Surviving Among the Entities

“Then let me enter.”

The massive door behind the Statue of Justice opened by itself.

There had been no separate communication to the inside, no cameras installed nearby, and no one waiting beyond the door.

‘It’s as if the door opens automatically just by thinking of entering.’

The interior was special. The corridor wider than 10 meters had no visible end, with intersections periodically appearing in all directions.

‘From above, it would look like a Go board.’

It also had a solemn atmosphere reminiscent of a library.

In fact, the corridor walls were lined with countless bookshelves instead of walls, filled to the brim with books, just like a real library.

“There are many books. But without titles, what kind of books are they?”

“Seung-hoon, since you will become a judge like us, allow me to show you directly.”

The judge who had escorted me took out a book and opened it.

[8963 BC, March 16th]

[Gu Wang Dda-kkung-hwi: Stole the strawberry fruits of the tribesman Ho Wang Dda-kkung-hwi’s daughter.]

[Ho Wang Dda-kkung-hwi: During a hunt, secretly pushed Tak Ddan Ho-ong-i, whom he disliked, off a cliff.]

[Tak Ddan Ho-ong-i: Committed adultery with Ho Wang Dda-kkung-hwi’s wife.]

8000 BC would be the Neolithic era.

The books here recorded the criminal acts of humans existing since that era.

“Seung-hoon, what do you consider a crime?”

“Breaking the norms established by society to avoid conflicts with each other. This includes not only codified laws but also customs and morals.”

“Correct. Your words form the very foundation of law, and law must be strict and fair.”

“The books here record those who have violated the law. As you said, those who violated norms, customs, and morals even before codified laws, all are recorded.”

So that’s why Neolithic tribesmen were recorded.

Since there was no writing system in the Neolithic era, I could not have known their names, but now I do.

‘My knowledge has increased.’

So these countless books list those who have violated the laws established by human society.

“Then they are all sinners?”

“To us, sinners are those whose wicked deeds exceed their virtuous deeds.”

“Those who use the law meant to manage such wicked deeds as a tool for political strife and power.”

“The books merely record the sins of humanity, not the sinners themselves.”

“As judges, you must be able to discern this. Strive diligently.”

The judges still harbored deep distrust towards the judicial system.

“But there is one thing I wish to ask. Was the man who underwent the Statue of Justice’s judgement alongside me a wicked or virtuous person?”

“He was virtuous. The wicked can never set foot on our grounds.”

“He simply had differing intentions from you. Of course, I understand the intention to kill. You did not wish to reveal this place’s location. But does differing intentions make the killing of a virtuous person not a crime?”

The judges said:

“It was an unavoidable sacrifice for our great cause. The punishment for this sin will be received in the afterlife.”

“One who cannot even fully understand their own heart cannot aid our great cause.”

“However, his death was not in vain.”

“The virtuous karma he left behind upon death will be used as fuel for our great cause.”

I could discern what kind of people they were.

‘They seem to justify any means, even wicked acts, to achieve their goal.’

As we walked, I asked about our destination.

“Where are we going?”

“We are going to meet the Supreme Chief Justice. The Private Law Enforcement Agency was established by him, and he oversees everything.”

“He is not one to be discourteous. However, due to unavoidable circumstances, he could not greet you himself. Please understand.”

The Supreme Chief Justice.

On the way to meet him, I saw many judges.

“Today, I shall offer my body to punish the wicked.”

“The justice system of this world is rotten. Not a single part remains intact.”

“The law should be equal for all, but the current justice system is not.”

Caucasians, Africans, Asians, Easterners, Westerners.

Regardless of race, all spoke Korean.

“I aim to judge the sinners of Melbourne. I shall gather judges to join me.”

“I will join. I shall open and close the dimensional zipper.”

“I too will join. I shall use the pristine darkness.”

“As the speaker, I shall use the Scales of Good and Evil.”

The entities they possessed seemed to have multiple identical copies.

Like clones, they would manifest from thin air when summoned and disappear into thin air upon returning.

“We are those who remind this rotten world of the true value of righteous justice.”

“We judge in place of this rotten justice system.”

“We punish the wicked and rectify the virtuous.”

Above all, the judges repeated the same words.

As if they lacked individuality, or as if all judges shared the same self.

‘I had thought there would be at least some overarching rules or norms applied collectively, like in the military, but it seems not.’

