《ReLife Player [Re: Life Player]》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1[Regression] It is said that when a man dies, he sees his past life as a lampshade. Inevitably, everyone is equal before death. It is indeed kind of death to show us the memories we want to repeat over and over again, and the memories we dont want to recall, without discrimination. Humanity, which cries out for equality so much, can only be equal in death. So die, humanity, for the equality you so long for does not exist in this world. You woke up Eunha, its mom. Our Eunha is awake! its Daddy, Eunha! Ah. So this is a dream. His parents were killed in a monster attack when he was six years old, so its not surprising that he remembers them so vividly when hes been focused on killing monsters ever since. Life is really miserable. He picked up a sword to avenge his familys deaths, only to find himself killing monsters and not remembering why he was fighting. Maybe hed been hoping for this ever since. What can I do? Eunha isnt responding to me! Minjis dad says she squeals with joy whenever she sees his face, but why is he just staring blankly at me? Is he sick? Youre so insensitive. You cant talk to a child like that. Did my parents really love me this much? I wish this moment would pass. If I stay like this, Ill look back on the rest of my life and feel like Im being torn apart. Undead, who cant die even if he dies. Hes lost people he cares about, been rejected and betrayed by people he cares about. He couldnt wait to see the rest of his life and say goodbye to this disgusting world. Bye. But something was wrong. No matter how much I wished and prayed, the scene didnt change. Surely theyre not telling me to just look back like this? Its nonsense. Then all thats left is to sit still and watch a movie. A movie with a running time of 32 years, a story with no dreams and no hope? Are they telling me to eat sweet potatoes again? I cant even move like this. Huh? Oh, did you want to hold your moms hand? Son, Im sad. I still have ten fingers, look! A mother and father who are separated by only one finger. He couldnt figure out why they were arguing about something so trivial. That wasnt the problem. He was holding his mothers fingers, his will. Or so he thought. The sensation was too vivid for a junior. He was free to move his hands and stumble on his feet, not just to stare at the past without doing anything. What is this. If Im not dead, this is-. Im confused, he had to admit. I dont know whether to laugh or cry. I had lived to die, and though I regretted that I wanted to live a little more at the end, I was still hoping to die. I didnt die. Rather, I was reborn again as one-year-old No Eunha instead. Reborn? I was reborn as me? Its a bit of a stretch to say that. If I had to say it, its like this. Huh? Back to the past? It seemed ridiculous at first, but I couldnt deny the possibility. This world is imbued with mana. Every living thing has mana in its heart. The primal force that makes the heart beat, the moment it manifests outside the body, it interferes with the laws of the world. It is magic, the manifestation of mana in the world based on human imagination. It is a miracle that makes the impossible possible. Across his many limbs, he had experienced such a sight many times. A man on the verge of death, miraculously brought back to life. People who were dead became the Living Dead. So the fact that he had returned to the past could not be dismissed as impossible. The only question is how he became the object of a miracle. Without any foreshadowing. No foreshadowing? You finally see your dad, do you want to hug him, huh, do you want to hug me? When he turned his head, his father was smiling broadly. Unable to speak, he settled for burrowing into his mothers arms. Father had a look on his face like he had fallen from heaven to hell in an instant, but I didnt know what was going on. There was a precedent. The Abyss Dungeon. Didnt Yoojeong shout that she would save him at the very depths of the dungeon? With a skill set that rivaled the Twelve, it wasnt surprising that she had reversed time. After all, she had been causing outrageous phenomena. If a miracle happened where she could go back to the past just before her death, there was no one else but her who could create a miracle there. But that was a problem to be considered later. There was an urgent matter to attend to. Thats right. Ugh. He had an itchy butt now. With all due respect to his mother, he could only hold it in so long. What? No way. Finally, he couldnt hold it in anymore, and just pooped.. What a disgrace to be born again and have to go through this. It was a natural physiological phenomenon as a baby, but he couldnt take it so lightly. I want to die. Right now. Can you get me some diapers and wipes, and some powder? Okay! His mothers judgment was quick. She laid him down on the bed and deftly undid his diaper. By the time he counted the stains on the ceiling, they were all taken care of. And his sense of shame hit rock bottom Now you feel better, right? My mother smiled benevolently. I dont remember much, but my mother always seemed to be smiling. He looks just like you. And what about you? You have the same eyes and wrinkles, she teased. And his father, who, in his memory, was quite a dignified man, but I think I need to revise that. Back then, his father looked reliable and mature, but his actions were that of a child. Still, he was his father. His cheerful and lovable personality hadnt changed. I was back. I never thought I would see my parents again. Especially not as a newborn baby. Whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, I didnt know at the moment. The only thing I could be sure of was that this life was different. is different. One hell of a life was enough. So this life must be Oh, no. Slowly, sleepiness crept in. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Youre tired, sleep well. He felt like he was melting. It was as if those words were meant for the him before he was reborn He closed his eyes, feeling the sensation of relaxation for the first time in a long time. He must not give in to the miserable reality, no matter what. Chapter 2 Chapter 2[A Day in the Life of a Baby] There were days when I didnt sleep for days. This was because the monsters took advantage of Seonnyeo Im Gaeuls absence and swarmed the walls of the Seoul Cocoon. There were not enough troops to go around, even though he had just graduated from the academy and had been called to the front. Cocoons curtain crumbling. An army of monsters swarming in at the crack of dawn. A burning city center. People fleeing for their lives. There was no time for sleep. Peoples minds were becoming increasingly frayed. No matter how many monsters you killed, they kept coming back, and you were terrified. The fight went on for days and days. It was then that Eunha realized that people dont die even if they dont sleep. And after more than 5 days, something irresistible got hold of him and he disappeared beyond consciousness. When he finally opened his eyes, it was all over. The situation reversed with the return of Im Gaeul, who was visiting other administrative districts. Players, led by the Twelve, were able to defeat the monsters and reclaim the city center. The citizens welcomed the returning players at Gwanghwamun. They seemed heartened that they had crossed the line of death, but Eunha felt no emotion. Was I fighting for these people? He couldnt understand why so many people were waving at him. Or the emotions of the players crying there. If there was one thing he felt there, it was from the children who were wedged between his parents. They were looking at the players with such innocent eyes, unaware of how cruel this world can be. In that moment, an envy welled up in him, a ridiculous one. Yes, you can be taken care of without doing anything. For that moment, he wanted to be them. No, he wanted to be a baby. How nice it would be to do nothing. I want to rest. I dont want to think about anything. Or so he thought. Abu. No way. Im sick and tired of doing nothing. I get up. I eat. I pack. Sleep. Wake up. The routine was repeating itself. I was sleeping more than 20 hours a day. There were times when I tried to force myself to stay awake and resist the pouring sleep, thinking back to when I fought against a horde of monsters before regressing, but I ultimately failed. How evil my mothers lullabies were! More often than not, I would fall asleep in my mothers arms before the song ended. How hungry I was again. My empty stomach screamed at me, and I couldnt help but cry. Even the breast milk that I couldnt adapt to at first was now desperately sought after by me, looking for my mother. It had been months since I had been able to do anything. Stress piled on top of stress, causing unnecessary frustration. At times like that, father would come to see him whenever he had the chance. Our Eunha, youve been waiting for me to come home! hed say, laughing. Father didnt seem to notice that I was glaring at him with a wild look This was the kind of man my father was. The good news is that there was some breathing room. Thats right. I was able to do a flip. Yay! Lets take a picture! Even his mother, who is usually calm, was losing her cool when he pulled off the flip. Apparently, his father, who didnt see this pivotal moment, was discouraged when he saw the photo she took. From then on, she often took him out of the cradle. And today, he was doing flips. Go Eunha! Next to him was his older sister, Euna, who had returned from kindergarten. With her fists balled up and snorting, she looked just like her father. Ugh. Come on. I opened my mouth to say something like that, but I doubt Euna understood. Yeah, Im back, little bro! Do kids understand each other? This time, Euna was wearing a smile that reminded her of her mother. Ncha~ Euna gently hugged Eunha. She wasnt as steady as her mother, but she was trying to make sure he didnt get hurt. Hehe~ Whats so good about it? Watching Euna like that, even his dissatisfaction seemed to disappear. No Euna. Eunhas older sister is four years older than him. But his memories of her were fainter than his memories of his parents. What he did remember was that he always followed her around, and that the day he lost his family, she hugged him and promised to protect him. And how much he resented her and how much he missed her. By the way. Eunha, are you hungry, do you want some milk? Eunha, are you sleepy? do you want your sister to sing you a lullaby? Eunha, do you need to rest? Euna had never left his side for a moment. She looked and acted so much like their parents. Although he had gotten used to it by now, her interest in him was overwhelming. Awww. Leave me alone. Okay! Like she understood anything. No matter how she interpreted Eunhas whimper, she was bothering him even more. Oh, no. Dont answer. Euna~ Can you take care of Eunha? Yes~! Her mother, who was preparing dinner in the kitchen, only encouraged Euna more. He couldnt help it. Eventually, he tried to ignore her gaze and flip over. Unlike the first time he tried, once he got used to it, flipping over was easy. Next came crawling. Crawling had been a slow process for the past few days. Still, he couldnt wait to walk. He had no desire to walk out into the world, but he couldnt stand the idea of lying still. So he started with the tummy time. A few days ago, his mother saw him struggling to crawl and muttered, Hell have to do his tummy time first. What is a tummy time? I wondered what a tummy bug was. At that time, the mother shook the rubber nipple that he was biting on and gestured for him to come this way. Come to me! Eunha pushed his stomach against the floor, determined to find the rubber nipple Only then did he master the belly push. This time, he raised his upper body with a trick that gave his stomach strength. His tiny arms shook, but he succeeded. Now he just needed to push his knees forward. One step, then another. He paid attention to the distance between his hands as he reached forward and moved his knees on the ground. My brother is a genius! Euna couldnt help but squeal, Hes a genius! and she ran over to him. Where are you hugging me? Why are you rubbing your face on my ass. You smell so good~ Awwww~ Ugh, let me crawl around a bit. And get off my ass. Kaaaa~! Youre so cute! Maybe he should learn to talk instead of crawl. Eventually, Eunha decided to stop practicing crawling at this point. He had gotten the hang of it. Haaa, I cant help it. Oh, whats going on? Just then, my mother, who was preparing dinner, came out of the kitchen. Mom, Eunha is hungry! Abu. Sis my butt is not a pillow, can you tell her that, Mom? Eunha puffed up his cheeks in a disgruntled manner, but it seemed that Mom interpreted it in the same way as Euna. Mommy loves you too, Eunha. Maybe I should learn to speak. Our son will learn to speak quickly like this. Yeah, Ill have to learn soon. I cant help but complain. Hey, Eunha, wanna crawl? I had no idea what Moms outstretched arm meant. Using the trick I learned earlier, I crawled over to her. Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ahhhh! Ah! So cute!! Realizing what was happening, Eunha puffed up his cheeks, but he was already in her mothers arms. His mother picked him up and patted him on the back, saying, You did well. She then showed him how to sit, saying, Next time, sit like this. She released her hand. Then she let go. Eunha held on to sit a little longer. But as soon as she released her hand, he didnt last long and fell forward. If she hadnt caught him, he would have hit his head on the floor. It would be a while before he could walk. You can take your time. Its okay to be late. She tells me that I dont have to rush my steps. But it sounded like she was telling me that I didnt have to rush, that I could just grow up like everyone else. It is true. I dont have to be impatient anymore. Sleepy again! This was the limit of the babys physical strength. Unable to fight off any more sleepiness, Eunha closed his eyes. He listened to her mother and sister singing a lullaby in unison. If mom goes to collect oysters~ in the shade of the island, and the baby is left alone~ watching for home to the lullaby that the sea sings, with arms wrapped around, slowly, slowly, falling asleep~. Chapter 3 Chapter 3[Babys Day (2)] Today at 2am, there was a goblin attack corresponding to the 7th level monster in Marronnier Park in Daehangno. The Marronnier Knights Clan, who received the report, quickly subjugated the monster, but the attacker, Ms. Kim, and three others were taken to a nearby hospital. The Mana Management Bureau assumed that the monster had infiltrated from the outskirts of Seoul, and announced that they would explore the monsters entry and exit routes. I see. At this time of year, there are still insufficient measures against monsters. Eunha woke up early in the morning watching morning news. The Knights of the Marronnier Knights were on the scene, battling goblins, and the subtitles on the bottom of the screen mentioned monsters from other areas. Even before the regression, it was not uncommon for monsters to sneak into urban centers, or for monsters to appear on busy streets without warning. However, it wasnt as frequent as its been reported. People have only been utilizing mana for a decade at most. Mana is a power that touches the very foundation of life. The power to make a heart beat with just a tiny amount can bend even the laws of the world. Mankind, who was only focused on utilizing mana, made mistakes and suffered the consequences. Creatures born in a world where the laws of nature are twisted are sometimes beyond the norm. Humanity realized too late that they had created their own enemy, monsters, that threatened their very existence. A foolish and foolhardy act. The 1999 Destruction, the worst event in human history. On the eve of the 21st century, monsters emerged simultaneously from around the world and destroyed everything humanity had built in a single day. There was nowhere safe from the monsters, not even the sky, the ground, or the sea. No country was safe from the monsters. South Korea was no exception, barely able to fight back after the monsters ravaged half the country and wiped out a third of its population. The surviving humanity began to train players to defeat the monsters and build walls to protect against the threat. However, the barriers did not inherently protect humanity from the monsters. The walls were meant to prepare for monster attacks, but they did nothing to prevent monsters from being born within the walls. Monsters came from the ubiquitous mana in the atmosphere. In the absence of a fairy with the power to disperse mana, countermeasures against monsters were inadequate. If its Maroni Park, its near our house. Thats right, Ill have to be careful. Dont wander around too much at night. Have Euna come home as soon as she finishes kindergarten. Yeah, Ill do that. My father said, adjusting his tie. He was running late, but apparently he still had time to listen to the morning news after all the fuss hed been making this morning. Are you also coming back early today? Of course! Ill be here after work, just wait! Youre really something. Father winked with a menacing expression while putting on his shoes. Even though he was his father, he didnt look the least bit like it. Mother gave him bread to eat, reminding him to eat breakfast even though he was running late. Oh, Eunha, are you here to see Dad off to work? His father spotted him just in time. Turning away from the news, Eunha was caught right in the middle of it. Ouch, ouch. Ugh, that stung. Did he shave properly this morning? Hahaha! Dad really likes Eunha too! Unaware of his feelings, his father was perky in the morning, and as if rubbing his face wasnt enough, he kissed him on the cheek and left for work. Be careful, and dont go near Maroni Park.. You never know when or where you might be attacked by a monster. It wasnt unreasonable for her to worry about him. Then Eunha should go back to sleep, right? Awww~ Sleep again. I dont like sleeping. If you throw a tantrum, the neighbor will say, This kid! Ew! Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was no way he was afraid of the neighbor. Hed been around players with big personalities until the day he died. I wonder when theyll learn to understand me. The newborns body was uncomfortable. He slept half the day, his baby food was no more substantial than the calorie bars hed been eating before his regression, and his range of movement was limited because it was dangerous. I should have learned to talk instead of crawl. Lullaby, lullaby, my baby Eunha~ Damn, before the regression, I could go days without sleep. I couldnt get over my mothers lullabies. Woo. What time is it now. Her mother must have fallen asleep while singing him a lullaby. Eunha quietly crawled out of her arms so as not to wake her. Lunch had just passed. It was time for Euna to return from kindergarten. Until then, he was free. He left the living room and decided to crawl all over the house. He even went to the kitchen, a place he normally wouldnt be allowed to go. Ugh. Sure enough. A bluish glow by the refrigerator. I had neutralized it just a few days ago, and it still looked like this. Id heard about the monster in Maroni Park and thought it might have affected my home, and I was right. I reached out and grabbed the bluish energy. The mana wriggled to escape my grasp, but quickly dispersed like a tangled thread unraveling and dissolved into the air. Phew. Ninth-ranked mana at best. Nevertheless, Eunha remained stunned as he felt his strength drain from his body the moment he released the omnipresent mana. I dont have enough mana. Mana exists everywhere in this world, even in small amounts, and it means that one can restore their mana by collecting the mana that is dissolved in the air. This is also why monsters are sometimes born. If the accumulated mana in a household is not properly managed, monsters can appear. Of course, considering the scale of the dissolved mana, an adult could probably take care of them easily. However, managed mana calls in more mana, and monsters call in more monsters. So, it cannot be ignored just because it is small. Better to deal with them whenever I saw them. Ugh. Even before the regression, he had suffered from a lack of mana in his body many times. Fortunately, his sense of mana management and speed of mana recovery were overwhelming, but he couldnt use attacks with great firepower. So, after regenerating, he would save up his mana whenever he could. Even though I had used up all of my mana on a day like todays, I still needed to increase my body mana during my growth phase. Of course, the reason I needed to increase my mana wasnt to become a player. There was no longer any reason to defeat monsters. All my anger and hatred for monsters had been resolved in my previous life. Moreover, my parents were alive now. Even in my new life, I didnt want to live a life where I hoped to die. But a world where mana was a part of power. He had to increase the mana in his body if he wanted to live in this world at all. Ugh. Ugh, dizziness. I couldnt take any more mana in this body; Id pushed it as far as it could go, it seemed that I had gone a little too far. In the end, he collapsed on the ground, unable to hold on any longer. Abu. Its because of my age. My age. It didnt occur to him to get up from the floor. The world was spinning like he was drunk Lets just go back to sleep. My mother will carry me to bed later. Im home~! I heard the front door swing open. Euna had returned from kindergarten. I heard her running down the hallway, making a lot of noise. Eunha, what are you doing there? Oh. Yeah, its your sister! No, That not. Come on, get me to bed. Or call my mother. Uh-oh. When did he get here? His mother woke up at the sound of Eunas voice and was surprised to find him sprawled out in the kitchen. I told you not to come in the kitchen. Tsk! The mother makes the sound with her mouth. Her lips curled up at the sight of her scolding her baby. Oh my. Aww, how cute~! The two of them let out a small sigh. They look like a mother and daughter. By the way, I wonder how much mana she has in her body. Eunhas curiosity was piqued, so he decided to check Eunas mana. And the result was. Huge. An enormous amount of mana was flowing out of her body uncontrollably. If she had been unconsciously leaking mana since she was young, how much would she have accumulated after she stopped growing? The reason why mana is so ubiquitous in my house is because of my sisters mana. It was a jaw-dropping amount of mana. However, unconsciously leaking mana could also be a factor that harms ones health because the body cannot absorb all the mana. I needed to help Euna manage her mana before it became a problem. Oh no, again. Ugh, my head. Oww. You must be tired. Mom, is Eunha sleeping? Yep. Can we be quiet so Eunha sleeps? Yes! Chapter 4 Chapter 4[Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!] Who the hell is big sister and who is litle brother. After returning from kindergarten, Euna bothered Eunha all over the place. Shes so fierce that when you ignore her, she throws a tantrum. Eventually, Eunha had to play along to keep her from crying. Before he knew it, it was evening. Kids, lets have dinner~ Yes!!! Finally, I was free. I didnt worry about monsters, so I didnt think Id have to worry about Euna. Anyway, I should get some rest now. Ill crawl to the master bedroom. Euna, Eunha, and my honey, Daddys home! It was hard to stay quiet. Eunha looked at his father, who had covered the few steps from the front door to the living room, and lamented that another day had passed. Ehh! Awww, you little guy! I told him to stop rubbing his chin stubble. But despite his desperate protests, his father didnt back down. In fact, he even tried to grab Euna, who was trying to sneak away from him. Ugh, Dad, it stings~ Sorry, sorry. You said you were coming in a little late. Are you done with your work? I put off everything until tomorrow! You too, why dont you change your clothes and come over, its shabu shabu* today. (a delicious dish! There is an image below, so check it if you want to.) Im glad I came in early! Father hands Mother his coat. He quickly changed into a simple outfit and ran into the bathroom to wash up. Shabu-shabu? Yes, Its shabu-shabu today. Shabu shabu!? Yep, its bushabushabusha today. Why are you saying it backwards? Sigh, Mother is just going along with it. Eunha sighed secretly as he watched the two of them play, squeezing and unclenching their hands. Is this bushabusha? Yes, if you put the meat in the broth like this it cooks quickly, right? Its faster to show than tell. My mother stirred the meat with chopsticks, and the thin meat suddenly turned a delicious color. Wow, this is delicious. My toothless body was pained. I wanted to punch the ground when I realized that I couldnt eat the meat dripping with broth right in front of me. Mama, ah~! Oh no, Eunha, not yet. Even though Eunha sat on her mothers lap, he never managed to get the meat into his mouth. He could only stare at the meat that went into Eunas mouth. Delicious! The meat is so tender! Oh, it smells good. Euna, dip it in soy sauce. Eunha, you should be still. You should eat it too, not just the kids. Yes, yes. You eat it too. Why cant I eat the meat in front of me? Why is my body so young? If I were a year older, I wouldnt be sitting there watching. I will never forget this day. I realize that the longing of someone who cannot eat meat runs deeper than the ocean. At that moment, a sense of urgency hit Eunha. It was an instinct that was deeply ingrained in his body from looking after Euna. A bowl of soy sauce sat at the head of the table. Euna, whose mind was focused on chewing, didnt even realize her elbow was right next to the soy sauce. It was obvious that the soy sauce would fall to the floor if her elbow hit it. No, it was bad enough as it was. Noona! (is a term used by a male to refer to his older sister) Whoa! Eunha exclaimed as his father quickly caught the falling bowl. Huh? Euna gulped down the meat in her mouth, still not realizing what had happened. Whoa, be careful, Euna, you almost dropped the soy sauce. Okay, thank you, Dad! Haha! Dad really likes Euna! Hey, hey, hey, hey. This is the kind of thing that needs a good scolding. I dont want her to be an idiot. By the way, didnt Eunha just call you big sister? Didnt you know? Eunhas been calling her noona for days. Really!? Dad was right to be surprised. The baby who was crawling not long ago was now calling her sister Nana. Their mother was just as surprised when she first heard it. When she asked seriously, Are you a genius, our Eunha? he couldnt even respond. It was a recent achievement for Eunha, who had been frustrated by the lack of communication with his family. At first, he couldnt even pronounce anything close, but now he can say a few words. For example, Mama. Papa. Noona. He can even refer to his family members. Oh my god did you just say you really like your dad!? Woooo. Why and why again. Why do conversations get harder when you learn to speak. I cant tell you how happy I was when I was called mama. Eunha called me noona first! Euna brags, raising her fork above her head. Awww, you took away Eunhas first babble! Dad, dont be childishly competitive with your daughter. I dont know if theres one kid in this family or two. What did Euna do at preschool today? I danced with all my friends! What kind of dance was it? Head, shoulders, knees, feet, knees~ Teacher posted a video of the band Her mothers smartphone was showing a video of kids Eunas age dancing to a song. Suddenly, his father leaned in close and said, I cant believe I can see this precious thing. Did I mention hes a new teacher this year? hes very good. He was engrossed in the video. Euna seemed to like the song she learned today. Before she knew it, she was humming along to the song playing on her phone. She quickly drained her juice and started dancing to the beat. Head, shoulders, knees, feet, knees, feet~ Wow, our Euna is a good dancer~ Mother claps her hands and praises her. And the father, not to be outdone, pulls out his smartphone. My daughter is a fairy. Today, father once again gained a great realization from his daughter. But I too couldnt deny it. Watching her dance happily, even when the beat was off, made me feel happy. Shes my sister, but you have to admit shes cute. Eunha was agreeing with his father, albeit a little. S~ea??h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunha, lets sing together! Noona, thats not possible. No, hes too young. Then we can call him after one nights sleep? No, he cant sing until he sleeps more. How much? I dont know, it will take a lot of sleep. A lot? Yes, ah~ a lot. I want to sing along, but. Throwing a fit is useless. I still have a long way to go before I grow up. Mmm. Eunha patted her on the back to soothe her. Maybe this would make her feel better but His older sister still hasnt given up. Ah! I can do that! Wait for me~! Euna stopped eating, got up, and ran to her room. As she ran down the hall, she brought back a helmet and a silver pot. She put the helmet on her head and placed the silver pot on Eunhas struggling head. Were going to do this at the school assembly. Really? Dad held up his camera and snapped a picture of Euna with excitement. Euna posed for the camera. Their mother, who knew what she was doing, had already played the music. [Ready~ Go~!] Euna takes a pumping posture. As soon as the lyrics Jumping! came on, she bent her body up and down. This is how I do it! Then she stopped jumping as soon as the lyrics Together! started and started a new dance. What is this weirdness? Eunha watched her dance in a daze, unaware that milk was leaking from the corner of his mouth. Eunha, come on! Noona, I cant even do head-shoulders-knees. Eunhas grumbling was defeated. His mother slipped her arm under his shoulder and pulled him up and down during the jumping part of the song. Ugh! Im not doing it! I hate this! Pump it up happily! Balararam-bing, bing-bing-bing Pump it up joyfully! Balararam-bing, bing-bing-bing Before I knew it, Euna and his mother were humming the song. There was no way out. Half-heartedly, he joined in the rhythm, telling himself to let things be. It was an addictive song. Ive heard that song before. It didnt take him long to remember. It was the same song Baekryeon had been humming and dancing to. Before his regression, when he was away from the front lines. Fairy Im Gaeul had ordered him to escort Baekryeon, meaning to clear his head for a while. An order that came out of nowhere to take care of a child. Of course, he, who used to kill monsters or enemies, had no intention of obeying Fairy Im Gaeuls command. He was ready to kill her on the spot, and the situation was escalating to the point where his aides were aiming their swords at each other. It was then that she glared at him and spoke in a cold tone. You clean up your own shit. Shit? Did she say shit? He was dumbfounded and speechless. Despite forgetting to defend himself while trying to rebut, she said: Since you picked it up, you have to raise it. If not, then what? She was not the head of a nation for nothing. But also an actress who was famous in South Korea before becoming a leader. She controlled the timing of her lines and the flow of the atmosphere. By the time he realized it, he was already on the board she had set up Agh. Eventually, Eunha was semi-forced to step back from the front and take care of a kid 12 years younger than him. At first, he had doubts about what he was doing. Little did he know that he would end up performing the role of protecting the next fairy candidate. It was a job that could be considered a promotion rather than a demotion. E/N: heres the picture of the yummy shabu shabu, suddenly Im hungry Chapter 5 Chapter 5[friend or supporter]. It was shortly after Eunha turned two years old. Her mother was hanging out the laundry when, out of the blue, she said. Why dont we go visit Eunhas friend today? Friend? Did I have a friend? Eunha stood still and scratched his head. Before the regression, he hadnt been the kind of person to open up to others. All he wanted was for himself to die or for the monsters to die. Furthermore, the world of players who made their living destroying monsters was not an environment for socializing, as the saying goes, betray them before they betray you. There were a few people I could relate to, but it wasnt really a relationship, just a shared sense of purpose in killing monsters. They would eventually run out of breath as the battle intensified. So the one person I can call a friend before the regression is Lee Yoo-jung.. (E/N: I love her) Although they had spent time together as close as siblings, even going through thick and thin, because of the age difference between them, they could still be referred to as an older brother and younger sister. Im sure Baekryeon herself would throw a fit if she heard that. And as for Yoo-jung Even now, in his second life, he couldnt figure out what she was to him. Too light to be called a friend, Too vague to be a comrade-in-arms, Too light to be a friend, too vague to be a comrade-in-arms, too lacking in something to be a lover. What did she think of me? The two had graduated from the academy and spent over ten years together. Emotions that sprouted in the changing times of Kangsan could not be simply defined by the same words like love or friendship. Eunha? Oh, yeah. Realizing her mothers worried gaze, Eunha decided to change the subject. Do I have any friends? Well, how many friends do you have that Eunha doesnt know about? Oops, that was a bad choice of words. It wasnt appropriate for a child who had just turned two. But she was a mother. She could only marvel at the fact that her two-year-old was so articulate, but she didnt question the question as if he had spent his life without friends. Theres a girl your age right next door, Eunha, and I heard she wants you to come over once. Next door? Even though he could walk now, Eunha was still a toddler. He hadnt been out of the house much, so there was no way he knew who lived next door. Theres a very cute little girl living there~ What more could I ask for from a two-year-old? The idea of going to meet a girl his own age didnt excite him. I didnt know if hed be able to talk to her, or if hed be able to communicate with her, and I just hoped he wouldnt be like Euna. Instead, he was attracted to the idea of going outside the house. It was next door, just a few steps out the door. Eunhas family lived on the second floor of a four-story rowhouse. Two households are allowed to live on each floor, with the exception of the landlords grandfather, who used the entire fourth floor for his book collection. Euna said that her neighbors were all friendly and fun people. I wondered how unusual they must be for Euna to say they were fun, and in that sense, I was a little curious. Minjis mom, its me. Her name is Minji-jina. I didnt remember anything about my next-door neighbors. Including the unusual ones Euna had mentioned. Well, maybe I couldnt remember. It was unavoidable. Before the regression, I had left the neighbourhood before I graduated from kindergarten. Left alone at a young age, I was forced to grow up with my maternal grandmother in Incheon. The trauma of losing his family left him distraught for years, so he doesnt remember much of his childhood. Are you Eunha? Hi, Eunha! Eunha, you should say hello too Hi. So its safe to say that the people Im going to meet will be new to me. Wow, hes really good at saying hello even though hes the same age as Minji. Eunha learned to talk quickly. I heard he took his first steps early. When I heard it on the playground, I thought your mom was bragging, but now I see its true. Oh my God, you didnt believe me? I cant believe it. You were saying that he was walking and talking when he was only a few months old. I thought, who in the world learns that fast? No, were not the smartest or something like that, were pretty ordinary. Okay, okay, but hes so cute! Hes got a great face, cutie! Auwau She was a very awkward neighbor. She seemed like someone who could live well no matter where she fell. By the way, dont pinch my cheeks. I dont want to stretch them. You think my cheeks are glutinous. Eunha ducked behind her mother to avoid Min-jis mom touch. Hes still a kid. Is he still wearing a pacifier? I tried to take it off, but Eunha wouldnt let me. Shes not trying to take mine off, is she? After 12 months of age, children are supposed to outgrow their pacifiers. But Eunha couldnt give up his pacifier, and when her mother tried to take it away a few days ago, he defended it, even crying. I dont know anyone who hasnt tried it. No, no one who doesnt remember doing it has any idea! Look at him, he wont take it away, so dont do that. Are you bored? Mommy is having coffee with Minjis mom, so why dont you come play with Minji? Minji is playing by herself inside. Can Eunha play with her? Yeah, okay. Desperately holding on to the pacifier, Eunha nodded. His second life wasnt without its inconveniences: he could walk and talk and learn to talk, but there were some things he couldnt do without the absolute sanction of age. Cigarettes and alcohol, for example. Before his regression, he smoked mindlessly and had a drink before going to sleep, but alcohol and cigarettes were too hard to resist. He hadnt touched them in over a year. He was forced to quit smoking and drinking semi-forcibly in order to regress. The pacifier was a substitute. Putting it in my mouth and chewing it hard gave me a strange sense of security that I was here. It was also addictive in a different way than the cigarettes I used to smoke to take my mind off a hard day. So I wouldnt take out my pacifier until I sucked on a Chupa Chups! (E/N: Theres a picture below!) But Eunhas pacifier was taken away from his, much to his chagrin. This is my pacifier. What! From a neighbor of his own age. Minji Kim, 2 years old. Minji was playing with a toy in her room when she was snatched up at a speed you wouldnt expect from a baby. He was caught off guard, not expecting to be attacked by a 2-year-old. Its mine, give it back. Its mine. Minji took it in her mouth. There was a look on her face like she had the world. Eunha, on the other hand, felt like he had lost everything. I never thought Id get it gone right in front of me. I cant believe Im being defiled by someone else! Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He never thought he would see his pacifier in another childs mouth. In a world of players where the maxim is to take it before its taken from you, he never thought it would be taken from him so easily. Minji, didnt Mommy tell you not to take it anymore? But Mommy, its Minjis. Its because of you, you forced her to stop taking it, so she took it from me. Eunha glared at Minjis mother with resentment. Whether she was aware of his gaze or not, he was furious that she took the pacifier away from Eunha. My Eunha is a good boy, so he can handle it, right? Its okay, we have plenty at home. If it werent for his mothers appeasement, he would have joined the fray. Hah, it cant be helped. Its not hygienic to take back something thats been in someone elses mouth. Better to be generous and give it up. Ill have to go home and bite the newly sanitized one later. Shouldnt Eunha play quietly with Minji? In the meantime, the fight was over. Min-ji, who had finally gotten the pacifier, clung to Eunha and whined back and forth. Perhaps it was fascinating to meet someone of her own age, but Minji scratched his face with her nails, kept trying to touch his face, and tried to pull his hair Dont you hate me? You dont like me, do you? It was a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye. He couldnt live with the loss, so he tried to do what Minji had done. Stop it. Minji said in disgust at that moment. If he laid a finger on her, she threatened that she would call her mom right now. Huh, shes a player, a real player. And it didnt suit him at all. Youre disgusting. Well, we can agree on that one. I hate you too. He agreed. In less than an hour of interaction, the two realized that day. That they were water and oil that couldnt mix. Maybe things wouldnt have been so bad between us if you hadnt stolen from me. No, we just werent meant to be. Youre just speeding up the process of getting to know each other. I cant do this anymore. Im not going to have any hair left on my head with this girl. Mom, I want to go home! Eunha called out to her mother, Have a snack before you go! Minjis mother didnt want to send them away right away, so she held out a snack to Eunha. It was a toddler snack from her house. It had a bland flavor. As an aside, it was one of the hardest things to bear, not being able to eat the snacks sold at convenience stores because they were said to be too irritating for babies. Eunha and Minji, who were of the same age, momentarily had conflicting intentions about approaching the table with the snacks. Eunha was already able to walk, while Minji still preferred crawling. This difference became the standard for determining who would get the snacks first. Aah! Mine! Its revenge! Savor the moment when whats yours is no longer yours. After living as a baby for two years, even his mind had become a child. We should share and eat nicely. Its not good to do it this way. If it werent for her mothers restraint, he would have taken them all. In the end, Eunha had to split the sweets with Min-ji. This ones mine. And yet, this girl. This bad one who coveted Eunhas share of snacks was still there. This is mine. Eunha didnt want to be unnecessarily stubborn with one snack, but he didnt want to give in to Minji. But he had to back off again. She was so strong, and he, who had been increasing the mana in his body, was pushed back. She even had the cowardice to pull down his pants. A match made in a flash. The winner was Minji, who reached for a snack while Eunha was putting on his pants. At her age, shes already using such cowardly tricks to win. Sucks, really sucks. Wow, you two are really close. Mother, were not close at all. Ive just met the enemy next door. I see. I guess you two will be hanging out a lot from now on. Please dont involve me with this idiot, auntie. I dont know. Lets give up the sweets. Eunha decided to give up after picking up a few sweets from the floor. But what kind of girl is so strong? Curious, Eunha checked Minjis mana. The amount of mana was normal, nothing compared to Euna, who was blessed with mana, or himself, who was increasing his mana. And yet, to be so strongI wonder if she was born that way. Maybe she was born that way. Thats a bit scary. Both he and that auntie should be careful. Or maybe shes a voracious eater. Mukminji* ( E/N: basically says Eat-Minji) Huh? Youre a munchkin* (glutton), so Ill call you Mukminji* (Eat-Minji) from now on. (EN: Its a game of words!) munchkin? She probably doesnt even know what munchkin means. I wont teach you, nyah~ he said, feeling superior. Im not a glutton! You are a glutton, you glutton. Mukminji* Minji glared at him. Eunha didnt stand still. he grabbed the bowl of snacks and continued to tease Minji. Its like calling poop, poop, and calling a glutton a glutton! He didnt think he could ever get along with Minji. And neither did Minji, Mom. I want this. Huh? Thats Eunhas. Give it to me. Wahh. Minji threw the pacifier shed been biting on to the floor as dirty. I want this!. Wahh. Wow she really. He had to watch as the pacifier, which had been taken away from him by someone else, was thrown away like a bonfire of one night. Sh-, haaaa, sigh. I really cant get along with her. Mukminji-munchkin/EN: basically hes saying that she eats a lot like a glutton. Just like my sister. Heres the image! Chapter 6 Chapter 6[A world where mana is power]. When I turned four, I realized that I had a little more mana in my body. At first, it wasnt uncommon for me to lose my mind whenever I dealt with mana, but as time went on, I was able to hold on for longer periods of time. Wow. Thats it for today. Feeling lightheaded, Eunha released the mana he had been storing in his body. Mana is like alcohol. In moderation, it can be beneficial, but too much can be poisonous. When gathering mana, drink slowly and dont gulp it down. This can lead to a mana overload, where your body cant keep up and begins to collapse. You dont want to end up with a hole in your stomach from your youthful ambitions. Some people say that you need to collect mana to break the film in order to increase the mana in your body, but if you want to wake up the next morning in one piece, you need to practice moderation. Unless you want to sleep with a bunch of guys bare-chested. This is definitely not a story of personal experience. Oh, shit. Tears are blinding me. So, I guess this isnt much different than before the regression. Before the regression, studies had shown that the more you manipulated mana from a young age, the more mana you had in your body. However, this is my second life, even if he handled mana from a young age, he didnt think he would surpass his own body mana before regression. Give up and admit it. It was a maxim of the player world. Everyone is born with different amounts of mana. Everyone is equal in mana. The amount of mana youre born with doesnt depend on your parents power or wealth. And in this monster-infested world, mana was both equal and discriminatory. Everyone is born with mana, but some people are born with enough mana to perform spectacular magic, while others are born with just enough mana to breathe and live. In a world where there is no escape from the threat of monsters, mana in the body becomes strength, power, and wealth, creating an invisible hierarchy among people. Effort and results are not proportional. Effort has its limits. Especially when its mana. All beings are born with a limit to how much mana they can hold. Thats why the unbridgeable gap between those with more mana and those with less widens. So stop trying and give up. Recognize. Your. Own. Limitations. The world of players who use mana to destroy monsters is a world where natural talent and sense are everything. It was a world where effort betrayed talent, where those without talent would die no matter how hard they tried. The reason why he was able to survive in such a world was because he had a natural sense after all. Im back! What about my sister, on the other hand. When Eunha saw the amount of mana in her body, he was horrified in a good way. There was always an uncontrollable flow of mana. Her young body couldnt hold it all, so she was releasing it unconsciously. How much would it increase when she grew up? The more I look at it, the more amazing it is. Huh? What? Nothing, but sis, why are you pulling on my arm? Im going to play with the neighborhood kids! You should come! Im staying home to rest. Heyyy, lets go~ Haa. Even though I was 32 years old and she 4 years older than me, Euna could not be beaten. Euna hummed a song with a strange beat and took him to a playground near her house. Guys, Im home! Hi, Euna. Euna, hello! Euna, come here! As soon as the children at the playground saw Euna, they came running like puppies to meet their master. If he hadnt pulled away from Euna earlier, he would have been swept up in the crowd of children. I dont want to babysit. Euna was a favorite among the children, but she was also loved by the neighbors. My sister is pretty, taking after her mother. But what about Eunha himself? With his fathers wild eyes, unstable appearance, and the fact that he often says hes bothered or wants to go home, hes not likely to get any attention. He was lucky if he didnt scare the kids. You didnt have to come. I didnt want to come either. Then Minji, who was playing in the sand with other girls her age, approached. The two were childhood friends who were practically enemies. Their words were crude and harsh. But what was she doing playing with them? Suddenly intrigued, Eunha cast her gaze to the sandy beach where Minji was playing. The girls, whose faces he had seen a few times before, were playing in the sand with serious expressions on their faces. As the conversation went on: This thing, I would never give it to a lowly thing like you. Mother! Whos your mother! Ill be good, so you wont worry. Is this real You really cant understand words? Our son has a bright future ahead of him. But do you think someone who grew up without parents like you would fit in? Mother. Thats it, eat this and get lost, I hope you never show up in front of me again. Why a scene from a morning soap opera is unfolding in front of me. What is that. Theyre playing a game, cant you see? Were the play-pretend games of children really so devoid of dreams and hope? Of course, in this world, all dreams and hopes are lost in the face of monsters. Can I join in? Why, why, why. Why does my older sister want to join in? At least the girls were acting with a lot of energy. I felt like I was watching a morning drama in front of me. So Eunas interest in playing with the girls was understandable. But still! This is the real deal, Im telling you! No, dont join in, sister. How cruel. He couldnt let her sister get caught up in the drama until he got dirt in his eyes. Even if you play it, its useless. Please just continue to grow up the way you are now, older sister. Huh? sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then what are you going to do? Why are you interrupting me? Why should I decide that? Because Euna cant play because of you. I really dont like you. He glared, and Min-ji returned the glare. Haa. Eunha looked around at the children who had gathered around him. All the kids who were playing separately had gathered together. The sister effect is amazing. What is it, a magnet? Since there are so many of us, lets play cops and thieves. Cops and robbers? The kids scratched their heads. How could they not recognize cops and thieves? Unsurprised, Eunha explained to the children in the park about cops and thieves. The rules are simple. The police would catch the thief and put him in jail. The thief could then break the cops out of jail without the cops realizing it. So well have to divide the population between cops and thieves. The one who could organize the assertive kids would have to be the one with the most influence. Min-ji and Euna decided to split up and lead the cops and thieves. Then Eunha will be a cop. Ill be the thief, sis. Then Ill be the cop, Minji, Ill be the cop. Okay, then. You be the cop, Ill be the thief. As soon as they started, I should be caught and rest comfortably. The two of them accepted it easily without knowing his true intentions. And so the game began. Before long, the playground was filled with the shouts of the fleeing thief and the police chasing him. Children who had heard the shouting also joined in, and the number of players grew from the beginning. Ah, this is easy. Meanwhile, Eunha was caught by the police just as he had planned. Hauled off to jail, he sat on the ground, idly watching the children play. The thieves were being led to the jail one after another as the police made a good effort. Thats when Minji sneaks up on them, out of sight of the police. You guys, run! Ill guard the house. Bye bye~ You idiot, its not a house, its a prison! Who doesnt know that? Eunha sighed when he saw Minji frowning. if we leave the prison, they will have a difficult time escaping and will probably end up back in the prison. Then, one person should stay behind to guard the house/prison while the others try to escape What nonsense are you saying? Who comes up with such nonsensical things? Surely even noona (older sister) wouldnt say things like Min-ji. I hope she grows up adorably. Guys~! Hey, guys! Min-ji is here! Do your best to deal with this. Catch Minji! Its Min-ji! She broke the thieves out of jail! Eunha, youre the worst! Yes, thank you~ Min-ji, who had broken the thieves out of jail, was the polices first priority. The police rushed in after hearing Eunhas report. Min-ji glared at him, ready to kill him, and escaped the prison before they could catch her. In the meantime, Euna shouted, Eunha, youre under arrest! Im already in jail. But you still escaped, right? Well, kind of. If this were reality, the prison doors were open so they could escape at any time. Of course, he had no intention of running away. Still, he mimicked Euna putting on the handcuffs. Wait for me after Im done. Dont go ahead like last time. Okay, okay, I wont leave you behind. Promise! Euna made a last-ditch effort to lock his cell, then ran to grab Min-ji. I wont let you go. She was quite angry at being chased by several people, and her eyes were quite red, but she tried not to cry and kept her eyes open. Poisonous, poisonous. But you can see that shes trying to not cry. Whatever. I dont care Youll experience the same thing someday. I dont know who started saying it, but its nonsense that sticks to your mouth. Well, see you tomorrow~! Bye guys! Eunha, I wont let you go! Bye everyone~! In the middle of it, there was the sound of peace mixed in. When they finished playing cops and robbers, the sun had already set. The kids who had sweated a lot today went back home. Lets go too~ What a mess. Ehehe. With a sigh, Eunha brushed off Eunas clothes. Waving her hand, Euna saw the children off until the end, and there wasnt a spot on her that wasnt covered in dirt. You had fun today, didnt you? Yeah. Half a day in jail wasnt so bad. Maybe next time Id bring a book. Lets play again tomorrow. If we have time. I must have had an unusually good day. Looking at the smiling Euna, he felt like nodding his head in agreement. So he nodded appropriately. I almost let it go, but I cant. Tomorrow will be just as noisy as today. My sister coming home from elementary school, holding my hand and running to the playground. He knows better than anyone how precious the monotony of everyday life is. So he wanted to protect this life. He wanted to keep the things he had helplessly lost before his regression. So, Krrr. No, i- its o-okay. A wild dog jumped out on the way home. Euna was on the verge of crying, but she was purposely putting on a strong front so that Eunha wouldnt be scared. Lets go! Just walk! Her voice trembled and she couldnt deceive anyone. Even her legs were shaking. Why did she call herself noona and step forward for no reason? Who had stepped forward to protect him? No one. Before regression, he considered anyone who stood in front of him as an enemy. He was too strong for anyone to step forward to defend him. So it was strange to see Euna, so small and young, step forward. Strange? No, no, no. He remembered a similar scene. In his past life, he saw his sister clinging to him to protect him as the car plunged under the bridge. That was her. Thats what she was like. Thats who my sister was. Its okay, Eunha. Its okay, Euna. Their voices overlapped. Even the tremble in them. Its okay. Whats okay about it? Ill protect you, Noona. Huh? Ill protect you. Huh? In this life, I will protect you. Ill recover everything we lost. With renewed determination, he stepped forward, hiding Euna behind his back. Krrr Woof! Woof! Should he really lose to the neighborhood dogs? Eunha drew on the mana in his body. Mana surging through his body. All he wanted was the power to protect his family. The mana, imbued with an image, became as sharp as a blade and began to take on substance, even visible to others. Krr. I can kill you. The blade-like mana warned in unison. Gr. The dog, unable to withstand the pressure, eventually lowered its tail and ran away. Leave this to me. He was still small, but he would eventually grow bigger than his sister. He lifted his hand and gently petted Eunas head with his fingertips. Eunha, now. Euna looked down at Eunha with a bewildered expression, her eyes brimming with the tears she had been holding back earlier. Im strong, dont worry. I wonder if I looked a little bit believable. I hope so. Even though I was 32 years old and four years older in spirit, a man wants to look strong in front of a woman. Feeling a little fancy, Eunha started walking home. Then, a strike hit him from behind Kuuk! Eunha, who had been walking with a false sense of form, fell to the ground. What is that? Thats mana, right!? I want to do it too! Teach me! Dont you have to be moved and look at me again like my litle brother is so cool at a time like this? I mean, if she were my sister, shed be like. Okay, okay. I was going to tell you and teach you anyway. Yay! The two of them held hands and headed home, their path dyed with the sunset. Their adventure will continue in the next lesson. To Be Continued. Continuation my ass. Upon returning home, Eunha realized that while Euna had been gifted with an immense amount of mana, she had no sense of how to use it. The world does not give one person two talents. Recalling the proverb that existed before the 21st century, Eunha thought that this world isnt quite equal either. Chapter 7 Chapter 7[Inauguration] Eunha had initially planned to teach Euna how to handle mana slowly. Sarch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Over the course of a year, however, Eunha was forced to change his plans as Euna began to struggle with the increasing amount of mana. Too much of anything is poison. As Ive said before, mana is the power that allows life to exist in tiny amounts. Mana that is not controlled by the body can run amok, causing death or transforming into monsters that are beyond the scope of life. Until now, Euna has been walking a tightrope by unconsciously releasing uncontrolled mana. However, the amount of mana in her body increased by leaps and bounds when she entered elementary school, and it was not uncommon for it to leak out of her body, sometimes causing her to lose consciousness and collapse. Even in his previous life, Euna had been weak. It was blur, but he remembered going to visit her in the hospital when he was younger. He didnt know her medical history at the time, but in his second life, he could now see that she was suffering from mana accumulation. So he was looking for a chance to teach Euna how to handle mana. As luck would have it, his older sister asked him to teach her how to handle mana first. Of course, when her parents heard the story, they were very much against it at first. Partly because he was too young, but also because Eunas condition had not been stabilized by hospital treatment. That was understandable. At this point, there was no specialized treatment for mana accumulation. Simply pumping mana out of the body wasnt enough to deal with the constant buildup of mana. If Euna knew how to manipulate her mana, she could fix the underlying problem, but that would risk causing a mana explosion, and the hospital couldnt do anything about it. But in his second life, Eunha knew a method that hadnt yet been established by the medical science of this era. He was able to help Baekryeon, who was about to go into mana overdrive, manage her mana. No matter how much mana Euna possessed, it was nothing compared to the awakened Baekryeon. Ugh, this is hard. It requires constant direction and force, otherwise youll lose your balance and fall. Euna pouted her lips as she looked at the top toy. (E/N: Picture below!) Right now, Euna was struggling with the delicate handling of mana. She was born with the blessing of mana, but ironically, she had no sense of controlling it. Perhaps it was inevitable. Shed had a vast amount of mana since birth, and it would take time for her to get the hang of managing a small amount. So Eunha devised top toy training, which, on the surface, seems to require only the ability to direct mana in a certain way, but is actually quite difficult. You have to constantly apply the same force to mana, which is out of your control the moment it leaves your body, while trying to keep it moving in a certain direction. If she was even slightly off balance, the top toy would topple over. Moreover, Euna was in the midst of battling Eunha, who was not using mana. Go~ shoot! Ugh~ thats fatal. Eunas pouting was futile. This was not a trivial matter. Unbeknownst to her, Eunha didnt have enough mana left to spin her top toy indefinitely. So he was using his shooter in the longest line, like fish in water. I win. Ugh! The shooter had won again. There was no way Euna would give up like this. One more time! I cant help it. Look at that. Euna was competitive. Its nice to see that she wont give up until she wins. However, he had to be careful because if Eunha took it lightly, he would keep playing all day long. Even before the regression, he had learned how to take care of Baekryeon, but it was harder to make Euna feel better than Baek-ryeon. I wonder if Dad will join in! Dad cant. Hes worse than you. Dad, go learn how to shoot again! Dont look down on Dad! Three, two, one! Go for it! Youre not even using mana! Hahaha, how about it, do you think you can beat daddy! I didnt know who was the child and who was the adult. Shes using mana, and hes using shooters. I feel sorry for noona. Oh, I was just doing the same thing, well, its a draw. Eunha! What are you doing? Go, shoot! You have to push Dad! I cant help it. Go! If this were a cartoon, the top toy would move the way I think it should. Using mana is tiring. Phew. Still, it was better than Euna getting exhausted. Eunha considered her remaining mana and launched the shooter. Pincer attack, two of you! Youre worse with a shooter! Dad and Euna were running with excitement. Eunha, who had run out of mana, declared himself out of the game early and watched the confrontation. Shes good at it now, too. Shes strong in practice. Its like we have three kids instead of two. Even to his mom, who was watching the year-end entertainment awards, dad who interrupted the childrens play looked like a child. Its almost time for next year. Next year, Eunha will be six, and hell have to go to kindergarten, right? I dont have to go. No, you have to My mom always respected my opinion, but she was firm about kindergarten. She wanted him to get out and socialize with kids his own age, if only for a little while. In the end, Eunha had finally caved and promised to go to kindergarten only next year, when he turned six. And next year was already here. It was now less than a month away. The year-end entertainment awards her mom was watching was the proof. Kindergarten. The thought of being stuck in the middle of a bunch of crying, noisy kids was horrifying. I wondered if I would be left behind in taking care of the children. Aaaah! I won! Why is it bouncing! Why! Why! Why? One more time! One more time! It was just as loud on this side. In the blink of an eye, Euna had beaten her father. Ah, thats how you win. Shes doing well even without being told Eunha thought to himself. Euna had coated the area around the top toy with mana, so dads top toy couldnt touch it and bounced off. Coating an objects surface with mana required even more control than spinning a top toy, which surprised him. If you want to win, you have to do whatever it takes. Euna was quick to pick up dads tricks. Yeah, Ill just pretend I didnt see it. You two, come here now. Is it already that time? Mom, who was watching a celebrity, changed the subject. Dad, who was playing with Euna, finally looked up from the TV. Huh? Euna scratched her head as the screen switched to the end of the closing ceremony. Ah, so it was now. The countdown started with one minute left. Eunha realized as he watched the screen transition to the end of the entertainment awards. This was a moment that would go down in history. The screen switched to show the night view of Seoul from above. The city sparkled with colorful lights. And in the midst of it all, a red pillar emitting an unusually strong light. Filling the screen was a stone pathway. And an altar at the end of the path. Jongmyo Shrine. The sanctuary, a place where Joseons history was alive and well, and where monsters had never been allowed to approach, was showing its majesty. [Its finally the beginning of a new history!] The reporters voice was filled with excitement. Even the sound of the helicopters propellers spinning couldnt stop the reporters trembling. He couldnt help it. Eunhas heart was racing a he watched the screen. High-ranking officials from the Mana Management Bureau emerged from the eastern side of the southern newspaper building, fully armed. They were divided at regular intervals and surrounded the left and right sides of Shinro. Then, from the west side of the south gate, a woman with long, flowing hair walked out. Without the slightest hesitation, made her way to the path leading to the altar. The officers of the Mana Administration knelt in reverence as she passed. The camera view from above changed. It was replaced by a close-up of her walking down the aisle. Shes beautiful Euna said, releasing the breath shed been holding. Her mother, father, and anyone else who knew her could only nod. The woman took a step, then another, slowly, as if to make her presence felt, but never hesitated, moving forward in a straight line. The sound of the helicopters propellers and the reporters intense breathing were too far away to be heard, and only the sound of each ringing sound filled the screen with clarity. The hem of her dress swayed with each step. The way the red dress fluttered in the night breeze, almost touching the floor, was mysterious. The waistline of the dress was unrealistic enough to make anyone swoon. The camera angle gradually moved from the bottom to the top. When the side of her face came into view, her hair was half up in a ponytail, glistening in the light. No, it wasnt a light. It was mana. The gemstones in her jewelry were reacting to the mana flowing through them. The scattered mana particles were emitting a dazzling light, imprinting an unforgettable presence that one could not take their eyes off of. Im Gaeul, The first fairy goddess of Korea. She was the one who opened a new era of history. She was a person who would do anything to achieve her goals. She was an iron-blooded empress who didnt hesitate to use any means necessary to achieve her goals, someone who discarded what needed to be discarded. She was a queen of iron will. Despite her relentless and ruthless nature, she was not someone who could be called a fairy descended from heaven. However, in this moment, she looked so elegant and noble that one couldnt help but be moved as if they had met a fairy descended from heaven. The reporter had just said it earlier. The beginning of a new history. So how could I not be moved? How could one not be moved by that? From the moment she stepped onto the stage, hidden behind the scenes, history began to take a different course. End-of-the-Century Destruction. The world was thrown into chaos when monsters began rising simultaneously. In this event, South Korea, which was not properly prepared to deal with monsters, lost 30% of its population and had to defend less than half of its territory. And humanity, having realized the horrors of the End of the Century Destruction, had to live with the threat of monsters that could appear from anywhere. In such a world, conventional politics has lost its power. A country that suffered a near-destructive blow from a monster could only paralyze its politics, economy, and administration. Politicians who could only speak in platitudes lost their popularity, wealthy men who catered to their whims lost their fortunes, and crimes were committed by the powerful as the law ceased to exist. It was only natural that mana, the only power that could defeat monsters, would become the new class distinction. The country was finally restored to stability as those with real power, wealth, and mana drove out the old guard and emerged as a new force. But by the time it did, it was too late. The connections between cities had already been severed. Isolated regions could do nothing but wait for the monsters to wipe them out. South Korea had already perished. Korea was already dead. A world without hope. A world where only despair exists. It was on this day that a small candle was lit in such a world. The inauguration of the Fairy, Im Gaeul, was a turning point for the nation, which had lost its political, economic, and administrative power. With the power to become the natural enemy of monsters, she became the savior of all the people and formed a decision-making body centered around herself. [Actress Actor Im Gaeul is one of Koreas most recognized actresses, known for her roles in Beauty with a Thousand Faces and Goddess of Midas. And tonight, Im Gaeul officially becomes the first fairy to protect South Korea!] There were countless words to describe her. Including national actress, actress leading the 21st century, Beauty with a Thousand Faces, and Goddess of Midas. From a young age, she was the face of Koreas home theatre with her outstanding acting skills. As she grew into adulthood, her beauty shone even brighter, and she shed her child actress persona to become the celebrity that men wanted to be their girlfriends, the celebrity that mothers wanted to be their daughter-in-law and the celebrity that girls wanted to be. It was inevitable that she would rise to a position beyond anyones reach in the country. She was the possessor of the Gift of White Silver. Baek-eun () which negates the omnipresent nature of mana and disperses it. Omnipresent mana creates monsters, and the monsters ran towards the cities where humans lived. No matter how many barbed wire fences and walls humans built, they couldnt stop the influx of monsters. Especially monsters born inside the city. It would be even more dangerous. In such a situation, the existence of Im Gaeul, who possessed a rare gift that was highly valued as one of the best in the world, was like a ray of hope that emerged from despair. Everyone who wanted to be safe from monsters would support her as she rose to the position of ruler of a nation. In the end, Im Gaeul withdrew from her life as an actress and was inaugurated as the fairy who rules South Korea She becomes the salvation of all the people. (E/N: Heres the picture!) Chapter 8 Chapter 8[The Enthronement of the Fairy (2)] [The players guarding the altar are the Twelve guardians, all of whom will become the swords that will defend Korea in the future!] Twelve players guarded the altar. They were all different in age and appearance, but the black cloak they wore created a sense of unity. Candles engraved in the center of the cloaks fluttered in the wind, resembling twelve candles shining bright in the night sky. These players were recognized as the best in the industry and their presence alone could not be hidden. By recruiting these players who were acknowledged by everyone, Im Ga-eul had revealed the value of a fairy who would lead Korea in the future. Thud. She stopped in front of the stairs guarded by the twelve guardians. The players guarding the altar kneeled down all at once. sea??h th Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Instantly, the wind stopped. The flickering candles subsided. No sound was heard. Not even the propellers of the helicopters hovering above. It was the old man at the head of the line who spoke out of the soundless world. [I, Moon Joon, Minister of the Korea Mana Management Agency and the head of the Twelve Guardians, greet you, Fairy]. The enormous old man, no longer even in his mid-twenties, bowed respectfully to her. Im Ga-eul nodded quietly. As she took a step forward, the old man next to her tapped the floor with a spear longer than her height. [I, Nam Gung-seong, Director of the Special Forces of the Korea Mana Management Agency and one of the Twelve Guardians, will be the spear that protects this country]. Another step. A middle-aged man with a build and height to match the two elderly men muttered to himself. [I, Baek Seo-jin, Director of the Surveillance Division of the Mana Management Agency and one of the Twelve Guardians, will be the brilliant darkness that dispels the darkness of the city.] As she walked to the stairs, the Twelve spoke their own words of pledge. [As the sword that defends our homeland, I swear to destroy any enemy]. [I will be a lamp to light our homeland in the future]. In a world where monsters run rampant, conventional governments and laws have lost their power. To survive in a world that has already perished, one needs power money, authority, and mana, a power that turns the unreal into reality. Those with power commit crimes with impunity. They commit crimes. The only thing that could stop them was someone with the same power. If the opponent was a player, then it was another player who had to stop them. But the Korean Mana Management Agency had no power over players. While players were supposed to be under the control of the Mana Management Agency in name, the majority of powerful players formed clans, which meant that the number of people in the organization was vastly inadequate. It was unlikely that the players who had gained the upper hand early on would want to give up what they had and join or be controlled by the Mana Agency. In the end, the Mana Management Agency was nothing more than a famous but powerless government organization, and the clans flourished as organizations that needed to impose sanctions. Here, Im Gaeuls ability was remarkable. As a successful actress, she carried an unbeatable public opinion and selected the top players in the player industry, who were said to be the best, one by one. Players who become Twelve Thrones while still in a clan wield not only the power of the Mana Management Agency, but also the power of their clan, becoming a controlling force in the player industry. [I will look forward to it from now on.] With that, all of the Twelve finished their pledges. Gaeul, who smiled softly, climbed the last step towards the altar. On the altar was a large crystal ball. On the surface, it was just a crystal, but it was an intricate work of art, inside it was a complex ritual known as Cocoon. When she infused the crystal with mana, magic would unfold in a radius around the crystal. And the cocoon, embodied by the mana of , had the property of preventing the ubiquity of mana within its range and dispersing the mana present on the cocoons outer walls. Gaeul gently stroked the crystal ball. It took only a moment for the crystal to respond to her mana, and it glowed white from within. After confirming the light, she calmed her breathing. Then, she unfolded the letter with the seal. [December 14th, Year 0 of the Yusei era, Fairy Im Gaeul humbly reports to the heavens and earth.]. Once again, and again. A voice that doesnt disappear but lingers. [As I contemplate, The heavens and earth have a great balance, Inspecting all things with wind and rain, Truly, it is not the power of wind and rain, But the generosity of the heavens and earth that spares what they have created.] [To the kind, blessings are given, To the wicked, disasters are given, Truly, it is the will of the heavens, That humans, with their faults, receive disasters, But for what crime must they die in this world?] [May the heavens and earth bestow great balance, Rescue all things, Sacrificing and offering, Please grant us silver and blessings.] [Hopefully The heavenly gods and earth deities will bestow great blessings and save all beings from suffering. Please accept this offering with reverence and sacrifice, and bestow silver coins., so that you may incense me and give me a gift]. A world once destroyed by monsters. Does God exist in this world? Everyones anxiety vanished in front of her words. When Gaeul had finished, she tore it into pieces and scattered it into the air. The bits of paper scattered in the air burned and disappeared. Just as her words reached the heavens. May the Gods of Heaven and Earth grant me the strength to defend this nation. She gently waved her hand. In an instant, white-silver mana flowed out of her hand, tracing its path. She placed her hand on the crystal ball. The white mana manipulated the enchantments inscribed inside the crystal. A white wave emanated from the crystal, which glowed brightly in white and illuminated the night sky. The wave, which became the hope of South Korea, spread across Gangbuk in an instant and began to form a hemisphere-shaped barrier that covered the sky. Whoa! Running out onto the veranda, Euna exclaimed as she watched the cocoon of white cover the sky. Oh my. Its beautiful. Wow. Mom, the night is so beautiful. Now we canlive in peace? Thank you. Thank you. It wasnt just Euna. Neither her father, nor her mother, nor her sister. Everyone else stepped outside and looked up at the pure white night sky. Moved, awed. Teary-eyed, they prayed, as if a promise had been made. Salvation. Those who knew the horror of monsters, those who had lived through a world once destroyed, looked as if they had been saved. Eunha watched as the silvery-white cocoon dissolved into the night sky. It was not the first time he had seen the scene of a cocoon unfolding. Before his regression, hed watched the next generation of fairies, Fairy Queen Habaek baekryeon, deploy the cocoon up close. Sometimes he would even go on missions to help her reactivate the cocoon. Oppa! I did it. Please praise me, praise me. Ive told you before, it takes a lot of mana to deploy a cocoon, so be careful. Hehe. Im so happy. At least now, I can say I did my part, right? Dont listen to what anyone else says. Why should you listen to and worry about someone you dont know? You wouldnt know if you had the public opinion on your side I can boast that Ive had more insults than you for at least 12 years Blood, what, uh? Oppa, Im sorry, Im going to sleep.sleep Good night. He remembered the first time Baekryeon unfolded her cocoon and was happy, as well as the time when she fainted. It was still vivid in his eyes. He couldnt help but be moved. While everyone else saw hope in the cocoon, he saw regret in the past. Some people had been so focused on killing monsters that they hadnt paid attention. he was sorry he didnt. But thats it. I had regrets about the past, but that was it. I had regrets, but I didnt want to live my life with regrets. Moreover, it was my second life. I didnt want to live this life with regrets about the past. A lot of things are going to change now. Mm? What did you say? Nothing. Euna tilted her head. Eunha, who was muttering, lowered his head. It wasnt an exaggeration to say that Koreas history was divided into the period before and after the End of the Century Destruction, when the world was said to have ended once. And the history after the End of the Century Destruction had gone through many upheavals, starting with the inauguration of the Fairy Goddess Im Gaeul He looked up at the night sky and summarized the events that would occur in the world that was about to change. Most important to him were the events of the coming year. The year is almost over. The year he would turn six. He had lost his family then. He couldnt do anything about it. It was too difficult for him to understand what had happened, he was only 6 years old. He just didnt have parents. No sister. On the verge of losing his mind, the last thing he remembers is a bubbling world. And Eunas voice, hugging him tightly. Its okay, Your sister will protect you He spent time like an autistic person. It took years to get out of the memories of screaming people and family members who were washed away like floodwater. Even when he regained consciousness, he was tormented by helplessness, unable to do anything. So I spent my life killing, killing, killing. Whether it was monsters or people. I couldnt shake off my helplessness without killing something, and I couldnt find a reason to live without purpose. I killed to live, and I killed to die. But this life will be different. I dont know what Im supposed to do. I dont know what I can do. I dont have any answers as to why I still live. But I do know one thing, Im not going to lose my family in this life. I wasnt going to suffer helplessly anymore. Ill pray too. Euna, lets pray together. Eunha took her hand and leaned against the railing, clasping his hands like everyone else. The white silver that had colored the night sky was fading. Now even the outlines of the cocoon were melting into the night sky. Eunha looked back. Both her mother and father were now praying for a ray of hope. He wondered who they were praying to. What are they praying for? Lost in thought, he soon joined the others in prayer. God does not exist in this world. God is dead. When the world was destroyed once. And yet he prayed to a godless world. Hopefully, in this life, he could protect his family. Please let my family be happy. He heard Euna, who was praying next to him, say. Yes, may my family be happy. Eunha prayed earnestly. He wanted to live happily with his family in this life. The year changed, year 1 of Seonkyeon. Eunha entered kindergarten. Chapter 9 Chapter 9[Class of Evergreen Pine]. In the first year of the lunar calendar, It was a year when Eunhas life disappeared without a trace. The events of this new year of history took his family away from him and set him on a path of maddening monster destruction. If he hadnt died at the end of The Abyss and regressed, he would have ended up as a mad swordsman. So in this life, he decided to change the future of losing his family. I decided to change it. Before the life-changing event, Eunha had to greet children of his own age. A new friend came today. Eunha, can you introduce yourself? My name is No Eunha, Im six years old. Lets get along well from now on. In the first year of the lunar calendar, Eunha finally became a kindergarten student that he had been putting off. The result was this. Doan Kindergarten, Class of Evergreen Pine, attendance number 25, No Eunha. Mr. Tayo, the only male teacher in the kindergarten, was pushing Eunha in front of the children. Eventually, he had to introduce himself to the children, even though he didnt want to. Wow! Eunha! Thats Eunha? Whats with these kids? Why do they know me? Their curious stares were hard to bear. I had been preparing for this since I left the house this morning, but I hadnt expected this level of interest. Eunha, is there anything else? The kids seem to want to get to know you. No. I dont want to be friendly with kids. I really dont like dealing with snotty dogs. Plus, at this age, kids make a lot of noise, want to solve everything with tears, and think theyre the center of the world. I dont want to take care of kindergarteners when Im already sighing heavily while playing with the neighborhood kids. I was hoping for a quieter year, and I didnt want to add to the stress of taking care of the kids when I was already busy trying to figure out a plan to save my family. Where do you live, Eunha? Near Hyehwa-dong. What about your family? Sister, mom, and dad. By the way, Eunhas sister is Euna. She used to be in our class. How is she doing? Shes doing so well that shes getting a bit cocky. Mr. Tayo had to ask questions to get him to talk. Eunha couldnt help but answer one question after another. It turns out that her sister was also in Mr. Tayos class before. Strangely, I thought my mother and the teacher were close. She said she learned the dance called ppappappam from her kindergarten teacher. Eunha felt sorry for Mr. Tayo as he imagined him dancing with his hands above his head. Which one of you has a question for Eunha! Yeah~! Why are there so many of them? Almost all the kids raised their hands, and Eunha wanted to go home. Do you like Pokmon? What do you like? Do you want to play with us? Where do you live in Hyehwa-dong? Do you know how to add and subtract? I want to go back. The childrens baptism of questions continued one after another. No introduction was necessary, and the children were enthusiastically interested. Soon, Eunha was surrounded by his classmates. Boys were pressing their faces close in curiosity, girls were tugging on his arm, begging to play. Finally, the neighborhood kids were bragging about how proud they were to know him. Its hard to deal with them all. At first he answered sincerely, but after a baptism of questions that never ended, he decided to answer bluntly. Hoping to distract them. If you keep doing that, No Eunha will have a hard time! It was then. A voice from beyond the swarm of children summarized the situation. With a single word, he made them shut up. As the kids backed up and made way for him, I realized he was the boss of the class. Whoever it was, Eunha had no intention of getting into a territorial fight, so he thanked him and turned to leave. I was going to leave. Why are you here? Thats for me to say. Why are you coming to our class? It was Minji who appeared with her arms crossed. Eunhas eyes immediately started watering when he saw her. He tried to focus and strengthen his eyes. Oh, my eyes hurt. This is really strong. How long is this going to continue? But Eunha couldnt show any signs of weakness as someone who could control his mana. Phew, my victory. Huh! I dont like that youre in our class, but if anything happens to you, just tell me and Ill help you. Huh. You think I dont know what youre up to. Youre trying to make me pay. Ill never need your help Mukminji, so youre dreaming. You~! Did you call me Mukminji again! Didnt I tell you not to call me that? Youre still Mukminji, youre a pig right? Im not a pig! Oink, oink. Stop! The two exchanged glances, as they always did whenever they met in the neighborhood. The kids couldnt help but stare at them as they argued head to head. By now, the neighborhood kids were forming a circle around them, shouting about who was winning. If it werent for Mr. Tayos intervention, the kids in the Evergreen pine class might have started betting at a young age. Min-ji, didnt the teacher say its bad to fight, and Eunha is a boy, so you shouldnt say that to a girl, right? Dont bully Minji, Eunha. I didnt bully her! She made fun of me first! He started the fight. Youre both in the wrong, hold hands and apologize. ugh. Mr. Tayo is on fire. Damn it. Haaa, I cant help it. From the first day, there was no way I could have pissed off Mr. Tayo. Minji felt the same way. Both of them had no choice but to hold hands with bug-bitten faces. Nevertheless, they both didnt forget to look forward to the future. Now, hug each other. Teacher!!! Hug each other and apologize, right? Im sorry. They didnt want to, but they had no choice. They pinched each other, avoiding Mr. Tayos eyes. Now that youve both apologized, thats it, everyone is free to play until lunch! Mr. Tayo claps his hands and the children scurry off. They didnt know that the two were always fighting, and they didnt want to get caught in the crossfire. It ended up being a situation Eunha didnt want. There arent any kids who want to play with you. What do you mean, kids, count me in! As soon as Eunha said his sarcasm, Minji ran over to the girls. She quickly gets between them and says, You dont have any friends, do you? Youre going to die, arent you? with a look on her face. What the hell? Its annoying, but whatever. The children from the neighborhood sneaked up on him, but he waved them away and was left alone. There were several corners where children could play, including a stacking tree, a playground, origami, and a toy car corner. Eunha found the childrens book corner, which was deserted. Hi. Hello. There was only one person in the childrens section, a girl. She gave me a quick nod of her head and went back to choosing a book from the shelves. She looks cute. She had a round face and big eyes and she seemed like the kind of girl who would cry easily if you even slightly upset her, and she was watching me, moving her big ribbon around like bunny ears. I think shes still watching. Dont worry, I wont bother you. She breathed quietly as she glanced at him reading his book. Soon she also got lost in her own book. The only sound was the intermittent flipping of pages above the sounds of children playing. Eunha enjoyed the peace and quiet and lay on the desk, ready to sleep, but Whats so fun about reading, youre just reading books again. You dont have any friends, do you? You read every day. He had been too complacent. Eunha inwardly sighed. Thats why I dont like naive kids. They would pick fights over nothing. Especially when it was someone they thought was weaker than them. Nothing looked weaker in their eyes than a kid who was quietly reading a book. This was especially true for a child who looked timid and seemed to burst into tears at the slightest hint of teasing. Slowly pulling himself to his feet, Eunha turned his attention to the boys approaching the girl. The one leading the boys looked quite playful. He had stickers all over his elbows, knees, and face, as if they were badges of honor. Ive seen this somewhere before. The other standing boys on either side of the boy with stickers also looked quite annoying. Dont you have any friends, Jeong Ha-yang? Why are you playing alone? The bossy kid asked in a sarcastic tone. The girl called Jeong Ha-yang was deeply