Chapter 675: Chapter 675
I hurriedly hid behind Yuhyun. It wasn’t deliberate so much as reflex. Clinging to my brother’s back, I peeked out and glanced at Myeongwoo. Why on earth was he appearing here all of a sudden?
“Um... are you okay? I heard you were hurt.”
He looked fine at a glance—apart from the glasses. Glasses out of nowhere—could it be—
“Myeongwoo, did something happen to your eyes?” ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁
It didn’t seem like a fashion statement. Could be an item, but they looked like ordinary glasses. And he was always nagging me to take care of my health.
“Your eyesight’s worse, right? You overdid it too! Hey, I told you not to work so hard—”
My body, half-emerged from behind Yuhyun, slid back into hiding.
“This was really dangerous. You know that, right?”
“It’s not like I wanted it. Honestly, even if I’d stayed put, that ChatterBox brat would’ve yanked me by the collar and dragged me out.”
It was infuriatingly unfair. I just wanted a quiet life, too.
“If the world were peaceful, I’d happily hole up at home all day, every day, caring for the kids. Really—I could stay home and never budge.”
“You still need exercise.”
“Sure—exercise occasionally.”
“You really will stay home, hyung?”
Yuhyun asked, smiling. He said I planned to laze around at first—how I ended up wandering outside and even traveling the world was beyond him.
“Of course! If nothing happens, I’ll stay home!”
After stopping the apocalypse, I’d set up education facilities for the kids, sort out legal issues for the Awakened, watch over Ki Seung-su and the others, keep a little eye on the low-rank hunters... Hmm, why are there so many tasks? Still, I’m in my twenties; maybe I can retire before forty. That’d be nice—if I live an average lifespan, that is.
“And I’m pretty healthy. The elders said I’d live a long time. Myeongwoo, what happened to your eyes? You need to take care of yourself, too!”
I’d gained lifespan—couldn’t let him outdo me. I stepped out confidently from behind Yuhyun. ...Well, I did look a bit roughed up. I dusted off my clothes’ dirt marks. Myeongwoo stared impassively. Should I hide again?
“Eunhye’s fine—really.”
Eunhye popped out and flapped her wings at Myeongwoo.
—“Bad snake! Poison!”
“You know my poison resistance, right? I was fine!”
“There was a new Filial-Piety Addict who was a snake—he sprayed some poison, no big deal. It’s poison, after all.”
Even an L-rank resistance couldn’t fully block it, but if I’m safe now, that’s enough! Eunhye, you’re sweet, but tattling is naughty. Good thing her speech is still clumsy.
“S-so, Myeongwoo, the glasses—”
“See, you overdid it! Are you okay? How did it happen?”
“Yujin, you worried me.”
“Want to hear the details?”
Myeongwoo smiled. His gaze was gentle, but it sent a chill down my spine. Well, if it involves me, it’s probably my fault. Thinking back, why else would he overexert himself?
“I—well, I’d like to hear, since it’s about me.”
“You’re still the same, Yujin.”
“Nothing too worrisome. It’s a bit awkward, though.”
Adjusting his glasses, Myeongwoo looked toward Seong Hyunjae, who watched with curious eyes. He probably had no memory of Myeongwoo. He seemed aware of post-regression events but hadn’t received full recollection.
“We will now begin a simple practice game to adapt to the system’s mana.”
As Myeongwoo spoke, a line appeared on the floor between us and Seong Hyunjae—like a basketball court, only much larger.
“Wait, Myeongwoo! You have to explain what’s going on!”
“Didn’t you hear? To minimize Transcendent involvement, we’ll appoint Awakened as proxies.”
“I heard that in general... but it drags you and the Sesung Guild Leader into this.”
“You were the candidate for the Filial-Piety Addict’s side from the start. The Addict had no suitable proxy. Even with Transcendent assistance, managing the system with ordinary mana detection is impossible.”
Thanks to my mana imprint and high detection ability, I excelled at sensing magic—though it braced me too tightly at times.
“An innate S-Rank could qualify, but no one else can fairly compete now. I was considered, too—but I declined.”
“Surprisingly fair—Yuhyun would sincerely oppose me, after all.”
“But ultimately, he’d side with you and refuse the contract. He’d never trust those who seek to destroy the world.”
Naturally. A contract with the Addict? Just hearing it churned my stomach.
“There was talk of boosting one ChatterBox contractor’s stats to serve as support, if no one else could.”
Wow... almost made an S-Rank into innate S-Rank. They’re weird powers already.
“That’s when the Sesung Leader restored his past contract with Diarma and became the proxy.”
So Seong Hyunjae was the best choice for the Addict’s side. Director Song gazed at Hyunjae in silence. He probably hadn’t explained via message. Hyunjae’s eyes curved into a silent smile.
“I confirmed that Hunter Han Yuhyun received Han Yujin’s message. Almost simultaneously, I received a team-join message from Hunter Seong Hyunjae. If split in two, I thought joining Seong Hyunjae’s team was best, but...”
“You were slow to reply.”
Hyunjae said with a hint of amusement. It’s reasonable to hesitate when the other side is him—even a week’s delay is understandable. Director Song’s brows tensed.