Leaving behind my many questions, I finally arrived at the Supreme Chief Justice’s chamber.

“Just enter through this door.”

“He has permitted your entry.”

“Then I shall excuse myself.”

I opened the ordinary Gothic-style door and entered.

A massive chamber greeted me. It was so enormous that the Statue of Justice I had seen at the entrance did not reach the ceiling.

Like the door, the chamber was decorated in Gothic style.

There were many bookshelves like in a library, but peculiarly, a massive brazier burned with white flames in the center of the room.

『Welcome, new judge.』

In front of the brazier, a man in a wheelchair.

Contrary to my expectation of wearing judge’s robes, he was completely naked.

『Or would you prefer I call you Solver?』

An emaciated body.

Unknown machines installed on his neck, heart, abdomen, back of the head, right eye, left arm, and right chest.

Limbs that looked like they would break at the slightest touch, and a distended belly like starvation.

『Does it matter either way? You are simply you. Welcome, virtuous one, thank you for coming to meet me.』

Not a single strand of hair remained on his body.

Disfiguring burns and fungal skin conditions everywhere.

A voice flowed from the machine installed on the neck of this man who did not seem strange to die at any moment.

『I am the founder of the Private Law Enforcement Agency, the Supreme Chief Justice.』

『It is customary to offer light refreshments to guests, but not knowing your preferences, I have been waiting. Coffee or tea, choose one.』

“Tea would be nice.”

『I shall have it brought.』

A table appeared between us.

A teapot and teacups manifested on the table, automatically moving to brew a fragrant tea.

“Psychokinesis?”

『The power of an entity. Ordinary people are unaware of entities, but as the Solver, you surely know of them?』

“Yes, I am aware.”

『Indeed. This will make the conversation easier.』

Snacks followed.

As I enjoyed the tea and sweets, I asked the Supreme Chief Justice:

“What is your name?”

『Call me the Supreme Chief Justice. It has been too long since I exchanged my original name.』

“Exchanged? You mean you traded your name with someone?”

『I traded with an entity. Would you like to see?』

When I nodded, the scales appeared behind him.

“Those aren’t the Scales of Good and Evil, are they?”

『Take a closer look.』

Upon closer inspection, they were not the Scales of Good and Evil.

“There are no inscriptions of ‘hell’ or ‘paradise’.”

『Here are the Scales of Good and Evil.』

Another set of scales manifested right beside it.

This time, they were the Scales of Good and Evil I knew.

『Those are called the ‘Forgotten Alchemist’s Equivalent Exchange Scales,’ the tool that marked the beginning of everything and my beliefs.』

“The Forgotten Alchemist……”

『Before that, I believe trust should be the foundation when conducting affairs. And the one requesting trust must prove it, with no concealment, to gain that trust.』

“So what are you trying to tell me?”

『I will tell you why I created the Private Law Enforcement Agency, how I created it, and what my ultimate goal is. Then perhaps you will aid me.』

The Supreme Chief Justice began his story.

『I was originally an ordinary person. Born into a wealthy Korean family, I lived wanting for nothing, but one day, I realized the absurdity of this world.』

Any Korean would ponder the law at least once.

He was no exception, but his contemplation went deeper.

『Why is a harsh prison sentence handed down to the impoverished for stealing bread to survive, while fraudsters who embezzle billions are treated leniently?』

Why are those who missed reserve force training due to unavoidable circumstances immediately arrested, while real estate scammers who defrauded thousands are not apprehended?

Why does an innocent man’s life get ruined by one-sided testimony, yet the woman who did this only receives a fine at most?

Why is it ignored when a corporation steals another’s patents, but an individual stealing from another is not tolerated?

『No one rectified it. Many knew the law was flawed, yet no one stepped forward, no one spoke up.』

“That is called resignation. Koreans are accustomed to resigning themselves.”

『So I took action. Initially, I had planned to stage protests. But by chance, I obtained a groundbreaking item from a certain company.』

A wand appeared from thin air, gesturing towards the scales.

『This very item. The ‘Forgotten Alchemist’s Equivalent Exchange Scales’ is an entity that grants compensation in exchange for concepts or actions I can offer. The compensation can be the same entity or even concepts and abilities.』

“But which company did you obtain it from?”

『A company frequented by those Suitmen who really love gold.』

The Golden Omnipotent Corporation.