embarrassed. I, I have friends too. And I prefer to read books rather than play Whats so fun about that? From now on, were going to play Mugunghwa Flower Bloom with the other kids, so join us too. I, I want to read my book Didnt you hear me? Um, its not that. As expected. Childrens personalities show on their faces. There was already a hint of tears in Hayangs voice. And the boys in front of her seemed to be having a lot of fun teasing her. Moreover, Whats with the ribbons? Theyre so tacky! Yeah, its weird! Stupid! The boy with stickers took the big ribbon. Dont, give it back! Thats what Dad bought me! No! Im not giving it to you! If you can take it, take it! Eunhyuk, pass it to me, pass it to me! Give it back! She was very upset. Hayang couldnt hold it in anymore, and her tears were falling. The boys were giggling amongst themselves and running after her for the ribbon. They were even playing pass, enjoying themselves. Please give it back! Eunhyuk, taunted her by waving the ribbon in a position where she could retrieve it if she reached out. But even when she reached out, the ribbon only moved away from her, never falling into her hands. That made his behavior even more cruel. Hayang, who had been chasing Eunhyuk, finally collapsed on the ground, crying. No matter how old you are, its all the same. These things didnt just happen in childrens worlds. At least children were innocent. Truly wicked people claim they would never do such things and sympathize with the victim, but they secretly enjoy seeing the person suffering. So Eunhyuks bullying was nothing compared to what Eunha had experienced in the harsh world. Eunha looked back at Nulpureun Solban (a type of tree) and sighed. Kindergarten was no different than society. Children were afraid of Eunhyuks bullying and couldnt approach Hayang, who was crying. They knew that if they intervened, Eunhyuks gang would start a fight. On the other hand, the boys were interfering with Eunhyuks bullying by teasing Hayang. There was only one person who could resolve this situation, Mr. Tayo. Choi Eun-hyuk! Ma Bang-jin! Yeon Sung-jin! You guys again! I had forgotten about Mokminji. If Eun-hyuk was the most vocal among the boys, Min-ji was the most vocal among the girls. Even in her normal life, she was as upright as a fool, crying for justice, and there was no way she could pass up the sight of Hayang sobbing. Min-ji took the girls with her and confronted Eun-hyeoks group. Popcorn was urgent. Eunha watched with interest as the two groups went head-to-head. I told you to stop bullying Hayang! Who are you to tell me what to do! If you keep this up, Ill tell the teacher! You guys, Kim Minji says youre going to get in trouble! In childrens fights, its not the logical statements that matter, but the ability to set the mood and humiliate the opponent. In that sense, Eun-hyuk seems to have a natural talent for scratching peoples insides. Min-ji blushed at Eun-hyeoks words, unable to rebut them properly. She felt like she had to fight back, but the initiative had already been taken by Eunhyuk, who spoke first. Eunha looked back at Nulpureun Solban (a type of tree) and sighed. Choi Eun-hyuk, give it back to Ha-yang! Kim Minji, who are you! You really! What the hell, if you can take it, take it! Guys, pass! Pass! Pass! It was truly a childish scene. Kids passing ribbons to each other just because the teacher was out of the room. Eunha, who was watching from a distance, couldnt help but laugh. What was so good about making fun of others? They were young and stupid. It was childish and cheesy. It seemed like nothing but a childish prank to him, who had survived through all kinds of schemes. A childs game, indeed. But so be it. It was an irritant in a world of disparity. Childish, childish. The voice came out, surprising even himself. What? The nonchalant, mana-laced voice was enough to throw a chill into the air. And there was no way Eunhyuk, who was ruling like a boss among the boys, would let his words go unanswered. What did you just say? Its not just in childhood fights. In the world of players, pride was important too. If the leader of the group lost face, their leadership qualities were called into question. Despite his youth, Eunhyuk seemed to know this instinctively. He didnt avert his eyes as he spoke in a low voice. Hey, you. What? He closed the book he was reading and stood up. Childish, really. You think thats funny? You want to die? Look at this guy. Hes really trying to climb. But he didnt have to fall for Eunhyeoks taunts like a child. Eunha brushed aside the fist that was flying towards his face with the back of his hand and grabbed the ribbon that Eunhyuk was holding with his other hand. Aaah! Uh, uh, uh! He didnt forget to kick him either. Ignoring him as his body tilted to the side, Eunha handed the ribbon back to Hayang. From now on, dont let yourself be stolen from. The person who steals is at fault, but the person who gets stolen from is also at fault. Anyway, you, who are still young, probably dont know how rough this world can be. Thank you. It was only a matter of moments before Eunhyuk collapsed and the ribbon returned. Stunned by what had happened, Hayang nodded, not knowing what he meant. You too. How can you get angry over something like this, childish. Im not childish! Eunha didnt forget to give a rebuke to Minji, who was red-faced and unable to say anything. He didnt forget to slap Eunhyuks forehead either. With that, he repaid the debt from earlier. You, you! Do you think you can get away with this? Huh. I shouldnt have heard that from a six-year-old. Eunha looked back at Eunhyuk, who had gotten to his feet, his eyes were fierce, as if his pride had been hurt. What are you going to do? Shut up! Im not going to leave you alone now, and I wont forgive you if you apologize later! Really? Why? Are you going to tell my dad? You cant. You wouldnt, would you? Eunhyuk wasnt the only one who could get under peoples skin. Eunha singled him out in a similar way to how Eunhyuk had teased Min-ji earlier, with the added nuance of, Are you trying to be childish? Eunha was more high-minded. His backhanded remark must have gotten through. S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunhyuk couldnt say anything and his shoulders were shaking. Tears were forming in his eyes as his emotions reached their peak. I decided to stop because I didnt want to make him look childish. Uh, excuse me Huh? Thats when Hayang grabbed Eunhas sleeve, holding the ribbon tightly in front of her chest as if she wouldnt let go of it again. It was so cute that it made him want to stroke her head again, which made his heart soften. Lets be friends from now on. Sure. A cute little girl with a promising future. Could anyone resist being fond of such a child? Eunha stroked her white hair as it curled around her body. But how much mana does she have in her body? Suddenly curious, he decided to take a look at the mana levels of the children in the Evergreen Pine class Minji was no different than before. She was only slightly above average. The others were mostly average or below average, but Eunhyuk had a little more than Minji. And Jung Hayang Wow. Huh? She had as much mana as Euna. Maybe even more than Euna. Her mana handling skills were also considerable, and her mana was organized in such a way that it didnt get disorganized, so it was difficult to look into it further, so I couldnt see the bottom. If this child were to become a player, she could easily become one of the top twelve, or at least The Seed. But Eunha had never heard of Jung Hayang before. Even if she had not become a player, her name would have been known. Strange. Thats weird. I dont know. Ill think about it later. It didnt bother him, so he decided not to think about it. Instead, he grabbed Hayangs hand and shook it, as if he were going to eat the rice cakes that would fall later*. Lets be friends! Uh, uh! Hayangs face turned bright red. Eunha felt that he would have to take good care of her in the future. He didnt know why Minji was pouting her lips or why Eunhyuk was strutting over his shoulders. EN/ as if he were going to eat the rice cakes that would fall later*. The phrase means crumbs that fall or leftovers. Is saying that Eunha is willing to accept even the smallest of things from Hayang in the future, and is expressing it by shaking her hand. Chapter 10 Chapter 10[ CARNATION ] The memories of Parents Day were vague. No, it could be said that there were none. Before his regression, Eunha lost his family at the age of six. He lost his parents before he had a chance to express his gratitude to them. Five years of living like an autistic person after losing his family, and a life burned with hatred for monsters until the day he died. Im sorry to say this, but Im a little scared of him. What is he thinking all day long? Every time I see him, hes just staring up at the sky. Eunha doesnt seem to fit in well with the other kids at school. Mom, I dont feel good about him. I dont like him. Dont be like that. Eunha is justin pain. But still, isnt it something to be grateful for that an old person is raising a child alone? He ignores us even if we talk to him. He just keeps his mouth shut. The kid is a little off. Grandma didnt say anything. She took care of him until the day she closed her eyes, even when people around her were scared of him, and sometimes even said he was crazy. Until now, Eunha had never expressed his gratitude to his grandmother for Parents Day. When he was in elementary school, he used to make carnations out of colored paper as Parents Day approached. Every time, Eunha could only stare at the red carnation paper. He didnt know who he should fold the paper for. But he had to make a carnation to finish the class. Every time, he would force himself to make a carnation and stuff it into his bag. Eunha never gave the carnation to his grandmother. He didnt know how to express it in words. He didnt know what face he should make when giving it to her. The moment I handed the carnation to my grandmother, it felt like something was coming to a complete end. Did my grandmother understand my heart? Of course she must have known. My grandmother could see through anything. While organizing Eunhas school bag when she returned home, my grandmother didnt mention the carnation that was inside. Instead, she hung the insignificant carnation on the shoe rack. Next year. The year after that. The hastily made carnation, as if pushed by something, was displayed somewhere in the house. Was it a letter that came next? In middle school, we were asked to write letters as Parents Day approached. He couldnt remember what he had conveyed to his grandmother. The reason he couldnt remember was probably because the content wasnt worth remembering. The only thing he remembers is tearing up the letter on the way back home. Why did he do that back then? Death allowed him to look back at himself objectively. Living his second life, he evaluated his pre-regression self as young and ugly, and a coward. A coward. At the time, he thought he would let go of his longing for his family when he handed the carnation to his grandmother. He thought his hatred for monsters would be diluted when he gave her the letter. Looking back, the carnation and the letter were just simple triggers. They were nothing more than a catalyst for the young him to shed his longing for his family and live a new life free from the shackles of a wretched existence. So his grandmother must have been waiting for him in silence. Waiting for him to let go of his anger towards the world. Waiting for him to break free from all the restraints that bound him and live his own life. But Eunha never conveyed any of his feelings to her until the day she passed away. Despite the path to happiness being right in front of him, he chose the path of unhappiness. Until the end, he wondered what his grandmother thought of him. Did she find him endearing, someone who could never break free from the death of his family? He couldnt know. A parents heart is said to be like the ocean, and to him, his grandmother was such a presence. He had a vague idea, but he didnt want to make assumptions about his grandmothers heart. He who faced death only once and became free from everything has two things to say. I am sorry for being an ungrateful child. Thank you for raising me. He regretted that he hadnt said any of these things in over 32 years. He wished he could have said it at least once in his life. If only his grandmother had heard these words from him while she was still alive. These were the only words he could say to his grandmother. He was an ungrateful child who could not even complain if he went to hell. So, in this life, he is determined to I will fold a thousand cranes! This idiot thinks a carnation is a branch! He is folding carnations. (E/N: Picture below!) The children were still as noisy as ever. May was approaching. The time when he lost his family was coming. Until now, Eunha had not dealt with it. There were limits to moving with the body of a six-year-old child. For example, he begged his mother to let him run errands alone. And while he was buying things he was asked for at the store, he made a call to the Korea Mana Management Agency on a public phone. Hello? Is this the Mana Management Agency? Yes. How old are you, by any chance? My age? Im six years old. Okay. So, why did you call us? This call is being recorded, so if you made this call as a prank, it could cause problems. I didnt make a prank call. Okay, sorry. So, what can I do for you? On May 4th, in the evening, there will be a large-scale monster outbreak on the Han River. Among the monsters that appear, there will be a Kraken causing massive casualties Okay. Please dont call us for this kind of thing. The police will come after you if you do. Can you hang up now? No, what I said is not a lie Frustrated, Eunha explained his story over the phone, but there was no one who would believe what a child said. In the end, all he heard was the beeping sound of a disconnected call. Why dont I just say that Ive regressed? He thought about it, for a moment. But who would believe a childs story as soon as he called the Mana Management Agency? In the end, the best he could do was save his mana for the worst. He despaired when he realized that after six years of desperate saving, he hadnt even scratched the surface of what Euna had accumulated. Having buried his bones for so long in the world of players, he knew that effort would not overcome talent. But when he realized firsthand that six years of hard work hadnt helped, he couldnt help but feel frustrated. In the meantime, time passed. Kindergarten was quiet. He spent his days reading alone or sleeping in the corner. Eunhyuk, who was leading the bullying, would come over and try to harass him in any way possible. Its childish, but I like it. Being bullied by snotty kids didnt kill him. Rather, he stayed away and ignored the kids who eyed him. It wasnt that all the kids didnt approach him. The kids in his neighborhood would call him out if he tried to do anything. Even when he told them he didnt want to play, they seemed to get used to it. What about the girls? After that day, the girls couldnt ignore Eunha, who was left alone. Behind the scenes, the girls treated him kindly, sometimes to the point of being over the top, which made him scratch his head. Whatever. Under such circumstances, there was no way Eunhyeok would stand idly by, and his sneaky harassment of Eunha increased with each passing day. Of course, Eunha wasnt one to stand idly by. That kid had been looking at the wrong person for a long time. A tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye. You get what you deserve. Eunhas rule was not to underestimate kids. How tearful Eunhyuk and his followers, Ma Bangjin and Yeon Seongjin, were when they tried to bully him and got hit back. In a mans world, the unspoken rule was that if you show tears, you lose. That day, they lost to Eunha in front of the children. Why are you being so petty? Youre the one who started it. Youre cowardly. Thats right, Im cowardly. Im petty! So what? You want to keep going? Should I make you piss your pants this time? This was the same man who had captured and tortured his former enemies before his regression. He knew where to attack and where to provoke. That day, the children had to suffer through his torture. By the end, Eunhyeok was in tears, snotty, and saying he had done wrong. Afterward, Eunhyeoks pride was greatly bruised, and the bullying became much less frequent. On the contrary, other children flocked to him with interest. By the time he realized it, there were three groups of kids in the class: one for Minji, one for Eunhyeok, and a mixed group for Eunha. It was truly a nationwide competition. The kids would jokingly talk about who would take over the Evergreen Pine class. No, its not necessary. Please leave me alone. That was the result. Sigh Theres no time to rest, no time. Today was carnation making day. The children were making carnations the way Mr. Tayo had taught them. The question was who would sit next to Eunha. Eunha, sit with me. Im going to sit next to Eunha, everyone else go away. Come on. Im the one whos closest to him. Oh, come on, Im best friends with Eunha, too. Come on. Eunha, who do you want to sit with? No, I want to sit alone, please go away. The moment Eunha sat down at the round table without thinking, a war broke out. The kids started fussing and demanding to sit at his table too. Haaa, I want to go home. If Minji hadnt sat next to him, there would have been bloodshed. But dont snub me for owing you, Minji! Is this how you fold it? Give it to me, you munchkin (gluton). Your teacher told you to fold it like this! Im not a munchkin! Yes, munchkin~ Are you serious! Minji was not very dexterous. Even with Mr. Tayos intensive instruction, she could only mimic it sloppily. She wasnt the only one. The other kids too. They would call out to Mr. Tayo at every opportunity, and the results of their fern-like hands were disastrous. You cant expect much from a six-year-old. Haa, I cant help it. If they kept calling Mr. Tayo, they wouldnt be able to finish in time. Even though it was annoying, Eunha decided to help the children who couldnt fold the carnations. This isnt his first time making carnations. Even before his regression, he had folded carnations every year until he reached middle school. It wasnt hard to make them after seeing the sample, even though he couldnt remember. He had once received a carnation from Baekryeon It was when he was being mocked by the players as the Little Princesss Fool. He had just come in from killing players who had ambushed him from behind and was busy cleaning up the smell of blood. Even though he was called crazy, he had to wipe the blood off his body for the sake of Baekryeon, who was still in elementary school. If he got caught, Yoojung would scold him. After a quick shower, he decided to eat some ramen to satisfy his hunger. And just as he was about to dump the noodles into the boiling water, Baekryeon came home from school and tugged at his clothes. Uncle Eunha. Uh mm, thank you for taking care of me. Baekryeon held out the carnation in a mosquito-like voice. Uh, yeah. Im good at making them, right? Yes. Thank you. Mom really liked my carnations, too. When she handed him the carnation, Baekryeon cried a little. He could see how she must have felt to make the carnations at school, and how she must have felt to come home with them. Because he had been there, too. But he didnt know how to comfort her crying. Comfort was out of his specialty. Killing, maybe. It was all he could do then, Would you like some ramen? Its Parents Day, so lets have ramen. He was boiling ramen for her. Uhwhats that?Just give me the ramen. Cut some green onions on top. (E/N: Picture below!) You want a lot of things. Sit down. Ill make it quickly so you can take it with you. Do you want an egg? Yes, please put an egg in it! AndI want to eat rice too! And kimchi! Without realizing it, she stopped crying and was humming a tune while waiting for him to finish boiling the ramen. Thinking back on it now, it was a heartwarming feeling that naturally came to mind. I wonder if it would have been like this if he had a daughter. Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It wasnt a bad feeling. So he secretly looked forward to the day she would give him a carnation every year. They were looking forward to the day when they could cook ramen together. But at some point, she stopped giving him carnations. (1) Carnations! Super cute right? (2) Ramen! (Im hungryagain) Chapter 11 Chapter 11[CARNATIONS (2)] I wont give you carnations anymore! It had been a long time since Baekryeon shouted with a red face and revealed her true intentions. Of course, I still made ramen every Parents Day. Some days, she even came to ask for different noodles. Oppa Eunha. Do you want to eat ramen at my house today? (1) Ugh. Look, Baekryeon. Youre asking me to go eat ramen at the Blue House. Why should I go all the way to the Blue House to eat ramen? Oppa. Thats not what Im talking about. Are you blind or are you pretending? Where did I start raising her wrong Oppa, oppa. Thats the trend these days. What? No, I dont want to know. Come on, just listen for a bit. Fine, what is it? Youre so clueless (you could say that shes flirting with him, Ill explain it better on the notes!) I really dont know where I started raising you wrong. Ive had enough of this. Youre leaving already? AhhhhOppa, next time, please make sure to boil ramen, not that ramen, but the ramen we used to eat when we were kids. Leave some space in the Blue House kitchen. Ill chop the vegetables into small pieces for you. Without realizing it, the shy child had become a woman who liked someone. He was looking forward to receiving the carnations, but when he realized her true intentions, he was embarrassed enough to lose his poker face. But he still misses her, that little girl. Dont call me a kid! He saw her protesting with her arms waving. What are you thinking? I want to go home. Hey, Mukminji, dont stick your face in my memories. Eunha replied in a blunt voice. You havent even had lunch yet. Youre doing this because you miss your mom, right? Youre a mommys boy. My mom is prettier than your mom. My mom is pretty, too. By the way, my sister is prettier. I know! They were having a verbal feast, and the unexpected reward was that Minji also thought her mother and sister were beautiful. Its a rumor in the neighborhood, so theres no way the girl next door doesnt know. As for the father. I look like my father, yeah. Ah, dust in the eyes. Anyway, they keep throwing things at you, are you going to ignore them? Ugh. The stack of papers had been hitting me in the back of the head for a while now. Id managed to ignore them, but now they were flying at me without even trying. I know who was doing it. It was Eunhyuks group, who were folding carnations at the back table. They were playing with the paper they had been given to fold the carnations. He hadnt approached him since hed gotten his ass handed to him the other day, so it was like the medicine had worn off. Why are you ignoring him? Hes just being stupid. Coward, coward. As if they thought I was scared, they were now giggling and mocking him. These guys havent gotten over themselves yet. Nevermind. Eunha told Minji, then picked up a few papers from the floor. I told you. Ill pay back twice as much as I got. Just a little rummaging. I didnt even have to turn around and aim. Mana detection was great. While Eunhyeok was folding the carnation, I threw a ball of paper into his mouth without turning around. Ah! Itll hurt a bit when I use mana. The shouting didnt end there, as Yeon Seongjin, who was next to him, also caught a stack of papers in his mouth, just like Eunhyeok. This! Eunhyuk threw the stack of papers on the floor. I wonder if he had been stockpiling them. Eunha flicked away the flying papers with his hand and finished the carnation. Wow! The children watching from the same table exclaimed. Shrugging his shoulders, Eunha loaded up his mana and fired back at Eunhyuk, who was still throwing papers. One shot first. Ah! Cruelly, Eunha targeted the same spot, so it was inevitable that him forehead would turn red. In the end, Eunhyuks group had to crawl under the table in unison to avoid the attack. Wow~ What did you do? The throwing was so precise that Eunhyuk was in tears, much to the surprise of the children who were watching. Minji grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and demanded to know the tricks of the trade. Eunha, you! Eunhyeok, on the other hand, was fuming at the way he was treated. He, Ma Bangjin, and Yeon Sungjin crawled out from the table and were about to burst into tears at any moment. If they cried here, theyd be even more annoying. Satisfied with this, Eunha decided to turn his attention away from Eunhyeoks group. Lets finish what we started. Are you guys folding it properly? Dont ignore me! Eh. Its great that you dont know whats scary. Look at him. Hes crawling so much. Feeling ignored, Eunhyuk took away the scissors and glue that Eunha was using. But Eunha had already made a carnation. The scissors and glue were part of the kindergarten supplies, so he didnt mind them being taken away. You can borrow the scissors and glue from the person next to you. Eunhyuk, why dont you go back to your seat and finish folding the carnations. What the! No matter how much Eunhyuk threatened, he couldnt even get the shaft. If I was intimidated by a small child, I wouldnt be able to go around handing out business cards calling myself the Undead, a name that people would shudder at the mere mention of. Teacher Choi Eunhyuk keeps bothering us! Yes, teacher! Eunhyuk, Bangjin, and Sungjin just threw a stack of papers at me! Calling an adult in a childs world was considered cowardly. It was as unwritten as the rule that if a boy shows a tear, he loses. But Im such a coward. And the kids who followed me yelled at Mr. Tayo. How dare you do this! Teacher, Choi Eun-hyuk is going to hit me again! At times like this, the thuds worked well. It was Minji, who was following Eunha and firing backup shots. Eunha~! Dont let him get away! Yes, yes. Eunhyuk, go back to your seat and make the carnation. It was Choi Eunhyuk who was eventually dragged out by Mr. Tayo and forced to leave. Eunha, you did something wrong too, didnt you? I was only making carnations. Teacher knows that Eunhyuk, Bangjin, and Sungjin bullied you, but you shouldnt make them cry, right? Yes. Mr. Tayo didnt forget to pinch his cheek. Oh no. Eunha looked down at the third carnation hed made and thought to himself. He hadnt planned to visit his grandmother this year. He wasnt supposed to. But with memories of growing up under her care before the regression, he couldnt bring himself to throw the carnations away and put them in his bag. Thank you, Eunha. Her mother hugged him tightly as she made dinner. Eunha scratched his head at what had happened. Then he noticed a paper flower hanging from his mothers apron. My carnation! I put it in my bag at kindergarten today. When did she take it out? No, she couldnt have been checking my bag. Thank you. Ill look forward to next year. No, well, you can take it to. Theyre prettier than real carnations. Thank you, Euna. Hehe! Thank you, mom, for raising me! Hoo-hoo, its so nice to receive carnations from children. Even if its only a paper carnation Eunha felt unnecessarily humbled and a little embarrassed. His mother rubbed his cheeks, thinking he was cute, a reaction she didnt usually show. Im the one who should be grateful. You dont know how grateful I am that youre here for me right now. There was another carnation next to the one hed made. Euna must have made it at school today. Euna, youre not very goot at it. Next time, instead of just teaching her mana, I should teach her origami. Here, Eunha, heres yours. For some reason, Euna offers Eunha a carnation. Eunha, who has long since given up trying to figure out what Euna is thinking, says thank you and accepts the carnation. Its her sisters, so he should keep it. But Eunha, there are three carnations, what about this one? Did you make it for Euna too? She looked at me expectantly. Im sorry, though, sister. Its for my grandmother. Maternal grandmother? His father was an only child, so he had only ever known his maternal grandmother. I see. Eunha likes her grandmother. His mother didnt question the fact that he was giving carnations to a grandmother hed only met as a baby. Instead, she smiled and patted him on the head. Lets take them to Grandma next time. Yeah. Maybe not this year, but next year. sea??h th N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunha nodded. Daddys home! Daddy~! I made carnations at school today! Dad got home from work a little late. Euna quickly ran to the front door and showed her father the carnations she had made. Is this for me? For me! Euna! Youre so cute today! Hehe. What a dad. Whats so great about carnations made of paper? Here, give it to dad, Eunha. Mother pushed me gently on the back. No longer embarrassed, Eunha looked back at her mother. Huh? Cant you give it to dad, Mom? Dad will like it if Eunha gives it to him. Uh As if being pushed by her mother, Eunha approached her father. He was looking at him expectantly. Ew, youre glaring! Dont look at me like that! Since its like this, I should just give it to him and be done with it. Dad, here. Did you make this Eunha? You did a better job than your sister. Dad. Sister complains in a low voice. Haha, sorry, sorry. Dad was smiling cheerfully. I made it in kindergarten. In his entire pre-regression life, he had never handed someone a carnation. So he didnt know what face to make. He was embarrassed. - (1) Its often used when people want to flirt with someone, tempting him to come over to their place. ( similar to Netflix and Chill) Chapter 12 Chapter 12[Changing the Future] The memories of his childhood are as foggy as a haze, but one day in particular stands out. May of the year Eunha turned six. He lost his family on this day. It was no ones fault, no ones mistake. It was a terribly unfortunate accident. The family was traveling to visit her grandmother in Incheon. After the <1999 Destruction>, travel between cities was extremely limited, and the roads connecting them were often haunted by monsters. For their own safety, their parents have been avoiding taking them out of the city center. Naturally, Eunha and Euna knew little about their grandmother except when she came to visit. That was also when the two children were born. But Lim Gaeul, who was inaugurated as a fairy, first implemented a policy to improve the roads connecting cities. Road improvement was a necessary policy for her to install cocoons throughout the Korean Peninsula. And in May of the first year of her reign. The fairy government announced a surprise gift for distant relatives and citizens who found it difficult to travel after the <1999 Destruction>. In May and September, they announced that they would be hiring players in large numbers to maintain the roads. People have been reluctant to travel to visit family members outside of the city because of the monsters that roam the unmaintained roads. No one opposed the governments plan to ensure that every household had a proper celebration for their family holidays, Chuseok and Lunar New Year. May 4th. People packed their bags and headed home. Eunhas family did the same. Eunha still remembered that day. He still remembered the day he burned a torch because no matter how much time passed, no vehicle would move forward. It was a massive procession that represented a national unit. Any road would inevitably be congested. And monsters were bound to appear. Mana calls forth mana. The mana that people unconsciously spilled on their way home was bound to attract monsters. In the midst of the mana gathering, monsters were born and monsters seeking mana couldnt help but turn their attention to the crowded people. This was the reason why the fairy government hired players on a large scale. The problem was that the fairy government was too complacent about the situation. One of the incidents that rose and fell in the early days of the government. Negligent policies. Insecurity. Lack of initial action. This was an incident that corresponded to the first national apology of the fairy, Im Ga-eul. People had negative feelings towards her to the extent that day. So much so that even Eunha had a negative opinion of her. From that day forward, he had to suffer from helplessness. He had to deal with loss. He had to realize what death was. The monster Kraken had appeared without warning. A disaster monster of the third rank at the time. It was a literal disaster. The people there were just lanterns in the wind. The same goes for Eunhas family. A car plunging under a railroad bridge. The surface of the water slowly approaching in slow motion. Screams from inside the car. Screams from outside the car. And Euna clinging to him, trying to protect him. Its okay, Ill protect you. And so it was. Eunha miraculously survived. Players rescued him from the surface. People cheered for his miraculous survival. The hospital room was filled with flowers from strangers. Someone even asked him how he felt about the people cheering for him, not because they wanted to share the miracle, but because he had miraculously survived. A miracle. Yes, a miracle. A miracle for a man who was about to freeze to death. In exchange for the miracle, he lost everything. Six years old was too young to realize the reality. He blamed his family. He blamed Euna. Why did you leave me alone? If only you had killed me with you then, it wouldnt have been so hard. His resentment turned into a hatred of monsters, a yoke that would not let him die, the Undead. And then the day came again. May, the sixth year of my regression. I will never miss it again in this life. The May holidays start next week, so why dont we go visit Grandma then? It was my father who spoke first. Grandma? Euna, who had her face half buried in her rice bowl, looked up. Unaware of the rice paste stuck to her lips, she was whimpering like a rabbit. Shes your moms mom. You met her once when you were a baby, but you dont remember her, do you? Really? It was dangerous outside of Seoul, so we didnt go to see her, but this year the government is fixing the roads, so it should be safe. Thats good, because I havent seen my mom since Eunha was born. Me neither. Shes like a mother to me too. My parents faces softened as they remembered their grandmother in Incheon. My father, who was like an orphaned child, said that he was indebted to her and that she was like a mother and a benefactor. They then talked about the first time they met. They were a very good couple. It was impossible not to notice the heat in their eyes as they looked at each other. They seem to be relieved that were young, but I can hear everything. Eunha pretended not to notice the conversation about tonight, but then decided to interject and change the subject. Mom, Dad. Can we go see Grandma another time? Huh? Eunha was always lazy about everything, but it was natural for his parents to raise their heads knowing that he doesnt force things without reason. But he had to. No, he had to force it. It was the only thing he could do. Doesnt Eunha want to see her grandmother? His mother asked sadly. No. I want to see Grandma too. Eunha wanted to go see her grandmother as much as her mother did. It was his grandmother who had taken him in after he lost his family and was left alone. No matter how many people looked down on him for living like an autistic child, she was his parent until the day she died. Thats what a grandmother is to him. When he regressed, he even felt like he wanted to go visit her right away. But not that day. Can we go next year? Eunha knew what was to come. He decided that just for this one day, he would change it no matter what. Yes, Im a selfish bastard. He admitted it again. A selfish bastard whose only thought was to save his family. He didnt care one bit if the people there died or not. There was no obligation on his part to save everyone. Nor did he have a sense of justice. He was just a six-year-old kindergartener, a mere speck in the face of a disaster-class monster. He had enough on his plate, just protecting his family, and no one who would believe him. Hed be lying if he said he didnt feel guilty. Still, he would choose again and again the same. Selfishly, viciously, more than anyone else. Im probably crazy somewhere. I admit it. That even with his regression, hes still an undead, a Berserker who cant die, whos gone mad. Ever since the day he lost his family, he thought there was something wrong with him, something that made him not human. In his second life, he was still mad. He went from killing monsters to becoming one. Once he realized that, he couldnt bring himself to tell anyone that he had regressed. Is there a reason you dont want to go? His father, who had been watching him, spoke up. His harsh eyes seemed to be searching for something in him. Eunha knew he wouldnt be able to convince him by just saying he didnt want to go. There are limits even to persuasion. So he decided to counter with a reason that would convince him. Dad, didnt you tell me before that more people would be traveling down to the provinces because of the Fairys cocoon? Yes, I did. Then the roads will be extremely congested, wont they? And what if a monster appears on the way? I heard on the news that the cocoon hasnt been installed outside of Seoul. Well, Eunha did a lot of research. Thats why Dad was thinking of leaving a day early, and dont worry about the monsters, the players will take them down. Still no use. Eunha shook his head inwardly. The only person who thinks that leaving a day early will be enough is his father. And even the players who maintain the roads couldnt stop the Kraken. As proof, Eunhas family had lost their lives because they left a day early. When he became a player, the Kraken was classified as a fourth-tier monster, but in this era, it was strictly a third-tier monster. To at least face the Kraken of this era, several players known as the Twelve Thrones or players equivalent to them, or a clan that reaches at least B rank, had to join forces. It was unlikely that such people would be volunteering to maintain the roads. But he couldnt convince his father with what he knew; he didnt trust a childs information. So, be childish. As much as possible. So that his father wouldnt have any doubts. And next week is Childrens Day! I want to go to the amusement park on that day! Hayan said theres something called Viking in Dreamland! Its not far from home! Haha, Eunha, youreyour intentions are too obvious, arent they? Hehe, Eunha was also 6 years old. Unexpectedly, my father burst out laughing. My mother, who had been listening quietly, turned her head and held back her laughter. Neither of them had ever been to an amusement park. The only places the family went to were Changgyeonggung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace (1) (E/N: Picture below!) near their home. It wasnt unreasonable for him to get lost in his thoughts. Okay, the mood is not bad. If I bring an ally into this. You want to go to Dreamland, dont you noona? I want to go, Dad, and I want to ride the Vikings! Euna bounced up and down in her seat, her eyes shining. There was no one in the family who could ignore her excited gaze. Well, I cant help it. Then lets go to Dreamland next week! Well have to pack a lunch. What do you want to eat, Euna? I want a sandwich! I want a sandwich and chicken nuggets! I want tuna kimbap that my mom made. Success. Having accomplished his goal, Eunha sang a happy tune. This will change the future. It would change. It didnt take long for him to realize that this was a careless thought. What? mom? As if fate could not be changed. The peaceful atmosphere turned cold. It was a few days after the Eunha had fulfilled its purpose. Mother, who received a phone call during dinner, was unable to speak. Sarch* The N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yes, I understand, thank you. Please take care of my mom, okay, okay. She hung up the phone, visibly depressed. Mom, whats wrong? What happened to your mom? Euna was worried because her mother was usually so calm. Her mother ran to her, hugged her, and smiled softly. Its nothing big. What? My mom fainted. What? Grandmother? That cant be right. After hearing his mothers words, Eunha doubted his ears. He remembered the stories he had heard from his relatives in the past. His grandmothers health had been failing since his grandfathers death, and when she was told that his parents had died, she couldnt even get out of bed. But soon after she fell ill, his grandmother got up to pick up Eunha, and she had been fine until he entered the Player Academy. So the story that her grandmother had fainted at this time was just a rumor. The future changed? I shook my head at the thought. Id heard of the butterfly effect, but it couldnt have led to my grandmothers collapse. At most, all that happened was Mother informing Grandma over the phone that she couldnt visit her this year. It was just a coincidence. Really accidental. It doesnt look like she was hurt much, but. Even without her mothers words, Eunha believed that her grandmother would be okay. However, Mother, who didnt know about Grandmas health, couldnt help but worry. Thinking about Grandma living alone since Grandpa passed away made her anxious. I cant do this, I have to go visit my mom. Eventually, what Eunha feared happened. Her mother looked up, ready to pack her bags. How are you going to get there by yourself? If I go alone, therell be a seat left on the train. Im supposed to take care of Eunha and Euna, and youre supposed to go by yourself? No. Im worried about your mom too, so Im going with you. But what if the kids. We cant go to Dreamland at a time like this. I was right. There was no way my parents were going to stay quiet when they heard that their grandmother had fallen. Something was happening. Eunha stared at his parents as they talked. If he knew the future, he thought, everything would work out. The moment he decided to change the future for the first time, it passed him by as if it were impossible. As if fate could not be changed. Dont be ridiculous. Fate is a bullshit word. There was no point in living a second life if you couldnt change the future. There was no point in his return. Its Grandma, Eunha, she is very sick. I know you want to go to Dreamland, but cant you wait until next time? Eunhas parents trying to convince him. Against his parents, he couldnt say anything. He was completely speechless. Eunha. How pathetic. Someone chuckled. It sounded like someone giggled and laughed. When he looked up, he saw only his parents waiting for his answer. There was no one. No one who had laughed. And yet, he could hear it clearly. Even now. Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!! Help!!!! Mommy!!!! This time, it was a scream. The only scream he remembered from that day in his childhood, a scream of uncontrollable fear of death. Ill protect you. Eunas arms around him in the falling car. Then he falls into the river and the world is covered in bubbles. Dont remember. Wake up, No Eunha! As the traumatic day replayed, I almost vomited unconsciously. He suppressed the boiling anger and emotions inside. If he couldnt control his emotions here, everything would be over. So he had to be cold. So he had to find the best way to make up for the situation. But I couldnt think of anything. I couldnt think of anything that would convince my parents, who were worried about my grandmother. There was no way I could convince them that she was going to be okay for no reason. Shall we try using force? What kind of force can we use in this situation? Um Eunha was captured by a sense of helplessness, unable to do anything. I guess we have no choice. Lets go see grandma. The voice that came out of his mouth had a tone like chewing sand. In the end, he had no choice but to say what his parents expected to hear. PLEASE HELP!! HELP ME!! Only the echoing screams from that day within the chaos of his mind made his dizzy. (1) Changgyeonggung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace Chapter 13 Chapter 13[Changing Futures (2)] It was darkness. There was a pungent smell of blood on the ground. His shoes were unrecognizable in the stagnant puddle. His hands were stained with black blood. Drops of blood dripped from his fingertips onto the puddle. In that moment, Eunha realized. This was purgatory. These were the countless lives that he would encounter on his way to his second life. He hesitated to take a step forward. He had a feeling of what lay at the end of the canal. His intuition was not wrong. One by one, corpses floated to the surface from the end of the canal. As he walked forward, the pool became shallower, and the bodies became more numerous. A gruesome scene unfolded where he had stopped to pause. Sarch* The n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A tower of corpses piled high to be burned. And himself, wielding his sword recklessly as he climbed the tower, not looking back. It was himself. The one who forced those who followed him to sacrifice themselves, killing everything in sight until the day he died. Save me. Help me. Please help us. The desperation in the eyeless faces of the dead was palpable. Its too terrible. Stop it. Why dont you try helping us? Help us too! Dont just save yourself! One by one, the bodies floating in the pool rose to their feet. Melting until they were unrecognizable, they shuffled toward him. Even if they were ruined, there was no way he wouldnt recognize the people he crossed the line of fire with. Stay back. Leave me alone. He swatted away their outstretched hands and stumbled backward. Anger flashed in their eyes. Why. Why you? Why cant we live? Why are you the only one who gets to be happy? What an asshole. You think you can make it on your own? An accusatory sound. Nervous tone. Shut up. Shut up, be quiet. Get the fuck out! You are too much. What a child. Is this the kind of person you are? How could you do this to us? Cant you do that for us? Were not asking for a lot. Were not asking for something difficult. Just one thing. Yes, just one thing. Save me. Help me. Rescue me. Shut up! Shut up! He shouted as loud as he could, keeping his distance from the oncoming dead. What do you want me to do? I want to save you too, I want to help you, I want to save you! But you know me! What do you want me to do? What more can I do with a childs body, barely six years old! I have enough on my plate just protecting my family! Its hard enough! I dont have the strength to protect you! Its only for now. Youll be stronger. Were not asking for much. Help us then. Help us, please. Save me, youre the only one. A pleading voice. A tone that reprimanded me for doing my duty. My breathing was ragged and choked. A sensation worse than death choked him. My body was heavy. So heavy, I couldnt even look forward. Whats heavy? Youve been carrying more than this. Are you complaining now? Why do you think youre the only one suffering? Were suffering too! And we gave our lives for you. And you cant do any of that? Youre asking me to live as a player again. Tsk, what is this kid saying? So what? Do you think you can live comfortably like everyone else now? Thats a laugh. Bullshit. Wake up. Dont even dream. Others may be able to, but not you. Youre an Undead You think your true nature is not to kill monsters? Youre not even human. Youre a monster. Yes, a monster. A monster. A MONSTER. Going back in time doesnt change that. The fact that youre a monster, a monster thats crazy about killing monsters, at our expense, until the moment you die. I, I dont want to be a player anymore. I want to be happy with my family. No, you cant. You cant. You cant, you cant, you cant. Because youre THE UNDEAD So please. Help us we who have supported you. Understand us. Save us. Save us, we, who sacrificed. Stop! Please stop. Im sorry. Im so sorry. Its still hard. I want to stop too. I want to I want to live a happy life like everyone else. Fuck you. Dont give me shit. Unable to overcome the invisible pressure, I fell to my knees. Thud. Unable to resist the invisible pressure, I hit my head. Selfish bastard. Something invisible yanked his head back forcibly. And then. BANG Thud. Thump. Kung kung Ku The pressure is gone. Eunha. Huh? A familiar voice. I raised my head, slowly pulling myself out of the pool in which I had half fallen. There was her partner on his back, Why Yi Jeong? He stood, tears streaming from his sunken eyes. You still dont know why youre back in the past? Thats right, Oppa. And there she stood, waiting for him to come back to life. Clad in an indescribably torn cloth. ahbaekryeon? H-back? Only you can do that. You guys. Please, Please, The voices overlapped as one. I wanted to turn my head away, to cover my ears. But an invisible force kept me from turning my head one last time. Save us. Huck! It was a nightmare. As soon as he opened his eyes, Eunha scrambled out of bed. Unconsciously, he brought his hand to his chest and gasped for air. It had been a dream. A dream he didnt want to have again. Frowning, he looked around the room. Are you okay? You look like youve been dreaming something bad Im fine, thanks for waking me up, Mom. Such a child. His mother, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, reached over and wiped the sweat from him Only then did he realize that his pajamas were soaked through. Were family, of course its natural. Eunha. Youve sweated a lot. Are you really okay? Is anything hurting? No. Im fine. Im not sick. If you are sick, you have to tell your mom. Okay? Yeah, okay. I wonder if my mom will give up going to visit my grandmother if I ask her. No. She wont. One of them would have to stay and take care of him. Eunha shook his head at the sudden thought. Unbuttoning his pajamas, he reached for the calendar on the wall. May 4th. It was that day. The day his family died. The day he was the only survivor. Could I protect these people? You have to tell me if youre sick Her mother asked her twice. Eunha nodded and answered for himself. I want to protect these people no matter what. Even if it means defying fate. Even if it means sacrificing myself. Ill go finish preparing your clothes. Go wash up and get ready. Yeah, okay. Eunhas family decided to leave around lunchtime. Eunha had insisted on leaving early anyway, saying that traffic would be bad. The idea behind this was to delay the familys encounter with the Kraken as much as possible. I dont exactly remember when the Kraken appeared. The only thing I remember clearly is that the setting sun was hanging on the iron bridge, creating a gradient. Because the sight of the world being covered in bubbles just before the end was so beautiful that it was enough to make one feel disgusted. So he aimed for the time when the sun completely disappeared and postponed the departure time. Oooh, Im sleepy. Sis, dont eat with your eyes closed. Ugh. Eunna. In the morning, a weak Euna was eating breakfast while dozing off. Because her eyes were closed, her fork could only touch the bottom of her plate. Still, it was better than using chopsticks like his father. After breakfast, Eunha searched his room for blades, including a cutter knife, and secretly stashed a pair of compasses and scissors in his bag. In order to defeat the monster, he would either have to deal physical damage or use a weapon made of mana-containing metal. Unable to bring either, he settled for the next best thing: a blade that could hurt someone. At the very least, he figured, if he coated it with mana, he could do some damage to the monster. Part of him wanted to take a knife as well, but Eunha hadnt even gone near the kitchen to avoid her mothers suspicions. Its okay, he never intended to take down the Kraken. The very idea of using a childs body to take down a monster that could barely be defeated alone, even on the verge of death, was absurd. There was only one purpose. To delay the Krakens encounter. Just like before the regression, the goal is to buy as much time as possible before the Twelve appear and take down the Kraken. It didnt matter how many others would die. Save me The nightmare rang in his ears. Eunha shook his head to drown out the sound of his spine creeping. The arrival of the Kraken has profound implications for the future. As humanity realizes once again that they will never be free of monsters, those who survive will choose to become players, fueling their hatred of monsters. It was also at this time that the number of players began to increase qualitatively. He, too, who was called the Undead. And those who crossed the line of fire with him. And yet he looked away, knowing how painful their path to becoming players would be. So please, get out of my head. I wont ask for forgiveness. Ill go to hell and die as many times as you want, just leave me alone. Kids, lets go now~! My father seemed to have finished packing. Before I knew it, it was 1pm. If we leave now, well be in the middle of Seongsan Bridge around 5:00. Just a little more, just a little more. I felt strangely anxious. I had only negative thoughts. I should run away. My parents wont even get a chance to leave because theyll be looking for me. Away from his familys eyes, Eunha jumped off the veranda. Even though it was the second floor, his mana-reinforced body didnt feel the slightest impact. I must stall for time. If he ran too far, it could be worse than he thought, so he hid himself in a suitable corner. Please. Just a little longer. Eunha!! No Eunha~!! He could hear his parents calling out for him. Eunha closed his eyes and plugged his ears. It was painful. To have to close his eyes from reality. He was used to the darkness more than anyone else, but now he didnt even like the darkness he could see when he closed his eyes. No~eun~ha~!!! Eunha!!! Eunha, where are you!!! Its scary. The reality his young body had to deal with. As the voices calling him became more distant, the voices of those who had died before him echoed in his ears. This monster. Voices of resentment mixed with voices of reprimand. Everything crushed him. Maybe he was a monster, just as they said. A selfish monster who only thought of himself. A monster who had chosen to kill them again. He couldnt hesitate. The number of people he could save with his small hands was limited, and his power to grip with his small hands was too inadequate. He was not a hero. He was just a selfish sinner. So please forgive me Why are you here? Weve been looking for you for a while! A voice yelled, then stopped. A voice, a forceful tug in the darkness, made him open his eyes. The wind was blowing. A pleasant breeze. A smile, like a ray of sunshine in the darkness, was staring back at him. Sis. What are you doing here, Mommy and Daddy were looking for you Euna put her hands on his shoulders and tried to scold him. To him, it looked like a 10-year-old child acting like an adult. For some reason, he wanted to lean against her. What? Are you sick? Id heard it again and again since morning. Eunha smiled bitterly and shook his head. No. Then why are you crying? Im not crying. You dont know, but I do! How does my sister know when I dont even know myself? Despite this, he couldnt refute her strangely. He could only nod his head, his lips quivering. Dont you want to go see Grandma? No, I do. I do want to, but. But? Everyone who goes there today will die, everyone but me! He barely held back the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him. What did she think of his reaction? Its okay. What. Everythings fine. None of them sounded comforting. Euna doesnt know. The tragedy that would happen today. Still, she pulled him into her arms. His memories of her were still fuzzy, but he remembered her desperately clinging to him in the crashing vehicle, trying to protect him. That was all he remembered of her. And yet, it was strangely reassuring. Mommy and Daddy are looking for you. Lets go! Mom and Dad will scold me, right? Then Euna giggled, Then well be scolded together. It was a typical Euna line. After laughing uncontrollably, Eunha took her hand and apologized to his parents. His mother hugged him wordlessly. And his father, without saying anything, gave him a stern lecture. It was the first time he had been hit by his father, both before and after his regression. Im sorry. Anyway,you have to tell me where youre going, dad and mom were worried about you. Yeah. Then lets get going. If we stay here much longer, we wont get there until later today. He scratched the back of his head. Euna watched him carefully to make sure he hadnt hurt his head. After blowing on the bump on his head, she helped him getting into the car. The seating arrangement was unchanged from before the regression. Though it made him more anxious-. Ehehe. Euna took his hand. Its okay. I did everything I could. Even if the Kraken appeared. Alright, lets go! Go, go, go to Incheon! Go, go, go! Even if I have to die, I will save my family. And fate is. Fate was so cruel that it was no different than before the regression. Chapter 14 Chapter 14[Changing Futures (3)] The International Mana Management Agency decides to categorize all monsters according to the degree to which they pose a threat to human peace as follows. Ninth Class: Monsters that pollute the environment or cause diseases. Eighth Class: Monsters that cause physical harm in daily life. Seventh Class: Monsters that commit major crimes such as robbery, murder, and rape. Sixth Class: Monsters that paralyze urban administration on an individual or cluster level, or threaten human influence. Fifth Class: Monsters that paralyze city administration on an individual or cluster level, or pose a similar level of threat. Fourth Class: Monsters that manage monster clusters, or turn humans into livestock, or pose a threat to human prosperity. Third Class: Monsters that cause damage equivalent to natural disasters and emergencies and paralyze national administration as an individual entity. Second Class: Monsters that cause damage equivalent to catastrophes and paralyze national administration as an individual entity. First Class: Monsters that pose a threat to human survival as an individual entity. -Excerpt from the International Mana Management Organization Declaration (2000) Run away! Gahhhhhh-!!! Mom! Mom! Uhhhhhh. Sa, help me! The panic was instantly contagious. Everyone was running around the driveway in panic. The family members who hadnt gotten out of the car yet were completely frozen. There was a tense atmosphere in the car, as if they had forgotten to breathe. Get out of the way, asshole! Im not pulling out! Do you want to see me rummage through everything? What the fuck are you players doing! You assholes, what if you run away too! Youre the only one who wants to live! Just move on already! Mom! Where are you! Uhhhhhh Hmph, hmph, hmph, hmph, hmph! Witnessing what was happening in front of him, Eunha had to admit that his uneasy premonition was correct. It was all futile. He tried to stall by forcing them to go in different directions and claiming to go to the bathroom in the middle. I even punctured a wheel. But nothing changed the future. No matter how much time passed, the radio was only broadcasting the traffic jam on Seongsan Bridge (1). There was no news of the Krakens appearance. (E/N: picture below!) So Eunha was optimistic that something he didnt know would change the future, and that the Kraken would never appear. But as if to mock his efforts, fate was replaying the exact same scene as the day he lost his family. The turn of events only came suddenly when the family was halfway across the bridge. As if fate cannot be changed. A hideous-looking monster that seemed to embody human despair. The Kraken, a third class disaster monster. There was no foreshadowing. It lifted its huge body out of the water without warning. It appeared without warning, without the players guarding the road even noticing its third-class mana. The Krakens camouflage was perfect. Even I, who had been detecting mana since entering the Seongsan Bridge, didnt realize it until it rose from the river. None of the players were good enough to deal with the Kraken. Eunha bit his lip as he watched the players flee in disbelief. Most of the players working on the Seongsan Bridge were in E or D class. The player leading the party was a C rank, but his strength was ridiculously insufficient to deal with a third-class monster. Later, when he graduated from the Academy, the Kraken would be relegated to the fourth class due to the quality of players, but that didnt change the fact that it was a monster with the power to at least paralyze city administration and threaten the prosperity of humanity. The players gathered on the field could only hope to defeat a fifth-class monster at best. They had far too little power to deal with the fourth class. and even worst against a third-class monster. Even those who knew what they were capable of were prioritizing the evacuation of people or dealing with the monsters on the bridge. It was the veteran players who were able to keep their cool. More than half of the players were too busy panicking and trying to get their heads out of their asses. We should get off as well. Its crowded outside, so be careful. His father, who had come to his senses late, spoke up. Its okay, just trust me, nothing bad will happen. Okay. Just like that, brainwashing. In the rearview mirror, Dads eyes were agitated. Even so, he knew that if he showed his emotions outwardly, it would unsettle his family. He had to put on a front and hide his agitation. There was no way his mother didnt see through it. She put her hand on his hand, which was still stiff with the sidebrake, and said, in a deliberately cheerful voice. Kids, you need to stay calm and get out of the car. The players will protect you, so dont worry too much. Dont panic. Eunha, you must hold on to your sister hand, and Euna mustnt let go of his. Okay, Dad. Ill keep an eye on him Eunha, you cant let go. You have to hold my hand Yes, sis. Eunha grabbed Eunas hand as if he wouldnt let go. She took after her father, and even though she didnt try to show it, her trembling could be felt in her hands. Uh, ah, huh? Be careful, noona. But she was still young and tiny. When she got out of the car, her legs gave out and she fell to the ground. Uh, uh, why cant I get up? Im supposed to get up. Sis. Euna tries to get up, but her legs give out and she falls to her knees. She was on the verge of tears as her body refused to move. Ill carry you, Euna. Eunha, can you walk? Yes, I can walk, Dad. Please carry her. Daddy, Im fine, I can get up by myself. Yes, Daddy, knows youre okay. I just want to hold you. Im really fine. Euna somehow managed to hold back the tears that were streaming down her face. But when her father picked her up, she couldnt hold back the tears and buried her face in his shoulder. At 10 years old, the fear was too much for her to bear. What are you doing without evacuating? Youre going to die if you stay there! This way! Stay calm and come this way! Group C, you guys take care of those guys coming up the bridge, if they block the way, theres no way out! Hey, fuck you! Do your job, have your head on straight! Back up, back up, I want back up, asshole, why dont you get over here now! By this time, the players were pulling away from the front. Eunhas family followed behind them. Watch out! Kuck! sea??h th N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Crack! The players scrambled to clear a path of escape. Before he knew it, a harpoon had pierced their side. It had been thrown by the monster that had climbed the opposite guardrail. A seventh-class monster diver. A monster with an amphibian-like appearance and skin covered in blue slime drew the harpoon. Ah, ah! The players face slowly contorted as he looked down at the hole in his abdomen. His words were very short as he denied the unbelievable reality. The monster glanced back at him, and the harpoon it was holding completely cut off his breath. Fuck! Get over here! Heal! Doesnt anyone have a healing spell? What the hell are these guys! It was a crucible of chaos. Mana fluctuates greatly depending on emotions. Mana spilled by panicked people spreads without dispersing, and monsters are attracted to the mana. Divers who jumped out of the river began to occupy the exit that players had made difficult. People who were running away in a daze lost their lives. Some were so frightened that their necks trembled and they stumbled, some were ruthlessly eaten, and some were dragged under the railing. Finally, some fell into the water and struggled, turning the river red. Hey guys! Do you believe in Dad?! Dad will always protect you no matter what happens! Keep running forward without looking back! Its not long, just a little more running, well be able to get off the bridge, lets just hold on until then. Euna and Eunha can do it, right? The father and mother run, weaving through cars, vehicles, and people. Holding onto his mothers hand as he ran, Eunha scanned his surroundings for a safe path. Then he sensed the mana of a monster in the car ahead. Watch out Dad! Almost at the same time as Eunha shouted, his father quickly lifted his leg. If he had been any slower, he might have gotten his ankle chewed off by the monster that crawled out from under the car. Life and death could have come and gone in an instant. He had to keep his wits about him. Especially since he was carrying Euna. Dont go that way, go that way! Keep running! As he shouted, Eunha, pulling her mother, pointed to an exit that had been cleared by the players. He took the lead again and started running, and she followed, gasping for breath. They ran and ran and ran, ignoring the incessant screams. Then, Oh, my God, its crazy!!! Aahhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! The asphalt pavement shook. Just once. Only once. The moment the Kraken made its decision and struck, the pillars supporting the bridge collapsed and the road tilted. People lost their balance and fell, and those running near the railing fell straight off the bridge. Cfoot. Someone barely managed to get a word out in the midst of all that had happened. Bodies rolled from the front as if swept by a wave. The sight of a small object in the distance expanding in volume like a snowball could not help but stun. Run-!!! Eunha screamed. But only a handful of people managed to recover their senses from the looming horror of death that had become a high tide. Guardian-!!! Someone shouted afterward, and the players straightened up. The shield-bearing Guardians deployed their shields in unison, as if in unison with each other. Boom! They couldnt take it all. The shields shook violently as each wave passed over them, and then over them again. Cracks began to appear where the impacts were concentrated, and the monsters that were being born even now were rushing in without giving them a moments respite. Just a little longer, just a little longer! Flames burning the entire bridge. A series of explosions. The bridge beginning to collapse. Father who raised his head in hell comforted his family. Although the father was relieved to confirm that his family was safe, it was not enough to be relieved. Despair still lingered around. The guardians had consumed all their mana to withstand hell, and monsters filled the road. Notes! (1) Seongsan Bridge Chapter 15 Chapter 15[Changing Futures (4)] Behind him, the Kraken threw down everything he could find, destroying it as he went. To get off the bridge, I had to climb a mountain of scrap metal, where monsters lurked in the empty spaces, their eyes glowing. How much longer would he have to run? The look of despair on the peoples faces thickened. Dont stand still, run away-! Climb the mountain somehow! If you want to live, climb the mountain! When the hell is help coming! Youre wrong, its over! Time was cruel. Even with thousands of lives on the line, time passed too slowly. At best, ten minutes had passed since the Kraken had been reported. Hearing the players reports, Eunha kicked at the rubble on the floor. Wiping the soot from his face with the back of his arm, he estimated how much more time he had to buy. Before the regression, the Twelve had been dispatched to the scene half an hour after the Krakens appearance. He now had about 20 minutes left. Thats twice as long as hed been on the run. I wonder if I can keep this up. I shook my head. The way out was completely blocked. Even if the players summoned their remaining strength, they wouldnt be able to protect the people until the time limit. Even if they somehow managed to keep the monsters at bay, that was it. Since no one could take on the Kraken, running away from it wasnt easy either. Yes, unless someone grabbed the Kraken by the ankles. And if you die, no questions are asked. In order to survive, someone had to die. And he was the only one who could risk death here. huhh. It was a decision I had made from the beginning. He would give his life to protect his family. Eunha took a long breath, then exhaled slowly. Repeating the breath calmly, he released the little tension he had left. Whoa. He then pulled out a pair of scissors and a paring knife from the bag he was wearing. Away from his parents eyes, he checked the sharpness of the blades, then sized up the distance between him and the Kraken. Dad. Mom. Slowly. Very slowly. So that his body could adjust to the mana manifestation. Little by little, Eunha drew the mana that had melted into his body outward. It flowed out like a thin thread, coiling around him like a snake. Twenty minutes, twenty minutes. Eunha, what are you talking about. The father was speechless as he looked at Eunha wrapped in mana. He paused for a moment at his sons strength. Until then, stay with the players. Dont try to climb that mountain, dont try to turn back. Just stay here and hold on. Eunha, what are you doing. Eunha? Euna, who had been sobbing while clinging to her father, looked up. Her tear-streaked face was unable to hide the anxiety in her eyes as she realized something. Noona will protect them. Can you? Eunha smiled softly. She was the only one he could trust if he disappeared. Her mastery of mana would allow her to protect their family even if the players couldnt help them. So please, Twenty minutes. Please. Eunha, where are you going? Eunha ignored his sisters reaching hand and turned his back. He imbued the mana that had been floating aimlessly with an image. It wriggled like a living creature, permeating his entire body. One step turned into two. Two steps turned into four. Each step increased the distance he traveled. Ten thousand steps. It was a chi kung technique, moving forward as if wrinkling the sky. After his regression, he gritted his teeth and endured the pain it inflicted on his body. His mana was not as high as it had been before the regression. A body that had yet to overcome the elements. The slightest lapse in concentration could twist the molten mana into a thread, causing him to lose a limb. He knew the risk, yet he continued on. A twisted limb was better than death. Eunha! No Eunha!!! No Eunha, No!!! I couldnt hear my family calling out to me anymore. In a few steps, he reached the middle of the bridge and leaped over the monsters who had noticed his presence and were charging at him. Kid, where are you going!!! Stop the kid! It was only a matter of moments before he ran past the remaining players at the end of the bridge. Ignoring them, Eunha stabbed the scissors into the eyes of the monster blocking his path. Kiek! The mana-coated blade sliced through the most delicate of eyeballs. No mercy. Recalling his players maxim, he cut off the monsters breath before it could struggle. From that moment on. The monsters, those undead beings that kill whatever they encounter, had come back to life. He didnt stop for a moment. He swung the blade as far as he could see, never forgetting the feel of it in his hand. The distance was too much for a childs body. He clicked his tongue and plunged in as deep as he could, piecing together the disparate sensations before and after the regression. The same was true after he leapt over the steel beams in the sky. Taking a fall to minimize his damage, Eunha stomped the ground as his instincts screamed. He ducked and zigzagged to dodge a flying harpoon, then stabbed the cutter he held in his left hand and put his weight behind it. Kee, eek. He slammed the monster to the ground and ran over it, slicing from the bottom up. He paid no attention to the corpse that had been sliced in half from the front. How long had it taken? No more than a few minutes. He could no longer see the spot where he had left his family. Before he knew it, he was facing the Kraken. Not surprisingly, the Kraken was intrigued. It was looking him up and down, scanning him from top to bottom. It was watching him with a gaze that could not be mistaken. It was too subtle for him not to recognize. Snorting hard, he closed the distance between them at a thousand paces. The kraken swung its legs at him as he leapt in front of it. Boom! A blow from the air. Swaying as best he could, he deflected the blow, then swung his arm back and plunged the knife in. With that, he soared through the air, landing just out of the creatures line of sight. The scissors were already tattered from the journey. Using his strength, he snapped the scissors in half and plunged them into the creatures head. As he hung on with his weight, the scissors drew a line downward. He couldnt give up now, so he used the recoil of his body to plunge the other blade in. I switched hands like I was climbing a rock wall and attacked the creatures head. The kraken swayed back and forth. It didnt hesitate to hit itself in the head with its legs. The sensation of the claws piercing his skin startled him. Shit! As much as I wanted to hold on, I could only do so much with my stationery shears. One blade was bent beyond repair. Eunha threw the pair of scissors away and jumped. He didnt care if his hands were raw. He landed on a railroad bridge pole, slapped himself on the head, and watched in disbelief as the Kraken fell backwards. Not yet! He couldnt tell how much time had passed. But he couldnt detect any sign of the Twelve. Ha, ha, ha. My body is too young. My mana was running low. It was hard enough to stand. He tried to buy himself some time, even with his body covered in abrasions. And just then. Fuck. It was too sudden. Sear?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The bridge, no longer able to withstand the impact, began to collapse. Falling under the bridge, he was forced to make an improbable leap. Dodging debris falling overhead, he leapt onto the bridge, using the nearly submerged rubble as a springboard. His feet barely touched the ground. Ha! The body of the car loomed in front of me as if it had been waiting for me. I couldnt avoid it. My legs wouldnt move. My mana was almost zero. I was powerless to block the flying body. And yet. Do something, please!!!! An unfamiliar yet familiar sensation. He couldnt tell where the power came from. It wasnt necessary to know now. All that mattered was that the power that must have been at the bottom was exploding. What must have been a tiny amount of mana was leaking out as it swelled. I thrust my remaining scissor blade forward. The mana that had been fluttering around with nowhere to go began to converge on a single point. Aaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Once was enough. Once was enough for a life of hell. I will-! Even with this one body. This time, I will! I will protect them! Like a hailstorm. The force drawn from the tiny amount of mana cut through the body. Haahaha. My head felt dizzy. My mana was depleted. As if it were a lie, the strength vanished from his body. I lost control of my body as I fell forward. I hit my forehead on the floor. My vision blurred, but I felt no impact. I couldnt feel my body. I cant lose my mind here! If I lose my mind, all my efforts will be for naught. I didnt want to give in. I didnt want to taste helplessness anymore. When I opened my eyes again, I didnt have the courage to face the transformed world. So just a little bit. Just a little longer! I am a monster that kills as it comes, a monster that wields a sword to kill, a monster that wont die. Ill use whatever means at my disposal! Even if it means sacrificing someone else! Not yet. Not yet! Crawl if your legs wont move. If you dont have a weapon, bite it. As it is, it will end. I vowed as I was reborn. This time, I would protect it. This time, I would get it. I mean, Im going to-! This is it! His legs curled like whips, falling over his head. Not yet, not yet! Death was right in front of him. The death he had wanted so badly in the past. He had denied himself that death. Now, more than ever, he craved life. I, I! I want to live. With my family. I want to be happy. I want to live happily. I dont want to die here. I cant die like this. So, so He sought a miracle at the edge of death. The miracle he had so despised. But the miracle was decided, Its now or never, Yes, the miracle was Leave my little brother alone!! The world. No. It was dyed white. Chapter 16 Chapter 16[Changing Futures (5)] Huh? Mana began to rise from the bottom of the river. The surface of the water, which had been calm just a moment ago, was turbulent as if it had been a lie. An aura of mana that enveloped the entire area. Euna had only ever thought of mana as a mysterious force. Shed always thought of it as a mysterious force, but when she manipulated it the way Eunha had taught her, she felt refreshed, and her body felt light. And it was indescribably gratifying to see her fantasies come to life. But the mana that now floated through the air was completely different from the mana she had known. It was terror. The more she sensed it gathering, the harder it was to breathe, and it felt like something was weighing down on her shoulders. For the first time, she realized that true terror didnt even come in the form of a scream. There was no foreshadowing. As if it had been there all along. The monster was right in front of her. Aaah. She wondered if it was an illusion to feel like she was making eye contact. She couldnt easily deny it. It was too eerie a sensation to dismiss as an illusion. Euna hugged herself with her arms. Even with her eyes closed, she could see the monsters eyes. She had a feeling that if she opened her eyes, it would be looking at her right now. Its okay. Eunha. Strangely enough, Eunha put her hand on his head and her fear disappeared. Im the big sister, I shouldnt be scared! A big sister should protect her little brother. Euna remembered her mothers words when Eunha was first born. To her, Eunha was a precious younger sibling. He had been a dull child since birth. At first, she didnt know what was wrong with him, and she felt so bad that he didnt respond to her no matter how much she touched him. But it didnt take long to realize that Eunha wasnt a bad kid. She realized that her brother was always looking at the family and listening to what she had to say. The mute brother was just a less responsive child than the others. Euna wanted to see him respond, even just a little bit, so she clung to him every chance she got, telling him about all the things shed enjoyed during the day. She even took his hand and led him to the playground to give him a friend. Gradually, Euna could see a change in Eunha. As the days went by, her little brother began to accept the people around him and enjoy every day. But this time, for some reason, Eunha was stubborn. When her brother brought up the idea of not going to visit their grandmother, it seemed like he was afraid of something. Euna didnt know what Eunha was hiding, but she could only vaguely recognize that her brother had been scared and anxious about something ever since. Its okay, Ill protect you! I promised myself then. I will protect my dear little brother. I mean, thats what I said! Eunha!!! The bridge was covered in explosions and commotion. I called out to my younger brother, who was running towards the monsters that were blatantly showing their flesh. I dont know why. I couldnt figure out why. Something was warning her intensely. That if they let him go, theyd never see him again. Euna knows how strong Eunha is. She knew her brother could beat their father if he set his mind to it, and she knew he could take down even the most famous celebrities. But still, still! Something in her gut kept screaming at her. No matter how strong his brother was, he would not be able to defeat the monster in the distance. No!!! N-no!!! Please!!! So dont go! Come back! Euna struggled to get out of her fathers arms. He held her tightly, but she struggled, reaching out in the direction Eunha had disappeared. Daddy, Eunha, Eunha! Daddy will get Eunha, so, you wait here with mommy Okay! Dad set Euna down on the floor. Bending down to make eye contact with her, he placed his hand on top of her head. Warmth radiated from his eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes. Shouldnt you be listening to your mom? Dad, where do you think youre going? Dad, you cant go there! I couldnt help but notice. He was about to pick up Eunha and run in the direction of the monster. He had to if he wanted to save him. Euna knew that, but she couldnt let him go. Something is calling to her. If she sent the two of them off like this-. Dad!!! Dad runs in the direction where his younger brother disappeared. Unable to control his mana, he was crossing the bridge with a precarious gait. Again and again, mana escaped from his body, and he lost his balance and fell. No, he cant go. Euna shook her head. Then her mother held out her hand. Her mother was pulling her toward a dense area of players. Daddy will protect Eunha, and if you run over there, it will make it harder for him, dont you understand? Sensing Eunas hesitation, her mother spoke softly. Euna couldnt help but nod. Her head understood what her mother was saying, but her heart was still pounding. Euna, lets go. No. No. Yes, no. It was as if her thumping heart was telling her. If I let them go, Ill regret it. If I give up now, Ill spend the rest of my life in tears. For herself, and for her mother. Euna? You go ahead, Mom. Ill get Dad and Eunha. She decided to do as her heart told her, and strangely enough, her anxiety disappeared. Hooo She took a deep breath and let it all out. Slapping her cheeks with both hands, Euna gave her mother the brightest smile she could muster. Euna! Her mother couldnt catch Euna, who had enhanced her physical abilities with mana. She had learned from Eunha how to use mana efficiently, and she was more balanced than her father, who had run ahead of her. Nothing stood in her way. Finding her way was easy for a girl who had played cops and thieves, ice skating and hide-and-seek since she was a child. She released the mana she had stored in the soles of her feet and leaped like a spring over the rubble that seemed to be beyond her leaping ability. One, two! It took a moment for the people to see the tiny dots. I didnt feel the slightest bit afraid that my feet werent attached to the ground. Her body was simply calculating and distributing her mana as she landed on the railroad bridge. Euna? Why are you here. Dad, Ill get Eunha! It didnt take long for Euna to run past her father. He had forgotten to run and was staring in disbelief at her sudden descent from the sky. Regardless, Euna didnt pause and started moving her feet as soon as she landed. No Euna-! Stop! Her father called after her. Even the sound of his voice was quickly distant. Without the slightest hesitation, she ran the remaining distance with all her might. It wasnt hard to find him through the explosions and storm. He was fighting a monster, and where there were explosions and storms, there he was . In a world covered in dust, Eunhas skills were nothing short of amazing. Even to Euna, who had only learned to sense mana and enhance her physical abilities, it was a wonder to see him struggle. But that was that, and this was this. In her eyes, she could clearly see him losing ground to the monster. The fear of the monster still lingered in her chest. If she stepped into its line of sight, if she even made eye contact, she would freeze in place. Eunha! Still, I ran. With all my might. Throwing all hesitation out the window. Because hes flying through the air. The creature was so focused on getting away that it took advantage of Eunhas moment of weakness to strike. Boom! The sound of Eunha clicking his tongue could be heard up close. The younger brother, who had no strength left, tried to block the flying body with the intention of dying. But Eunha managed to split the body. It was impossible, but he did it. He had survived until then with a pair of scissors in his hand that were no longer recognizable. The surprise seemed to have taken the monster by surprise as well. For a moment, it faltered. But the monster was a monster. For a moment, it thought it had been pushed back, but it couldnt forgive itself for that, and it lost its temper and began flailing its ten legs. No-! If he could stop it once, he couldnt do it twice. The younger brother was already lying on the ground, unable to get up. It was a surprising thing that he hadnt lost consciousness yet. A little more, a little faster! She whipped her legs, but they wouldnt budge. It was the result of foolishly expending all her mana. Her emotions had reached their limit, causing her mana to go berserk. Still, Euna somehow managed to move her legs. Even if her throat burned with every breath, even if her arms felt like they would snap back, even if her body screamed, she didnt give up. It doesnt hurt at all, so just a little faster, faster, faster! She screamed desperately. sea??h th N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She hoped. She prayed. She longed. She made a wish. If the process of turning a concrete imagination into reality is called magic, then even this heart prayed desperately for power, hoping it would become magic and grant her strength. And then the world. Huh? The wind stopped. The sound disappeared. Time stood still. The world was dyed white. A voice that seemed neither male nor female. She didnt mishear. The voice was clearly ringing out in a world where no one was present. She wasnt curious about the nature of the ringing sound. Instinctively. No, on a level beyond instinct. Her reason and emotion were both accepting its existence as a matter of course. Its asking for something obvious. Theres only one thing. There is only one. Euna called out to the white-washed world. My litle brother, dont hurt him! Power overflowed from her chest. The more the world cracked, the more the boiling power pulsed, as if it were trying to break through the shell it was in. Eventually, the world shattered into tiny fragments. Undeterred by the unreal scene before her, Euna ran toward Eunha. It was an unfamiliar yet familiar sensation. The explosion of mana reacted as her emotions desired. The pain that had covered her body a moment ago vanished as if it had been a lie, and her body recovered. From there, she took off running. Having broken through the world like a fixer, she was determined to protect her one and only little brother. Just before the monster pronounced her death sentence, Euna pulled her brother into her arms to protect the only one she had. With her power overflowing, she feared nothing. Mana rebuilt the world as she wished. . It is a phenomenon that calls for the reconstruction of the world by manipulating the principles of the world, and it is a gift. Eunha once witnessed a player who was pushed to the limit in the life and death situation displaying and reconstructing the world. Shin Seo-young, a member of the Twelve Thrones and also known as the , created dozens of storms and defeated monsters that came rushing from all directions. Ilya, known as the , restored all the dying people in the entire northern region. Shin Do-rim, who made people tremble in fear of the , brought back to life even the dead and destroyed the Yeongdeungpo area. Eunha had experienced unbelievable things becoming a reality many times. That didnt mean that people would just start possessing the Gift of Miracles. . Among them was also his partner, Lee Yoo-jung, whom he entrusted with his back. was one of the eight black dungeons that humanity had given up on and was the only black dungeon in Korea. The dungeons Facing death at the end of the dungeon, Eunha experienced a miracle caused by Lee Yoo-jung. Thinking that she might possess the gift of miracles, he never expected to be the recipient of one. The miracle she caused was beyond anything he had ever witnessed before. It was the reconstruction of the world. . . Perhaps it had not only played a crucial role in weakening the Kraken, but had also healed the childrens wounds. Its amazing. She had witnessed it with her own eyes. Moreover, the child who possessed it was right in front of her. It wasnt unreasonable for her to be overjoyed. It wasnt unreasonable, but it was enough to make Eunha wary. Huh? How could a child have such sharp life force that it was chilling? She was caught off guard, and instead of reaching for them, she stepped back. The boys flesh was sharp enough to give her goosebumps. A normal person would have been stabbed to death. I wondered how a child could have flesh that could kill someone. It was unnerving. It was not the kind of life that should come from a child. She was secretly scared. Although she was facing him with a firm expression, it felt as if she was facing death. Who are you . Who the hell are you. Her words were drowned out by the wind. Soon, several helicopters were hovering overhead. Rescuers had been called in immediately after confirming the Krakens demise. Throwing ladders, they descended from above. She looked back. This way, too. The player who had been evacuating people was returning. Apparently, they had joined forces with the players who had arrived at the scene just in time to defeat the monsters on the bridge. I cant help it. There were many things she wanted to ask, but she couldnt get any closer. The children would be taken to a nearby hospital anyway. It wasnt too late to tell them. She didnt want to run away from the threat of the child. Oh my God, there are children here! Everybody over here! The kids come first! Kids! Are you hurt? Are you okay? The rescuers from the helicopter saw Eunha and Euna and rushed over. They werent the only ones. Its a miracle! This is a scoop! Twelve Knights, Kang Hyun-chul, subjugates Kraken. And Twelve Knights, Park Hye-rim, protects children from Kraken! What a great title for an article! Thats not a good title! The Twelve, who defeated the Kraken, who are they? and The children who survived the Kraken, who are they? are better! Kid, whats your name? Kid, look here! Did you see how the Twelve Knights defeated the Kraken? It looked like Ms. Park was healing you earlier, what was he like? Camera flashes exploded everywhere. I couldnt help but frown at the sudden flash baptism. Eunha raised his hand to block the light, but there were several reporters with cameras pointed at him. Ugh its blinding. Thats when Euna woke up irritated. She burrowed deeper into his arms, annoyed by the camera flashes. Noona, lets get some sleep. These people. Thanks to Euna, all his mana had been restored. Gazing lovingly at the only sister he had, Eunha changed his gaze and threatened the reporters. Uhm!. What, what is it? I, I cant breathe. Eunha threatened them by forcibly increasing the concentration of mana floating around him. Only players who worked with mana would notice. The non-English speaking reporters were having trouble breathing, unable to find the cause. They could not imagine that he had done it. They could only assume there was something wrong with the mana floating around the area due to the Krakens influence. In the meantime, Eunha got on a helicopter. The rescuers in the helicopter were surprised to see that he hadnt suffered any injuries. Of course, Eunha shrugged it off. Are you okay, noona? Dont worry. I just experienced mana dehydration because my body lacked mana. Ill be fine if I get some rest. Im not injured. Is that so. Fortunately, she only consumed mana as the price for creating a . To know whether there is anything wrong with Eunas body, she would need to undergo a precise examination, but it seemed like there was no need to worry too much. Then one of the rescuers asked, But why is your mana depleted? You shouldnt run out of mana. I dont know, Im young, maybe I freaked out and spilled my mana? When youre emotional, mana can leak out unconsciously, but, I dont think its enough to use up all of your mana. Thats strange. At times like this, Eunha likes to use their age as an excuse. The two were taken to a general hospital not far from the Seongsan Bridge. Doctors and nurses were already running around the hospital, checking on patients. They were prioritizing those with critical wounds. Its okay. The nurse who had rushed in after hearing that the two had been found at the Krakens location was surprised. Eunha was in good condition, but his clothes were stained with blood and disheveled, making him uncomfortable. However, patients were constantly being transferred. The nurse wanted to ask about Eunhas condition, but she had to rush to another patient. In the end, Eunha had to sit in an empty space without receiving any treatment. Euna was lying next to her, holding his hand tightly and sleeping. Euna had suffered from mana exhaustion and was receiving a potion to restore her mana. The doctor who had fitted her with the ringer told him that shed be back as soon as shed regained her mana and ran off to another patient. Its really over, no one died. In a hospital full of people screaming desperately, the two of them were at peace. The news of the Krakens arrival on the big screen seemed distant and far away. Eunha, who had finally let out a sigh of relief, was about to close his eyes when he heard a voice. No Eunha! Euna! Oops, I forgot. His parents rushed in. Their complexions were pale as they surveyed the people being carried out on stretchers. Her father, who had forgotten to wipe off his sweat, was holding onto a passing nurse, and her mother was worried that Eunha and Euna might be among the patients being transported. No Eunha! Euna! Then their parents eyes locked with Eunhas. For a moment, they were relieved. But then their expressions hardened, and the mother put on a cold smile while the fathers face grew stern as they approached. Im dead. Really. Even if it was just until facing the Kraken, I had vowed to sacrifice everything. But when I faced my angry parents, I couldnt say anything. Chapter 20 Chapter 20[Good Morning (2)] It was a different kind of intimidation than facing the Kraken. If he had to choose which was scarier, hed pick the latter, for now. Youre not hurt? Nope. No No? No. Eunha sounded strangely respectful. And Euna? She just fell asleep because she ran out of mana, and now shes been potioned. Hah. Hoo. After confirming that Eunha and Eun-ah were safe, their parents looked less worried. But their faces didnt soften. No Eunha. Yes. His father lowered his voice. Eunha lowered his head. Why did you do that?. Why wont you listen to Dad? . He didnt have to tell him what he was talking about. Even though he could tell, Eunha didnt say anything. He didnt know what to say. Im sorry, sir. The words he uttered to his father, who waited for a response, were the usual apology. Before his regression, he couldnt understand people on the front lines saying sorry. Each time, he would get angry at them for not understanding and say, Sorry? Sorry? If youre sorry, why did you do something to be sorry? Sir, Im sorry. didnt mean to do that. I told you, dont apologize and dont make excuses. I couldnt understand it. Why do something youre sorry for. Especially if you know youre going to be sorry. But when I found myself in a similar situation, thats all I could say. Im sorry. Words I never understood before regression. Honestly, its hard to understand even now. Sorry for what? In the end, the family survived. Everyone lived, which was the best outcome for Eunha. So why am I sorry? Pressured by his father and mothers mood, he said she was sorry, but in truth, he couldnt understand what he had done to deserve it. He didnt understand. Ah. His father looked down at him with mixed feelings. His mother looked at him with regret. Meeting his parents gaze, Eunha realized something. Im sorry. It was wrong. It didnt take long for the words to come out again. The outcome was for the best; he had saved the family he had lost before the regression. The problem is, his parents arent asking about the outcome, theyre asking about the fact that he took a risk and ran to the Kraken. It was too late for him to realize that beneath their anger, they were worried about him. Thats all? Her mother asked, still watching. Once again, Eunha was speechless. What to say next. He wished someone would tell him the right answer, but now he had to find it on his own. His parents werent angry now. They were worried. Theyre worried, Ill never do that again. Thinking about it, Eunha bowed his head. I wont do it again. He was sorry to his parents, but it was a lie. He would continue to risk his life to protect them. That made him feel even more sorry, and he lowered his head even more to hide it. Next time, dont do that. Mom and Dad were so worried about you. If you do it again, Mom will scold you. His parents forgave him, though it took a long time for him to apologize, but it didnt take long for them to forgive him. Awkwardly hugging his parents, Eunha felt both grateful and sorry. So he gave up thinking about it and decided to stay as a child. Thats what his parents would want. At this time, while everyone else was going through a hellish time, only the Eunha family was enjoying a peaceful time. His father, who was suffering from mild mana exhaustion, received the same fluids as Euna. Her mother had gotten some antiseptic from a passing nurse to treat the abrasions on her fathers body. Wow. You dont have any wounds, do you? Im fine, Mom. After removing Eunhas blood-stained clothes, her mother was surprised to find that he didnt have a single scratch on his body. She could only blink at the sleeping Euna, who was also unharmed. Eunha waved it off, saying she didnt know. There was no escaping her mothers suspicions, but she nodded and dressed him in new clothes. Im going to take care of some paperwork. Dont go anywhere, but wait here, especially you, Eunha. Im going to go fetch water for Eunha. You stay here, okay? Eunhas trust in both of them had been shattered by this incident. Thinking that he would suffer like this for a while, Eunha had to let them go, saying, Yes, Ill wait for you here no matter what. Delicious. Alone, Eunha ate the chocolate pie that the aid workers had given him, and because he looked so cute, they gave him another chocolate pie and yogurt. He was hungry, and the chocolate pie and yogurt were a treasure. I like Monsieur, he says, but a chocolate pie is the best when youre hungry. He had just graduated from the academy. He hadnt had a chance to eat since the monsters had invaded Seoul. He used up all of his rations that evening. He ate the last of the chocolate pie and was overwhelmed by its power. It gave him the strength of a tiger, and he was able to go and defend the area where the convenience store was located that day. Wheres another one, he said, Im getting a sweet tooth from all that strength. There was one left for Euna, but she didnt want to touch it. Eunha rolled his eyes at the thought of getting more chocolate pies from the aid workers running around. Here, eat this, too, kid. Oh, thanks. The chocolate pie was suddenly in front of him. Eunha accepted the chocolate pie and looked up to thank him. His eyes opened wide. There was Kang Hyun-chul in front of him. What are you doing? You said you wanted a chocolate pie. Hyun-chul shrugged when he saw Eunha standing still with the chocolate pie. Then he kindly tore open the bag and popped one into his mouth. With a giant chocolate pie in his mouth, he couldnt help but panic. Was it time for him to die? Oh, hes not dead yet. Then hes finally crazy. No, hes always been crazy. Berserker used to be a synonym for crazy. But why is this guy here? Eunha quietly began to search for the reason for Hyun-chuls approach. He wouldnt have come to offer him a mere chocolate pie if he was crazy about fighting. It must be because of his sister. If Hyun-chul even mentioned fighting Euna, hed be there in a heartbeat. After all he had overcome the obstacle of Kraken but he had to face him. But Hyun-chuls reaction was unexpected. Kid. How old are you? Six years old. Thats really young. How old is your sister? 