Chapter 182. < Our Children have Changed (3) >

3.

-Bad guys… Ignorant fools who only know about muscles…

The aspiring elf actor stayed on the ground for a while before finally returning home. On the way, he grumbled and complained about how unfair his life was.

-Where did you run off to this time?

He was abused at home as well.

-You didn’t go to a theater again, did you?

-This child has grown so much and he still hasn’t come to his sense. Son. Those Fire Plays were all made to brainwash the goblin. In the end, it’s a way for them to worship Kekerkker. Why are you so hellbent on it?

Unlike the goblins, the elves lived in large, luxurious mansions. The aspiring elf actor’s family also seemed to be very wealthy. For the elves, who were born merchants and lived as merchants, the aspiring elf actor might as well have been a different race.

-It’s not….

The aspiring elf actor muttered under his breath as he ate dinner.

-The Fire Plays don’t worship Kekerkker… Instead, the Fire Players are about things Kekerkker worships….

-What is he talking about?

-I don’t know. He was speaking so softly that I didn’t hear a word he said.

-You’re an adult now. I’ve calculated everything we’ve given you so far and compiled them into a ledger. I’ll allow you to pay us back without interest, so make sure to do it quickly. If you don’t pay us back, you can get out of the house.

-Why does our family only care about money?

The aspiring elf actor was furious.

-No, why is our race only focused on making money?

-Because making money is fun.

-I don’t think it’s fun! What’s so fun about taking advantage of the goblins?!

-Taking advantage of pushovers has always been the most enjoyable pass time. In any case, will you pay us back for our support or not?

-This race is crazy.

The aspiring elf actor stood up.

-It is a tradition and obligation to pay back your parents all the money they spent on you until adulthood. I can’t believe even something like that is taken for granted…!

-It’s natural, after all that money was spent on you.

-You wrote down all the money you spent on me from the day I was born! From the cost of a midwife to take care of me, to everything I ever ate or wore! Are you sick? Does our race have some kind of special disease that kills you if you don’t keep a ledger? I’m done. I’m sick and tired of staying in this house! I’ll just run away from home.

The aspiring elf actor then walked out of the house. The moment he tried to step out of the gate, his family called out to him.

-Son! Ssonia!

-What?

-Even if you leave, you have to take your debt documents with you! Here!

A family member dragged a cart over to him.

There was a pile of scrolls on the cart.

They were all debt documents.

-If you run away, you won’t be a member of the family anymore, so we’ll have to calculate interest into the prices. Don’t worry. We’ll only give you the cheapest interest rates. If you get any top level job and work for about 12 years, you’ll be able to pay us back. Work hard to make money.

-Fuck, this is bullshit….

-From now on, I’ll increase the interest rate by 1% every time you swear.

-…….

-Ah. I also added the price for the cart. For some reason, I had a feeling that you would be running away from home today so I prepared it in advance. You should be grateful since I chose a sturdy and cheap one. What are you doing, Ssonia? Hurry up and leave the house.

With a tearful expression, the aspiring elf actor pulled the cart away.

Rattle, rattle.

The wheels rolled noisily.

Bae Hu-ryeong and I were the only audience to the sad scene of the young elf.

“There aren’t any normal races in this world, are there…?”

–You’re right. I always knew that your tower was full of psychos, but now, I’m starting to get a little worried….

The elf didn’t have any money, so he couldn’t even stay in a shabby inn. He could only squat beside the theater and use the cart to block the cold air as he slept. Sniff. A mournful cry echoed across the moonlit street.

[Purchased ‘Dream Appearance’.]

[100 points have been deducted!]

[You currently have 8702 race points.]

And that was my cue to appear.

“Ssonia.”

I entered the aspiring elf actor’s dream in order to talk to him.

Unlike Gorke and Uburka, the scenery of the elf’s dream was… how should I say it? Pretty vulgar. It was a luxurious party. And hobgoblin servants, all with large muscles, were serving the aspiring elf actor.

-We’re sorry, great actor Ssonia. We were too blind to see who the true genius actor was….

-Ahahaha! Ignorant fools who only have muscles, acting is all about spirit! Hurry up and serve the drinks!

-Ugor. It’s an honor to fill the cup of great actor Ssonia….

It was incredible.

Who would have thought that the Count would have corrupted the elves to this extent. Instead of being fairies, they’d become strange spirits.

“Ssonia. Ssonia. Come to your senses.”

-Huh? Why is there an ugly human here?

“I’m the one who guides the goblin race. You all call me Kekerkker. Since the elves joined under the flag of the goblins, you all became part of my domain.”

-Hah?

“Weren’t you the one who cried out today that it didn’t matter if it was Kekerkker, the Great Cat, or the Devil, as long as they helped you debut? Rejoice. After hearing your miserable cry, I came to you.”

