The Main Characters That Only I Know

Chapter 424:

"Didn’t expect the landlord to come out like this."

Yu-hyun narrowed his eyes, closely observing Satan's actions. He had thought of meeting him eventually, but not as abruptly as this.

The wounds from the penalty imposed by the system were still not fully healed, he’d heard.

"What brings you all the way here?"

"Quite a remarkable land, isn’t it?"

Instead of answering Yu-hyun’s question, Satan spoke in vague terms.

Yu-hyun raised an eyebrow, wondering what he was going on about.

"This land was once a pure, white domain where clear spiritual energy flowed. It was cleaner than anything else and inspired reverence just by looking at it. Everywhere you went, it was bathed in white light, making it one of the most renowned places in Eden."

Satan continued speaking, as if he wouldn't have another opportunity to say these things.

"This place…."

Yu-hyun looked beyond the boundary, toward the land shrouded in deep darkness.

"So this was the land you ruled before you fell, wasn’t it, Satan?"

"‘Fallen,’ huh. From your perspective, it would appear that way. Originally, this land of pure white was now said to be tainted. You all call it ‘fallen.’"

Satan sharply declared that he didn’t see it that way.

"Undoubtedly, this land, once brilliant and shining, was beautiful. But I actually find its current state far more appealing. The harmony of black and white, the balance without extreme leanings—wouldn't you say that’s the ideal form?"

"So, what exactly is the reason for telling me all this? It’s not like you’re trying to impress a guest by bragging about your front yard."

"Interesting metaphor. It all boils down to this: eternal light or eternal darkness are both not beautiful. Where there is light, there must be darkness, and where there is darkness, light must also exist."

Satan's gaze shifted beyond the boundary, toward the white land.

"But those people don’t understand that."

Yu-hyun sensed it too—the growing number of eyes watching from a distance.

For the first time, Satan, who had been keeping silent deep within his domain, had ventured out to the boundary area of this outpost, which bordered Eden.

From the perspective of those unaware that Satan had come to meet Yu-hyun, his sudden movement must have raised alarms.

"It’s quite noisy, isn’t it? That’s why I quit that side."

"…Now that I think about it, Satan, you were once an angel."

"An angel, huh…."

Did he find the term unpleasant?

Satan crossed his arms, flicking his finger as if to show his displeasure.

"Not a fan of the past, are you?"

"That’s not it. To be precise… um… Kang Yu-hyun, Teller. Or, no, now you’re no longer a Teller, just a human. Human Kang Yu-hyun, may I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Do you know the name I was called during my time as an angel, back when I was known as Satan, or Lucifer?"

"Pardon? That would be…."

Yu-hyun hesitated to answer.

Normally, when people ask the angelic name of Satan, who was once Lucifer, the Morning Star, most call him "Lucifel."

It’s the suffix “-el,” often added to angel names, appended to Lucifer’s name.

However, Lucifer’s angelic name doesn’t appear in the Bible.

Some speculate that Satan's angelic name was Satanel, but this too is mentioned only in later Gnostic texts, not in the original Bible.

"You don’t know, do you?"

"…You were just called the Morning Star, weren’t you?"

The name Lucifer bore as an angel is never mentioned anywhere.

Looking back, it was strange. He was once the brightest being, yet was his name erased because he rebelled against God?

Satan, however, shrugged it off as if it was only natural, letting out a faint laugh.

"You met with Praytion, didn’t you?"

"…You knew about that."

"Who do you think gave him a place to hide and remain?"

"…."

Why was he revealing all this now?

"So, your initial approach to me was intentional all along."

"Acting surprised now, are we?"

"I won’t deny it."

The fact was that he had received a lot of help from Satan up to this point. Satan had never openly disclosed his motives, and Yu-hyun had knowingly allowed their cooperation, despite being aware.

Their relationship was one of mutual, silent use. That was the dynamic between Yu-hyun and Satan.

Bringing it up now would be pointless.

"Now that you’ve spoken with Praytion, you must have realized the truth of this world and of us."