10 years old. Your sister is also young. Okay, whats your name? Why are you asking my name instead of my sisters? When Eunha tried to say something grumpy, No, not your sisters name. Your name. Whats your name? Noh Eunha. Hmm, Noh Eunha. Hyun-chul laughed as he said Eun-has name. This, this, this bastard! Eunha knew the look on Hyun-chuls face. He couldnt help but notice. Youre the one whos called Undead? Are you so good at killing monsters? Ive been hearing your name everywhere lately. This was before the regression, when Hyun-chul had first seen him and challenged him to a duel. Now hes showing him favoritism. Have you thought about joining an academy? I can recommend you to one. I havent even graduated from kindergarten yet. Damn, why are you so young? Who knew what he was up to. Surely Hyun-chul would put him in an academy and train him to be a player. And when hes an adult, hes going to duel. It was a chilling thought. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now I realize he wasnt crazy, he was a pervert! He has no one to fight, so hes trying to raise someone to fight! The man who would one day be called the strongest man in Korea was labeled a pervert. Well. Then think about it slowly No eunha, No eunha. Okay, Ill remember. It was taken. Tightly, too. It seemed like Eunha had let it go, but it wasnt the worst outcome, so he couldnt be relieved. You should ask for the sisters name too. You just ask for the litle brothers name and leave? Then you ask. Did you see his eyes earlier? It was the eyes of a child who has been through everything. Hye-rim interrupted Hyun-chul as he was leaving. She slammed her stoneware on the floor, and when she remembered Eunhas gaze, she shut up. Youre still going to let this go? That was clearly a miracle, a miracle! Its a that hasnt been reported in Korea yet! Youre going to pretend you didnt see it and move on? Im not interested in miracles or whatever. Whats important is whether youre strong or not. You idiot who only thinks about fighting! Dont you realize how amazing a is? The gift from the fairy godmother alone is the most valuable in the world, but is. What a fool. Youve reached the position of being part of the twelve, so you should keep your mouth shut. Youre younger than me. Haaa, have you said everything you wanted to say now? Who among us is the one who receives the most national reports? Huh? Forget it. Lets get some rest. Call a helicopter. Haaa, yeah, Ill take that as a whatever. Im hungry. Lets get something to eat along the way. Yeah, yeah. Lunch, I look forward to it. Are you crazy? Why would I buy lunch! Ive been working hard and Im craving something sweet. Shouldnt I have a chocolate pie? Are you even listening to me? I couldnt believe I was listening to two people bickering as they walked away. They were like that when they met before the regression, who were referred to as the National Siblings. Well, I dont think theres anything wrong with my sister and I. Kang Hyun-chuls attention was on him, so Hye-rim couldnt bring up the subject of Euna. Hye-rim isnt going to pry about Euna either. Shes a very recognizable person. She cant ignore the high stakes for Euna when she reports that the elementary school student is the first person in Korea to possess the Gift of Miracles. Woooo. I should be careful from now on too. Even if that person is one of the best ones among the Twelve, she is still a supporter. Hehe, Euna. Looking down at her sister, Eunha smiled a rare smile. When Eunhas family arrived in Incheon, it was the evening after the Kraken attack. Her grandmother, who had been notified by phone, was waiting for them in front of her house. It was a nationally televised event. The number of deaths was about 600, and the search for the dead was still ongoing. The fairy government had been criticized a lot by people since the inauguration of their administration. After such an incident, Grandma was overwhelmed when she received the news that her family was safe. She thanked her ancestors. How much she thanked them until they came. Mom, are you out? Why are you out, Mom? Youre not feeling well. I came out to see you guys. I wanted to see my grandchildren too. After confirming that the two people who got out of the car were safe, the grandmother was relieved. She then approached the car to see her grandchildren, whom she would never get tired of seeing. Oh, my. Looking at the two children sleeping soundly in the back seat, she smiled with her eyes. You must be very tired. Yes, sleep well. My babies. Chapter 21 Chapter 21[Good Morning (3)] It was dawn. Did he kick off the blanket while sleeping? Eunha woke up to a breeze and saw Euna lying next to him and realized the situation. It seemed like Euna had tossed and turned during the night. The blanket that he had covered was lying far away and he was holding onto himself tightly. Eunha got up to make sure that Euna wouldnt wake up. He took the blanket from the bed and passed by his father who was frowning in his sleep and his mother who was embracing him in her sleep as well. Now he realized that his mother was a light sleeper. He covered Euna with the blanket, who was shivering from the cold. Whew. Eunha turned on his fathers smartphone and saw that it was 5am. The sun hadnt risen yet, but Eunha, who had slept soundly in the car the day before, couldnt sleep anymore. He quietly got up from his seat and opened the sliding door. He remembered living in his grandmothers house before his regression, so he didnt get lost and stepped out into the hallway with the courtyard. Whoa. Outside, the dawn air filled the room. Dressed only in his pajamas, he warmed himself with the mana in his body. Sure enough, my mana has increased. Once a day, at intervals. He had been practicing increasing his mana for two days, and he realized that it had increased. His mana had been subtly increasing since the day he faced the Kraken. It must be the Gift. The reason was obvious. The Gift had manifested in that fight. That day, when his mana had been drained, when the Kraken had thrown the bodywork. Thats when hed felt the sensation of his physical abilities surging with only a small amount of mana. But that was. What the hell was that? At that time, there was no time to think about anything. Now, thinking about it, he ruffled his messy hair with his hand. A Gift is a quality of mana that everyone is born with. As the name implies, it is a natural quality. My Gift, it wasnt this However, the Eunhas Gift is not the same as the Gift he had before the regression. Before the regression, Eunhas Gift was Berserk. was a gift that increased your physical and magical abilities as you spent mana. However, as the name suggests, Berserk came with a price: the more mana you spent, the more irrational and frenzied you became. Therefore, Eunha, who had little mana in his body, could only be called a Berserker, a person who could destroy monsters like crazy. Even so, Berserk was the best gift for him because he had little mana in his body. Theres no way that the Gift could have changed. The Gift that manifested in the field two days ago was definitely. However, even though I felt like I was getting stronger as I consumed mana, I didnt lose my cool. It was hard to think that the gift had changed after the regression. And even if it had, I couldnt figure out why it had changed. Rather, Perhaps I misunderstood the nature of or. Eunha remembered the time when he had his Gift verified by the Mana Management Bureau. The researchers, who confirmed that the more mana he consumed, the more his physical abilities increased and his mind became unstable, said that the wavelength and characteristics of his mana were similar to those of a Berserk holder in the United States. But what if their gifts werent similar, or what if even the American Berserker didnt know what it was? Maybe Eunhas Gift or the researchers misunderstood the nature of the Berserk. Maybe the loss of sanity and frenzy was just a side effect of the Gift. Then how did I manage to use it without the penalty? If I could use it without penalty in the future, I wouldnt envy any other Gift. In order to manifest Gift once again, which is held in the mind known as a seal, I decided to consume mana, but, Oh. What are you doing? Ah. He seemed to be deep in thought. It wasnt until the old woman was within earshot that Eunha realized and looked up. In the car, I slept a lot. I see. But you still need to sleep more to be an adult Hehe. Still, Grandma didnt bring up the subject of growing up. Sitting down on the patio, Grandma slowly pulled the cardigan off her shoulders and put it on Eunha. As she buttoned it up and felt the soft gaze of her eyes on him, Eunha smiled back. This was the kind of person Grandma was. The kind of person who didnt speak, but would sneak up on you whenever you were lost in thought and spend time with you. She must have been waiting for me to speak. Whether it was a problem, a thought, or just small talk. But he never got around to tell her what was on his mind. And the pain of not being able to confide in anyone festered inside him, leading him down the path of the Undead, the ones who dont die. Why did you come out if youre not sleeping, Grandma? Because Eunha was out and not sleeping. Tsk. Grandma brought a hand to the corner of her mouth and teased Eunha. With regression. Eunha, who hadnt seen her grandmother in a long time, puffed out his cheeks in protest. What? Eunha was surprised by the reaction, even if he thought it was uncharacteristic. Then he realized that he had regained the innocent child he had once abandoned. Ah I was hoping for something like this. I had hoped for this. Now that he was facing his grandmother, it was coming out. Unbeknownst to Eunha, he had harbored feelings of fondness and longing for his grandmother, a childlike longing he had given up on since the day he last lost his family. I had a dream. I saw him again. Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You mean grandfather? Eunha asked, surprised. Grandma had never talked about him before. She hadnt even talked about his parents. He knew why. Grandma knew that for Eunha, family was a scar that wouldnt heal. So Eunha never spoke to her grandmother about his family, and Im sure she was waiting until the day she closed her eyes for him to share his longing for them. Now, with the future changed, without the loss of his family, Grandma, remembering his grandfather, gazed into the distant sky with a smile Eunha had never seen before. Well, he showed up out of nowhere again and said he was lonely and needed to go outside. Thats why you went outside? Yes, so I went out, and there was a pretty deer. Haha. Whats that? Eunha laughed awkwardly at her grandmothers comparison of him to a deer. Unaware that he was once an old man who people called crazy and freaked out whenever he made eye contact with them, she seemed to see him, her grandson, as a cute baby deer. Eunha with a terrible past, didnt know how to react. Would you like some hot milk? No, thank you. Oh, really? When did my mother arrive? Eunha suddenly noticed her mothers arrival, realizing for the first time that his grandmother and mother were mother and daughter. What about my sister? Oh, shes not here. Although his grandmother and mother were both beautiful, Euna was more of a lively beauty. He didnt think she would become a woman with the same atmosphere as the two of them when she grew up. So who should drink this? Her mother playfully pointed to the mug on the tray. Me, me, me! If Eunha could be so foolish with his grandmother, there was nothing he couldnt do with his mother. He reached out and took the mug, feeling a little lighter since defeating the Kraken. He lifted the steaming milk to his mouth. As he clucked his tongue and frowned, his grandmother and mother grinned. Hoo hoo~ and drink it. Do you want mommy to blow it? I can blow it too. Really? Now they tease me for being so young. Embarrassed to be treated so childishly, Eunha cooled the hot milk and brought it to his mouth. By the way, Mom. Do you know how surprised I was when you first called? Thats why I said it was okay. Meanwhile, her grandmother and mother chatted with Eunha between them. The patio was wide enough, but they clung to him, using the excuse that it was a chilly morning. Ah, so it was. The first topic she brought up was his grandmothers collapse a few days earlier. You know, the old lady next door is noisy. Still. I was so surprised when I got a call during dinner saying that you fainted. The grandmother who stumbled on the stairs only suffered a minor injury and did not get seriously hurt. The reason she was hospitalized was due to her age, and they wanted to observe her for a day. As expected, grandmother was okay. I just lost focus for a moment. Why did you lose focus? Isnt that what they call daydreaming? I saw him as I was climbing the stairs. Mom Im not senile yet, dear. Listen to me till the end. Is it another dream about grandpa? Eunha had heard a dream about his grandfather before. When his grandmother mentioned another dream about his grandfather, he listened curiously. He was waving his hand frantically. He said you shouldnt come here. What? At first, I thought it was my time to go, but now I realize he was talking to you guys. Ah Her mother let out a sigh. It was too strange to be just a dream. In reality, if they made a mistake, they could end up going to the place where his grandfather was taken by the Kraken. Grandpa If he was going to appear in a dream, he should have been clearer. Eunha made a sickening sound inwardly. If he was going to show up in her dreams to tell her, he should have told her the truth and kept his family away from the place of its appearance! Her mother, worried about her grandmother, decided to go to Incheon, and Eunha couldnt help but be unhappy that he was going to have to deal with the Kraken. But its funny, isnt it? I had a dream about him earlier. He said there was a pretty deer outside and it was lonely, so I went outside and there was Eunha. Huh? A deer? Well, actually, I had a dream earlier, too. The story of my mothers dream was even stranger, starting with the keyword deer. My mothers dream also included my grandfather. Grandpa, who the hell are you. I dreamt that my dad suddenly walked into our house carrying a deer, and I was like, Are you going to eat it? And he was like, Why would I eat it, hes so cute, and he handed it to me. (1) (E/N: Theres a note about it!) Oh my. Huh? The little old lady stared at her mother in awe. You cant be. A~ Eunha, who didnt understand, cupped his cup to his mouth and shook his head. Grandma, whats wrong? Its nothing. Really? Yeah, its nothing. When they both said that it was nothing, Eunha thought that it must be so. He didnt believe in precognitive dreams. The dreams were interesting, but that was it. Eunha, what do you want to be when you grow up? Huh? As the conversation continued, her mother asked him out of the blue. Eunha, who had never thought about the future, was speechless. Until now, he had only thought about saving his family. I. What do I want to do, what do I want to be? Eunha couldnt answer. Having accomplished his goal of saving his family, he didnt know what to do anymore. Save them. Save me. Help me. Then he heard a mocking voice from somewhere. Whats wrong? His mother and grandmother, worried for the frightened Eunha He shook his head in disbelief as he realized that the sound he heard so close to him was echoing in his head. Nothing. With a forced smile, he waited for the ringing in his head to go away. To his surprise, his mother took his hand and the sound disappeared. I dont know. Before the regression, Eunha was a player who killed monsters. But he wasnt ready to walk the path of a player again. He no longer had a reason to kill monsters, and he didnt want to live in a player world where malice lurked. That was after defeating the Kraken. Something inside me was empty. I felt joyful and relieved, but at the same time, something inside me felt empty. You dont have to know. Huh? Had she seen through it? You dont need to know. Youre still young, and youll just have to figure it out. Youll have your ups and downs. Youll make friends, Youll fight. Study hard, play hard, and one day youll know what you want to do. And if you dont, youll live until you do. Its like shes telling me to live with nothing. Eunha stared at his grandmother in disbelief at the seriousness with which she spoke. I see. Grandma is right, we can think about it later. Time is on our side, since youre a Galaxy What is that? Its your name Eunha, wich means a galaxy with infinite possibilities. You are a galaxy, so you can do anything. Thats what my name means? He stuck out his tongue as he realized how he had come to be named Noeunha. The vastness of his mother and father left him speechless. I see. The galaxy is so big. Grandma joined in. Two people talking about nonsense in all seriousness. At this point, I couldnt help but laugh. Eunha laughed out loud, his shoulders shaking. They look like a mother and daughter. I didnt know that my grandmother and mother could be so wacky. I laughed so hard I was on the verge of tears. Ill support you, son. I want you to find what you want to do. Ill believe in you. You can do anything. On his left and right, his grandmother and mother hugged him tenderly. Eunha forgot to take a sip of the warmed milk and let the hands run through his hair. Before he knew it, the morning sun was rising. The morning air was cool, and he felt his heart leap out of his chest. Ah! Mom, I want some warm milk too! Euna, are you awake? You should have slept in. Hoo-hoo, come here. Would you like some of what your grandma used to drink? I want to drink! I want to drink! Maybe she couldnt fall asleep by herself. Euna walked down the hallway after twirling the blanket and when she saw the three of them huddled together, she puffed out her cheeks in disgust. Wow! The sky is beautiful, isnt it Eunha? Yes. It is. Sitting next to her grandmother, Euna hummed while holding a mug in her hand. She was enjoying the morning air as she chatted about what was so good. Ah, wait. As he watched the three of them chat happily, Eunha jumped up from his seat with a sudden realization. He stormed down the hallway and rummaged through his bag. Ah, what is it? A rustling sound woke his father. Eunha stirred lightly, Morning, Dad! He waved back and ran to his grandmother. Grandma, this. Oh. Eunha handed over the carnation he had folded in kindergarten. Grandmas eyes widened in surprise, not expecting a carnation. Then she smiled, a smile he had never seen before his regression, Thank you. Ill hang it on my front porch to show off to the neighbors. Huh? Was that why? Before her regression, she used to hang carnations made by Eunha on her front door and around the house. I didnt think her reason for hanging them was to show them off to the neighbors. Then he said. Thank you for taking care of me. Eunha opens his mouth so quietly that no one can hear him. The grandmother who took care of him before his regression, until the day she closed her eyes. The grandmother he remembers is no longer in this world. The grandmother who receives the carnations now is not the same grandmother who has longing and sadness for her family. But Eunha sees the grandmother who was happy to receive the carnations as the grandmother who cared for him until the day she died. Grandma doesnt know. It didnt matter if she didnt. He had been given a second life, and since he hadnt been able to do anything for her in his previous life, he would give her nothing but pleasant memories in this one. The morning sun was rising. The morning air was cool, but the mug was still steaming. The future had changed. The future from now on will be another future. I didnt know what the future would bring, but I hoped it would be a happy one, Good night, and good morning. (1) dreaming about a deer is often considered a symbol of new life or new beginnings. It is believed that if you dream about a deer, it may indicate that you will experience a positive change or transition in your life, such as a new job, a new relationship, or a new project. (or new baby!) Chapter 22 Chapter 22ReLife Player 023 [Good Morning (4)] Honey, Daddys home! I ran to the front door at the sound of my father calling. He didnt call, whats going on? Even though my father was an absent-minded man, he didnt come home from Incheon unexpectedly. Did he have a fight with my mom? No, thats not possible. My mom is always holding on to him. You didnt call What the hell! I opened the door and was horrified to see a deer running through the door. Once inside the house, the deer looked around to see what all the fuss was about. Dad, why did you bring a deer! Haha, how about it, isnt it pretty? As I rolled my feet at the sight of the deer, my father gave a unique laughter. If I hadnt given him a look to do something with the deer, he would have watched the deer wandering around the kids room. Uh-oh! What kind of deer is that? What do you think? Isnt it pretty? Its a present. Dad picked up the wobbly deer. When I picked it up, I realized that the little deer was quite cute. I reached out and the deer stuck its head out and rubbed against me. Awww. Awww, how cute. The deer seemed to like it, too, and completely relaxed into my touch. But, Dad. Are you going to eat that? Why would I eat it, its so cute! Haaa. I was only joking. Even the deer looked surprised. Then why is it. I held the deer in my arms and panicked, not knowing what to do. But he didnt struggle. He was struggling when he was in my arms earlier. Oh my. He was so tiny. The deer is now small enough to be held in my arms. He looks up at me, his eyes adorable, and I stroke his head. Yes, its cute. Right? My father smiled with satisfaction. I stared at him and realized something. Thats right! Dad, how did you get here! Why is he here! Before I could finish my sentence, Eek, honey, Im coming! My father turned and ran out the front door. What the hell. (E/N: Its Eunhas mother dream) What the hell, really. For a dream, it was vivid. Oh my God. When did I dream with this person again. Mmm~ Although I didnt know what kind of dream it was, it seemed like a troubling problem. The way she gathered her eyebrows was just like him. ( E/N: I think him is Eunhas grandpa) Oh my, she shouldnt resemble me. Euna gathers her eyebrows easily, and Im worried shell develop wrinkles later. Children She turned her head to see if her husband was asleep and if the children were sleeping well. Well. She kicks off the covers and stretches out. The time was 5:20 am. Eunha should still be asleep, but he wasnt. Where is he? She felt anxious without her child. Just a few days ago, Eunha didnt listen and ran to the monster, so she couldnt help but worry. No. No. He must be somewhere in the house. Yeah, its not our house, so he must be lost. She opened the sliding door and stepped outside. The air was stale in the hallway, but she had no intention of going back in. Where is he? Eunha had always been a quiet child. Euna used to cry as a baby, often keeping her awake at night, but Eunha rarely cried. At first, I was worried that he wasnt interested in anything, but I was wrong. Whenever I came home, whenever his dad came home, whenever Euna came home, he would stare at us, even if he didnt react. He seemed relieved to see us. At some point, he would make a short sound whenever we came into view, and when we patted him, he would react with a variety of expressions, although he was a bit shy. When he made a fat face like his dad, it was adorable. Eunha started crawling when he was only 8 months old, and he would run all over the house when he was awake. By the time he was 11 months old, he was walking and calling out to his family in babble. Minjis mom was envious of Eunhas rapid growth compared to other children of his age. When Eunha was 2 years old, he was still looking out the window with a sullen face. Strangely enough, that day, he seemed so far away. It was like a starlight that was right here, but you couldnt reach it, and if you got distracted, youd lose it among the stars. I sometimes get that feeling when looking at Eunha. Like a child gazing into an indescribable distance. There was an aura of loneliness and solitude that no child should feel. So I wanted to make sure that Eunha could see me here and now. Shall we go see our Eunhas friend today? Friend? Eunha tilted his head. He didnt know the word friend, but it was so cute to see his face as if he had just heard an unfamiliar word. I wanted to poke the cheek that still had baby fat. But Eunha surprised me with an unexpected question. Do I have friends? Well, how many friends do you have that you dont know about? It was an awkward question, one that I would have dismissed as a mistake from a child who had just learned to speak. But for a moment, I was mesmerized by Eunhas lonely face. Youre so cute, Eunha, but you havent been out yet. You dont realize how many people are in the world who love you. From now on, Ill have to take you outside when its time. Determined to let Eunha run around with his friends, I took him to Minjis house. The two kids have been fighting since they first met, and Ive always been fascinated by Eunhas childlike behavior. I loved how stubborn Eunha was, as if he would lose if he reconciled, and how cute he was playing with Minji even though he didnt want to. Wow, hes the same age as Minji, but he says hello so well. Eunha learned to talk quickly. When I heard that on the playground, I thought you were bragging, but now I see its true. Oh my God, you didnt believe me? How could I believe that, a baby who was only a few months old was walking and talking. I thought, Who in the world learns so fast? That day, Minjis mom told me that she envied her for having such a smart son. She wished she had a child who grew up fast. She asked if he was a genius. No, hes not the smartest kid in the galaxy, hes so ordinary. My son is neither smart nor a genius. Neither am I, nor is he. I dont want him to be a genius. I just want him to be a kid and take his time. I want him to grow up happy and joyful. He doesnt have to start acting like an adult already. Children are best when they are children. Maybe its because the tomboy princess is her sister. As time went on, Eunha became more polite and respectful. To me, it looked like he was forcing himself to be an adult. When I saw how a child so young was so restrained in his emotions, and how he was sometimes overcome by feelings of longing, I wanted to hug him. I think thats why I hugged Eunha more than Euna. I want you to grow up normal. Dont worry about anything. Mommy and Daddy will protect you. A child who doesnt tell me anything, who is anxious about something, who sometimes looks into the distance, and who burns loneliness even if he doesnt say it. I hugged him and wished him a happy life. The first time he threw a tantrum, I was as surprised that he was. I was happy that he didnt throw tantrums, but I was also sorry that I couldnt listen to him. Mom, Dad. Cant we go see Grandma next time? Eunha, who was scared of something at that time, was the one who was scared but faking nonchalance, and he was the one who was alone, thinking about something and feeling lonely. What is it that makes you so lonely, so scared? I want to know, what is bothering this child. We want to know, but Eunha doesnt seem to want to tell us, even if we ask. Its okay, Mommy and Daddy arent scary at all. Mommy and Daddy are stronger than he thinks. I wanted to tell him that, but I felt like if I said it out loud, he would shut down. So we decided to wait for him to tell us someday, so that he wouldnt break down. And even now. Im honestly not sure. When Eunha abandoned us and ran to where the monster was. I felt like the world was falling apart. Watching him walk away from me, telling me hed never tell me anything, that hed carry it all on his shoulders, made my heart ache with tears. Please. Please stay alive. Just be safe. By the time I got to the hospital and found out they were okay, I had almost started crying. But I couldnt. I cant be seen crying to my child here. Feigning nonchalance. Hiding my worry and relief. Pretending to be cool. Waiting for you to say. Thats all? If I said more, Id give away my true intentions. Eunhas face stiffened at my words, and the panic that soon followed was that of a child who didnt know what to do. But I cant. I cant show weakness here. I wont do that again. Eunhas words were a promise that he wouldnt get involved in anything dangerous again. But I could tell, and his dad could tell, that he was lying. You cant be a parent and not know when your child is lying. Dont do that next time. Mommy and Daddy were so worried about you. If you do it again, Mommy will scold you. We couldnt tell him not to lie. Its not like we didnt know that Eunha was stubborn. Hed probably take the risk of running off on his own if something similar happened to him. No matter what we say, he will never change his mind. So I couldnt tell him. Dont lie. Dont run into danger. In the end, what we came up with was that if we couldnt break his stubbornness, we would stand by his side and watch over him, no matter what. Uh-oh. I snapped out of my reverie to find Eunha and my mother sitting on the patio. This is. As I watched Eunha chat with my mother, he was the innocent child I had hoped he would be. I couldnt approach them easily, for fear that he would disappear like a dream. I was envious of my mother, and I envied the way she talked to Eunha. Okay. Lets go get some milk. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. I dont know what I was thinking. I wanted to get in between them, even though I knew I shouldnt. I remembered what was in the cupboard. Finding the powdered milk in its familiar place, I prepared enough for the three of us. Oh, really? Eunha was taken aback when I held out the tray just as he finished speaking. My mom is always good at showing up unannounced. He must have realized it all along. Well, I used to surprise him like this. So who should drink this? Me! Me! Me! Oops. I loved the way he threw his hands up and shouted like a child, and the way he stuck his tongue out at the hot milk and frowned. Do you want Mommy to blow? I can blow. Really? I wanted to punch him in the cheek, but I knew that any more teasing would make Eunha explode. Then I was talking to my mom and told her about my dads dream this morning. You cant be. Oh~ Mom. No way. I threw up my hands and told her it couldnt be true. If I leave it like this, my mother will say something strange again. To change the subject, I turned my attention to Eunha, who was sipping his milk. I wondered, what does this child want to be? I suddenly wondered, Eunha, what do you want to be when you grow up? Huh? The child froze, unable to say anything. He hesitated, but his answer was that he didnt know what to do. Eunha was at a loss, as if the future is lost. What are you worried about, youre so young, how lovely. You dont have to know. What? You dont need to know. Youre still young, and youll just have to figure it out. Youll have your ups and downs. Youll make friends, Youll fight. Study hard, play hard, and one day youll know what you want to do. And if you dont, youll live until you do. Really. I wanted to say, Youre so a mother, mom. I puffed up my cheeks in secret protest, and my mom looked at me and gave me a small smile. That smile makes me want to puffed up my cheeks again, even though Eunha is right next to me. But I have to say something! I cant let my mom take it away. I see. Grandmas right, well just have to think about it later. Time is on our side, and the Eunha is the galaxy, so you can do anything. What? You can do anything. Mommy and Daddy will be on your side no matter what you do. Youre our child. Eunha is the name of a universe of infinite possibilities. Its a galaxy, so you can do anything. Mommys got your back. Youll find what you want to do with your galaxy. Im here to tell you. You can do anything. But you cant do anything bad. If you do do something bad, come with me to apologize. Mommy will be there for you. Mommy. Daddy. We dont want anything bad for you. We just want you to be happy, Eunha. The morning sun was rising. The morning air was cool, but the mug was still steaming. I dont know what you want to do in the future, Eunha, but I hope you have a happy future, Good night, and good morning. (E/N: Im not crying) Some time later, a surprise during dinner. Eunha, Euna, youre having a baby sister! What? Eunha, who was eating, was suspicious of his fathers announcement. He didnt even notice that the side dish he was holding with his chopsticks fell to the floor. Im getting a sister! Yes. Youre getting a sister. Euna jumps up and down with joy at the news of a new sibling, and her mother is embarrassed. Eunha looks at whats happening as if its someone elses business, Eunha? When he realized what was happening he became overwhelmed with emotion. Thank you mom, thank you so much, Im so happy to be born, its the best thing in my life, Ill do better from now on! Eunha burst into tears. The three were stunned by Eunhas emotional response. Well, well. If anyone overhears, theyll think youre the dad. Dad scratched his head, and Mother and Euna burst out laughing. The sound of happy laughter filled their home. The story of one such evening. E/N: I dont know if you guys get it but basically the dreams of a deer are part of some Korean traditions, dreaming about a deer can also be interpreted as a sign of an upcoming birth or the birth of a baby. It is believed that a deer represent fertility and prosperity, and dreaming of a deer can indicate a new beginning or a new life. So thats why the grandma reacted like thatanyways I hope this helped you to understand it better. Chapter 23 Chapter 23[Academic Recital at the age of 6] How quickly time passes. The events of the Household Month had come to a close, and winter had arrived. Christmas was approaching, and there was a lot of hustle and bustle all around. Television was showing the celebrity awards and discussing which celebrities had won or lost this year. At work, people were busy organizing the years events. That might explain why my dad had been coming home late lately. The neighborhood kids were waiting with baited breath for Santa to leave their presents. Young, young, young. In fact, Santas identity is Okay, thats enough. After returning to such a routine, Eunha wanted to enjoy the peace, but. Unfortunately, kindergarten couldnt escape the end of the year. He was told that kindergartens prepare for their school performances at this time of year. Well, before the regression, I had lost my family and was living in a state of disorientation, so I hadnt been able to attend kindergarten properly, and I hadnt been able to go to school. Anyway, that was the situation. As the recital approached, Mr. Tayo pushed the children to practice harder and harder. Eunha, who had been avoiding practice, was soon caught by Mr. Tayo. An instrument? Singing? Dance? It was a three-part performance that Eunha couldnt do. Even if he regressed, he couldnt do what he couldnt do. Like mana, he thought, the art of music was innate. Of course, he was surprised that he couldnt even ring a handbell. Teacher! Eunha is wrong again! Mukminji you. Eunhas hands were shaking as he held the handbell. He turned around and glared at Minji, but Minji didnt seem to mind and stuck her tongue out. Eunha, you need to focus. Yes. I wont leave you alone, Minji. Well see about that later. Gritting his teeth, Eunha went back to practicing. Jingle Bells, Merry Christmas, and We wish you a Merry Christmas were some of the songs that the Evergreen Solban played at the school assembly. Even before the regression, he had heard the songs over and over again as Christmas approached, but when it came time to sing them, it wasnt easy. Sir, Eunha is out of tune~! Hah, in your past life, did you lose to me even as an enemy? I sang it right this time, right? Dont you realize that singing loudly doesnt mean singing well? If you sing loudly, only half of it goes in, you know? Just like how the person with the louder voice wins in a fight, in singing, its all about the volume. But what do you know, since you only like eating. Youre thinking of me as pig again, arent you!? Huh! How did she know? Poker face, poker face I had a flash of realization. When I got caught out from Minji, I changed the subject, suggesting that we should practice with Mr. Tayo. Of course, he made a mistake again. This time it was rhythm. He swayed from side to side, leaned forward at the waist, and shook the bell, each beat faster than the last. Youre too slow. Cant you do it faster? Youre too fast! Hey, dont fight~! There was no way to practice properly. Eventually, Eunha and Minji started bickering, which had become a daily occurrence. Jung Hayang was the one who always stopped them when they fought. Hayang, who spent her days quietly reading books in the corner, playing with Minji, or quietly sipping barley tea from a thermos, would often shed tears when they fought like this. This time, her big eyelids fluttered back and forth, and the two children, realizing she was about to become a sea of tears, hooted and dodged each other. Ha, you cant even do that, arent you a total idiot? And just when you think the fight is over, Choi Eunhyuk comes in. At some point, the children Eun-hyuk was taking with him started to hang out with Eunha, but Eunhyuks behaviour hadnt changed over the past year. Ha, youre holding the handbell upside down. What, what! I was just taking a break! Eunhyuk, who was holding the handbell upside down, blushed and raised his voice. Eunha had gotten to know Eun-hyuk over the past year or so, and realized that while he was good at arguing with others, he couldnt respond well when someone else argued with him. Youre the same way, Choi Eunhyuk. You two are the worst in our class! What! My mom says Im a really good singer! Do you want to tell me off? Haaa, Mr. Teacher. Can we stop practicing today? I told you, fighting is bad. If you fight, Santa wont bring you presents. The classroom was always a mess. While the three were arguing, the boys were playing with each other, and the girls were busy ringing handbells. Jung Hayang was flustered and didnt know what to do in a situation that she couldnt control. She was struggling alone, not knowing what to do. Hey, you guys! Squeak!!! Didnt I tell you not to fight? Teacher Tayo, who had decided that he couldnt leave it alone anymore, stood with a stern smile. All of the children in the class know now. Behind the polite face of Mr. Tayo, a demon lurks. By the way, I dont know why. I fell in the middle of it, and all I did was stand there like a folding screen. Eunha still hasnt admitted any wrongdoing, has he? Oh, no! There was no way Mr. Tayo was going to let Eunha get away with this. The way he tugged at his cheeks, which were stretched out like glutinous rice cakes, was like the Great King of Yala trying to pull out his tongue. Oh, come to think of it, this is the time of year when the rice cake vendors are selling rice cakes with a chorus of Glutinous rice cakes! Ill have to ask my mom when I get home. Eunha? Yes, Im reflecting. Hmm, well, then shake hands, all three of you, and apologize. Eventually, with Mr. Tayo behind them, the three of them were forced to apologize. Of course, there was a hidden meaning behind their handshakes, hugs, and apologies. Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You know Im a little sorry, right? You know Im not sorry at all, right? Oh, Im really sorry about that. I hope youre sorry because Im not. Minji and Eunhyuk grind their teeth. Eunha, who received the apology, replied with a wide smile. Yeah! Im sorry too. Yeah, Im not sorry either. You guys! I wonder if Mr. Tayo read his mind that far. In the end, Eunha had no choice but to go home with a note that read, Eunha fought with Minji and Eunhyuk again today. Please take care of him at home. Then came the morning of Christmas Eve. It was the day of the academic assembly. Eunha, who had gotten up early in the morning to get ready, stood on the stage of the Arirang Art Hall. Even though they had practiced countless times since then, the children were nervous and less talkative today. Even Minji, who had always acted confidently, was secretly fidgeting with her hands, so it was obvious that the other children were nervous. Hayang was hovering close to Minji like a duck following its mother. We havent even started yet and youre already shaking. They had been through a lot together. Eunha spoke in a voice filled with mana, hoping to ease their tension. The childrens eyes turned to him as he spoke. Im sure Santa is watching right now, dont you guys want to get your presents? The heat in the childrens eyes was instantaneous. Even Eunhyuk, who had been pretending to be a tough guy, but had been fidgeting and showing signs of anxiety, changed his demeanor when he heard the words. Lets have fun today, and tomorrow well get our favorite gifts. The children had been waiting to receive their Christmas gifts from Santa Claus while practicing for the recital. It was impossible for them not to know that a child who cried would not receive a gift from Santa Claus. So work hard. Hard enough to not cry. To the point where they could brag to their parents. Their faces grew more and more confident, burning with the will to succeed. Anyway, whos the worst singer here? Youll are ruining the mood. Minji had already relaxed. With a sigh, she slapped him, and the girls burst into giggles. Me, me, daddys coming to see me today, and Im gonna show him a good time! The excitement of her father coming to see her today was full of energy. The last few days, she had been worried that her father might not come, but now that things had been resolved, she was in a good mood. Lets get started, everyone take your places! Mr. Tayo clapped his hands to liven things up. As he disappeared backstage, the curtain that separated the stage from the audience slowly rose. [Next up is a handbell recital by the children of the Evergreen Pine class]. I could hear gulping sounds from around the room. The kids were waiting for the curtain to rise. Its okay, theyre supposed to enjoy it. After all, its the first time Ive been to a school concert. Before his regression, he hadnt had a childlike life or a students life, so everything that happened after the destruction of the Kraken was new to him. Even though he had been through a lot before his regression, his heart was pounding at this event. It didnt take him long to find his parents in the audience. Eunas eyes sparkled with excitement. Eunha, over here! shouted his father, capturing the stage with his camcorder. And his mother, waving her hand and saying, Im watching you, while her belly swelled with the baby she was about to give birth to. Moments that didnt exist before the regression. Memories that would not have existed. My family is watching! That alone lifted his shoulders. My shoulders went up and up and up, and he couldnt stop looking at her family, Eventually, Eunha made a mistake. No Eunha. In the middle of singing the jingle bell, he accidentally hit the bell too hard. Even without turning his head, he could see Minji in the back with an expression of disappointment on her face, sticking out her tongue. Don mind, don warri. I am a kid don ya know? (E/N: Eunha its my personality at this point) What the hell. Ill just have to enjoy it. Because Eunha made a mistake once, even the children who were playing diligently started making mistakes. In the end, the first song with a mismatched rhythm and pitch became Bellgle Jing instead of Jingle Bell. Bellgle Jing, Bellgle Jing. Whats that? Its just scary for no reason. Who sang this song backwards? Oh, it was me. It was a moment of black history that didnt exist before the regression. The same goes for the second song, We wish you a Merry Christmas. The mistakes from the first half of the song spread to the whole group, and their bodies swayed in different directions. Eventually, the dance fell apart. The final song, I Wish You a Merry Christmas, is also a failure. The kids had already made enough mistakes that they werent afraid to be wrong, so they sang at the top of their lungs. Still, the last song was worth listening to Maybe. At first, the parents and teachers were stunned by the kids failure. At the end, they looked at the stage with a wry smile, as if they couldnt help it. Laughter spread throughout the auditorium. When the curtain fell, all the children were laughing and saying, We failed! Yay! I thought, Hey, whos the one who says his life is ruined? A little kid is already talking about his life being ruined. Nevertheless, Eunha finished his set and jumped in with the kids who were less pressured. Today, regardless of whether they were in Minjis group, Eunhyuks group, or Eunhas group, the children were united. Even though the performance was over, I still had the illusion that Christmas songs were playing. No. Its not an illusion. Because it still sounds like this. Tomorrow is Christmas. May everyone get the Christmas gifts they want. Merry Christmas to all in advance. Every day passes by. Time passes quickly, Two years old. No Eunha 7 years old. Chapter 24 Chapter 24[Now please stop] A year had passed, and nothing had changed at Doan Kindergarten. The children would be entering elementary school next year, but they were still children. Pochi, Im home! You missed your mommy, didnt you? Wouf. He was caught in the middle of the girls play. No Eunha, 32 and 7 years old. Currently, he was pretending to be on the verge of tears. Damn, puppy. Sleep-deprived from staying up late last night watching a broadcast about players, Eunha had been sprawled out in the corner of the kindergarten since morning. There was no way Mr. Tayo would leave him like that. With a huge grin on his face, he tossed him into the midst of the girls playing small talk without a moments hesitation. Pochi, why are you crying? Pochi, dont cry. Wouf, not crying?. Damn. The girls of the Evergreen Pine class were notorious for their tantrums. Once the other kids in the class joined in for the fun, they were all over them. It was even a punishment among the boys to join the girls playgroup. The number of times Eunha was forced to participate in their games was six, including the current one. He held the record for the most among the boys in the Doan Kindergarten, and he had the pity and admiration of the boys. Puppy. Damn. His role today was a puppy named Pochi. Because of the girls emphasis on thorough acting, Eunha had to sit like a puppy, whimpering whenever they spoke to him. Awwwww, good boy~ I dont know where Pochi is good, you should leave that mongrel dog with no pedigree outside. That, that, that!. Hes using this as an opportunity to argue. Growl. What did you say? Do you want to be punished? Should I tell the teacher? wouf. Im frustrated, but what can I do. Hes a pochi now. Minjis role of pretending to eat seaweed soup is that of Kyushu, a western restaurant. Her role has always been diverse, but with her strong personality, a wide range of acting was impossible for her. Unless it is a villainous role that can appear in other genres like now, she becomes Minji herself, whether its a husband, wife, grandmother, grandfather, or sister. Kid, there wont be any separate villainous roles if you just play yourself LoL In the end, it was Minji who could only play villains. Eunha thought. Minji, youre doing it again! Didnt your mom tell you that you shouldnt judge people by their looks? Pochi is so nice and eats well! This is from a girl who volunteered to play the role of a wife waiting for her beloved husband to return home. The actress, who was asked to play the role of a wife waiting for her beloved husband to return home, spoke a lot of words about how love is beautiful and how we shouldnt judge people by their appearance, but it was not suitable for a child. By the way, the husbands role is a handsome man who inherited a venerable family for generations and entered a large company as a team leader in his 20s due to his parents connections and is now the chairman of a large company group. I didnt watch the k-drama, but I could tell that the k-drama was ruining the childrens dreams. Wouf, Wouf! I said, Stop watching k-drama! The world youre going to grow up in is full of monsters, and youll be too busy living alone! Haa. Im tired of yelling. Just then, the girl playing the role of her husband walked in, and Eunha decided to leave quietly. Goodbye. Pochi is leaving the house. Please dont look for Pochi. Its okay, youll be fine without me, youve got plenty of money, Sayonara. Eunha, who didnt get much sleep last night because he was watching the show, decided to sleep in. Covering his yawn with his hand, he searched for a place where he wouldnt be seen. The reading corner was still a favorite spot for children. Hayang was reading a book while sipping the barley tea she had brought from home. What are you reading? Sherlock Holmes. Im hooked! At least Hayang was a bit of an adult among the children in the class. Her latest obsession was the Sherlock Holmes series. At the end of last year, after devouring all the books in kindergarten, she brought some solid books from home. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its Sherlock Holmes memoirs? In the last one, he falls into a waterfall with Professor Moriarty and dies. Huh? UH, Ive spoiled it for you. It couldnt be helped, Eunha told himself. When someone is reading a story you know, you cant help but want to keep talking about it. Its instinctive to spill the beans! So feel it! Feel it! Accept it! Despite being a strong self-defender, I had a similar incident at home a few days ago. Euna was watching a cartoon on the couch when he just couldnt stop spoiling. He broke the mood during a crucial scene, and she didnt talked to him until this morning. Thats too much. I havent even read it yet. Jeong Ha Yangs eyes were shaking as if she was going to cry at any moment. At this point, Eunha interrupted. Ahaha, sorry. I was like you too but Im alive again thanks to the return of Sherlock Holmes Just shut the fuck up. He threw another spear to appease her. He quickly covered his mouth, but the water had already been spilled. Waa. I hate you. There it was. Ha-Youngs attacks were the only ones that had an impact. The way she covered her eyes with both hands was not only adorable, but it also made his heart ache with guilt. But I didnt want to make more mischief, so Eunha apologized, Im sorry! Im so sorry! and ran away. Hehe! Do you really think you can block my sword? Come on. Dont cry later. Bhopal Strike! Bichuan sword type-! While the girls preferred to play with dolls and cubs, the boys were into sword fighting. In the center of the class, the boys were engaged in a sword fight. Toy swords had recently become popular among children. Add to that the popularity of a cartoon about a character who participates in a death game. Some of the kids who were hooked were dressed in black. It was nothing. I spilled blood for nothing again today. In a boys world, when it comes to sword fights, theyre the hero and each other the villain. So they tried to come up with fancy names and common swordplay to mark their victories and defeats. One of the best sword fighters in the class was Eunhyuk. Hes very athletic and swings his toy sword around as if hes trying to wipe the blood off the blade. He even pretended to put the sword back in its scabbard. Ugh, Im furious! Ill see you next time! This is what a kid who loses a fight would do: take the loss as gracefully as possible, and then show room for a mature protagonist who will win next time. But this line is a third-rate villain everywhere you look. You need to watch more comics. Then Eunha made eye contact with Eunhyuk. Something clicked, and Eunhyuk smiled. Thats good. I wanted to see who was the strongest in this class. Eunhyuk, who was still playing the hero, taunted Eunha. Whats wrong with you. Gross. Eunha was as embarrassed as Eunhyuk was unabashed. Whether they realized it or not, the kids who were already in the middle of a sword fight were creating an atmosphere of Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! Uh-oh. It wasnt just the boys. Even the interested girls were forming a circle around them. At Eunhas feet was the sword that the defeated child had dropped earlier. There can never be two suns under the same sky. Take that sword, and Ill end your misery right here. Eunhyeok makes a grunting sound with his mouth, drawing out his fear. Hah. Thats annoying. Eunha wasnt interested in childrens games, but he couldnt resist laying down the board. Eunhyeok, defeat No Eunha! Defeat him and prove youre the strongest! Bangjin and Sungjin cheered for Choi Eunhyuk. Kill No Eunha, whos good with girls! Cheers from the boys who were envious of Eunhas sister. Hey, at least you guys hang out with me in the neighborhood. You all seem to want me to lose, but did I do anything wrong? And if you want to get along with girls, you can join the playground! No Eunha! At least Minji, the girl next door, will cheer me on. Fuck you! Yes, this is the kind of girl you were. Youre so relentless, and I didnt even want that. Eunha turned around in disbelief. Minji was making a throat-slitting motion with her thumb. Oh, my God. Im not exactly looking for cheers, but. But I still want to see Hayang. I hate No Eunha so much!!! Hayang, who had been spoiled and was in tears, shouted. Eunha realized why they say a womans hatred is scary. Yeah. Life is meant to be lived alone. (E/N: lol) There was no one to cheer him on. He wasnt disappointed. Even before the regression, he was living on his own. Im not disappointed! No Eunha, who was called the undead who cant die, would be disappointed by the words of a bunch of kids. Really. Eunha picked up the sword at his feet. Once Ive decided to do this, Im going to show them that Im capable of shutting them up. Im not going to leave you all alone. Ha! Are you too scared to even come? The game began. Eunhyuk sneered at Eunha as he pointed his sword at him, and Eunha remained silent. Okay. If you wont come, Ill go first. Dont regret it later. My sword kills dragons. Eunhyuk lowered his upper body and put his foot forward. Im coming. Starting with his left foot, Eunhyuk ran. Spreading his arms like a bird, he dove in and swung his sword. Feeling unable to stop the boys from engaging in a sword fight, Mr. Tayo cautioned them to never hit themselves with the sword. So no matter how hard Eunhyeok swung his sword as he ran at full speed, the curve of the sword was bound to end in Eunhas sword. Knowing this, Eunha was not nervous about Eunhyuks sword. He parried the attack from the side and slashed at Eunhyuks sword. Even if it was a childs prank, he had no intention of letting it go. If you raise a sword in your sleep, you have to slash. Eunhyuks sword flew through the air, spun around, and fell to the ground. The battle was lost. It was so clear that Eunhyuk could no longer bluff. Eunha walked past Eunhyuk as if nothing had happened. He then swung his sword, wiped the blood off the blade, and made a gesture of tucking it into his left waistband. Eunhyuk let out a belated grunt and dropped to one knee. All he can do now is take defeat in style. Eunhyuk gave off the vibe that he hadnt used all his power yet. He coughed up blood and fell to the ground. I havent used all my power yet. Hearing such nuances, Eunhyuk made a gesture of coughing up blood and collapsed to the ground. It was a good match. To end the game, even the winner had to say something memorable at the end. Eunha said whatever came to mind, and the connection was complete. Lying on his back on the ground, Eunhyuk shuddered in frustration at losing the game. Wow! Its No Eunha, youre really good at this! I thought you were wielding a real sword! Its all thanks to us that Eunha is like that! If he didnt play with us, his acting skills wouldnt be so good! So you guys should play with us too! Boys, run away~! Mi, Minji, is this what they call heart-pounding? Heh, heh, you guys are getting all excited over a knife prank. The mood quickly changed from booing Eunha. Sigh, but their attitude of not doubting my victory as if flipping over a palm is unfair. Yeah, you guys will do well in society. Eunha, teach me swordsmanship too! What kind of swordsmanship are you using, youre way cooler than my Aincradrew! Eunha, which character do you like! The redheaded swordswoman who uses a non-Tenkaichi sword! No, its Blackie! That was a Blackie move! Eunha you can pull Excalibur! What are you guys doing, go get Excalibur! The boys were more boisterous. They wanted me to teach them how to sword, they wanted to know what cartoons were based on swordplay, and finally, they wanted to know who owned the toy sword called Excalibur, so they could have a sword fight to see who really owned Excalibur. The sword they named Excalibur was a pretty cool sword. The hilt was golden and shiny, with toy jewels all over it. And there was something romantic about the chains at the end of the hilt. You can do this! Oh my God, you can see the moment I draw Excalibur! In this mood, I might as well pull it out. hahahaaa. Sighing loudly, Eunha grabbed Excalibur, which was stuck in a pile of blocks the kids had hastily made. With a clink and a rattle of chains, Eunha drew Excalibur. The promised sword of victory! Eunha has drawn Excalibur! Its No Eunha-king! Now that Ive hung out with you, if youll let me go. But Eunha wasnt released from the boys, and the battle between him and Eunhyuk was secretly watched by kids from other classes. Eunhyuks battles were secretly watched by children from other classes. Before he knew it, he was the leader of the class war. Boys started asking him to teach them how to use a sword. Inevitably, hed give them a few demonstrations, and theyd get so excited that theyd praise him. As the situation continued, Eunhyuk, who had ceded his position as the strongest to Eunha, continued to wear the toy sword to and from kindergarten. Im not good enough. Ill get stronger. From then on, Eunhyuk could often be seen wielding the sword with his fists balled up like a protagonist in a boys manga. That sparked boys romance. Carrying a sword has become a trend among boys. The children who would be entering elementary school next year were too young and too small. Eunha, why arent you wearing Excalibur? Now please stop! Chapter 25 Chapter 25[Midsummer Barbecue] Mr. and Ms. Giulietta, who live on the third floor, are naturalized citizens of Italy. Ms. Julieta is a woman of noble beauty, like a flower on a cliff, but in reality she is like a wild flower. She doesnt seem to have ever gotten her hands dirty, but she cooks food and shares it with her neighbors, and she listens to classical music but dances to EDM. She also has a childlike and innocent personality, which sometimes leads her to come up with out-of-the-blue plans. Were having a barbecue! This was one of those days. Julieta came to the door without knocking and threw a party unannounced. Hey, Julieta. What are you doing today? Barbecue? Her mother, who hadnt realized it, greeted her politely. Eunas mom. Its a barbecue, were all grilling meat in the yard! Julieta rambles on about the barbecue. Her mother, who held her hand, wasnt surprised by her story, as she was used to by now. In fact, she even chimed in. Barbecue? Hi, Euna! Do you want to have a barbecue with your Unnie? (1) Whats a barbecue? Its when you grill meat outside. Its delicious, right? Yes! It sounds fun! I want to eat! It was very easy for Julieta to get Eunas attention. Euna, who was struggling with her summer vacation homework, reacted quickly. Big sister Julieta, on this hot day? Eunha, who was taking care of his younger sister, Eunae, who was born this year, had a negative opinion: he didnt want to leave his lovely sisters side. Of course, Eunhas opinion was not accepted. There was no way that the two people with the think before you act temperament would leave him alone. Haa. My wife is sorry. No, Mr. Bruno. It was Julietas husband, Bruno, who comforted him as he was dragged out into the yard. Bruno. He was the kind of man who could kill you just by looking at you. No one would believe that he was an ordinary office worker when they saw the way he swaggered like a bear hunting salmon in Alaska, the slit in his left eye, and the scars on his thick forearms. When Eunha first saw Bruno, he too suspected him of being a gang member. But despite his appearance, Bruno is a man who is skilled enough in the kitchen to clean, bake bread and cakes while wearing a pink apron. Mister, can I help you with anything? I need you to set the plates at the table. Sure, okay. The yard was already set up for several people to sit. Eunha began to set the dishes on the table where Bruno pointed. Meanwhile, Bruno placed meat, sausages, corn, and mushrooms on the hot grill. The sizzling smell of the meat cooking on the grill was incredibly appetizing. Swallowing hard, Eunha set the setting the table. It was really hot. The sun was setting, but the nearly 30-degree heat hadnt abated. Eunha and Euna, who were standing close to the grill, were drenched in sweat. They wouldnt have been able to stand it if their mother, who was taking care of Eunae at home, hadnt brought ice water. Yay!!! Summer!!! Julieta was drenched in sweat as well. Her sweaty light green dress revealed her body, and she was shouting as she raised her arms as if she had just raided Eunhas house. Uh, hi, Eunha. Huh, youre here too? Eunha was in the middle of shovelling some overcooked meat into his mouth when he heard Julieta call out from behind him and frowned. Its you and Mukminji. There stood Minji, the girl hed run into so many times during his summer vacation, and behind her was Hayang. Wearing a straw hat, a white dress, and sandals, she looked like she was on a summer vacation alone. I came to Minjis house and they were having a barbecue. Hayang didnt have to say a word to know what was going on. Just like Eunha, she had been dragged by Julieta, who had appeared out of nowhere. Long time no see. How have you been? Ive been bored at home. and you? Ive been, uh, helping my sister with her vacation homework, so-so. You havent eaten yet, have you? Theres meat here. Mmm? Vacation homework? uh? ah, thanks. Hayang tilted her head at the part about helping Euna with her vacation homework. She has no idea, that Eunha is taking care of Euna and Eunae at the same time, so he cant even enjoy his summer vacation. Realizing that this would be a long story, he pushed the meat from his plate into his mouth. Delicious! she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. Even Bruno, who was grinding on the griddle, was so happy that the corners of his mouth lifted. Of course, if you didnt know him, youd probably freak out and run away. But instead of being afraid of him, Hayang was eating the meat he offered her. I also have shaved ice, if anyone wants to eat shaved ice, come to this big sister! Julieta, who had brought a shaved ice machine from somewhere, shouted, and the children, who were sweating in the heat as if they had been waiting for the moment, rushed over. Minji was among them, scrambling for shaved ice. Eunha, who didnt want to wait in the long line, nibbled on a large sausage. By the way, who are these two. Eunha thought as he watched Bruno grilling meat and Julieta handing out shaved ice to children. Before the regression, Eunha, who lost his family at the age of 6, was raised by his grandmother. His memories of his childhood are still fuzzy, and he has no recollection of Julieta and Bruno. So when he first met them, he was surprised. Julieta glides through the crowd with a tray of food. Despite the fact that she looked unsteady as she moved with the food on her plate, she never lost her balance. She was using her mana to keep her balance. After the End of the Century Destruction, ordinary people began to actively manipulate mana. However, those who were not accustomed to mana still clung to their old ways of life, and the only people who did were those born after the End of the Century Destruction. The situation was probably no different in Italy. Nevertheless, Julieta was not only comfortable with mana, but also utilized it in her daily life. Her casualness in distributing mana was something that few players could do. Uncle Bruno, I want more meat! I want corn! Corn! Okay. Bruno was even nicer than Julieta. Eunha hadnt forgotten the shock he felt when he first met him. People spill mana unconsciously. Players might try to keep it contained in their bodies to hide their skills or to stay alive, but they couldnt control the small amount of mana they shed unconsciously. Being able to control even the unconscious realm meant that you had a lot of power as a player. However, Bruno had been grinding the mana in his body to the point where he couldnt find the mana he was unconsciously shedding. Even Kang Hyun-chul couldnt control his mana, but he, a mere office worker, was controlling his mana perfectly. The small scars on his forearms or the scars across his eyes were not unusual. As a pre-Regression player, Eunha could tell that the scars were the result of battle. Of all things, Eunha. What? Eat more. Yes, I will. Bruno was aware that Eunha was watching his mana. Even though he hadnt made any effort to show it. This makes me think that Bruno is the equivalent of the Twelve. It was hard to believe that these people were naturalized in Italy. They were living upstairs until now. Eunha was in turmoil. People of this caliber had never been known before the regression. Eat more. Thank you. Eunha, who had been observing the two of them, released the mana in his hand, and Bruno nodded and looked away from him. It wasnt just the neighbors who were coming to the yard. No wonder, the smell of grilling meat was everywhere. Huh? Eunha, who had been enjoying the barbecue, tilted his head as he spotted someone among the people wandering the yard. I dont think. I act before I think. I think after I act. Clutching her newly acquired skewers in both hands, Euna pushed her way through the crowd. Hi! Uh-uh, mmm uh? Eun-hyeok, who had been lurking, flinched as she approached him with the skewers. He still had his toy knife, even though it had gone out of style. A band-aid on the bridge of his nose and a toy knife strapped to his back with a string, it reminded me of a typical prankster. What is it? Eunhyeok, who didnt recognize Euna, hesitated and stepped back. Youre Eunhas friend, right? Ive seen you in kindergarten before. Eunha? No Eunha? Whos friends with him? Thats right. Ive never been friends with him either. Euna remembered Eunhyeok, which is why she thought he was Eunhas friend and came to see him unexpectedly. But neither Eunha nor Eunhyuk thought of each other as friends. They would be entering elementary school next year, and they were still fighting over nothing, so there was no way they could be friends. No Eunha. Yeah, its been a while. Why dont you stay here and eat some meat with me? Julieta brought a lot of it. Who says Im going to eat the meat you give me. Ouch! If its Eunhas friend, its my friend! You should try it! Uncle Bruno grills meat so well! It was indeed Euna. Without any hesitation, she put the skewers in his mouth as soon as she saw Eunhyuk. Eunhyuk, who had his mouth full of skewers at an unexpected time, choked and tears streamed down his face. It was a hilarious scene for Eunha who was watching. Delicious. Eunhyuk barely swallowed the meat, but he was hooked on the charm of barbecue. Isnt it delicious? Yum! He admits honestly. Already, he was being led by Euna towards the grill where the children were gathered. And in the middle of it, Eunha grabbed Eunas hand. Huh? What? Euna asked with sauce around her mouth. Eunha wiped the sauce off her finger and said, Ill come too. Dont just eat alone. Yeah! Lets eat sausages this time! Euna was happy as Eunha held her hand. Eunhyuk looked at them from behind, and chuckled to himself. Who would dare to hold their sisters hand so boldly? Eunha and Eunhyuk were already able to fight just with their eyes. After losing the staring contest, Eunhyuk confidently rushed towards the table. Sear?h the ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hmph! How childish! For a moment, Eunhyuk was overwhelmed by Eunhas atmosphere. Eunhyuk regained his senses and stuffed his mouth with meat as a way to vent his frustration towards Eunha. Oh? Choi Eunhyuk, youre here too? Uh, hey Eunhyuk. What? Were you here too? He gave a lukewarm response to Minji and Hayang. His cheeks were already so stuffed with meat that there was no room left. Youre still carrying a toy sword around. Youre not a child anymore. Hmph, dont come crying to me later asking me to help you. You wont have anything to ask for my help with! Hey, hey, dont fightJulieta unnie! Minji and Eunhyuk are! A year later, the kids relationship hadnt changed. Now it was Minji and Eunhyuk fighting with chopsticks. Hayang, caught in the middle, couldnt do anything about it. Oh, thats what I was grilling! They werent the only ones in the meat fight. There was no business before the meat. Euna joined the fray, battling with the two of them, trying to get one more piece of meat. Ugh, take that one. Childish. Childish. Eunha gobbled it up while the three of them fought chopsticks in the air. Mmm, delicious. Its ripe because my sister set it aside. Aaah! Eunha, you! Thats what I left for me to eat! No Eunha, are you still human after what you did? You bloodless, tearless bastard! Hey, that doesnt mean its the end of the world. The price he paid for stealing a piece of meat was too much. The three of them glared at him in unison. In times like this, its best to run. Eunha wielded his sword with his shield, keeping his distance from his enemies. Meanwhile, Julieta was feeding Bruno meat with a smile on her face. Here, ah~ You were like that when you were younger. Oh, me? It seems like just yesterday, at the banquet where all the families were gathered, you were arguing with the heir to the Myron family over meat. Yes, it was. It was a long time ago, how well do you remember it? Because Ive been watching you since you were a child. Bru. Julie, you dont regret this choice, though, do you? If you could go back now, youd be. No, I like it now, Bru, Im so happy to be with you. Julie. Bru. With or without the others, the couple was lost in their own world. Already, their faces were close enough to kiss as the sun set. The girls, who were watching a scene from Beauty and the Beast, squealed and watched with their eyes lit up. Yeah, lets pretend we didnt see it. Lets pretend we didnt hear it. I didnt want to know what was going on between Bruno and Julieta anymore. If I intervened, Id be caught in the crossfire. Yeah, Ill eat while I can, but when? There had been times when hed had to survive for weeks on a few days worth of food while rebuilding a city that had been destroyed by monsters, and hed learned the lesson of eating while you can. So eat. When you can. As much as you can eat. Choi Eunhyuk, youre not going to give up that seat? Dont you know about ladies first? The person who gets there first gets the seat. Why would I give it up? Hehe, I hope we can have another barbecue later. Right? Dont fight, everyone. Ill share my meat with you On one side, the kids furiously fight over the meat, Bru. Julie. On the other, a couple filming Beauty and the Beast. It was one quiet day after another. Eunha shook his head at the noise and gulped down his soda. Even though it was evening, the cicadas were still chirping loudly. Some houses had their windows open and the sound of the television was leaking out. It was a very hot and noisy day. Lets go inside. If Im the last to leave, Ill have to help clean up. It was hot, so he decided to run a cold bath. Eunha went home, out of sight of the others. Thats mine! Youre the one who ate it first! This is mine, you cant touch it! Everyone, everyone, dont fight~! It was a very hot and noisy day indeed. Urgent breaking news. At 4pm today, there was an appearance of a monster goblin of the seventh rank near University Road. The Mana Management Bureau considered the 30 or so goblins to be of the 6th rank, and ordered the local clans to deal with them immediately. The Mana Management Agency in Seongbuk-gu assumes that the escaped goblins are likely to hide in residential areas and has decided to deploy players near the area. Residents living nearby are advised to be cautious of goblin sightings and refrain from going out unnecessarily, and immediately report any sighting of the monster. (1) Unnie: The Korean word unnie refers to an older sister. Youve probably heard this one before on TV or on social media. Chapter 26 Chapter 26[kindergarten hero]. Haaa, haaa, haaa. The long summer vacation was coming to an end. Although the heat had subsided, the time when the sun started to scorch the ground had come, so sweat began to pour down. Wiping the sweat from his face with the back of his hand, Eunha ran to the water source.. Hey! Eunha, what are you doing there? Come on! Why were the children so restless? The children were so lively. Eunha was too tired to play anymore, but they were having fun in the sun. If he played one more game of Ice Thump he would surely collapse from exhaustion. Eunha deliberately ignored the childrens calls. He decided to take a break in the shade to cool off. Meanwhile, the children had found another child to join them in playing Ice Thump. Whew. The cicadas cried as they burned the last of the summer. Eunha sighed as he listened to the nonstop chirping. Steadying his breathing, he raked the mana from the air. The mana gathered in the image of a rake floated around him, fusing with the mana in his body. Eunha had been increasing his mana in this way for as long as he could remember. At first, there was no change in his bodys mana, but after manifesting the Gift, the vessel that held it had grown. Moreover, as his physical capacity to store mana increased, he could collect more mana than when he was young. However, he had no intention of becoming a player. Eunha had already changed the future, so he had no reason to become a player. The reason he collected mana during his free time was that as time passed, the world would become increasingly dependent on mana. If he didnt want to be controlled by others, it was better to collect mana while he could. No Eunha! Did you rest enough? Come on in! No Eunha, youre it first! How long have you guys been resting? Am I out of shape or are they not normal? Guys~, lets cool off with some ice cream! Just then, Mr. Tayo arrived with a large bowl of ice cream, and the sweaty children began to cheer enthusiastically. I want merona! I want a bread pudding! Line up, you guys. If this continues, there might not be any ice cream left. Eunha waited patiently until the rush of kids had gotten their ice cream and disappeared. Haha. Teacher Tayos appearance after being tormented by the children was something else. His hair was disheveled in an instant, his glasses were on top of his head, and his apron was untied and swinging back and forth. Theyre just kids. Who was the person who was just having fun and playing until a moment ago? Minji was watching the situation with her arms crossed like Eunha. She was acting like an adult, but she couldnt stop the sweat from rolling down her cheeks. Eunha and Minji, eat ice cream. Mmm. Hmm. There were only a few flavors of ice cream left in the bag. This was where Eunha and Minji were bound to clash. As their eyes locked, they could almost instinctively recognize that the ice creams they had chosen were the same. The one who quickly grabbed it would win. They both came to the same conclusion almost simultaneously and reached for the bag. Let go of this, Mukminji, this is mine. The one who grabs it first is the winner. Why dont you let go? Because I grabbed it first. Why dont you let go? Hmph! Youre just a man who cant handle the heat and comes out like this? What does being a man or a woman have to do with ice cream! Cant you just be generous? The last remaining ice cream bar. There was no way I was going to give up the opportunity to eat a portion that could feed two, eat it without getting it all over my hands, and drink the coffee I wasnt allowed to drink as a child. I thought I told you guys not to fight, and now youre fighting over a ice cream bar. Ah! Sir! Here, Ive broken it in half. You can eat it together. Im not saying that you shouldnt eat it in half, but that it tastes better whole. The two people who accepted the halved ice cream protested with their eyes. Were supposed to share, right? Yes. Knowing that Ms. Tayo was not pleased, they had no choice but to give up. They had to take what they had. What do you think, Minji? Should we play rock-paper-scissors to decide who gets to eat the rest? Thats fine. Are you sure you wont regret it? Ill say that after I win. Rock, paper. Lets just eat it peacefully? Yes In the