The Outer God Needs Warmth

Chapter 43

I looked around again.

The corpse of Tis-ha, with only the lower half remaining.

A shattered window.

Figures with dark purple spheres on their heads.

A silver-haired girl held captive among them.

And a girl with purple hair.

It was clearly a disaster site.

If someone were to walk in, they’d probably torture both me and Hyungkeshni.

What if I pointed at Hyungkeshni and claimed the witch was to blame?

Hmm.

They’d kill me, calling it an introduction. Only Hyungkeshni had intruded, but no one would be foolish enough to not realize I was the true culprit.

Even though my neck had just been severed, my life remained intact, so I likely wouldn’t die easily. But I know that being hard to kill can sometimes be a curse.

Moreover, I had a gut feeling that moving recklessly would be dangerous. Every time I tried to exert strength, it felt as if the cracks were growing larger.

Am I really that heavy?

I commanded one of the figures with the dark purple spheres—let's call them "Sphere Humans" because the term is too long—and had them block the entrance. If someone were to come in, they’d serve as a shield.

Still, these Sphere Humans were peculiar. When I took Tis-ha’s warmth, I also absorbed theirs.

And their memories.

Yet, there were no significant mutations. The light was black—faintly tinged with purple, but still black.

Huh?

Something’s strange. This isn’t how sacrifices usually work.@@@@

The light of a sacrifice twists and shrivels like dried fruit, turning black. The faint purple hue here belongs to someone who received a blessing.

For those blessed by me, I can see through their eyes.

However, none of Tis-ha’s descendants—or even his direct children—have ever been visible to me.

Frankly, I never thought I’d be able to interfere with Tis-ha’s lineage directly.

It was only when I impulsively grabbed everything in sight that I realized I could touch his descendants too.

And now, having devoured them, I can even control their movements.

But isn’t the sphere shrinking bit by bit?

It feels strangely like a candle burning down.

I have no idea what will happen when it’s gone. In the worst case, I could be expelled from this world again.

That can’t happen.

I need to persuade Hyungkeshni.

No matter what it takes, I must ensure she leaves behind a book.

I locked eyes with Hyungkeshni. She was glaring at me, her defiance clear, despite her earlier vehement rejection.

We need to talk first.

Normally, it wouldn’t be easy for me to push Hyungkeshni into a corner, but I currently have the upper hand. She’s been captured and is terrified.

If the situation were equal, my chances of winning would be slim. But right now, I hold the leverage, and I must make the most of it before losing it.

"Hyungkeshni. Why won’t you help me?"

She didn’t respond.

I need to find a way to make her talk.

Beating her would only fuel her defiance. She’d refuse to tell me anything, and even if she did, she might spitefully leave out the summoning method, which would only hurt me.

So, I need a different approach.

The Witch of Delight, Hyungkeshni.

Her title likely stems from her expression—she smiles when afraid.

Laughter born from fear.

Could it be that she’s someone who instinctively flees from danger? Yasle’s memories even show her fleeing after bidding farewell.

Fleeing?

Fear. Terror.

I know something similar.

Cowards can be ferocious. Being weak and cornered, they cross lines they shouldn’t. The logic is simple: "They hit me once, so I’ll kill them."

Even the ancient Code of Hammurabi only allowed a one-to-one exchange—an easily broken limit.

"I’m the victim, so I’m right, and they’re wrong."

Thus, every action they take becomes justified.

Everyone makes such mistakes. That’s what makes Tis-ha’s capacity for forgiveness so remarkable.

But I’m digressing. In any case, Hyungkeshni is a coward. What do cowards fear most?

Personal loss. They can dress it up however they like, but at the root, it’s self-preservation.

Hmm.

Which is it? Typically, such people crave power, but she finds my blessings repulsive.

Then, let’s offer her a deal.

"Hyungkeshni. I’ll make you an offer. No matter what, I won’t take your warmth. In exchange, write me a book that can summon me. How about that?"

Her eyes wavered as she looked at me.

Aha.

I’ve found it. This is it. She’s terrified of what might happen to her.

She lowered her gaze, as though she wanted to bow her head. But a Sphere Human’s hand was gripping her left cheek, forcing her to face me.

I released the hand.

As I suspected, her head drooped immediately.

Heh.

I approached her, gently cupping her trembling cheeks. Her skin was cold with fear.

She’s deliberating.

Shall I relieve her of her guilt?

"Hyungkeshni. If I were to kill you here and now, I’d take your warmth and memories. But I’m not a bad person, which is why I’m asking like this."

I worded it to make her think nothing would change even if she died. Of course, it’s true, but I can’t organize memories into a book myself.

Naturally, I’m not a bad person—I’m just an Outer God.

And as far as I know, that term inherently carries a negative connotation.

Am I right, you who named me?

I smiled brightly.

"Will you help me?"

For a long moment, Hyungkeshni remained silent.

Then, in a very small voice, she replied.

"Fine."

I successfully persuaded her.