But how did he acquire such an item? Even for the wealthy, trading with them requires massive amounts of gold, and judging from its described ability alone, this could not have been obtained with just 1 or 2 tons.

『I cannot provide detailed information on that part. Not because I wish to conceal it from you, but because I cannot recall the specifics myself. I definitely made a trade, but I cannot remember if forgetting the details was part of the trade.』

Moreover, the Golden Omnipotent Corporation does not directly trade entities.

However, his words were the truth, as affirmed by the Statue of Justice.

『Truth.』

『It would be good if you believe the Statue of Justice. In any case, I used it to acquire many entities.』

He exchanged the ability to walk and move anywhere for the “Dimensional Zipper.”

He exchanged his right eye and 1.5 times his total eyesight for the “Pristine Darkness” that could freeze objects.

He obtained the “Eternally Expanding Library” in exchange for healthy skin, and the “Court Clerk’s Perpetual Pen” that records all human sins through voice, acquiring various other entities as well.

“Not to belittle you, but those seem like meager prices. Entities are existences difficult for an individual’s body and concepts to obtain.”

『I thought so too. So I added something else. Then the balance was right.』

“What did you add?”

『My afterlife’s rest.』

He had offered his afterlife’s rest.

『After death, I will fall into the East Asian hell. I will burn in the Avici Hell for eons upon eons of time, repeating this eons of times before ultimately being annihilated. That was the afterlife’s rest I offered, and through it, I gained the concept of ‘the ability to receive generous judgments from the Forgotten Alchemist’s Equivalent Exchange Scales.’』

“Do you have any regrets?”

He answered:

『None. Sacrificing myself for humanity is no great matter, is it not?』

『All truth.』

Hearing the Statue of Justice’s words, I thought:

‘Admirable.’

He had staked his own annihilation for his beliefs.

Not an ordinary annihilation, but a path of suffering through eons until the universe is born and destroyed countless times before finally finding eternal rest.

“Was such an extent necessary for your beliefs?”

『It was necessary precisely because they are my beliefs. A human without beliefs has no value in existing. Conversely, with beliefs, one can move forward no matter what, even if it leads to destruction.』

He continued his story.

『In any case, I used the acquired entities to create this place. I gathered those who suffered under the flawed justice system and dispatched them into the world to accumulate virtuous karma. Of course, I did not neglect to punish the wicked along the way.』

“Their sense of self seemed strange. Was that also your doing?”

『Unfortunately, their beliefs were too weak, causing hesitation in punishing people. Being inherently virtuous only exacerbated this, so to eliminate their hesitation, I clothed them in judge’s robes through the ‘Special Uniform Generator,’ imbuing them with a judge’s persona. Not to worry, they revert to their original selves when removing the robes.』

“I witnessed someone who came here with differing intentions being killed. What are your thoughts on that?”

『Regrettable, but I consider it a necessary sacrifice for humanity as well. You may not be aware, but we have faced quite a few threats. Not only from those called the Foundation but other groups as well, coveting the entities I possess. I had no choice but to enhance security as a precaution.』

His story was nearing its end.

Finally, I asked first.

“So what is your ultimate goal?”

『A society where the virtuous are rewarded and the wicked punished. It is impossible for humanity to achieve this alone. I asked the scales to create such a society, but since the target was all of humanity, I would have to pay a price equal to all of humanity’s numbers.』

“So you thought of another method.”

『Correct. If I cannot change the concept, then I shall request a being wiser than humanity instead.』

His wand pointed towards the ceiling.

『Specifically, higher-dimensional beings.』

The Private Law Enforcement Agency’s ultimate goal.

『I shall summon beings far superior and fairer than humans into our world.』

He said:

『There are two methods. One is to summon higher-dimensional beings through the ‘Forgotten Alchemist’s Equivalent Exchange Scales,’ but if I add the conditions of them being fair and wise, even I cannot pay the price. And if I add the condition of them judging humanity fairly and righteously, since it recognizes the beneficiaries as all of humanity, I would have to pay a price equal to all of humanity.』

Thus, the first method was impossible.

