Chapter 26: The Last Joke
Half a day ago.
The Black-Scaled Lizardmen Tribe.
***
An errand boy came to Lakrak and whispered something to him.
“He asked for me?”
“...Yes. He said his life is on the line and that he doesn't think he could speak to you unless it is now.”
Lakrak nodded and shouted over his shoulder, “Stop the procession.”
As Lakrak shouted, each Lizardman warrior in the middle of the other processions repeated his words to all the other Lizardmen.
“Stop the procession!”
“The chief said to stop the procession!”
“Stop! Orders from the tribal chief.”
The processions of Black-Scaled Lizardmen that were large enough to make dust clouds instantly stopped at Lakrak’s orders. Lakrak sat on top of a large, monstrous bird and watched the processions stop sequentially. With the bird as his mount, Lakrak was high up enough to easily take in the whole scene.
“Hmm.”
Those who had never met Lakrak wouldn’t know, but the Black-Scaled Lizardmen hadn’t completely failed in taming Cockatrices. The large, monstrous bird was a Cockatrice that was over 3.5 meters tall, and Lakrak was the only individual who somewhat succeeded in taming one. One could think it was a shame there was only one special case, but it was due to the success of taming the large, monstrous bird that the Cuorcas were born.
Lakrak said to the errand boy, “Tell the star catcher that I will be there soon.”
“Alright.”
“Also tell him to stay alive until then.”
The errand boy smiled and replied, “Okay.”
As Lakrak got down from the large, monstrous bird, Zaol, who was following behind him, came down from her Cuorca and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Apparently the star catcher wants to see me. Also saying that his life is on the line.”
“...Oh. Then we should stop here for today. And…”
Lakrak nodded as Zaol’s voice trailed off.
“That old wise man has correctly predicted the days ahead of us as well as his own, so I think he will be correct again this time. I’ll leave the funeral preparation to you, Yur.”
“Okay. It’ll be a sad night,” replied Yur.
Lakrak gave Yur a separate order and walked to the star catcher.
***
The old Lizardman had done a lot for Lakrak and the Black-Scaled Lizardmen. He went by many names - old vagrant, elder, one-armed Lizardman, guide, as well as star catcher—because he refused to respond to only one name. But now, he was most commonly referred to as the Elder by the tribe members
The star catcher had first led Lakrak and his clan from the hill with the tower all the way to where the Frogmen had initially settled down, and after that, he led them to more places farther away.
Lakrak had learned how to look at the stars from him, so the two always talked about stars. The star catcher even named the stars so others would be able to learn as well, and as a result, the warriors, herbalists, and buffalo herders all learned how to read the stars to prevent getting lost.
Before, the Lizardmen had always learned about the earth and believed that the earth provided them with everything, and thus they weren’t too keen on learning things about the sky. As time passed, though, they came to realize that knowledge about the sky was useful.
Those who went away from the tribe and got lost found their ways back by looking at the stars, and those who wanted to sleep by the rivers looked at how low the birds flew, and by the movement of the stars, the Lizardmen were able to know when flowers bloomed and when plants withered.
The intelligent Black-Scaled Lizardmen wanted to gain more knowledge of the earth and the sky, so they would go to the star catcher to discuss and explore more about where the stars came from, how the positions of the stars had changed, and how they would change in the future. And oftentimes, the end of another busy day would find Lakrak sitting down with the star catcher, tired but with a languid look on his face. The star catcher would sit with his back hunched but his eyes shining, and they would exchange questions and answers between them.
Lakrak used to give gifts to thank the star catcher for continuously teaching the young Lizardmen about his wisdom even though he was old and tired, but the star catcher always turned the gifts down with a wave of his hand.
“How could I accept this considering all that the tribal chief has done for me? You were the one who accepted me even when I was a vagrant.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. It wasn't just me who accepted you, it was the whole tribe.”
“Then it’s true I have at least one person to thank. It would be better if you take this gift back.”