"You mean the usurpers. Does that include you, Satan?"

"It’s not entirely wrong, but I am not a usurper."

"What does that mean?"

"I came to explain that to you. Specifically, over there."

Satan lifted a finger, pointing toward the library before Yu-hyun.

"I intend to use that library."

"The library…?"

"You also planned to use the library to open a poetry revelation in the hybrid realm, didn’t you? I’ll do it for you. That’s why I’m here."

"You’re offering to do something I could do myself."

"Yes. It has to be me. If you do it, you could die."

Die?

Yu-hyun sensed that Satan knew something he didn’t.

And he was right.

"To reveal a poetry revelation, you have to use the Genesis Network. Yes, under the surveillance of the Foundation's dogs, Logos. What do you think would happen if you try to make an unauthorized poetry revelation?"

"…I’d face a penalty from the system."

"It seems you’d already considered it."

In that case, the conversation became easier.

"Even if you open a poetry revelation under the authority of the library’s owner, the library will soon close due to intervention from the Foundation’s dogs. On top of that, you’d be hit with the system’s retribution. Even if it wouldn’t kill you, severe injuries are guaranteed. I’ve been through it myself, so I know."

Though he spoke playfully, the warning in his tone was cold and sharp.

It was like feeling a blade poised just beneath his throat.

The terrifying suppression exerted by the system was something even first-generation Divine Spirits dared not challenge recklessly.

Of course, normally, revealing the truth to a hybrid realm rather than a lower realm wouldn’t violate the system’s jurisdiction.

"Remember who manages that system."

"…."

If the Foundation was operating the system, they could very well create new rules on the spot to strike him.

If he received both punishment and an ensuing penalty, it was not something Yu-hyun wanted to even consider.

"I can handle it."

"You, Satan?"

"I know how to circumvent the system so the Foundation won’t be able to immediately enforce punishment, even if they notice the poetry revelation."

"Then why not just teach me the method…."

"No. I have to be the one to do this."

In Satan's firm voice, there was an almost unyielding conviction that this was the only way.

From Yu-hyun's perspective, after discovering the truth, Satan was an usurper.

Just the fact that he knew about Fragments, which other Divine Spirits were unaware of, made it clear that Satan was a survivor from a previous universe.

Usurpers were beings who seized the seats of past myths by force, receiving power and roles from Logos.

Satan, more than anyone, was a figure to be wary of.

But.

"…Why have you been helping me all this time?"

"…."

"You handed me Fragments, gave me countless benefits and gifts, even retrieved my sword, Baekryun, personally, injuring yourself in the process… Why have you done all this? What were you in the previous universe, Satan…."

"Enough."

Satan cut him off, as if he could bear to hear no more.

"I cannot tell you more than that."

"What do you…."

"There’s no time. Look over there."

At the end of Satan’s pointing finger, a pure white light was approaching them.

The angels of Eden and the brightest one leading them.

"For me to come here, they must be quite desperate. They’ve called their strongest force at once, urgently making their way here. Given these chaotic times, with Camelot erased, that may be a reasonable response."

Satan approached Yu-hyun slowly.

He made it clear with his entire being that he harbored no hostility or ulterior motive, as if only one decision needed to be made.

"Make your choice. You’re the owner of the library. Whether you grant me permission or not is entirely up to you. Though I’d appreciate it if you did."

"You're not planning to force me?"

"Haha! And for whose benefit? Besides, given your strength now, even I couldn’t guarantee victory. If we were to waste time clashing like that, who would it truly benefit?"

"…."

"Well?"

By now, Satan had come close, extending a hand to Yu-hyun.

Yu-hyun looked between his hand and the darkened face before him, then sighed.

"…Go ahead."

"An excellent choice."

Yu-hyun granted Satan the authority over the library.

Now, the last remaining conduit for a poetry revelation in the hybrid realm was in his hands.

Satan accepted it and smoothly opened the library, linking it seamlessly with the Genesis system.

It was as if he’d done this once or twice before.

Yu-hyun quietly watched Satan’s actions.