『The second method is to use the ‘Scales of Good and Evil.’ Created in the antiquated era before the East Asian hell’s reformation, this item can completely deplete a wicked person’s evil deeds to punish them, while using a portion of a virtuous person’s good deeds to grant their wish.』

“So that’s why you’ve been accumulating virtuous deeds, and that white flame behind you is…”

“『Correct. However, an exorbitant amount of virtuous deeds is required, and while I can summon higher-dimensional beings, I must directly observe the higher dimensions to select which beings to summon. The ability itself is no better than the Equivalent Exchange Scales. Perhaps it was simply discarded for that reason.』

“But how did you know without even trying?”

『I experienced a preview through the Equivalent Exchange Scales, to see how the Scales of Good and Evil would fulfill my wish. I sacrificed one of my lungs as payment, but witnessing the infinitely arrayed dimensions was a profound experience.』

The number of dimensions is infinite.

To find a higher-dimensional being from there, one that is benevolent and wise enough to fairly judge humanity, is nearly impossible.

『From your expression, I can guess your concern. Do not worry, did I not mention exchanging my name earlier? That was to obtain this.』

A compass manifested from thin air.

『The ‘Aspiration Seeking Compass’ entity. This compass searches for what I desire and points in that direction. With this, I can search for a fair and righteous higher-dimensional being who can understand humanity.』

“I have one concern.”

『What is it?』

“Higher-dimensional beings are by no means trivial.”

The Munchkin Merry Constellation.

The Luminous Ones who treated humans like pets.

Even a zoo that housed entire universes.

“Higher-dimensional beings transcend human cognition. I wonder if a compass alone would truly be effective against such beings.”

『I must make it work. For me, it is possible.』

His story had concluded.

The Supreme Chief Justice then asked me:

『So what choice will you make? Having heard everything, you must know what I desire from you, correct?』

“You covet my virtuous deeds.”

『That brazier is the ‘Brazier of Sin’ entity, capable of holding virtuous deeds. If you offer your virtuous deeds there, I shall absorb them to use the Scales of Good and Evil.』

Ordinarily, I would have refused.

The odds of success did not seem high, and there was a greater probability of humanity becoming a wasteland by summoning higher-dimensional beings.

“I will assist you.”

『…..Really?』

“Yes. I wish to see how your beliefs will end.”

However, I wanted to witness the end of a man who had forsaken everything.

Who had even relinquished his afterlife’s rights, suffering for eons upon eons, ultimately repeating this countless times until annihilation.

『According to you, if things go awry, it could pose a threat to humanity, could it not?』

“Then as part of my own beliefs, I shall resolve that issue by any means necessary.”

His shining beliefs seemed so profoundly human.

His devotion of sacrificing everything for humanity, entrusting the uncertain future with everything, seemed to symbolize the possibilities of humanity.

“Pioneers are always shunned and ridiculed. Whether your actions will truly benefit or harm humanity cannot be known until it is attempted.”

And I do not wish to obstruct the possibilities of humanity.

Therefore, I desire to witness this person’s end, the end of his beliefs.

『I appreciate your understanding. Then let us begin immediately. Place your hand on the brazier.』

As I placed my hand on the brazier, something emerged from within me.

『Truly an immense amount of virtuous deeds. Even after extracting this much, it does not seem diminished at all. With this level of virtuous deeds, I can certainly achieve my goal.』

Soon, the Scales of Good and Evil settled into his possession.

『Then let me begin.』

“One moment, may I take a photograph?”

『Very well, go ahead.』

I retrieved the enhanced Polaroid camera from my Void Pocket.

After taking the Supreme Chief Justice’s photograph, I wrote a title on the back of the printed photo.

[The Crossroads of Hope and Destruction]

Eventually, he activated the scales.

『Let us truly begin.』

At that moment:

“One moment.”

My right eye activated.

『What is it now?』

“Humans react positively to positive words. ‘High’ has a good meaning, ‘right’ means correct, and ‘white’ is perceived as virtuous – words influence human thinking, do they not?”

『What are you trying to say?』

“In other words, the word ‘higher’ is no different, and those unaware perceive ‘higher-dimensional beings’ positively.”

It was no different this time as well.

The higher-dimensional beings he had summoned were neither fair nor wise.

“Setting that aside and stating the main point, I can perceive the future in specific situations within limited scopes, and I have just seen the future.”

『…..Goddess of Justice, is what he says the truth?』

『Truth.』

However, it was profoundly human.

And transcendent.

“I shall now inform you of the future I have witnessed.”

And it was ‘just.’

Just like what appeared in the game.

‘Just Constellations.’