A Horror Novel’s Supporting Character Wants to Live as a Human

Chapter 250

[Believer. You'd better explain right now.]

"What?"

["What?" you say, what! That thing you're carrying around! Like a newly sprouted tumor!]

"Ah, since everyone seems like lowly beings to you, you can't distinguish well? This isn't a tumor, her name is Eibon. She has her own individual consciousness too."

[Believer, have you finally reached the point where you can't distinguish between sarcasm and sincerity?]

When he returned to the tent with Eibon, Aphoom-Zhah threw a fit.

He acted disgusted as if he had picked up some dirty chick from somewhere, and finally began scratching like a washbasin.

[No! This being refuses! The believer has brought another growth. Why should I get dragged into this and have to deal with that thing too!]

"I never said a word about you taking care of her."

[Same difference! Who knows what alien gods might appear from now on! We've been doing well with just this being and the believer! Having to protect that lump while fighting would be absolutely mindless! Even this being cannot do such a thing!]Aphoom-Zhah's opposition was more fierce than expected.

What should he do about this? He wondered if he should send her back to let Aphoom-Zhah cool his head.

While he was staring at his white hair and thinking, Eibon poked his back.

When he turned around, the child already had a dejected expression.

"The, the white god dislikes me... so I can't go?"

"It's not like that. That god is, how should I put it, that's right! He's a god who has been hurt a lot by people, so his distrust of humans runs deep, which is why he's extremely wary of strangers."

[Believer, isn't the only human who has inflicted what could be called harm on this being you? Seeing you shamelessly turn this being into a human-distruster makes my blood pressure soar.]

"Wow. Does blood actually flow in that body? I didn't know."

[Ahhhhhhh! Believer! Blasphemer! Traitor!]

Aphoom-Zhah threw another fit.

When Eibon shrank back, he patted the child's shoulder and continued.

"Don't be so harsh. Do you know what kind of child this is? She looks exactly like Tika."

[This being has eyes too!]

"Not the face, but other aspects."

[What other aspects could there be-]

Aphoom-Zhah, who was about to yell again, stopped his gaze on Eibon.

His expression became very subtle for a moment, then he observed Eibon for a long time as if searching for something.

Eibon was half-hidden behind him in a very tense state. Even so, she didn't avoid Aphoom-Zhah's gaze and met it directly.

After watching for a while, Aphoom-Zhah let out a low groan.

[I see. That female human from before had her ears forcibly opened because of Idra. Of course, her mental strength couldn't withstand it, but... 'this one' is somewhat different. How truly interesting. Believer, will you raise this human?]

"Even if I take care of her general living, I can't teach this child the basics. I too only received teachings from you in Dreamland."

[So you introduced her to this being.]

Aphoom-Zhah put one hand behind his back and covered his mouth with the other.

The index finger of the covering hand continuously tapped his own cheek.

After contemplating for a moment, Aphoom-Zhah answered.

[Believer, you are receiving special treatment. Though it's from another timeline, you were the first believer and human to find this being who dwelt underground, so you receive this being's favor.]

His tone was light and gentle like snowflakes,

But his cold gaze didn't leave Eibon.

[Even if it didn't happen in this world, it was something that actually occurred for this being. Therefore, this being bestows infinite grace upon my believer. However, this human is a life form with no connection to me. I have no reason to help, nor any excuse to do so. No matter how peculiar she may be, I feel no interest.]

Was he saying he would cast her out like this?

He wondered if even his request wouldn't work, and anxiously watched Aphoom-Zhah's mood.

Aphoom-Zhah looked at him and smiled slyly.

[However, if this insignificant and primitive human passes the trial, the story would be different.]

"Trial? What kind of trial?"

[A trial bestowed by this being. Hardship and adversity that makes humans realize their place, and an opportunity to advance to a new stage.]

"But Eibon hasn't learned anything yet."

[Do trials bestowed by gods only come when humans are prepared?]

"Even so!"