The star catcher was good with words, and it was hard for Lakrak to win an argument with him. However, Lakrak was quick-witted. He would quickly hide his gifts in the star catcher’s tent when the star catcher wasn’t looking during their conversations. And when the star catcher found these gifts and brought them back to Lakrak, asking where they came from, Lakrak would say he knew nothing of them.
They spent many years making these small jokes. Lakrak suddenly realized that these small jokes would come to an end, and he felt like a part of his heart was tearing apart.
As Lakrak entered the star catcher’s tent, a herbalist, who was beside the star catcher’s bed, got up.
“Is he okay?”
“Chief, elder…has lived a very long time…and is very exhausted now.”
With his eyes half closed, the star catcher opened his mouth and said, “...and tired.”
The herbalist nodded.
“Elder has studied a lot and taught a lot of people, he has traveled back and forth, here and there, even to places I’ve never been. He has lost an arm, got kicked out, and remained as a loner for a long time. There will always come a time when we become extremely exhausted. As far as I know, there’s only one cure to this illness.”
“To sleep forever.”
“Yes. That is right.”
Lakrak slowly nodded and admitted what he hadn’t wanted to admit.
“Alright. If it’s okay with you, could you stay…”
“I want to speak alone with the chief.”
The herbalist nodded without saying anything else and quietly exited the tent. All that remained in the tent was Lakrak, the star catcher, and a torchlight.
“So, I heard you wanted to see me.”
“I wanted to indulge in some extravagance before I leave.”
“What do you mean by extravagance?”
The star catcher replied, “I’m not sure about you, but I think time is very valuable. I have lived my life without greed and tried to take as little as possible of what belonged to others, but this is my last moment. So I wanted to steal time from the busiest Lizardmen in this tribe.”
Lakrak laughed.
“That’s funny. But I don’t think you would have called me just for one last joke.”
“...You’re right. I wanted to see you because I had a question. Anyone other than you wouldn’t be worthy enough to answer.”
“Worthy, huh.”
“Think of it as a question not for tribal chief Lakrak, but for High Priest Lakrak. The first chosen one, and the one closest to God.”
“Ask away.”
The star catcher seemed to struggle to sit up, and Lakrak, who wasn’t sure what to do, helped him. The star catcher barely sat upright even with Lakrak’s support. He sat facing Lakrak and looked at Lakrak with his murky eyes. Lakrak slowly returned to his spot and sat down. The torchlight crackled.
“What happens when I die?”
Lakrak was silent. He wasn’t sure either.
There were stories people talked about. For the past few years, the Black-Scaled Lizardmen had fought big battles, and warriors had died. However, Lakrak had no way of knowing where the dead had gone. He prayed for them to go to a good place at their funerals, but it wasn’t possible to know whether they really did go to a good place or not. At least not until Lakrak himself died.
‘Where would they have gone? Do they dream because they are asleep? An eternal dream? Would they dream of an eternal dream where they don’t know who they are or why they are there, and can’t understand anything? Or…’
The star catcher seemed anxious, just like Lakrak.
“Do you also think we will have eternal nightmares?”
“I’m not sure. To be honest…”
Lakrak hesitated and continued to answer.
“I’m not even sure why you think I’m worthy enough to answer that question.”
“I think of it this way.”
“What way?”
“The Blue Insect God saved us when we were lost, and so I believe he will guide us even after we’re dead… Do you think this is far from God’s will?”
Lakrak thought about it for a long time and answered, “No. I think you are right, star catcher. Our Blue Insect God will gladly guide us when we are lost. Even after we die.”
The star catcher had a somewhat satisfied look on his face and asked, “What kind of place do you think it will be?”
“Are you talking about the place we go to after we die?”
“Yes. We would sit like we are now, and God would sit in front of us. Do you think things will start with an awkward hello?”
“I’m not sure. I think it'll be less boring than that.”
Lakrak crossed his arms and continued to say, “First, there would be a huge space so that you could run as much as you want. A space where, everytime you take a step, there would be a slight crunch, and the tip of your tail would pleasantly pass through meadow.”
“I’m too old to run.”
“You would be better. Wouldn’t you be leaving your old body?”