end, the two of them had no choice but to eat quietly while being watched by Ms. Tayo. When they ate it all together, it was enough to cool off the heat, but when they divided it in half, it wasnt enough to cool their throats. Meanwhile, Eunha was able to find Hayang, who was pacing around looking for something and approaching Teacher Tayo. Excuse me, Teacher. Have you seen Eunhyuk? S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunhyuk? Well, lets see. Maybe hes playing in the flower bed? Hayang seemed concerned that Eunhyuk wasnt around, even though he played mean pranks on her. She was considerate of him even though he wasnt there. If its him, hes probably swinging his sword somewhere again. On the other hand, Minji, whom she disliked, continued to slurp and sulk as she ate the remaining ice cream. Ever since the boys at the kindergarten started fighting with knives, Eunhyuk always carried a sword with him. Since that day, he no longer brought the boys around with him like his subordinates, and he stopped bothering the other children. He just swung his sword alone in the flower bed when he had time. Yes, he was caught red-handed by me. I know, but why is he swinging a sword in a flower bed? Minji didnt understand the story of swinging a sword in a flower bed by herself, but Eunha could understand a little bit. Youd want to do something like that where no one could see you. Dont bring him anything. Hell find his own way when he wants to eat. But its not fair to eat alone when were all eating together. Hayang, youre too kind-hearted, you know. Hayang wiggled her fingers and looked at Minjis eyes. Minji sighed and put her hand on Hayangs head. She had started to imitate Eunhas behavior. Hayang, who had gotten used to having someones hand on her head, giggled and clung to Minji. Then Hayang, can you get ice cream for Eunhyuk? Yes, teacher! Should we go together? They couldnt send Hayang alone. Even though Eunhyuk had stopped bothering the kids lately, he could still cause trouble. Hayang had gotten used to childrens pranks, but she was still clumsy with bullies. No, its okay. After a long pause, Hayang shook her head. Taking Eunhyuks share from the envelope, she waved to the two of them and ran to the flowerbed. She might fall if she keeps running like that. Ah, see. She should be careful. Throw all the eaten ice cream here! Mr. Tayo made them throw the finished ice cream in the empty bag. The children who were running around with Chuchu popsicles* heard that and came to throw their ice cream away too. Who wants to chop ice? The children had the stamina of steel. The children with tanned skin were busy running around the kindergarten playground without getting tired. You should get up too. No thanks, Im done playing for the day. But then theyll say they dont want to play with you. You dont have to worry about that. You can go play by yourself. No. Euna asked me to play with you. Minji pouted her lips in protest. My older sister is really like that. A while ago, after hearing about Eunhas kindergarten life from Teacher Tayo, Euna promoted him by asking other kids to play with Eunha. Apparently, Minji, who lives next door, is no exception. Do you want to go or not? Minji had the upper hand. She was enjoying the situation, teasing Eunha with her chubby gaze and giggling. Unable to help himself, Eunha got up from his seat. Since this is the way things are going, Im going to hang out with you for the rest of the day. I may have to suffer the heat later, right? If you dont come out, youre it! Rock-paper-scissors! Okay! Eunha is it! As soon as the rock-paper-scissors game was over, the freeze tag* began. Eunha tried to catch Minji, who was nearby, but she escaped at the right moment by shouting Freeze! Eunha had no chance of catching her. There was no way Eunha couldnt catch her. It was a fake, and he walked right past her and grabbed the kid behind her. The tables had turned so quickly. Eunha had no intention of running from him now. His revenge was about to begin. Tag! Eunha touched Minji, who had been frozen just before the pursuer caught up with her. Minji, who had defrosted according to the rules, was grabbed by the pursuer as he followed her. No Eunha, you! Minji was now it. Spending time in an icy state was like being in the sewer. If he stayed still, he didnt know what tricks Minji would pull. Eunhas choice was to run away. As the most athletic of the boys, there was no way she could catch him easily. Dont play with yourselves! Minji was also a competitive child. She was so upset that Eunha had gotten away with it that she pushed the other kids aside and ran to catch him. Naturally, a chase ensued between the two.. Eunha thought he could get away from Minji until lunchtime. Thats when it happened. Huh? Something smelled foul. His senses, which had been asleep, grabbed his ankle. There was no way he didnt know that feeling. Hed come close to death countless times on the battlefield, and he could almost instinctively sense life force coming from somewhere. But in a kindergarten? Eunha was puzzled as he realized the life force had landed in the kindergarten. Tag Eunha, youre the boss now! What are you doing? Why are you still? Ignoring Minji, who finally caught up to him, Eunha deployed a mana detection net centered on the kindergarten. Two monsters were caught in the net. Damn! Why are monsters here! Eunha quickly turned his head in the direction of the life force. Huh? What? Two shapes appeared out of nowhere and landed on top of the kindergarten fence. The children playing in the immediate vicinity froze in place as they saw the monsters hanging from the fence. Goblins! Goblin, a seventh-ranked monster capable of committing felonies like murder and rape. With small axes in their hands, they stared at the children with their mouths pulled up to their ears. They giggled, their faces covered in wrinkles. They realized there was no threat around. Ah- ah-. Waaa waa. Uhhh, mommy. The children were frozen in place as they watched the goblins leap from the fence. Some of the childrens legs gave out and they just lay there, while others stood up and peed themselves. Dangerous. It didnt matter where or how the goblins came from. The most important question was how to protect the children from them. Eunha couldnt take on the monsters while protecting the children, who were too small to move. Waaahhh Mommy! The goblins actions were swift. Recognizing the children as nothing more than food, they pounced on them without warning. Eunha wasnt one to just stand there. He had been alert since the goblins feet left the ground and was running to protect the child it had spotted. Everyone run! Minji shouted, coming to her senses late. Her face was white as a sheet, but she realized that if she burst into tears, there would be no one to move them. But Minji was still a child, and her half-panicked brain couldnt think of where to run from the goblins. Go to the auditorium! It was Mr. Tayo who noticed the situation. He too was running towards the goblins to protect the children. If only I had a weapon! The only thing he could use as a weapon was the ice cream stick that had fallen to the ground. He coated the surface of the stick with mana in his mind.. Kiruk The goblin was no pushover. It glanced at him as he charged, and then smashed his stick with its axe. The goblin behind him turned to face the defenseless Eunha. It had concluded from his earlier attack that he would be a distraction. Annoying. Irritation rose in his voice as he struggled against the goblin. The fact that the goblins saw him as prey also contributed to his anger. I can beat you without a weapon. The problem was, in between dealing with the goblin who had belittled him, he had to deal with another goblin who had jumped on the child. How dare you! Wow! The goblin who had been lunging at the child was hit with a broom by Mr. Tayo, who was unable to dodge the broom from the side, and he fell to the ground with a blow to the head. Eunha, hold still! Turning around, Teacher Tayo threw the broom at the goblin as if it were a javelin. The goblin was no match for the blind broom. However, Mr. Tayo wasnt aiming for the goblin from the beginning. He picked up and ran away with Eunha while the goblin was retreating to avoid the broom. Teacher, did you play baseball? I would have made it to the majors if it werent for the . Oh, I see. I guess you can make a joke out of a situation like this. Sighing, Eunha glared at the pursuing goblins. How dare they. Gathering his mana like an elixir, he sowed life. If they come near, they die. The goblin reaching for Ms. Tayo stiffened for an instant. Falling from the air, it collided with the one following it, knocking it completely away. Huff huff huff.Principal, where are the others? In the meantime, the two were able to evacuate to the auditorium. As soon as they entered the auditorium, Mr. Tayo, who was lying on the floor, was breathing heavily. Blood was trickling down one of his legs from where he had punched the goblin earlier. All the children have been evacuated, but did the goblin really come out? In the auditorium, children from other classes and teachers were gathered. The children were screaming, so there was no way the people in the kindergarten didnt know. Yes, there are two of them, I think theyre the ones they missed a few days ago. I never thought theyd show up at the kindergarten. Why of all places The principal furrowed her brow. She called the mana management office in Seongbuk-gu as if she was having a hysterical fit while scratching her head. Ive made a report, but we have to wait here until the players show up. Then Ill block the door with the other teachers. The two teachers thought they would have no problem killing time until the players arrived. Even though they didnt think they would. Teacher, I dont see Hayang and Eunhyuk! Minji, who had been calming the kids in the Evergreen Pine class, jumped up and shouted. The other children began to pour out information one after another. I saw them in the flower bed earlier! Hayang said she was going to bring Eunhyuk some ice cream! They must be in the flower bed! Hayangi and Eunhyuk are missing! No wonder the teachers faces contorted. Ill go get them. No, Mr. Tayo should stay. Mr. Tayo was the only male teacher in the kindergarten. In his head, he knew he should bring the children, but the other teachers didnt want to send him out to secure the auditorium. Teacher, we need to bring them in! The children in the class were acutely aware of the seriousness of the situation. The girls, especially Minji, were clinging to the teachers pants. As they cried, the other kids in the class did the same. When they cried, the other kids cried too. No wonder the auditorium became chaotic. The teachers tried to calm them down and continued to have conflicting opinions about who should leave and who should stay. And Eunha-. What am I doing? He jumped from the window and ran out of the auditorium. E/N: Chuchu popsicles* Its a korean ice cream. Really yummy. Heres a picture! Freeze tag* Its a korean game basically what the name says lol in Spanish we call it Congelados well at least in my country. I was a litle busy with stuff from school so I couldnt update! I think Ill need to add a schedule release A note from your girl bibell Chapter 27 Chapter 27[Kindergarten Hero (2)] The world moves at my will. Just a year ago, Eunhyuk thought he was the center of the world. His parents gave him everything he asked for. If he wanted something to eat, they would give it to him, if he wanted something to have, they would give it to him, if he wanted to go somewhere, they would give it to him. The neighbors didnt scold him when he got into trouble. Instead, they offered him snacks. The neighborhood kids never stopped following him around. They thought they were out of style if they didnt play with him. In fact, Eunhyuk was always leading the trendy play and entertaining the children. As his thoughts became reality and his wishes came true, he thought he must be the center of the world. Eunhyuk thought that when he closed his eyes or fell asleep, the world would plunge into darkness, as if he had turned off the lights. That didnt change when he started kindergarten. In fact, it solidified. Children couldnt help but think he was special because he was so confident. He was their idol because he was so confident, so athletic, and absorbed math and letters like a sponge. As he became more and more of an idol for the children, an invisible caste system emerged at Doan Kindergarden. Children of this age knew, almost instinctively, who they should be friendly with in order to gain a better position in the world, among people and in human relationships. And who those people were. They knew that the closer they were to someone with enough recognition to make other kids nod in agreement, the better position they would be in the social circle and the more they would have a say. And one kid who fit the role was Eunhyuk Choi from Evergreen Pine class. The kids knew him before he entered kindergarten and used that to their advantage. They made him look good to the other kids, and they flaunted how close they were to him. With Eunhyuks name on their backs, they ran wild. The more Eunhyuk-oriented kids set the tone for the group, the more they were recognized and the more they became the envy of other kids. It was Eunhyuks own little kingdom. From the beginning, there were no children who could compare to him, so it was like planting a flag on fertile ground, and it was bloodless. All boys were expected to listen to him, and those who didnt were relegated to the bottom of the Evergreen Pine caste. The last child to disobey would be placed at the bottom of the pecking order and treated with disrespect by the other children. Girls were no exception. Even though Minji had become the center of the girls attention, Eunhyuks favor was unattainable. No matter what anyone said, Eunhyuk was the most recognized and most vocal boy in the class, and there was no boy who could stand up to him. Eunhyuks power over the girls made him the object of their attention and crushes. If the boys followed him to raise their voices, the girls sought to befriend him to raise their own recognition. Thus, the Evergreen Pine Class was a solid kingdom ruled by Eunhyuk. At home, outside, and in kindergarten. With everything going in his favor, his confidence soared to new heights. I am the hero of this world. The idea that he was special grew stronger and stronger. But cracks began to appear in his kingdom. At first, it was just a small crack. No Eunha. One day, he started hearing the name of a child named No Eunha. The children who mentioned the name Eunha lived near Minjis house. They were children who didnt live near Eunhyuks house and didnt have a high social status. They often couldnt play a big role or were excluded from the games led by Eunhyuk. From some point on, whenever Eunhyuk led something, these children would complain and mention Eunhas existence. It didnt take long for Eunhas name to come up among the girls. The girls who knew Eunha didnt hesitate to consider him the only boy who could compare to Eunhyuk. Who the hell is Eunha? On the other hand, those who didnt know Eunha couldnt understand the way they were puffing out their chests and praising him. Later, when all the kids in the Evergreen Pine class heard Eunhas name, Minji took advantage of the opportunity to drive a wedge. She was in the highest caste among the girls, and her high regard for Eunha made even the girls who didnt know about him start to take an interest. Whats more, Eunhyeoks antics were being talked about among the girls. Eunhyuks status was clearly diminishing. But he wasnt insecure. He still thought he was someone special. Until Eunha came along. My name is No Eunha, and Im six years old. Lets get along well from now on Eunhas popularity with the children was predestined the moment he entered the Evergreen Pine class. Hmph, whats so cool about that kid? Eunhyuk couldnt understand it. Eunha didnt seem to have a cheerful personality, nor did he seem to be athletic. The way he answered the questions, he was clearly bored. Kids who were actually curious about him were quickly turned off by his disinterested demeanor. And yet, the kids who knew him walked around with their shoulders back in a confident manner. I dont like him. Especially when he didnt even bother to say hello to them. From the first time Eunhyuk saw him, he chased him away and tried to play with other children, planning to make him a loner in this class. But then he ended up teasing Hayang, who burst into tears at times. How childish, so immature. When No Eunha uttered those words, looking down at him, Eunhyuk became so angry that his head was about to explode. How can he say thats childish? It was unbelievable. Eunhyuk glared at him, demanding an apology, but No Eunha remained indifferent. Instead, he sarcastically laughed and said the same thing again. Childish, really. You think thats funny? Do you want to die? Whenever Eunhyuk said such things, the children used to scatter. But No Eunha was not intimidated by his threats. Seeing his face that seemed to say If you want to try, go ahead, he was rather hesitant. It was from that moment. From that moment on, No Eunha was reflected as a prince charming who rescued Hayang among the girls. The girls who had taken Eunhyuks side quickly turned to No Eunha, showing a rapid change of attitude. The boys were no exception. Despite Eunhyuks order not to play with him, the boys flocked to No Eunha, starting with the children who played with him in the neighborhood. Every time, No Eunha snarled at the children, saying that he was annoyed. However, he still gained unwavering popularity. Moreover, No Eunhas occasional ideas for games were even more fun than Eunhyuks inventions. Before he knew it, Eunha had become known among the children for his exceptional athleticism, intelligence, chic style, and above all, his mature demeanor. What do children truly desire? To become adults. (E/N: not me sir, at that age I wanted to be a power ranger) Eunha, with his mature image, had the presence to fulfill the childrens desires. Soon, only by being with Eunha at Evergreen Pine could one be fashionable on the front lines and build a mature image. It was unbelievable. Eunhyuk felt like the world was collapsing. The world where everything he wished for came true was now crumbling like a lie. He couldnt figure out what to do as he watched the world revolve around Eunha from a distance. His confidence plummeted. What saved him was a TV program that happened to catch his attention while channel surfing. The program was about a famous player, and he was captivated by the character with crimson-colored hair like his favorite anime protagonist, a face filled with confidence that wouldnt falter in any adversity, and the image of wielding a sword with flames all over his body. [This cant be real.] [Get lost.] Yeomma Kang Hyun-cheol. His impressive image defeating a kraken on the Han River left a lasting impression on him. I want to be like him. No, I want to become him! So Eunhyuk begged his parents to buy him a toy sword. Though his parents were surprised by his declaration of wanting to become a player, they granted his request. From then on, Eunhyuk carried the toy sword with him to kindergarten. As it turned out, many of the boys in his class had also seen the program, and toy sword fights became more common. Although his popularity waned, Eunhyuks athleticism didnt disappear. It wasnt impossible for him to reclaim his position among the boys. Of course, Eunha appeared and took his place, but Eunhyuk wasnt disappointed in the slightest. The protagonist grows stronger in the face of adversity. More, more, more. I have to be stronger. Because Im a hero, a warrior, a player. Strangely, the more I swung my sword, the calmer I felt. I started to realize how childish and futile it was to be an alley captain among children. So Eunhyeok continued to swing his sword, even as the children moved away from him. Are you practicing sword fighting again? Its not a sword fight. Its swordsmanship training. Really? Yeah. On this day, Eunhyuk was also in the flower bed, swinging his toy sword, determined not to rest until he had completed 100 top-to-bottom strikes. As he was doing so, Hayang walked up to him and spoke to him. She stared at his sword, wondering what he was thinking, and then shook her head. Then she said, I think Eunha swung the sword more beautifully. Well, being beautiful doesnt always mean its good! The unprepared remark caused Eunhyuk to lose his grip on the sword. Despite his frustration, he knew that Eunha was a great swordswoman. Even if he couldnt put it into words, he could tell that the trajectory of the sword was fluid and the way it flowed into the next move was smooth, unlike the children who swung without thinking. Even if he didnt tell anyone, Eunhyeok was practicing the way Eunha swung his sword in his mind. Why are you here, go play somewhere else. Sar?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Im here for ice cream, do you want some? While holding a tank boy in one hand, Jung Hayang offered a Popsicle with the other. Seeing the ice cream she offered, Eunhyuk couldnt help but salivate. It was hot. Unbearably hot. Even though he hadnt swung his sword many times, sweat was pouring down Eunhyuks face. He forgot how many times he swung it, so he decided to take a break. Wiping the sweat from his face with the back of his hand, Eunhyeok tried to take the ice cream offered by Hayang. But then Hayang came in abruptly, saying, Finish your work first, then you can eat Still a child. For some reason, he thought he heard those words after he stopped talking. No, it was certain. She was looking at him with curious eyes. I was going to finish and then eat it anyway! Its hot, so eat your ice cream. Dad said even he could suffer from the heat. Is she telling me to eat it or not? Frowning, he reluctantly took the ice cream from her. Shes changed too. The children who hung out with Eunha seemed to have grown up somehow. Jung Hayang was one of them. She used to cry at the slightest touch, but now she had changed so much in just one year. Do you think youre good at sword fighting now? Its not sword fighting, its sword training. You wouldnt beat a Eunha anyway. Ugh! And then he was crushed. Now she was strong enough to tease Eunhyuk. By the way, isnt it a little noisy? What? I cant hear anything. I think the kids are just screaming. Noisy? Eunhyuk, who was biting into his ice cream, listened, but heard nothing. Just the sound of cicadas chirping-. Huh? Childrens screams mixed in with the cicadas cries. It was as if something had happened that he didnt recognize. Chapter 28 Chapter 28[Kindergarten Hero (3)] What whats going on? At some point, the cicadas stopped chirping. There was no sound of the wind. Only the sun beating down on the ground. Dontd-dont stay here. Holding onto Eunhyeoks sleeve, Hayang had a different face than a moment ago. The large ribbon was drooping, and her face was changing from moment to moment. The emotions on her face were unexplained anxiety, worry, sadness, discomfort, and finally, fear of death. Eunhyuk didnt know how to describe the various emotions she was showing. He only knew this. That she was on the verge of crying. Whats wrong. What did I do! Fear is contagious. Eunhyeok didnt know the intricacies of Hayangs mind, but he couldnt help but feel terrified when she was so anxious and tearful about something. Whether he did or not, she tugged on his sleeve more. I, I dont know. But, I dont think we should be here. What do you mean? Theres nothing here. I cant even hear any sounds. Still, she shook her head repeatedly. She was so desperate that he couldnt argue that she should stay in the flower bed. Alright, then lets go with the teacher. Lets go, lets go. Okay, Okay! I didnt reach my goal, but I couldnt help it when Hayang looked at me like this. Eunhyuk picked up his sword from the wooden pole and headed back to the Evergreen Class. Kiruk Eh? A sound like scraping metal. When he heard a sound that seemed like laughter, a small creature fell from the roof right above his head. Aaahhhhhhhhhh!!! Eunhyuk-!!! Eunhyuks eyes were filled with the sight of tanned green skin and a face with eyes and nose pulled upward. He froze in place as he met the red eyes of the monster that had overtaken him. He would have stayed on the ground if the grotesque creature hadnt opened its mouth wide. He would have been devoured if he hadnt woken up when he saw the darkness in the creatures open mouth. Almost reflexively, he stretched out his arms and tried to push off the creatures shoulders to break free. But his strength wasnt enough to push the creature off of him from above. A scream escaped his lips as he watched the creature loom over him, mouth open, unable to let go. Aaahhhhh-!!! Dont! Dont! She didnt want to think about what would have happened if she hadnt rushed in and pulled the monster off. It was none of his business how she managed to pull the monster off of him, which he couldnt get rid of no matter how hard he tried. Eunhyuk stood up with her support. His legs were shaking from the fear of the monster in his head. Kyruk, Kryuhk He couldnt tell what the monster was saying, assuming it was even talking. But he could tell that it was treating them like toys. The creatures eyes were like his own when he was debating whether to eat his favorite side dish first or later. As it slowly approached, Eunhyuk realized that he was just one of the side dishes on the table. R-run away! Q-quickly! The predators position changed. From being the eater to being eaten, Eunhyuk couldnt think straight in this situation. He just did what came to mind. With his mind jumbled with all sorts of thoughts, he shouted and ran, holding onto Hayangs equally jumbled hand. His legs didnt move properly. As if they werent his own. His legs wouldnt listen to him. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Still, he had to run. I have to get away from the monster. With that thought, he forced his legs to move, which felt like they would fall if he made the slightest mistake. Dont look back. Dont look back! Because if he looked back, he would stop walking. Hic, uh, hic, hic, ah, dad! Dont cry! Run! Hayang ran after him, her voice filled with tears. Eunhyuk felt like crying too. He could only grit his teeth as Hayang cried. He realized that if he cried, he wouldnt be able to escape the monster and would be eaten. What, what, why wont it open? When the door to the kindergarten didnt open, his eyes went black. Panic set in. The door wouldnt open, so he banged his head against it, trying to force it open somehow. In his urgency, he yelled at the door to open in a poorly formed sentence. Kriuk And the monster kept its distance, watching the two children with amusement. As if to tell them to run away if they could, and see what it would do next. Uhk! At this point, I couldnt think of anything. No matter how hard I tried, the door wouldnt open. I dont want to be eaten by the monster. I want to live. I want to live. Eunhyeok looked back at Hayang, who held his hand. Her face was wet with tears, and she was freaking out at the sight of the approaching monsters. If its just one. She might be able to live. When he thought about it, it was true. Eunhyeok was the most athletic in the class, and Hayang was the most unathletic. Taking such a child with him, they couldnt run far enough from the monster. Even now, if he left her and ran away, he might be able to escape the monster. So Eunhyuk? Get ready to run. You cant abandon her and run! Hed always wanted to be a hero, a player who saved people from monsters. But how can he talk about being a hero when he cant even protect a girl? More importantly, can he have fun as usual if he abandons her and survives? He didnt know. Complicated things were beyond him. Hes a kindergartener, and he only knows one thing. The only thing he, a kindergarten student, knew was that if he left her, ran away, and survived, he wouldnt be the same person he had been until now. Run! Coming to his senses, Eunhyeok signalled to Hayang. Breathing heavily, she followed, clinging to his hand as if she wouldnt let go. Without thinking about it, they ran to the playground, just to get away from the monster. After circling the building and reaching the playground, Eunhyuk realized his mistake. The playground was wide open. This made it difficult to find a place to hide. Now what do we do The adults will come to rescue us. We just have to hide until then. Should we hide inside the slide? Eunhyuk shook his head. Somehow, it seemed like the monster would easily find them even if they hid in the slide. Then, they would be caught without being able to escape properly. Lets climb up there. He remembered the jungle gym. No matter where they were, the monster would find them anyway. In that case, it seemed best to use the limited space and make use of the jungle gym, where they could run away. You go up first. Uh, yeah. Eunhyuk pushed Hayang up onto the jungle gym. And when he tried to climb up after her, Kiruk A monster revealed itself. It looked at the two climbing up the jungle gym with an axe in its ragged waist pouch. You go up first. You, you! You should climb up too! Ill deal with them until the adults get here. Dont do that! Please dont do that! Come up! Hayang shouted as she climbed the jungle gym, but Eunhyuk didnt hear her. Whoa. He thought that if he was on the jungle gym, if he was lucky, the two of them would survive, or at least one of them. But I chose not to climb the jungle gym, choosing instead to face the monster. The moment my feet touched the ground, I regretted it. It was scary. It was impossible not to be scared. His hands, feet, and entire body trembled like an aspen tree. Nevertheless, Eunhyuk drew the toy knife on his back to take on the monster. Yes, a knife. If I didnt have this knife, if I didnt dream of being a player for nothing, I would have gotten on the jungle gym. From the moment he carried a sword, even if it was a toy one, he knew he wanted to defend someone like a warrior. And now hes dealing with goblins. Lets fight, come on. You are not even worth a beep. (1) Eunhyuk taunted the monster, recalling a line from his favorite player, Kang Hyuncheol. I still dont know what a beep is. I could only guess that it was a bad word used to taunt an opponent. I wonder if the monster understood. The corners of the monsters mouth twitched upward, but then it stiffened. Its eyes flashed, and it snatched up its axe and charged. Its okay. Just follow the training! I held my breath as the creature charged. His stiff body didnt move easily. Contrary to what I thought in my head, my body only moved when the monster was right in front of me. His movements were also very slow, unlike what he had practiced. There was no way the creature could be blindsided. With its tiny mouth curled up, the creature struck at the base of the toy sword just as it passed overhead. Ah! The toy knife fell out of his hand, spinning in circles in the air. Ah. It was over. I couldnt hide my wide-open pupils. Kkykk Kkyukk Krk As if to ask if the fun was over. The creature stepped back, making a sound like scraping metal. Ah. My mind went white. I couldnt think of anything. I hadnt expected my mind to be so quiet, so full of thoughts just a few moments ago. My head felt hot, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. My vision was wobbly and I felt like closing my eyes. Yeah, closing my eyes would be easier. This must be a dream. The next time I wake up, itll be like nothing happened. Ah, ah. Eunhyuk! Eunhyuk, who had been denying reality and losing his mind, snapped out of it at the sound of his name being called. What if this isnt a dream? What if this is reality? If I close my eyes like this, will it end? No, no. I dont want to die like this. Im scared. Someone help me. Dad, mom. Why why why why. Everything Ive ever wanted has come true! But why wont you listen to me! Euhyeo-ah! Huuk, sob, hurry up and come up. On the jungle gym, Hayang was calling out to him. Krk Kkryk The monsters gaze fell on Hayang. As if Eunhyuk wasnt there anymore, the monster headed to the jungle gym. Hes alive At that moment, the fear of death disappeared. Eunhyuk felt an involuntary sense of relief. I had the complacent thought that if I stayed put, the adults would come to my rescue while she was running away from the goblins. Yes, if she can buy him some time-. Dont be ridiculous! Beep! Get lost! No way. It was ridiculous. There was no way that the sluggish Hayang could run away from the goblin. If she was captured by the monster, she wouldnt be able to escape and would be eaten. If she was lucky, she might even survive. Maybe the full monster would pass her by, and in the meantime, the adults would come to her rescue. Yes, theyll come for you. Theyll come for you, Theyll come to the rescue. Dont be ridiculous! He wanted to be a player, not a survivor at the expense of others. A glint of recognition flashed in the monsters eyes. At this moment, the monster was more interested in him for his unyielding strength than the mana-rich pale girl. It licked its lips. Its long tongue flicked across its lips, and its eyes asked. Eunhyuks answer was unchanged. No way! I dont know what Im thinking. I dont know why my body, which hadnt moved for so long, was moving at will for this moment. There was nothing in his hands, and yet Eunhyuk was leaping toward the monster. The monsters mouth curled upward as if to say that this was just another game. The distance between the monster and Eunhyeok got smaller and smaller, and then the monsters axe slashed at him, Ah, a-ah. Eunhyuk! The moment the axe blade came in front of his eyes. A figure appeared in an instant, aiming for the gap between them. Good job, youre a real man. Eh? The wind blew. With a swishing sound. In a world where nothing could be heard, a voice was heard, and a soft breeze seemed to envelope them. Wah. In front of me, No Eunha confronted a monster. Above. Danger! Before he could yell, Eunha rolled over and picked up the toy knife hed dropped earlier. Dont fuss. It took a moment. The knife, pulsing with blue energy, sliced the leaping monster left and right. The creature that had given him the fear of death crumbled to dust and disappeared into the wind. Wow. A small exclamation arose. There it was, just as Eunhyuk had hoped. Like a hero in a story defeating a demon-. The person he had dreamed of becoming, the person he wanted to be, was right there, without missing a beat. Uh. Whoa, whoa, whoa. You-u, warrior. Theres a real warrior! What the hell, get off me! I didnt want to let go. In the joy of being alive and the excitement of meeting the person of his dreams, Eunhyuk threw away his pride and everything else and clung to Eunha. Uhhhhhhhh! Warrior! Aaahhhhh! I was scared! Before I knew it, Hayang, who had gotten off the jungle gym, was also hugging Eunha. What the hell. I hugged him first! Eunhyuk tried to push away Hayang, who was trying to steal his place. Hayang was not just sitting still either. Eunhyuk couldnt help but notice the tearful way she glared at him. This is real. Someone saved me. The two people in Eunhas arms were arguing with their eyes. It was from then on. In the not-too-distant future, the Eunha Division would be mentioned as a joke. Eunhyuk vowed to devote his life chasing Eunha. Hi there, I will be realizing a mass release in the following days (without getting any sleeplol jk) the reason behind this is that in the next week school startsthe good news is that is my last year, the sad news is that I will be busier with stuff like thinking about college and final exams. So after the mass release (about 15 ch? or more), I will be updating every two days 4 chapters! Happy reading! Chapter 29 Chapter 29[Kindergarten Hero (4)] Rewinding the clock to the time of the incident. This is a story that only Noeun-ha knows. I didnt know why I was running. I just felt like if I didnt, I would never be able to run forward again. Why are those kids so precious? You didnt save us even though you could have Its not fair. What did we do wrong? The sound of resentment hit me in the head. It was a sound I hadnt heard since the day I decided to save my family. Eunha knows. This is the guilt he feels. Before his regression, Eunha was a player who couldnt die. Having lost his reason to live, he wielded his sword relentlessly against anyone, monster or human. To him, life was the most insignificant thing in the world. In his quest to destroy the monsters, he pushed those who followed him to lay down their lives. And in return for their sacrifice, he advanced to the front, slaying monster after monster. As the battle raged, the blood on the ground grew darker and darker. He couldnt tell if it was human or monster blood. Maybe it was one, maybe it was the other, maybe it was both. When I flipped the switch, I just killed and killed and killed. When the battle was over, he was always alone. The people who had risked their lives for him, the people who had entrusted him with their hatred and their future, were gone. Eunha took it for granted. It was a world where only the strong survive. There are no good and bad in the world, only the strong. He survived because he was strong. Because he was strong, he forced someone to sacrifice themselves; because he was strong, he kept his hatred of monsters to himself; because he was strong, he moved forward into the future; and because he was strong, he waited for someone stronger to come along and die for him. So there was no need to mourn the dead. The end was obvious for those who lived to die. Eunha, too, thought that one day someone stronger would come along and take his place and die. It was ridiculous. To feel guilty about it now. But at the moment of his death, he was given a second life in the form of regression. It was an unexpected salvation for a man who had vowed to follow the path of sura. (1) In his second life, he regained a little of what he had lost. He recalled memories of his family. He realized how comfortable he was with the uneventful passage of time. He realized how much he enjoyed every day. And I was afraid of losing it again. That this happiness would become a grain of sand that would slip through his fingers in an instant. So he chose the life of his family over the lives of others. I realize how selfish this is. He knows that choosing his family means betraying the people who died for him before his regression. So Eunha was racked with guilt. Realizing the weight of his unseen happiness, he realized how heavy the happiness of others must be. You are too much. Its only good for you, isnt it? Help us too. So what? I asked guiltily. Even now, when he was in a daze. The weight of the happiness hed trampled underfoot added to his own, pushing him to the bottom of a dark pit. So what? Despite the guilt, he didnt regret his choice. Rather, I realized. I realized that in the future, I would not hesitate to trample on the happiness of others in order to be happy myself. There was no need to hesitate. I didnt need to hesitate. My mother had told me. Live the way you want to live. Live your life. Right. Thats it. Only then did he realize why he was running. He was getting unnecessarily anxious. He was afraid that the happiness he wanted to have forever would be compromised by these two children. There was no sense of justice in saving them. The world is an unequal place, even for children. Only the strongest can live. There was nothing but selfishness in him, that he would stop at nothing to be happy. This one thing hasnt changed. He was the same selfish bastard he was before the regression. I couldnt help but smile, and it felt like coming out of a tunnel with no end in sight and seeing the light. I cant believe Ive been worrying about this. My body felt lighter. Maybe it was because I admitted it. Ive always been a selfish bastard. Maybe it was because I found it.The purpose of living not to die but to live. To want to be happy. So shut up. Huh? ??? Huh? If you catch my eye, you wont be able to stay still either. His voice cracked. The silence didnt last long. Ahahahahaha! Oh, tears! Tears are coming out! Its been a while since I burst out laughing like this! Thats how you become a berserker! He was insane! He was crazy! The sound of memorable laughter echoed in my head. It was a light, pleasant sound. Okay, Ill wait. I have to step on his toes. A selfish son of a bitch. Thats right. What a selfish bastard. Hes going to make everyone else in sight happy so he can be happy himself. I dont swear to help everyone. Im not a hero and Im not a giving tree. Im just a selfish person. I just want to eliminate the possibility of anything threatening my own happiness. Right now, in this moment, in this place, I swear. I will continue to trample on the happiness of others in order to be happy myself. I will feel guilty every time. But I will never stop making selfish choices. Whoa. Rounding the corner, Eunha ran into the staff room. He rummaged through the drawers, looking for a knife he could use as a weapon, then ran outside. Come to think of it, I think Ive seen this on the news before. Eunha frowned at the sudden memory. Come to think of it, he did. Hayangs mana in her body was so great that it was comparable to Eunas. She had the potential to become a player who could match or even surpass the Twelve Lords. But Eunha had never heard anything about Hayang. Even if she lived as a civilian, she couldnt have hidden her prowess in a world where mana became a strength. Maybe Hayang wasnt alive before regression. He suddenly thought of that. There was a good reason for that. Eunha learned about the damage and impact caused by the Kraken at the Higher Academy. Not long after, he heard about a monster attacking a kindergarten in Seongbuk-gu and killing children. I cant believe Im remembering this now. If he had known earlier, it would have been better. If he had heard more detailed stories back then, he could have been better prepared. Ill have to make a backup plan. Something like this happened at the kindergarten he attended. At this point, fate was a scary thing. This guy. Deploying his mana detection network, Eunha saw the goblin moving toward the flowerbeds, and that Eunhyuk and Haeyang were where he was headed. It was urgent. There was no way the kids could take on the goblin. The problem was that the other goblin was coming towards him. It was a priority to take down the goblin chasing him by smelling. Eunha aimed at the tiny figure that appeared on the other side of the hallway with a cutter knife filled with mana. Kieeeeeekkk! The goblin let out a high-pitched shriek as soon as it saw him. The axe-wielder leaped toward him, trying to close the remaining distance. Unfazed by the goblins charge, Eunha laid down and slid across the floor. Once past the goblin, he braked with the bottom of his sneakers. With his hands on the floor, he spun around and cut a swath at the creature as it landed on the ground. The goblin, who was stabbed in the back in an unarmed state, screamed. The guy who pulled out the cutter knife stuck in the goblins back glared at him, dripping with saliva. It was a goblin, after all. Slamming into the wall and moving behind the goblin, Eunha clung to its body. He choked it with his arms and pinned its back to the floor with his weight. He wrapped his legs around him to keep it from moving its arms. Krukhk What are you looking for? Youre not looking for this, are you? Ironically, it was the axe in his hand that cut off the goblins breathing. Unable to escape from Eunha, it was running out of energy, and after snatching the axe from its grasp, he frantically took a swing at the goblin. If you get caught by me, your skull will be shattered. Dont ever set foot in a kindergarten again. The goblin has axe marks all over its body. Blue blood and mana leaked from where the axe had passed. With a final blow to the head, the shambling goblin vanished. The mana that made up its body dissolved into the air. I paid no attention to the goblins dropped gemstones. The axe must have been stolen from somewhere. Turning to mana, Eunha grabbed the axe that hadnt disappeared and drew on the mana in his body. The children thank goodness. The children were safe. He sensed mana in the playground, where they were running from the goblins. Eunha opened the window and jumped out. He opened the window and jumped out. He could see Hayang on the jungle gym beyond. And Eunhyeok trying to protect her. Even from a distance, he could tell they were both terrified. Hayang was crying thick tears from her big eyes. And Eunhyuk, with his arms outstretched, blocked the goblin from jumping at him. Eunhyuk was terrified, but he didnt back down from the goblin. Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!! He even ran towards the goblin. Hmm? It was crazy that he jumped in even though he knew he was going to die, but he had the courage to stand his ground. Of course, he couldnt let Eunhyuk get away with it. I threw the axe in my hand at the goblin, who was distracted by Eunhyuk. The goblin, who didnt expect the axe to come flying out of nowhere, was hit in the head and fell out. Uh. Eunhyuk was dumbfounded by what had happened in front of him. He looked at Eunha, and he seemed to relax. Too much, yes, too much. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His pants were soaked. Something was dripping down his leg and onto the floor. Good job, youre a real man. Ill keep it to myself. Leave the rest to me. The goblin picks himself up off the floor. He picks up the axe that Eunha threw at him, his eyes glowing with life. Grabbing his own axe from his belt, the goblin lunges at Eunha with an axe in each hand. He was no match for a goblin with a weapon in each hand. What could be a weapon? Eunha quickly scanned his surroundings. It wasnt hard to find a weapon. There was just the a thing. There was a toy knife lying right next to him. He leapt to pick it up and energized the blade with mana. It all happened in a flash. Dont be afraid. The goblin leapt and Eunha ducked. The blade scraped across the floor and drew up from below, severing the goblins two arms as it slashed down from above. The goblin stared at him in disbelief as his arms flew off. Re-positioning himself, Eunha brought the toy knife down before the goblins feet touched the ground. The corpse, split left and right, scattered into mana, leaving no trace in its wake. It was over. A single gemstone lay where the goblin had been. He swung his toy sword across the line of fire and let out the breath hed been holding. He was about to tell the children behind him that they could breathe easy, Uh. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Yo, you-u a warrior. There was a real warrior! What the hell, get off me! Whether he said it or not, Eunhyuk clung to Eunha, his wet face dripping with tears and snot. Uhhhhhhhh! Warrior, Warrior! Get off me! Youre getting snot on my clothes! Come on! And youre crazy too! Like it or not, Eunhyuk didnt pull away from Eunha and rubbed his snotty face this way and that. Aaaaahhh! I was scared! Hey, even you! Ha, I dont know anymore. Even Ha Yang, who had come down from the jungle gym, clung to Eunha. As the two children cried and clung to each other, Eunha became exhausted. Tired of being angry, he could only stand there like a stone until Mr. Tayo came running. Naturally, his clothes were covered in tears and snot. After this, Eunha got a new name. He was called the Kindergarten Hero. He was featured in the local newspaper and couldnt show his face for a while. (1) The phrase walk the path of Sura is a reference to a concept in the popular Korean webtoon The God of High School. (I LOVE THIS WEBTOON BTW and it has an anime!!) In the webtoon, Sura is a type of divine being that possesses immense power and can be summoned by humans. To walk the path of Sura means to follow a path of strength and power, much like the Sura themselves. In the context of the webtoon, characters who pledge to walk the path of Sura are usually determined to become stronger and more powerful in order to achieve their goals. It does not necessarily imply killing people or walking alone, but rather a dedication to personal growth and strength. Chapter 30 Chapter 30[Messy Snow White]. By the time the Maronia Knights arrived, it was all over. When the players arrived at the scene, they had to question their ears when they heard that the children had defeated the goblins. Or that the kindergarten teacher had lost her mind after seeing the monster. If the mana stone had not been discovered at the scene, he would have almost put the teacher with the nickname Tayo in a mental hospital. Youre telling me a kid actually killed a goblin? Yes, didnt I say so? Mr. Tayo, being examined on crutches, was honestly incredulous. A 7-year-old child defeated a goblin. , was a common fantasy novel setting where children could defeat goblins by joining forces. However, in this world of monsters, goblins were strictly seventh-ranked monsters. Of course, since the goblins werent swarming, they could be treated as the eighth level, but it didnt make sense that a child, who should be under the care of his parents, would kill a goblin. If the rescued Eunhyeok and Hayang hadnt mentioned that Eunha had killed the goblins, no one would have known the reason for their disappearance. And the magic stone found near the staff room? The only goblin mentioned by the children who claimed to have been directly attacked was the one on the playground. However, the other one of the two reported was found near the staff room with a magic stone. The player who had to file the report with the higher-ups was worried that once again, nonsense would come out of Ms. Tayos mouth. Im not well aware of that. Mr. Tayo had never heard of the gemstone found near the staff room. Eventually, the Maronia player decided to meet the kid who claimed to have defeated the goblin. Did you really defeat it? The monster was covered in wounds, and after a few blows, it disappeared. What nonsense. The player held back the words that were about to come out of his mouth. Monsters born from omnipresent mana cannot be destroyed by casual attacks. You had to attack the core of the monster, use a mana-impregnated weapon, or otherwise deal physical damage to it. No matter how wounded the goblin was, it wasnt going to die from a childs attack. But what more could you ask for from a 7-year-old? The player couldnt bite his tongue against the evasive child who said he didnt know what to say. So what about the goblins in the staff room hallway? Didnt one of them get away? The kid asked as if it was the first time hed heard of it. Yeah, its hard to believe they took down one, but two?. The other one was found near the staff room with a magic stone. Yeah. I wonder if the other goblin killed it? They didnt look like they were getting along. Haha, yeah, I see. What to write on the police report. The player swallowed bitterly and ended the investigation. The story spread throughout Seongbuk-gu and the surrounding neighborhoods. The mayor of the city visited Doan Kindergarten to express his condolences and assure them that he would do his best for their welfare. Eunha received a brave child award from the mayor. Haha. Applause rang out everywhere. After receiving the award from the mayor, Eunha let out a squeezed smile. Naturally, Eunha was scolded by his parents for his reckless behavior. He even had to submit a reflection paper. Haaa, its hard to live. The 7-year-olds story also ended like that. [Once upon a time, there lived a fair and pretty Snow White, who was loved by the seven dwarfs who lived in the forest because of her kind heart]. The Evergreen class were having their final recital at the Arirang Art Hall. At first, the recital was canceled due to the goblin attack, but the parents suggested that the children should have one last memory of kindergarten, so the recital was held. This time, the children chose to perform the Snow White play. Unbeknownst to the class, they were divided into three factions, but the goblin attack brought them together. This allowed them to prepare for the play without any discord. Captain! Captain! What can I do? I cant remember any of my lines! Come on. You only have one line, Thats right, you cant eat it! Ah, thats it! Youre the boss, you remembered all the lines. From that day on, Eunhyeok followed Eunha around so closely, there was no way the kids could not have gotten along. Haaa. Eunha sighed when he saw Eunhyuk smiling in his dwarf hat. It was really since that day. The Eunhyeok, who had been arguing with him, was gone, and when Eunha was there he following him around. From that day on, Eunhyeok was impressed by something and started calling Eun-ha Brave! Warrior! and Eunha had to live with the shouts of Oh warrior! from the kindergarten children. Eunha tried to tell them not to call him brave because it made him feel uncomfortable, but Eunhyuk wouldnt listen. The title he finally compromised on was Captain. This ideal showed Eunhyeoks determination that he would not back down even if he died. People change overnight. Have he regressed too? Haaa, thats impossible. Holding back the words that came out of his mouth, Eunha patted Eunhyeok on the back. Its your turn. Do well. Go upstairs. Ehehe. Boss, Ill show you how good I am at acting! Eunhyuks role was one of the seven dwarves. When deciding on the role, the children were divided. The boys, who still followed Eunhyuk, insisted that he was fit to be a prince. The girls, on the other hand, insisted that Eunha, who had saved Hayang, should be the prince. I wonder if theyre trying to pick sides again. Popcorn is urgently needed. Eunha, who was trying to watch from afar, could only kneel and despair at Eunhyeoks interruption. Our captain should be the coolest one here! Its a bit unfair that hes a prince instead of a warrior, but. Eunha, who was secretly rooting for Eunhyuk to take on the role of prince, suspected that this was an advanced backstabbing. Princess. Look at this apple. How bright red it is, wouldnt it be delicious? Oh my. Its so pretty, and I bet the apple is delicious. On the stage, the play was in full swing. Minji, dressed as a witch, was giving a great performance, even ad-libbing. Dressed in black robes and giggling sinisterly, she was a wicked witch. Yes, thats right, Minji, shes perfect for a villainous role. On the other hand, Hayangs acting as Snow White was mediocre. However, her visuals were enough to make up for it. Princess, that apple must be poisoned! You shouldnt eat anything given to you by a stranger! Thats right, Princess! Snow White reaches for the apple offered by the witch. Each of the dwarves raised their voices and insisted that she shouldnt eat the apple. Now it was Eunhyuks turn. Thats right! Eat! Dont! Haaa, really. He raps? Was he trying to be a rapper instead of a player? Eunha, who was watching Eunhyuks performance from the backstage, had his tongue stuck out. Whats so hard about that one line? Eunhyeoks acting was so bad that he had to shorten and shorten his lines, but he still made a mistake at the talent show. It was no wonder that the audience burst into laughter. The kids on stage were confused as Eunhyeok, the dwarf who would have been buried in silence, was illuminated. At this point, it was up to Hayang to take control of the situation and eat the apple offered by the witch. Eat this and get away! Minji was weak in quick thinking. The bewildered witch threw the apple from the basket at Eunhyuk, who was fumbling with it. Oh, please. Did we hear the god of comedy today? The apple that Minji threw went straight into Eun-hyuks open mouth. He lost his balance and fell to the ground. Eunhyuk is dead! The dwarves panicked. The stage became chaotic. [oh, the dwarf had eaten the poisoned apple on behalf of the princess. But the queen did not give up: she forced the remaining apple to Snow White]. I could see Mr. Tayo on his crutches trying to defuse the situation. You too, eat this and get away! Uh, mother! How can my mother be here. Whos your mother, Im your stepmother, I told you not to call me like that! It was a mess. It was chaos. The commentary was cut off and the curtain was lowered, as Tayo-sensei decided he couldnt take it anymore. In the end, the audience couldnt help but laugh at the sight of Eunhyeok, the dwarf, being carried away with an apple in his mouth; Minji, the witch, who threw away all her dignity when her identity was discovered; and Hayang, the snow-white princess, who somehow managed to bite into a poisonous apple and fall into a deep sleep. Eunha, your teacher only believes in Eunha. Haha. Mr. Tayos eyes were burning as he held onto his crutches and ran towards them. We have a bet on which class is the best today. To show it to the teacher. Eunha couldnt speak because of being dumbfounded. Regardless, Mr. Tayo tapped him on the shoulder and asked him to finish. This apple is delicious. Are you saying that now! You ruined it for me! Youre the one who threw the apple! It was only natural that Minji and Eunhyuk would argue. Hayang, stuck between them, tried to stop them, but it wasnt enough. Haaa Then the final stage began. On stage, Princess Hayang is lying on a bed surrounded by flowers. Eunha looked at the people watching him. It was his first time performing a play in front of people. He had fought in countless battles, but this was his first time performing in a play, so he had every right to be nervous. The looks from the adults in the audience were filled with envy and fear. It was a look I had received countless times before my regression. I used to be this person. The moment I felt their eyes on me, my head went cold. I was new to theater, but not to the stage. This stage was a battlefield. The gazes looking at him were the gazes of a monster that needed to slice and dice. No Eunha, the player who could die and not die. Once again, he-. Woahh! here! look! Woah! litltle! bro! No Eunha! Eunha, its my brother~! My son, woah! Hes so handsome! who does he take after?! Eunha~ Mommys here! Ooh! waa! Woohoo! Oh, Fantastic! Eunha is the coolest one today~! Good luck! Euna shouts, waving a placard she made. Father shouting with his camcorder. Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mother waving the hardest. Eunae clapping and babbling. Julieta, who whistles to attract attention. Bruno cheering with a thumbs up and a voice full of mana. These people. A smile blossomed on his face that had been chillingly frozen. When he saw them, they waved again. It didnt feel like someone was grabbing his ankles and pulling him down. The stares were no longer a concern. Eunha stepped onto the stage to end the play. I cant believe theres someone so beautiful in this world. After reciting his prepared lines, Eunha stroked Whites hair. He slowly brought his lips to her forehead. Kyaa~! No Eun-ha is awesome! Hayangs eyelids twitched. Slowly opening her eyes, she smiled widely at the man in front of her. A song began to play, and the children of the Evergreen Pine class danced onto the stage. They held hands, danced, and sang. Hey, lets do the Henggarae dance, Henggarae! Everyone, come together~! The curtain hadnt even fallen yet, and Eunhyuk, who was short-tempered, called the kids together. The children, who had been plotting backstage, rushed in and lifted Eunha into the air. If it werent for me, they would have gotten hurt! There was no way kindergarten kids could do the Henggarae dance properly. As exhausted children started to collapse, Eunhyeok had to fall down from the air. Hahahaha! Eunhyuk laughed out loud among the children. Eunha had to wonder if Eunhyuk had found a new way to bully them. Eunha, that was awesome! Me too! Me too! Give me a kiss! Woo~ha! Woo~ha! Eunha, who had come down from the audience, waited for Euna to raise her bangs and stuck her forehead out. Eunha smiled awkwardly and kissed her forehead as the girls responded. He didnt forget to give Eunae a kiss as well. Wow, my boy is so good! The father suddenly gives him a ride. Eunha clung to his father and said, Of course. Whose son is this? while he floated him up. Eunha. Yes mom? Have you found what you want to do now? My mother smiles softly. Shed said this last year, too. Pondering for a moment, Eunha looked at the children playing and shrugged. I dont know. I still dont know what to do. I just want to be happy. I dont want to let anyone ruin that. So, Well, maybe Ill be a warrior. Eunha whispered to himself and looked towards a faraway mountain, uttering words that even made him own self feel strange. Yeah. We should do whatever we want, Eunha. Mommy will. Ill support you. I didnt need to hear the rest. Kindergarten is over. It was an eventful life. I have no regrets. Every day has become a pleasant memory. Next year, I will be in elementary school. May next year be full of fun. Eunha jumped into the midst of the children, looking forward to the future that had changed from that day. Forgetting that there were no dreams or hopes in this world. NEXT CHAPTER Chapter 31 Chapter 31[Life is about connections]. It was winter vacation, and Eunhas routine was to stay home. All he could do was lie on the couch, read a book, and take care of his younger sister Eunae. (E/N: my life) Abu~ Didnt I say you look ugly with pout your lips out? Whenever Eunae didnt like something, she would puff up her cheeks and pout her lips, which would make Eunha scold her. However, Eunae still liked doing it, despite Eunhas stern expression. Mom, wheres my sister? She went to play with her friends. Then Eunha realized that Euna hadnt been seen since the morning. Whenever Eunae clung to him, Euna would appear out of nowhere and cling to him too, but today, for some reason, she was nowhere to be seen. Eunha, why dont you go play with your friends? Abu~! Eunae said not to go, so Im staying home. Do you want mom to bring Minji? Mom, cant I just stay home? Eunae is also begging me not to go. Although shes still young, Eunae is incredibly aware of the atmosphere and holds onto his clothes to prevent him from going anywhere. It was so cute, that Eunha hugged her. Unlike the kindergarten kids, she doesnt realize how much Eunae energizes his life. Come to think of it, Hayang had invited him to come over. It was at the end of the school assembly. Her father came to thank him for saving her from the goblins. He told him to come to the cafe with their friends when he was on vacation. It was then that Eunha realized that Hayang lived alone with his father. In the meantime, he was not interested in people around him except his family. Although he considered the children in the kindergarten to be his friends, he was 32 years older than them and perceived them as people who needed to be taken care of. So, even if he was close to them, he was secretly drawing a line in the sand. In other words, he was indifferent. From now on,I need to care a little more. It would be wrong to say that he was interested. He must face the children on an equal footing. For him, a future without them was now unthinkable. Sooner or later, well have to go play. Her father had invited him anyway. Eunha agreed to go with his friends when the time came. Well see. Great! Lets play! Come on out. I know youre lazing around the house. Hey, Eunha, lets play. Eunha was at a loss for words as the children rushed into the house at lunchtime. Im not playing. I said wed play, but I didnt say wed play today. He snapped out of it and tried to turn around, Uh-oh. Come on, its cold outside, right? Do you want some cocoa? Yes, I want cocoa! No, maam, Ill have milk. and thank you. Okay, go, go. When the mother tried to push the children in, he had no choice but to raise the white flag. No long-lived soldier would let enemies into the main camp. Woo-ha! Woo-ha! Eunae, Im going out. Eunha had to pick up Eunae, who was still crying, and go outside. He didnt know why he was so sad to leave his sister. Haaa. What are you two doing here? Hehe, we came to play with the captain. Right! When Eunhyeok called him boss, Ma Bangjin and Yeon Seongjin followed him, treating him like a boss. Eunha wanted to hide in a rat hole because people passing by were watching them. Last time, Hayangs dad asked her to come over, so I called her today. It was Minji who explained the situation, the tip of her nose frozen red from the cold weather. Why didnt you contact me beforehand? Dont you know that its a nuisance? It wont do. Youre a nuisance from now on. Got it? Im not having any fun either. Hayang, got it? Huh? What? Yeah, got it? It was a verbal feast on the way home. Still not used to the bickering between the two, Hayang replied, flicking the ribbon back and forth. Yeah, got it? Oh, got it~ On the other hand, Eunhyuk, Bangjin, and Sungjin got along well. They followed along and played with each other after listening to their stories. , run by Hayangs father, was located on a hill in the northeast of the city. Reminiscent of a cabin in the woods, the cafe was very small compared to the neighbouring cafes. The smell of roasting coffee beans greeted the children as soon as they opened the door. The interior of the cafe was narrow with high ceilings. The interior was also reminiscent of a cabin in the woods. Hello. Hayangs father wore an apron that matched the forest atmosphere. Minjis eyes lit up when she saw the adorable bear on the apron. Hello~! Greetings are manners. The children bowed, with Eunha and Minji leading the way. Hi, kids. Hello, Eunha. Please continue to be friendly with Hayang. But what? Eunha stared at Hayangs father, who was fixing his glasses. He recognized the face. He looked familiar. But as he searched his memory, he couldnt come up with any clues about Hayangs father. Meanwhile, the children were ushered to a seat by the window, where light streamed in. Are you hungry? Ill make you a delicious lunch. Would you like a drink? Me! Me! Me! I want a chocolate! I want mango juice!! Sir, Id like a yogurt. Daddy, me too, yogurt. Yeah, okey, and Eunha? What? Eunha looked up from his thoughts. Drinks. I asked what you wanted to drink. Oh, sorry. Ill have a double shot of espresso. Huh? There was silence. Eunha was confused as to why the mood had suddenly cooled. Then he realized his mistake and quickly corrected himself Banana juice! Ill have a banana juice. Okay. Espresso is for grown-ups. But you cant have a double shot. Even though you told me to stop watching dramas, how much did you watch to come up with such difficult words? Youre amazing captain! I thought it was a magic spell! Me! Ill make one for you when you grow upIll practice until then. If there was a rat hole, he wanted to crawl into it. For the first time, Eunha lost his poker face, and his ears turned bright red. Ill have a double shot of espresso~ Stop, please. There was no way Minji was going to miss this opportunity. He mimicked the childrens and Eunhas lines until Hayangs father brought her lunch. Double shot of espresso. Even Hayang was impressed by Eunhas line and imitated him, even raising her eyebrows in the same way. Wait Hayang! one more time!! Please. Hayangs father, who brought lunch, smiled and pulled out his smartphone, capturing Hayang with raised eyebrows. Kids, kimchi! Kimchi~! Kimchi. A group shot followed. The photo even showed the fork in Eunhas hand rattling. Wow! This is delicious! Is this bacon? Bangjin and Sungjin devoured the lunch brought by Hayangs father. They didnt even realize they had sauce on the corners of their mouths. On the other hand, Minji and Hayang were quietly playing with their knives. For Hayang, cutting pancakes seemed like an ordinary thing. Captain, this egg dish is so delicious. Its not an egg dish, its scrambled eggs. And dont talk to me while you are eating. Okay. Eunhyeok nodded without a word as he was told not to open his mouth when he had food in his mouth. Wow, this is delicious! Bangjin, who was drinking a mango smoothie, brought up the topic. Sungjin, who was drinking next to him, nodded in agreement. Now do you understand? Hayangs dad is so good at cooking. But why are you being sulky? Because Hayang is my friend. I see, glutton. I told you not to call me that. Okay, Minji the eater. Im going to eat now~! Goodbye~! Choi Eunhyuk you~! Ahaha. Whenever the kids got together, topics would fly back and forth. This is why Eunha used to lie down on the couch when he came home from kindergarten. Still, it was nice to chat after a long time. Especially when Eunhyuk played the rhythm and came in, his thumbs went up automatically I have to admit, though. I feel like Im getting stronger. Well, thats true. After finishing his iced chocolate, Eunhyuk changed the subject. Minji, who was raising her voice, didnt bother to change the subject. How good can it be? The brunch was good, too. I could tell that my cooking skills werent up to par, but I couldnt understand why they were praising the drink so much. So I decided to give it a try. Eunha drank the banana smoothie, what. I was stunned and speechless. What did I just drink? He didnt pay attention to the kids who were making a big deal about it. Eunha drank the drink again, not to savor the banana smoothie, but to check the changes in his mana. Crazy. My mana is up. His sense of manipulating his bodys mana was unrivalled. He may be young, but his instincts werent going anywhere. His senses had developed to the point where he could detect subtle changes in his bodys mana. Crazy, crazy, crazy. Amazing. This is amazing. It was a sure thing. The banana smoothie was restoring his mana. The drink in his hand was a potion, a banana smoothie. This is ridiculous. What? Does it taste bad? No, no. Its really delicious. Hayang smiled brightly at him. For some reason, Eunha still couldnt take his eyes off the banana smoothie. It was a drug that helped restore mana in the body. All players carried potions with them. Even if they didnt have money, they always took potions with them when they went to slay monsters. For a mana player, potions were life and death. The problem is that the earliest potions were drugs that literally restored mana to the body. They were nothing more than drugs that allowed players to quickly absorb mana from the atmosphere. Whats more, the earliest potions came in syringes, needles jabbed into thick thighs. They were also expensive. They were made from specific plants, and even a poor-quality potion would cost at least 50,000 won. Hayang, whats your fathers name? Then one day, the potion market was revolutionized. It was when Eunha entered middle school. Newly formulated potions not only helped speed up mana recovery, but also restored mana in the body. There was no need to use a syringe. The new potion was available as a powder, a pill, and a drink. Dads family name is Jung, and his given name is Seok-ja-hoon. Awesome! Lets be good friends! Huh? what? It was none of Hayangs business as she plucked at the ribbon with a puzzled face. Eunha was already excited to the point of excitement. Jung Seok-hoon. There was no way Eunha didnt know that name. He was the man who had revolutionized the potion market. His gift was , which activated the mana in ingredients, allowing him to select mana-containing ingredients and extract the mana from them to create a dish called a potion. By chance, he developed potions from his own dishes and saved countless players. The potions he made himself were considered premium and were even called Elixir, which revived players who were otherwise unable to recover. Why am I looking for a double shot espresso! Jung Seok-hoons homemade potions, there was also a potion called Double Shot Espresso. It was the best potion for mana recovery, no, it was coffee. (E/N: For me its tea) But I heard that he didnt have a daughter. Eunha recalled the moment Jung Seok-hoon appeared in the potion market. Then he realized the discomfort he felt when he first saw Hayang. Oh. The puzzle was solved. mmm, what? Its nothing. The banana smoothie is delicious. Yeah! Dad made it. Jung Seok-hoon. He was a person who lost his wife and daughter to monsters. It was the day Jung Seok-hoon left his house. Monsters, as if aiming for that moment, sneaked into his house and killed his wife. When he returned home, his daughter was the only one crying alone in a pool of blood. (E/N: Thats too sad) Why only the daughter was alive was considered a mystery. It could have been because the monster satisfied its hunger or because it had to leave for some reason. However, Eunha was now able to understand the mystery that only her daughter survived. Perhaps the monster hid in the house to eat the abundant mana in Hayangs body, and although it succeeded in killing her wife, it disappeared or ran away due to the mana that Hayang unconsciously spilled. Anyway, the only thing left for Jung Seok-hoon, who lost his wife, was his daughter, Jung Hayang. He was said to have raised his daughter with all his love, including his wifes share. But in this world, there is no dream or hope. Jung Seok-hoon lost his daughter, just like he lost his wife without knowing it A goblin. It was a goblin that attacked the kindergarten a few months ago. The reason the academy had taught about the goblin attack was because it was related to the story of Seok-hoons entry into the potion market. Before the regression, Hayang would have been killed by the goblins. Eunha was able to figure out why Hayang, who had so much mana, was unknown in the future. In this life, I have saved the daughter of Mr. Jung. Having lost both his wife and daughter to monsters, all he had left was his hatred for them. Thinking he wasnt good enough to be a monster-killing player, he entered the potion market when he was discovered to be the holder of a gift called Filtering by chance. Alice Group, the ranked eighth in South Koreas financial hierarchy, offered to invest in his business. The combination of his skills and financial resources gave the tiger wings, and within a year of entering the market, he dominated the potion market, making Alice Group the absolute king of the potion market. As a result, Alice Group was the third largest company in the country before Eunhas death. And the position of the groups chairman was taken over by Jung Seok-hoon, who had remarried the daughter of Alice Groups chairman. Wow. Eunha was distractedly sucking on his banana smoothie, which had bottomed out earlier. You are my best friend from now on. That was the conclusion he came to. The future had changed to a future where Hayang would not die. Perhaps her father would never become the chairman of Alice Group. But the future of Seok-hoon Jung entering the potion market one day is unchanged. Hes a natural businessman And hes not going to let his skills go to waste. So Eunha decided to get to know him, thinking that he might become a billionaire in the future. Dont call me a snob. Its just the way people are. Im a selfish bastard. Eunha had abandoned his conscience even before his regression. And what kind of potion is Jung Seok-hoons? When Jung Seok-hoon entered the potion market, the gift of becoming known to the world. Profit-conscious pharmaceutical companies hired people to make potions. But Jungs potions were unrivalled. Using the power of the Alice Group, he managed to capture all the potion makers from other companies. The potion market was eventually dominated by a monopoly. His name came with a premium. As his name grew more and more famous, his potions were hard to come by. Even Eunha could get a double shot of espresso for a hefty price at first, but then he had to buy a factory-made double shot of espresso. Naturally, the potency dropped. So Eunha decided to make a friendship with Jung Seok-hoon through Hayang. To get a potion that would command a premium in the future. He had no intention of begging. I will get it for a fair price. Ill pay for it with my own money, so what do you care! Hayang. Huh? When you enter elementary school, tell me if anyone bullies you, because I wont let it happen. Okay, thanks. Hayang blushes as she holds the straw in her mouth. Eun-ha looked at her with the clearest and brightest eyes as he faced the winter vacation. Life is all about connections. (E/N: Thats what my mom says too) Having one good friend is enough. And with that, Eunha pushed the rest of his elementary school life to the back of his mind. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. All he could think about was potions. Three years had passed. No Eunha became an elementary school student. Waaa Part 1 is over!!! Lets go Part 2!! (Sorry Its 2 am) NEXT CHAPER Chapter 32 Chapter 32[Elementary school entrance ceremony]. Its a spring breezy day. The children gathered in the auditorium listened to the principals speech with partial anticipation. The children, who had just graduated from kindergarten and now felt like adults at the thought of becoming elementary school students, listened to the boring and long speech. (E/N: AhIm really graduating this year2024) Yawn~ Of course, it wasnt Eunha. Unimpressed by being an elementary school student, he sat on a plastic chair and yawned. What an embarrassing thing to do, the principal is talking. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This is what children are. You think something exciting is about to happen when you enter elementary school, right? Do you want to be told youre a model student because youve been studying hard? Sorry, its not happening, because reality is shit. This is why its a no-no. Yeah, go ahead and enjoy it to your hearts content. Im not interested. You know youre such an asshole, right? Yeah, yeah~ Minji was full of enthusiasm about becoming an elementary school student. Just looking at her wearing a skirt, which was unlike her usual running and jumping, showed that. But it would only last a few days. Eunha shook his head as he watched her sit upright with her back straight. He didnt need to say anything, Minji would be back to her normal self before soon. Guys, the teacher said to be quiet. Hayang was nervously wondering if the teacher was going to scold them. Unlike Minji, she seemed to be nervous under the pressure of being an elementary school student. And Eunhyuk said. Captain, how many strong kids are in this school? When are you going to eat ? Im not going to eat. You should stay still. If you say youre the strongest in the first grade, then Im next. Hehe. Please stop. For Eunhyuk, the dream of going to elementary school was significant, even more than Minji. Since that day, Eunha had been teaching him a little about swordsmanship and mana, as he had asked. He was planning to train him soon. Sooner or later, youre going to have to roll, boy. Eunha vowed to teach Eunhyuk the hard way, even if it meant not returning to a peaceful life. [With this, I look forward to your enjoyable school life]. Meanwhile, the principals speech ended. Haa. Eunha sighed softly as he watched the principal walk down from the podium. First grade class 4, please follow your teacher from now on. The children gathered in the auditorium to go to their assigned classes. Eunha was assigned to class 4. Curiously, Minji, Hayang, and Eunhyuk were also assigned to class 4. Maybe it was the same this year. As we walked from the auditorium to our classes, I was already getting tired of the kids chatter. Following the procession to class 4, Eunha had a vague idea of what his elementary school life would be like. Eunha~ Ahh! Their parents were waiting in the hallway, and his mother, who was sandwiched between them, called out to him. Eunae, who was being held by his mother, also saw him and held out her arms for a hug. See you later. Ouch! What are you doing there, youre not coming back soon! Eunha waved and left, and Eunae whined. I wanted to give her a hug, but Minjis hand held me back into the classroom. Please take your seats in the order the teacher calls you! Yoo Ji-na, the teacher of class 4, was a glazed-looking woman. She wore round-rimmed glasses and was consciously exhaling as if she were nervous. Standing at the teachers table, she opened the attendance book and seated the students in alphabetical order, starting with the window seats. Eunha, whose number was first on the list, was assigned a seat by the window. It was a few seats away from Minji, and he wanted to look out the window, Well reassign the seats when we get the key numbers. Darn. It was nice while it lasted. I wonder if she sensed his disappointment. Minji turned her head so she could see his face and gave him an accusatory sneer. Youre already showing your true colors. Yeah, youre going to be a delinquent. From now on, were going to introduce ourselves, so from roll call number one, please stand up and introduce yourself. Class 4s teacher Yoo Ji-nas words made the kids giggle. The child sitting in the front was almost in tears, and there was no way she could introduce herself properly. She was on the verge of crying. Minji, on the other hand, was like I prepared for that! She stood up with a huge smile on her face. Hello. Im Minji from Hyehwa-dong. I went to Doan Kindergarten for kindergarten, and I want to make good friends and have fun like I did in kindergarten. I like watching dramas, listening to music. The way she spoke without taking a breath made Eunha feel less energized, and he stuck his tongue out at the thought of it being poisonous. But it was too long. It was hard to listen to the middle. The only thing I remembered were the first few words. It was the same for Yoo Ji-na. We dont have much time today, so we are going to leave it at that, Minji. Can you finish it next time you have time? Sure, Ill take that. Minji sat down regretfully, but the kids were relieved. Thanks to her, they learned that when introducing yourself, you shouldnt overdo it. Luckily, the kids who had been preparing their introductions while she spoke were now able to open their mouths without getting lost. The next one is No Eunha, would you like to introduce yourself? Sure. Eunha paid no attention to the other children. He had been staring blankly out the window since Minji had taken his seat and only looked up when it was his turn. He introduced himself extremaly brief. My name is Noeun, and Im from Doan Kindergarten. Lets get to know each other. If the other kids talked about their favorite foods or hobbies, Eunha kept it really simple. Uhm, Eunha is that all? Yeah. He didnt want to be the center of attention. The child is so bold and determined. Yoo Ji-na, who hadnt been teaching for long, was puzzled by Eunhas shrugging shoulders, but then she called on the next student. Yes, ImfromSeongbuk Kindergarten.. Hi, Im. The minutes ticked by, and eventually it was Hayangs turn to introduce herself, who was sitting near the back of the classroom. Next, Jung Hayang, would you like to introduce yourself? Yes, yes! She was nervous. She scooted out of her chair and stood up, her pupils doing earthquakes. The pink ribbon was flicking back and forth like a dowser searching for a water vein. I, Im Jung Hayang. Hayang cringed under their stares. Cheer up. Come on, Hayang! She wanted to sit down and hang her head, but when she saw Eunha and Minji cheering her on from the front, she regained her composure. Like Eunha and Minji, Im from Doan Kindergarten. I like to read books, and I like to drink tea. I might not be good at dealing with strangers, but please talk to me a lot! Ms. Hayangs self-introduction ended with a round of applause from the children. Relieved, she crossed her arms over her chest, thanked them, and took her seat. I should probably stay outside until Eunhyuk makes his announcement. Eunha was about to turn his head away when a figure flashed into his vision. What? Next. Jin-seo-na. The girl who was sitting behind Hayang. Eunhas gaze was drawn to the girl as she stood up from her seat. It wasnt because the girls hair was flowing blonde. Her triangular ears reminded him of a fox. And a fox tail that resembled quotation marks. And finally, red eyes that had been altered by the mana in her body. No wonder the childrens attention was drawn to her. She had the markings of a monster that you cant find on a human. Seo-na, can you introduce yourself? Even Yoo Ji-na the fourth-grade teacher, was cautious about calling her by name. Could she read the wariness of the teacher? Of course. The child called Jin Seo-na lowered her head with cloudy eyes. Her voluminous tail twitched downward as if it had lost its strength. Im Jin Seo-na. I didnt go to kindergarten. From now on well, lets get along. Seo-na read the meaning of the gazes directed at her from the moment she stood up. Now that she had everyones attention, she finished her introduction faster than Eunha. She sat back down, even though the kids hadnt clapped yet. The childrens gazes never left her as she finished, and some of them chatted with nearby children, while others tried to pet her wagging tail. Ah! Wow, thats interesting. What are you doing, Mommy said you cant touch him! Oh. Huh? Why? I dont know. She said dont touch her. . It wasnt friendly attention. Their gazes were like those of looking at animals in a cage. Theyd heard something, and they were looking at her with open disgust. I didnt know that an Ain was in our class. Eunha, on the other hand, was looking at her with the same indifferent gaze as he did the other children. Ain (). People affected by distorted mana called children born with mutated genes. However, Ain didnt grow up like most other children who received their parents love. Ain were the scars left behind by the . Those who lost loved ones to the monsters could not help but think of the devastation of the End of the World Destruction whenever they saw an Ain, whose appearance reminded them of the monsters. Ain were the target of persecution and discrimination. Those who could not directly destroy the monsters would instead target an Ain, who bore the marks of monsters, for their hatred. Ain were not monsters by any means. They were merely genetically altered by the influence of omnipresent mana while in the womb. Unable to hide their disgust and hatred of monsters, society labelled them as nothing more than monsters. If you want to take out your anger, kill a monster. Why do they torment innocent children like this? Even when his opponent was an Ain, Eunha didnt have any discriminatory thoughts. As a former player before regression, he knew well about Ain. Parents usually abandoned their children, fearing that they would be judged by society. Since no genetically matched parents could be found, abandoned children were either left to die, somehow survive on their own, or, if they were lucky, be taken in by an orphanage or church. There was no way a child treated this way could ever be expected to have a normal economic life. Ironically, the world of players who hate and kill monsters is where they take refuge. So, there was no prejudice against Ain for Eunha, who had included Ain as a teammate before regression. Next. JinSena. The childrens gazes didnt move even as the next in line stood up to introduce himself. But they couldnt help but look away when Eunhyuk jumped out of his seat with a thud. He was too conspicuous. Hi! Im Eunhyuk Choi from Doan Kindergarten, lets get to know each other! My hobby is sword-wielding, and I love sports! Next time youre free, lets play soccer on the playground! Im learning how to control mana from the captain these days! Captain? One of the kids asked, and Eunhyuk continued with a twinkle in his eye. Thats right! You guys dont know who the captain is, do you? Our captain is right over there. Please stop! Eunha slammed his head on the desk. He thought hed graduated from kindergarten and wouldnt be teased by the kids, but Eunhyuk had struck a chord. Eunhyeok Choi, youre going to be in trouble from now on. Ill show you what hell is. So be good to me in the future, and dont think of messing with this classs boss because hes our captain! Eunhyuk, sit down now. And dont use words like boss. As the kids were getting into Eunhyuks pace, Yoo Ji-na sat him down. He glanced over at Eunha, And Eunha, can you stay afterward? I think I need to talk to your parents outside. What did I do wrong! Eunha protested with an innocent look on her face, but Yoo Ji-na was already calling out the next child. Captain~! Eunhyuk, oblivious to Eunhas feelings, greeted him with a bright smile. Haa. Haha, shame on you. Please dont tell youre from Doan Kindergarten. Minji, who had already abandoned her schoolboy costume, pouted her lips and looked back. Haaa, I cant wait to go home. Eunha sighed, no longer having the energy to fight back. Minji laughs at him, feeling embarrassed and ashamed. Eunhyuk looks at him like he needs a compliment. Guys, dont fight! And finally, Hayang, who just pouts her lips while looking away. The first day of elementary school was like that. Chapter 33 Chapter 33[Mana Test] , a law was enforced that required all children to have their mana tested at the age of compulsory education. So, a few days after the entrance ceremony, Doan Elementary School was testing the mana of its first graders. The staff dispatched to conduct the test were from the Korean Mana Management Agencys dedicated mana measurement team. The man in the black suit had been measuring the mana of up to 180 children since morning. Oh, it wont hurt, right? The mana measurement for class 3 was nearing completion. Hayang had been worried since yesterday about the fact that there were only a few turns left. Its not like Im giving you an injection. I saw Yeonsungjin and Mabangjin in class 2 do it earlier, and they said it didnt hurt at all. Minji shared what she knew with Hayang and the other anxious girls. Despite the fact that the semester had only just begun, her energetic personality had made her a favourite among them. Well, its just touching the crystal ball. Still keeping his distance from the children, Eunha leaned against the wall and blurted out. The mana test was a simple matter of touching the mana-sensing crystal ball. They couldnt ask the children to do complicated tests if they didnt know how to handle it, so it was just a matter of determining how much mana they had in their bodies. What if I have a lot of mana? Huh, now my hidden power will be known. Eek, my inner Black Flame Dragon is going on a rampage! While it was understandable that the kids were excited to test their mana for the first time, Eunha was annoyed that they had to wait in line for such a simple task. The kids were sensitive to Eunhas reactions. None of them approached him, especially since he was wearing an impression of a wild-eyed maniac. Captain, its our turn! Except for one. Haa. The semester had begun and the kids were forming their own groups, or cliques, in the class. Most of the kids were struggling to get into their current clique, or trying to hold onto the ones they already had. Eunha wasnt interested in socializing with the kids. He purposely gave off a dont come near me vibe, so they didnt approach him. The problem was Eunhyeok. Min-ji and Hayang were trying to socialize with the girls, but with his head full of sword thoughts, he only followed Eunha around. And because of Eunhyuks friendliness, the boys would occasionally talk to him. I want to quietly go through school life. Huh? Whats wrong, boss? Haaa, never mind. So, do we have to get in line now? Yes! The teacher is coming soon! When I got back to my seat, Yoo Ji-na was lining up the kids. It was her first time as a first-grade teacher, and she was having a hard time dealing with innocent children. Okay, kids, be quiet! Who wants to be the first to be tested? Me! As the kids shied away from the mana test, Yoo-na looked for the one who wanted to go first. The first one to raise his hand was Eunhyuk. He jumped up from the crowd and shouted that he wanted to be the first to be tested for mana. Okay, Eunhyuk. Do you want to go first? Yes! Eunhyuk stepped forward with great momentum. The Mana Management Bureau staff, who had already dealt with about 90 children, tiredly pointed to the crystal ball. Just put your hand over there. Hehe. The crystal ball on the podium was so large that Eunhyuk had to look up. Curious, he placed one hand on the crystal ball. The crystal ball was designed to measure the mana that children unconsciously shed. Recognizing his mana, the crystal emitted a pale light from its center. The light filled an area halfway across the crystal before slowly fading. What do you think, what do you think? Well, compared to his peers, he has more mana. Among the kids tested so far, there were not many who had an unusually high amount of mana. Most were average. But Eunhyuk was different. He was well above average, which made them wonder about his future. The employee who had been recording similar numbers looked at Eunhyuk with interest. He was pleased to hear that he was above average and walked down the podium. Does anyone want to be recognized first? If not, well go in order of attendance~ Attendance number one got up on the podium and began to measure their mana. The mana bureau employee lost interest again when he saw that the childrens mana wasnt even up to the average. Although they were past the age of proclaiming themselves to be the center of the world, the children who had some expectations couldnt hide their disappointment when they saw their mana levels. Well, if my mana is average, whats the big deal. Isnt it? Minji was equally disappointed. She crossed her arms, looked at Eunha, and blurted out. Its like you already know the answer and just want me to say it. This is totally unfair. Minji, who was making friends, came over to talk to Eunha, and something seemed to bother her from hearing that her internal mana was average. Im worse than Choi Eun-hyuk. That was it. Eunha stared at her in disbelief. Why? Do you know what the stupidest thing in the world is? What? Minji frowned, not knowing the intent of the question. Comparing yourself to other people. Life is supposed to be relative. Relative? She doesnt know the word relative. But Minji is intrigued to hear Eunha say something so adult. Yes, relative. Whats relative is. Oh, dont bother. Go home and look that up. Whats that. Anyway, the stupidest one is the one who compares his mana to other peoples mana. Really? If you have less mana, you live with less. Just make sure you have something to make up for it. Hmmm. That was the world of mana. Its a world where mana is power, and its only going to get more so. So it wasnt unreasonable for kids to want to have more mana in their bodies. However, Eunha had been living with mana that was less than the pre-regression average. While it was undeniable that more mana would be an advantage in a world where mana is power, he was able to make up for his lack of mana and survive. Being disappointed in the amount of mana you were born with would do nothing to improve your future. Damn. The chatter grew louder. Feeling burdened by the glittering gazes of the girls close to Minji, Eunha decided to run away from the scene. Next. No Eunha! Eunha~ It was Eunhas turn. Feeling the sting of the girls gazes, he quickly stepped up to the podium and touched the crystal without hesitation. And the mana in Eunhas body-. Hoo. Youre the most powerful of all the first years in this school. Oh no. The crystal ball was darker in color than Eunhyuks, taking up a bit more space. Come to think of it, it was. Since the manifestation of the Gift, he had recovered half of the mana in his body before the regression, so at the age of eight, he had an extraordinary amount of mana in his body. Im looking forward to the future. The staff member patted him on the shoulder excitedly, as if it were his job. What? Live with the amount of body mana you have? That would be nice. Some people worry about others The girls gazes stung. In a different sense than a moment ago. Minji was stomping her foot and was getting more angry than when she compared Eunhyuks body mana. Haha. The cool Eunha avoided Minji as soon as he stepped down from the podium. He had finished his inspection anyway, so he decided to hide in plain sight until the class was over. Next Jung Ha-ang. Hayang? Hayang went to the bathroom! Eventually, it was Hayangs turn, but she was nervous and didnt show up. Yoo Jin-na decided to give her the last turn and then call the next person. Its Seona. Do you want to go up? Yoo Jin-na called out to Se-ona, who stood out from the crowd with her cautious demeanor. Se-ona nodded her head and went up. Ho-oh. The staff looked at Seona with curiosity as she stepped up to the podium. Most children were abandoned by their parents as soon as they were born, so it was very rare for them to attend elementary school. As an employee of the Mana Management Bureau, he had no prejudice against Ain, he knew how important they were to the player world. Put your hand here. Okay. It was more like he wanted to know how much mana she had in her body. Seo-na, who had remained stiff among the children, felt the staffs favor and smiled. Flicking her foxtail, she placed her hand on the crystal ball. Hmm, this class has a lot of kids with a lot of mana in their bodies. Seo-na covered half of the crystal ball with light, about the same as Eunhyuk. Heh, shes pretty good too. Eunhyuk, who was looking up from next to Eunha, assessed Seo-nas mana with a sour face. I thought you were going to go on a rampage. Captain. Im not Minji. There might be someone stronger than me. Well, yeah. Anyway He didnt seem to have any discrimination against Ain. Eunha didnt bring up the rest. He didnt want Seo-na to feel self-conscious about addressing her for no reason. Although Eunha wasnt interested in children, saying he wasnt interested meant he didnt want to deal with the kids. Next. Se-na~ Next up was Jin-sena, whose name was similar to Seonas. Yoo Ji-nas voice was hushed as she called out to her. Eunha stopped paying attention again. He was only interested in Seonas mana as the only Ain child at Doan Elementary School, not what the other childrens mana was like. In fact, as soon as he was assigned to Class 4, he started checking their mana. Of course, its hard to accurately measure body mana with the naked eye. Eunha could only make an educated guess based on the mana flowing out of their bodies. Thats why he was curious about the Hayangs mana. He wondered what would happen if she touched the crystal ball since she was visibly shedding a lot of mana. Theres only Hayang left. Teacher, Hayang is over there! Yes. Hayang, can you measure your mana now? Yes, yes! After going to the restroom with some girls, Hayang hobbled up to the podium. Hmm. The staff didnt pay much attention to Hayang. No wonder. While Eunha was teaching Eunhyuk about mana, he was also teaching Minji and Hayang how to handle it. Hayang especially needed to know how to handle mana. As in the last case (her mothers case), monsters would be able to feel her mana to feed on it. Hayang had been subconsciously harvesting the mana flowing out of her body for some time. She had a good sense of mana management, and thanks to Eunha, she had stopped letting it flow out of her body indiscriminately. It was impossible to get even a rough idea of her mana without testing, and the staff, tired from testing after testing, didnt focus their eyes on her. The crystal ball would measure her hidden mana anyway. Ah, it wont hurt, will it? She placed her hand on the crystal ball, wow. I was expecting a bang, but I wasnt expecting a blast. Eunha was speechless as he watched her fill the entire area of the crystal ball with dazzling light, bathing the auditorium in a world of light. Gah! Hayang pulled her hand away in surprise as the crystal ball emitted blinding light. Then the light from the crystal ball faded, Crack! Ah. The crystal ball cracked and shattered. Hayang was left standing there with a face on the verge of tears, unable to do anything. What in the world I never thought the crystal ball would collapse. The employee looked at Hayang and the shattered crystal ball with a stunned expression on his face. Sir, do you think this was already broken from the beginning? The employee was thinking that they should take Hayang to the Mana Management Office for a thorough examination. Eunha had been standing nearby since Hayang stepped onto the platform, suspecting that something serious might happen. As soon as the crystal broke, he stepped forward and shielded Hayang from their view. Broken? You mean it was already broken? Well, that was possible. The employee nodded instinctively. There was no way a child with enough mana to break the crystal could still be alive. Their mana would have gone out of control and they would have died long ago. The employee didnt know the details of the situation. Before they knew it, they were concluding that the crystal had been overloaded from being used in several schools. Sigh, what should we do with her then? We dont have a new crystalwell have to do it next time. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nah. Its probably just average anyway. Hmm. The gentleman said that youre average Really? Yeah. Hayang, who didnt realize how extraordinary her mana was, looked up at them with tears streaming down her face. Eunha patted her head and left the platform with her. Phew, that was a relief. The reason why she hadnt gone into mana overload until now was because she was unconsciously controlling it, and because of the food her father, Jung Seok-hoon, had made for her that stabilized her mana. Without knowing this, the staff could only assume that the crystal ball had overloaded, as Eunha said. By the way, Ive been eating food made by her father. His cooking must have contributed a lot to Hayangs high mana levels. She had been consuming potions to increase her mana since she was a child. Inwardly, he was envious, but he couldnt help it. Eunha realized that he would have to visit the white cafe more often in the future. Meanwhile, the employee who had to write a report about the broken crystal ball, Come to think of it, I had a broken crystal ball a few years ago. No was it Euna? Yeah, its not the first time this has happened. Because of the prior history, the staff member didnt recommend that she get it checked. And Eunha was troubled to hear that the previous case was his sister. Sis, you didnt tell me your crystal ball was broken. Euna had only told them that her mana had been measured at school and that her bodys mana was higher than average. Now he realizes that she didnt tell her parents about the shattered crystal ball for fear of getting in trouble. My sister, I thought you couldnt lie, but youre surprisingly good at it. Eunha has discovered a new side of Euna. Chapter 34 Chapter 34[new friend]. It was two weeks into elementary school. The socialization that had been going so smoothly between the kids was reaching a lull. The kids who had settled into cliques were now hanging out among themselves. Yum! Captain, this is so delicious today! Be careful. Cant you eat it without spilling it? Eunha, do you want some barley tea? Yeah, Ill have a bite too. Here~ Thank you. The same was true for Eunha, Eunhyuk, Minji, and Hayang, who were in class 4. Eunha, who was not interested in the childrens relationships from the beginning, and Eunhyuk, who became friends with the boys through exercise, did not join the groups. Since the concept of groups was vague among the boys from the beginning, the two were free to spend their days. Hayang. Hayang, can I have some barley tea? Yes, here you go. Its good to eat together after a long time. Hehe. On the other hand, Minji and Hayang were in the process of joining a clique. Minji had gotten to know the girls in her class from the first day of school, so she hung out with kids with similar personalities. Hayang had also joined Minjis clique and would often walk with the girls to the restroom during recess. Well, its nice sometimes. You should be grateful. If it werent for us, youd be eating alone. Yeah, yeah if youre not going to eat that, give it to me. No! Im saving this for last! Ahem~! I ate it! Eunhyuk Choi, you~! Children are taught to play by gender from the time they enter elementary school. The first graders at Doan Elementary School were no different. The girls actively formed cliques and ran around in circles, while the boys kicked a ball around and played ball games, forcing them to accept their differences. The four didnt talk much in class. They spent time with their friends, and there were many days when they couldnt hang out with each other. We should! Lets have lunch together every Wednesday! If this continued, they might scatter in a month. Hayang felt alarmed, and uncharacteristically, she proposed to the four of them. They agreed to have lunch together every Wednesday. By the way, this school seems to have a lot of money. Huh? What did you say, captain? Nothing. Eunha shook his head at Eunhyeok as he stared at his steamed egg. This school has better facilities than the one I went to before. Having attended elementary school in Incheon before the regression, Eunha couldnt help but compare it to his current school. Doan Elementary School was indeed a recognizable elementary school in Seongbuk-gu. Most of the children living in Seongbuk-dong attended the school, and the school was financially supported by alumni from Seongbuk-dong, so the facilities were comfortable. The cafeteria alone is a high, open structure with glass windows on all sides, offering a view of the mountains below. What about the school lunches? You can choose between A and B meals, and the basic side dishes and rice are free to share. Eunhyuk had already eaten two bowls. This is the level of the academy. The facilities at the player academy were better, but the quality of the food was no less than the academy. Captain, Ill scoop up some more rice! Its already your third bowl. The lady will remember you. Wow! How did you know? She already knows my name! Haaa. What are you going to do, No Eunha? Im going to get some more. Eun-hyuk ran with his tray, while Minji got up quietly from her seat. She blushed slightly as she noticed Eun-has gaze. Eunha wasnt going to miss this great opportunity. Okay, see you later. You glutton~ Im not a glutton! I just got a little more earlier! Right, Hayang? Uh, yeah! This time it was Eunha who was mean. Sigh, okay, okay. Two weeks ago, Hayang was worried about making friends, but after getting to know the girls, her personality became a little more active. She stood up and followed her to get more food. Its a growing thing. Although Eunha teased her for being a glutton, they were at an age where they needed a lot of energy, especially since they spent a lot of energy learning martial arts. It was inevitable that they would eat a lot. I, haaa, I shouldnt leave, should I? As much as he wanted to clear the table and go back to the classroom, he couldnt leave the children alone. He had to stay put. Suddenly, the noisy cafeteria fell silent, as if a promise had been made. A girl with fox ears and a tail entered the cafeteria. Jin-seo received the childrens cold stares and shrank her body. Her tail drooped down. Her face grew darker and darker. There was no way she could not hear the childrens gossip. But she knew where she stood: she was the weakest person in the school, the only minority. So she listened to their criticisms and protests in silence, and kept her head down as she ate her meal. Bad timing today. Minji frowned as she received her extra lunch. What? Eunha demanded an answer. He didnt want to overlook her childhood friends prejudice towards Ain. Its about Seo-na. She usually comes in during off-hours when no ones around to eat lunch, but today the restaurants opening was delayed. Im sorry. Yeah? For what? You know, something like that. Apparently, Eunha had gotten the wrong idea about Minji. Flustered, he shrugged it off as nothing. He was right. The cafeteria was packed with kids, even though it was nearing the end of the lunch period due to the delayed lunch today. She had no choice but to carry her plate and look for a place to sit, under the watchful eyes of many children. Oh. Naturally, they wouldnt give her a seat, and when she tried to sit down, the kids at the table glared at her. They were eight years old, but no, the direct stares, without the complicated language, stung. After a few rebuffs, Seo-na wandered off, embarrassed and unsure of where to sit. Over there. Finally, she found a table with one remaining seat and froze. Seated and eating lunch were girls from class 4. The problem was that they werent friendly with her. In fact, they were bullying her. Hi, do you mind if I sit? Still, the table they grabbed was the only one available. Hesitantly, Seo-na asked the center of the group of girls. No, you cant Her name was Jin-sena, and she was the girl after Seona in attendance. Ek, is that Jin-sena? Eunhyuk gulped down his milk and crumpled his face. With a white stubble in his mouth, he looked at Seonas table with a disapproving gaze. Of al people. Oh god. Minji and Hayang were also watching the situation and had a puzzled look on their faces. It was inevitable. Although Minji was very close to girls, she was only close to the girls who lived near her house. She didnt have a deep connection with the girls in Seongbuk-dong, or even the girls who attended Seongbuk Kindergarten. They were too bossy. And the head of the class was Jin Sena. What are you, are you out of your mind? Huh? Who are you to sit at our table? Jin-sena was a girl who had never shown any interest in children, not even in Eunhas name. Since the beginning of the semester, Jin-sena had boasted to the other kids that her parents were related to the CEO of a famous company and were among the top 10 executives in the industry. Plus, her clothes, which resembled dresses, and her rolled-up hair were hard to miss. You should know you place. Exactly. Where do you think you are? You have nothing, yet you act like you belong. Whats with your clothes? Did you pick them up at your church or something? Jin-senas attack was followed by the other girls at the table. Im sorry. Pale-faced, Seo-nas tail and ears drooped. Her apology was pathetic as she bent down to hide her face. Ugh. Minji looked at Seo-nas apology as if she were banging her head on the floor. She poked at the kimchi with her chopsticks as if it were Senas to express her frustration. But she couldnt reach out to Seo-na. She couldnt turn her back on Jin-senas group, which had the strongest influence in the class. Seo-na was pitiful, but reaching out to her could only cause more harm than good. Captain. Sigh. I had decided to be indifferent to them, but seeing them with my own eyes, I couldnt be indifferent. He even remembered his brother, an Ain, who had also suffered such treatment. (1) Sear?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Why do I remember this? After thinking about Jin Parang, Eunha felt disappointed by the memories that came to mind. Before the regression, a wolf-type Ain that belonged to the party led by Eunha. Jin Parang. He was a year older than him, and when he drank and got drunk, he would tell stories of his struggles as an Ein. He would silently help those who were struggling to get by, only to be tricked into returning empty-handed or naked. He was one of the few people Eungha could trust completely. He may not have been a night owl, but he was a mood-setter for the team he led. He fulfilled his role as telepath and hunter. Until his death. He cleared a path to the very depths of the Abyssal Dungeon. Go, No Eunha! Parang hyung. Are you hesitating after coming this far! Why, are you scared of your heart? Yoo-jung, take care of hyung. Shut up. My wounds I know my condition, No Eunha Have you forgotten already? The reason Im dying, the reason were dying is to kill more monsters! So, are you hesitating here? I got it. Whats the last thing you want to say? That, No Eunha. What was it you remember the thing I said a while ago? I remember. Just remember that. There might be more bad Ains out there But dont turn away from them. Because Because Im no different from those guys Now, Im confessing it, but Im a really bad guy Thats it! Eunha remembered the words that Parang uttered before he died. Sigh. There was no need for Eunha, who was living his second life, to step forward. It was obvious that his elementary school life would be difficult if he did. Minji. Why? Im sorry. Please make room for me. Haaa, you are going to do something I dont know about? Minji realized what Eunha was about to do. Sighing as if she had seen it coming, she went to get the chairs that were stacked in the corner with Hayang. Captain, do you want me to follow you? You eat your meal. Jin Seo-na! Getting up from the table, Eunha walked over to Seo-na, who was staring blankly at her plate. No wonder the kids were staring. Haa this is ridiculous. Ah. Seonas ears perked up in confusion. Eunha snatched the plate from her hand. Theres a seat over there. Lets go. You know, this is a bit. Seo-na stiffened and grabbed at Eunhas clothes, apologizing, Im sorry, as if shed committed a sin, then quickly let go. Thats nice of you to say, but, youre going to have a hard time if you help me. Her words carried a lot of meaning. But what can I do? Who am I? If you want to try, try. Eunha smiled wryly. He was what they called an undead player who couldnt die, a berserker player who was obsessed with killing monsters. None of this scared him. Lets go. My friend made a seat for you. The stares behind his back were stinging, and he didnt have to turn around to know who was watching. With this, Eunha had created an unbridgeable gap between himself and Jin Senas faction. The same was true for the other children. Come on in. Isnt No Eun-ha a little strange? Thats just the way he is. Youll understand. Hey, lunch is so good today! Minji and Eunhyuk greeted Seo-na with relaxed faces. They looked rather pleased with themselves. Hi. Seo-na, who had never been greeted by children before, greeted them awkwardly. Here, barley tea. Hayang poured barley tea from a thermos and handed it to her. Thank youwhoa. Seona took the cup and awkwardly greeted her again. Lets be friends from now on! Hayang smiled and said in the brightest tone possible. Mhmm. It was the first time she had been called that since she entered elementary school. Seo-nas eyes were red and she shed a tear while eating. Eat slowly. Thats right, we wont steal it. Dont cry. Why are you crying? Heres a handkerchief. Use it to wipe it. The children treat her warmly as she eats with tears in her eyes. Ive made a friend. (E/N: Im not crying) Eunha smiled with satisfaction as he watched them. Meanwhile, at one side of the school canteen. What kind of kindergarten are those kids from? They said Doan Kindergarten. Do you want me to ask them what they do? No, you dont have to, I can tell theyre low-lifes by what theyre doing. That girl is like a fox. She flirts with guys and shakes her butt. Theyre ugly, really. Shes such a disgrace. NEXT CHAPTER Chapter 35 Chapter 35[New Friend (2)] Since that day, the friendships of the children in class 4 have changed. First, the girls who used to hang out with Minji and Hayang gradually drifted away from them. They werent ignoring them, but they werent approaching them as friendly as before. Surprisingly, Hayang took the girls distancing in stride. Eunha asked her why, I have better friends. Hayang said something that made Eunha stop asking why. She was happy that Minji and Seo-na were the only friends she had to go to the restroom with every break. Minji, on the other hand, was the one who seemed to be the most upset, and although she seemed to be acting as if nothing was wrong, to Eunha, it looked like she was holding back her emotions. Tell the kids I told you to do it, that you dont know anything about it. Eunha was worried, so he offered some advice, No, never. She glared at him with reddened eyes and didnt speak to him for a while. Im sorry. Seo-na, who blamed herself for all of this, had been avoiding them, so her job lately had been to run away from them and get caught by Hayang. Anyway, with the girls relationships in trouble, it was hard for even Eunha to stick to his promise to spend time alone. Eventually, a new group of five was formed in class 4: Eunha, Eunhyuk, Minji, Hayang, and Seo-na. This is the captains house! Why are you introducing it, Choi Eunhyuk? And its our house too, isnt it? In the afternoon after class, the kids decided to play near Eunhas house. Seo-na, who was still reluctant to hang out with them for fear of harming them, refused, but Eun-hyuk dragged her along. If you play with me. I dont care! Huh? It was too much trouble for Eunha to answer her finger-flicking question one by one. Eunhyuk, realizing what she was about to say, interrupted. You have more mana than me. The captain told me to befriend someone like this! Hey. For a moment, Eunhyuk looked pleased, but soon regretted it. Eunhyuk picked up on the words Eunha had unconsciously blurted out. Really? Seo-na hadnt expected Eunhyuk to be so snobbish. Unsure of what to say to this unexpected answer, she blinked her red eyes. I mean, dont look at me like that. Youre my friend! Yeah. A friend. Eunhyeoks stuttered words seemed to resonate with Seo-na. She smiled softly and didnt mention going home after that. Come on in. Would you like some juice? Hello! Hi. I walked into the house and was greeted by my mother. She paused for a moment when she saw Seo-na sandwiched between her children, but then greeted her in a friendly manner. Yay! Eunhyeok dropped his bag as soon as he entered and jumped onto the couch. Eunha sighed, not knowing whose house this was. Eunae, hi. Kyaa. Eunae, now two years old, greeted them. She had recently started crawling and clung to Eunhas feet for a hug. Is this your sister? Yes, my sister. Her name is No Eunae. Do you want to hold her? Can I? Seo-na took Eunae from Eunha. The motion of holding the baby was very natural. Eunae opened her arms and tried to touch her ears and tail as if she was curious about Seo-na. Seo-na thought she was cute and wiggled her tail in front of her eyes. Youre used to holding babies, arent you? Mukminji is bad at it. What? Why are you picking on me? Yeah. There are a lot of kids in the church. Seo-na had grown up in the church, and she explained that when she went home, she helped the nuns take care of the younger children. The children were deeply moved by her story. Hearing about abandoned children from her mouth, they realized that they were in a happy environment. Hehe. Just as the children were about to say something, Seona laughed it off. Kyaa-!!! Euna came back from school, saw Seo-na, and let out a high-decibel scream. Ahh! This time, it was Seonas scream. Euna had jumped on the couch, just like Eunhyeok had done. At Seona, too. Sis, I would have done something if Eunae had gotten hurt. Eunae, Im sorry, but youre so cute! Oooh! If Eunha hadnt quickly pulled Eunae away, Eunae would have gotten hurt. Euna apologized to Eunae, but in Eunhas arms, Eunae turned her head away while laughing. Euna was disappointed for a moment, but all that mattered now was Seo-na. Fox ears! And a tail! Excited to see her, Euna hugged and touched her, not caring if Seo-na was embarrassed or not. My sister is sorry. Aww, theres! Your tail is so soft! Euna couldnt hear what was being said around her once she was in it. The only way she could get out of it was when her attention turned elsewhere. Eunha, Eunae, are you jealous? Yeah, no, not at all. In fact, Eunha had been unnecessarily jealous of Eunaes fondness for Seo-na. Even if Eunha tried to hide it with a poker face, Eunas senses couldnt escape it. Aww, cute! Euna switched targets. She was happy that she could hug Eunha and Eunae at the same time. Waawww-!!! On the other hand, Eunae started to cry. Euna, Eunae, you cant make her cry. Shes your sister. Sarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunae, Im sorry. Eunae, stop. Do you want to go with your mom? Their mother who brought the juice took Eunae with her. Lets play outside. Okay! The house was noisy with several children, so Eunha, who was drinking the juice, decided to take Eunae outside so she could sleep comfortably. After drinking the juice, the kids ran to the hallway to put on their shoes. Among them was Euna, shaking her ponytail. Eunha put his empty glass in the sink and was about to leave, Eunha. Yes? His mother called out from across the room. Eunha. mmm yes?. She looked like she wanted to say something. As she thought about what to say, she stroked his hair, getting down to his eye level. You know your mom likes Eunha, right? Yes, of course. Why is she doing this? Eunha was puzzled by his mothers suddenness, but he waited patiently. Do you like your friend Seona? Yes. Seonas name came out of his mothers mouth. Hearing that, Eunha understood what his mother was worried about. His mother wasnt the kind of person who would discriminate against someone just because they were an Aeon. She was the one who would treat anyone without discrimination. Thats right. If shes your friend, shes your friend from today. Tell her to come over again next time. Yes. Eunha. But she did know how society viewed Ain. And what would happen if his child hung out with her. I dont want that to happen to my child. Her concern was palpable. Mommy and Daddy are always on the side of Eunha. I know, Mom. If something happens you have to tell us Her mothers concern was understandable. Resting his head in her hand, he stammered, Yes, I will. Hey! Come quickly! No Eunha! Youre not coming?! Okay, Im on my way! Eunhyuk and Minji called from the front door. Eunha waved to his mother, then ran over to them. So, what are you guys going to do? Why are you asking me? Youre the one who thinks of the fun stuff. Minji pouted her lips in a condescending tone. Crossing her arms, she grumbled that Eunha wouldnt leave her alone if she didnt suggest something fun to do. Hah. Then. Eunha glanced to his left and suddenly remembered a new training exercise. Thats right. Not a game, but a training exercise. Since everyone knows how to drain mana, why dont we play hide and seek? Hide and seek? What does that have to do with mana? Ill play the trick. From now on, all you have to do is run away from me, whether its by suppressing your mana to stay invisible, using it to enhance your physical abilities, or distracting me from tracking your location. Woah, captain, that sounds like a lot of fun, I want to do that! Ugh. Minji and Eunhyuks reactions were clearly divided, with Minji realizing that Eunhas proposed game of hide-and-seek was not a game, but a training exercise, and Eunhyuk intrigued by the idea of using mana to play. Hey, I. I dont know how to play with mana. You dont know how to use mana, but you know how to hide it, and youre athletic, right? If only I could be telepathic. Eunha muttered to himself. In the player world, it wasnt just their superior physical abilities that made the Ain both discriminated against and favoured; they could communicate the idea of telepathy to others. Telepathy was an ability unique to the Ain, distinct from the Gift. Their ability was useful in places where mana was too thick to communicate, especially in dungeons. It would have been more fun if she could use telepathy in hide-and-seek, but she didnt know much about Ain, and she didnt know about telepathy. Ill have to teach her later. Even if he did, it would only be in concept. Eunha thought as he watched the children running around. The game of hide and seek had already begun. The rules were simple. He would find them without using mana, and they would do everything they could to avoid him. Instead, they would hide only around buildings, not in areas where others could not enter, such as their homes. Here we go! The appointed time passed. With a loud shout, Eunha fumbled around and found a place for the kids to hide. He had said he wasnt going to use mana, he didnt say he wouldnt try to sense them. How annoying it would be if I didnt do this! It was an instinct that had been honed since before the regression. I hadnt been paying full attention to the kids, but it wasnt hard to find the ones who had just learned to control their mana. I found you! What! You used mana, didnt you? No, I didnt. Do you not believe me? Youre an asshole. Minji, who hadnt used any mana, could be found in the bushes in the corner of the garden. She grumbled but walked to the designated spot on her own. Haha, what if I scattered my mana? Hmph, I thought I hid it pretty well! If youre so clumsy, why didnt you just do it like Minji? Eunhyeok was easier to find than Minji, hiding behind an outdoor unit on the first floor. Since he was openly using mana, there was no way he could not be found. Heck, even Minji found him. What, you cant do that too? You cant either! Its not that I cant, its that I dont. Gathered in the designated area, Minji and Eunhyuk argued. Eunha decided to find the others anyway. Lets see, who else is. The hide-and-seek began. I looked up at the rowhouse and felt no one. Euna had learned to control her mana from a young age, and now she knew how to use physical enhancements as well, so she wasnt as easy to find when she was hiding. Sis, I found you. Uh? how did you know? How could I not find you? But Eunha searched everywhere he could think of and found her. Dont underestimate my sisters senses. Eunha could confidently guess where Euna was on the planet. Its not fair. I hid so well. You were really good at it. Right? Hehe. Praise makes even whales dance. Euna, who was instantly relieved, hugged Eunha. The rest of us are Hayang and Seo-nae. This was a tricky one. There was no sign of Hayang even after entering the building. She had excelled at controlling her mana among the children and was showing her true colours in hide-and-seek. Luckily, Jin seona wasnt so good at it that he couldnt find her. This is no joke. He stumbled over to where she was supposed to be, only to find that she wasnt there. There were only traces of her golden fur left. She didnt have access to mana, but her animal senses told her that Eunha was approaching, and she was ducking and weaving. He called out, Jin Seona, stop! Not yet! If I dont get caught, Im free! Seona was unexpectedly stubborn. When Eunha finally finds her, she quickly runs out and yells at him that if she doesnt get caught, shes able to run. And because of what she said, Huh? I see! Ha, weve been tricked. Euna, lets run away. Huh? Is that okay? Um, yeah! I wanted to do it one more time! And so began the escape. The three escaped while Eunha was not looking. Stay there! Before they knew it, hide-and-seek had turned into a game of cops and thieves. The children stopped trying to cover their tracks with mana and began to use their physical strength to escape Eunhas grasp. They recognized a loophole in the rules. Unable to use mana, Eunha could only gasp for breath and chase after them. Damn it, Im being played! Cursing under his breath, he ran and ran to catch them. Where do I hide? After entering the tenement house, Hayang looked around for a place to hide. Here I go! Eunha could be heard shouting in the distance. I-I, first, send my mana to . In a panic, Hayang suppressed the mana leaking out as much as possible. She had been practicing mana control in her spare time, and she hid it inside her body to hide its presence. First, lets see where. I found Minji! In the meantime, Eunha seemed to have found Minji. At this rate, they would be caught without being able to hide. Looking for a place to hide, Hayang decided to go up the stairs. It was a four-story row house, but it was hard for her to climb to the last floor. Whoa. After climbing up, Hayang regretted it. Unlike the other floors, the fourth floor didnt have any hiding places. Uhhm, what should I do. Should she go back down? She thought as she looked back the way she came, Huh? The stacks of books in the hallway caught her eye. No! I have to hide now! Despite her resolve, she was tempted by the books. With a glint in her eye, Hayang slowly walked over and looked at the books in the hallway. I want to read them. Her eyes shone, unaware of the saliva running down her face, but the books were tied together with a string so tightly that even she couldnt loosen it. Hmph. She sulked and gave up, She walked along the path that led to the books, and some of the books were just resting on the string. She flipped through the pages without realizing how much time had passed. She flipped and flipped and flipped, This is interesting! Before she knew it, she was at a house with an open door. Chapter 36 Chapter 36[New friend (3)] These kids. After grabbing the children, Eunha was unable to move anymore and just lay there. His clothes were drenched in sweat as he chased after them without using any mana. Youre the captain, how else could you jump from the second floor to the first floor? No Eunha, youre weird. It wasnt surprising that Eunhyeok looked up to Eunha. After catching Minji on the second floor, Eunha jumped off the second floor to catch him as he ran to a corner of the yard. Without a moments hesitation, he leapt off the second floor, causing Minji to scream. Contrary to her worst expectations, Eunha landed safely and touched Eunhyuk, who was equally startled and froze in place. You guys shouldnt do that. Youll get hurt. Only Eunha could do that. The children nodded wordlessly as if they knew. And Euna, who witnessed it, Im going to tell mom. Sis. I was so surprised! It wasnt something Euna should have said as she climbed a tree, but Eunha had to deal with her. He shouldnt do that next time. Hed gotten a little angry while chasing the kids. Eunha realized that what he had done was reckless. But the kids escape act made him angry and competitive. Eunha assured her that he was fine, but his ankle was tingling. He was surprised, but he didnt want to get in trouble. It was fun, though. Seona purred, looking away from the children who had gathered around Eunha. She didnt even realize her tail was wagging, and she was giving off an air of nonchalance. Eunha was about to cheer up, At least Im not jumping off the second floor. You! Minji changed the subject again. In the end, he had to listen to a long scolding from Euna and Minji. Seona watched them closely, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. This day had been so much fun. With no children her own age at church, she couldnt afford to take them to play. She had to keep an eye on the younger children, never knowing where they might disappear too. Moreover, as an Ain child, she was not able to use her full strength to take care of them. But not today. She could run and play to the fullest extent of her physical abilities as a child. She realized how satisfying it was to jump as high as she could reach and run as far as she could run. When she saw Eunha jump from the second floor, she wanted to follow suit, because she felt like she could do it. But when she saw Eunha being scolded by the kids, she quickly stopped. I still envy him. I was jealous of Eunhas scolding. Even from a distance, she could tell that he was loved by the children. What she didnt realize was that she was in the enviable circle of children. Seo-na, dont you want to handle mana too? Huh? Eunha, who had barely gotten away from the two of them, asked Seona, who was looking away. As far as Eunha was concerned, Seona was the most athletic of the kids. As they played hide-and-seek, he wondered how far she could go if she had access to mana. So Eunha secretly tested her. Seona effortlessly jumped up a tree to escape and then swerved to skim alongside Eunha. Finally, he tries to jump off from the second floor to see if she can pull it off but he ended up being scolded by Euna. Ains physical ability and the flexibility of children. Seeing this, Eunha realized that if she trained her body from now on, she would be able to use any physical skill. If only she could handle mana. Eunha had vowed never to be a player, but as a former player himself, he was excited to see Seonas talent blossom. Ains have developed physical abilities based on the ubiquitous mana that has altered their genes, but its rare to see an Ain on the front lines. In the players world, an Ains biggest role was as a telepath, a lieutenant. Possessing the unique ability of telepathy, Ain played a crucial role in connecting the front lines with the rear in areas where there was no communication. In that sense, his companion, Jin Parang, was an unusual case. As a wolf-type Ain, he served as a Hunter for the Forerunners and a Telepath for the Lieutenants. But telepaths were best when there were two of them, not one. With one telepath relaying the leaders opinions to the troopers, and the other relaying field information from the troopers to the lieutenant, combat is facilitated. Eunha had been trying to recruit a telepath to assist Jin Parang to change the party composition. In his spare time, Parang has travelled with Eunha to meet with them, but none have caught his eye. Even when he did find an Ain he liked, they were either taken by a larger clan before he could bring them into the party, or they were too young to travel with him and didnt fit his needs. What if you recruited Jin Seona and Jin Parang? Eunha made assumptions that would not come true. I would like to see Jin Parang utilize his skills as a hunter in the frontline, and Jin Seona as a telepath in the middle. If shes a telepath, you wont have to worry about looking behind you against raid monsters. Ah, my job has made me develop a complete occupational disease. Realizing how futile his thoughts were, he smiled bitterly. The future he was assuming was probably not going to happen. Yeah, maybe. Because I dont intend to be a player. Wheres Hayang? The hide-and-seek wasnt over yet. Eunha realized that in hindsight as he watched Euna look around, searching for Hayang. Where did she go? Eunha realized how much better Hayang had gotten, as he couldnt find any sign of her. Where did she go? Eunha realized how much better Hayang had gotten, as she couldnt find any sign of her. I give up. I cant find her, since when could she hide like a cunning fox? Eunha had no choice but to deploy his mana detection network to find her. Huh? He couldnt see her for some reason. Hayang was inside the apartment complex. No wonder I couldnt find her. Then she cheated! Thats strange, she wouldnt do that. Where is she? The children looked very surprised. Eunha pointed his finger to the place where Hayang was. Over there. Huh? It was on the 4th floor of the apartment complex. Minji, who was suspicious of Julietas house at best, scratched his head at the mention of an unexpected place. The fourth floor is where the landlord lives. Minji had only heard stories about the grandfather who lived there and had never seen him in person. He was known as Goseogwang (1) and was said to be reclusive and buried in books. Minji frowned, trying to figure out why Hayang was on the fourth floor. She didnt get into any trouble, did she? She was worried that Hayang, who didnt even live in the apartment complex, might be in trouble up there. Wow~! I couldnt play hide-and-seek anymore. Entering the hallway without taking off her shoes, Hayang saw the books stacked all over the house and gasped in admiration. Mmm~ the smell of books! Hugging the nearest book, she was overcome with happiness as she breathed in the smell of old books. The light reflected off the dust on top of the stacks of books was fantastic. This is heaven. She placed her hands on her cheeks and let out a sigh of happiness. Every time she passed by a bookshelf installed on the wall, she didnt know what to read. This is the end. The last room was the one that looked out onto the balcony. A rocking chair sat in the center of the room. The couch in the corner was very plush, and I felt like I could sink into it the moment I sat down. Ah! But where is this place. As she looked around the room, she suddenly realized what she was looking at. She realized that she had entered the room as if she was possessed by something, and she was no longer frightened by the fact that she had entered someone elses house without permission. I have to get out of here. The other children must be worried, too. She decided to leave without being seen by the landlord. She decided to leave. Her eyes were drawn to a book on the desk. A book covered in red leather. In the center of the gold-trimmed cover, a silhouetted rabbit held a clock. Pretty. Hayang had never seen such a nice and pretty book in her life. She stepped on the chair and reached up to take a closer look at the book. Hmm? What does it say? She didnt know English yet. (E/N: Me! Me!! I remember how I started to learn English just because the tranlsations of my fav novels could not be found in Spanish. It. Was. So. Hard.) She held the book, which was half her height, in her arms, but she couldnt read the title, and her eyebrows came together like Eunha. Then, Its called Alice in Wonderland. Oh! Where did it come? An old man with a beard stood behind her. Hiccup! She was so startled that she stopped hiccuping. Her face turned white and she dropped the book in her arms to the floor in fear. Hehe. The old gentleman chuckled softly and picked up the book from the floor. Hah, ah! The more he stretched his hand over Hayands head, the more she shuddered, her round eyes wide open. Whats this. Eunha, who had run over to Hayang in worry, was too exhausted to speak. It was the same with the other children. Grandpa, so what, then what? Lets see, Alice is back to chasing rabbits. Sneaking up to the fourth floor like they were on an undercover mission, the children were greeted by a world of books. At the end of this unrealistic world, there was a study. The voices emanating from the study were the laughter of a kindly grandfather and Hayangs voice asking for more books. The landlord known as a Goseogwang was sitting in a rocking chair in the center of the study, reading a book. She was sitting on his lap, hidden by the book he had opened. Jung Hayang. This girl, really! She walked into a strangers house with no fear. No, why is she with a grandfather she doesnt recognize? Eunha called out to Hayang in disbelief. Huh? Hayang poked her head out of her book. She looked up to see the children entering the study, and she was stunned. Hehe. The monocle-wearing grandfather smiled benevolently when he saw the children barging in unannounced. Eunha tore his eyes away from Hayang and glanced at the old man. His gaze did not show any wariness or animosity toward the children. Rather, his gaze was one of favor. Theres no problem. With a rough assessment of the situation, representing the children, Eunha greeted him after roughly assessing the situation. Sear?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hello. We came to look for a friend who went missing while playing. Hehe, if you had a friend, you could have told me. Well, thats because I forgot to. Forget? Eunha asked in disbelief, catching Hayang off guard. Hayang had seen Minji and Eunha fight, but this was the first time Eunha was angry with her. When she realized that Eunha was actually angry, she narrowed her eyes, she wondered if Eunha wouldnt be willing to talk to her anymore and teared up. Im, Im sorry. Shes going to cry. Thinking that it might turn into a sea of tears if he touched on the wrong topic, Eunha decided to withdraw at this point. Im sorry for causing trouble. Its okay. Hayang was so happy to come along in the free ride. Jung Hayang. From now on, when you go somewhere, you have to tell someone else. Got it? Yeah, sorry. Eunha patted her forehead as she got off the rocking chair. So this is the landlords grandfather. After waving goodbye to the children, Eunha looked at the old man leaning back in the rocking chair. The old man looked like he should be wearing a bowler hat. He was wearing an old-fashioned suit, not the kind of clothes that are comfortable at home, so it was hard to think of him as an old man in the neighbourhood. Above all, the way he watched the children, I could feel the wisdom of the time. The air of bossiness that he exuded proved that he was not an ordinary old man. I dont even know what kind of neighborhood this is. I was surprised to find an Italian couple upstairs, whose skills rivaled those of the Twelve, and an old man with the air of a high-ranking government official. Do you want some sweets? No. Its time for dinner. Eunha politely declined. The other children nodded in agreement, but Hayang, who was next to him, was disappointed. I just want to read a little more. Its already evening, do you know how much time has passed because of you? Imsorry. Even though she was worried about the children, Hayang was still curious about the contents of the book she was reading. Eunha was dumbfounded and her cheeks stretched like glutinous rice cakes. Grandpa regretted that she couldnt read the book, Youll have to come back another time. Ive been reading and writing down books myself, and its nice to have a friend who likes to read. Really!? Hayang exclaimed, running to her grandfather, who stroked her hair as she rested on his leg. Okay. Come again next time. Ill come again tomorrow, and then you can finish reading Alice in Wonderland to me! I see you liked that book, its my favorite too. And yours grandfathers? It was my wifes favorite book. Heh~ Minji looked interested. I see. Shes always the first to react when drama pops up. Eunha clicked his tongue. Okay, lets go home now. Its too late. Eunhyeok wouldnt mind if he went alone, but he was worried about Hayang and Seona. Eunha thought about it and spoke up, Hmm, do you want Grandpa to take you home? What? What a ridiculous thing to say. What if they got into a car accident? Just as Eunha was about to say something, considering his age, the grandpa pulled out a smartphone from his pocket. Uh, Mr. Kim, sorry for the late hour. Can you send a car over here? What. What is this guy doing? He knew he had a lot of money, but he didnt expect him to have a chauffeur. What surprised Eunha even more was the Mercedes that showed up not long after the call. Stepping out of the Mercedes, which looked out of place in a residential neighborhood, the driver bowed to the old man and opened the car door for him. Now, those who are going home should get in this car. . Eunha was speechless at the scale of this grandfather. He knew how much the Mercedes was worth, even if the other kids didnt. Then again, Eunhyuk, Wow, this car is awesome! The seats are so comfy! Eunhyuk, covered in dirt from rolling on the ground, jumped around in the car. How much does that car cost? That one, that one, no fear! Eunha hadnt been this scared since his regression. When hed faced the Kraken, hed resorted to evil, but money was out of his catch. Luckily, Grandpa didnt seem to mind his worries, stroking his beard and chuckling. Come on, you two, get in. Thank you Wow~! Seona and Hayang got in after them, and they were equally impressed by the Mercedes ride. Seona was so impressed that she even took off her shoes and climbed in. Hmm, I guess I should get in. The grandfather with the children thought for a moment, then climbed into the passenger seat. Mr. Kim (2) didnt know what to say. Lets go, he said quietly. These are kids who chose to be friends with me, and Ive been keeping them up late at night, so its only right that I go say hello as an adult. Mr.Kim started to say something, but then nodded. Eunha watched the Mercedes drive away, This is nice. Ive never been in one. He gave up trying to think of what the grandfathers identity might be and envied the children. (1) In Korean, is written with the characters (goseo) and (gwang). Meaning he is probably someone who spends a lot of time reading or studying and doesnt interact with others much. (2) Mr.Kim, I will assume thats the grandpas namebut Im not sure since it could also be the drivers name, (please keep in mind that) I will re-write the text when I get more information about it! Chapter 37 Chapter 37[Presidential Election] April is almost over. Eunha watched the rain fall outside the window. The sound of the rain felt good. Listening to the pounding on the ground made the screams in his head not sound like lies. (1) Not now, though. Before the regression, the causes and reasons that had driven him mad were already in the distant past. Now he just liked the sound of the rain, and if he closed his eyes and listened, he could hear the chatter of children-. Then Ill write down Eunha as a candidate. What? Hearing his name called out by Miss Yoo Ji-na, Eunha couldnt help but snap out of his reverie. He blurted out something stupid in his panic, then noticed the big letters on the board. Whats wrong? Teacher, why is my name on there? Class 4 Presidential Election, read the big, colourful letters, with Eunhas name underneath. What do you mean? Who wrote it? I mean, who? Why? Answering for Miss Ji-na was her double, Minji. Eunha glared at her, wondering if Minji was playing a prank on him. Come on. Its not me. They had been together for years. Minji, who could read Eunhas thoughts with her eyes, protested in a low voice. Then who is it? Who could it be? duh Choi Eun-hyuk again! That was all it took to guess who it was. Eunha found Eunhyuk sitting in the back of the classroom. Captain~! Eunhyuk was waving his hand casually, not knowing what Eunha was thinking. Haa. Eunha wanted to punch him, but he couldnt afford to mix up the order of things. He held off on hitting Eunhyuk and decided to withdraw as a candidate for president. Miss, Im withdrawing. Eunhyuk nominated you, you shouldnt ignore his sincerity. Im not qualified to be president! Dont say that. Kids have so much potential! Miss Ji-na, who had always been swayed by children, spoke in a different manner. She clapped her hands together and ranted about how children are the countrys greatest resource. Giving up on listening to Miss Ji-nas idealism, Eunha realized that it would be impossible for him to drop out of the presidential race. You should have told him before! I did tell him. Who cares? Their gazes meet in the air for the first time in a long time. Sensing the atmosphere, the kids around them pulled their desks as far as they could. Okay, lets do it too. Teacher, I recommend Eunhyuk and Minji! You can only recommend one. Then I nominate Minji, shes got great leadership skills! Are you really going to do this!? Minji protested loudly. Eunha also raised his voice. You guys! Didnt the teacher say we shouldnt fight!? The person trying to calm them down was the weak-willed Miss Yoo Ji-na. She screamed with a pale face, but it wasnt enough to stop the two of them. They hadnt been lucky since they became partners. They couldnt get any angrier, so they decided to temporarily make up. Minji, do you want to run for president? No. Ill nominate No Eunha. Miss. Ji-na, why do I have to run and she doesnt have to? Because if you do, the election will feel like a joke. Isnt elementary school a childs play anyway? Eunha swallowed the words that were about to come out of the back of his throat. Youre the only one who wants to run for president right now. Are there any other kids who want to serve class 4 for a semester? The atmosphere in the class hung heavy as the two argued. While the kids from Doans kindergarten and the kids who usually hang out with them were willing to let it go, the other kids didnt seem to like it, especially the kids from the other kindergartens, who were giving them cold looks. Realizing her mistake, Minji blushed and hung her head in shame. Feeling unnecessarily apologetic, Eunha grunted and shut his mouth. Teacher. Im a candidate. It was Sena who volunteered her candidacy in such a mood. She raised her hand, taking the stares as a given. Uh, yeah. Is there anyone else who wants to run? Several kids who were running for president lowered their hands when they heard Sena was running. They didnt want to draw attention to themselves. Then well have the election later today in the fifth period, and you and Senna can start thinking about what youre going to do for the class if youre president. The stifling minutes came to an end. The kids scrambled out of their seats as soon as the bell rang. I dont want to do it. Annoying. Listening to the rain, Eunha slumped against his desk, almost in a daze, unwilling to be president. Part of him wanted to stay put, cheer for Sena to be president, and get some rest. If only the kids would let him. Of course they wouldnt. Captain. I think you should be the president of this class. Ill make you the president! Eunhyuks eyes lit up as if this was his only chance, and he turned to the remaining boys in the classroom. Grabbing them by the throat, he began to explain, point by point, why Eunha should be president. (E/N: I love him) Hmm, I see! I want Eunha to be president too. If youre president, youll have gym class every day! I know no one keeps their promises, but isnt that a bit much? Youre not really trying to get me in trouble, are you? Eunha mesmerized the boys with words that Eunhyuk couldnt even understand. Me, too, Eunha, I want you to be president. Me too. Ill vote. After going to the restroom, Hayang and Seona decided to vote for Eunha. Eunha, who wasnt happy about this at all, shook his head. Ill ask some kids, too. Is the election for elementary school president really this competitive? Eunha stuck out his tongue as he watched Minji approach the kids she knew. It was almost as if the election was for the entire school. Youre probably going to be president. Why? Before he knew it, Hayang was gone. Left alone with Seona, Eunha looked out the window at the rain. The boys will probably vote for you. I didnt have to ask why, because I knew Eunhyeok could win over the non-clique boys. And the girls. There are a lot of girls who dont like Sena. Hmm. Seona was not just keeping her seat in the classroom. She was observing the childrens relationships, taking advantage of that point, while spending her time at the end of the classroom as if she were dead like a mouse. Sena was the little queen of the class. Ever since Minjis clique had fallen apart, shed been leading the vocal clique. However, not all of the kids accepted her rule over the class. Some of them didnt like her dominance. I dont want to do it. I think youre great. Its annoying. Youre so like yourself. Seona smiled sheepishly and went back to her seat. The bell rang for recess and class began. Eunha stared out the window at the steady rain. This happened during lunch. Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wow~! Whats that smell? Hamburgers! Its a hamburger! Wow, why did hamburgers come to our class? As the kids headed to lunch, they stared at the man with the burger in his hand with a twinkle in his eye. Kids, these are from my dad, enjoy. Sena stood in front of the man in the suit and scrunched up her nose. Wow~! Its Sena! Hamburger! Hamburger! Todays lunch is hamburgers! The school cafeterias lunch was delicious, but the childrens tastes didnt change. After all, hamburgers were the best. Sena had taken their enthusiasm for hamburgers for granted. She gestured to the man to help her flip the burgers. You guys help, too. Yeah. Okey. Its Sena!. The girls in Senas clique followed the man as he flipped the burgers. Only she, the reigning queen of Class 4, stood at the table, surveying the classroom, while the children who served her distributed food from the bag the man held in his hand. I want Sena to be president, vote for her. If Sena is president, well buy hamburgers every month. As they passed around the burgers and cokes, they didnt forget to mention Senas name. Wow. Youd think they were running for Congress. Eunha stuck his tongue out at Sena for bribing the kids with hamburgers. He couldnt understand how she could be running for president of an elementary school by bribing them with hamburgers. Sena called the man with the hamburgers to the classroom table and placed some on the table. She then called a girl from the guard (her bodyguard) and ordered her to follow her with a burger and a Coke. Wondering what Senna was up to, Eunha watched in silence, What? Look at this? Sena walked over and handed out burgers to Eunhyuk, Hayang, Seona, Minji, and finally Eunha. Here you go. Give me your vote. Eun-ha knew the meaning of Senas smile as she handed over the hamburger. It was a knowing sneer. It was a gaze that looked down on people from above, but also took pleasure in trampling on those beneath them. Youre a kid and youre already doing this. Eunha was not interested in the hamburger as he was angry. Min-ji was the same. She knew that she was going to vote for Eunha, but she looked at the burger that Sena handed over arrogantly and frowned. Who do you think I am, a beggar? Min-ji did not take the hamburger that Sena offered. It was a message of sorts. You lowlifes, just keep your heads down. I hadnt expected to be the recipient of someones malice in this way, to have such complex malice in a seemingly innocent act. Or that it would make me feel so miserable. Unable to do anything but stand by and watch, Minji didnt know how to express her feelings. Forget it, everything. You can forget about it now. Dont worry about it. Ouch, why did you hit me? Eunha slapped her on the forehead. She was still too young to endure human malice. She didnt need to be hurt by the malice of others already. She didnt need to feel helpless, she didnt need to feel miserable. So it was better not to know. She didnt have to be tainted by the malice of others and become one of them. In that sense, shes amazing. Senna excelled at bullying children her own age. She knew exactly what power she had. Shes not a rich girl for nothing. She must have had some sort of education from a young age. By the way, the others are. Minji was like this. Eunha looked around the classroom, worried about the other kids. Most of the kids were gobbling down their hamburgers, unaware of anything. On the other hand, the kids who insisted on voting for Eunha seemed to feel some sort of emotion when they received the burgers, even if they couldnt put it into words. There is nothing wrong with hamburgers. Theres nothing wrong with it. Eat! You can have it all! Huh! Really? Thank you! Ill eat it! I wont complain later! Me too! Me too! Eunhyuk, who was seriously thinking about it, eventually passed the hamburger to the other kid. For some reason, he felt like he would be considered insignificant if he ate it. Ooh, I want to go for lunch. Ever since she began to control her mana, Hayangs boldness grew. She was good at sensing peoples intentions with her senses, and she recognized Sennas intentions. Not even bothering to look at the hamburger on her desk, she thought about going to lunch with her friends. Whoa. Sena, who usually ignored her, walked over and handed her the burger. Should I take it to church and give it to the kids? After thinking about it from ear to ear, Seona finally came to a conclusion. She chose not to take it to church. There was no option to eat the burger in the first place. The children who were salivating didnt leave her alone. Even though they never talked to her before, the kids talked to her now. After wordlessly handing over the burgers, Seona waved gently at Eunha. Thats good. It was unexpected. It was also a relief. The children had accepted their first malice with grace. Like a parent, Eunha was proud of them. Now, what to do about this? He had no intention of letting it go. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Thats what No Eunha was all about. He thought to himself as he watched Sena talk about her ambitions when she became president. When I become president,. Haha, Im young, so Ill put up with it. No Eunha, youve lost a lot of character. Ill let it go this time, but there will be no next time. Remember, I can kill you anytime I want. Huh? In the middle of her speech, Sena shuddered as she felt an electric current run through her body. She felt something run down her leg and froze in place. Huh? Huh? Goosebumps rose. What was that? She swiped at her arm to get rid of the uncomfortable feeling, but that wasnt the problem. She hastily finished her speech and called for the man who brought the burgers. Sena didnt return until after lunch. The election for president began after lunch. Then the class president will be Sena, who has a majority of 21 votes! Sena was elected president. And Eunha became the vice president since there were no candidates for vice president. (1) In the context of the sentence, lies refers to the deceptive nature of a sound or sensation. It means that the sound of rain that Eunha hears doesnt seem fake, but instead feels genuine and authentic. It contrasts this with the screams () that used to haunt him in his past life, which implies that his experience was traumatic or distressing. Thus, the sound of the rain is described as not feeling like lies because it brings him comfort, unlike the distressing experiences of the past. Hi guys this is the first part of the mass release! I will come back with more chapters(Hopefully). Take care! Chapter 38 Chapter 38[April 1]. Today feels more lively than usual. April. Cherry blossoms bloomed in downtown Seoul. On the way to school, the cherry trees swayed their branches and fluttered their petals. Euna and Minji marvelled at how the cherry blossoms greeted them in the morning. Eunha was almost late to school as they brought him up to look at the sky smeared with pastel colours. Not only the two girls but also the students in their class were talking excitedly about the cherry blossoms on their way to school. Some even leaned out of the window to see the flowers in the distance. Whats so nice about flowers? On the other hand, Eunha took in the childrens cherry blossom sensitivity. Having lived a challenging life, he didnt feel any inspiration from the flowers that bloomed quickly and faded away. He just saw them positively because Euna and his mother liked flowers. Do you like spring? Who cares when the flowers bloom? Rather, Eunha liked the song the young man on the first floor had been muttering in a nervous tone this morning. The more he thought about it, the more addictive it became. Yeah, its a flower song for this time of year. For him, it wasnt a matter of when the cherry blossoms would bloom and fall; that was something he could leave entirely to his father. What he was interested in now was the position the Fairy Government had taken this morning. The Fairy Queens government had announced that they were going to clean up the Yeouido Park area, which had become a habitat for monsters. It had been three years since Im Gaeul took office as the Fairy Queen. At the end of last year, she announced her intention to stabilize the Gangnam area by deploying cocoons in major cities nationwide. She even promised to restore the monster-destroyed National Assembly within the year. The cleanup of Yeouido Park, reported this morning, is a step toward stabilizing Gangnam. Maybe this is the time when Gangnam will be stabilized. Eunha, who was living his second life, knew that Im Gaeuls cleanup of Yeouido Park would stabilize the Gangnam area and restore the National Assembly building, and even restore the peoples support that was shaken by the Krakens appearance two years ago. Gangnam would really be a paradise. But he couldnt even take a small part in it, knowing the future. The stabilization of Gangnam was only the beginning, as players began raiding unidentified dungeons in the area. Captain! Captain! Were in trouble! Eunhyuk, who had run out to do a one-bar, shouted as he rushed in. No wonder the kids in the classroom turned to look at him. Why? Whats wrong? Eunha wouldnt be surprised if the world ended tomorrow. Captain! Hmph, hmph, hmph Monsters are smashing through the cocoon right now! What, what!? Monsters!? What? The cocoon is broken? Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The childrens shouts of surprise fell on deaf ears. Eunha doubted his ears. The future was still a long way off when the cocoon surrounding the River North region would collapse and the monster army would swarm in from all directions. He had been called to the front not long after graduating from the academy, and he knew that future all too well. Youve been lying to me since this morning. Huh? Youre not freaking out at all? All the other kids were fooled. Because thats 12 years away from happening. Twelve years? Huh? How does he know that? Oops, I said it without thinking. Its a lie. Eunha shrugged, avoiding eye contact. Fortunately, Eunhyuk didnt seem to mind. Instead, he nodded in approval. Why, how did you know it was a lie! Because its April Fools Day, the day you can lie to your hearts content! Thats why theyve been so loud today. Apparently, the cherry blossoms werent the only reason the kids were being so loud and mischievous today. Childish, childish. Eunha clicked his tongue. A lie is only valuable when its not a lie, so he couldnt understand why anyone would like April Fools Day when a lie is only valuable as a lie. If youre a player, you should be able to lie at any time. Eunhas usual poker face was also a result of his training as a player. In a players world where no one was to be trusted, there was no reason to give away information. If you were a top player, you had to fool before you were fooled, and if you were fooled, you had to turn the tables. Heh, boys are so childish, they dont know what theyre lying about. Minji, who was listening to the conversation from the next table, scoffed. What! Im not childish! From head to toe. Do you really have to say that? Haha. Minji and Eunhyuk glared at each other. Seona, who had come to join them, let out an awkward laugh. Hayang, who had gotten used to the two fighting, drank her Yulmu tea in silence. Ho-oh? Watching the two bickering, Eunha suddenly thought of a lie to trick Minji. Hey Minji. So he called Minji. Huh? You called me now? Minji is the only one in our class. Minji, who was in the middle of a snowball fight with Eunhyuk, was dumbfounded. She hadnt expected Eunha to call her by a name other than Mukminji. Now that I look at you have you gotten prettier? What, what, what! Hah! Yuck! The effect of a single lie was dramatic. Minjis face turned bright red in an instant. Hayang spewed out the Yulmu tea she was drinking. Eunhyuk was suddenly hit by a water bomb. Eunha laughed at the childrens reactions. You, you! Minji realized he was lying when she saw Eunhas reaction. Still blushing, she couldnt contain herself and slapped him on the back. Captain, youre amazing. I thought it was real too. Youre a good liar. Youre supposed to be serious when you say things you dont mean. Whats so serious about serious, I thought youd finally lost your mind! Phew, thank goodness. Seona, what are you doing? Dont just stand there, try to trick him! I, me? Seona, who had been patting Hayangs back, was flustered. She hadnt expected to be accused, so she gaped like a crucian carp. Ah! Then she remembered something, Eunha. Yeah. Whats up? Lets see how skilled Seona is. Among the kids, Seona was the only one who was good at poker face. Eunha decided to watch how she would try to deceive him. Actually, my ears are detachable. Huh? What a clever fox voice is this? Ain detaches her ears? Eunha just looked at her as if to say, Go on. Seona, who was right on the mark, pointed to her head. Look, look! Thats why my ears arent visible today. Ha ha ha! Oh, what is she! The fourth-grade students were secretly listening to Seona because she had claimed she was lying, and then they couldnt help but burst into laughter. Ugh Seona, who had been holding her head up and hiding her ears, shrank back when she saw the kids reaction. It may have seemed like a creative lie to her, but to the kids, she was just a hopeless liar. But it seems like shes fitting in with her class now. Maybe its because its been a month, but the kids in Class 4 have gotten used to her. They still didnt approach her, but at least they didnt ignore her outright. Of course, some kids still looked at her in a less-than-favourable light. Can you be quiet? This place isnt just for you. It was Jin-senas group. Sena, also wearing a dress today, crossed her arms and gave Eunha a pinch on his arm. No Eunha, if youre the vice president, shouldnt you be able to keep the kids quiet? But the vice president doesnt set an example, he just plays with the kids. Ha, here we go again. Ever since the presidential election was over, Sena has been berating Eunha for the title of vice president. But Eunha, who had endured Minjis backbone for years, took Senas criticism in stride. Yeah, yeah~ Oh, bother, go away, go away. She wasnt about to back down. Sena snorted, What do you think youre doing, dont you know what my dad does? Haa. He hesitated to get angry with a child, so he just sighed and decided to ignore her. If only he didnt feel like playing a prank. Come to think of it Yeah? Sena was about to take the initiative on how to embarrass Eunha, but Eunha suddenly said, Baek Hyun-yul likes you. W-what? What does that have to do with me? What does it have to do with me? Ha. Its pretty obvious from how red her face is. Baek Hyun-yul. He was a boy with doll-like good looks who had been attracting the attention of girls since the beginning of the school year, and he used to hang out with the alchemy combi. There was no way Sena didnt recognize him from time to time in the fourth period, and even if she acted like she wasnt interested, it didnt mean she didnt have a crush on him, who was just as pretty as the rest of them. That, that story. Where did you hear that? Sena snapped. She grabbed Eunhas arm, indicating that she wasnt going to let him go until he answered her. Were already past this. Oh, I shouldnt be laughing, Im not supposed to laugh in here. Poker face, poker face. Im friends with Hyun-yul. Where else would I have heard? Eunhas every word gives him an escape hatch(1). Later, when Sena huffed and puffed, he would tell her that Baek Hyun-yul had said that he was interested, not that he liked her, or that he hadnt heard from him. If he wanted to fool people, he had to be vague. But Hyun-yul said he likes quiet girls. But you. Hmm, hmm. What? What did I do? Sena cleared her throat and began to sift through her thoughts. Eunha giggled inwardly. Oh? The meeting is over. As the Vice President, President Sena showed exemplary behaviour, so everyone should return to their seats. As Sena was advised to show a good example as the Vice President, Eunha intentionally spoke as if reading a Korean language book. Sena seemed to want to ask something more, but Eunha wasnt a gentle person. Since then, Senas habit of grumbling decreased. For a while, it will be quiet. To someone who thinks they are the center of the world, their ego is fragile. Sena was the same. Eunha thought he should actively use this weakness from now on. I didnt succeed at all. Eunhyuks shoulders slumped as he realized that he hadnt had a good April Fools Day. The fact that no one was cheering him up made him even more depressed. Eunhyuk was surprisingly bad at lying. Even with Eunhas advice, there was no room for improvement. He shouldnt be left alone. Eunha evaluated Eunhyuk, who usually said he would become a player. He was a person who would be a grumpy player without outstanding skills or a perfect partner. Ah! But Eunhyuk hadnt given up lying yet. Determined to succeed at least once, he spotted Julieta just in time. Julieta noona! (2) Ciao, Eunhyuk! (3) Julieta, who was carrying a luggage basket, greeted Eunhyuk as he ran over. Eunhyuk intentionally gasped for breath to strike a chord, No- noona..! Were in trouble! Huh? Julieta scratched her head. What the hell is going on? As she tried to brush back her flowing hair, Those foreigners in black were looking for you and Uncle Bruno earlier! Oh no, shes going to fall for that What!? Julieta was so surprised that she dropped the shopping cart she was carrying. Her green eyes widened and she racked her brain, mumbling something unintelligible. No waythe Myron familyhow did you know? I thought I wouldnt find them here. No, just go ahead and. Julietas sister? Sori, Eunhyuk, your noona has something important to do, I have to go! (4) Julieta ran up to the house, forgetting to pick up her fallen shopping cart. Huh? I managed to pull off the lie. Eunhyuk, who had planned to end with a haha hahaha about how it was a lie at the end, was puzzled by the strange turn of events. What are you doing, you need to catch up with her and tell her its a lie, Julietas noona is freaking out! Oh, okay! He would have continued to be dumbfounded if Minji hadnt scolded him. Eunhyuk ran after Julieta and didnt look back. Ah! What about you? It was then that Hayang, who had been silent for a day, seemed to have remembered something. I thought of a good lie! Had she been quiet all this time to tell a lie? Eunha was dumbfounded. Suddenly, she gasped and ran over to Eunhyuk. What is it? I dont know. Lets follow him. Hayang arrived at the landlords grandfathers house. The door to the house was still open today. Grandpa~! Hayang ran into the study and called out her grandfather. (5) Hehe, youre early today. He didnt think anything of it when he saw her snorting. Grandpa, this is only for you. She remembered the magic words Eunha had taught her at school. She whispered them to her grandfather in a very important tone. She was more talented at acting than Min-ji, so when she lied, he took her seriously. Yes, what is it? Hayang opened her mouth, hiding her excitement. Theres actually a lion living in my closet. Huh? So whenever I get bored, I go to the world where the lion lives. Grandpa cocked his head; he wondered if she was talking about books. Not wanting to shatter her illusion that she was being serious, he smiled. Its April Fools Day. If Eunha hadnt followed up, he might have let it go. Eyy~ you cant say that. Hey, kids, come on over. Do you want some chocolate? If he had granddaughters, he might have acted differently. Anyway, what are these kids doing? Wow~!! The children tasted the fine chocolates prepared by the grandfather and admired them greatly. Meanwhile, Eunhyuk said. Noona Julieta, its actually. Sorry, Eunhyuk, I dont have time for that right now, I will contact you later! He had a hard time stopping Julieta, who was busily packing her things. (1) Escape hatch: in this context, it refers to a way out of a difficult or uncomfortable situation. When Eunha speaks, he gives himself an escape hatch, meaning that he leaves himself room to back out or change his story later. (2) Noona: is a Korean term that is used by younger brothers to address their older sisters or older female friends who are older than them. BUT in this case is a term of endearment and respect, and is commonly used in Korean culture to address older sisters or close female friends who are considered to be like older sisters. JULIETE IS NOT THEIR SISTER! (3) Ciao: in Italian, Ciao is a common informal greeting used both for hello and goodbye. Its equivalent to the English greetings hi or bye. (4) Sori: here Juliete misspoke, probably because she was in an urgent situation, she was trying to say sorry (5) Her grandfather: He is NOT her grandfather, I believe its a kindly way to show the closeness between him and the kids. If its confusing Ill change it. Remember he is the landlord. Chapter 39 Chapter 39[Hound] 1st grades field trip destination will be Bukhansan. Why dont the president and vice president make teams for the kids? (1) Morning meeting time. Miss Yoo-Jina gives the kids the agenda from the teachers meeting the day before. I dont want to work. Eunha slumped down at his desk and sighed. Even as vice president, he hated to work, and he didnt like having to organize the childrens groups. He wants Jin-sena to do it all, but. Surprisingly, Jin-sena was fulfilling her role as president. And thanks to her manipulation of the kids in the clique, Eunha was able to get away with being the vice president. Sena wanted to have both power and authority as president, so she scolded him for not fulfilling his vice-presidential responsibilities, but she didnt ask him to fulfill his responsibilities. Though it was nice for him to not have to do anything. Ha. Not this time. If he let Sena organize the childrens groups, he could see what would happen: she would split up the children she didnt like and put them in groups of children who didnt like each other. He made his way to the table, just in case. Jinsena, who was already there, looked at him unpleasantly. You only work at times like this? Huh? No, I work normally too. Eunha responded as if asking what she meant. He responds with a smug look on his face, and Sena is momentarily flustered. She tried to remember if hed ever done any work as vice president, but to her knowledge, he hadnt. What work? What do you do as vice president? I help out by staying out of the way, and if I get involved, its just more work for you. Thats ridiculous. If thats what youre saying, then why dont you just stay out of it? Well, do you think so? Yeah, get back to your seat. Okay, Ill do the weaving, and you can do the rest. What? What was he talking about? Sena was dumbfounded at how confident Eunha was acting under the childrens stares. Regardless, Eunha continued to write down the names of the kids who were hanging out with Minji on the board. What do you think youre doing! This is how we do it in our group. Whether Sena was angry or not, Eunha nonchalantly brushed off the chalk dust from his hands. He was so composed that even the children who looked down on him couldnt help but open their mouths. Sena couldnt keep her mouth shut as she watched him engage in shameless behaviour right in front of her. She tried to keep Eunha from serving as vice president so that she could have the upper hand in Class 4. She had been taught by her father not to embrace those with whom she disagreed, but to tie their hands and feet before they could make a dent in her power. So she let the vice chairman do whatever he pleased. He didnt know where he stood. Sena only wanted to keep him out of the position of Vice-President, not have him take over the job for his own gain. Its good for you, isnt it? Are you ignoring me now? Youre really clueless, arent you? Why? Youre saying youre going to hang out with the kids you dont like. Or should I make you the group leader? Not that, but. Then were done. Take care of the rest. What the hell do you believe in? I dont believe in anything. Well, maybe my abilities. Eunha swallowed the words and returned to his seat. I hope youre sorry now, before I tell my father your name. Youre going to tell him? . Eunha looked back at her for a moment. Sena looked into those bottomless, cloudy eyes and held her breath. It was a strange-no, eerie-sensation, and the moment she met his eyes, she felt as if something cold and heavy was squeezing her tightly. As if an invisible snake was coiling around her and squeezing the life out of her. A sensation she couldnt describe. Yes, it was definitely fear. Like when I was a kid and faced the chairman of KK Group in a gathering of all my relatives. They said. Hes a crouching tiger. Im counting on you Eunha saw Sena tense up, and she was spared. He placed a hand on her shoulder before returning to his seat. Pfft! No way! Im scared of him, and hes got nothing on me? Senna felt a humiliation shed never experienced before when he placed his hand on her shoulder, and she bit her lip tightly to stifle the feeling, clenching her trembling fists. Where the hell is that thing threatening me! Sena had never had her pride bruised before. No. Except at the gatherings of the children of tycoons, her pride had never been bruised by a child who had nothing. She couldnt take it anymore. Sena decided that this time, she would tell her father the truth. