Chapter 67: Destiny Part 1

Amon had once sold the country to the Three-Dollar Group in exchange for a promise of rights money.

Though the phrase sounded odd, it wasn’t entirely inaccurate, considering the scale of the Hexen Group Amon had handed over.

Its magnitude rivaled that of a nation.

The rights money generated from this deal was substantial.

Just a small portion of it was enough to redevelop an entire district.

Therefore, whether it was a hospital or a school, Amon could have redeveloped the area near the orphanage if he so desired.

But he didn’t.

The world wasn’t kind.

In a society where even the working class struggled to survive, where countless poor families and impoverished individuals couldn’t access proper schools or hospitals—what would happen if Amon built such facilities exclusively for the orphans?

The answer was clear.

More parents would abandon their children.

Amon believed in the goodness of humanity, but he was also keenly aware of its darker tendencies.

That was why he chose to limit his contributions to repairing the orphanage.

***

Completely forgetting he was dealing with the chairman of a megacorp, Amon found himself muttering, “Uh… um…”

He gazed up, dumbfounded, at the dazzling building before him. His first thought was worry.

‘How many orphans have been created because of this building? How many parents, seeing this, decided to abandon their children, leaving them to suffer?’

These thoughts plagued him until he met the headmaster in their office on the 10th floor.

“Amon, you have nothing to worry about,” the headmaster said, her gentle smile unwavering.

The office was as modest as it had been before Amon left.

The only noticeable change was the chair she sat on.

Sipping on the most expensive beverage available in the orphanage—instant tea—the headmaster continued, “Far fewer children are being abandoned in front of the orphanage these days. In fact, more are being adopted. And it’s all thanks to you.”

The headmaster had considered Amon’s concerns, and so had the construction team.

But the budget Amon had donated far exceeded what was needed to simply repair the orphanage.

The headmaster had devised a better solution.

“Only the 8th and 9th floors of this building are used as a childcare facility. The other floors operate as a day care center.”

This grand structure wasn’t solely an orphanage.

It was a Children’s Welfare Center—a facility that supported children until they could live independently, but not exclusively orphans. It also cared for children with parents, providing meals, baths, and education at very low fees.

“This way, parents won’t feel the need to abandon their children for their happiness.”

Parents could leave their kids at the center while they worked and pick them up afterward, sparing themselves the heartbreak of separation and avoiding feelings of envy over the orphans’ better quality of life.

This setup also had another unexpected benefit.

“Parents who bring their children here often form connections with the orphans. Many end up adopting them.”

Adoption had been rare in the past.

People were too preoccupied with their own struggles to consider it, and biases against orphanages discouraged them further.

But the welfare center had changed that.

With the option of continuing to leave adopted children at the center, parents felt less burdened.

Frequent interaction with orphans increased adoption rates.

As a result, the center housed fewer children than when Amon had left.

Abandonment rates had plummeted, and adoption rates soared.

The orphanage was much brighter now.

Hope of being adopted and love brought back by day care kids transformed the atmosphere.

The previous gloom was nowhere to be found.

“Thank you so much, Amon. Truly, you’re an angel sent to me by the goddess. I’ve sinned so much, and yet…” Tears welled in the headmaster’s eyes.

It was remarkable.

Only a year had passed since then, and she hadn’t even changed her skincare products, yet she somehow looked younger.

Warmth filled Amon’s chest as he shyly replied, “An angel? I’m nothing so grand. I was just lucky, and anyone else in my position would have done the same.”

Amon truly believed that he was merely fortunate and that he had done nothing extraordinary.

But the headmaster’s expression turned stern.

“Amon, I can’t let you belittle your own achievements like that.”

“Why had no companies or gangs ever invested in the orphanage? Because there was no profit in it. Orphanages didn’t produce anything and relied solely on external support. “

“Ideally, the government would fund them, but in a system where corporations controlled the government, there was no incentive for unprofitable welfare projects.”

“And yet, you gave up what was rightfully yours to make this happen.”

“But…”

“Shh. Don’t even mention ‘just a portion.’”

If Amon hadn’t invested in the orphanage, he could have spent his life in luxury, buying resorts and supercars.