“That’s true. I walked and ran a lot when I was young.”
“There would also be a large boulder to rest on when you feel tired.”
“What do you think the weather will be like?”
“It’ll always be good. No, it won’t be fun if it’s always the same, so sometimes it’ll be gloomy and rainy. Now that I think of it, it would also be nice if there’s a river.”
“I want there to be a house that I can rest in.”
“Wouldn’t there probably be some? Would they be made out of mud? Wood? Or a tent?”
“Honestly, I don’t really like tents. This elder right here has become sick of moving around. A tent implies moving somewhere again.”
“I didn’t know that.”
The star gazer was also a guide, so Lakrak was sorry that he didn’t know sooner how the star catcher felt.
The star catcher shook his head.
“However, I found a place for my heart to settle down at, so I have no other complaints while I am still alive. After I die is the problem.”
“The house you wish for will be there. A sturdy one that doesn’t move anywhere… It might be a house built with rocks.”
“What do you think about the food?”
“You would probably always be able to eat as much as you want.”
“It seems like everything would be there. I think I might feel lonely being alone in a big place like that.”
Lakrak shrugged.
“Alone? There are already those who have gone before us, and we’ll all be there someday. You won’t be lonely. Let’s talk about stars when we meet again. We still have lots to talk about.”
“Do you think there will be stars there too?”
“Of course.”
Lakrak, who was unsure of the afterlife, replied as if it was obvious this time.
“Didn’t the stars show us the way? There will be those who wander around lost there too, so God will have definitely put stars in the sky. For them to easily find a way back.”
“You are right.”
The star catcher smiled. Then he swayed as if he was losing all his energy.
“I’m becoming sleepy. I better lie down.”
Lakrak helped the star catcher lie down. Then he saw a blue butterfly land on the back of his hand.
“Oh.”
It was a sign. An answer from the Blue Insect God. A sign of positivity.
Lakrak smiled. The Blue Insect God had been listening to their conversation.
“Star catcher, do you see this?”
Lakrak slowly brought his hand in front of the star catcher’s eyes, so the butterfly wouldn’t fly away.
However, there was no response from the star catcher.
“...Star catcher?”
Lakrak was about to shake the star catcher’s body, thinking he had died, when he realized the star catcher was quietly saying something.
“...Are you still there?” asked the star catcher.
“I am still here.”
“It’s dark.”
Lakrak realized the star catcher had lost his vision. Death was approaching for him.
“...Oh, oh no.”
Lakrak felt pity. The blue butterfly was known amongst the Black-Scaled Lizardmen Tribe as a sign of positivity as well as Miracles. Even if it wasn’t this butterfly which glowed with a mysterious blue light, the Lizardmen were always happy when they saw any blue butterfly, thinking it was a good sign.
‘The star catcher would certainly recognize it too.’
Lakrak was agonizing when he suddenly remembered the small joke he would make with the star catcher.
“...Are you still there?” asked Lakrak.
“I am.”
Lakrak whispered into the star catcher’s ear, “I brought you a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yes. I’ll leave it here.”
“...You’re thinking of fooling around again.”
“Are you gonna decline my gift again?”
“...I’ll find it right away this time…” the star catcher murmured and smiled.
As the last breath of the star catcher reached the blue butterfly, the blue butterfly flapped its wings and flew away from Lakrak’s hand.
Lakrak somehow knew it was his last breath. Lakrak lightly shook the star catcher’s body while calling his name, and when he confirmed the star catcher was no longer breathing, he called the herbalist in.
The blue butterfly flew out of the tent and continued flying into the sky. Over the Black-Scaled Lizardmen Tribe as they busily prepared for encampment and the funeral. Then the wilderness where dusk had arrived. Finally, the blue butterfly landed on the back of another hand. It was Sung-Woon’s.
‘What happens when you die in the Lost World?’
Sung-Woon knew well what the answer was.
[The conditions for creating the Afterlife have been completed. Would you like to create the Afterlife?]
[Yes/No]
Sung-Woon clicked Yes.
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