-What kind of bullshit…….

This was the point where I strengthened our relationship with my fists.

-I’m sorry that I didn’t recognize you! Great Kekerkker!

“I forgive you. Gorke suspected that I was the Devil at first. Eventually, he realized my sincerity. In this harsh world, you shouldn’t be so quick to doubt someone.”

-Yes! Thank you for your forgiveness! Great Kekerkker!

“From now on, refer to me as [The Kind and Merciful Kekerkker].”

-Huh?

Ssonia looked up at me from a kneeling position. His brusied eyes seemed to be saying ‘what the hell was this guy talking about?’. I smiled and cracked my knuckles.

“What’s wrong? Do you have any complaints?”

-N-, not at all Kind and Merciful Kekerkker!

“Now you’re ready to talk.”

I sat on the chair covered in silk cushions and took a sip of watermelon beer. What was this? It tasted like crushed cucumbers with a slightly sweet aftertaste… Why were my kids so obsessed over this lackluster drink?

“Ssonia. There’s no need to be afraid of me. I just want to grant your wish.”

-Y-, ye-, yes….

“Right. You want to be an actor, don’t you? I’ll make you an actor.”

-R-, really!?

“Yes. Really. Kekerkker would never lie. But before I lend you my strength, I have to give you a brief test.”

Ssonia blinked.

-A test…?

“Recently, there have been many false stories that have deceived the children. It breaks Kekerkker’s heart. The test I give you will determine if you are worthy of being my third apostle. Tell me.”

I spoke in a serious voice.

“What do you think of the Flame Emperor?”

-Uh….

Ssonia tilted his head to the side.

-He… was a bastard, wasn’t he? At least according to the classic plays… Kekerkker encountered a terrible man one day while living his life normally, and he was called the Flame Emperor. But these days, there have been many people who have been saying that the Flame Emperor is actually good. The so-called [He was actually a good guy] trope, but I don’t agree. There are many bastards in the world. And even if they might try to hide it, they can’t change that fact….

“Ssonia.”

Tuk.

I put my hand on the aspiring actor’s shoulder.

“You really have a promising future!”

-H-, huh?

I gave him a broad smile.

“It is true that you can recognize a tree from the seedling. Uhuh. You will not just be a large tree, you have the talent to become the world tree!”

-Ah… Yes…

“How could a talented child like you live among those fools who only know how to make money? A lotus blooms in mud, and a black pearl forms in a clam. You are definitely fated to become beautiful!”

-I-, is that so? Hehe. You’re flattering me so much that I don’t know what to say….

Ssonia scratched his head awkwardly. A warm friendship that transcended race had formed between us.

-But you didn’t say exactly how you’d help me….

“That’s simple. I will borrow your body for a while.”

There was an item that I’d seen in the Civilization store before.

+

[Person Possession]

Rank: A-

Effect: Possess the person of your choosing. The original owner of the possessed body will become a mental body that stays with you. When the person dies, or when you declare the end of your possession, the mental body will return to its original body!

Price: 2,000 race points

※However, the item can only be used if the person agrees to the possession.

+

It was an item that was more compatible than animal possession.

-Y-, you want to take over my body… Huk. Really?

“Hey. I don’t know what kind of bad idea you’re thinking. But the only one I want is Raviel.”

-Ah…. That’s true. Right.

“It simply means that my mind will take control of your body. I won’t stay too long either. I’ll only stay until I make you a top notch actor. More importantly, if you want me to leave before that, I’ll leave.”

Ssonia thought for a moment.

-Do I have to give you my soul in return…?

“Aigoo. Where are you going to take your soul and put it? Even after I’ve possessed you, your mind will still be in your body.”

-…….

“You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. I’m sure there are many goblins who would want me to possess them.”

-N-, no. No!

Ssonia spoke in a hurried tone.

-Please possess me! Kind and Merciful Kekerkker! I’ll do anything to debut!

“Right. That’s the spirit! If a person wants to achieve something, they should be willing to go to the ends of the universe in order to get it.”

I purchased the item right away.

[Purchased ‘Person Possession’.]

[2000 points have been deducted!]

[You currently have 6702 race points.]

“No regrets?”

-No!

“No complains?”

-None!

“Good. Then I’ll take that as consent to possess your body!”

-G-, go ahead!

Swoosh!

A sound similar to a toilet flushing rang in my ears, and my vision became blurry for a moment. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, the scenery of the city in the early morning came into view.

“Heh.”

I clenched and unclenched my fists repeatedly.

Pretty hands.

It felt like my palms were saying ‘I’ve never held a sword in my entire life’.

“It’s a bit awkward… but I guess it’s better than when I possessed the lion. I should get used to it soon.”