Instead, he had chosen a modest life and devoted himself to helping the orphanage.

The headmaster saw him as nothing less than a saint.

“And then there’s this—‘Tall Uncle,’ right?”

Amon flinched.

The headmaster’s smile deepened.

“I noticed anonymous donations for graduating orphans. Start-up funds, independence support, tuition—all under the name ‘Tall Uncle.’”

Amon’s darting eyes betrayed him.

The headmaster ruffled his hair affectionately, just as she had when he was ten, warming her heart.

“How could I not love you?” she said, her moist eyes glistening as she smiled.

Blushing, Amon scratched his cheek.

***

After the meeting, Amon and Sonia decided against staying overnight at the orphanage.

It was a place for children, not for grown-ups like them.

Besides, Sonia had her own reservations.

They opted for a nearby motel instead.

In a cozy double room, both had showered and were preparing for bed when Sonia called out, “So this is why you wouldn’t explain the details of your contract to me.”

Amon avoided her gaze for what felt like the hundredth time that day.

Sonia’s smile widened as she observed him.

Finding his nervous demeanor adorable, she hugged him from behind and whispered into his ear, “Don’t feel bad. I’m not upset. I’m a woman who can be satisfied with $100,000 a year, just like you.”

She kissed his cheek and leaned against him before lying down.

Turning to face her, Amon saw Sonia already resting with her sleep mask on.

Smiling, he kissed her cheek and said, “We really are soulmates.”

Sonia chuckled softly in agreement.

Amon switched off the lamp and lay down.

Before drifting into sleep, he whispered a thought to himself.

‘I’m sorry. The truth is, even the orphanage donation was only part of it.’

***

The next day, the two headed toward the dungeon known as The White Dawn.

Amon had personally created this dungeon.

The exterior of what was once the largest distribution building in the area was now covered in moss and vines.

Numerous adventurers were gathered at the entrance, preparing to enter.

As Amon observed the crowd, he already felt fatigued.

He and Sonia lined up to enter the dungeon.

They had chosen not to seek a party through the guild because they judged that the two of them were sufficient.

It wasn’t arrogance—thanks to Cassie’s recent assistance in upgrading their equipment, both of them had combat skills comparable to that of a chief security officer.

Furthermore, they were already familiar with this dungeon, making additional party members more of a hindrance than a help.

“Anyway, the two of you can handle it just fine,” Cassie had assured them.

Although Cassie’s foresight only revealed that Amon and Sonia successfully cleared the dungeon with ease, it still meant they were more than capable on their own.

Without hesitation, the two stepped into the dungeon.

***

Inside, the dungeon’s monsters all took the form of angels.

Near the entrance, small angels fluttered their dove-like wings, speaking words that seemed meaningful to the adventurers.

Their proclamations also reached Amon and Sonia.

Amon’s reaction, of course, was immediate.

“Holy purification—Massacre time!” he roared.

With intense bloodlust, Amon slashed at the fake angels, severing wings, limbs, and heads.

The other adventurers recoiled, keeping their distance from the terrifying sight of Amon dismantling the impostors.

Apart from this, there were no significant events.

Amon and Sonia swiftly cleared the dungeon, even defeating the mid-boss with ease.

As they progressed, Sonia voiced her curiosity.

“This dungeon doesn’t seem to be cleared often, yet the number of monsters hasn’t overflowed.”

After passing the mid-boss, the number of adventurers dwindled.

Most were only interested in gathering essence and found no merit in exploring every corner of the former Hexen Distribution building.

As a result, few ventured deeper than the mid-boss.

Normally, the density of monsters would increase the further in one went, but this dungeon showed no such signs.

And this wasn’t the only oddity.

“Now that I think about it, I’ve never heard of this dungeon overflowing with monsters.”

Typically, dungeons required regular maintenance by adventurers.

Popular dungeons were naturally cleared often, while less popular ones were sometimes cleaned out via government-issued quests.

Otherwise, the monsters would eventually spill out.

However, this dungeon showed no signs of either maintenance or problems.

Sonia’s curiosity grew.

Fortunately, the person beside her could provide answers.

Amon shrugged and explained, “Well, dungeons born from divine wrath are still a mystery.”

Divine power remained an enigma.

