting on something bigger.

“Okay, good.”

“… … !”

I accepted Nokin’s offer.

“But there is one condition.”

… … Of course, when I added this, Nokin’s expression, which had brightened noticeably, darkened again.

Well, you didn’t think I would take you in unconditionally, did you?

“Joe, what are the conditions… … , what are the… … .”

Nokin asked cautiously, his face darkening again.

I switched my crossed legs to the opposite side.

He chuckled.

… … Looking at it this way, it seems like it would be unlucky to appear arrogant.

In negotiations, isn’t it basic to pretend to have something even if you don’t have anything?

So, let’s get to the main point.

“Before we collect them, we should test them to see if they are usable.”

“Poetry, exam?”

“Yeah. Do you know about the hunters?”

“… … Are you talking about the successor hunter I know?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

He is the only successor, but he only attacks his own successors, causing headaches.

Literally the city’s official ‘trash gang’.

“Prove your strength by hunting them back.”

“… … !”

My request was simple.

To see if they are worth accepting, you have to kill the hunters.

… … but in fact, the inside story was obvious.

To put it simply, it meant that from now on, we would start an automatic hunting mode.