-Oh my God. Oh Great Cat.(TL: I’ll italicize Ssonia’s speech to separate it from the others in this world)

A Startled voice sounded in my head. It was Ssonia’s voice.

-You really possessed me…?

“Didn’t I tell you before? I’d never lie to you.”

-I-, I’m sorry. To be honest, I was half worried it was some kind of devil scam… I’ve heard many rumors about strange looking monsters devouring people….

I turned my attention to my aura. Perhaps it was because elves were innately attuned to aura, or perhaps it was because Ssonia was actually quite talented. But after fiddling with my aura a few times, I was able to create a flame-like projection on my palm.

-M-, my god.

Seeing how surprised he was, I guess he wasn’t that talented.

-I don’t believe it! The fire of the soul was so easily….

-Who is hanging around here so early in the morning?

With a creak, the door to the theater opened, and the theater owner, who’d coldly driven Ssonia away the day before, appeared in the doorway. He had a sleepy look on his face as if he’d just woken up.

-Ugo? Why is it you again?

When our eyes met, the theater owner made a tired expression.

-The screening process has already ended. The roles for the next Fire Play have already been decided. I have no roles to give you, so please stop messing around. Since you’re an elf, you will live and eat well even if you’re not allowed to act.

“Theater owner, sir.”

I politely fell to my knees.

“I… ran away from home.”

-What?

“Look at the cart here. This is the debt that my family has charged for feeding and clothing me. I said that I wanted to be an actor even if I died. So they gave me all my debt documents and kicked me out. They even added interest for me to pay them back.”

-…….

“I really have nowhere to go back to!”

I shouted emphatically.

“I’m even willing to play the role of a henchman. It doesn’t matter if it’s a minor role. Please just allow me to go on stage! Please look at my acting instead of my muscles! In the name of Kekerkker, Gorke, and Uburka, I will definitely repay the trust you put in me!”

-Ugo, where did this strange elf come from…….

The hobgoblin theater owner put his head in his hands.

-……Fine. I’ll give you one last chance. However, I can’t give you a role just because you ask for it. Prove that you can captivate an audience even with your poor muscles.

“How can I prove it?”

-Try acting on the spot.

The theater owner sat on the ground and folded his arms.

-This is not an opportunity you would usually be given. So consider it a privilege.

Okay.

“What kind of acting should I do?”

-There is a role that every actor considers to be the gateway to their career. How well they can act this role usually determines how far the actor can go. Although it is an old role, it is very difficult, so it’s good at screening the actor’s qualities.

“A very difficult role….”

The theater owner continued in a solemn tone.

-I want you to break down the scene in [Raviel and Kekerkker] where Kekerkker reveals his heart as he confesses his love to Raviel.

Huh.

-Don’t blame me for giving you something too hard. As I said before, you are receiving a great privilege. There are some theater owners that would only allow qualified goblin actors to attempt this role

I tilted my head to the side.

“Uh…. Why would that be?”

-You really are nothing but a rookie.

The theater owner snorted.

-The scene where Kekerkker confesses to Raviel is difficult even for mature actors to digest. For Kekerkker, Raviel is a Goddess, and he used every word he could think of to praise her beauty. And it was done sincerely. As if he would die if he didn’t love her. With the sorrow that he truly might die without her love! It’s not something easy to act!

“Umm….”

-Incompetent actors try to fill this scene with tears and crying. Gah! It’s not like that! Kekerkker was neither pleading for love nor clinging to love. He just wanted to add to the glory of Raviel by purely expressing his love for the Goddess. To completely surrender one’s existence to the other. This is not something that can be done by those without experience.

Okay…?

I was confident that I could praise my lover without pause for 360 hours.

For me, it was the easiest thing in the world.

“So you want me to act out the where I confess to Raviel?”

-That’s right. Of course, I don’t expect a stingy elf like you to understand love.

“Understood.”

I took a deep breath.

Then I imagined Raviel sitting right in front of me.

Hair that resembled a silver fox that was about to hibernate, thin, red eyes that seemed to need a bit more sleep. ‘I’m sleepy’, she whispers softly, ‘Help me wake up, Gong-ja.’

Because of you, I can love the world a little more

“Raviel. My soul. My eternal red. I didn’t know the color red until I met you. I thought that I knew, but I was wrong. Your eyes, those eyes. When I look into your eyes—.”

I opened my mouth.

Exactly 2 minutes later, the expression of the theater owner changed.

-Impossible!

He jumped up in shock.

-Th-, this wordplay… This ridiculous confession of love… It’s… like a centipede desperately trying to act cute… I-, it’s perfect! Doesn’t this feel like Kekerkker himself!?

That’s right. Baby.

Daddy’s here.