[This is this being's only mercy. It's fine if she lacks skill. That might even be better. Any method is acceptable. If she's lucky enough to pass, that too would be her ability. If she fails, she will die having realized her place.]

Aphoom-Zhah approached and slightly lifted Eibon's chin with his index finger.

[If she passes, this human will make all humans except other gods and their favorites kneel at her feet. She will understand the conversations of stars and be able to sing with them. The universe will make way for you, and all wisdom and madness existing beyond this planet will resonate in your soul.]

"Aphoom-Zhah!"

[Shh. Now is not the time for the believer to interfere. Human, will you do it?]

Surely Aphoom-Zhah was smiling.

But Eibon was trembling.

Even so, she didn't turn her head away from Aphoom-Zhah or close her eyes.

He asked Eibon again.

[Will you dare stake your meager life?]

The sound of Eibon's breath catching could be heard.

A strained voice flowed out.

"I, I'll do it."

[Good.]

Aphoom-Zhah whispered softly.

Leaving Eibon, who was still panting, he cheerfully declared to him.

[The believer shall remain here. This being will visit Shaguna Fan with this human and return.]

*

Eibon was terrified.

Theem'dra, the legend of the white god passed down from their white snow country.

The white god was a deity who had long ago saved Theem'dra's ancestor from an incurable disease and protected them.

-The white god brought Theem'dra's ancestor to the land where he had spread his power. All the places covered with white snow out there are territories blessed by the god's protection. We Theem'drans are safe within this area.

Moreover, stories had been passed down that all sorts of terrible things lived outside the white god's territory.

Giant pink worms, giant poisonous scorpions, black women who only appeared at night, and even evil dwarfs.

For a long time, the Theem'drans firmly believed these stories and never left the snowfield.

However, as time passed, the white god's legend also became a faded story,

And the Theem'drans, who had felt no threat for a long time, began to yearn for change.

-Worms? Scorpions? Do they really exist? But who knows what's beyond there? No one has ever gone out to see.

-I'm sick of living only in cold places. I want to go outside and see a world not covered in snow.

The Theem'drans split like this, reunited, then divided again.

After long internal strife, some who valued tradition remained in Theem'dra,

While those who wanted to avoid the snowfield departed for the outside world.

Eibon's family belonged to the latter, and Eibon too loved the bare earth and green leaves not covered in snow.

But that didn't mean Eibon didn't miss the snow.

She still sometimes dreamed of Theem'dra covered in warm white snow.

Theem'dra filled with memories, heavy snow pouring from the sky.

Pure white snow that covered everything fairly, the most beloved childhood memories.

To Eibon, snow was clean, pure, and simultaneously a medium of happiness.

But the white god who was said to have brought that snow was...

[Cross over.]

Very strange.

Eibon had come to the place where she first met the red-haired man.

Even then, the red-haired man had emerged pushing through the covering vines, so was there something beyond here?

Eibon crossed beyond the vines as the white god instructed.

After just a few steps, a solid rock wall appeared,

And in the middle was a hole she could enter if she slightly lowered her head.

[Enter.]

"Even... without fire?"

This was a cave.

Eibon asked the white god hesitantly, but he passed by her as if he hadn't heard the question and went straight inside.

Eibon also hurriedly entered the entrance and looked around, surprised by the cave space that was narrower than expected.

A space that would be full if about five people entered.

Moreover, there was a strange pedestal on one side that made the space even narrower.

On the pedestal was a small statue with a bizarre appearance,

It lacked unity as if features of various life forms had been haphazardly stuck together.

Though it was clearly someone's poor work,

Eibon was startled the moment she saw it.

The white god leaned against one wall and tilted his head.

[Take it. Bring it to me.]

"Take... it? That thing?"

[Can't you do it? Then the test ends here.]

Did she just need to take that? Then could she pass the test?

Eibon anxiously clenched and unclenched her hands as she walked toward the pedestal.

The closer she got, the stronger the strange feeling became, even causing discomfort.

