Chapter 37 : Yujin’s Dilemma

Oh… You shouldn't be making such a fuss over just one instance. You're quite the drama queen. Hmm, I admit I might have gone a bit overboard just now. I nearly killed you. Should I leave you alone for a while as an apology? Anyway, escaping from there on your own is impossible.

"Great being, please release us. Or just kill us…"

Seeing a giant arthropod that looks like a mix between a beetle and a king crab crying like that is more disgusting than pitiable, but on the other hand, I do feel a bit sorry for them. Honestly, these guys haven't caused that much harm, just running away from the Galactic Union all the time. Torturing them this much might be excessive.

Ugh, this is why bugs shouldn't talk. When they do, it creates emotional exchanges. And when there's emotional exchange, even these grotesque creatures start to seem a bit pitiable and cute. Have I finally gone mad? Has the mental collapse of an Outer God affected me as well? Or maybe, by Outer God standards, they are cute.

I'll think about what to do with them later. Even if releasing them is out of the question, I could at least bind them to me and use them as subordinates. It's not so much procrastinating as it is taking my time because it doesn't really matter what I do. This sense of leisure and omnipotence is what being a god is all about.

[Hello. Are you Yujin?]

[Ah yes, hello.]

Oh, an event occurred on Yujin's side in the meantime. A delegate from the Terra tribe had arrived on the planet of the Meias tribe, where Yujin was staying. I quickly switched the channel to focus there.

#

James Cobalt, the elder and chief military officer of the Terra tribe, had sent one of his high-ranking officers to Yujin. The officer, named Rigel Dorch, was roughly equivalent to a colonel in his previous life's military rank. He was a man in his 40s, quite large in stature, and exuded a strong "tough soldier" vibe.

"To meet the one who flattened the noses of those Meias tribe wizards despite being from the Terra tribe, it's an honor."

"Yes, well…"

Yujin's response was indifferent compared to the compliment. It was understandable since the meeting had cut into his magic training time.

'I need to learn magic as quickly as possible.'

Although Yujin didn't have a grand goal, he was very interested in magic and had a strong desire to master it. Therefore, he disliked anything that interrupted his magic lessons. The arrival of Rigel from the Terra tribe had reduced that time, which annoyed him.

One might think he could have just refused the meeting, but since Rigel was sent directly by the Terra tribe's elder, it seemed to involve some political implications. If Yujin refused, it might cause trouble for Elder Jupiter. The Meias tribe was already divided because of Yujin, and if the Terra tribe, including Elder Jupiter, started causing problems, it would be like pouring oil on a fire.

Given these circumstances, Yujin had no choice but to meet with Rigel to avoid causing trouble for Jupiter.

"Well, I don't like to beat around the bush. Let's get straight to the point."

"… …"

Yujin's expression grew even more indifferent, as he could easily predict what the main point would be.

"Join the Terra tribe. No, to be precise, join the Terra tribe's military. We promise you the best treatment."

A recruitment attempt. It was so obvious. The Terra tribe wanted to recruit Yujin, the sensational wizard born from their tribe, to garner public support and bolster their military strength with the much-needed special unit of wizards. Additionally, they harbored the vain hope that by uncovering the secret behind Yujin's strength, they might be able to train wizards within the Terra tribe in the future.

Magic, after all, didn't require particularly expensive equipment and could produce immense power purely through one's accumulated energy and skill. It was a highly coveted ability in the militaries of various species. Naturally, the Terra tribe was no exception. However, their magical talent as a species was abysmal. The arrival of Yujin, a beacon of hope, was enough to tempt them.

Of course, regardless of their intentions, Yujin's answer was already decided.

"No, I'm not joining the military."

The military? Even if it was the human military? Ugh, no way. Only bad memories came to mind. Naturally, for Yujin, who shared some of my memories, the military was an instinctively avoidable institution. Sure, that was the Korean military I was in, and it was a conscription system, so the feeling would be entirely different. Moreover, Yujin would likely receive excellent treatment and enter as a high-ranking officer… but still, the military was a no-go.

Even without bad memories, Yujin wouldn't join any specific organization.

