The Garden That Could Have Been

If it were me, I should have felt good.

But strangely, I felt filthy instead.

‘What should I do.’

I agonized over it until the very end.

What was I agonizing over?

『Title “Model Garden / Maker” – Detailed Information

A title granted to one who has cultivated a “Pseudo-World — Model Garden” using the edited tool “Tool.”

The precision of the Model Garden varies according to proficiency.

When growth conditions are met, the title changes.

Stage 1 title “Model Garden Maker” allows the user to arbitrarily create a Model Garden and store models within it.』

Models can be stored inside the Model Garden.

To put it simply, it means this.

‘I can save the people who entered Jungju.’

My “Model Garden,” after all, is treated as a kind of subspace, and it seems even people can be “modeled” and stored there.

‘The post-apocalyptic creatures probably can’t recognize entities once they’re inside the Model Garden either.’

When I tested it, the creatures in the neutral zone did not show hostility toward the Model Garden itself, even if they saw it.

You can obtain points for each candidate.

※The number of obtainable points varies depending on the current stats and status of the eliminated candidate.

And this was not part of the “Model Garden Maker” description.

Try using the points you’ve earned to purchase items or upgrade equipment in the shop!

Putting aside the fact that this part suddenly sounded like an advertisement.

This wasn’t the first time I had seen this notification.

When I assimilated the serpent skin with OZ.

Eliminating this candidate will grant 7,905 points.

Do you still wish to assimilate this candidate with the selected item?

A warning like that had popped up.

The warning itself was ordinary.

It was similar to when selling cards in a game and a message pops up saying, “Includes 4-star or higher. Do you wish to proceed?”

If that doesn’t show up, there are always idiots who sell it themselves and then rage on the official forums.

Points… weren’t strange either.

‘It’s a game.’

If a high-level monster drops experience or money, then sure, let’s call it that.

‘Nothing special.’

Likewise, the thing I saw with OZ appearing now as well.

When an enemy that has entered a candidate’s affiliated territory dies, points are automatically obtained.

They entered my fishing net, so whether they kill each other or not in the process, it’s only natural that the chunks of meat fall to me.

So.

‘It might be better to just leave it alone and let the points stack up.’

If I do nothing, the post-apocalyptic creatures will kill those who invaded my territory on their own.

And all of that becomes my points.

It’s like lying down and just catching popcorn as it pops.

‘Just close my eyes.’

It’s a game anyway.

They were abandoned by their own lord anyway.

And I didn’t get any so-called points back with OZ.

So this time—

“Ha, f*ck.”

This time—

“……”

If not for the people watching, I would have rubbed my face dry.

Seriously, what kind of pointless shit is this?

I don’t know.

But.

“Did you know, Lee Mok-gun?”

Title “Called the / False Morning” applied.

Due to title effect, certain areas become night.

※Summoned light or shadow is proportional to the figure’s intelligence (if target is inanimate).

※Summoned light or shadow is proportional to the figure’s dominance (if target is living).

Night duration: 7 seconds.

Is my intelligence stat really 7?

Come to think of it, I even got Grade 1 on the Korean History Proficiency Exam recently.

Doesn’t that count for bonus points?

Even while having such useless thoughts, my eyes rapidly scanned the script.

『Character Information: Dongju Lord Lee Mok-gun

Owned Seal: Seal of Lee Mok』

『Post-Apocalyptic Creature Information: Lee Mok. Originates from the son of the Dragon King appearing in Samguk Yusa…』

Having played WWC, I knew the weaknesses of the other five-stars, including Lee Mok.

Perhaps even weaknesses he himself didn’t know.

Night fell.

“Shall I read it for you? According to the first edited version of the legend, Lee Mok was the son of the Dragon King, but because he defied the heavenly order, the Heavenly Emperor struck him down with lightning. However, the monk Boyang pitied him and sent a plum tree in his place to the heavenly messenger…”

Seals may appear perfect at a glance, but they are not.

Through the seal, it is the post-apocalyptic creature that lends power to the seal-bearer.

And the seal inherits the creature’s weakness as it is.

For example, Lee Mok’s weakness is this.

『Lee Mok was the son of the Dragon King, but because he defied the heavenly order, the Heavenly Emperor struck him with lightning.』

Lightning.

The Heavenly Emperor was certain lightning could harm Lee Mok, which is why he cast it.

Then the “Lee Mok” here, edited as he is, and even his seal, would likewise be vulnerable to lightning.

‘Of course, not easily.’

It’s not like I know when lightning will strike.

And lightning isn’t something that falls just because I want to see it.

So I had prepared something in advance.

『O-Nachal Lightning (五羅刹雷)』

『O-Nachal Lightning: The lightning among the thunder and rain used by the evil deity O-Nachal-nyeo of Manyeo Mountain to torment people.』

More precisely, the bamboo barrel that cultivated that lightning.

