Dark energy spread in every direction.
The warm air suddenly turned cold.
The sun disappeared behind the clouds.
That black light slowly flowed into Sota's body…
and his entire body began to glow.
Medusa and Sota stared at each other.
In Medusa's eyes—there was curiosity.
In Sota's eyes—countless questions.
Silence.
Then—
The dark energy completely merged into Sota.
The glow… faded.
Medusa stepped closer, observing him carefully.
As if… he suspected something.
Sota felt uneasy.
Why is he looking at me like that…?
He calmed himself and spoke softly—
"Sir… why are you looking at me like that?"
Medusa stepped back, his sword disappearing.
"This place isn't safe."
Without another word, he lifted Sota and left the forest.
They arrived near a waterfall.
The sound of flowing water echoed softly.
Flowers nearby spread a faint fragrance through the air.
Both of them sat down.
Medusa looked at Sota.
"You want to ask something?"
Sota stayed silent for a moment…
then smiled slightly.
"No… nothing."
No one has ever treated me like this…
How can I question him…?
Medusa could see it—
Fear… confusion… hesitation.
So he spoke.
"Do you know… there are many gods in this world?"
Sota nodded.
"Yes…"
"But do you know… how gods are made?"
Sota thought for a moment.
"In school… they said gods existed from the beginning…
and they created this world."
Medusa replied calmly—
"That's true… and?"
Sota scratched his head, then said—
"They also protected us from evil gods…
and the good gods won."
Medusa gave a faint response—
"Good knowledge."
Sota smiled awkwardly—
"Everyone in class made me do their work…"
Medusa closed his eyes for a moment.
Then asked—
"So… how are gods made?"
Sota smiled—
"Gods aren't made…
they're born as gods."
Medusa's voice turned deeper—
"Do you really believe… everything you learned is true?"
Sota paused.
"…I think so."
Medusa looked at him.
"You're right about two things—
Gods existed from the beginning…
and they created the world."
A pause.
"But tell me—
do you think gods are good?"
Sota closed his eyes for a moment.
Then—
"No… gods aren't good."
"Why?"
Sota clenched his fist.
"If gods were good…
I wouldn't have lived like this."
"They took my parents away… when I was a child."
"If they are good…
then why did they do this to me?"
His voice trembled.
His eyes filled with tears.
Medusa watched him carefully.
This is the right moment…
He spoke softly—
"Gods only care about themselves."
"They don't care who lives… or dies."
"All they care about… is power."
Sota's heart sank.
"…So we are just pawns to them?"
Medusa stayed silent for a moment.
Then asked—
"If you had the chance…
to bring peace to this world—"
"Would you be ready to die for it?"
Sota froze.
Silence.
Then—
He raised his head.
His eyes filled with anger.
"I will never sacrifice myself."
"Why should I save a world…
that never tried to save me?"
Medusa looked away.
Disappointment flashed in his eyes.
"…Maybe I was wrong."
"Not everyone is the same."