Global Awakening: Only I Can Respawn

"I would've done the same to you," Seok said, staring at YuWon. "But your mother kicked you out before I could. I was going to poison you and make it look like you committed suicide out of guilt for those photos of Yeji. No one would've suspected a thing."

"Enough," YuWon growled. "I don't want to hear another word from your mouth!"

However, in his madness, Seok thought his words were working and YuWon would soon be filled with despair. So he opened his mouth to continue rubbing salt on his wounds... for the last time.

"Why stop now? Don't you want to know your father's last words—?"

Before he could say anything more, YuWon grabbed Seok's neck. He kept smiling, but the smile faded when YuWon pried his mouth open and shoved his hand inside. Seok's eyes widened in terror as YuWon's fingers gripped his tongue.

"You were better off with your mouth closed," YuWon mumbled.

YuWon suddenly pulled the tongue with all his strength, ripping it out. Blood sprayed everywhere as Seok screamed as blood flooded his mouth. Seok fell to the ground, crying as YuWon threw the tongue down before stomping on it.

"Good news, people," YuWon announced. "You won't have to worry about feeding the baby giant for now. My stepfather has graciously volunteered himself for the task."

Seok looked at him with fear when YuWon grabbed him by the hair. Seok groaned, but he couldn't scream. His eyes darted towards everyone, but after the recount of his tale, no one dared to step up.

Besides, why would they help him and risk angering YuWon? In fact, they were hoping for more of YuWon's enemies to appear so none of them would have to die.

As YuWon dragged Seok across the ground, his garbled screams were the only sound there. As YuWon pulled him past Min-Ji, their eyes met for a moment.

Seok looked at her, hoping she would have some sympathy or a small sign of love she once had for him. But all he saw was pure hatred.

YuWon kept dragging him without pause, heading towards the giant's cage. Seok tried to resist, but he was no match for YuWon's strength.

"Lysandra," YuWon called out, throwing Seok inside the cage. "Bind him inside."

Lysandra nodded and a moment later, the vines tightened around his wrists, ankles, and chest, forcing him against the cage. Seok struggled but in vain as the vines held him firmly against the cage so that he would be the first the giant would see when it woke up.

"You deserve worse than this," YuWon pulled Seok's head back and growled. "But this will do for now."

With that, he let go and looked at his watch. Two and a half hours remained before the baby giant's feeding time.

"Enjoy your last moments, bastard."

***

As soon as YuWon turned away from the cage, the adrenaline and rage that had been fueling him faded away. He slumped to the ground, grabbing his head with both hands.

Every time he had cursed his father, every time he had blamed him for abandoning them... he was cursing a dead man. Someone who died because he wanted to make their lives better.

YuWon's chest tightened, and he closed his eyes, trying to control his emotions before they got the better of him. Gina gently reached out for his arm, while Lysandra placed a hand on his shoulder, but neither said a word.

"I need to be alone for a while," YuWon mumbled, nodding towards Min-Ji. "Take care of Yeji and... her."

***

Somewhere far away from any mortal's reach...

In a grand star-studded chamber, a woman lazily lounged on a gold ornate throne. The goddess had a figure that could only be described as... perfection.

Even with her lazy posture, she was desired by both gods and mortals alike. Yet none dared to approach her. Her long, flowing silver hair cascaded over her shoulders as she wore a black dress that clung to her curves, without revealing too much.

Her bronze legs dangled from the edge of the throne, giving off a subtle air of seduction. But none of that mattered to her, as her eyes remained on the massive mirror before her.

But the mirror didn't reflect her. Instead, it showed her the other world... earth. In it, she watched as the tired YuWon walked away from the chaos.

"Interesting…" she whispered, before yawning, her expression contradicting her words.

Just then, a light appeared behind her, growing brighter until an angel appeared. The angel immediately bowed down after all. She wasn't dealing with a mortal, but a being who could erase her on a whim.

"My lady, Ereshkigal," the angel began, clearing her throat. "Your sponsored awakener is causing waves in the mortal realm... and a few gods... are objecting to the abilities you've given him."

Despite the angel's words, Ereshkigal, the Goddess of Reincarnation and ruler of the underworld, did not turn her gaze away from the mirror. Her gaze was fixed on YuWon aimlessly roaming around.

The angel hesitated for a moment before speaking again. She was worried that the goddess might kill her for interrupting her. However, she had a duty to perform, so the angel didn't have a choice.

"However, some other pantheons have taken notice of him. They have already begun moving to sway the awakener towards themselves."

"Is that so?" Ereshkigal's smile widened. "They think they can claim him?"

The angel remained silent as Ereshkigal laughed and finally turned her gaze away from the mirror to look at the angel kneeling before her.

"They want him because they have seen the power of his blessing... not the curse," Ereshkigal said, leaning back into her throne. "By the time they see it, no one will be able to handle him but me. Tell them that."

"Of course, my lady," the angel replied, bowing her head deeper. "I will do so."

With that, the angel got up and was about to disappear when Ereshkigal spoke again.

"Why did you lie to the mortals? Feeding the baby giant would only make things worse for them. But you didn't tell them that."

"Lady Ereshkigal," the angel began. "It was a request from the other gods... they wanted to make things a bit more fun, considering it had been a while since the rules were changed."

"Is that so? Hm... you can leave," Ereshkigal waved her hand dismissively.

The angel bowed one last time before disappearing in a flash of light, leaving Ereshkigal alone once more. The goddess shifted in her seat, uncrossing her legs and leaning forward slightly to peer into the mirror again.

"I can't say it won't be interesting," she mumbled, looking at YuWon. "I'm curious to see how far you'll go before you break..."