“Because both sides... would be troublesome.”
“But surely you’d prefer me over Hyunjae!”
Director Song looked at me. His silent gaze held many emotions. My conscience pricked. Time-wise, I’ve been back less than a year—but Hyunjae has been for years.
“I’m here as a provisional system manager for training. Transcendents can’t teach Awakened directly—the gap’s too wide.”
“Provisional manager? Myeongwoo, you’re really going?”
“Maybe. It’s distant for now, but beyond saving the world, I have personal interest.”
Gazing at the air—likely the system interface—Myeongwoo continued.
“It’s the pinnacle of creation. Though only the Origin can create the world, one can craft their own space—a dungeon. I want to meddle in that complex, intricate structure.”
“...Just don’t become like the Transcendents. Few have decent character there.”
Myeongwoo chuckled softly, his usual expression.
“I simply love creating. I lack talent—and interest—for caring for or leading people.”
With a rustle, ten white square panels appeared, split evenly across the field.
“These ten panels represent the system’s mana.”
I felt the mana from our five panels. I spun one—it whirled fast, overshot, and slammed into the next. Not easy. Isn’t this too advantageous for Hyunjae? He’s used flying chains before.
‘Should I tell Director Song that this Hyunjae isn’t the real Hyunjae?’
Director Song sensed something odd but chalked it up to Hyunjae’s eccentricity. If it were Soyeong or Evelyn, they’d just shrug.
‘Finish this practice game first.’
Facing a stronger opponent trains adaptation faster. Then two rods appeared before Yuhyun and Director Song.
“Flying or similar skills are forbidden. Stepping on the floor or an opponent’s panel—or being struck by their rod—means defeat.”
So we move the panels—and rods—to...
“...Keep pace with S-Rank speed?”
Good grief. Even if I move the panels by foot, Yuhyun would compensate—but the problem is facing another S-Rank. I swallowed dryly.
“Offensive skills allowed but cannot harm opponent. Provisional manager can only use support skills and partially share senses with teammates.”
“Wait! Hyunjae has combat precognition!”
“Which is why, despite your bond with Yujin, he was accepted as a proxy.”
...He’s ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) powerful. I’d have picked him too.
“Also, the contract with Diarma passed to the King of Devouring—so even with Yujin’s power, ‘Haeju’ is impossible.”
“What? No solution, really!”
Though this isn’t the true Hyunjae, I snapped out. Diarma is the Cursed Poisoned Dragon, buffed to allow Haeju healing. The King of Devouring is a snake—what does this bastard plan? It’s his own body but someone else’s at the same time—does he treat it carelessly? He’s already lost an arm and an eye this way? I glared; Hyunjae smiled.
I should’ve grabbed his collar properly. He must have a plan... or does he? No, he must. Did he decide to live with the snake instead of the crescent? Even if so, he can’t undo the crescent’s layered contract... Unless he remains bound and arbitrarily signs contracts? Either way, it revolts me.
Once I restore the real Hyunjae and break free, I’ll wrap him and ship him across the Pacific—no mercy. Grinding my teeth, Yuhyun tilted his head.
Yuhyun finally realized this man had changed.
“Sesung Leader’s attitude toward you feels like it’s back to the old days.”
Only regarding me, but still. Yuhyun leaned close, whispering.
“Be careful, hyung. He might try to manipulate you again.”
There was caution in Yuhyun’s voice. After regression, Yuhyun was wary of Hyunjae—once Hyunjae treated me as a person, it eased somewhat. An item-hyung can be taken at any time, but a person-hyung would never leave his brother.
“If I win, any rewards, Teacher?”
Raising a hand, I asked Myeongwoo.
“As it’s practice, no official prize—but you may exchange personal wagers.”
“In that case, I want to grab Hyunjae’s collar!”
Even with no damage allowance, I’d seize him and shake him. Hyunjae tilted his head.
“What can Han Yujin offer me?”
He spoke as if I could give him nothing—no expectation in his tone. My goodness, pre-regression Hyunjae was that insufferable. How could someone look so cocky? Fine, you’re something else.
“How about sparing you the humiliation of being collar-grabbed by an F-Rank? Even if you refuse, I’ll still grab and shake you. And everyone here’s on my side.”
Director Song, don’t look away. I trust you’ll help. Hyunjae smiled and nodded. Myeongwoo stepped back, yet without using Teacher Skill, Yuhyun shared my vision. Yuhyun flinched.
“You’re really sensitive, hyung.”
“What? My mana imprint?”
“Seems about a third stronger in mana and detection. I’m quite good at sensing, too.”
“My stats are low. Realistically, we’re similar.”
The shared senses seemed to be sight, hearing, smell, mana detection, movement, and communication. Aside from clearer communication, it matched Teacher Skill.
The five panels floated like steps. Staying sufficiently high off the ground was safer.
Yuhyun stepped onto the first panel, springing upward. He scrambled to create another panel and leapt to the top. Song Taewon did the same. Beneath a dizzying ceiling over a hundred meters high, they paused.
Myeongwoo gave a light signal, and Yuhyun and Song Taewon struck their panels in unison.