Zhang Hei no longer cared about his back and hair being sticky from coffee. Even the cup of coffee and tray were carelessly placed on the coffee table next to his sunglasses, and the person who previously held them calmly sat on a couch and whistled as if enjoying some interesting plays.
"So, you are really the God of Death?" Zhang Hei, who was sitting opposite the old man, finally broke the silence in the room.
His question caused the old man to stop whistling, and he casually answered, "You can call me Mark. That name is much cooler than my boring title."
"..." Zhang Hei didn't answer immediately this time, but he tacitly agreed with what the God of Life had said to him a week ago. The God of Death was completely crazy.
"You didn't seem surprised when I realized you weren't human. Do you know me?" Zhang Hei questioned the old man instead of responding to the man's statement.
"Of course," answered the old man while nodding his head. "A few days ago, I met my boring friend, and he told me that someone was looking for me. He said that person needed my help, and that's why I'm here."
Suddenly, Zhang Hei looked excited hearing what the old man had just said. "That boring friend of yours must be the God of Life, right? He already told you that I want to die, right?" He asked again.
This time, the God of Death, Mark, didn't answer immediately, and he placed his elbows on his knees before bending his body slightly. "The Immortal wants to die. It's ridiculous because many people in this world seek immortality when you instead want to die, young man," he replied in a serious tone this time.
"So, you know that I'm immortal?" Zhang Hei asked, and Mark nodded his head while straightening his body.
"I know you," Mark confirmed. "You are famous throughout the Heavenly Palace for your deeds more than four hundred years ago, so of course, I know you."
How he became famous in the Heavenly Palace was not something he could be proud of at all, and that was why Zhang Hei kept a stern expression on his face after hearing what the God of Death had just said.
For a moment, he was silent, but then he let out a heavy sigh before replying, "For over four hundred years, I lived in confusion and emptiness. I didn't have any purpose in this life, and all I did was pretend to be normal. Every ten or twenty years, I faked my death and moved to other countries because I was not like any normal human being on this planet. I don't age, and I can't die either. That's why I keep changing my identity and jobs, but that's just like a routine for me. I don't feel anything even though I've lived in this world for the past four hundred years."
Zhang Hei explained his situation, and Mark listened to him quietly. After a moment of silence, Mark nodded his head before responding, "Do you remember what happened more than four hundred years ago that ultimately gave you such a punishment?"
"I remember some events, but I think I forgot most of them. The God of Life erased my memories, and he said that it was part of the punishment he gave me," Zhang Hei answered.
"I see," Mark once again nodded his head in understanding. "That boring friend of mine erased your memories, so you probably feel empty and confused because of it, right? Are you sure you want to die now rather than find your lost memories, young man?"
"…" Zhang Hei seemed a little taken aback after hearing what Mark had just said.
He had lived for more than four hundred years, but he had never thought of that possibility. For him, what happened more than four hundred years ago should be buried and forgotten, which was why he never tried to remember every detail that happened back then.
That was also the reason why he was able to firmly answer the old man's question, "Those memories are not important to me. I just want to end everything in this world. I'm so tired of this never-ending cycle."
For a moment, the old man did not answer, but then another heavy sigh escaped his lips before he answered, "If that is your decision, then I can only grant it because the God of Life has also decided to end your punishment, young man."
Finally, a satisfied smile appeared on Zhang Hei's face, but then he frowned in confusion when he saw how the God of Death suddenly raised both of his hands. His palms were facing upwards, and from above his palms appeared a stack of black cards. There seemed to be a symbol on the back of the card placed on top of the other cards.
"These are the End of Journey cards," the old man began to explain. "I have cards like this for every living human being on the planet, and every day, my subordinates will take a deck of cards from my office and start doing their jobs. You can guess what I mean, right? Yes, my subordinates take these cards from me so they know which ones they can take for the day, and that means that's the end of those people's lives. If you want to die, then I need to use your End of Journey card to take your soul. Unfortunately, even after I checked every card in my office, I couldn't find your card."
"..." Zhang Hei was silent, but there was a hint of worry on his face after hearing what the old man had just said.
"I think it's because my silly friend, the God of Life, didn't give you the Beginning of Journey card when he decided to punish you for becoming immortal over four hundred years ago," the old man spoke again when Zhang Hei remained silent. "My cards and his are supposed to work as a pair, and that's why I won't be able to grant your wish if your End of Journey card doesn't exist, young man."