The lifeform inside the bamboo barrel has reached full maturity.

You may use it by opening the barrel.

The moment the bamboo barrel containing O-Nachal Lightning is opened, lightning bursts forth.

And the malice within that lightning turns toward people.

Because it is the power of an evil god.

‘But that’s only when Lee Mok isn’t present.’

To Lee Mok, lightning is a natural enemy.

When a predator sees its prey, instinctively it turns toward it.

Someone’s whip, ignorant of that fact, finally bit the bait I had thrown.

Crack!

The sound of the bamboo barrel breaking rang out.

At the same time, the effect of “Called the False Morning” ended.

Boom!

The surroundings, which had brightened again, were torn apart by lightning far brighter than daylight.

White-burning lightning.

Like a spear.

Like a whip.

“Wow, I couldn’t crack the shell myself. Thanks for cracking it for me, Lee Mok.”

Even as I babbled like that, I hesitated until the very last moment.

Should I not do it?

Activating the effect of the title “Model Garden / Maker.”

This choice will not grant points.

Do you still wish to proceed?

With this title, you can create a “Pseudo-World – Model Garden.”

(Searching…)

Edited tool “Bamboo Barrel” discovered.

This edited tool can create a “Model Garden.”

“Model Garden” is created.

This “Model Garden” is a subspace.

Those who consent to “Modeling” can be “Modeled” and enter the “Model Garden.”

※The size and number of Model Gardens are proportional to the player’s stats.

…… has consented to Modeling.

…… has consented to Modeling.

…… has consented to Modeling.

…… has consented to Modeling.

…… has consented to Modeling.

……

I ground my teeth.

It was my choice, but f*ck.

‘Do you know how many points I’m throwing away?’

Now that it’s come to this, it’d be less unfair if someone else crashed and burned together with me.

“Let’s let them hear it, Lee Mok.”

Activating the effect of the title “Pioneer of the / Abandoned Land.”

“Do not be fooled by the madman’s tricks! Are you any different from the idiots who rushed to Jungju? Do you wish to be abandoned like them?”

A lifeform exists within the pioneer territory “Model Garden.”

All lifeforms within the pioneer territory can hear your voice.

『Echo Bug (應聲蟲): A bug that mimics speech from inside a person’s throat.』

The voice coming from me sounded exactly like Lee Mok, even to my own ears.

I looked down at him.

Seeing him glare at me with terrifying eyes, I shrugged.

Anyway, zero shame.

‘They were all words he said himself.’

If Lee Mok hadn’t said them in the first place, I wouldn’t have been able to mimic them.

I merely repeated them.

“I’m thorough. So even if you don’t hand it over, I’ll carefully take what I need.”

The bite came.

Hard.

“And unlike you, I don’t treat life lightly.”

The loyalty of Dongju’s ‘subjects’ decreases.

(Location: Jungju)

The loyalty of Dongju’s ‘subjects’ decreases.

(Location: Dongju)

Hmm, looks like Lee Mok’s conduct really shattered something.

It’s not just the ones in my Model Garden—his subjects in his homeland are losing loyalty too.

“I’ll take it well, bastard. Your downfall.”

The moment Dongju entered a state of civil war, the quest ended.

I swiftly left Dongju.

I didn’t rush.

There was no need.

A territory in civil war can be invaded by other territories even outside of quests.

Lee Mok wouldn’t have the luxury to target me now.

Objectively, he was far more ruined than I was.

He was completely screwed.

So it would be normal to feel good.

……Yet my mood felt strangely filthy.

Strangely so.

‘Why am I this vindictive.’

Scratching the back of my head roughly, I slipped into a blind spot and removed the serpent skin.

The unpleasantness, like being drenched in filth, faded slightly.

But it didn’t completely lift my mood.

“Ah, it’s cold.”

I stopped walking and sat atop some unknown town’s wall, looking down below.

People who had come out from their territories for post-quest cleanup were moving about here and there.

‘Or maybe they’re hurrying to grab their share of the windfall that rolled in.’

I simply rested my chin on my hand and watched them quietly.

“……”

Watching them bustle about made me feel like a child observing a swarm of ants.

Ants carrying the corpse of a dead cicada, marching diligently forward.

Staring downward with my chin propped, I muttered.

“Who was it.”

Who opened the path first.

Who became the sacrifice these people silently abandoned.

“……?”

Then I tilted my head.

At the edge of my sight, in a shadow where no one stood, something…

“……!”

A small shadow wriggled, then suddenly stood up—only to stagger immediately.

Before I knew it, I had gone down there and grabbed the arm of someone who was about to collapse.

“Th-thank you.”

That someone bowed toward me.

I couldn’t answer.

“Um, excuse me… I lost consciousness… what happened?”

Because the person speaking was far too small.

And far too young.