Standing right in front of the statue, Eibon steadied her breathing and reached toward the target before her eyes.

But as soon as her palm touched the statue, Eibon screamed in shock and pulled her hand away.

The statue clattered and rolled to the floor. Eibon, clutching her touched hand protectively, looked at the white god.

The white god smiled.

[Can't even touch it?]

"What is this? What exactly is it? Why, why such a thing?"

[The test won't end unless you bring it to me. Are you afraid?]

Eibon stepped backward.

Behind the white god's smiling face, white eyes were blazing.

They were not human.

[Bring it.]

Eibon's heart pounded. Cold sweat dampily soaked her nape.

Surely when she touched it, she felt something sharp stabbing.

Test, he said it was a test. This was why the red-haired man had looked worried.

No, what was the test even for in the first place? What did he want from her...?

Eibon groped around the floor.

The rolling statue, a shabby stone carving that would fit in one hand.

If she just held that and walked a few steps, the test would be over. If she just endured that moment, just that moment-

As soon as Eibon gripped the statue, something changed.

She jerked her head back as if someone had yanked her hair, then suddenly returned to her senses.

Her heart was pounding, proving her existence.

"This place is."

She had been in a cave just moments ago, but now a beautiful waterfall was pouring before her eyes.

Cool water mist rushing toward her face. A shadow moved beyond the blue, clear waterfall.

The shadow disappeared as if melting into the waterfall, then approached Eibon from deep in the water.

Eibon confirmed its identity and suddenly felt all her tension release.

Ah, she wondered what it was. It was the ■■■ ■ she knew well.

A long, black, slimy tentacle emerged from the water and wrapped around her arm comfortingly.

"Why didn't I recognize you? Sorry, ■■■ ■. I must have been too surprised coming to a different place suddenly."

■■■ ■.

A friend who had always stayed by her side since childhood, a parent, the only existence of its kind in this world.

Without you, I would be too lonely. You're all I have. You only have me too, and I have no friend better than you.

Eibon crouched by the water's edge and caressed part of ■■■ ■. The sticky texture was dear to her.

As Eibon touched the tentacle with vacant, relaxed eyes and enjoyed herself, someone asked.

[Will you stay there forever?]

Who spoke? There couldn't be anything here besides her and ■■■ ■. This was a secret place for just her and ■■■ ■.

Eibon irritably looked around, trying to find who had spoken.

But another tentacle came up and lightly flicked Eibon's forehead.

It seemed like it was telling her to focus on it, so Eibon giggled.

Right, right. She had been playing with ■■■ ■. It seemed to have said it was very sad that she hadn't come for a long time.

Sorry, ■■■ ■. I'll stay here forever from now on.

[Weaker than expected.]

She didn't know such sounds. She wouldn't listen.

Tentacles wrapped around Eibon's white arms and climbed up.

Forearms, arms, shoulders, chest, climbing up to her back—when Eibon giggled at the sensation, it happened.

-Thwack!

Her head snapped to the side.

Eibon blinked her turbid blue eyes.

The world seemed to split in two.

One world was completely white in vision. The other world was a peaceful world where she played with ■■■ ■.

Why? Why?

-Thwack!

Ah, that sound again.

Eibon's head whipped violently to the other side.

A cracking sound came from her neck.

Something felt dizzy and tiring. Even in the midst of this, a black tentacle was rubbing its body against one arm.

-Thwack!

No, was it this side?

Eibon's head returned to its original position. Blue, white, green, black, red—two worlds slowly mixed together, making her dizzy.

[Come to your senses.]

-Thwack!

Her head snapped back then sharply forward.

Transparent, clear waterside. Her half-reflected appearance in it.

"Huh."

Blood was streaming from her forehead where the tentacle had flicked her. Blood flowing from her nose and eyes was staining her entire face red.

This was a waterfall. No, she had thought it was a waterfall.

Eibon looked at the statue in her hands.

Blood was flowing down over the statue she had been gripping with both hands since some point.

Her scream echoed through the narrow cave.