If people had fully understood it, the former chairman wouldn’t have conducted self-destructive experiments.

Amon tapped on the dungeon’s wall and continued, “This place was created by divine punishment. The monsters here are humans who were denied death.”

Unlike typical dungeons, those formed by divine wrath defied scientific principles.

Damaged walls regenerated, and defeated monsters resurrected.

This was because these dungeons were prisons created by the goddess to confine them.

Even if their bodies were shattered and their souls torn apart, their existence remained bound to this place.

“In other words, they can’t leave their designated locations.”

The monsters were like prisoners chained to the dungeon.

No matter how neglected the dungeon was, an overflow of monsters was impossible.

As Amon concluded, Sonia asked, “Is that part of your divine abilities too?”

Unable to mention his past life, Amon lightly tapped Sonia’s lips and said playfully, “Don’t go blabbing.”

Sonia nodded, accepting his vague response.

The duo ventured deeper into the dungeon.

The further they went, the larger the angels became—some growing in size, others maturing from childlike forms to adults.

Regardless, Amon and Sonia dealt with them efficiently.

***

While fighting, they never forgot their purpose.

“Anything unusual?” Sonia asked.

“Not that I’ve noticed,” Amon replied.

They compared the monsters to records from the central database but found no differences.

Giant baby angels cried loudly, adult male angels wielded melee weapons, and adult female angels used bows or magic—all consistent with previous reports.

Eventually, they reached the boss room, having encountered nothing out of the ordinary.

“So, we’ve made it here,” Amon said, looking at the boss room’s door with a mix of nostalgia and wariness.

On the other side was the room where he had once faced the fake saintess.

His recollection was brief.

There was no fondness, nor were there particularly good memories associated with that encounter.

Without hesitation, he opened the door.

Inside, his eyes locked onto the boss.

The figure was humanlike, with pale white skin and crimson eyes—features identical to the fake saintess.

However, there were notable differences.

‘Fewer wings.’

The fake saintess had far more and larger wings.

Additionally, this boss’s face was different.

‘The head’s wrong.’

Whereas the saintess had a beautiful face before her second phase, this boss had the face of an elderly man.

A familiar face.

‘So, that’s where the chairman went.’

The former chairman of the Hexen Group.

Amon’s suspicion turned to certainty.

This boss wasn’t the same as the fake saintess.

Only Amon had witnessed the saintess before, and few knew enough to recognize the differences.

Quietly, Amon drew his sword.

Sonia loaded her gun.

The boss remained unaware of their presence, staring blankly into the void.

As Amon’s foot touched the thin barrier at the room’s entrance, the boss’s head jerked unnaturally, twisting toward them.

A twisted smile spread across the boss’s face.

“Oh, a young one brimming with potential. Shall we discuss the evolution of humanity together?”

Amon froze, a question mark practically visible above his head.

Then, the boss’s head began to tremble violently.

Snap!

It rotated 180 degrees.

From the back of the chairman’s head, another face emerged—one Amon recognized instantly.

‘Dr. N.N.!’

The doctor, the chairman’s former partner, grinned with his golden teeth and addressed them.

“My, what lovely fingers you have! How about selling them to our company?”

Sonia recoiled in disgust, stepping back.

Amon instinctively followed suit, retreating to the room’s edge.

As soon as they stepped out of the barrier, the boss lost interest and resumed staring into the void.

Sonia let out a sigh of relief, only to notice Amon’s unusual silence.

‘Has he snapped again?’ Sonia thought, worried as she glanced at him.

But Amon’s expression was calm—devoid of anger or agitation.

‘Why?’

Before she could ask, Amon turned to her with a request.

“Sonia, can I handle this boss alone?”

Sonia instinctively wanted to refuse, but the look in his eyes stopped her.

His gaze glimmered with a mix of curiosity and determination.

“Do you need to confirm something?” she asked.

“Yes, several things,” Amon replied, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Reluctantly, Sonia nodded. “Don’t get hurt, okay?”

“Got it!”

The moment Sonia agreed, Amon dashed into the boss room, grinning from ear to ear.

His eyes locked onto the boss, who, in Amon’s mind, seemed to shatter like glass within a surreal dreamscape.