In the end, handing over the library’s authority was his choice. Not because Satan was an usurper, but

because he trusted the figure who had directly helped him.

Black energy coiled like a snake around Satan's wrist as he touched the translucent system window that floated in the air, seeping into the interface. It wasn’t hard to guess that this was his method of bypassing the rules.

‘Still, to think he could connect to the network so easily just by receiving the library’s authority.’

Had he done this before?

As a first-generation Divine Spirit who’d lived a long life, he could indeed be knowledgeable in such areas. But being Satan, it seemed as though there were hidden truths.

‘The wind….’

A strong gust of wind swept through, rustling his hair.

Yu-hyun narrowed his eyes as he spotted the Divine Spirits of Eden, who had approached them.

"Satan! After being quiet all this time, what’s your intent for coming here now?"

At the forefront was a radiant, golden-haired angel, Michael.

She glared at Satan with a look of enmity, then widened her eyes upon spotting Yu-hyun beside him.

"Kang Yu-hyun, Teller?"

No. He was no longer a Teller. The aura around him suggested he was human.

How was this possible? She’d heard he’d disappeared five years ago. So he was alive? And why was he with Satan…?

Her fiery gaze turned toward Satan, intense as a blade forged in burning heat.

"I will hold you accountable for this."

Satan ignored Michael’s arrival, remaining focused on his task.

Whether it was due to her pride being hurt from being disregarded by Satan, Michael unleashed her aura.

The surrounding area heated up with a fierce intensity akin to a blazing sun in the sky.

By then, even Satan couldn’t ignore her.

"Your fierce nature hasn’t changed one bit, has it? Isn’t it time for us to let go?"

"What do you…."

"It’s been a long and bitter relationship. No, it was never meant to be a conflict, but we ended up divided by my choice. I regret that—both then and now. Always."

His tone held a lamenting half-regret.

Michael’s face reflected shock, bewildered by Satan’s uncharacteristic response. Was the Satan she knew really expressing regret?

"You, what…."

"Let’s put an end to this."

"What?"

"This tiresome role-play—let’s end it now."

Michael’s accompanying angels murmured at the word "role."

"Quiet!" At her harsh command, Michael silenced her subordinates and raised a glowing spear, aiming it at Satan.

"If you’re here to sway my army with your impure tongue, stop right now."

"Did it sound like that?"

"Then what other intent could there be?"

"Is that so."

Satan chuckled, shaking his head.

"In the end, you forgot everything."

"What?"

"You’ve forgotten it all, and now you really believe the name Michael is your true self."

"What are you…."

"Even after hearing this, you don’t remember?"

Michael’s lips trembled.

Her quivering eyes revealed just how much she was shaken.

Seeing her reaction, unlike her usual iron-willed demeanor against demons, Satan gazed at her with sympathy instead of derision.

"Never mind. Soon enough, you’ll understand."

Numerous system windows floated around Satan.

In the Genesis Network of the hybrid realm, which had been quiet until now, a single poetry revelation emerged.

As the library suddenly opened, a vast number of Divine Spirits flooded in.

With every Teller agency closed, the lone open library garnered great interest.

[What’s going on? What’s happening all of a sudden?]

[A library? Who’s attempting a poetry revelation at a time like this?]

[Isn’t this Kang Yu-hyun Teller’s library? I had it bookmarked.]

[Whoa. Wait. It’s Satan?]

The spectators seemed puzzled, seeing Satan rather than Yu-hyun.

As their numbers surpassed twenty thousand and neared thirty thousand, Satan seized the moment to speak.

"Greetings to all. As you all know, I am Satan, he who laughs in the darkest places."

Now or never.

He finally began something he had longed for.

"Amidst the recent uproar caused by Camelot’s disappearance, today I bring an important truth to share with you all."

The one who reacted most strongly to his words was Michael.

Seeing her start to tremble, Satan smiled at her knowingly, as if to say, "Now you remember."

Amid the darkness enveloping his face, his smile shone purely, without pretense or mockery.

"I will reveal to everyone the truth of this fabricated, false world."