Yujin's goal was to travel around the universe, fully enjoying the sci-fi world as a space adventurer. Being part of any organization would inevitably lead to being bound by it. That was something to be avoided as much as possible. Sure, a sci-fi space military drama might be interesting, but ultimately, the choice was Yujin's. Though he was technically a doppelganger, he was now practically an independent entity. He should be allowed to act according to his own will.

"Haha, think it over carefully. The Meias tribe is already in chaos because of you. Even those who support you do so not out of affection but merely to acknowledge diversity. They are more hostile than friendly towards you."

Despite Yujin's refusal, Officer Rigel didn't give up and began to say various things to persuade him.

"No matter how talented you are in magic, you won't receive proper treatment in a place that discriminates against your race. Elder Jupiter may be looking after you now, but it's clear that when push comes to shove, their loyalty will lie with their own kind."

In simpler terms, he was saying that Yujin wouldn't have a good time here due to racial discrimination and should come with him to the Terra tribe to become a hero of his species. This persuasion was entirely ineffective on Yujin, who had no interest in being a hero or in racial discrimination.

"I'm not particularly interested. Whether it's the Terra tribe or the Meias tribe… I'll just go my own way, and you should go yours. Just like it has been so far."

Yujin was born with a Terra tribe base, but he wasn't truly a Terra tribe member. Strictly speaking, he was a creation of an Outer God, a completely new species. A hybrid of the Terra and Meias tribes. Thus, any attempt to appeal to a sense of racial solidarity was futile.

"Hahaha, your tone is quite rude."

"Well, who was the one being rude by speaking informally right from the start?"

As the two argued, an aura began to subtly emanate from them.

They began a battle of auras, a contest of intimidation.

Oh… a pathetic duel.

Usually, fights are said to be interesting when it's a close match, but in this case, it's clear who is the weaker party, making the outcome predictable and unexciting.

"…Ugh."

As expected, the result of the contest was an overwhelming victory for Yujin. After all, who would be stronger? The one with an immense amount of mana energy stored within or the one who fought on the battlefield with a scientifically inexplicable and clumsy murderous intent?

"I shall take my leave for now. Consider my proposal and respond at your convenience. Here's my contact frequency."

"Hmph."

Officer Rigel left in a hurry, his face flushed red with embarrassment and anger at being overpowered by a much younger man who seemed to be an incredible magician.

'This young brat dares to look down on me? Me, who is directly under Elder James?'

Oh, is he thinking of revenge?

This kind of scenario is common in fantasy novels.

A noble or knight with a bruised ego goes tattling to someone higher up to put the protagonist in a difficult situation… something like that.

Of course, such tactics wouldn't work on Yujin.

"Haah… This is so annoying. I need to learn magic quickly and get out of here."

Yujin sighed deeply and then suddenly shifted his gaze, looking at something in the void as if he could see something beyond the invisible space.

…??

What is he doing?

It's as if he's looking at something that's not there…

"Original being, are you watching? Even if you're not, you'll eventually hear about it. You know everything that happens in the universe, after all."

What? Is he trying to talk to me all of a sudden? Was he looking at me beyond the void? Hey! What are you doing, breaking the fourth wall like that? There haven't been any descriptions or foreshadowing of this until now. While breaking the fourth wall isn't unheard of these days, doing it so abruptly can make viewers uncomfortable. Oh, right, I'm the only viewer here. But why is he suddenly talking to me? Does he need something?

"I plan to become a space adventurer and travel to various places in the universe. But… is that truly my will? Or am I just a puppet moving according to the subconscious thoughts implanted by the original being?"

…Hmm, it seems that through his conversation with Officer Rigel, Yujin realized that he doesn't belong to either the Terra tribe or the Meias tribe. He feels like a solitary existence. Has he started questioning his own existence and purpose? Indeed, he is a doppelganger I created, and his personality is almost a direct copy of mine. Honestly, it's hard to say that everything is Yujin's own voluntary choice.

…But there's nothing I can do for him. I've decided to treat Yujin as a completely independent entity. From now on, everything will move according to his will. While some of my tendencies might be reflected in him, it's similar to a parent watching their child, who was born from them, make their own choices and follow their own path. Yujin, born as my creation, will ultimately make his own decisions while being influenced by me.

Yes, that's how it should be. That way, I can continue to enjoy watching Yujin's life unfold!