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hed apologize when the time came, but who would accept it? He would give her whatever she wanted. Even if it meant ruining the family of a man who had nothing. Sena looked forward to it. The pleasure of breaking him, when he abandoned his smug face and gave in, burying his head in his hands. Watch, Im going to make him regret this for the rest of his life. Its no fun to ruin him all at once. She was going to make him spend the rest of his life in despair for inflicting this humiliation on her. Meanwhile, Eunha had no idea what Sena was up to. Huam~ He stared out the window leisurely with his jaw set. Well, I guess its okay. There was only one event that came to mind about Mount Bukhansan. It was the great migration of monsters. The monsters that lived on the edge of Uijeongbu escaped from the monsters of the higher realms and appeared in Bukhansan through the cocoon. I think it was also in the spring. I didnt experience the event myself, only heard about it. I heard that many people who came to see the flowers died. No way! There was no way that could happen to me, unless I got lucky. Its not like Im Conan on a crime spree. (2) Yeah, its definitely not going to happen. I just want to live in peace, so leave me alone. . At that time, the government made the decision to abandon some parts of the country. The government sacrificed some smaller cities to save Seoul, arguing that they had to sacrifice the cow for the sake of the calf. It was impossible for people who were not used to destroying monsters to stop the monsters that were appearing simultaneously. As a result, South Korea lost a third of its population, and the cities that served as satellite cities were taken over by monsters. Fucking assholes, kicking me out to this shitty place. One of the cities that was taken over by monsters was Uijeongbu, where Im Dohyuk was assigned. Uijeongbu itself was like a dungeon. Once a military hub, the city was now in ruins to the point where it was unrecognizable. Ha, shit. A city that nobody was looking for anymore. The city had been abandoned by the government for over 30 years, and it was truly a land of decay and death. Im Dohyuk, once a high-ranking member of the Changhae Clan, the second most powerful clan in South Korea, was now the head of the management team for the special mission sent by the Changhae Clan to Uijeongbu. It was a position that sounded good only in name, but in reality, it was a job to monitor a city where monsters roamed. Why the hell does this matter. It was the Clan Lord who ordered him to travel to Uijeongbu. In order to protect Seoul, Uijeongbu must be monitored. Clan Lord was right. He was right, but it didnt change the fact that it was a job. Uijeongbu was the most problematic city for the current government. For over thirty years, Uijeongbu had been home to powerful monsters. If they were to make their way south, Seoul could become a battleground in an instant. Some were calling for Uijeongbu to be recaptured as soon as possible. However, the Seonyeo government was hesitant to take Uijeongbu, saying that the Gangnam region should be stabilized first. I wont do it. When he was sent to Uijeongbu, he was attacked by monsters several times a day. It was a place infested with high-level monsters, and the slightest misjudgment could cost him his life. It wasnt unreasonable for the Seonyeo government to argue that systematic preparation was needed to retake Uijeongbu. Ha, shit. He was about to lament again. Administrator, we have confirmed the appearance of a high-level monster near Mount Dobong! A player rushed over to report. So what? How many monsters appear in a day. Do-hyuk pricked up his ears and scowled at the player who had been relegated to the sidelines. Monsters were being born dozens of times a day in Uijeongbu, and with mana everywhere, it was inevitable that monsters would pop up. What to do then? As a player who had stepped down from his role, he was only responsible for monitoring Uijeongbu, not for destroying monsters, so he wasnt surprised by how many appeared every day. What, are there any second-tier monsters out there? Well, not really, but. Well, thats no big deal. How many ranks? Its impossible to tell, but, according to the navigators analysis, its a monster of the fifth rank. Then theres no need to worry. Whats the problem? The fifth hierarchy monster was capable of paralyzing city administration. If it had appeared in Seoul, it would have been a state of emergency, but it wasnt worth reacting to a monster that had lost its function as a city in Uijeongbu. There were monsters here that exceeded the fifth hierarchy, so it was not a big deal. Well, this one isnt listed in the database. It must be a new species. Do-hyuk was mildly intrigued, Shouldnt we report it? Report. According to the rules, he had to report every time a high-level monster appeared. Still, the fifth level could choose not to report to the higher-ups at the discretion of the head of the administration. Hmm. But, dont you think we should report it? Its a new monster, albeit a fifth-tier monster. Wait, wait, wait. Is there really a need to make a big deal out of it? If he reported the appearance of a new type of monster to the upper authorities, he could already imagine what would happen in the future. The Changhae Clan would assign tasks one by one, such as investigating the new type of monster, accurately measuring its hierarchy, or subduing the monster. Even if he did manage to capture a new monster and achieve success, it would be completely monopolized by the other officers. It was better not to report it. As he looked back on his life, nearing his forties, he didnt want to risk his life facing a new type of monster at the fifth level. Besides, Uijeongbu was a maze where other monsters gathered during the process of exterminating monsters. I wont report it. Thats what I know. Yes, yes! I understand! Ugh, this sucks. After sending the player away, Do-hyuk lit a cigarette and furrowed his brow. There were monsters around the building, and he could smell them. I have to prepare for a retreat again. When he was first assigned to Uijeongbu, he had cleared out every monster that came his way, but he realized it was a pointless task. Killing monsters in Uijeongbu was an endless cycle. Everyone, pack your things and get ready to retreat! Do-hyuk, who had turned away from the window, hissed with mana. Downstairs, the savvy players had already packed up. Their equipment was lightly packed and they were ready to leave the building at any moment. Except for one. Hey, bunny girl. Hic! In the midst of the packed players, there was an Ain that was sprawled on the ground. Her hair was tousled and dishevelled, her clothes were tugged and stretched, and she wore no underwear underneath. From the looks of it, I could only imagine what had just happened. Anyway, these bastards Do-hyuk sighed and cursed. Some people couldnt drink or have sex because they didnt know when monsters would jump out, but his subordinates were secretly doing this kind of thing. He felt like slapping them. Hehe, would you like to have a round, Commander? This girl gained some weight because she was afraid someone might call her a rabbit. You crazy bastard. Monsters are attacking downstairs, and you say that? Hey, bunny girl! Yes, yes! A blue-faced Ain responded. She couldnt even stand up and was trembling all over. Sigh The world that Ain was entering as an outcast from society was mostly the players world. However, Ain was still a rejected presence even in the players world. They could be treated the same way as the woman trembling in front of him. She had somehow managed to join a large clan, but she hadnt met the clans expectations, Deliver this to the members dispatched to Uijeongbu. Yes, yes! On the 9th day of the 4th month of the 3rd year, 16:48, the Uijeongbu Division of the Special Mission Bureau of Changhai Clan will move their base as soon as they receive this message. The current base is occupied by monsters. We will contact you again as soon as the base is relocated, so please maintain combat readiness! [April 9, 3, 16:48, Changhae Clan Special Mission Bureau, Uijeongbu Division, will move their base as soon as they receive the message. The current base is occupied by monsters. We will contact you again as soon as the base is relocated, so please maintain combat readiness! This is Shim Su-ji, a member of the Uijeongbu Contingent of the Special Mission Bureau of Changhae Clan]. Good job, Bunny. You guys, follow me! Ah, my ears, my ears Ain was dragged away by her ears, without even having time to grab her pants. As an Ain without any abilities, she was nothing more than a radio. Changes have occurred in the monster habitat. A fifth-rank monster born around Dobongsan. An unidentified monster has disrupted the ecosystem. Down, down, down. Down, down, down. Monsters began to migrate south to avoid new predators. (1) Bukhansan. (2) Its not like Im Conan on a crime spree: in this context, it refers to the character Conan Edogawa from the popular Japanese manga and anime series Detective Conan (also known as Case Closed in some English-speaking countries. I LOVE IT!!). The series follows high school detective Shinichi Kudo, who is transformed into a child after being poisoned and takes on the name Conan Edogawa to hide his true identity while he works to uncover the truth behind various crimes. (I recommend it if you are looking for something casual and fun to watch!) Chapter 40 Chapter 40[Hound (2)] The morning of the spring picnic. It was a busy morning at Eunhas house. His mother woke up before dawn to prepare Eunha and Eunas lunchboxes. Eunha didnt want to leave everything to his mother, so he packed his lunch with Euna. Are you sure you can do well without me? Are you sure you can do well without me going to the retreat? Im 12 years old! Euna pouted her lips. Shed even decorated Eunhas packed lunch because she wanted to pretend to be her big sister for the day. Be careful out there. Yeah, you too, Eunha. Todays Eunha energy boost complete! Euna inhaled the scent of fabric softener on Eunhas clothes. She kissed Eunhas cheek before leaving. Anyway. You seem happy too, Eunha. I didnt say I didnt like it. Their mother, who was watching the love between the two siblings in the kitchen, smiled. Humbled, Eunha put the lunchbox Euna had packed into his bag with a calm demeanour. Ouch. Ohhh. Eunae, you need more sleep. Eunae must have come out to say hello to Eunha. I wonder if its because shes been fussing since morning. It was still time to sleep, but Eunae was crawling over, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Eunha scooped her up and hugged her tightly. Ouch. Eunae, shouldnt you kiss your brother? Awww. Eunae brushed her lips against Eun-has cheek. Eunha couldnt hide his smile because his little sister was adorable. Today would be a good day. I received kisses from Eunha and Eunae since morning. Even though it was a normal morning, it seemed to sparkle unusually today. Eunae, daddy too. Abu. Eunae is sleeping now. I dont know why my girls only like Eunha. Haha. Yes! Eunha will give daddy a kiss, right? I cant help it. Eunha did what his father wanted him to do. Now Ive gotten a kiss from Eunha and Eunae too! said Dad happily. Okay, bye. Be careful. Ugh. It was time to leave for Mount Bukhansan. After packing, Eunha held his fathers hand as they left the house. Youre late! You came out just in time. Eek, this was going to be bad. Minji was waiting at the door. Eunha suddenly remembered that they were supposed to go to the picnic in his fathers car. Luckily, he was able to dismiss his suspicions with a poker face. He drove off into the early morning, avoiding the commute, and it didnt take long for them to arrive at the entrance to Mount Bukhansan. Eunha, do you have money? Yes, my mom gave me 10,000 won. Oh really? Is it a secret from your mom then? His father called out to Eunha as he got out of the car. He took his wallet out of his pocket and gave Eunha a 10,000 won bill. Go out with your friends and get something nice to eat! Dad knows from experience that its the worst when you dont have any money but want to eat. Okay, thanks, Dad. And remember, dont eat by yourself. Dad, thats a story that made my ears perk up. Eunha interrupted him. Dont eat alone, share with others. Fighting over food is the stupidest thing to do, right? Haha, you got it. Maybe I talked too much. Eunha didnt know that his father was going to say the exact same thing. It seems like Im getting old, he thought to himself as he chuckled. He waved goodbye to Eunha and turned the car around in the parking lot. The meeting point was Bukhansanseong Support Center. When Eunha and Minji arrived, their teachers were already holding up signs for their classes, 1-4. It didnt take long for them to find their sign. Kids, Im going to call your attendance numbers, and you need to raise your hands one by one! The appointed time passed. Miss Ji-na, who was holding the picket, called out the kids starting with number one. The close-knit group of children raised their hands each time their name was called and shouted back. Everyone is here. Miss Yoo Ji-na then led the class 4 children through the tour center. The mornings agenda was to walk the perimeter path and visit the Daesemun Gate and Borisa Temple. (1) Kids, its time for lunch! After touring Borisa Temple, Miss Ji-na saw the children from the other classes making mats and called them over. The children, who had been acting in groups, gathered together and were told to eat lunch near the borax shelter. Alright! Its time to eat our lunch, lunch! Food! Food! The highlight of the spring picnic was the bento, no matter what anyone said. As the children sat on the mats, each one showed off the lunchboxes they had brought from home. Wow! Look at Eunhas bento! (2) This looks so delicious! As the children walked around the room comparing their bento boxes, their eyes lit up when they saw Eunhas. Eunhas lunch consisted of golden brown sausage and potatoes, his favourite bacon fried rice, and egg rolls. Euna had put a lot of effort into decorating it in the morning, and it looked mouthwatering even before he ate it. Euna, when did you write this? Then Eunha saw the ketchup on the bacon fried rice, and he gobbled it up. The message made him smile, but he was embarrassed to show it to the other kids. This is called siscom, right? Siscom~ siscom~ (3) Shut up. What about your lunchbox? Minjis lunchbox was plain. It was steaming. Hayang, your lunchbox is so pretty! But can you eat it all by yourself? Hehe, my dad packed a lot for us to share. Hayangs lunchbox was too much for her to eat alone. The children realized that the reason she was cringing as they hiked up the mountain was because of the five-story lunch box. Each time she opened it, she found something delicious to eat. Sausages with split ends like octopuses, giant fried shrimp, and hamburger steaks as round as dumplings. Finally, fried rice shaped like the faces of cartoon characters left everyone in awe. Hayang took it out of the bag and onto the plate in front of her, showing how perfect Mr.Jungs workmanship and preparation were. Ill eat it! Wow, this is delicious! Minji and Eunhyuk were the first to touch the bento boxes. Eunha held out his chopsticks after theyd popped their food into their mouths. Hmm, I see. Jung Seok-hoons skills hadnt gone unnoticed. His mana was recovering in small amounts as he ate the food he made. Delicious. This was Seo-nas first taste of Jung Seok-hoons food. It was just as delicious as the children had told her, and she wanted to empty her lunchbox. Moreover, it made her feel healthy. But no. That was strictly Hayangs lunchbox. I couldnt just reach into her lunchbox without thinking twice. Awkwardly setting down her chopsticks, she bit into the first row of kimbap she pulled out of her bag. This morning, she had made tuna kimbap with leftover ingredients. Tuna kimbap? I want one. (4) Eat mine. I appreciate the gesture, but your mothers cooking skills are Youre going to come all the way out here and argue with me? Honestly, my moms the best, okay? My mom makes delicious food too! Minji pushes beef kimbap at Eunha. He cant help but take one, but he cant tell if hes eating kimbap or salt. What do you think? How do you like it? Yeah, my moms the best. What happened to her taste, god? She ate the salty kimbap nonchalantly. Eunha detached himself from Minji and shook his head. If Hayang hadnt handed him Yuzu tea, he would have had salt in his mouth. Delicious! This would be perfect with ramen! Meanwhile, Hayang and Eunhyuk are eating Seo-nas tuna kimbap, and Eunhyuk, in particular, is shovelling it into his mouth, saying it tastes good. Good. Seona was relieved to see that the kids liked the kimbap she made for breakfast. All day, shed been waiting for lunch to arrive, and now she could relax and hang out with the kids. Until Sena showed up. Ugh, whats that in your lunchbox? Yeah, I know. Can you live on that? Its too ugly unlike Senas bento~ Sena, who led the clique, sat down nearby. Senas clique was in full swing. The man who had been following her since the morning had set up folding chairs for the children to sit on, and a parasol to protect them from the sun. A table was also set up. Ah. The bento the man brought made Seona feel intimidated. The comparison between her homemade tuna kimbap and the lunch box from Senas private chef was harsh. This is what a bento box should look like. Who eats that? If you eat it wrong, youll get an upset stomach. Even Jung-hayangs lunchbox is no match for Senas. The kids in the clique raised their voices as if they wanted to be heard. The sound of their giggles dampened the mood of the children who were eating lunch with Eunha. So this is how its going to be? Eunha was not one to sit still, and he was also quick to become annoyed. Sena insulted even the lunchbox prepared by his mother and Eunha. Just as he was about to send her away Cup noodles are the best! Cup noodles and kimbap are so delicious! Eunhyuk held up a red cup noodle in one hand and a thermos of hot water in the other. Cup noodles? Didnt you pack a lunch? Sena frowned. She couldnt understand why he was eating cup noodles. On the other hand, Minji stuck out her tongue when she saw the cup noodles, haetban, and yubuchobap that Eunhyuk took out of his bag. Mom says cup noodles are the best? Well, cup noodles are the best. Your mother must have found it bothersome to pack a lunchbox. Eunhyuk, this bastard, since when did Eunhyuk receive treatment as if he were my child? Eunha vowed to cut back on the hell training for now. Regardless, Eunhyeok was enjoying his cup noodles. Captain, the soup is so delicious! Do you want to try some? I think it would be delicious with kimbap. I actually brought some ramen with me. You should have told me! Heres some water! Thanks. It was none of his business what Senas faction ate for lunch. Eunhyuks cup noodles caught their attention, and the spicy, appetizing smell made even Eunha swallow his saliva. Seo-na was the second to take out the cup noodles. After receiving water from Eunhyuk, she was waiting for the ramen to cook. sea??h th N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Oh, theres a pull. Theyre selling it at the canteen. I thought it was sold at the canteen, Captain! Ill go to the canteen then. Does anyone here want some instant noodles? My dad said to buy something for you guys today. Me, too! I want a cup noodle! Me too. Minji and Hayang quickly raised their hands. Eunha, who had deep pockets from his parents allowance, counted the number of cup noodles he needed to buy. They werent the only ones who wanted to eat cup noodles. Me too! I want to go to the canteen! Who wants to go for cup noodles? Me! Im going for the spaghetti! You fool, Jajangmyeon is the best! (3) Shin Ramyun is also delicious! (4) Starting with the boys in class 4, the first graders, and even children from other elementary schools rushed to the canteen. The canteen was booming with cup noodles, and Eunha, who was the first to run to the canteen, was able to secure a cup of noodles. Cup noodles were the best. Of course, its cup ramen! I should bring cup ramen next time too! No one paid attention to the lunch boxes made by the exclusive chef anymore. Even the children following Sena were tempted by the sound of slurping noodles. Eek! Sena hit the folding table tightly with her fork. What the hell! The hiker who climbed Mount Bukhan Baegundae looked down and panicked. Black figures were running down below. Why are monsters here! Seoul is protected by a cocoon. While there are still monsters inside the cocoon, they are far less frequent than before. Furthermore, the mana detection system deployed over Seoul hasnt been able to keep up with the ubiquitous mana and monster outbreaks. But what about those things running from the bottom of the mountain? The hiker, who hadnt received any communication, turned away with a trembling gaze. He had to escape to survive. In a rush, the hiker trudged back down the path hed come. Ugh! His foot slipped and he rolled down the mountain, Thud! Hic! He came face to face with a horde of monsters coming up the other side. Sa, save me. Red eyes with no pupils. Lips twitching, they hovered low, showing their hostility. Nopleaseuck! There was no mercy for the monsters, and even if there was, they had been starving for days. They lunged at the hiker before he could scream. Their razor-sharp teeth tore into the hikers body. The hikers body was no longer intact, as several of them had pounced. CRRRRKK The horde of monsters gnawed on the dripping flesh. Still, their hunger was unsatisfied. Having tasted blood, they now seek to devour their own kind. If there is no one to lead the pack. The leader commanded. Crawl. Grrr. The herd replied. The herd ran down the mountain in unison. (1) Borisa Temple (2) Bento: is a Japanese term for a single-portion meal or lunch box, typically consisting of rice, fish or meat, and cooked vegetables. Bentos are usually prepared at home or purchased from a convenience store or bento shop and are packed in a compact, partitioned box for easy transport. They are a popular and convenient way to enjoy a balanced and nutritious meal on the go in Japan. How I think Hayangs bento looks (3) Jajangmyeon (4) Shin Ramyun Chapter 41 Chapter 41[Hound (3)] After lunch, we walked around the perimeter. At Gae-yeon waterfall, we took a group photo with each class. Eunhyuk wanted to see the waterfall up close, so he tripped and almost hurt himself. Eunhyuk Choi. Yeah. Are you really not going to listen to me? Im sorry, captain. It was my fault. It was Eunha who saved Eunhyuk who was about to fall down the mountain. If he hadnt reacted quickly, Eunhyeok would have cracked his skull and died. Eunhyuk was well aware of that fact. Even though Eunha could feel the children staring at him from afar, he didnt hesitate to tell Eunhyuk to kneel down and sit down. Eunhyuk, there are no second chances. Yes. No second chances. He meant it literally. Eunhyuk knew he wasnt joking. Put your hands down. Stop getting up. Okay. He stood up and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand. The tears werent from nearly falling over the waterfall, nor were they from being yelled at by the teacher. He was crying because Eunha had scolded him, and Eunhyuk, who was learning swords from him, knew that he was the most terrifying person of all. Man, stop crying. Yeah, sorry. Captain! Hehe~ Still, the reason he liked him was that he was angry because he was worried about him. Thats why Eunhyuk was more afraid of Eunha ignoring him because the reason Eunha ignored him was proof that he didnt care about him. Its scary when Eunha gets angry. Seona, Minji, and Hayang were among the children who were far away. Seona, who was eating the ice cream that Minji had bought for her, felt uncomfortable when she saw Eunha get upset. It wasnt the first time hed been like this; hed gotten irritated when Sena had argued with him, and hed gotten angry when Hayang had disappeared without a word the other day. But todays behaviour was different; She didnt expect him to stand up in front of the children with a scary face. Especially since Eunhyeok was his friend. Eunha is like that. Hayang took Seonas attitude in stride; she was no stranger to Eunhas tantrums. Phew, do you realize that now? No Eunha is a psycho, a psycho. Minji chimed in. Tossing the ice cream cone into the trash, she looked at the two walking in the distance and grumbled. But why. Then why are you playing with Eunha? Seona froze at the words. As an Ain, she wasnt in a position to pry into other peoples friendships. No matter how close she got to them, she had to keep her Ain self in check. I dont know why. Minji waved away Seonas questions and hesitations. She shrugged, Because hes a psycho, but hes not a bad guy, and being around him makes me feel like I can do something. She replied with a nonchalant tone. Hes a nice, a good prince. A prince? Ew. Hes just a poodle. No, hes a prince. Ha, ok, yeah, yeah. Because princes are never on the bad side. I feel like theyll protect you from anything. I see. Seona nodded, albeit weakly. She could somewhat relate to what they were saying. She felt like she could do anything with him. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That he would never leave my side. Thats what Eunhyeok must be feeling too. Even though hes blunt and proud, he follows whatever Eunha says. Youve been waiting, havent you? Sorry, hehe. The girls exchanged glances. Eunha and Eunhyuk were clueless, but the girls giggled. It was a time for treasure hunting. The first-grade students at Doan Elementary School had to find paper notes in the area that extends from Sangunsa and Daedongsa, and broadly, to the north gate of Bukhansanseong. Theyll never find it! The teachers who hid the notes insisted. They had been waiting for this moment, starving themselves to hide the note while the children ate their lunches. Whether they did or not, their eyes lit up at the mention of treasure. Separated into groups, the children searched under stones, trees, and bushes for the note. I found one! Ah! Here it is! Eunhyuk found the note taped to a pillar at the entrance to Daedongsa. Seona, who had found a note nearby, was also excited. Then, well do rock-paper-scissors, right? Okay. Captain! Give us a signal! sigh. Just do it. One, two~ Eunha chanted. Missing the beat, the two hurriedly opened the note. Ah! Its a dud! Me too. No wonder. Ah! Its a dud! Me too. No wonder. I didnt say anything, but I managed to find a few notes on the way to Dae Dongsa. There were limited prizes, but there were notes everywhere, so I figured most of them werent bad. You might as well give up. No, captain, Im going to find the treasure, even if it means going one step further than yesterday! Me too, me too! I want that paint set. Noh Eun-ha, take off your shoes and lets go! Lets be strong, lets be strong! Sigh It seemed to ignite the kids willpower. Eventually, when he wanted to relax, he was held back by Minji and forced to search for treasure. Shall we go a little further in? They scoured the surrounding area. Minji suggested to the group as they watched the other kids climb the mountain path. Okay, lets go! Eunhyuk, still full of energy, agreed. Well, me too. Hayang, who was also fascinated by the treasure hunt, agreed. Yeah, Im good too. Seona, who is also eager to find the paint. Im against it. Girls, its been fun. Im going somewhere! Eunha was about to run back to the gathering point when he was grabbed by the nape of the neck again. I cant wait to get home. This is no elementary school picnic. It wasnt a picnic, it was a hike. Even if it was difficult to find a picnic area in Seoul, I couldnt understand why the school chose the remote Bukhansan mountain when there were Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changgyeonggung Palace nearby. (E/N: I have posted pictures of these places in chapters before!) Beyond this mountain is Uijeongbu! Seriously, they didnt even think if it was safe. They said that the monsters that live in Uijeongbu could destroy Seoul, but they chose Uijeongbu as their picnic spot. Gahhhhhhhhhhhh! Thats when it happened. Hearing the scream from above, the children stopped walking. Huh? What was that? Whats that sound? I think something happened. They looked at each other, then back at Eunha behind them. Everybody be quiet. It wasnt an echo. Eunha held up his index finger to command silence. The area became silent, as if by magic. The birds were gone. When had it gone? The bird sounds disappeared. When did they stop? The wind blew, and the sound of the wind mixed with the sound of the ground being lightly tapped. Dirt and dust flew, and the bushes shook unnaturally. Of all times. Eunha clicked his tongue. The fading of the sound was enough to tell him what had happened. Why was it today? It was the incident of the flower-viewing at Bukhansan Mountain. A monster that had been living in Ui Jeong Bu broke out of its cocoon and came down to Bukhansan. Hey, whats that! Minji pointed. Boom. A black figure emerged from the bushes. The monster, taller than the children, raised its long snout with a grin. Ah. Minji knew exactly what that grin meant. It was the same look the goblins gave the children when they attacked the kindergarten a year ago. Her mind went blank. She couldnt feel her fingertips. She should run, but her feet wouldnt move. No What is this? Mom, where are you? She couldnt even make a sound. She denied reality by just shaking her head. The monster could sense the panic in her. It closed the gap with her, drawing a circle. It raised its sharp claws, ready to tear her flesh and bite her neck. The monster was sure. Its claws would tear into her soft flesh, and then it would rip out her throat. Its claws reached out to grab her, and, Wake up. the claws couldnt cut anything. Since when? No, she didnt even feel it. When did it start? Out of nowhere, Eunha popped up and the fork pierced the monsters paw covered with thick leather, breaking its claws. Slash The monster went limp. He didnt hesitate to stab the fork into its mouth, again and again. Again and again. He stabbed the fork until the monsters corpse turned to mana and scattered. Phew. Any fork not made of mana-containing metal could no longer be used. Breathless, he threw the fork he was holding to the ground. Are you okay? Uh, yeah. I, Im fine. Minji nodded, still in disbelief. Right now, she didnt even know where she was. Or even what she was doing a moment ago. Her hands were shaking. Her feet were cold. She closed her eyes tightly as she remembered when the monster had attacked. She hugged herself with her arms in a deathly fear. You must have been shaken up. Hopefully shed be okay. Are you guys okay? Eunha was worried about the other children. Fortunately, they had remained calm, unlike when the monster had appeared. Captain, shouldnt we clean up the blood first? Yeah, my face is a mess. Here, here. Thank you. Eunha took the handkerchief from Hayang. If he didnt, Minji might die. Eunha, momentarily overcome with emotion, took it out on the monster. Then he realized he had blood on his face from the monsters splashes. The towel, Ill buy you a new one later. Oh, no, its okay. Captain, are you okay? What? You just I dont know what to say, but you were not the captain I know. What Eunhyeok said after hesitating was something that caught Eunha off guard. A little while ago, when he killed the monster, he was an . He had succumbed to the monsters influence. Eunhyuk had accurately characterized him. Im just a little excited. What kind of face am I wearing now? Thinking that I was showing the children the appearance of the , my mind was racing. I wasnt sure if I was managing my facial expressions well. I didnt know what face to make. So Eunha deliberately looked up at the mountain. Were in trouble. The monster he had just defeated was a Seventh Level Hound. Hounds were monsters with a pack mentality. When they are hungry, they will pounce on any opponent, no matter how strong, and they will eat even their own kind. Once captured, they would chase their prey to the death. Trouble, this is trouble. Eunha recognized the malevolent aura emanating from the mountain. His mana-sensing web was as fine and dense as a spiders web, and he could see countless monsters travelling south. Hell Hounds, of course.. The Hell Hound is a sixth-tier monster that commands a pack of hounds. I couldnt find any monsters that looked like Hell Hounds on my sensors, but they had to be somewhere in the mountains. Dangerous. Fields and mountain ranges were the Hounds staging grounds, and it was no easy task to escape from them. Whoa. Captain, what do we do? Uh, I dont know what to do, we need to run! Eunha, what should we do? I think we should run away too. Running away wasnt the problem. He just wasnt sure if he could run away and save the children from the horde, which was descending at a terrifying speed. No doubt he would lose some of them in the process. Im Conan or Kim Jeon-il or something? At least if it was a murder case, the culprit wouldnt come looking to kill the detective. What should we do? It was a dilemma. They couldnt afford to wait for the player to come and subdue the monsters. They were in the middle of Bukhansan, and the Hound pack was still charging down at a furious speed. The existence of Hell Hounds couldnt be ignored. They may have lost some of their strength passing through the cocoon, but the terror of the Hell Hounds was evident in their leadership of the pack. It was the same before we regressed. Eunha couldnt remember much about the Bukhansan Flower Viewing Incident. He only remembered that there were a considerable number of casualties and that public opinion was on the need to retake Uijeongbu. We have no choice. It was a gamble, but it was also a sure thing. Phew. Screams came from everywhere. The screams calmed me down. Like I was finally back where I belonged. Now listen to me. Eunha spoke with a seriousness in his voice that they had never heard before. You guys run as far down as possible. Contact anyone you meet and tell them to call for the player. Dont worry about what happens to the others, just go down the mountain. Captain! Youre not coming with us!? I, Ill go find the others. It was a lie. Eunha was going to hold off the Hounds until the players arrived. Hounds were relentless monsters, and if he could drive them away, the children would be safe. Then come with me! Ive learned mana, so now I can. Choi Eunhyuk. Eunha said in a frosty voice. Eunhyuk, who was about to argue his point, froze. A sharp chill ran through his body. Dont be a brat. Im sorry. Eunhyeok wanted to help Eunha. He wanted to be like him. But Eunha had no intention of letting Eunhyuk do anything reckless. The reason he decided to go monster hunting now was to save these children. Dont puke on my opinion. Shut up and follow me. The children stiffened in unison. Under his stern warning, they nodded, each with a different expression. Some in exasperation. Some frustrated. Some anxious. Some looked nervous. Phew. From now on, youll be a party of four, Choi Eun-hyuk. Yes! Youre the main dealer of the party. Youll deal with the monsters you encounter on your way down the mountain. Uh, yeah! Okay! Just remember this. Youre the only one who can protect your party. Youre the strongest one of them all. Okay, captain! Eunhyuk replied cheerfully. And Jung Ha Yang, Jin Seo Na. Em, yeah! Yeah. Youre the navigators. Hayang is the main, and Seona is the sub. As you know, Hayang has a very good sense of direction, and the party must go where she tells them to go. And Jin seona. With your five senses, you should be able to tell when a monster is near. Yes, I will. Okay. Finally, Kim Minji. Yeah. Minji felt uneasy. Her fear of monsters hadnt gone away. If she had to face them again, she felt like she would collapse into a ball and cry. Its natural to be scared. Maybe youre the most normal person here. What do you mean? Eunha didnt answer Minjis question; he simply continued. You keep an eye on the kids and make sure they dont act rashly. Is that it? Thats all. And Hayang, give me all the leftover lunch boxes and yuzu tea. Yes, I understand. Hayang didnt express any doubts. Everyone knows how to suppress mana, right? The Hound has a very good nose. It can react to the mana you spill, so suppress it as much as possible. Yes! That was all he had to say. Eunha waited until the children were out of sight. He deployed her mana sensors. The Hounds hadnt yet descended to where the children were going. Those kids will be fine. I cant help but believe that now. I slowly build up the mana in my body. The direction of the Hounds began to turn toward him. This way, you sons of bitches. (E/N: yes, fine, Eunhyuk is my fav) Chapter 42 Chapter 42[Hound (4)] There is up and down in the world. This was the first education Sena received from her father. In this world, there are people of high status, and there are people of low status. Her father taught her that the noble should be able to serve people, and the lowly should be able to keep their heads down. So, he said, you have to act according to your fraction. Sena, who was only 5 years old at the time, didnt understand her fathers teaching; she didnt understand the idea of treating people as high or low. But she realized that the way people treated her was indicative of their status. Good morning, maam. Dinner is ready. Its time for you to go to bed. Sena realized that since her fathers training, the attitudes of her employers had become stern. Where once she would have been young and coddled whenever she threw a tantrum, now they followed whatever she said without question. I want that. I want to eat that. No. Why do you want me to go there? I dont know. You figure it out. Do I have to do that? She was the noble one, and they were the lowly ones. She, the noble one, needed to be able to serve the lowly servants, and the lowly servants needed to be able to serve the noble master. It was at a company party that she realized there was a hierarchy among people. Sena followed her father to the party and was greeted politely by the company executives. The children they brought asked to be her hands and feet. She was the noble one, and they were the ones she was supposed to serve. If there is such a hierarchy among people, then there is a hierarchy in all things. Even in kindergarten, there were changes. The children who used to play closely with her suddenly became cautious around her. Even her closest childhood friend treated her like a princess, which made her feel uneasy. But it didnt take long for them to accept the change. When she realized it, everyone was treating her that way. Then she started to wonder. What does it really mean to be a noble person. It was at a childhood friends birthday party. Heres our new puppy. Were naming him Ming Ming. How about it? Isnt he cute? Her childhood friend, who used to visit her mansion with her mother who was a housekeeper, invited her to her birthday party. She was wearing an unusually white dress and showed her puppy at home. Sena smiled from ear to ear as she cuddled the puppy and saw how happy she was. Suddenly, she wanted to play a prank. Without thinking, she said, Yeah, its cute. Can you give it to me? Huh? Ooh, its my dog. So, youre not going to give it to me? Well, its. I thought you were my friend. I said without thinking. Sena watched her little friends face contort in disbelief and realized the difference between her and herself. She was the noble one, and she was the lowly one. Oh, no, of course Ill give you everything. Were friends, arent we? She could only shake her head at the noble. As Sena watched her little friend hand over the puppy with tears in her eyes, a realization struck her like a thunderbolt. In short, the noble was the one who could have anything, and the lowly was the one who had to give anything to the noble. I felt a strange pleasure. Indescribable. Why are you crying? You look like Im doing something bad. Oh, noI am not. I felt like the world was mine. The pleasure of stealing from someone who cant even keep what they have. And then. No thanks, I dont want it. You keep it. I dont see where this is cute. And the name is weird. Ah. The thrill of tarnishing a persons self-worth. The pleasure of breaking a person down, of driving them to despair. Im noble. A noble person is one who has. Those who are forgiven for whatever they have. The lowly are those who could not keep what they had. She was the one who had. Its all mine. She felt like she had the world. Until that day came. About your manners. What? Its rude. Why did you touch it without permission? No, dont touch it. Talking about something you dont even know about. KK Groups year-end party. As Sena prepares to enter elementary school, she realizes that even in her noble status, there are highs and lows. The people at her groups party werent people she could boss around. She was merely a flower to show off the heirs, just as her friends had been to her. Youre arrogant. Learn your manners. And the disapproving gaze of the chairman of the KK Group. Kim Geon, the chairman of KK Group, who the adults called a crouching tiger. He evaluated her as a presumptuous child who didnt follow hierarchy in the presence of the heirs. His gaze towards her was cold. It was the same look she had when looking down on someone inferior to her. That day, Sena realized that there were hierarchies within social status, and that there were hierarchies within noble status as well. The world did not belong to her. Sena had become morbidly obsessed with status. Her pride was so bruised after meeting the Heirs that she bullied and tormented children lesser than her to feed her ego. You should learn your manners. The one child who really got under her skin was Seona. Sena hated having to be in the same class as the monster, Seona, more than she hated dying. It made her feel like a child. She even had the same name as Sena. When someone jokingly asked if they werent sisters, it made her stomach turn. Every time I recognized her presence, I was reminded of the humiliation at KK Groups year-end party. So I harassed her thoroughly. To prove that her and I are not the same. To make her realize her fraction. But she was not completely satisfied. No Eunha! He was no match for her power. Every time he didnt listen to her, she remembered the day her pride had plummeted to the bottom. She wanted to beat him into submission, if only to forget it. Do we have to go higher? Yeah, lets go higher. It should be around there. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now was her chance to break the bridge of his nose. Sena had bribed her homeroom teacher, Miss Yoo Ji-na, to find out where the note with the first prize was. Shed only just been hired, so shed succumbed to Senas power. Its far away. The nameless boy looked up the mountain and stuck his tongue out. So, youre not going now? Oh, no. No one could argue with her here. The boy was the other half of the class. So were the other boys and girls. What they all had in common was that their parents were connected in some way to the company Senas father ran. For example, the boys father worked for Senas fathers company. Im going to take a break here. You guys go. The first prize is a long way away. Out of breath, Sena sat down on a bench with a handkerchief. Ooh, us too? Thats too far away. Cant we take a little break? The girls asked, glancing at each other; they, too, were exhausted from the climb. Well? Sena asked briefly. The girls could tell without her saying anything else. They had been told by their parents to be friendly with Sena. Oh, no, we have to go, were on our way. Sena, you rest here. Well be back. The children cried and ate mustard as they climbed the mountain. Sena relaxed at the sight of them. Now she would rest until the children came back with the treasure with the first prize. That was when it happened. Kaaaaaaaaa-!!! The children were running down in a panic. What happened? Sena glared at them with an annoyed look. Soon, she spotted a black figure running after them. Monsters! Several hounds were running down the mountain. Gah, gah, gah-!!! Screams erupted from the children. The creatures raised front paws slowly approached. Sena stared at the claw in front of her, still unaware of what was happening. The claws approaching in slow motion. The sharp fangs just before they touched- the monster fell to the ground as if it had lost its strength. Uh, huh? Sena realized that she was about to be killed by the monster. What, its you? With a casual tone, No Eunha appeared in front of the fallen hound. He choked the life out of the fallen monster as if it was his usual behavior. If you dont want to die, go down the mountain. Uh huh? I already told you. You do the rest. Uh, uh. And that guy youve been carrying around, hes in bad shape, get him treated as soon as you get down there. Sena found the hired man she had been carrying around all day. The employee was hugging a fallen arm that had fallen off the mountain where the children had jumped down. It was really eerie to see the employees face covered in tears and snot, shaking the bleeding arm back and forth. He looked like he wanted to turn around and walk away. You take care of the rest. Im leaving. W-Wait! No. I have to stop him! Sena grabbed Eunha as he was leaving. Something terrible would happen if she let him go. You, where are you going? Why should I tell you that, get out of my way. What? Get out of my way. Sena let go of her grip on Eunha She couldnt stand the energy emanating from him. She lost her strength in her legs and slumped down. Im leaving. Eunha disappeared without looking back. Only then did Sena feel her tension ease. Something lukewarm flowed down her legs, but she didnt know what it was at the moment. Oh, miss! My arm, my arm fell off! Please save me! The employee who collapsed in front of her and vomited blood was also something she didnt know. Sena just stared at the spot where Eunha had disappeared and muttered. I want it. Want it. I want him who would bow to no one. The one who would swing his sword at anyone. In this moment, Sena recognized the value of No Eunhas existence. He was an accessory. A very pretty accessory that would increase her value. If she could have him, she would be able to hold her head high, even above the heirs who looked down on her. Possessiveness was ignited. Chapter 43 Chapter 43[Hound (5)] After sending the children away, Eunha opened Hayangs lunchbox. He scattered the remaining food in the chanhap evenly across the street. This should provide some distraction. Monsters tended to be attracted to mana. If it was a hound, it would go after the tenuous mana in Jung Hayangs lunchbox. The prediction didnt change. The moment he scattered the food, the hound that was chasing him scattered. Time for the children to get away from the hound. and leave the potion behind. The reason for the food was that it was uncomfortable to carry around. If he left it behind, the monsters might chase after them. After discarding the food, Eunha strapped the thermos to his back and jumped up a tree. Wow, this is no joke. The top of Bukhansan Mountain. Eunha couldnt hide his surprise as he felt the growing energy of the hound pack as he headed towards Baegundae. If they came down the mountain, there would be a huge number of casualties. He shouldnt think so easily. His mana was currently a little more than half of what it should be. He had to conserve his mana like a belt. Moreover, his fork was the only weapon he could use to defeat the monster. Plplease, save me. It was then. Eunha spun around at the sound from the other side. A pungent smell was rising up to the treetops. Looking down, he frowned. There were bodies scattered around as if it were a place where hikers passed by. The person who requested rescue was a player. Since Bukhansan was a Changhai Clans territory, the person must be a player from the Changhai Clan. As the hound pack approached the player whose side was torn apart, the shadow of death fell on the mans face. He was already helpless. Eunha shook his head at the player who was begging for his life with tears in his eyes. Death was unstoppable. The Hounds began to dismantle the body, and the hand that reached for the sky in the hope of salvation fell helplessly. The Hounds poked their heads in, hoping to take a little more. Their mouths reddened, they squabbled, ready to kill each other. While the pack was distracted by their prey, Eunha kicked a hound near a tree. He scattered the pack as soon as he hit the ground. Of course! He purposely jumped into the pack because he was sure the player had a weapon. Without hesitation, Eunha rummaged through the mangled corpses. He found a longsword that the man must have used, and a stiletto hanging from his waist. A sword made of mana metal, a mana alloy, was a far cry from the weapons he wielded in emergencies. It was capable of killing a hound without mana, and its cutting power was enhanced by mana alone. After all This isnt going to work. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he put down the longsword the man would have used. It was too long and heavy for his young body. Come on in. Instead, he grabbed the stiletto the man would have used as an aid. It was about the length of his forearm and specialized for stabbing, so he had no trouble carrying it. Eunha loaded the stiletto with mana and deliberately taunted the hounds. He didnt feel fear. It had been long since he had abandoned that emotion. A mere seventh rank. No, there was no reason to be afraid of a pack that would have been relegated to the eighth rank after crossing Cocoon. The slaughter had begun. Blinded, he went on a mad rampage against the onrushing pack. He leapt into the air, plunging his sword into the belly of a hound. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From where he stood, the ravenous horde tore at each other. He infused his stiletto with mana, extending the blade. Not just any stiletto, but a weapon created by a player device could be utilized in this way. Boom. In an instant, the extended blade touched the hounds gemstone. The gem shattered, and the hound turned to mana and disappeared. There was no need to remove the stiletto from the hound. Eunha twisted his body hard in the air. On the ground, the remaining Hounds were waiting for him to fall. He couldnt let that happen. A nip. (Mijim) (). (1) Stilettos blade glowed with a searing light. He swung the blade downward, The mana in the blade turned into slender needles and rushed toward them. The small amount of mana in the attack was not enough to kill all of the hounds. But the pack didnt close the distance and lunged, dead or alive. Landing on the ground, Eunha kicked out the stiletto hed tucked between his armpits. From the bottom up. From the top, back down. Down and back up again. He traced the stars trajectory, never pausing his grip on the stiletto. The trajectory, six times, was enough to slaughter the hounds. The strength of the hounds was only revealed when they were in a pack. A lone wolf was no enemy. Eunha easily cut down the Hound from a distance. Those caught in his mana-sensing net from the start had no chance to react. I got one. He couldnt be bothered to wipe the blood off his face. Wiping the blood from his face haphazardly, he finished searching the players corpse. The automatic pistol from his back pocket was a G-Fight1, manufactured by Galaxy Devices. Eunha pulled out the magazine and checked to make sure it was fully loaded. Unfortunately, he didnt find any spare rounds. Good thing I have a Yuja-cha tea. The joy of wielding a player device for the first time in a long time had drained his mana. If he hadnt brought the thermos, he would have run out of mana before he met the Hell Hound. Kaaaaaaaah-!! Khaaaaaaah!!! The screams came from the bottom of the mountain. Hard to ignore because they were childrens screams, he clicked his tongue and ran. It was half a dozen children surrounded by a pack of hounds. Frowning, he saw Senas employer lose an arm in a fight with a monster and quickly intervened. What the hell are these kids doing here! He swung his stiletto, unable to hide his irritation. Ack, my arm! The hired employed picked up his fallen arm and winced. Damn. Its gone. Im goinf to die. Im screwed For now, the shock of having his arm cut off offset the pain. But over time, he will feel the shock of losing his arm. There was nothing he could do on the mountain unless I got medical attention right away. Its none of my business. I didnt care if the man died of shock or not. Instead, I was irritated by the sound of the mans fever. Its Sena! Uh, what can I do-! The hounds were still there. The ones who had marked the children who had run away from him were running down the path. I hated taking care of children. If they werent in the same class, the same school, I wouldnt have bothered. A thousand steps. I bent my knees and pounded the ground, closing the distance quickly, but not enough to swing my sword at the hounds that were charging the girl. Haa. It was a waste, he thought, but he had no choice. Clicking his tongue, Eunha fired the G-Fight1 in his left hand. The mana-alloy bullet pierced the hounds lungs. The hound gasped for air through its punctured lungs and eventually died of a pool of blood in its lungs. What the hell, was that you? I should have left it alone. The child who had nearly lost her life to the monster was Sena. Eunha sighed inwardly, wishing he hadnt used all those bullets. If you dont want to die, go down the mountain. Uh huh? This isnt working. She hadnt woken up yet. He looked around at his surroundings. She wasnt the only one who hadnt come to her senses in the face of the monster. The children were staring blankly at the spot where the monster had disappeared. Some of them were crying and panicking. It was a stark comparison to the friends hed sent down the mountain earlier. The children were all looking at him. As if to say, Do something It was annoying. It was truly annoying. This is why I hated kids. A child always had to rely on others, never on themselves. My pre-regression self had to survive alone, with no one to turn to. I already told you. The rest is up to you. Uh, uh. He glared at the kids trying to get to him. He didnt recognize many of them. Probably kids from other classes. He had no reason to care about them anymore. The things that had a reason to be save were not here. What needed to be done, he had done. The rest was up to the kids to figure out. If they still encountered monsters in the future, that was simply their fate. And the man you were carrying, hes in serious condition, get him medical attention as soon as you all get down there. He probably wouldnt survive. Getting down the mountain with a missing arm was one thing. There was no way a group of children could carry a bleeding adult down the mountain. Perhaps the man would be forced to make two choices. He could go down alone and die. Or he could go down with the children and die. Either way, the outcome will not change. It doesnt matter who dies. He stood like a knife sharpened from slaying monsters. If anyone touched it, it would go right through them. W, wait! Jin Sena still hadnt grasped his emotions. In retrospect, she had never been good at reading other peoples emotions. Perhaps it was because she had been taught from a young age to only be served by others. To her, everyone but herself was just a tool for convenience. It was ridiculous to think that. Is that why shes trying to use me now? He shook off her grasping hand. He turned his pent-up irritation and frustration into flesh. Emotionally charged flesh was terribly intimidating. She couldnt say anything just by meeting his eyes. Eunha left the place without a second thought. He continued up the mountain, I found it. The summit of Baekundae. He finally confronted the monster that commanded the group. A sixth-level monster, Hell Hound. The creature emitted a black aura that surrounded its body. Whether you do the marking or not. Eunha did not resist the black aura that engulfed him. Amidst the surging energy, he simply imbued mana into his sword and said, Youre dead, you son of a bitch. Madness (). (1) Mijim (): in Korean or in Chinese can be translated to acupuncture needle in English. Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine that involves inserting thin needles into the skin at specific points on the body to stimulate certain areas and promote healing. Of course, this is an ability that Eunha has to inflict damage on the enemy. (E/N: I dont know Chinesesorrybut Ill learn it next year!) Chapter 44 Chapter 44[Hound(6 )] Huff, huff, huff! Run! He was out of breath. Eunhyuk had the urge to stop and catch his breath, but he forced himself to keep going. It had been so long since he abandoned his bag. The same was true for the children behind him. They had abandoned their packs to make themselves as light as possible. Uh, how much further do we have to go! I dont know! Eunhyuk nervously responded to Minjis protest. I want to know! I dont know. How much longer we have to run. How far I have to run. Eunhyuk didnt know. Even now, he was thinking about it countless times. Kaaaaaaaah-!!! Ugk, players! Call the players! What is the Changhae Clan doing! He could hear the sounds of death coming from up above, the same place he had passed by earlier. Part of him wanted to run to save them. But he had made a promise to Eunha. To lead the party and protect his people. To put his own life first. Im sorry, Im sorry! He gritted his teeth. Maybe this could help. He had learned to wield a sword and learn mana to become a player who saves people in danger. Eunhyuk resented the fact that he had to use what he had learned from Eunha solely to protect himself. Dont look away. It was Minji who grabbed him when he was about to turn his head at the sound of another scream. Come on, run away. We cant help them. Ugh! He couldnt argue. He knew it too. That even though he had gained strength since that day last year when he almost lost his life to the goblins, it was still not enough to deal with monsters. I know, I know, I know, but! Im frustrated. I want to be stronger, stronger, stronger.I want to grow up. The screaming never stopped. A throaty scream for help. The sound of monsters scratching their throats and growling. It was hell. The mountain trail where Id been running with my friends at lunch had become a deafening inferno. Dont look back, dont look back. Dont look back, dont look back. Minji muttered over and over again under her breath. It felt like she was mumbling to her friends, but it was more like she was brainwashing herself. She couldnt wait to get home, tears welling up in her eyes every time she heard a scream, and the sound of a dog barking in the distance startled her. She could hardly believe her ears. If Eunha hadnt been there to comfort her, if her friends had been as terrified as she was, she wouldnt have been able to get away. Dont look back. Never. She repeated again. You watch the kids and make sure they dont do anything rash Is that it? Thats it The only thing that kept her sane was the last thing Eunha said. I cant help..! She knew why hed told her to watch her friends. He knew she wouldnt help the party, but hed forced her into a role to keep her sane. Im a hindrance. If it werent for me, they could go faster. I shouldnt even be thinking that. Frustrated. Im angry. She would have been a real obstacle if her pride hadnt reared its ugly head. Hayang, where do we go next? Minji scanned her surroundings through her fevered mind. Eunhyuk, who was leading the party, was in no position to look around. Neither were Seo-na or Hayang, who were doing their own thing. In the end, Minji was the only one who could coordinate the party. It was ironic: the moment she was pessimistic about her situation, she became the leader of the party. Haa, huuf, ha! I dont think the left side will work! Hayangs mana sensing had always been excellent, as she had subconsciously taken in the information that mana conveyed. However, it was not easy to consciously do what she was doing subconsciously. She knew that her role could mean the difference between life and death for the party. Her head was pounding. The information Mana was conveying was vast. It was like reading several books at once. If she let her mind wander, shed never be able to pull herself out of the lake of information. Still, she desperately sifted through the information. She tried to take in the information as if she were choosing which book she wanted to read. Outside, to the left, something ominous! She couldnt describe the process of interpreting the information in words. An uncomfortable sensation ran through her body. That was all she could say. Theres a sound coming from the left. It was Seona who reconfirmed the uncertain information. Still not used to feeling mana, she relied on her animal senses. To her left, she heard a series of hounds breathing. Human screams mingled with them. She must not tell them. This sound. You must keep the sounds in the distance to yourself. There was no point in telling my friends about this horrible sound. It would dampen the mood of the party. So you keep it to yourself. Keep your mouth shut. Dont tell them. It was Seona who was mentally backed into a corner. If Minji hadnt regained her composure, Seona could have lost her cool and made a bad decision. More, more, more! Push through it! The childrens stamina had long since been drained. They didnt have the strength to run anymore. Nevertheless, they squeezed what little strength they had left. If they stopped, they would be caught by the horde running from the top of the mountain. Why, why! Why cant I see the player! It was time for Eunhyuk to curse the player who still hadnt appeared. Its up ahead, watch out! Hayang shouted urgently. She sensed the omnipresence of mana in the direction she was running. On Mount Bukhansan, there was a layer of mana scattered by a pack of hounds. There was the mana unconsciously released by people, and even the mana of players who fought battles in places unknown to him. So mana was ubiquitous. And unfortunate, Ah children witnessed the birth of a monster before their eyes. A hound tearing through the ubiquitous mana. The red-eyed hound shook off the mana from its body like dust. Grrrr. Eunhyuk stiffened the moment he saw the hound. Was it really this scary? The Hound that Eunha had defeated hadnt been this terrifying. The goblins he had faced in kindergarten were more frightening. It was inevitable. The hound that Eunha defeated was a weakened monster during the process of breaking through the cocoon. It was different from the hound born inside the cocoon. The creature in front of him was undoubtedly a monster of the seventh rank. Grrrr. The Hound spread the black aura that was wrapped around its body. What, what, is this! Marking. The hound had the tenacity to not let go of its prey once it had set its sights on it. The children tried to shake off the fog, but it was futile. He was already ready to hunt his prey. Ah-wooo! It stretched its long neck toward the sky. Born from the omnipresent mana, the Hound was the second-highest-ranking monster in the pack. Krng Grrr. Grrrr Ah How, how can this be Seonas face turned a deep blue. The scattered sounds began to converge. Ah. Hayang did the same. The piercing sensation was coming from all directions. There was no way out. What is this! Minji panicked again. The swarms that were gathering one after another were nothing short of horrifying. Lips twitching, growling, drooling, and glaring with red eyes. Uh, what can I do. Eunhyuk was overwhelmed by the horde that was swarming the area. It was not the time to think about being strong. He couldnt do anything if he didnt live. He had to live. No, he wanted to live. Even alone. If I, if I alone run away. Remember this. Youre the only one who can protect the party. Youre the only one whos the strongest. If I hadnt remembered that promise, I might have abandoned them and run away. Eunhyuk clutched the branch hed given him as they descended the mountain path. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart. Eunhyuk, which foot should go out first? Me? Uh, Ive never really thought about it. Thats when Eunha said something. Even players get nervous when facing monsters, so I have to remember which foot I go first. Why? Because when you panic, your feet tend to get crossed. Hehe, so what, what do I do then? Youre right-handed, so just start with your right foot. Okay! Right foot, right foot I put my right foot forward from memory. The branch was clutched in a suspended grip, ready to strike at any moment. Huff, aPlayer, can you feel anything, Hayang? I, I dont know! Its, its, i-its, its all just a bad feeling. One step, another step. The hounds, who refused to give up their prey, closed the distance. Eunhyuk pushed his teammates back. The kids hugged each other and clung to the wooden pillar. Captain. I can do it, right? Captain! But how do we deal with monsters stronger than me? Youre being silly, you need to work on your stamina and mana, you cant even breathe yet. I want to know! Please, captain, tell me! Run away. Run, no matter what. Unless you want to die. Not like that! Hah, look at its feet. You can predict the movements of most monsters by looking at their feet. Wow, predicting where the monster will attack by watching their feet! Intelligent monsters can also deceive your footsteps. Thats when you have to look at their eyes. Its best to watch both their eyes and feet but you might not be able to do both. Eyes. Eyes. He glared at the first hound to step forward, echoing Eunhas words. Kaaaak-!!! Charge! The Hound lunged at him as if to see what he could do. Eunhyuk, who was staring into its eyes, let out a cheer and struck the branch. Crunch. The blow didnt land, but the creature that had jumped into the mix of fakes was startled by the attack. It didnt seem to expect him to react appropriately. I did it, I did it. You didnt do anything! Minji was right. The hounds threat had only been dispelled once. The pack still surrounded the children. Uh, what can I do. Terrified and unable to stop her tears. Everywhere she looked, there was no life. She couldnt see a corner to escape. Boom! Eun-hyuk was running away from the hounds, but the end was near. They were telling him to dodge one more time. Dodge one, dodge two, and so on. They could have killed him at any moment, but they were going to keep playing this game until he collapsed from exhaustion. It was a hounds habit to bite its preys throat and cut off its breath the moment it gave up on life. Ugh, damn it Once he crossed three dogs, he couldnt stop them. Eunhyuk knew. What their intentions were. Still, he didnt bend his knees. If theyre looking for the moment when he gives up, then paradoxically, it means that he can live until he doesnt give up. So even if he fell, he would get up. Fall, get up, fall, get up He wouldnt let go of even a straw of hope. Because I am a dealer! Cough! Eunhyuk! Four dogs. He barely avoided two, but one stabbed him in the side. From the opposite direction, another one jumped out and trampled on him. As if they were telling him to try to stop this too. Kerr, kerr! He couldnt breathe. The fourth hound had squeezed his windpipe. He struggled with all his might, but the more he did, the harder it pulled. Eunhyuk! No! At this rate, its all over. Seo-na repeatedly shouted to herself to calm down. Anyone, anyone? Help, please! They were friends that I first made. They were friends that I could share my heart with. I didnt want to lose everyone here. I didnt want to die. Not with my friends. I wanted to live. With my friends. So I prayed desperately. For [mercy] that I had given up on long ago. Please come and help me. For [salvation] that I had resigned myself to never having. [Whoever] it is, [please help me.] With only the desire to live. Whoever it is, [please help me.] With only the desire not to lose. S~ea??h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Magic is the combination of concrete imagination and mana to manipulate the laws of the world. And concrete imagination is the product of a desperate mind. [Whoever it is,] There was a crackle of electricity, And golden fur shot up. [Whoever it is, please help me!!!!] A shot rang out. The wind blew. It was the order of nature for the wind to blow. For the first time, the flock thought so. The wind was blowing. The wind blew. The wind blew? Like an inescapable wall. Like a cage they were trapped in. The herd suddenly realized they were caught in the wind. The wind had picked up. The leaves that had fallen and the flowers that had bloomed in the fields were scattered by the wind. It blocked their vision. The smell of blood, sweat, and their own scent mingled with the wind. It disrupted their sense of smell. The wind was bitter. Trees with weak roots were uprooted by gusts. The ground shook, and even the rock walls were torn apart. Eh? Only the children were unaffected by the wind. The tree they were leaning on didnt sway in the slightest. Im sorry, you were scared, werent you? In a world where petals and leaves fluttered about. Isolated from the gusting world, the children couldnt take their eyes off the woman who appeared with the wind. A short-haired woman with a leather jacket draped over her shoulders. Her hair was fluttering in the gusts of wind. And-. Can you close your eyes for a moment? The sound of a rattling folding fan echoed. Because Ill punish these bad dogs for you. Shin Seoyoung. Shin Seo-yeong of Shinpung. (1) It was the appearance of the Twelve Guardians. (1) Shin Seo-yeong of Shinpung: Shinpung is a Korean name that can mean different things depending on the Hanja characters used to write it, so the exact meaning of the name may vary. However, Shinpung can generally be interpreted as a reference to a divine or spiritual wind, which is fitting given that the first character of the name <()> also means divine wind. I dont know if this was the authors intention but Ill rather go with the exact translation of it. E/N: I just realize that for me to catch up with the manhwa as quickly as possible I will need to update 4 chapters per dayomg.Ill try!! Chapter 45 Chapter 45[Hound (7)] There was a time when Player No Eunha killed a monster from the 4th hierarchy with a short sword. All the players gathered around and said in unison, The true value of is revealed when he wields his two weapons. In his right hand was the Maestro of Destiny, the last work made for him by the legendary blacksmith. In his left hand was the Mengoosh, a backup to his legendary weapon. You bastard! There was no time to catch his breath. Rolling on the ground, Eunha quickly closed the distance. As if to give him no time to think, a pack of hounds charged. He grappled with the hounds, then stomped the floor, his backwards stiletto slashing at ones throat and the grip of his automatic rifle slamming into another. Thats a tough one. He had only been in hand-to-hand combat with the Hell Hound for a few minutes; it had recognized him as a formidable opponent and decided to wait for him to run out of health. In the end, Eunha was no closer to the Hell Hound. The hounds in the pack were just chasing him, following his markings. They were really bothering him. They wouldnt give him a break. No Eunha aimed at the hunting dog rushing towards him with his left hand and fired his G-Fight1 automatic pistol. The bullet aimed precisely at the creatures vital spot. He didnt care if the magic stone fell or not. He had to get out of there to escape from the pack. I cant believe Im running away from these creatures! Though I already was. This sucks. No matter how efficiently he handled his mana, his childlike body couldnt keep up with his pre-reversion skills. Even if he tried, his mana would dwindle inexplicably, and it would take a toll on his body. I dont even like stilettos! I was also limited in the weapons I could wield now. Before the regression, he had been using his Mengoosh as a secondary weapon, but trying to use a stiletto of similar length as his primary weapon was bound to make his combat inconsistent. If he hadnt used his G-Fight1 as a secondary weapon, he might have been defeated. That bastard is so annoying. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. To think that I have to kill even the lowest-ranked monster, a mere pawn. It was ridiculous. Looking up at the Hell Hound looking down on me from above. I wanted to kill it right now. I wanted to twist its limbs, no, I wanted to see it give in before I did. Okay, okay, Ill do it. Its not that hard. Oh, youre going to be the one to kill me? Today is your last day. Theyre all dead, really. Eunha tugged at the string that held the thermos. Hed been paying attention to how much yuzu tea was left in the thermos, but he didnt need it now. It was war. That was all. He swallowed the rest of the yuzu tea. Not a drop left. If we were in the mountains, we would be drinking makgeolli.(1) Makgeolli was a decent potion. Although it had lower efficiency in restoring mana, it was a win-win situation for players who could kill monsters and drink alcohol. It will be made someday. The Potion Yuzu Tea quickly replenished my mana. It didnt fill up all of his mana, but he turned around just in time to face the Hell Hound. A thousand steps. In a few strides, he plunged into the hound pack, He went berserk. He swung his sword like a madman. If he had been acting calculatedly to conserve mana up until now, he was now in a fit of rage and killed as many as he could get his hands on. The erratic path of the swinging blade was eerie. The hunting dogs trapped in a world of flying, irregular blades fell one by one. Haa, haa It was exhausting. But he was able to overcome the discomfort of a child and an adults body as he acted impulsively. He also managed to release all the built-up stress he had been feeling. This is it. I dont think about killing in one fell swoop. If I see it, I cut it. I stab. This is it. The pleasure of killing monsters in a frenzy bubbled in his chest. This is it. The hounds were adept at sensing changes in the situation. They sensed a new kind of fear. Unafraid of death, they were paralyzed by the sight of him swinging his sword like a madman, without purpose. He would not leave them alone. If they wouldnt come, he would. If they tried to swell the herd, he would burrow into its center, Bark. go on Bark, do it. He swung her stiletto at any pair. The mana-expanded blades curved like boomerangs in an anomalous attack. Now its your turn. The pack was now scattered. At best, the surviving dogs were wounded, or weak enough to be culled from the pack. Another pack was approaching, following the markings, at an unseen distance, but it didnt matter. Killing the leader of the pack was the priority. Remember that youre dead. Woof. The Hell hound ducked almost instinctively, or he wouldnt have survived the man who was only a few paces away. Thats a good one. It didnt matter if he ducked or not. He was going to die anyway. I was going to kill him anyway. Pfft ugk! Just then, Eunhas face contorted. It was the price of overusing her body. The pain of him frantically swinging his sword struck his entire body. What the hell! He wasnt even injured. He threw himself at the Hell Hound, who was covered in warning signs. Creak. The Hell Hound did the same. The one who disrupted his vision with black mist jumped in without hesitation. What a! Youre crazy too! The one who blinded him with the fog had sacrificed its ears. The Hell Hound realized it had underestimated him all this time; it should have pounced with the pack, not waited for him to run out of health. It had to kill him now. It quickly made the choice to give up its right ear in order to stay alive. Boom! Eunha bit down on his thigh. The sensation of serrated teeth digging deep into his flesh was not a pleasant one. I wanted to pull back at once. But I couldnt. The moment you lose momentum, the fight will be won by the Hell Hound who charges with a death wish. So if you want a sure win, Fuck you. He had to capitalize on this moment. He pointed the G-Fight1 at the creatures forehead. One shot. The gunshot echoed through the mountains. There was no way he was going to die from this. Another shot. The fog around his head shook for a moment, Another shot. Another shot pierced the black fog. This is it. One more shot. One more shot and it was over. The unrelenting gaze of the assailants eyes wavered. No, you idiot. It was a fake. All the bullets were spent. It took the hound a moment to realize the meaning of those words, and in that moment Eunha didnt miss his chance. He shattered the hounds nose with a punch. Thunk. Shit. He didnt kill him with that blow. The hell hound, its face submerged in the mist, stopped its attack and retreated. Cough. Ha He didnt kill it at once. Its face sunken, it stopped attacking and backed away. A fang was still stuck in his thigh, having been driven in by the hell hound. Some flesh had been torn off by the teeth, causing bleeding. He prepared to use his Celestial Step technique to completely cut off the hell hounds breath. Ugh! Suddenly the pain of the torn flesh overwhelmed him. [The] (2) Even with his mental strength, there was a limit. Unlike his pre-regression self, who had become accustomed to pain, he was now just a child. This was the first time in his life that he had ever felt his flesh fall off. It hurt like he wanted to punch everything in the face. It had been a long time since he had felt so much pain that tears came to his eyes. [foot] [movement]. I felt like my brain was breaking down from all the mental strength I was putting into it. I was hearing things. [Someone please] (E/N: Its Jin seona!) My head is ringing. I stayed on the ground, gritting my teeth and trying to get up, but my body wouldnt cooperate. Crunch. Groan. Uck. I was out of luck. Sar?h the Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At the worst possible time, the hounds that had followed the Mark appeared. They hadnt missed his moment of weakness. The Hell Hounds werent as stupid as they had been a moment ago. He had to roll on the ground, dodging attacks from the hounds and the Hell Hound. He couldnt dodge all the attacks because his body wouldnt listen to him, and his face, arms, legs, and other parts of his body were not spared. The bleeding was severe. Huck, ugh, uck! [Help me]. I sliced off its foot in the side. That was it. I could barely keep up with them now. I was out of shape. My body was heavy. They were still moving. These things, really. Of course, he wasnt standing still. The Hell Hound was in no better shape. He, too, was protected by the pack, but there wasnt a part of him that wasnt wounded. The hell hound grumbled lowly. You think Im going to lose to you? It was exhilarating, and though he was desperate, he didnt think for a moment that he might be killed by them. On the contrary, it energized him. [Whoever, please] Yes, strength. [Whoever, please help me-!!] It boiled up like a pump. Player Noeun has killed a monster of the fourth dimension in his own way. All the players gathered their voices and spoke. The true value of is revealed only when he manifests a Gift in extreme situations. What the hell. That guy. Hell Hound couldnt believe what was happening in front of him. This was a man who had been on the verge of death only moments ago. Nothing more than a human being, clinging for dear life to evil. And now. Youre dead, really. Hell Hound watched the scene unfold before him, unable to do anything. The mana in his body pulsed faintly, and with each beat, his mood changed. The man on deaths doorstep exuded an aura that made me want to bow my head. It wasnt until later that he caught a whiff of the thick odor that surrounded him. It wasnt blood. It wasnt dirt. It wasnt sweat. It was the smell of death. Or rather, whose death. Say that I died (3) The voice was heard right nearby. In what gap? When he thought so, everything was already over. While he was cowering in the face of death, the rest of the pack had been slaughtered. And the Hell Hound, too. He barely had time to dodge the tip of a blade falling overhead. It was a close call, Hooo. His instinct to survive alone solidified the black mist. The stiletto couldnt pierce it. Lets see how long it lasts. The game was over. Trapped in the fog as a shell. Id bought myself some time to live. Surprisingly tough, arent you? Stop it. Please stop. But still, this enough is. Not unbreakable. With disappointment that he hadnt met his expectations, Im very late now. He clawed at the shell as if stabbing a tomato. I mean- He stuck his blood-covered face into the hole. Try to cry. Right now. Woof Woof, come on, do it. Curled up in a ball with its tail between its legs was a. Woof Woof (4) and it cried. Well done, then die. That was the end (of it) (1) Makgeolli: is a traditional Korean alcoholic drink made from a mixture of wheat and rice. It is a slightly sweet and tangy drink with a creamy texture and a low alcohol content. It is typically served in a bowl-shaped cup and enjoyed as a casual drink with friends or family. (2) [The]: the symbol [] is a Korean character that can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It can be used as a prefix to indicate my or mine, as well as a suffix to indicate the or of. So please be aware that it might change in the future. (3) Say that I died: is translated as Say that I died in English. The phrase is a command or request for the hell hound to say that the Eunha has died. As if do you dare to say that I died? but it would not be gramatically correct though. (4) Woof Woof: is the sound of a dog barking in Korean. In this context, its used as an onomatopoeia to describe the sound the hell hound makes when crying. Remember that Eunha command it to cry. E/N: This chapter was kind of hard to translate! Anyways enjoy and happy reading! Also thanks to the people who have subscribed! hehe. Chapter 46 Chapter 46[Hound(8)] Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There is so much to say, but. She swung the resonance folding fan once. There was no need to chant a spell. The wind was familiar to her. She didnt need to understand how the wind, which existed everywhere in the world, was generated. I wont just let those brats be. She swung the mana alloy-made palm-leaf fan. With only the sensation of the wind cutting through flesh. They want me to do this kind of work? She, Shin Seoyoung, couldnt contain her anger. Her dignified and beautiful face twisted. Those brats are really! One of the twelve seats of Koreas best players, The Twelve Seats. , who occupies one of the twelve seats, could not maintain her composure. Theyre all dead. The wind shook for a moment, and the compressed hunting dogs exploded out to the sides. It was an absurd event that ignored the laws of physics, but it was a collision of winds. The wind that rotated clockwise and the wind that rotated counterclockwise collided without yielding to each other. It was possible because she was . Even though she distorted the principles of the world, she didnt even let out a breath. Rather, she gave impetus. The hunting dogs, caught in the storm as if they wouldnt leave a single seed, were torn apart one by one. This, too, was her completing a disharmony that did not fit with what she had distorted. Severed corpses and a silver-red storm stained with blood. The sky was the epitome of beauty, and the world was dark red. Ah. This was not good for the children. Recovering, she summoned a new wind. Rising from the ground, it blew the grotesque storm over the mountains. Im sorry, kids, your noona scared you, didnt she? Internally, she cursed the clan members who were on the land the players called exile, while worrying about the children surrounded by the hound pack. They must have been very scared. They must have been scared. They were barely out of kindergarten, and they were about to lose their lives to a monster that frightened even adults. They were lucky not to have a mental breakdown. You dont have to be scared anymore. So-. Dont worry. Seo-young, who was trying to calm the children with such words, felt something strange. Youre so cool! Who are you noona? Are you also a twelve? The boys eyes were full of stars. You idiot, you should first thank your noona for saving us, ah, thank you so much for saving me. The girl who scolds the boy and then bows her head. Amazing. A girl who looked up at her with relief and thankfulness. Whats so amazing? Thank you so much, thank you so much, thank you so much. A little girl with tears in her eyes, bowing her head again and again. Am I the only one uncomfortable with this? Seoyoung was at a loss for words as she looked at the children who didnt seem to mind what had happened. She didnt know what expression to make, so she just twitched the corners of her mouth. Are they crazy? They could be. There were plenty of people who lost their minds in the face of monsters. But these kids were young, and the monsters they faced were in packs. They must be crazy. Wow, youre a twelve, twelve!, my God, have I just met the best player in the country? Please, be polite! Its amazing. Thank you so much, thank you so much, thank you so much. Thank you. Why does he seem so sane? Ha. Crazy or not crazy. It was urgent to get them to a hospital. The state of the kids was beyond words. There wasnt an inch of them that wasnt injured, like theyd just jumped off a mountain, and they were covered in leaves, like they hadnt walked down a normal path. I checked them for internal injuries and-. Just as she was about to give them a quick scan and send them to the hospital, she was at a loss for words again. Crazy, crazy. She had to be crazy. Not the children, but herself. She looked at the girl with the abnormally large amount of mana. The same girl, Hayang, had been staring at her for a while now. She looks like Eunhas sister. Seoyoung couldnt understand the words Hayang had muttered a moment ago. She was simply distracted by the mana in her body. Wow. Huh? Saying what Eunha had said in the past, she grabbed Hayangs cheeks and stretched them, even kissing her on the cheek. She didnt mind that her face was covered in sweat and dirt. Do you want to be a player? P, player? Yes, player. If this child becomes a player Shin swallowed hard as if to suppress her excitement. If this child becomes a player, she might take the seat of the Twelve in the future. No, she would make it happen. She wanted to. But there was a child standing between them. Ill be the player! It was Eunhyuk, who was unhappy that Hayang was getting all the attention and not him. Ah. Seo-young suddenly remembered Eun-hyeok protecting the children until she showed up. His mana levels were good enough even if he became a player. He was not a child who had to live a destitute life even if he became a player. Above all, she liked his character. She admired his determination to protect the children, even if he had to sacrifice his life, unlike the subordinates who caused problems even in exile. At least, thats what a man should do. Yes, a man. Eh, eh? Aww, pretty one! To clear her mind of passing thoughts, she showed the same behavior to him, even if it was just for show. Uh, me, why? Minji was flustered. Seoyoung hugged her anyway. The child was adorable, a seed that would blossom into a flower in the future, and her reason for becoming a player wasnt just her hatred of monsters, but also her desire to protect the future. You sent the telepath, didnt you? It wasnt hard for me to find you. Finally, Seoyoung walked over to Seona, who was rubbing her reddened eyes. She reached out and wiped the tears from her eyes. She stroked her hair. Then she relaxed and let herself be touched. Good, very good. Telepathy was a natural ability for Ain, but it was rare for her to awaken to it at such a young age. Perhaps it was the urgency of the situation that caused her telepathy to blossom. And the reason for her awakening must have been a desire to protect these children. Her telepathy seemed to echo that sentiment. Thats great. The childrens desperation to protect each other was glaring. She looked at them with a bittersweet smile. So she didnt realize. Why, despite their young age, they were not afraid to face the monster. Just go down the mountain. There will be rescuers at the bottom. Isnt our noona coming with us? Minji asked anxiously. Seoyoung smiled awkwardly, noticing a normal reaction from the children for the first time. Because I have to go save the others. And she wasnt going to leave them alone. But I cant let you go alone, so, ah, here he comes. Seo-young pointed in the direction of the sound of clanking armor. Mr. Bear? The first child to respond was Hayang. A surprised reaction came from her voice. Wow. Eun-hyeok and Minji looked at the man with a different reaction from Hayang. He was big. If they hadnt looked up from far away, they would have only seen his protruding belly. Overall, he was a middle-aged man with a cuddly impression. The atmosphere emanating from him reminded them of Winnie the Pooh. It wasnt unreasonable for Hayang to call him Mr. Bear. Yeah, if it werent for the mechanical arm. A machine arm was attached from where the collarbone started on the right shoulder of the middle-aged man. On his left shoulder, he was equipped with a large circular shield, but he didnt seem to be showing any signs of difficulty. Lady, what about me going first? It was so hard for me to climb up here alone! The middle-aged man was boiling. He seemed to be dissatisfied with having climbed the mountain with his heavy body. But he didnt show any signs of hardship even though he complained. It was really urgent. You know that too. Well, thats true. Are those kids those kids? The middle-aged man glanced at the children. He seemed to be interested in the little girl who had sent the telepathic message. The way his eyes swept over her was uncharacteristic. Do you happen to be pl. I already told you that, dear. Hmm, hmm. So, all I have to do is take these kids down there? Sounds easy, doesnt it? Easy to say. The middle-aged man sighed. The children were surely mentally exhausted. It wouldnt have been an easy task to take them down alone. But as if to put an end to his worries, These kids arent as problematic as you think. Ill vouch for them. Lady, youre talking so much about guaranteeing that you have no credit. What? Hmm, hmm. Apparently, the kids werent scared. It didnt seem like it would be too difficult to get them downstairs. The problem was Shin Seo-yeong. Are you going to be okay, Nuna? What do you mean? Arent you going to cross over to Uijeongbu on this road? Those damn bastard dogs might attack you. In front of the kids. Um, um. Anyway, will you be okay by yourself? Shin Seo-yeong was one of the Twelve Chairs. She was one of the players who was considered the best in South Korea. But she wasnt the strongest. Even though she could freely control the wind with her vast mana, she was only a caster at best. If she allowed a player to ambush her even once. How do you see me? Do you think Im a joke? Well, no, but I mean, youll handle it on your own, right? It was a pointless thought. Shin Seo-yeong. Wasnt she the figure who made the Changhae Clan the second most prominent clan in South Korea? Moreover, hasnt she been acting independently frequently since becoming one of the Twelve Chairs? So, the kids will be okay. Well, okay, then Ill send them down, and then Ill go see the bastards who allowed the monsters to invade. Sure. Youll have to deal with them later. Uijeongbu was at fault for not reporting the movement of the Hound pack, but they also failed to properly deal with the monsters that had crossed into the Bukhansan Mountain. The Changhae Clans local city dispatcher, Bukhansan Management, was also at fault. They must have gotten complacent and thought that monsters wouldnt come over, and this division was born. Haaa Now it wasnt just that the clan was festering internally. It would be a huge loss of image externally as well. Frustrated, she let out a sigh. Still, try to calm them down for now. There were probably a lot of casualties among them too. We can punish them after we hold funerals for the dead ones. Well, if you say so, well do that. Alright, then. Kids, lets go down. The middle-aged man who finished talking called the children. The children were chatting amongst themselves. Among the children called by the middle-aged man, Eunhyuk raised his hand and said, The captain hasnt come yet! Captain? Whats that fool talking about? Theres a kid named No Eunha. Hes still on the mountain. If the captain doesnt come, we wont go either! Eunhyuk lit a torch. The middle-aged man was perplexed. Shin Seo-youngs face also darkened. Being on the mountain meant the outcome was already predictable. Unfortunately, the boy named Eunha would have lost his life to the monsters. Of course, they couldnt tell the children that. They had to think about the shock the children would receive. So Seo-young said, Then Ill go find him. Do you guys want to go down first? She told a kind lie. If its Seo-young unni, she can find him. (1) Yeah, I think so too. Hayang and Seona nodded in agreement with Seo-youngs lie. Well, then, lets go down. Eunhyuk, who put his arm behind his head, crossed over obediently. He hadnt forgotten Eunhas instructions to listen to Hayang. Oh, wait a minute, kids! The middle-aged man, who was about to take the children down, stopped. As if something had just occurred to her, Seo-young clapped her hands and smiled happily. Do you know what his name is? Ah, no, lady, why are you suddenly. I want to know!!! Seoyoung smiling happily. And the middle-aged man with a sad face. It is Kangcheol. Kangcheol. It means a , which means it can crush anything. A quite a famous guardian around here. They said above. Seoyoung searched the mountain to fulfill her promise to the children. Riding the wind, she flew into the air, spreading the wind everywhere. She defeated monsters and rescued people based on the information the returning winds gave her. But she couldnt find the child. She couldnt. He must be dead. The thought of the children crying made her feel unnecessarily sad. But where are the Hell Hounds? If there was a pack this big, there had to be a Hellhound of the sixth rank. But the wind hadnt given her any information. She couldnt find any sign of the Hell Hound. She decided to go over the mountain to Uijeongbu. And at the top of Mount Bukhansan, What is this? Seo-young looked down with a stiff expression. It was a corpse. There were bodies everywhere. They werent human corpses. They were all monster corpses. As if they had been mauled. The monsters didnt seem to have died nicely. Who did this? That was the natural question. When the Hound was hungry, it would prey on its own kind, but it was not a monster engaged in senseless slaughter. This was human behavior. A very ugly, cruel man. She descended to the ground to get a closer look, Hey, hey! She didnt recognize him at first. There, in a pool of blood, lay a child covered in blood. I wouldnt have recognized him if he hadnt been moaning in pain. Hey, are you okay, huh? Seoyoung ran over in a panic. Saving this child was her first priority. The thought of going to Uijeongbu was out of her mind. ! (1) Unnie: () is a Korean term used by women to refer to an older sister or a female friend who is older than them. It is typically used by younger females to address older females, and is a term of respect and affection. Chapter 47 Chapter 47[Hound(9)] Hah. After defeating the Hound, Eunha looked up at the sky in a daze. The sky was so paradisiacal, but his mind was complicated. He felt like he was trying to untangle a tangled thread, only to tangle it further. Im crazy, Im so crazy. Im crazy, I really am. In your excitement, you swing your sword like a madman. I vowed not to be a player in my second life. I had no excuse for being a player and killing monsters. He even took pleasure in killing them. Ill think before I act. What did you promise yourself after your regression? You promised to live happily ever after, and you promised to do whatever it takes to be happy. Still, this behavior was too much. I could have kept the hounds at bay until the players came to the rescue and focused on hunting down the Hell Hounds alone. There was no need to go on a rampage. You didnt have to be crazy, or youd get yourself killed. Facing death with reckless abandon and confidence, it didnt take much thought to realize what would have happened if the Gift hadnt manifested. Yes, my gift. It wasnt . Eun-ha learned that his gift was not after this incident. Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although it had the commonality of maximizing his strength with a small amount of mana left in his body, he still maintained some flawed reasoning. He didnt go berserk. It must have been measured incorrectly before the regression. The trigger for the gift was the same before and after the regression. When a certain level of mana was consumed, the Gift would manifest. The abilities were the same. If you consume mana while the Gift is active, your physical abilities increase by leaps and bounds. Thus, Eunha was able to suppress the pain that a childs body could not withstand with the manifestation of his Gift. As his physical strength increased by leaps and bounds, his ability to recover also increased proportionally. The bleeding could be stopped, of course, but the flesh that had been torn away could not be replaced. He would need the help of a player with corresponding knowledge to repair the damage. The recoil of the Gift is different. was a Gift that, when manifested, caused a person to lose their senses and go berserk. Once it started, it usually didnt stop until all of its mana was spent. In contrast, the moment the current Gift stopped manifesting, his physical abilities would drop significantly until he recovered his mana. Ugh. There was a recoil, as a childs body couldnt withstand the intensity of the fight. If he lost consciousness here, he might die. The wound had healed, but the amount of blood loss was not normal. Something had to be done about his leg, which was missing flesh. This is bad. The Gift wasnt going to stop manifesting. It was better to let it run out of mana and wait for someone to rescue it. Passing out like this on a mountaintop where no one was coming was a sure death. Will I die here? I cant die here. Gritting my teeth, I jabbed my thigh with my stiletto. Uck! It was stupid. Holding my breath, I slammed the stiletto down, trying not to lose consciousness, but unnecessarily increasing the amount of blood loss. Moreover, the pain of the stiletto was unbearable. Blood spurting from his mouth and nose, he lost his strength and fell to the ground. His body was shaking. His hands and feet were cold. His vision blurred. I cant die here. If I die. I heard my partners voice. It was a voice he hadnt heard in a long time. In his fading consciousness, Eunha smiled softly. Ah. When he opened his eyes, he was in a hospital room. Getting out of bed, Eunha checked his body. He rolled up his sleeves and looked inside his pants, but there were no wounds anywhere. I see. Someone must have saved him. The player must have been quite a skilled player, considering he was able to administer first aid before being taken to the hospital. How long had he been unconscious, how many days? Eunha looked around for a calendar, but couldnt find one. He felt like hed been unconscious for a while, but his young body couldnt tell for sure. Where the hell is this? It was a single room. No one would give a child a single room unless the hospital was desperately empty. Whoever had admitted him to a single room must have had a purpose. Who? What purpose? His thoughts didnt last long. As if waiting for him to wake up, someone opened the door and walked in. Hi. Hi. A woman in a leather jacket. She opened the door, smiled brightly, and sat down on the chair in front of the bed. Shin Seo-young. Eunha was stunned for a moment as he looked at her. She never thought hed see it with his own eyes. Before his regression, he was an , he had faced the Twelve in the course of an important operation. was a person appointed as the first of the Twelve by the invitation of the fairy Im Gae-eul. All he knew about was what he had studied at the academy. Later, he was amazed to see the woman who was hailed as the Empress or insulted as the National Harlot in person. Of course, I wasnt completely mesmerized. A visit from the Twelve meant it was important. I had some idea of what that important matter might be. I couldnt help but wonder. Are you awake? Does anything hurt? Seo-young ran a hand through his hair, worried. Yes, I think Im okay. Noona saved me, didnt she? Yes, I did. I brought you to the hospital as soon as I found you. Your name is Eunha, right? No Eunha. Yes, Im Eunha. Whats your name? Seo-young Shin. You can call me Seo-young. A seemingly normal conversation. In reality, it was a battleground. The two were gauging each others reactions before getting down to business. To see where the other was at with the situation. How long have I been here? How are my friends? Its only been six hours since you were taken to the hospital. I called your family, they should be on their way by now. This is a big deal. Eunha kept a poker face, but inside he was shaking. He didnt know how to explain it to his family. Your friends are all fine. Seo-na and Ha-yang were worried. Theyre probably resting in another hospital room right now. Eun-ha realized two things from Seo-youngs words. The first was that Eunhas identity had already been revealed. He had kind of expected it. Hed been thinking that might be the case since hed been in the hospital. The second was that she knew his social circle. And that she was close to the children. This was a surprise. He wondered why she was so close to his friends Was she really reaching out to them as a favor? Or was she trying to find out something about them? Not a normal girl. On the contrary, Seo-young thought as she saw him meet her gaze without averting it. He had woken up in the hospital room and was acting nonchalant. Ordinarily, he would have been confused, bewildered, or wary of a stranger entering his room. But he greeted her as if hed known she was coming, even asking how long hed been in the hospital to get a sense of the situation. She shouldnt just treat him like a child. She decided that from this moment on, she would treat him as an adult. And now she got down to business. Noona needs to investigate something. So I need you to answer her questions truthfully, Eunha, because youre an important reference. A reference? Eunha repeated, looking confused. Yes, a reference. Eunha, you were in a serious condition in the Baekundae mountain in Bukhansan. Its strange that the students from Doan Elementary School were up there at the time the monsters appeared, and the boss of the monster horde was killed near where you fell. So your noona has a lot of questions. First of all, can you explain why you were there? I dont really remember. I was there? Well, I remember running away from the monsters. After that, Im not sure, maybe I got up there because I was running away? Eunha was annoyed. Investigating the incident was inevitable. The question was where to start and how far to go. I cant say that I defeated the monster. If I did, Mana Management would not release him. They could act forcibly to make him a competent player. Eunha vowed not to become a player in his second life. He wanted to live a peaceful and quiet life as much as possible. So, do you know who defeated the monsters there? I dont know. I cant even believe I was on the peak of Bukhansan Mountain But I feel like someone appeared and saved me. Oh, now that I think about it, there was a really huge monster Im pretty sure thats when someone showed up and saved the day. The best option was to create a fictional character. There was no one else at the scene. So he decided to create a fictional character and blame the whole thing on him. Shin Seoyoung and the Mana Management Bureau might find it suspicious, but it was for the best. Living a normal life until their scrutiny wore off, or at least for the rest of his life, would allay their suspicions. Look at him. I can hear his eyeballs rolling all the way over here. He was calm and well organized for a first grader. Even though he said he couldnt remember, he was able to answer the questions well. Shin realized that he was trying to play dumb. She, too, was a player. Having rolled countless times in the players world, she could tell that he was lying by keeping a poker face. His skill at lying outright and acting as if he wasnt lying wasnt normal. She needed to modify her demeanor. The opponent was a player, a very skilled and shameless one. And to deal with a skilled and brazen opponent, I think you killed them Eunha, all the monsters in it, even the hellhounds. Similarly, you had to go out brazen. In other words, a frontal assault. ReLife PLayer 048 ReLife PLayer 048[Hound(10)] Oh, how did I defeat the monster? Eunha calmly received the question with one unblinking eye. He was trying to gauge his reaction anyway. It was easy to become stubborn if he showed a clumsy response. So please, just leave. No, I think you defeated it. I dont remember anything. And how did I defeat a monster? I found out that you received a brave childrens award last year. Do you know that much? Internally embarrassed, Eunha decided to maintain his shameless attitude. That was a coincidence. A coincidence. Yeah, a coincidence Did you defeat the hound pack this time by coincidence too? I didnt do it. Even though your fingerprint was found in Stiletto? Eunha glared at Seo-young without speaking. On the contrary, Seo-young smiled back confidently. Was she bluffing? He had reached the deepest part of the Abyss Dungeon, one of the black dungeons, but he couldnt read anything from Seo-youngs face. Should he just beat around the bush? It was too awkward to do so. He was already being suspected enough. Theres no choice. He wasnt Kang Hyun-chul. He decided to give up on bothering her. She didnt seem like the type to back down. Lets make a deal. A deal? Seo-young furrowed her eyebrows, not expecting him to change his attitude and offer a deal so casually. What do I get out of it? I have nothing to lose by dealing with you. A deal is made on equal terms between each other. He might have something to gain, but she had nothing to gain. Ill give you important information. What kind of information? I cant tell you that. Its a deal. Seo-young remained silent. She thought she had nothing to lose, but his confident words piqued her curiosity. Lets hear what he has to say about this deal. What do you want? I dont want anything. Nothing? I just want to live a normal life. Eunha shrugs. Seo-young watched him, lost in thought. She thought he had taken down a pack of hounds. Common sense tells her thats not possible for a child. But he had also slayed a goblin last year, and from the stories of the children he had met in the mountains, it wasnt completely unbelievable. Hmm She thought about what would happen if she had to report to the Mana Management about the Eunha. Sarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nine times out of ten, they would order him to be monitored. And he would be a player, under their control. The child is a seed that will bloom in the future. That thought hadnt changed. But as much as she loved children, she didnt want to force him to become a player for the sake of the countrys future. Okay. If I like the information you provide. She gave in. Seo Young-eun curled the corners of her mouth inwardly. In his pre-regression Shinpoong, Shin Seo-young appeared to be a person who was weak in character, unlike her confident appearance. She was the type to embrace someone until the end if she allowed them into her heart even once. In the end, she lived and died with her principles. Thats how Shin Seo-young, as he evaluated her, was. Her skills were top-notch, but she was not the best as a player. Thanks to that, he could recall stories about her. Investigate the successors of the Dan-gun Group. Huh? What does that mean? Seo Young-eun frowned. Among the successors investigate women and their relationship with Changhae Clans lord. Seoyoung frowned. Are you kidding? I dont like pranks. Trust me, its noonas business. Dangun Group. A ninth-ranked group whose main business is entertainment and players. I heard there was a big fuss at the time. One of the successors to the Dangun Group was having a child with the Changhae Clans lord. As a result, the chairman of the Dangun Group forced the Changhae Clan to make a choice. Whether to marry his daughter or to turn against the player industry. Changhae Clan chose the former. As a result, Changhae Clan received the protection of the 2nd-ranked Sirius and the 9th-ranked Dangun. And that became an important force in making them the second most prominent clan in South Korea even after her death. You have to be careful with words. Can you take responsibility for what you say? The tension in the room was palpable. Suddenly, the air became so stuffy that it was hard to breathe. Eunha faced her without any hesitation. The energy she emanated as a threat was not at all intimidating. I can take responsibility. Shall I make one more suggestion? Seo young said nothing, just stared at him. Eunha continued without paying any attention to her. If nothing comes out of it, Ill join my noonas clan. But that wouldnt happen. Eunha was certain. That at this time, the Changhae Clan Lord was having an inappropriate relationship with the successor of the Dangun Group. Now that he was sure, he even mentioned becoming a player. The Changhae Clan is not a friendly clan for a child to join. It seems like its only good for you. Can you really say that? Didnt my noona think that I defeated the Hell Hound? Ha. Okay Seo Young took a step back. It wasnt because he had mentioned that he wanted to join the Changhae Clan. In fact, she had noticed it to some extent. Shed only suspected it because she didnt have proof. But now that he was speaking so openly, her suspicions were turning into convictions. And one more thing. Noona is also involved in stabilizing Gangnam, right? And? Beware of the new monsters. Dont underestimate them just because theyre low on the hierarchy. Where. No, thanks. Where did you hear that? Seoyoung shook her head. He wasnt going to tell her anything if she asked. He was just presenting it to her. The choice and judgment were hers alone. Okay. Ill think about what you said. Now it was time to find out if the information he had given her was true or not. If it was false, she could report him to the mana management and tell them that she would raise him as a player herself. As she turned to leave, Eunha said, You can report that noona handled this. It cant be bad for her, right? How old are you? She asked in disbelief. Eunha was so nonchalant, An elementary school student, very ordinary. Ha. See you later. She didnt expect an answer. Oh, and this. Seoyoung tossed an object from her pocket. Eunha caught it with both hands as it fell in a parabolic motion. This is. Its from the Hell Hound. I cant take your gems, but Ill take that one. Why do you have this. Because you knocked it down. Eunha didnt deny. Nor did he affirm it. He just stared at her. See you later, she said, and left the room. I havent seen a skillstone in a long time. Whereas gemstones were dark blue in color, skillstones were pale yellow in color. Eunha imbued the skillstone in her hand with mana. The mana that flowed out only skimmed the surface of the skillstone, making it shimmer slightly. I guess its not for me. I quickly lost interest. The thought of what he might have gotten from the Hell Hound was too much to bear. Im tired. Lets get some more sleep. Just a little more sleep. What am I going to tell my family while Im still awake. Eunha! Are you hurt? My father, gasping for breath through his soaked sweatshirt. Do you know how freaked out Mom was to hear from you? How did you get hurt, are you okay? His mother, worried about him with reddened eyes. Haha. Eunha didnt know what to say to the two of them. The first thing to do was to comfort them. He would think about it later. Ill probably get in trouble in the end. [At 2:00 p.m. today, over 100 Hounds, a 7th-rank monster, emerged from Mount Bukhansan. The horde traveled south from Uijeongbu and attacked citizens who were out for spring break. Player Shin Seo-young of the Twelve Chairs slayed a Hell Hound, a Tier 6 monster leading the pack, and is still searching the entire Bukhansan area. The total number of confirmed deaths now stands at 34, including an elementary school student who was on a picnic at Bukhansan that day. The elementary school students who died were from Dongsan Elementary School. Player Changhae Clan Lord Gil Sung-jun expressed his regret for the tragedy and offered his support to the bereaved families. The following is from Changhae Clans] Aprils Bukhansan mountain incident. The ripple effect on society was unimaginable. In an effort to calm the rising tide of public opinion, the Seonyeo government announced that it would accelerate the stabilization of the Gangnam area and increase its vigilance in Uijeongbu. The government also announced that clans with a clan rating of S would be rotated to manage the Bukhansan mountains. Elementary schools across the country canceled all picnic-related events. The death of the elementary school student was heartbreaking. The bereaved families were reported to be in tears, and people expressed their hatred of monsters and condemned the players of Changhae Clan. Eventually, Sub-Lord Kim Kyung-won, who was in charge of Uijeongbu for Changhae Clan, bowed his head in a public apology. Changhae Clan promised to severely punish the players sent to Uijeongbu. He also announced that after careful consideration, he would resign as a sub lord and step down from the clan. Still, public opinion showed no signs of cooling down. The final nail in the coffin came a few days later with the suicide of Kim Kyung-won. He hanged himself in a mountain cabin in the wilds of Gyeonggi Province. There was a suicide note on his desk. The note contained his confession of guilt, inability to bear the burden, and apologies to his remaining family. Thus, when the series of incidents were concluded, Eunha was already welcoming the summer vacation. Chapter 49 Chapter 49[fireworks]. It was a day in July. It was a sweltering day. Every time he went outside, he came back sweating. It was summer vacation, and Eunha had been staying home as much as possible. Even now, with Eunae on his lap, he was licking his ice cream. Its hot as hell. Eunha? Im sorry. His mother, who was doing housework, raised her eyebrows. Eunha obediently begged for forgiveness. She had been keeping a close eye on him since he was hospitalized. April, the Bukhansan mountain crisis. While running away with the children, Eunhas paths diverged and he ended up alone. He almost lost his life to a monster, but with the help of Shin Seo-young, he was able to survive. However, he had to spend a week in the hospital due to suspected post-traumatic stress disorder from the monster. This was the end of the deal between Eunha and Seo-young. You were right, he had a lover. Really? Not just one, but three. Its a world thats already been destroyed once, so who cares how many concubines he has. I dont think thats something to talk about in front of a child. I dont see you as a child at all. Im a normal elementary school student. The world is fucking crazy, this world is wrong. I dont think you should be talking like this to a kid. Heres my number, because I dont have many friends. Noona will buy you a meal, so you have to come out when I call, okay? The second time she visited the hospital room, she had a bitter smile on her face. She was the one who looked strong on the outside, but was actually weak at heart. The feeling of being betrayed by someone you trusted is indescribable. But Shin Seo-yeong lived for love and died for love. Perhaps she couldnt give up the man she loved. If it were me, I wouldnt have let it go so easily. One of the maxims of the player world was to betray before you are betrayed. In a world of life and death, you could trust no one. You had to leave room for betrayal even from those you trusted. It wasnt always easy, but it was possible for the undead, who lacked emotion. I gave her information that could change the future, but what she does with it is up to her. Although the Lord of Changhae Clan had an inappropriate relationship with the heir to the Dangun Group, nothing like what happened before the regression will happen again. In this life, the Changhae Clan will never be favored by the Dangun Group. Its so damn hot. Mom told you not to use bad words, right? I was wrong. Awakened from his reverie, Eunha had to apologize to his mother again. He wasnt afraid of fairies, but he was afraid of his parents. It wasnt the feeling of a child who shouldnt refuse something. Aww, aww. Eunae, are you hot too? Ugh. Do you want me to turn on the fan? Dont turn it on too close. Yeah~ To the outside world, he was just caught in the middle of an incident. But his parents suspected that he might have been involved in the Bukhansan Mountain incident. It was a parental hunch. So he had to stay under their watchful eye until summer vacation. Its really hot, really hot. Feeling his mothers gaze, he quickly changed his words. From that day on, his true feelings would sometimes come out. I had to be careful. Theres Eunae. I didnt want her to learn the f-word. I wanted her to grow up to be a nice, pretty girl who didnt know anything. Ill make sure you dont get any dirty water on your hands. Gah! He hugged Eunae with the rest of his love. Oh, if only time could stand still. Ciao!! Fireworks!! It wasnt to be. The peaceful routine was interrupted by Julieta bursting into the house. Whoa, oh my Her mother welcomed her in, this time without knocking, and handed her a towel and cold water for her sweaty body. Grazie, Euna, mama. Julieta lifts her long blonde hair and wipes the sweat from the nape of her neck. She gulped down the cold water and then spoke. Fireworks! Noona Julieta, I heard that earlier. Waa! Eunae, who had been sitting on his lap, crawled over to Julieta. Ciao Eunae. Julieta hugged the crawling Eunae happily. Curious about her blonde hair, Eunae tried to reach for her shoulder-length hair. A smile spread across Julietas face. The baby is cute, really. Noona, why a fireworks display on such a hot day? What are you talking about, Eunha? Summer! The fireworks display, of course! I dont think so. He knew from experience that no amount of talking would convince Julieta; she, like Euna, was a pushover once she had her mind made up. Mommy, Eunha, Eunae, its fireworks! Oh. Were they telepathic or something? Eunha was dumbfounded to see Euna bursting through the door. She had said she was going to the pool with a friend in the morning, and when she got home, she couldnt help but be surprised at the timing of the fireworks. When two people like that get together, Euna, fireworks are best in the summer! Yes, yes, yes, Julieta! Fireworks! Fireworks! Fireworks! Fireworks! It was like a runaway locomotive. Now there was no one to stop them. Oh, no. There might be one. Its so loud, its going to bother the neighbors. Thats why we asked the neighbors permission! Julieta was surprisingly prepared. Uncle Bruno probably helped her out. But shed forgotten one. What about the landlord, Grandpa, who lives on the fourth floor? Do you have his permission? Oh, no! I didnt think of that. I cant just do it, can I? Theres no such thing. Who owns this house. Julieta, Eunha is close to the landlords grandfather! Why are you selling me out! Eunha looked at Euna with a resentful gaze. She didnt know anything and was looking forward to the fireworks. At that moment, the resentment disappeared as if it had never existed. His sisters smile was a treasure that he wouldnt trade for anything in the world. Okay, Ill go talk to Grandpa then. Good luck, Eunha! I love Eunha~! I cant help it. Ill go get permission for the fireworks for my sisters sake. Eunha stepped out into the sweltering heat. He had just climbed a few stairs and was already sweating. But would this old man allow fireworks? He loved books. He had built an entire fourth floor into a soundproof study for his books. So the idea of fireworks in the yard didnt sit well with him. Uh, I dont know. Its the judges call. Why are you guys here? The door to the landlords house was open. He didnt think the old man would hear him if he knocked, so he slowly took off his shoes. He walked through a hallway filled with bookshelves and into the study, where Hayang and Seona were reading a book. Grandpa told me to come anytime. I came to read. I came with Hayang. Minji was nowhere to be seen. She didnt like books, so she was either resting at home or out playing with the other children. Wheres Grandpa? Hes over there. Hayang, who was engrossed in her book, had already taken her eyes off him. For her, Seona pointed with her tail. She was curled up on the cold floor, seeming to enjoy the feeling. It felt more like she came to escape the heat rather than to read books. Hi, Grandpa. Eunha walked in the direction Seona had pointed. Grandpa was in the same study. He just hadnt realized anyone was there because of the stacks of books on the table. Youre here, Eunha. Grandpa greeted him as he lifted his monocle. Im here to get a fireworks permit. Julietas sister wants to set off fireworks, do you mind if she does it in the yard? Sure, sure. The permit came off surprisingly easily. Does Hayang like fireworks, too? Wow, thats great! Hayang didnt hear anything as she was absorbed in her book. Nevertheless, the grandfather was not shy and called out to her as if he was looking at his lovely granddaughter. Unable to help herself, Seo-na, who was lying on the floor, touched her. Hayang, Hayang,. Hehe. Hoo. Hayang, Hayang. Huh? Huh? Seona? Hayang finally came to her senses. Eunha, are you here to read too? I had greeted her a moment ago, but she didnt seem to remember. There are fireworks in the yard later. Do you like fireworks too? The landlord asked again. Fireworks? Seona wagged her tail to indicate that she didnt care. Hayang, on the other hand, I, I, Ive seen them in books and on TV! Theyre big fireworks that go boom in the night sky, right? Ive always wanted to see one! Her eyes lit up with enthusiasm. The book she was reading was also about fireworks. The conclusion. The landlord stood up and went out to the balcony, Oh, Kim Reporter. Hows the weather? Well, Im not talking about that. I want you to prepare a big firework right now. Make sure you have a permit from the city. Yes, I dont care how much it costs. If possible make it spectacular, very big. The scale was getting bigger. Hayang didnt hear it because she was reading a book, but Seona and Eunaa were surprised and their mouths were agape. Who is this grandfather, exactly? Even at night, the heat did not abate. It was a tropical night. It was getting hotter by the day. It was now July. It was hard to imagine how hot it would be in August. No, I didnt want to. I hadnt felt the heat before the regression. The knowledge and skills had been passed down, but the experience seemed to be something I had to train myself. Wow! Thats amazing! Eunae, thats a firework, a firework! Ahhhh! Euna looked up at the flames, one after another, and was excited. Eunae was equally excited. Hugging Euna, she stretched out her hands to capture the moment when fireworks flowers bloomed in the black sky. Its so pretty. Youre pretty too. Oh my. Euna and Eunha leave Eunae in the care of their parents for some alone time. Not wanting to disturb his parents, Eunha took Euna and walked away. Wow~! Its beautiful. Minji and Seona were sitting in the yard, watching the sparklers. They began to draw traces of light in the air with their hands. It wasnt comparable to the fireworks blooming in the night sky, but the fireworks that could be seen up close were just as valuable. Captain, Captain! I cant get this to light, what do I do? You idiot, throw it away! Eunha shouted at Eunhyuk, who came with a lit firecracker in his hand. What, what is this? Wow! The firework flew up into the sky with a sizzling sound. Eunhyuk couldnt figure out what to do with the firecracker in his hand. Dont come any closer. If you do, Ill really kill you. Eunha threatened, and suddenly her mother appeared. Eunha? What should I do with this, Captain? Eunhyuk continued to juggle the exploding firecracker in his hand. Be careful, Eunhyuk. Thank you, Mr. Bruno. If Bruno hadnt taken the firecracker instead of him, there could have been an accident. You have to run 10 more laps around the field. Captain, its really hot these days I told you not to complain if you want to learn properly, didnt I? Okay, I got it. Ill do my best. Eunha scolded in the corner of the yard, while Eunhyuk burned with determination. Fireworks fell above their heads. Wow, this is really amazing. How does this work? Should we use this for our science journal? Mabangjin and Yeonsungjin set off a fountain firecracker. (E/N: These are the names of the kids who used to go to Doan Kindergarden too) Ugh, Im sleepy. Hyun-yul, who had been forcibly dragged between the two, rubbed his sleepy eyes. He wasnt interested in the fountain fireworks. But when Hyun-yul saw the colorful fireworks in the night sky, he opened his eyes wide. Drowsiness fled. What are you doing standing there, Hyun-yul? Do you like that? Dont talk to me. Crayons. Or colored pencils! He ran into his house and grabbed a sketchbook and colored pencils, then began to draw the night sky in his sketchbook with a serious face. Wow~! Grandpa is so pretty! Hehe, Im glad you like it. I hope we can see it again next year! Next year? Yes, this Grandpa, will tell the mayor. What? Hayang doesnt need to know anything. Who the hell is this grandpa? Eunha decided not to care anymore. It was another fireworks display, this one on a grand scale. He wanted to enjoy it with his sister and younger sister. So he thought hed finally found a good spot. Bru, its so pretty. Reminds me of the night sky I saw with you in Sicily. We fought so much back then, we. When did you start liking me? Do I really have to tell you that? Bru Julie. Julietta and Bruno at the set of Beauty and the Beast. Love is a wonderful thing. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ugh. Sis, you cant look at that. Eunae, you too. Eunha quickly covered Euna and Eunaes eyes. It was too soon for them to see. I hope this happiness continues. It will continue. No matter what, I will protect you. I wish time would stop like this, forever. He felt like he was getting into trouble if he stayed here. So he went back out to find a better spot to watch the fireworks. Why cant there be a quiet place to watch the fireworks! In the end, he had to call it a day without even seeing the fireworks. Chapter 50 Chapter 50[What doesnt change]. It was August. The heat was still raging. Even at night, the heat continued. The mosquitoes were out in force, and stress was building up. Still, summer was coming to an end. Summer vacation, the time for lazing around the house, was coming to an end. So Eunha had to tackle his procrastinated vacation homework, and it seemed that other kids were doing the same. If he hadnt invited them over to his house to finish their homework early, he would have been stuck with the rest of the vacation. Hello~! The cafe is called Happiness. The children entered the cafe, which featured an interior that resembled a cabin in the mountains. They were greeted by the sound of bells tinkling and the rich, savory aroma of coffee. Hello, kids. Welcome. Seok-hoon Jung, the owner of , greeted the children. Next to him, wearing an apron with a daddy bear and a baby bear on it, was Hayang, waving at them. She was also wearing a small apron. Wow, thats so pretty! The first child to respond was Minji. She looked at Hayangs apron and gushed. Hehe, thank you. The bear is cute. Isnt it? Seo-na, on the other hand, appreciated the apron in a more measured way. As she helped prepare the meal at the church, she couldnt take her eyes off the apron. Her tail wagged gently from side to side, as if she was trying to decide whether or not to buy it. I have one left, do you want it? Really! Thanks, Hayang Can I? Hayang took the apron out of the drawer in the corner of the cafe. The two children smirked. Mukminji, why are you carrying an apron? Eunha didnt understand Min-jis fondness for hugging the apron to her chest. As far as he knew, she was the type to keep her cooking to herself. Shut up. And I told you not to call me that, didnt I? You say you cook? I can cook! I often help my mom at home. Your mom cant cook either. He knew that if he said anything more, they would get into a fight in the cafe. So he said in an unemotional tone, Oh, yeah. Do your best. Im rooting for you, Well see. Uncle, let me make it with you today! (1) Hey, what do you think youre doing, closing the cafe? Move over, Ill show you how good I am at cooking. Minji was speechless, her pride wounded, and she stomped into the kitchen. Haha. Hayang, can you take the order for me? Yes, dad. Seok-hoon followed Min-ji nervously, worried that she might do something wrong and get hurt. Hayang led the children to a seat in the sun. Apparently, she had been learning hospitality from her father since summer vacation. If you want to order, please call me. Hayang says her prepared remarks without missing a beat. Maybe it was because she had seen her father at work all those years, but she didnt act nervous. After letting her go, the children opened the menu and tried to decide what to eat. Mmm~ Ill have the hot cake set! Eunhyuk decided without even looking at the menu. He had been practicing the advice from Eunha to stop by Happiness whenever he had time, and he knew all the menus. I want a toast set. I want toast too, said the alchemy duo, who fixed their glasses. The two had been in math school all vacation, so they didnt get to play much. As a result, their faces were cheerful even as they sat down to do their vacation homework. Ill have the bagel set, said Seona, who had spent the entire vacation reading books. She loved visiting the library or her grandfathers book collection. Do you really love books? asked Eunha. Yeah, why? Well, theyre all cool places to be. Why, what do you mean? Sometimes Eunha could be unexpectedly sharp. Seona, who was drinking orange juice, perked up her ears and said something that Minji and Eunha usually said. She was quite embarrassed that she was acting like this. Then Ill havethe bacon sausage set. Eunha, who had finally decided on a menu, called out to Hayang, who was a few feet away. Yes. How may I help you? Hayang was very polite, even though the kids at the table were making a lot of noise. She had learned to control her mana, so she didnt get flustered easily. She had grown up a lot. Hayang was properly practicing Eunhas teachings. The amount of mana flowing out of her body was less than before, to the point where she looked like a normal child. The mana in her body is great, and her sense of manipulating it is excellent. In addition, she had even learned to read peoples feelings. She had all the makings of a first-class player. Well, shes not a player. To say the least, she didnt have the personality to live in a players world. This was something that Shin Seoyoung, who had just had lunch with him, agreed with. What about Eunha? Huh? What do you want Eunha? By the time he realized it, she had already returned to her normal tone. Ill have the bacon sausage set. Okay. Ill go tell Dad then. She wrote down the order and ran to the kitchen. Boss, I think the juice here is really good. Everything here is good for you, so dont waste any. Yes, sir. Okay. The childrens wordless feast had begun. Eunha didnt join in the chatter but slowly sipped the potion. Better than before. My mana recovery is faster. Deliberately draining his mana, he drank the orange juice and marveled. The future had changed. Normally, Jung Seok-hoon, who would have realized his ability and made potions with evil intentions, would have appeared on the potion market when the word spread among players. But last year, when Eunha saved Hayang from the goblins, Seok-hoons hatred for monsters disappeared. After all, Seok-hoon was still running a small caf, and while he had learned of his abilities through Eunha, he didnt seem interested in making and distributing potions. All he wanted was to live happily ever after with Hayang. Well, I hope he hasnt changed completely. Huh? What, captain? Nothing. Enjoy. Eunha treated Eunhyeok cheerfully as he shoved a large hot cake into his cheeks. Someday, Jung Seok-hoons potion would be known. The future just delayed it. The future of Seok-hoons potion being on the market wont change. No one is going to let his powers rot. The world still wants power against monsters. Ill just have to wait for that future. In this life, Im determined to live happily ever after. It would be interesting to see a future where Seok-hoon Jung dominates the potion market. Even though there will never be a future where hes the chairman of Alice Group. But thats okay. Eunha also wants Hayang to live happily ever after. He hoped he wouldnt be an obstacle to the happy life she wanted. By the way, why isnt mine coming out? Ive been waiting~! Come on, eat! Eunha grumbled that his food wasnt coming. The person who set the food down in front of him was not Hayang, but Minji. Wearing an apron with sauce on it, she had a confident look on her face. Why dont you taste it? I made it, and its going to be delicious. Did you just give me this to eat? He had once survived for three days on a single chocolate bar, but the food in front of him was something he didnt want to put in his mouth even if he was dead. It was burnt, this- The bacon wasnt crisp, it was charred. The scrambled eggs werent scrambled, there were crystals of egg residue. The sausage was slathered in some weird sauce, and it smelled sour. What? Its delicious. Its burnt. Its not burnt. This is how we eat at home. Oh, okay. But not at my house. Then try it. Its delicious! Whats that sauce you put on the sausage? Huh-huh, its a special sauce I made! There were no answers. There was a part of me that wanted to bang my head on the table, but the food was there, so I sighed. You want me to eat this now? Are you asking me to die? Eun-hyeok, this will be good for you. Boss, Im full. Sorry. Eun-hyuk gulps down the hotcake and avoids eye contact. Do you want to trade it for toast and sausage? Speaking of which, when are we going to do our homework? I have math class later. The alchemy duo acting like they didnt hear him. These assholes. The hand holding my fork trembled. Okay, okay. Im eating, eat. Eunha dipped his fork into his plate. He chewed the sausage with a big bite. Espresso. I need an espresso. His palate was destroyed. It was a strange combination of sour, sweet, and finally salty flavors. I wanted to drink the espresso and wash my mouth out. This was poison. So go ahead and bring my espresso. No, no, no. Were only 8 years old. Ill make it when were grown up. He was restrained by Hayang. Unable to help himself, Eunha gulped down the rest of the orange juice. Ah, dear life. You dont try cooking again. Come on, you said it was delicious! Seok-hoons consideration was evident. I vividly remembered running to the bathroom with my mouth covered. Yeah, you dont touch the food again. And apologize to Uncle. Why would I do that, Seo-na, and you guys go ahead and eat it! I, I have to go to the next customer. Even though the customer hasnt come yet, Hayang runs to the counter. Minji, Im sorry. I ate too much and I feel sick. Seona puts her fox ears down and holds her stomach. She even had a pained look on her face. She really was a fox. Its delicious, but its weird. It was up to Min-ji, the cook, to dispose of the leftovers. She ate what the children did not eat without a care in the world. She cleaned up her plate. The childrens faces were horrified. What rank are you? Huh? What do you mean? No, never mind. Maybe this thing isnt human. Maybe shes a monster because she eats things that humans cant. Eunha vowed to be careful of Minji in the future. If she showed her true colors, he wouldnt hesitate to cut her down. Clang. Thats when a woman wearing a bandana walked into Happiness. Mr. Jung is in the bathroom right now. There was no one to greet her. The children looked at each other, wondering what to do. Su-jin unni! Come on in~ Hayang ran over with the menu to greet her. Hey, Hayang. Are you going to guide me today? Yes, hehe! Then can I have your guidance? Yes! Please come this way, maam. Hayang led her to a table by the window. The woman in white sandals smiled cutely and pointed at Hayangs hand. Maam, what would you like to order? Hayang politely greeted her. The woman who received the menu looked at her with a lovely smile. Okay, Ill have the brunch set for today. Yes, the brunch set of the day? Yes, thats right, Ill take the brunch set, please. Okay, maam, is there anything else you need? Sure. Um, where is Mr. Seok-hoon? I dont see him. Mr. Seok-hoon is in the restroom right now. Hayang pointed to the restroom. The woman nodded and asked for an order. Who is it? Eunha recognized the uncovered woman as very familiar. Hayang. He grabbed her as she carried the menu to the kitchen. Mhm, yeah? Who is that person? Eunha pointed to the woman who was fixing her hair while holding a mirror. This is Su-jin, shes been one of our regulars for a while now. Eunha tilted his head in confusion. He couldnt understand why he recognized Su-jin. The mystery was soon solved. Oh, Su-jin is here? Seok-hoon emerged from the bathroom covering his mouth and saw Su-jin sitting at a table, looking surprised. What do you want to have today? I ordered from Hayang earlier. Su-jin welcomed him with a bright smile as she handed him the menu. It seemed like pink flowers were only fluttering around her. Oh. So thats what it was. The atmosphere between the two of them was palpable. They looked at each other and it was clear they had a mutual affection. Maybe the future was unchanged. Eunha thought so as he watched Seok-hoon talk to Su-jin. Min Su-jin was the second daughter of the chairman of Alice Group, Min Junsik, and she was the perfect candidate for Seok-hoons remarriage before he traveled back in time. So they met here. As far as he knew, Su-jin fell for Seok-hoon at first sight and realized the potential of his potions, so she proposed an investment. It seemed like that future hadnt disappeared yet. Hayang, what do you think of that noona? He was worried about her. Before the regression, their relationship could be said to have been established without her. Now that she was alive, it was unclear how their relationship would progress. Whats more, he thought she might not be happy about her fathers remarriage. Shes a good unnie, really. Hayang said as she looked at the two of them, who were clearly attracted to each other. sea??h th n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Her face looked like someone who had lost her father. While cheering for the two of them, she couldnt fully accept it. Your father would like you even more. Yeah, thanks. Shes a really good unnie, though. Is that your gut feeling? Yeah. If you say so. Eunha stroked Hayangs hair. May she be happy. May this time never change. Eunha hoped that she could live happily ever after. E/N: I dont know if I would be able to catch up with the manhwa it seems impossiblehaha. Mostly because there are many scenes that dont appear on the manhwa or they really sum it up! Anyways thanks to all the readers for their patience, I will work hard! Chapter 51 Chapter 51[Birthday Party] Eunha still hadnt finished his homework when summer vacation ended. Strangely, every time he tried to work on his homework, Eunae would ask him to play, he would have to take care of Eunae, or the children would come over to play. Eventually, Eunha had to stay in the classroom for an hour after class to finish his vacation homework. Haha, Im finally done. Captain, what time will you be back? Luckily, he wasnt the only one who didnt do his homework. Most of the boys didnt do their homework, and in Eunhyuks case, he just wrote in his diary whenever he thought of it. Even though it was just a simple diary of his training. So he was asked by Yoo Ji-na if he had spent the entire vacation training. Yeah. Ill be there around five. Go run first. Okay. Eunhyuk hadnt neglected to train as Eunha had advised. His sword stance was now fluid and powerful. Oh, by the way. Eunhyuk said as they were about to part ways at the intersection. Tomorrow, its Seonas birthday, right? Really? Captain, do you know my birthday? I dont even know my own birthday. I do know my sisters and Eun-aes birthdays. Captain. Why are you looking at me like Im human garbage? Eunhyeok looks at him with pathetic eyes. Unable to resist his gaze, Eunha decided to change the subject. So, should I give her a birthday party? Seo-na told me once that in the church, every month they call the children whose birthdays are on the same day to have a party. Seona was a church kid, so shed never had a birthday party just for her. She couldnt pretend not to know. Whats more, she had saved her pocket money to buy herself a gift for her birthday. Maybe we should cancel training today. Yes, lets do it! Ill tell Hayang! Then Ill tell Minji. and Ill tell my sister and Julieta. And lets not forget the landlord, Grandpa. This seems to be escalating somehow. Despite the sudden thought, Eunhyuk was excited about the idea of preparing a surprise party. Captain, teach me how to hide! Lets make the surprise party. Youve gone too far, you. Eunha clicked his tongue and hit a honey-flavored snack. And so it began. The curtain was raised on Jin seonas surprise birthday party. Hey, Seona. Happy birthday. Eunhyuks drive was unparalleled. He prepared for the surprise party diligently without anyones help, just like a little troublemaker, with great enthusiasm. Furthermore, Eunhyuk even notified the students of Seonas birthday early in the morning before going to school. Thanks, but how did you know its my birthday? Seona, who had just put down her bag, seemed unfamiliar with receiving birthday wishes from the children. She looked shyly with her pointed ears drooping, and her face turned as red as a beet. How come we didnt know your birthday? Minji said in an obvious tone. Come to think of it, Seona remembered the childrens birthdays as well. So, she used some of the money she had saved to buy a birthday present for Eunha. Seona, happy birthday. Thanks. Hayang, who sat next to her, congratulated Seona on her birthday and handed her a few small chocolates as a gift. Ill enjoy them. Seona was delighted, and she never knew that she could receive birthday wishes from her friends in this way since she had always celebrated birthdays with all the children together since she was born. Its still too early to be surprised. Eunha also congratulated her on her birthday. He sat by the window and chatted with the children from time to time. We decided to have the birthday party at Happiness! Did Hayang get permission from her father? Eunha! How do you see me? Youre doing great. Im anxious because its you. Im sure Eunhyuk will do well too. The children were already exchanging glances. They were frequent mischief-makers, but when they agreed on something, they were like brothers and sisters. What are you guys doing? Seona intervened. She too seemed to be at ease exchanging glances. Fortunately, they stopped talking, and judging by their wagging tails and nodding heads, it seemed like they had a secret conversation. Theres something going on. Seona interjected. She, too, had gotten the hang of eye contact. Luckily, judging by the question mark on her tail and the way she shook her head, she didnt know what the conversation was about. Oh, just something, Eunha evaded Senas gaze. Right, you dont have to know, Minji added with a hint of attitude as she returned to her seat. Hmm, where did I stop reading yesterday? Hayang muttered to herself as she rummaged through her bag. But the childrens reaction was unsettling. Wait, do you hate me now? Seonas eyes welled up with tears. No, of course not, they tried to console her, but they couldnt shake off her lingering thoughts. Meanwhile, Sena, who had been secretly watching them, wasnt pleased with Seonas happy birthday celebrations and the fact that their dates of birth were so close. Should I give it a try? she thought with a wicked smile and sent a message on her smartphone from under the desk. Not again. Eunha exclaimed and clicked his tongue . Enjoy, girls. Its Senas. Senas birthday is coming up. Shes having a party at McDonalds this Saturday. Are you all coming? Have fun. It was lunchtime. After fourth period, the kids ran to the cafeteria, but stopped when they saw a line of men in black suits walking in. The kids following Sena had already heard the story, and the men were pulling hamburgers, fries, and chicken nuggets out of the boxes they were carrying. Hey, since Senas treating us, should we say thank you to Sena? Miss Yoo Jina was obviously uncomfortable in this position. She glanced nervously at the men in black suits, then stormed out of the classroom. Wow, theres pizza! The crowd of kids cheered when they saw what Sena had prepared. If you want more, just let me know. Ill have someone bring it right over. Hey, are you sure, I can eat as much as I want? The kid asked, swallowing hard at the thought of eating a burger right now. Sena smiled through gritted teeth, Sure. The kids cheered. They wished Sena a happy birthday, sang happy birthday to her, and started taking their fast food. Were going to lunch. Minji, who had been looking at Sena with a disapproving glance at the table, spoke up. The other kids did the same. They avoided her because they were afraid of her shit. Eunha thought it would be better to eat lunch in the cafeteria than in class. But he thought, how am I going to get out of there. Theres a lot of people. Kids from other classes were filling the hallway, smelling the food. Kids, eat up~ As if they had been waiting. Sena called out to the children who followed her, distributing fast food to the children in the hallway. It was a cauldron of enthusiasm. Ahhh, this is too much. As his head cooled, a cruel side of him unveiled itself. Oh, no. Had she sensed it? Hayang grabbed his sleeve and shook her head. I, its okay. Seona said with a bitter face. The more she said that, the colder Eunha became. This was a trick. Sena had done this on purpose. To turn an unplanned fast food meal into something, and to make Seonas birthday into nothing. He didnt like it. Id been thinking about it, but I couldnt let it slide this time. As he was thinking about this, Here. You guys take one. Before I knew it, the three leaders of the clique Sena, who had suddenly appeared, handed out fast food to Eunha and his friends. Eat up, Seona. The girl following Sena smiled and said, Yeah. You wont be able to eat much of this. I thought you said it was your birthday. I guess Sena gave you a birthday present? Happy birthday, Jin seona. Im so happy for you. They were scary kids. Out of place for their age. It was said that children grow up fast. Like how Eunhyuk and the kids trained in mana control throughout the vacation, it seemed like these kids had also learned how to stab someone with a smiling face. These brats. He flexed and uncrossed his hands. If he had a sword in his hand right now, he would have killed them all. Here. Sena wasnt afraid of him holding back. Instead, his unyielding attitude aroused her possessiveness. She wanted him. Someone who wasnt tied to anything and wasnt afraid of anyone. She wanted him. So much. She wanted him. Really. Sena reached out her hand with the thought of having him this time. This cant be ignored, can it? What is this? Eunha gestured to what Sena held out. The children following Sena were puzzled. But Sena, who had anticipated his reaction, took his attitude in stride. Its an invitation to my birthday party, she said, and were having a big one at my house this Sunday. The kids in her clique realized what her invitation meant. He was chosen. Having been warned by their parents not to offend Sena, they couldnt believe that the rebellious boy had her undivided attention. Or not, Why should I go? Eunha replied, his tone still sarcastic. If you come to my house, it will be good for you. I dont think so. Really? Your father is an office worker, and attending an event like this would be very beneficial to him. On the contrary. Sena deliberately trailed off. On the contrary, if you dont attend, what harm will come to your father? It was a threat. sigh. I guess you gave up. Senas face lit up with joy. He interpreted the sigh as a sign of surrender to himself. But he wasnt that kind of person. Unbelievable. Youre threatening me now? He had tried to hold back, but now he couldnt take it anymore. Id been patient, but now I didnt think I could take it anymore. To him, family was something that should never be touched. But Sena had. Something that shouldnt be touched. Lets kill her. It would have been better if he had done it from the beginning. So where? Somewhere unseen. It was frustrating that he couldnt kill Sena right now, but there was nothing he could do. He would kill Sena when the opportunity arose. No one would know. But before that My dad is an amazing person. You wont have anything to lose from him. He needed to know if Sena was worth killing. He wasnt the who swung his sword like crazy anymore. He was just an elementary school student, No Eunha. Let me ask you one thing. What? What does your father do? My father? Sena furrowed her brows as if she didnt know. My dad is the president of KK Pharmaceuticals, one of the subsidiaries of the KK Group. What? The president of KK Pharmaceuticals. Dont you know KK Group? KK Group. I know. How wouldnt I? Eunha looked at her with a disappointed expression. His anger, which was about to explode at any moment, subsided like adding cold water. KK Group was the seventh largest conglomerate in South Koreas financial hierarchy. The groups main businesses, now and in the future, were electricity, architecture, and advertising. KK Pharmaceuticals was not an influential company within the group. Especially not pharmaceuticals. Huh? Eunha looked back at Hanyang, who was trembling with her big eyes. A smile escaped his lips. The Alice Group is currently ranked eighth in Koreas financial hierarchy. If the future doesnt change, Jung Seok-hoon, who has received investment from Alice Group, will merge all the top pharmaceutical companies and monopolize the potion market. One small pharmaceutical company out of nowhere. It was ridiculous. Moreover, if she was a direct descendant of KK Group, her last name should have been Kim. Her last name is Jin, which means shes a fence maker. When she said she didnt know fractions, it had to be for her. Among other things. Im not going. Youll get your ass handed to you by your father. The thought of killing Senna vanished. She wasnt worth the risk. What? Sena repeated, as if shed misheard. If it comes to it, it comes to it. Are you serious? I mean it. If it means you can mess with my family, do it. Sena cant touch his family. Hed kill her if she did, but he was pretty sure she wouldnt be able to. My dad, the manager of Sirius Devices. Sirius Group is the second largest company in South Korea. Given that Sirius Groups main business is player devices and automobiles, the position of head of the department is quite powerful. As I heard a while ago. Eunha had always assumed that his father was just an ordinary office worker who could be found everywhere. So when he heard that the company he worked for was an affiliate of a group that was second in the financial hierarchy, he spat out his milk. His father, a man with nothing, working at Sirius Devices solely on his own merit, was going to be promoted to a better position next year. My dad, hes an amazing guy. And the president of a small company wants to mess with him. Wait and see. Ill make you regret it. Senas face is fierce, and shes threatening. Whatever. Ill kill you then. Eunha replied dryly. Ta-da~!! Happy birthday! Seona! Happy~ Birthday~!! Euna and Julieta blowing up birthday firecrackers. The surprise party was a success. The kids didnt divulge any information about the party until after they took her to Happiness. So when she walked into Happiness, she was so surprised that her eyes widened when Julieta and Euna set off the firecrackers. Happy birthday. Surprise~!! Seona, happy birthday. Happy birthday. Seona looked back at the children behind her. Her eyes filled with tears. She hadnt expected them to celebrate in this way, as she had wondered if she would be alone all day. T, thank you. Finally, she burst into tears. Crying can wait, we have a birthday cake! Minji brought in a large cake with Jung Seok-hoons help. Phew, thats good. What? Are you done talking? Eunha and Minji have a snowball fight. After wiping her tears, Seona cried and then laughed. There were many people gathered at Happiness. She felt indescribably happy that people had taken the time to celebrate with her. She cried and laughed. Her tears were filled with happiness and flowed down, while her smile couldnt hide her joy. Youre going to ruin your pretty face. Euna hugged her tightly. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she clung to Euna and wagged her tail. The candles will go out! Jin Seona, why arent you turning off the lights! Eunhyuk, the organizer of the surprise party, shouted. Then people started singing happy birthday, [Thank you all]. Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seona carefully blew out the flickering flame. Happy birthday! Happy birthday My dear Jin Seona~! Happy~ birthday~to you! Happy birthday!!! Chapter 52 Chapter 52[Father]. My team is going to win today! Euna declared as she packed her lunch. Yeah, my sisters team will win. Eunha replied dryly, yawning. Eunas declaration of war was nothing new, as shed been saying it ever since the schools athletic schedule was set and they were split into different teams. Thats not nice. Why? What did I do wrong? His drowsiness vanished. Eunha was surprised at what Euna said as he was packing the side dishes in the lunchbox. If Euna gets mad, its a big deal. Remembering the days when they couldnt even talk for a few days, Eunha didnt hesitate to console her. Just answer properly from now on. Sorry, sis. I wont do it again. Okay? Youre not even listening to me now When did I ever ignore you, sis? He was sure he had never ignored her. She was too special to him. It was unfair that she didnt recognize that. It was unfair, but he didnt say so. Euna was her eternal reward. Before his regression, he had rebelled against the Fairy Godmother, but he couldnt do anything against Euna. Youve been answering halfheartedly lately. Sorry. I wont do it again. Mwah. Yeah? Mwah. (kiss) Euna flipped her hair back and pouted her cheeks. It meant if you did wrong, show it through your actions. Ow! Ouw! There was no way Eunae would miss this scene. She had been awake since early in the morning and clung to the chair he was sitting in. Eunae, too? Euna took off the vinyl gloves from one hand. She got off the chair and hugged her little sister who asked for a hug. Nana. Nana. Euna poked her sisters face with her small hand, and then she suddenly pushed her cheek forward. Ouch~ How cute~! Both her younger brother and sister were lovely. Euna gave a smooch even though her sister didnt offer her cheek. Feeling happy, Euna chuckled. Ohhh. So over the top. Eunha was the next person Eunae asked for a kiss. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunae clung to him, her hands flailing about, trying to catch him. He wanted to hug her as much as she did, but his hands were greasy, so he only gave her a kiss. Eunae, did you sleep well? Ow! They were siblings who got along well since the morning. Their father smiled contentedly as he watched the children kissing each other. He also wanted to greet his daughters in the morning. Oh, I have to go to school now. Recently, Euna avoided kissing her father. She turned her gaze away and ran into her room without looking back. Ouw. Eunae always followed her example. As she avoided the kiss, Eunae also turned her head this way and that. Ugh, Euna and Eunae. I heard that raising a daughter is useless. The father, who remembered the story he heard at a recent company dinner, shed tears. His gruff face became even uglier. Youre also unbelievable. My wife is the best. If it werent for my mother taking pity on him, he might have sulked all day. Well, Eunha has to go to school. Oh, right. Mommy and Daddy will be there in a little while. Yeah, okay. Eunha handed his mother the lunchbox hed packed, which was mostly meat and fries. Jumping out of his chair, he grabbed his bag and left the house with Euna. The meeting point was the schoolyard. The playground was filled with children wearing blue and white caps from the early morning hours. Captain! Finding the tag of 1st grade 4th class was also a hassle. Luckily, he spotted Eunhyuk jumping up and down and waving. Noona, that must be our class. Ill go first. Yeah! See you later for lunch. Ill go to your class. Okay. Dont get hurt. You too, Eunha! Euna was on the blue team and Eunha was on the white team. Wearing different colored hats, they exchanged a quick greeting and parted ways. Captain, Ill show you the results of todays training! Dont collapse for no reason. It hasnt even started yet. Eunhyuk was already motivated. He looked around and saw that all the kids in class 4 were doing the same. The kids in the white hats were looking intense. What? This is going to be hard. Eunha clicked his tongue. He had intended to pass the time, but it didnt seem like he could do it with this attitude. The teacher said that if we get first place, shell take us out to dinner and buy jajangmyeon(1) This was the reason for the childrens motivation. Miss Yoo Ji-na had agreed to buy jajangmyeon if the kids won and beat the begging for something. Minji, who was playing with the girls, shrugged and pointed to Miss Ji-na. My, my money. No, itll be fine. Miss Ji-na sighed as she opened her wallet, desperately hoping that she wouldnt have to spend a fortune. The sports day started with a boring speech from the principal. The children were divided into blue and white teams, and some of them dozed off. Usually, when you doze off while standing, you lose your center and fall. But unlike the others, Eunha slept without stirring. Did you come to school to sleep? Min-ji gave him a sarcastic remark. She couldnt understand why he always dozed off when he came to school. How nice to sleep when you can. There was a time, not long after he graduated from the academy, when he had to kill a monster without sleep for three days. Since then, hes been able to sleep in any environment. Hes even mastered the art of detecting life in his sleep. You think Im happy? What? Why are you touching my head? Youre messing up my hair! Finally, the principals speech was over. Stretching out, he stroked her hair no matter what she said. Even though she was angry at him for touching her hair, she didnt tell him not to. When Eunhyuk tried to hitch a ride with Minji because he was bored, she noticed him like a ghost and rolled her eyes. Whats wrong with you? Really. She grumbled and left. Why is she only like that to me? Shes like that to me too. Eunhyuk shrugged his gloomy shoulders and waved his hand in the air. Eunha patted him on the back. You know she has a bad personality. You understand. Yeah, youre right. She does have a bad personality. I can hear you. She only had good ears for times like this. Minji, who was talking to the girls, glared at them. Eunha grumbled to himself. He didnt feel like fighting this morning, so he kept his mouth shut. Ah, my turn. Bye, captain! Just then, an announcement came that the 100-meter run was about to begin. Fixing his white cap, Eunhyuk hurried to the center of the field. Ill show you the results of my training! When deciding which events to participate in, Eunhyuk insisted on running the 100 meters. He wanted to win the 100 meter dash to show his growth. Ready! Gunpowder exploded with a bang. The kids who were in a ready position rushed out in unison. Eunhyuk was the one who took the lead. This was nothing! He didnt even need to use mana. He easily took first place with the physical strength he had developed through training. It looked like he was going to win the championship. If only he hadnt made a mistake in the final. Gah! What an idiot. The 100 meter dash between grades. Once again, Eunhyuk was running for first place against kids with higher grades. The problem was that he couldnt rely on his physical abilities alone to win against the bigger kids. So he tried to boost his physical performance by manifesting his internal mana. However, he misjudged his pace and ran out of mana before he reached the goal. Wao, the sky is spinning. Hey, Eunhyuk, get it together! Eunhyuk collapsed with the goal in sight. Meanwhile, other kids overtook him and entered the goal area. Miis Yoo ji-na was surprised to see him collapse after being picked off. Running to the field, she had to carry him out with another teacher. I knew hed do that. I shouldnt praise him for doing well. He was just a troublemaker. He vowed to change his personality sooner rather than later so that he could see things calmly. Eunha, I got first place! The girls 100-meter race was over. After winning the race, Euna didnt go back to her class but hugged him tightly. First place! First place! Thats my sister. I knew Euna would win first place. Even if she sometimes acted out of character, she wasnt as stupid as Eunhyeok. What a genius my sister is. It didnt matter if she was on the blue team. He was more than happy for her to win than anyone else. Hehe, see you later. Dont get hurt. You too. Dont push yourself too hard. They clapped and went back to their teams. Seo-na took second place in the inter-grade run. Euna, shes so fast. Seona pouted her lips. She didnt care what people thought of her, and she did her best as a child, but she was still upset that she couldnt catch up to Euna. Yeah, thats my sister. You were thinking about Euna unnie right now. No, I was thinking about lunch today. Youre lying. Tell me the truth. Who were you rooting for? Seo-na narrowed her eyes with a sly look on her face. She pinned him down to answer while perking up her pointy ears. (1) jajangmyeon E/N: Im sorry for not updating as usualI caught up with some personal circumstances so I hope you guys understand. Tomorrows schedule will be as regular or some changes will be made depending on the situation. Chapter 53 Chapter 53[Father (2)] Speaking of which, wheres Hayang? He changed the subject. Ah, shes in a scavenger hunt. She pointed to the scavenger hunt that had started after the 100-meter run. What is she looking for? Unlike the kids running through the crowd with the paper, Hayang looked at the paper and looked around. It seemed to be an elusive object. Even as the other kids ran to the finish line, she was still looking around. And then, I found it! Oh, Hayang? Hayang spotted Julieta in the crowd. Unnie! Hurry up and run! Cosa!? (What!?) Hayang jumped up and grabbed her hand. She tugged on the pink ribbon and started dragging her without explanation. Hayang. Can you at least explain whats going on? Please! Lets go with me! Sister come on! Come on! Why are you speaking English? Julieta shook her head. She didnt know what it was, but she had to run. She ran after her, unfazed by the fact that she was wearing high-heeled shoes. Phew, thank goodness. I got in just in time. At least she didnt come in last. Hayang patted her chest. Which one was it, and why did you take Julieta unnie with you? Hayang, which one did you pick? Eunha and Seona asked, curious to know what the note Hayang had picked. American. Huh? Did I hear that wrong? He furrowed his brow and asked again. It said American. I thought Julieta was Italian. When he looked at her, Hayang giggled and circled around her. I couldnt think of anyone else but Julietta, so Julietas quick thinking was also impressive. As soon as she saw the note, she fooled the judges by pretending to be an American and speaking in English. Wow, thats impressive. So, what was it? Julieta herself thought it was funny, and he could see his mother in the distance, chatting with her. Im surprised, Jung Hayang. Hehe. When I first met her, she was just a crybaby. Now, shes learned to use her wits. Eun-hyeok, please be more like her. Ugh, this is what its like to be drunk. Eunha sighed as he looked at Eunhyuk lying there with an ice cube on his forehead. It was almost the end of part one before they knew it. The kids were running around enthusiastically, eager to finish Part 1 and eat lunch. How can I dodge that! Thats a foul! The kids on the blue team stuck out their tongues as they watched Eunha dodge the ball from side to side. There was only one person left on the white team, Eunha. Still, the blue team couldnt hit him. Even when the children exchanged the ball and attacked each other, Eun-ha let the ball slip away by a paper-thin difference. Oh, this is so annoying. Eunha felt like ending the game after getting hit by the ball. Sar?h the ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If Euna hadnt said, Ill hate you if you dont mean it! beforehand, he might have been resting under the shade earlier. But Euna, if I play my heart out, the blue team will be no match for me, even if they come in droves. It was an elementary school sports meet. Euna told him to play his heart out, but he had to stay in the middle. So Eunha was focusing on dodging the ball, not throwing it. No Eunha, what are you doing dodging the ball? Throw it! Then you guys can catch it for me. Min-ji, who had been sent off after an accidental attack, clapped her hands together and shouted. She and the other kids were cheering him on and yelling at him to attack. Why are you making me do it? Eunha grumbled to himself. He caught the ball flying in from the front and threw it to the white team kid right next to him. Huh? Huh? You throw it. I cant be bothered to dodge it. Hey, pass it, Hayang! The teammate who caught the ball threw it in a curve to Hayang on the other side. Hayang was momentarily surprised. As soon as she caught the ball, she hit the boy from the blue team standing right in front of her. It was an unexpected surprise attack. Seona. Yeah, leave it to me. The white team kids were now throwing the ball. The blue team tried to take advantage of the opportunity and steal the ball, but each time, Eunha managed to retrieve it. Eventually, the blue team members were forced to run and dodge the balls thrown by the eliminated white team members. Meanwhile, one by one, the blue team kids were leaving, until finally, there was only one kid left on the blue team. Eat this! Minji was the last to throw the ball. She leapt from her seat and slammed the spike into the blue teams stomach. Phew, refreshing. Youre not even human. Minji was satisfied. Eunha didnt miss the moment she hit the spike, loading it with mana. The child who had been struck in the stomach was still on the ground, twitching and writhing. You really arent even human. He cant die like that. Eunha looked at her with a pathetic gaze. Minji dodged slightly. Seeing the player grabbing his stomach and crying, she also thought it was too much. We can apologize later. Lets go! We have another game coming up. I cant even rest in dodgeball and the isosceles triangle. Why did I say I would do this consecutively? Because you picked the ones you were comfortable with. The final game of the day was dodgeball. After winning the team dodgeball competition, Eunha had to play back-to-back games with only a sigh of relief. The score was 480 for the blue team and 420 for the white team. The white team was trying desperately, but it was hard to close the gap. The only way for them to catch up with the blue team was to win the double triangle. First place again! But the love triangle ended in favor of the blue team. It was all because of Euna. Euna, who is used to taking first place whenever she goes out, didnt miss out on a first place in the duathlon. Competing in three events, she earned 150 points. Thats my sister. Of course, shes my daughter. Eunha and his father nodded in unison. The two people who greeted her with a wave and a smile exchanged a satisfied smile. Even that smile seemed copied. Youre not hurt, are you? Im fine. Eunha wiped his hands and knees with a wet wipe. Hed gotten the beat wrong in the love triangle and had fallen a few times. Luckily, he wasnt hurt, but his partner, Minji, was firmly horned. So the two of them were on their way back from a fight in the middle of the playground. Eunha was awesome today! Well done. Julieta and Bruno greeted him. When they heard that Bruno had used his vacation time to watch the game, they felt sorry for him. Wow! This looks delicious! Eunhas eyes lit up as he opened her lunch box, his mouth watering from the physical exertion hed been putting in all morning. Eunha, why dont you share this with your friends? Okay, Mom. There were more side dishes than when he left the house in the morning. Eunha grabbed the food his mother had put on his plate and got up from the mat. Here. Lets bang with this. Whos to blame, Im so embarrassed now! Ah, I dont know~ I gave Minji the food and walked away. He was hungry too, and had no energy left to argue with her. Ah, Captain. Thank you. Ill eat. Eun-hyeok, who was still in the midst of being scolded by his parents, greeted him. He was still lying down, his head still dizzy. He didnt want to get in trouble if he stayed, so Eunha left, leaving only the side dishes. My mom asked me to bring you this. Okay, tell her thank you. The last table she visited was with Hayang and Seona. Hi, Eunha. Yes, hello. Jung Seok-hoon wasnt the only one there. Min Su-jin, dressed casually, greeted him. She had helped him pack his lunch from the morning. They must get along well. Although Su-jin was born into a chaebol family, she didnt seem to have the arrogance and haughtiness of a prodigal chaebol child. You could tell by the way she walked to school instead of taking a car, or by the way she didnt mind seeing Seo-na, an Ain child. Come to think of it, before the regression. As far as he knew, Jung Seok-hoon and Min Su-jin had no children. It had been a long time since they had remarried, but he remembered hearing that she had a difficult time getting pregnant. If they remarried in this lifetime, they would have a daughter named Hayang. They two got along very well. You could almost say they were mother and daughter. Eunha turned to go back to his seat, hoping to make Hayang happy. He was about to turn around. Oh, hello. Under the shade was a parasol installed on the ground. Raising her teacup, Sena pretended to recognize him as he passed by. What is this she doing in a sandbox? Eunha was stunned to see Senas lunch. The white round table was lined with expensive food. This was why it was so hard to eat with sand in it. Take this away. Senas response was simple. She ordered the cook to change the plates if there was sand in the food. The chef quietly approached, took the sandy food away, and put a new dish on the table. What a waste of money. It was a waste. She wasnt the only one practicing waste. Around her, she saw several children being served by hired hands. They were the children of chaebol families attending Doan Elementary School. Okay. Bye. Bye. Dealing with them would be annoying. Eunha turned to leave before Sena could protest. Wait. There was no way hed hear her. He tried to ignore her, You must be Eunha. Suddenly, a tall man stood in his way. The man looked down at him in an arrogant manner. Dad, hes the one I told you about before. Sena sipped her tea with a nonchalant attitude. So, youve been bullying my Sena? A haughty, arrogant voice. The mans demeanor was blatantly condescending. Eunha turned to the man who had created a shadow that threatened to cover him-, Ha, you really told him? Did not avert his gaze. Chapter 54 Chapter 54[Father (3)] Jin Young-woon, president of KK Pharmaceuticals. He wondered who the child was who was upsetting Sena. At first, he thought the child was foolish. You can dismiss it as the rash behavior of a child who doesnt know any better, but if it happens twice and then three times, you can only think of it as a monkey who doesnt know whats going on in the world. After that, I became curious. I wondered what would happen to a child who didnt know how to count when he learned his true identity. I wondered how he, a mere insignificant creature, would feel in the face of the power of an exalted person. Finally, anger. When he heard that the child had denied his beloved daughter Sena a birthday party, his anger rose to the top of his head. How dare you. He was offended. He felt insulted just by hearing Senas story. A man of noble birth should live with honor. Honor was very important to Jin Young-woon, president of KK Pharmaceuticals, one of the affiliated companies of the KK Group. Now, a child with no power had tarnished his, Senas, and KKs name. I wondered what he looked like. And today. Jin Young-woon purposely cleared his schedule and came to watch the athletic meet. All to directly punish a kid who doesnt even know fractions. An insignificant kid. But the moment he saw him, he realized how much more insignificant he was than he expected. No Eunha, he was a typical commoners child. The sand-stained T-shirt, the scuffed shoes, the scars on his knees and elbows. His fierce eyes might be cute now, but as an adult, theyd give off a rugged air. Even if he was lucky enough to get a job, hed probably end up as his bodyguard. Ill have to see how bad he is at fractions, though. Jin Young-woon took a step forward. His voice was low and threatening. Are you an idiot who doesnt know fractions? Ha. Whats this? He sighed? The kid was more than a little bold, he was about to punch him. Jin Young-woon frowned. Even if it wasnt, his bad mood had taken another turn. Did you just sigh at my dad? A wide-eyed Sena spat out in a prickly tone. She set her teacup down with a deliberate sound. So what? What, what did you say? Eunha repeated in a tone that was all too familiar. This time, it was Sena who felt the absurdity. She was at a loss for words. Youre a brat. A brat. On the outside, Young-woon spoke gently, but on the inside, he was seething with anger. There was nothing worse than not being able to act like an adult to a child in public. He glared at Eunha with a stern look in his eyes. You talk too much about your little pharmaceutical company. Eunha didnt mind the stares. He wasnt intimidated. Even when Jin Young-woon scolded him, Eunha didnt show the slightest hint of remorse. In fact, he even muttered something like this in an irritated tone. You dare!! However, Jin young-woon couldnt stand this insult in an adult manner. He lost his mind. How dare this brat, how dare! He clenched his fists with a reddened face. He didnt think he could relieve his frustration without punching the kid, who was staring at him, unsure of what hed done wrong. A child needs to be hit to wake up. Especially if its an underclassman. If there were any problems later, hed get his legal team involved. Money is everything. Do you want to die? What? It wasnt that this kid wasnt scared. He realized as he watched him threaten him, not even blinking when a fist flew straight at him. This kid had lost all sense of fear. In other words, hes crazy. Thats what I thought as he glared at me coldly. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I had to show him the error of his ways. A punch would wake him up. With that in mind, he steeled his fists, You want to die? My fist stopped in midair. This guy, what the hell. The last words out of his mouth. The moment I heard those words, my body went cold, as if I had been doused in ice water. Like I shouldnt have touched him. Arent you going to hit me? the child asked calmly. He couldnt answer. His mouth wouldnt move. He felt like he was walking on a blade. If he took the slightest step, he would be slashed without mercy. Whats wrong with a kid? It was the same as when I met Kim Geon, the chairman of KK Group. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For the first time in his life, he was terrified by the rawness of the child. He couldnt back down like this. He had dignity. For the noble, it is a name; for the lowly, it is pride. Achild! Young-woon moved his cold, rigid body heavily. Eunha glared at the fist that was coming at him in slow motion. He was going to kill him the moment his fist touched his face. So come, and regret it. So die, and give up. This life is-. Give up. Eunha was about to say that. You bastard, where do you get off hitting my son! Jin Young-woons fist was about to strike. His father, who had rushed from the side, swung the fist he had pulled back as hard as he could. Crack! Boss! Dad!!! Jin Young-woon was thrown back by the direct hit and his head rang. He couldnt even stand up, his body shaking. The bodyguards faces were filled with despair. They swarmed around him, trying to catch up. He paid them no mind. He was only looking at his son. Are you all right? Are you hurt? Despite the harshness of his gaze, the emotion in his eyes was worry. Grabbed by the shoulders, Eunha blinked, unable to comprehend what was happening. Ahhurt? You dont look hurt. He didnt ask for an explanation. Once he was satisfied that Eunha was safe, he turned to Jin Young-woon, who was getting up covered in dirt. Y-, how dare you. Youre no better than a dog, and you hit me? Young-woon glared at his father with a reddened face, a fist-sized mark clearly visible on his face. These bastards. Eunha looked around at the bodyguards who were always ready to grab his father and shot a murderous look. Im going to kill them. He drew on the mana in his body. Powering each of his fingers, he wasnt going to guarantee their lives if they made the slightest move. Its okay. If his father, who showed his large back, had not said so. Eunha nearly lost his cool. You, you. Who the hell do you think you are, do you even know who I am? Do you even know who I am? What? Why would I need to know that? Jin Young-woon frowned. His face, which had lost its poker face, contained such emotions. Arent you Mr. Jin Young-woon, president of KK Pharmaceuticals? Thats right. Is this why you dont remember me? His father sighed. Both father and child were the same in their disdain for the other. Jin Young-woons stomach was about to boil over, He tucked his glasses into his shirt pocket. Then he swept his bangs with both hands. His forehead was exposed. An overall sleek, yet fierce look. Jin Youngwoon saw it. No, no, Director Noh? (1) Why is this person here! He was stunned. He was the head of the Strategic Management Planning Department in charge of Sirius Devices. You finally remember me. Now, how did you get here. You? Mr. Noh repeated, one eyebrow raised. Oh, no, Im sorry, I was just wondering why youre here, the head of the planning department. Im here to watch my daughter and sons athletic meet. I guess you are too, but, did you have some friction with my child? Jin Young-woon swallowed hard. He had to be careful what he said from now on. KK Pharmaceuticals was not a company directly associated with Sirius Devices. KK Pharmaceuticals outsourced its potion business to subcontractors and promoted its products through KK and Galaxy Group. However, Sirius Group was considered to be on par with Galaxy Group, which was considered to be the best in Korea, and Sirius Devices was the most influential affiliate of Sirius Group. Moreover, Mr. Noh, what a man he was. Most businessmen knew the rumors that he was trusted to take over the group in the future. I couldnt pretend with him. Haha, there must have been a misunderstanding. You must be Mr. Nohs son, I guess I made a mistake. Im sorry, kid. Dad. Even though it wasnt a word, Young-woon lowered his head. Even among people of high status, there were those above and those below. As the head of Sirius Devices, he belonged to the top, and with a small pharmaceutical company, he belonged to the bottom. I dont think Im the one who should be apologizing. Im sorry. He blushed for a moment, but he remained as calm as he had been earlier. Mr. Noh was a seasoned man who could use his actions as a weapon. He didnt want to think about what would happen if he caused damage to KK Group in any way, and if it reached Kim Geon, the chairman of KK Group. He would then become the lowlife he despised. He might as well bow down to a child. Jin Young-woon bowed his head in self-deprecation, saying it was for the good of KK Pharmaceuticals. Eunha accepted his apology without a word. It burned his insides even more, but he clenched his fists and bit his lip. Come on, Jin-sena, you should apologize too. IapologizeI. Sena couldnt believe it all. Her pride wouldnt allow it. Still, she had to do as her father said. Her body shuddered. Her head slowly lowered, a million thoughts passing through her mind, an unspeakable sense of humiliation flooding through her. When she lifted her face, tears were streaming down her cheeks. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, she ran away from the crowd. No one caught her. I hope I didnt hit you earlier. Haha. Ive never been hit, but. Young-woon shivered. His father didnt react. After exchanging a modest bow with him, he walked away with Eunha. Eunha. Yes, Dad. He wondered if he was going to scold him. Eunha waited for his next words. If something like this happens again, . tell Daddy. Dont try to figure it out on your own. You know how great your dad is. Yeah, okay, thanks, Dad. His father looked unusually generous today. I wasnt used to being protected by someone. But this wasnt a bad thing. Eunha walked with his father, feeling a warm feeling in his chest. Shall we go to lunch? Yeah! I think my sister might be done eating. They looked at each other and smiled. The way they walked, the way they smiled, they were father and son. The competition ended with a victory for the blue team without any upsets. Voila! This is the grand prize! Thats my daughter! Well have to eat something expensive for dinner tonight. Eunas performance also stood out in the second round. She took the podium as a representative of the blue team and won the grand prize. Ugh. Captain, Ill go first. Uh, take care of yourself. From tomorrow, hell be able to roll. In Part 2, Eunhyuk regained his strength, but this time he tripped over a stone beak. He was distracted by his mana allocation. He had to be carried on his parents backs. You cant move well. You cant fight. Youre tone-deaf. Do you have all three? What makes you think Im tone-deaf? And youre a bad cook. In part two, Eunha was paired with Minji to compete. They had to keep time to the beat, but he couldnt and was the first to be eliminated. Good job today! Well go first~ See you next week~ Hayang and Seo-na left the field holding hands. Behind them, Jung Seok-hoon and Min Su-jin walked side by side. It was over. After sending his friends off, Eunha was alone with his thoughts. In the end, Sena didnt return for part 2. She only informed Gina that she was withdrawing from all events. Her pride must have been bruised. nothing unpleasant would happen in the future. After today, Sena realized that the power she wielded was nothing to sneeze at. So for now, she will remain untouchable. For now. Nature doesnt change anytime soon. What are you thinking about? Nothing. Lets go, sis. Yeah! Taking Eunas hand, Eunha joined the crowd exiting the playground. And with that, the first sports day came to an end. Darkness fell over the ruins. A man stepped on a piece of glass with his worn-out shoes. He looked out the window with broken glass fragments scattered here and there and lit a cigarette. The man who lit the cigarette was a silent figure in the darkness. Having done his part, the man melted into the darkness. I guess I have to come all the way out here to hire you, huh? The man who was smoking asked in an annoyed tone. His gaze fell upon a man wearing sunglasses who had suddenly appeared. Sunglasses in the darkness? How strange. The man chuckled. The man wearing sunglasses remained silent. The man continued talking, unfazed. Im trying to do something really big, but there are some thorns in my side So I was hoping you could help me out a bit. Money? The man with sunglasses spoke firmly. The man with the cigarette smirked. He gestured lightly, and a man emerged from the shadows. The man carried a bag. 15 billion won upfront. If we succeed, Ill give you another 15 billion won. The man crushed a cigarette with his foot. He waited for the man in sunglasses to answer. The man in sunglasses replied. OK. The man disappeared. Without a trace. Huh. As if hed seen a ghost. The lone man burst out laughing. Ha ha. Very lightly. Hahaha. Very cheerful. Then the laughter died away, and the place was a darkened ruin. Chapter 55 Chapter 55[Dawn Department Store]. Dawn Group is the fourth largest conglomerate in South Korea. Its main businesses are food and distribution and department stores. Chairwoman Lee Yoon-hees ability to read the market has allowed her to dominate the food and retail sectors in a post-crash world. Her management skills were also unrivaled in the department store sector. The story of how she had established Dawn Department Stores all over the country even before she took over was the stuff of legend. Wow! Euna exclaimed as she entered the revolving door and saw the huge dome-shaped space. Even with so many people coming and going, there was not the slightest noise. On the contrary, upbeat music filled the place, as if the excitement was understated. The Dawn Department Store they visited today was the first store opened by chairwoman Lee Yoon-hee, marking the beginning of her department store business. The first store, located in Seongbuk-gu, was the only one with a dome-shaped structure. Its changed a lot. Eunha looked around the vast space. The overall atmosphere was similar before and after the regression. Wow! Thats really cheap! Kyaa~! This is so pretty! He suddenly remembered the twin sisters who spent money like water. They didnt belong in a department store. Yet, whenever they had money, they would swipe their cards, even if they didnt have any. Sometimes theyd be followed around by their adoring partygoers with their luggage. He was no exception. You want me to carry this? The leader should carry it. Who else should be carrying it? Is he crazy because he wants to die? Oh, no, thats not good. Leader, dont live like that. Were the only ones who take a crazy guy like you in, so you should be grateful. Youre right. So listen up. The twins stories of losing their parents, rolling in brothels, and turning into players didnt scare him in the slightest. Unscrewed bitches. Oh my God, were not the only ones whove been unscrewed. Did we get our bra straps undone today? Were you a no-bra today? I meant I took off my panties before coming here. Uh-oh. So youre a no-panty today? . They were two girls who didnt belong in a department store. But what were their names again? It was memorable enough to remember their names. Eunha couldnt remember the names of the giggling twins in his flashbacks. Even their faces were a blur. Maybe its okay if he cant remember them. After all, they died shortly after entering the party. He had forced his companions to sacrifice until the very end, stepping over the corpses of countless others, and the number of those who had disappeared in his wake was uncountable. No wonder it was so faint. The twin sisters impressions were so intense that it was the only thing that remained. Are you sure I can buy this? You said you wanted to buy it. Why are you talking about it now? Sigh If only you could say things nicely. Fine, buy it for me. By the way, this also happened at that time. Yoo-jung.She had only come to look at clothes, dragged along by the twin sisters against her will. She was a person who pursued efficiency and practicality like that. Eunha, what are you thinking? Oh, sorry. Its just been so long. Long time? Nah. Its nothing. Thats not true. Shaking himself out of his reminiscing, Eunha smiled at the modestly dressed Euna. She may be my sister, but shes really pretty. Even objectively, Euna was the picture of beauty. She was about to become a junior high school student, and she had an unmistakable presence in the crowd. Eunha, dont get tired already! Julieta, was also paying attention to him. This morning, having declared her intention to go to the department store, Julieta wore a light green dress that matched her eyes and was spritzed with perfume. Even if she wasnt, her makeup was enough to make passersby take a second look. Im sorry. Eunha. Just buy me something good. Okay. Bruno was the same, he was dressed in a white t-shirt, dark blue sweater, and a black coat over it, giving off a different vibe than usual. It looked good on him. Bruno looked better in a suit than he did in a t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Unnie, where are we going to look first? Euna asked, her eyes shining. Clothes, of course! Julietas eyes lit up as well. There was no stopping them. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunha and Bruno sighed inwardly. It had happened this morning. Julieta had burst through the door and talked about going to the department store. But their parents werent in a position to go to a department store. His father had to work on weekends, and his mother had to take care of Eunae. Its okay, Ill take care of them! No matter what, thats a bit. Julieta insisted on taking just the two children. His mother didnt feel comfortable leaving the children with Julieta. Especially when she mentioned that she was going to buy Christmas presents for Eunha and Euna. Julie is doing this because she likes it. Of course, Bruno! If it werent for Brunos intervention, the two would never have made it to the department store. I wanted to stay home. His mother patted Eunha on the back, asking for his sister to take care of him. It was an insurmountable task for Eunha, who had wanted to play with Eunae all weekend. Especially with Julietta in the mix. Where did my sister go, uncle Bruno? What about Julietta? She went up to the fifth floor earlier. If you looked away even a little bit, they would disappear. One look away and theyre gone. Eunha already had a headache. He didnt want Euna and Julieta to get into any trouble. Theyll be hard to find. On the first floor alone, there were tons of people coming and going. Even if they deployed the mana detection net, it would take time to find the mana in their bodies. Moreover, Euna was in the process of exhausting her mana. Dont worry. I have this. A smartphone? No. It wasnt a smartphone. Eunha looked at the phone Bruno held out to his in disbelief. The screen detailed the layout of the department store. A red dot was moving toward the fifth floor. Mr. Bruno, what are you? Smartphones dont provide detailed location information by default. In other words, Bruno had obtained the department store floor plan through illegal means. Does Julieta know about this? Its a secret. Eunha nodded like a machine. He could see why Bruno had found it so easy to find the elusive Julieta. Wait, so I can put a GPS on her too! Mister, I want to put one of those on my sister too. Have a smartphone first. Then youll do it! Eunha asked excitedly. Then, Ill think about it. Ha. Okay. Eunha clicked his tongue inwardly. Bruno stroked his hair, his eyes unreadable for emotion. Lets go upstairs. Yeah~ The two took the escalator to the fifth floor. The escalators to the second floor were at three and nine oclock from where they entered. Naturally, they had to walk through a quarter of the space. What? As they walked past people, Eunha sensed something was wrong and stopped. Lets go. A man walked by, calling to someone. He was wearing sunglasses. Wearing sunglasses in a department store, he was bound to stand out. But people didnt give him any attention. Why is he here. As the man passed by, Eunha couldnt miss the tattoo on his left wrist. Half hidden by his sleeve, the tattoo featured a skull surrounded by a black cloth. . . If he hadnt seen it, he would have passed like everyone else. Whats wrong? Bruno called out to him as he stopped dead in his tracks. Eunha didnt answer, just stared in the direction the man had walked. The man was gone. That was his gift. Mister. Isnt something wrong? Turning away, Eunha opened his mouth, sensing that something was happening that he didnt recognize. Hmm. Bruno stroked his chin in silence. He rolled his eyes and looked around. Three. What? Three. The one whos acting weird. Unleashing a sensory net would only lead to backtracking. The person Bruno was talking about was probably a player. So Eunha shot mana in the direction he pointed. Bruno immediately understood his intentions. The two of them stepped up and made their way through the crowd like it was nothing. As expected, all three were players, trained players. They skillfully deflected the flying mana. Moving. Two. The short Eunha couldnt see the players in the distance; he was relying solely on Brunos information to organize the situation. The players reacted quickly. Two players started moving in the direction the mana had come from. Eunha and Bruno had already left the area. Moving to another location, they observed the players circling the area where they had been. Wheres the other one? Keeping watch in place. Meanwhile, two of the players concluded that they couldnt be traced back and quickly moved away, only to realize in hindsight that they had alerted their opponents to their movements. The third players actions were quicker than before. They had blended into the crowd and started to break away from the flow. Eunga seized the opportunity to distract them. He approached the closest player. As he walked away with his hands in his pockets, he dropped something along the way. What was that? A blue gemstone, rolling around on the sidewalk under the feet of passersby. A gemstone. No way, these bastards! At that moment, Eunha realized their intentions. Raising his head quickly, he looked around the entire space. A song was playing. A cheerful one. And like the song, mana was flowing around him. Crazy. He groaned lowly, noticing the omnipresence of mana only now. He gritted his teeth, remembering the man who had disappeared a moment ago. This must be Nonames doing. With his gift for impairing perception, he could have fooled the eyes of a former player. That wasnt the problem. It wasnt the time to hide the location now. Noh Eunha! Bruno, still unable to comprehend the situation, called out to the mana-manifesting Eunha Ignoring his shout, Eunha spread its sensors across the space. Shit. It had already begun. Too late. A total of eleven gems had been caught by the sensors. Maybe more. Since there were currently only eleven mana omnipresent. You crazy bastards. He couldnt understand s purpose, or rather, his employers purpose. Why terrorize a department store? No, this is not the time. It was none of his business who was doing it, or why they were doing it. Uncle Bruno, get upstairs! The important thing was to get Euna out of there. Otherwise. Aaaahhhhh!! Eunha heard a scream that overshadowed the singing voice flowing in the hall and covered his eyes. This is. Bruno deployed his sensory nets as well, taking stock of the situation. Mana was everywhere. Monsters were being born from the omnipresence, and then monsters were being born from other omnipresences. It was happening on every floor. Lets go. He hung up the phone amidst the music that filled the space. The man nonchalantly walked past people screaming and running away. No one noticed his presence. Chapter 56 Chapter 56[dawn department store (2)] Noname. A player who hunts players. No one knows his identity. They only know that he wears sunglasses everywhere and has a tattoo on his left wrist. He is called , meaning he is a player without a name, because of his gift. His gift is the ability to manifest mana within his body, which impairs cognitive abilities related to something. It wasnt a practical gift against monsters that recognized people as humans, but it was a very practical gift against people that recognized people for who they were. And Noname utilized his gift to the fullest, becoming a hired gun to hunt down players. There was no job he couldnt complete. If his employer paid him enough to satisfy him, he would use his gifts to murder the target, sometimes boldly, sometimes stealthily. No players, no politicians, no entrepreneurs. His targets never survived. Until he encountered the . When Noname attempted to kidnap the next fairy godmother, Baekryeon, he was caught by the undead and forced to die a brutal death. And that is here now. You died by my hand, very much. Eunha grunted as he ran through the crowd. Now he was running for the nearest escalator. Its unclear whether Noname is simply terrorizing a department store or trying to assassinate someone. But Eunha didnt care what Nonames purpose was, or what his employers intentions were. All that mattered to him right now was that this guy was trying to shit on his life. Eunha, be careful. Bruno pushed past the people fleeing from the other side and stepped forward. A mana-coated fist smashed into the skull of a charging Hound. It was a remarkable strike. Best of all, he wasnt equipped with a player device, and there wasnt a single bit of mana wasted in his running, punching motion, or mana control. The assessment of him was not wrong in the slightest. Bruno, he was as good a player as Eunha expected. Lets go. Come on. Okay. The most important thing was to save Euna and Julieta. The purpose of or the intentions of his employer were none of his business. Its none of my business, but. There was one point I couldnt overlook. This was terrorism. After the End of the Century Destruction, humanity, which felt fear of monsters, was very sensitive to acts that could manipulate mana. So much so that the infamous death penalty was enforced. Promoting the ubiquity of mana was therefore a criminal offense, an offense that was not only punishable by death, but a crime. This would have been a big deal. Moreover, the location of the attack was Dawn Department Store No. 1. But Eunha hadnt heard anything about the attack before his regression. Even if he had been living like an autistic child during this time, it would have been explained to him at the Player Academy. What the hell is going on? Something is happening that I dont know about. The future had changed. Eunha was forced to grit his teeth and admit it. He didnt like it. Something he didnt know was happening, and he was caught in the middle of it. he couldnt help but feel like he was being played on a board by someone he didnt recognize. Calm down. If Bruno hadnt spoken, he would have shown his impulsiveness. Whoa. With his head cooled, Eunha once again realized what he had to do first. Rescue Eunha and Julieta. Since the monsters had been confirmed to be omnipresent on every floor, they must have appeared on the floor they were on. I wonder if theres anything that could be a weapon. It didnt seem necessary to look for weapons. Bruno, with his bear-like bulk, was acting as both dealer and guardian, crushing the Hounds. Yes, Hounds. They had a tough connection. Eunha frowned as he watched the pack of hounds sniff and charge. Hed killed dozens of them months ago, and he was tired of hunting them. Of course, the hounds vanished without coming close to him. Uncle Bruno, where are my sister and Julieta? On the fifth floor. Even now, people were trickling down from the upper floors. Everywhere you looked, there were people coming down the escalator against the direction of travel. Still, their position was fixed on the fifth floor. It was clear that something had happened to get them stuck. Eunha and Bruno were worried that something had happened to them. And then, Oh, so you were the one who threw the mana earlier? The player opposite them said with a sly grin. The two of them had deployed their mana sensors as soon as they realized the attack. There was no way that the players who had caused the terror could not trace back and locate them. Ive got my hands full. Sweeping his bangs out of his face, Eunha swallowed back a rush of frustration. It was annoying. It was intrusive. Even if the terrorizing player was a veteran, it was a B to C at best. To Eunha, who judged Bruno to be as good as the Twelve, he was nothing more than a lantern that would go out before the wind. His guess was not wrong this time. Crack! A punch. The player was knocked back by Brunos fist. A few teeth clattered to the ground as he was hit squarely in the face. Uh, uh, my, my teeth. Eek! That was the last thing the player said. Thats a lot of words for a little guy. Eunha kicked the man in the lower part of his body. The player bit down on a bubble and fainted. Eunha. Bruno squinted at the unconscious player with a pitying gaze. Eunha shrugged it off, Uncle Bruno, we shouldnt kill these people unless we have to. Theyre criminals. Before his regression, in his anger, Eunha had killed the . He had crushed his face with his sunglasses on, so he couldnt even see his face. How much had the fairy Im Gaeul scolded him at that time? He still couldnt forget the way she looked at him like he was a pathetic bastard. Eunha walked up to the second floor, stepping on the shoulders of those coming down from above. Eunha. Bruno, left behind, watched as the descenders screamed in pain. He couldnt forget the way Eunha had kicked the player in his vital part. As if it had happened to him. The look on the players face, when he lost something, didnt feel like it was someone elses. Kids are scary these days. I dont think Ive ever seen a kid this confident, even in Italy. Come to think of it, the kids who follow Eunha also have an air of confidence. Bruno realized that Koreas education fever, which is often reported in the news, was real. Why arent you coming? Oh, Im coming. Bruno, who woke up from his thoughts, tried to go up to the second floor. People who had been hit by Eunhas magic made way for him, so he could easily climb up. This place doesnt make sense. The second floor was a mess. Products were scattered all over the place, and barking and screaming could be heard nearby. Ha. Eunha looked around the dome-shaped structure. He could see roughly every floor. Moving his gaze further up, he scanned the fifth floor and. Found it. He spotted the swaying blonde directly across from him. Euna was nowhere to be seen, but she must be with Julieta. Mister! Hmm! The layout of the Dawn Department Store was a staggered system of escalators. You had to go around one floor and then go up, so you had to run a distance to find the next escalator. The duo manifested mana within their bodies to enhance their physical abilities. They passed monsters looking for food, or monsters going about their business with blood in their mouths. When they got in the way, Bruno, who led the way, punched them. Who the fuck are you! Cheh, the players are already here. The players they encountered on the second floor were not the same men they had seen downstairs. It wasnt strange that there were terrorists on every floor. -Get lost!!! It was annoying. Eunha, who had shot the flesh, threw the cosmetics sample he had been given him while running. What the fuck! The man swatted at the flying sample, but the container shattered, its contents blocking his view. Eunha raised the corner of his mouth. The sight of the man fumbling with his hands to wipe the cosmetics off his face was hilarious. Fuck off. Followed by a shot from Bruno. This asshole. The player, whose face crumpled at the sight of his colleague falling to the ground below, reacted instantly, attempting to slash at Bruno with a sword drawn from his waistband as his back was turned. Uncle Bruno! Eunhas assist shone again. He had picked up a hanger lying on the floor and threw it at Bruno. Reaching behind his back, Bruno caught the coat hanger and jammed it into the players wrist as he fell vertically. He yanked the coat hanger away just before the blade touched his back. Boom! The wrist of the man holding the knife twisted in the direction he intended. Meanwhile, he stood up and kicked the man in the stomach. Kirk! You, asshole! This wasnt a player who was going to be knocked out by a single kick to the stomach. So Bruno slashed at the mans throat with the knife hed grabbed from the coat hanger. The mans eyes widened, and he groped for his own throat in disbelief. At that moment, a fountain of blood gushed out of the slit. He opened his mouth to say something, but his legs gave out and he fell backwards. Come on. Hmm. Wait. Bruno didnt listen to Eunhas urging; he searched the players soaked body on the floor for a weapon he could use. It was a flawless movement. This should do, right? Bruno tossed him a knife, just the right size for a child to wield. Thanks, thatll do. You dont need armor? It gets in the way. Bruno and Eunha talked as casually as if they were picking out a menu at a restaurant. Neither of them realized how informal and abnormal this conversation was. This is endless. The situation didnt change when they reached the third floor. In fact, it was worse than downstairs. Blood soaked the floor and was dripping downstairs. Gu, help! The woman screamed for help, her legs twisted in bizarre directions. Ehk, ack, save me! A man being bitten by a hound, being torn apart. While most of the people downstairs were able to escape the department store, there were still quite a few people upstairs who hadnt made it out. Whats more. Disgusting. Eunha frowned at the scene in front of the restrooms. Someone running for their lives, and someone in a position where it wouldnt be strange if they died right now. Hm, hma, humu. Sa, save me! Save me from what? Haah, haah Did I say I was going to kill you? Huh? The untethered player was in the middle of doing just that. The mans face was filled with glee as he swayed his hips. Breathing heavily and acting on instinct, he was worse than a monster. Disgusting. Very disgusting. To think that guys like that lurked in every corner of a department store. To think that Euna might have encountered one of them. Huh? Kid, what are you. The man was speechless. Eunha had quietly approached him and plunged a knife into his throat. Lets go up to the next floor. He said casually as he killed him. Eunha wiped the blood from his face. Turning away from the sobbing woman with her white back exposed, he took another step. One step. Irritation surged through him. Another step. Anger boiled up inside him. Another step. A fiery spark turned his insides inside out. Shit. The more he worried about Eun-ah. The more he watched the pass by and get away with everything. Sar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mr. Bruno. Hmm. My sister, may I ask a favor? Bruno narrowed his eyes. He, too, had been looking at the man walking in the direction Eunha had been looking. The man didnt look familiar. Maybe he was the one who planned this attack. But his priority was Julieta. He couldnt afford to waste any more time. It seemed to him that neither could Eunha. Im going to turn around now, Yama. (1) Yama? It was the first time hed heard the word. Yes, Yama. Bruno guessed the meaning as his poker-faced face grew increasingly grim. I will protect your sister. Please. In his heart, Eunha wanted to go and get his sister himself. But he couldnt just let himself be pushed around like this. He couldnt just be a pushover. You get what you deserve. An eye for an eye. If hes attacked, hell repay them twice over. Aside from that Good luck. You too. Please take care of my sister. If you dont like it, kill it. Just like that. (1) Yama: In Korean slang, can be used as a shortened version of the word (pronounced yamang), which means failure or loser. It can also be used as an insult. BUT it can have a variety of meanings depending on the context. Here are some examples: Drugs: Yama can be used to refer to illegal drugs such as methamphetamine or ecstasy.Money: Yama can also be used to refer to a large sum of money.Alcohol: In some contexts, yama can be used to refer to alcoholic drinks.Sex: Yama can also be used as a slang term for sex or sexual activity. Its important to note that the use of slang can be highly contextual and regional, so the meanings and connotations of the word yama can vary depending on the speaker and the specific situation. Its also worth noting that even if yama is a slang term in this context, its possible that the author is using it in a fictional or invented sense that may not correspond to any real-world usage. ALSO As an insult, can be used to describe someone who is ambitious to the point of being greedy or selfish, and who is willing to do anything to achieve their goals, even if it means hurting others. In this context, it can be translated as ambition or greed, and is used to criticize someones character. For example, if someone is described as having (yamang-i manhda), it means they are very ambitious or greedy, but in a negative way. In other words, I believe is an insult but this might change in the future if the author gives a proper meaning to this word in some contextI literally could have omitted that word thoughhaha- Chapter 57 Chapter 57[Dawn Department Store (3)] It happened without any foreshadowing. As if it had been there all along. When I look up, mana was everywhere. What the, what happened? Julieta, who had been excitedly picking out clothes just a moment ago, spoke up in a very serious voice. A red dress with a soft fabric and a green dress with a rough texture. She dropped the clothes she was holding to the floor. Unnie Julieta, what, is mana omnipresent? Euna tensed when she heard the scream from far away, but she calmly deployed her mana detection network. Her detection network was sloppy. Even though she had memorized the principle of a detection network, she still lacked the experience and understanding to design it in the way she knew. But even if it was sloppy, it didnt mean she couldnt catch the monsters as they ran around openly exposing their mana. Six. Six monsters on the fifth floor alone. None of them were close. I thought there were none. Ah!!! One of them suddenly started to run. It had caught her with the detection net. It was the first time she had ever deployed a detection net against a monster. Not expecting to be tracked back, Euna panicked and didnt know what to do. Its okay. If it wasnt for Julietas reassurance, Euna might have been caught in the middle of a monster that was closing the distance. Run! Julieta shouted, and Euna drew on her reserves of mana. She was used to raising her mana to activate every part of her body. Julieta followed, matching her pace and moving her hands. Her hands clenched and unclenched, unfurling the sensing net. The ripples of mana spread out, interrupted only by a few. She clicked her tongue as the number of monsters in pursuit increased. Unnie, theres an escalator over there! Euna, you cant go that way. Euna pointed to the escalator going down to the fourth floor. Glancing at the crowded escalator, Julieta shook her head. That was wrong. The omnipresence around them was being created by the mana they shed as their emotional lines became unstable. And the monsters had picked up the scent and were gathering downstairs. No wonder there was going to be a monster massacre. She decided to find another way out. Uh-!? No! Euna, get back! A Hound boldly jumped down from the upper floors. Euna, who was only looking out for the fifth floor, didnt expect a monster to fall on her head. Still, she thought the monster in front of her wasnt as scary as she thought. In fact, she even thought it looked weak. In retrospect, it was nothing compared to the Kraken two years ago, which had left her feeling helpless and afraid of death. One, two! Euna! Euna did not back away as Julieta shouted. She could do it. It didnt seem like she couldnt. Leaping higher than the charging hound, she stomped on its head and propelled herself forward. She felt the cushion as she fell. Unaccustomed to falling, she released mana into the soles of her feet to cushion the impact. You scared the crap out of me, Euna, are you hurt? Hehe. Sorry, Unnie. Shes better than I thought. Julieta thought as she watched Euna run away from the monster. Out of respect for her, she thought she could push herself a little harder. The problem is, once a hound has a shot, it stalks its prey until it dies. The one shed missed in front of her, the one she hadnt realized shed missed, was chasing after her. Annoying. Sarch* The N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Julieta, even if she excelled at controlling her mana, she didnt have the power to destroy monsters without a player device. Compared to Bruno, she was just an ordinary player. That didnt mean she was going to be chased down by the growing numbers. If you cant kill them, throw them away! It was a simple solution. Luckily, there was a weapon right in front of her. Julieta leaped the remaining distance and tugged on the arm of the mannequin in front of the store. To her surprise, the mannequin didnt fall off and followed her. But with her mana enhancing her physical abilities, she managed to lift it up without losing her balance and tipping over. Then she braked sharply with her heels. She spun around and lunged at the hound that was chasing her. Thud? The hound was dumbfounded by Julietas change of direction. He was going to eat her, and she was going to eat him. As he was salivating at the thought of chewing on her immaculate flesh. Go to hell! Julieta slapped the mannequin. The body rose into the air. Only the mannequins arm remained in her hand. Huh? Unable to comprehend what had happened in front of him, the hound looked at her and fell back downstairs. Phew. Wow, unnie! Euna watched as Julieta swung at a nearby mannequin, sending the hound flying. It was like hitting a home run, and she felt her heart explode in her chest. Woo-hoo, youre always so good! Now there was time for small talk. The two were more relaxed than before. They hadnt realized that it had caught them off guard. Oh~ Isnt this a beautiful lady? Wow, a foreigner. Is this for real? A woman is being dragged by a man who has unbuttoned her shirt and is wearing a piece of cloth that has been cut with a knife. Another man wore a red beanie, and when he saw Euna, he stuck out his long, snake-like tongue. Even a little girl, shes quite pretty. You crazy bastard, thats a crime. Why. I say shes pretty because shes pretty. You deserve to be thanked for it, dont you think, kid? Something flashed in their eyes. It was a light-hearted remark, but it contained a nuance that could not be taken lightly. Euna, come here. Unnie. Euna avoided the mens stares and clung to Julieta. She was uncomfortable with their unexpected appearance. She felt as if something was groping her from head to toe. It was impossible for Julieta not to recognize the emotion in the mens eyes. Even if they werent, they had a strange air about them. Hiding Euna behind her back, she steadied her mana so that she could move at a moments notice. And who are you? They were players, and they, too, were wary of her, building up their mana. But she couldnt understand why the men were leisurely strolling through the department store, not hunting the monsters that haunted it. Or why they were dragging their fellow players around in such a miserable state. In her eyes, they were nothing more than trash, not real players. Oh, this? Sensing her gaze, the man pointed to the woman he was dragging. This is the player who was guarding this department store. But why. For what reason? She tried to get the last word out. The man in the beanie chuckled with his hands in his pockets. Why, because she tried to interfere with our work, so we punished her. I did it in a fit of anger But there wont be any serious consequences, right? The man with the woman looked uneasy. The man in the beanie shot him an incredulous glance, then looked down at the squirming woman and snorted. Alright, I messed up. I messed up. I messed up. Please forgive me Is it because this bitch has connections with Silla? If she becomes a problem just kill her, right? Whats the big deal? (1) The man in the beanie pulled a folding knife out of his pocket. The face of the female player, who was begging for forgiveness with unfocused eyes, came alive. Realizing what was about to happen, she clung to the mans leg, not caring that the piece of fabric she was wearing was falling off. Im sorry, Im sorry, Ill tell you everything I know, Im begging you, please, please let me liveple-. Youve caused enough trouble, you bitch. So whos backing you up? Huh? Just die gracefully. Why do things like this among players? Save me please Damn, shes stubborn. The man with the beanie angrily looked down at the woman who was collapsing while he held her by the collar. He stomped his foot to shake her off, then kicked her again and again in the side as she gasped for air and coughed up blood. Unnie. Dont look. The womans breathing had been broken for some time. Euna called out to Julieta, who was watching her death with a frown. Only then did Julieta realize that Euna had been watching. It was a cruel sight for a child to see. Julieta realized her mistake in hindsight. Luckily, Euna, though tense, didnt seem to lose her cool. Oh? Surprisingly, youre not scared. Looks like youre stronger than you appear? Ohhh, strong sister~! Girl Crush! Strong? Julieta couldnt believe it. Perhaps the men thought that showing a scene of killing would frighten her, but to her, it was a scene that had been part of her daily life. In Sicily, the smell of blood never went away. Hey. But shouldnt we get out of here? You were the one who said we should enjoy it a little longer. Yeah, but the Silla guys will be here soon, and we need to get out of the way before then. Before that- The beanie-wearing man looked at Julieta and cleared his throat. Dont you want to taste what a foreigner tastes like? The corners of his mouth tilted up as he took in the sight of her in her green dress. Her sweaty, exposed body was very sensual. Going in where theres a way to go in, coming out where theres a way to come out, her body. How smooth would it be? What sound would it make? Just imagining it made his pants feel tight. Merda. (2) Julieta glared at the man with disdain. She had been anticipating the possibility of this happening ever since they met. Euna, where should you hide? After its over, Ill come find you. She was well aware of her own abilities. It was a challenge for her to face even one of them, let alone two. Moreover, she had no room to fight while protecting Euna. Thats why she planned to send Euna away and face the two players. She thought she could manage to escape if she found the right opportunity. I dont want to! I want to stay together too! But Euna insisted stubbornly. She didnt think of herself as someone who could look down on those men. She knew what Julietta was worried about, but she didnt think she would be a hindrance. Above all, she didnt want to run away. Two years ago, since the day Euna bravely confronted the Kraken, she didnt want to passively watch and be protected by someone else. Unnie! I can do it too! Dont worry! Euna believed in herself. She had received training from Eunha for several years and believed she could face the players. Didnt she just shake off the monsters a while ago? No. Its too dangerous. Julietta shook her head. Players and monsters are different. There were times when humans could be scarier than monsters. It was too risky to leave Euna here. Wait. Stop. At that moment, the man wearing a beanie interrupted. (1) Silla (clan): was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. It achieved the unification of the Korean Peninsula in 676 CE, establishing the Unified Silla Kingdom. Silla was known for its strong centralized government, cultural achievements, and artistic prowess in pottery and metalwork. The kingdoms influence shaped Korean history and laid the foundation for future dynasties. But its translation also could be just Sinra Clan. This solely depends on the authors intentions but Ill keep it with Silla for the meaningful meaning behind it. (2) Merda: is an Italian word that translates to shit or crap in English. E/N: Merda. Translating those thoughts was UGH. But I think we should get used to it, compared to the manhwa, the novel is way more explicit on the dark side of the player world. Chapter 58 Chapter 58[Dawn Department Store (4)] When did we ever say we would let you go? The man smiled smugly. Yeah, when did we ever say such a thing? The man with his shirt unbuttoned said, approaching closer. Suddenly! Julieta noticed the mans presence only in hindsight. She had been so focused on the beanie-wearing man that she hadnt noticed the other man close the distance and enter from out of sight. Euna! She tried to throw the mannequins arm at the man as he approached Euna. Uh-huh. You cant do this. A gunshot rang out, and the mannequin was smashed. The man in the beanie pointed a handgun from his waistband. You should play with me instead. Dont take your eyes off me. If you cry and beg for mercy later, how badly youve messed up, I might consider it. His tongue flicked out. Julieta bit her lip. Lets get this over with and get out of here. We dont know when the Silla guys will show up. The man with the unbuttoned shirt swept back his bangs. He caught the folding knife the man in the beanie tossed him and smirked as the blade reflected Eunas face. Upon closer inspection, his face was quite symmetrical. Truly a promising face for the future. It was a bit disappointing that she was a litle girl. Well, what can you do? We can sell the white girl here and sell the little one in the underground market, right? The world is vast, and there are plenty of people. Among them are perverts who have sexual desires toward children. He could sell her on the underground market and expect to make a handsome profit. As for their desires, they can be satisfied by that foreigner over there. Oh, dont come. Again. A sensation that scans right through, sending shivers down the spine.. Euna felt an eerie sensation that sent goosebumps down her spine and reflexively backed away. Dont be scared. Oppa wont kill you. Oppa isnt a bad person like that man. Stop it. And look at your face. Im the older brother, and youre the one whos an adult. Yeah, I dont listen to your nonsense about being an adult. Ah, kid, sorry dont be scared. Do you really think I would lay a hand on a young kid like you? Instead, Ill sell you. The man swallowed his words and held back a laugh. Oh dontstop it! Come on, man. Youre making me feel bad. She released the mana. Once out of her hands, the mana wriggled around and attacked the man. Mana that wasnt even magic. The man, his shirt untucked, tried to grab the mana as it raced toward him. Hooo. At that moment, the mans eyes glazed over. The amount of mana shed unlocked was more than hed realized. The mana she hadnt been able to capture struck the barrier like a whip. Pretty good, you know? Hed only thought she knew a little bit about mana. But he hadnt expected her to be able to unleash mana to threaten, let alone deploy a solid barrier. Whereas the sensing net she had deployed earlier had been crude, the barrier had a solid foundation, as if someone had taught her thoroughly. No, wait. He was stunned to see the mana leaking from her. Now he realized that she was not only from the spirit realm but also a transcendent being. Indeed, she possessed an irresistible internal mana that stimulated his appetite once again It made his mouth water. Ive always had an appetite and didnt discriminate, but I never expected it to extend to this aspect. Thank you. Thanks to you, Ive discovered a fetish I didnt know before. He changed his objective. Foreigners and kids alike. They were women who would be a waste to kill after tasting them once. He would take them as they were, enjoy them to the fullest, and then pass the foreigner on to someone else, and sell the girl. Little girl, whats your name? Can you tell your Oppa? Dont come. With her arms outstretched, Euna built a barrier thicker than the one the man had broken. The man swung his sword down again, but the tip bent as it touched the outer wall. Tsk. How much did you spread it? Why is it so sturdy? The man clicked his tongue as he looked at the barrier she created. At this rate, he wouldnt be able to lay a finger. on her. What? The man was one of the elites led by Noname. Sarch* The n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With so many of them, there was no way he could not break through the barrier deployed by a kid who looked like a middle schooler. No matter how solid her technique was, it was only based on the premise of a monster. It was like sticking your hand in water. Unbuttoning his shirt, the man stuck his hand inside the barrier. Uh, huh? The barrier didnt respond. Euna couldnt believe what was happening in front of her. She blinked, staring at the hand that had come so close to her nose in the blink of an eye. We have to run, now! She realized with a start, but there was nowhere to run. The barrier shed erected had become a cage, trapping her. And the mans hand finally-. Gotcha. He grabbed her wrist. Do you want to have some fun with your Oppa? A sticky, unpleasant gaze licked her entire body. If youre waiting for the Silla Clan, its useless. The man in the red beanie didnt pause for breath. He kept his hands in his pockets, his other hand aimed at his handgun. Ah, Im all out. This was her chance. Julieta clasped her hands together and assumed a shooting stance. Magic Bullet. The bullet flew toward the man without missing a beat. Ho, you can do this? Impressed by the flying bullet, the man stepped out of the way and dodged the attack. After dodging the next one, he changed the magazine from his waistband. Whoa. It was like dealing with a snake. The more he fought the man, the more out of breath Julieta became. Wiping the sweat from her face, she glanced downstairs. Bru, come on! Then we wouldnt have to deal with these guys. She searched desperately for Bruno, who must be somewhere in the department store. He must be scrambling to find her, too. Euna was also a concern. Against the man in the red beanie, she was no match for him. The longer the battle went on, the less stamina she had, and the man in the beanie was relentless. Im telling you its pointless. The man in the red beanie shrugged. He gestured to the ground floor. Players were finally pouring in from the outside. They scattered in groups of four or five and began to slay the monsters scattered about the venue. They must be the players from the Silla clan that the men were talking about. But what did he mean by saying its pointless? With mana so ubiquitous, why would only Hounds appear? As if the mens words were a signal. Huh? What the fuck! Why are they showing up now! Team one, stay here! The players shouted as they defeated the monsters on the first floor and tried to climb to the second floor. Monsters were being born from the ubiquity once again. It was a monster that could not be taken lightly. It had no eyes or nose. The slimy, slimy monster shriveled up and took over the center of the first floor. Ugh Julieta bit her lip. Running a hand through her disheveled hair, she was speechless at the sight of the monster at its worst. Its a slime-type. I wonder what hierarchy it belongs to? The man sneered. Slime monsters were usually resistant to physical attacks. It was better to use magic to defeat them. The problem was that the majority of Silla Clans players were using weapons, not magic. The telepath relays the situation in the department store! What the fuck are you doing, its going to take a while for the caster to get here, first figure out what rank it is! The players from Silla Clan started swearing at each other. After relaying the situation to the telepath, they decided to divide their forces into two groups, one to destroy and one to rescue, while waiting for the casters to arrive. While it was important to defeat the monsters in the department store, rescuing the people trapped inside was a priority. Well, weve come at a good time, so we can buy some time. Lets get this over with. Do something about mine, okay? My pants are getting tight. The man in the beanie clicked his tongue. With his hands in his pockets, he flapped his pants, emphasizing the bulge. Fuck you!!! Julieta raised her middle finger. She didnt want any help from the Silla Clan anyway. There was only Bruno waiting for her. A horny bastard who can only wiggle his ass. The words came out in an impatient tone as she tugged at the hem of her skirt. She didnt need the broken heels. If anything, they were uncomfortable because they werent the right height. She was much more comfortable barefoot. Oho~ The beanie-wearing man whistled. His gaze never left her bare thighs. When she saw him look away again, she raised her hand again. Im not a doll, do you think I ran away from Sicily for that? An expletive tumbled from her mouth as she remembered the past shed tried to forget. She glared at the man and opened her mouth to speak. As if talking back to herself. She pushed back her disheveled hair with her hand and glared at him. She clasped her hands together. Index fingers together, thumbs aimed at him. Is that it again? It doesnt hurt at all. The man grumbled something about being fresh. Hed already figured out how good she was. There was no need to be wary. Dont underestimate me. Crazy. It was the result of letting his guard down. A small bullet pierced through the barrier. The man realized that the power of Juliettas bullets had increased as they grazed past him. The attack was powerful. If he took a direct hit, it wouldnt end lightly. Where were you hiding this much strength? It wasnt simply a matter of increasing mana consumption. If that were the case, he wouldnt have ended up like this. Mana efficiency had improved. And he knew that mana efficiency couldnt increase in a short period of time. Mana efficiency was a talent that manifested in ones sense of handling mana, developed through long training. Is it a gift? There was only one possible conclusion. If it was a gift corresponding to amplification, it was possible. However, even a gift corresponding to amplification didnt increase power significantly. I dont know what a gift is, but it seems extraordinary. The man with the beanie licked his lips. He had underestimated her easily, but now the battle seemed to drag on unnecessarily. Meanwhile, Julietta took advantage of this opportunity to create distance from the man. With a scoffing sound, she aimed at the man with both hands. Do you think Sicilys Julietta Valentine will be devoured by scum like you? The golden-infused bullets emitted a fierce sound. Chapter 59 Chapter 59[Dawn Department Store (5)] Gotcha. The man pulled Euna up from the barrier. Grabbed by the wrist, she dangled in midair, unable to believe what was happening. Uh, how. Youre not a player if you cant get through that. Its not monsters shes dealing with, its players. It might work against monsters that charge at you, but against players who are used to dealing with mana, it was a simple matter to break through a textbook formula. Euna, stay put! Ack! This bitch. If Julieta hadnt shot a magic bullet, Euna would still be out cold. The man, his shirt torn apart, was pushed aside by the impact of the mana blast against the wall. Landing on the ground, she turned away from the shirtless man. She ran. With all her might. Where are you going! Euna!? Julieta! Im, Im okay! She was scared. The moment the man grabbed me, my body stopped moving. But it was okay. I could shake off the mans gaze by remembering that day, when I felt the Krakens gaze on me. The man was running from behind. Euna manifested mana in her body, boosting her physical abilities. Shit. The man with the torn shirt cursed. It was because she had generously released her bodys mana to escape. He, on the other hand, was limited in the amount of mana he could use. How can I, how can I. How can I take him down? The location with a panoramic view was unfavorable. Euna rolled her eyes as she tried to block the mans movements. She hadnt been taught how to attack an opponent with mana. All she had been taught was to protect herself, or to intimidate by manifesting massive amounts of mana. What, youve given up on running away? Euna stepped into the toy section not far from where Julieta was fighting. It was barely wide enough for one person to fit through. But not her. She gathered mana on the soles of her feet and leaped like a monkey, grabbing and throwing everything within her reach. Damn it. The man who had deployed the barrier muttered in a low, irritated voice. The falling objects didnt hurt, but they were annoying. He couldnt even move her body properly, which was irritating. But there she was, hopping from shelf to shelf, blocking him from reaching her. Holy shit! The man kicked the shelf. Euna, who had reached the top, hesitated for a moment as the shelf tilted. Huh? Huh? Shed learned something earlier when the mans barrier shattered. Barriers arent just magic to protect the body. Uhhhhhh? He was puzzled as he watched her fall on top of him with the barrier still deployed. It was unexpected. He quickly infused the barrier with mana, but it was no match for the massive amount of mana she unleashed. Lets see, she said, Im going to try to climb up on this thing. One, two! The barrier deployed and the two struggled. The man who had been crushed to the ground tried to grab her in the same way he had breached the barrier earlier. Euna did not panic. The barrier had been breached once, so it wouldnt surprise her if it was breached twice. The question was how to take advantage of the situation. Her judgment was quick. The moment the mans hand entered the barrier, I disengaged it. Instead, using the mans barrier as a springboard, she released the mana she had stored under her feet and jumped. At the same time, she mimicked the spell Julieta had used against the beanie man. Mana Bomb! The execution was sloppy. The imagery was sloppy. The image of the bomb wasnt clear. To compensate, she forced mana into the crude and sloppy technique. The poorly formed mana exploded into a mess in the toy section. Julieta! Safely out of the way of the explosion, Euna picked up the baseball bat from the floor and ran to save Julieta. Julieta was running barefoot down the hallway, holding off a man in a beanie. She didnt miss the moment when he was distracted by Eunas call. In place, she twisted to the left and fired a bullet. She didnt intend to finish him off with one shot. She would take advantage of the gap and aim for the weakened flank. With one hand on the ground, she moved to the side, braced herself, and fired a single shot. She rolled and ducked behind a pillar, then took another shot. A succession of shots cut off the mans movement. Youre being such an ass. The man strained to block the flying bullets. The tiny bullets packed a punch, and it was more than a little annoying. As it was, they didnt do much damage to him. She wasnt strong as a player, but she was nimble enough to dodge attacks from veteran players. It was like chasing a cat. That made him even more annoyed. The more he played against her, the more irritated he became as she dodged his jabs. Youre so annoying. For something so insignificant. She was more persistent than I expected. And fearless. When he first pulled out the handgun, he thought things would be easy. But she wasnt intimidated when he pointed the handgun at her. It was as if she was used to dealing with guns, anticipating the direction of the muzzle and dodging attacks, or counting the rounds in her handgun and firing between magazine changes. This is bad. This was bad. This was just stalling for time. Now the girl was being held at bay. The man pressed his red beanie tightly against his face and chewed his lip. If he didnt hurry up and get out of the department store, hed be caught by the players coming up from downstairs, let alone escape. So it was wise to give up on the women and retreat for now. A wise move. What a waste. It was a waste. It wasnt every day that you had the chance to get your hands on a foreigner, or a child with an endless supply of mana. Lets leave the running to the heavens and go all out. What if you run away like a cat? If youre a cat, Im a leopard. The man she had been facing, watching him closely all this time, bared his fangs. Throwing the dropped handgun downstairs, he drew out his favored knife. A single knife was enough as a weapon. He licked the blade, taking in the sight of her exposed flesh as the battle wore on. Euna, stay back. But unnie. I have a bad feeling. Stay behind. The mans mood changed. Julieta stood on her tiptoes and crouched as low as she could so that she could dodge the beanie-wearing man no matter where he came from. But she was too focused on him to notice the magic unfolding beneath her feet. You didnt see this coming, did you? Blue energy pulsed beneath her feet. It took the form of a blue snake and wrapped around her leg. Julieta tried to pull the snake away from her leg, If you can get it off, do it. The man wouldnt let go. Slithering across the floor like a snake, he pointed his knife at her. The mans tongue flickered as he tore her clothes. -Julieta Unni! Hearing her words, Euna, who had been standing back, shouted. Euna tried to move her feet to save Julieta, who was caught by the man. Ah. She wasnt the only one. Euna looked down at her feet and realized that she, too, had something snake-like crawling beneath her. Quickly, we have to get out of this! Against her will, she couldnt break the spell that bound her legs. I cant break it. No matter how much mana I poured into it, I couldnt break the bindings that had sprung up from the ground. Still, she poured in as much mana as she could. Hmph, thats amazing. How much mana do you have in your body to be able to do that? The man in the red beanie couldnt help but say with a ridiculous expression. Euna had completely torn up the floor. But you cant. What if you disappear without telling your oppa? Just then, the man who had come out of the toy section grabbed her as she tried to run to Julieta. Ah. No Euna, run! I didnt expect it. Euna looked up at the dust-covered man and froze. Uh, how. How are you alive, or how did you get out of there? Oh. Come on. Its your oppa. Dont you know him? Did you really think that was all I was going to get? She was petrified. As she stared closely at the mans venomous face, she didnt know what to do. Sister, just remember this one thing. Suddenly, she recalled something Eunha had mentioned before. If, if by any chance Someone A man does something bad to you Bad thing? Whats with that? It means that he, a bad person, does bad things to you. Hehe. Someone like dad? Euna! Why am I coming out of there? Well, yes, like a dad. Sigh, where did things go wrong? If only I could turn back time, to the time when the kids would cower at the mere sight of me Whatever. You just need to remember this. Thats what Eunha said, ignoring his fathers ramblings. Kick him in the balls. Yeah, right. Euna recalled the incident when boys playing pranks at school would clutch their groins and shed tears. Her father couldnt do much, and neither could Eunha. All men had the same weaknesses. One, two! What? What else are we doing here. What? No way! The man released his grip on Euna when he realized that the baseball bat she was swinging was aiming lower than he thought. E~~~it!!! !!! The man was too stunned to speak. Julieta unnie! This time, Euna saw him collapse with his hands on his crotch. Now it was just a matter of saving Julieta. She turned and moved the legs that held the binding spell. Thats when it happened. You were so startled. When she turned around, the fallen man was holding onto her arm. If she lost her composure here, everything would be over. She looked at the man with a contemptuous face and pulled up her fallen shoulder strap. Nice underwear, huh? The man caught Julietas wrist as she tried to lift up her torn dress. He forcefully pushed her against the wall. Youre not letting go of this? Julieta aimed at the mans temple with her free hand. Tsk, where do you think youre going? The man held a knife tip close to her face. Then, he smirked. Come on, release the mana. Quickly. The man brandished the knife menacingly. She had no choice but to release the mana she had gathered at her fingertips. Ti ammazzo. Ill kill you. She spat out those words with a fierce expression. Unfortunately, the man couldnt understand her words. But he could guess what she meant. But what could he do? What can I do about it? He whistled. She was indeed a remarkable woman. Even the promising player from the Silla Clan, known for her skills, cried and begged for mercy when they tried to undress her, but she was still rolling her eyes at this moment, trying to find a way out of this predicament. Well, I cant fuck you here. Go back and get excited. Ill show you what a great view it is. Che, Ugh! It was as obvious as fire that she would fight back if he left it like this. He decided to settle for capturing her for now. It was not too late to enjoy the rest of it once he was out of here. He punched her in the stomach and hoisted her over his shoulder as she collapsed. Lets go back and have some fun, shall we? Cazzo! (1) She spat, but he wasnt angry. He already had her. There was no need to respond emotionally. Hey, get it over with there. Uh, okay, hold on. My coworker had also grabbed the girl. But the coworker didnt seem to be finished with her. He held the knife on the floor out to the girl. The girls eyes widened at the sight of the knife in front of her. Youve never killed anyone before, have you? Hes messed up again. The man in the beanie clicked his tongue inwardly. Apparently, his coworker had thought of a fun prank to play on the girl. Finish it quickly. Time was running out. Sarch* The ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Only a little. The man in the beanie groped the girls ass over his shoulder and tried to count the seconds. Time was running out. There wasnt much left. The man with the beanie began to calculate the remaining time while groping the womans buttocks on his shoulder. Cazzo: is an Italian profanity that is commonly used as an expletive or vulgar slang term for the male genitalia. It can also be used as a general expression of frustration, surprise, or emphasis, similar to fuck or damn. Chapter 60 Chapter 60[Dawn Department Store (6)] Sometimes he dreamed. It was an inevitable dream, especially on days when I felt the buildup of mana in my body weighing down my entire body. It was a vivid dream, memorable even when you woke up. You want power? A world of white. No latitudes above or below, no front or back. No yesterday, no today, no tomorrow. A world where no concepts existed. In that world, she was alone. Alone, really? The question came out of nowhere. Because in that world, where nothing existed, something spoke to her. Do you want power? Like this. It was the voice she heard every day when she lay in bed, unable to release her mana, her body feverish. A voice that seemed to be neither male nor female. She listened to the sound echoing in the white world, and. Dont listen. One day, she remembered what Eunha had said in a serious tone. He had said. You must not listen to the voices. Never again, no matter what. It was the advice shed heard when shed woken up in her grandmothers house. Why? Because its dangerous. It may have worked this time, but theres no guarantee it will work next time. So dont listen. Dont ask for anything. Because whatever you want, Ill make it happen. And what do you want, Eunha? Huh? Eunha couldnt hide his embarrassment. Euna kissed his cheek and promised herself. Then what you want, I will make it happen. What I want, you make it happen. Yeah, I promise. Promise not to listen to the voices again? Its a promise. Yes, a promise! It was a promise made on a chilly morning, with a lingering coolness in the air. Youve never killed anyone, have you? Huh? Youve never killed a monster either, right? It was only in hindsight that she realized he was looking at her as a player. She wasnt a player, she was just an elementary school student. There was no way she could kill a human if she hadnt killed a monster yet. If she was a sane person, there was a brake somewhere in her subconscious that said she shouldnt kill a human being, no matter how heinous a criminal he was. So the bomb of mana shed unleashed in front of him hadnt done much damage. With that much mana, she could have wiped out the entire area, but it was nothing more than a bomb of light and sound. The same was true when she attacked his vulnerable spot. The moment she kicked his vulnerable spot, she inadvertently lessened the force. Although the man was momentarily flustered by the sudden attack between his legs, he didnt feel any pain at all. As long as she had a normal mindset, there was no chance of knocking him down. Like this. Here. He handed her the knife on the floor. Huh? She took the knife with the broken tip and looked up with an unreadable gaze. Stab it. Stab this and Ill let her go. The mans temptation to stab him. A knife in her hand. A weapon that could kill a man. Its okay, I wont be mad at you. Stab me, here, once. The man pointed to his chest with his hand, then tugged on my arm, helping me to stab him in the chest. If you stab me right here, Ill die, no matter how strong I am. Youve seen it in movies and dramas, right? She looked at herself, the sharp blade reflecting off of her. The hand holding the knife trembled. The man was defenseless. The weapon was in her hand. She could end this if she wanted to. She could, but her hand wouldnt move. You have a nasty temper. The man with Julieta over his shoulder frowned. What he was doing with her was nothing more than light entertainment. He was sure she couldnt stab him. Even if she did, it didnt matter; hed shield himself with mana in an instant, and he wanted to see her cry out when her act of abandoning normal thought failed. Lets do it right and go home. Hed accomplished his goal. As a bonus, I got the girls. The monster that had covered the first floor in slime was showing signs of dissipating. At this rate, theyd be caught before they could escape. Ah, yes. The man who had unbuttoned his shirt agreed with the man in the beanie. Crack! Euna stabbed the man in the arm with the knife she was holding. The man reflexively shielded himself, but was caught off guard by an unexpected point. His skin ripped open. His pure white sleeve turned red. Haa, haa! Dont think about it. Dont think about it. Stabbing the man in the arm and running away, Euna somehow tried not to listen to the sound of something calling out to her. Tears threatened to fall. Her hands were shaking, and she felt nauseous. This bitch is so. Boom!!! Floating across the floor, Euna fell to the ground just before she reached Julieta. The man who ran after her pushed her down from above. Her head hit the floor. More terrifying than the impact of her forehead hitting the floor was the dizzying sensation of blackness in front of her eyes. But! She could still do this. She released her mana like she was unlocking a locked box. This is! The man panicked. She had released her control over the mana in her body. Uncontrolled mana was a double-edged sword. It became a blade, striking him and gnawing at her body at the same time. Ugh, it hurts! Euna cried out in pain as something bit into her body. Her mind flashed open, but her head was burning. It was hard to move her limbs. Still, she had to get up. She could still do it. That little bastard! Shes causing suffering to people! If she went on a rampage here, she wouldnt be safe. The profanity-laced man had stepped through the raging storm. He needed to stun her, if only for a moment, so the mana that was beginning to sweep through the area could be dispersed. If he made a mistake, he could die before he could escape. The man who had stumbled into the center struck her in the head with as much force as he could muster. Crack! Although she couldnt control the mana in her body, she could increase the amount that flowed out. Just before the mans reach, she momentarily increased the amount of energy she released and struggled to save Julieta. Just a little more. She could do it. Are you crazy! The man waved his hand in an urgent tone. The mana in the air was unnerving. Any more and shed blow up the entire neighborhood, not to mention herself. Are you trying to kill us all? Just a little more, more! Just a little more. She struggled to get away from him. Just, just go to sleep! Just a little more. She could still do it. A little more, I need strength. So gather strength. Strength to save Julieta unnie. Strength! Do you want the power? It was then that I heard a voice. Eunha had told me not to listen to it. I had promised. I would never listen to it again. But I couldnt help but listen. Im sorry. Im sorry, Eunha. There were things I wanted to protect. There was so much I wanted to protect. Like that day, I didnt want to feel the fear of losing someone I cared about. I didnt want to feel helpless, like I did that day, watching alone. I wondered what Eunha would do. Eunha would do anything to protect her. Even if it meant breaking a promise. Me too, me too! Whatever it takes, even if it means breaking a promise. I needed strength. Strength to save her. To turn things around. Power to shake off the feeling of helplessness. I would give anything for the power. So give me strength, Strength, Lord! Huh? The white-washed world shattered like a pane of glass. The shards that fell to the floor melted into transparency, and color spread out from where they had fallen. The world was once again filled with color and sound. Bruno, sir? A large shadow loomed over the crumbling world. Hands off my wife. The angry bear spat. A dark mana enveloped him. Just standing there, he exuded an overwhelming sense of power. Still, he didnt stop. He surveyed the situation from the corner of his eye, and finally, his eyes lit up when he saw the woman on the shoulders of the man in the red beanie. Speculation exploded. Boom! The mana was so thick that it was painful to breathe. It was only a matter of moments before Geohan filled the area with speculation, life, and mana. (1) Bruno, Uncle. Julieta, unnie, shes. Good. Leave the rest to me. Bruno comforted Euna on the floor. The next moment, a mana explosion knocked her unconscious. Apparently, she had used too much mana in her body, but it was fortunate that she had survived this far at such a young age. Geohan covered her with his jacket. Then he took a step. Just one step. It seemed to shake the whole place. The air shuddered. Whatwho are you? The man who had unbuttoned his shirt spoke, overwhelmed by the feeling of power. Just making eye contact was enough to take my breath away. This guy, who the hell are you! He hadnt thought there would be someone this strong. He hadnt even realized that he was this powerful in the first place, but this was the first time he had ever seen Geohan. We have to run! The man who had ripped off his shirt a moment ago had used up quite a bit of energy trying to stop the mana surge. There was no way he had any strength left to deal with Geohan. He wasnt even sure if he had been able to take him on in the first place. The man didnt wait for an answer, but ran for his life. Lets go. Huh! The mans shirt was unbuttoned and he tried to stretch out his arm. But his arms wouldnt move. Neither did his legs. But his arms wouldnt move. Neither did his legs. The mana swirling around him had turned into thorny vines, entangling his limbs. The man struggled to free himself from the thorns. But the more he struggled, the tighter the vines became. The more he struggled, the tighter it got. The sharp thorns absorbed his mana, expanding his body. What is this?! Before he knew it, the man had been devoured by the thorns and was nowhere to be found. Geohan, no, Bruno, pulled the mans head out of the vines. P-Please spare me No use pleading. The face-grabbed man begged desperately, but he was unforgiving. The mere force of his grip cracked the skull. N-No, stoooop!! The sound of his own skull cracking was beyond eerie, it was horrifying. The indescribable sound gradually widened in wavelength until it became the sound of something breaking. By the time the man realized what it was, his skull had been smashed in. Crazy. The man in the red beanie came to his senses late. The man in the beanie backed away as Bruno threw the remaining shards in his hand downstairs like a rock. He knew firsthand what terror was. He didnt want to experience having his head smashed in. Shit! The man threw Julieta, who was being supported by his shoulder, out onto the slime-covered plaza of the first floor. Bruno froze. As soon as the man saw Bruno leap to the ground floor plaza without hesitation, he fled the scene. It was as he had expected. Geohan had prioritized saving the women over killing him. If he hadnt, he wouldnt have gotten away. The man in the red beanie had descended to the third floor, barely relaxing. -You bastard, how dare you. A low, bass voice sounded. The man jerked his head in the direction of the sound. Huh! There was a loud thud. There was Bruno. He had Julieta slung over his shoulder with one hand and was clinging to the third-floor railing with the other. Throw Julie off, and- The veins bulged in his forearms as he gripped the railing. Bruno, who had climbed to the third floor as if doing pull-ups with one hand, glared at the man in the beanie. What did you do to Julie? Sarch* The Novl?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His eyes were glowing red. No, they werent glowing. They were just wrapped in a thick layer of mana, making it look like his eyes were glowing red with speculation. What What is this? The man in the red beanie couldnt believe what was happening before his eyes. Brunos body was swelling. It wasnt an illusion. His clothes he was wearing were actually tearing apart, and his muscles bulged out from the gaps. P-Please, spare me. The man in the beanie suddenly understood why the woman he had killed had begged for his life. When death loomed in front of you, the instinct to live kicked in. He threw away his pride and everything else. To get down on his knees and beg. His opponent was a bear. The man in the red beanie begged in a trembling voice, as if facing a fierce monster. Pay me back with death. Bruno didnt listen. He swung his right arm with all his might, striking the man in the red beanie across the right cheek. He was lucky his head didnt separate from his body. ! The attack didnt end with a single blow. Before I could let out a groan, my left cheek shook. I heard the sound of something shattering. I couldnt see what had broken. My vision swam in and out. It was horror. With the sound of bones breaking in my head, I tried to block out the reality. I wanted to forget. I wanted to lose my mind. In the face of the overwhelming fear of death, I couldnt even ask for help. The man realized that a plea for help could only come when there was room to live. Now he wanted to die. It seemed like an eternity had passed, even though it was only a few seconds. When the attack was over, it felt like my head and body were separate. Strangely, I couldnt feel anything in my head. The pain didnt end there. . I couldnt move my mouth. I couldnt even recognize what was in my mouth. I couldnt tell if it was a tooth or a piece of bone wiggling around in my mouth. Oh, a tooth, a piece of bone. In the midst of the hellish pain, the man let go. The pain didnt seem real to him anymore, one pain suppressing another, so he didnt even think it hurt. But it was terrible to feel things disappearing from his body, to feel things exploding inside him, to see his body grotesquely disfigured in his vision at times. It was worse than pain. Che il diavolo ti porti. May the devil take you. Bruno lifted the unrecognizable form, a mass of blood that should be grateful to be breathing. There was no hesitation in hurling the mass in his hand over the railing. The man, who had just lost his footing, was unable to protect himself with mana and fell directly to the ground. Like a dead worm, he was pressed to the ground and twitched gently. That was the end of the men. (1) Geohan: THE REAL NAME OF BRUNO?! Could be. E/N: Bravo! We love happy endings right? Buona lettura! Happy reading Chapter 61 Chapter 61[Dawn Department Store (7)] A mountain where no one sets foot even in Gyeonggi Province. In the middle of the mountain, there was a hut that looked like it hadnt been maintained for a long time. Inside, two men were facing each other. I did everything as instructed. What more do you want? Kim Kyung-won, the sub-lord of the Changhae Clan, spoke while raising his internal mana. He held a weapon in his hand, ready to respond at any moment. Kim Kyung-won trembled. In the Changhae Clan, all responsibility for the Bukhansan incident had been shifted onto him. Despite being the one directly dispatched to Uijeongbu, the clan lord insisted that he should bear everything and leave. He had no choice but to follow the clan lords orders. He had a mentally ill mother and a family to support, as well as borrowed money from the clan. Clan Lord Gil Sung-jun had said that if he stepped down as Sublord and left the Clan, he would take responsibility for him and his familys lives. He should just keep quiet and breathe, and when the publicity dies down, Ill arrange something else for him. But, but, but! What more do you want me to do? Kim Kyung-won shouted at the man who had brought him here. There was no way he didnt know the rumors about . Clan Lord had asked to kill him. I will die here! No one dies when asked to die. I didnt want to die like this. Kim Kyung-won drew the weapon he had hidden behind his back and lunged at the man. The man only stood still. As if to say, if you can do it, do it. Aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! He hadnt become a Sublord of Changhae Clan for nothing. He was fully confident in his abilities. He thought he had a chance against . But he was wrong. With just the release of internal mana, Kim Kyung-won didnt even notice the man standing still. -What? He was definitely stabbed. When he turned around, the man was looking down at him. He was looking down? It wasnt until he fell to the ground that he realized he had been stabbed. A message. Noname pulled out the knife embedded in Kim Kyung-wons abdomen and spoke in a low voice. Ill take care of the family. Dont worry about your wife in particular. What. Coughing up blood, Kim reached for his hand. His hands flailed in the air. After wiping the blood off the knife, Noname was looking down from a different position. Thank you for your service. Goodbye. Whatwhat Kim Kyung-won was speechless. When he regained consciousness, he found himself hanging from the ceiling. Gasping for breath, with tears streaming down his face, he breathed his last. That was the undisclosed ending of the Bukhansan incident. Cheerful music plays. Noname walked leisurely through the chaos. The people passing by didnt notice his presence. An easy job. Terrorizing a department store on commission was nothing to him. Gift Disorder. A gift that diminished the perception of something, the larger the crowd, the more effective it was. The fact that no one was looking at him was proof of that. The henchmen waiting on each floor seemed to have been waiting for the right moment. They were like fish out of water, but they were also fulfilling a request: to eliminate Silla Clan players who were in their way. It would be troublesome if they enjoyed it too much. At the 1st branch of the Dawn Department Store, promising players from the Silla Clan were on guard duty. Thats why Nomame, along with the elite members under his command and the lowlifes who had retired as janitors in Uijeongbu, were carrying out the mission to terrorize. The problem was the lowlifes. Unlike the elites who considered the mission a top priority, the ones who came from Uijeongbu were running wild as if the reins had been loosened. Are you the only ones here? Most of them were nowhere to be seen. A few of the elite were also nowhere to be seen, but they would escape on their own without waiting. The problem was the lowlifes. Noname regretted bringing them along. With more time to prepare, he would have led only the elite to terrorize. They say the Silla Clan has entered the fray. Hmm. The player who had been watching carefully spoke cautiously. This was faster than he expected. He had originally planned to leave the department store before the Silla Clan arrived. Luckily, there was a sixth-ranked monster on the first floor. The slimy monsters were not easy to defeat as they needed to be nuked to be destroyed. They might be able to buy some time, but they still needed to retreat quickly. By the way, who is the kid you brought with you? What do you mean? Noname frowned. He couldnt understand who the player was referring to. Oh, come on. Are you saying you came here alone? The player questioned with a hint of strangeness. Then he pointed with his finger at the back of Noname What? He uttered. Noname turned his head in the direction the player had pointed. A small child was glaring at him. Now youre noticing. The kids mouth quirked upward. Yourewhat the hell. Who? He was about to say something. A gust of wind from behind the boy. Noname instinctively recognized it for what it was. The wind of death. The air currents filled the space with life. He must not let his guard down. The boy in front of him was a monster. A moments laxity could turn everything upside down. You cant come in here. While Noname was on guard, the player who still hadnt felt any signs of death walked forward. With the sword he held behind his back, he intended to kill the boy before he could even scream. Eh? The players head dropped to the floor. The players body leaned forward and collapsed. Oh, I shouldnt have killed him. The boy stuck his tongue out as if hed gotten a question wrong in class. This asshole. Dont let your guard down. Youre not dealing with a kid. Only in hindsight did the elite realize that the boy should not be seen as a child. Flesh-and-blood men had no intention of sparing the life of a comrade who had died before their eyes. That was true of the boy as well. Youre not worthy of my life. The boy was not the least bit frightened. In fact, he even taunted them with a dragging tongue. Youre dead-! The player who was about to run away collapsed before he could finish his sentence. Before they could get away, the child lunged at the men. They were helpless. They were wary of him as a player, but didnt realize it until he was right up close. These lowlifes. The boy looked down at the trembling players on the ground with a contemptuous tone. Hey, why arent you coming? Unbelievable. Yet, they were killed in an instant. Noname couldnt believe what was happening in front of him. If you dont come, Ill go? Snap! Faced with the childs flesh, was silent. It shouldnt be faced head-on. Stepping back, he manifested a Gift. Disorder. When he manifested his Gift, there was no one he couldnt deal with. He might not be able to take on the Twelve, but he could certainly take on the one called The Seed. It was a pride that came from never failing a request. And that pride was crushed to nothing. -Why. Do you even recognize me! Noname was puzzled by the boy rushing towards him. His Gift is the ability to hinder the perception of something. The child would surely not recognize himself with it wrapped around him. But the boy was aware of him. This is ridiculous. Noname was stunned. He had never met anyone who recognized him so clearly before. What in the world does this kid recognize me for? The possibility that came to his mind was that the boy did not perceive who he himself was. A cold sweat ran down my back. He knew what that meant. The world reflected in the boys eyes was a world where distinctions between friend and foe were nonexistent. Its a world where there is no distinction between life and death. No matter if it was human or monster. If he sees it, he kills it. It was just that. What kind of a kid. What kind of life did he lead to be like this at his age? Cough!? Youre weaker than I thought. Were you always this weak? The boy kicked him in the abdomen as if he was looking at his liver. Knocked back, gritted his teeth and glared at the boy. Youre no big deal, Noname. Now I realize that the reason people dont know your name is because youre an asshole. The boy grumbled in an unamused tone. Noname, who had remained calm, became agitated. He was furious, but he couldnt do anything. He had already realized the difference in skill between himself and the boy. Fight as hard as you can. Its a shame to just die. No Eunha. He spoke from a position of overwhelming strength. Thats what makes it worthwhile for me to follow you here. I dropped everything to come here for you. Eunha held up a hand. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was a gesture for him to come in. Snap! It didnt matter. If he wanted to survive, he had to take him down. Even if it was an impossible task. To survive, he had to struggle. Like all those who had died before him. Noname gritted his teeth and lunged at him. Eunha watched him approach, still. Seeing how far he would squirm. Dont think of dying easily. Ill show you that being alive is more painful than dying. He opened his mouth to speak, staring at the insect. Chapter 62 Chapter 62[dawn department store (8)] Its weird. Really weird. Eunha scratched his head while dealing with Noname . After , the players world experienced three qualitative improvements. The first period was immediately after . With the influx of people who transitioned into players, there was a significant improvement in quality and quantity. The second period was when Yumma Kang Hyun-chul, Holy Mother Park Hye-rim, and Emperor Lee Do-jin ascended to the Twelve. These names and others laid the foundation for the player world. The third period was when Eunha graduated from the academy. Later, players referred to her generation as the Golden Generation. With their graduation, South Korea entered a prosperous era of Named players and . This was also the time when the hierarchy of monsters descended by at least one level. Noname was a player from the first period. Naturally, he was incomparable to Eunha, who became a player in the third period. Even if his player rating during this period was B, the players during Eunhas time were no more than C-rated players. But Noname was much weaker than he realized. He couldnt have imagined that he would be this weak, even if his prime continued beyond this point. Had I gotten stronger? A few months ago, hed reopened the Gift during a fight against a Hellhound, and hed been able to kill it in a cross-fire battle. Since then, the mana in his body has increased. Suddenly, he found himself possessing mana that accounted for 70% of his nearing death. Still, his mana was only average compared to other players. It was high for an eight-year-old, but there is a limit to the amount of internal mana a human can take, and it will eventually converge on the amount of internal mana he had at his peak. So the reason he felt stronger wasnt the increased mana. Even though he only used a very small amount of it. His physical abilities were much higher than they had been a few months ago. Oh I had grown taller over the months. They say that muscles get stronger as they are destroyed and repaired, but my physical performance has improved since that day. And with his mana efficiency improving, he couldnt help but feel stronger. Moreover, he was now used to fighting with a childs body. After his mad rampage against the Hound, he realized that his tactics were more appropriate for his age. He didnt need to mimic the tactics of his regression. Ugh! Is this all youve got? Moreover, Noname was not used to dealing with children. Since Eunha was taking advantage of his shorter height than an adult to attack, was unable to respond properly. Come to think of it, it wasnt a big deal before the regression. Others were unable to react properly when used his Gift. Some recognized him as someone else and dropped their weapons, some forgot who they were dealing with, and some swung their weapons in the air. But Eunha had never done any of those things, and as far as he could see, was simply wrapped in mana. Even now. He watched with amusement as Noname manifested the Gift without working. This isnt as fun as I thought it would be. It was like stabbing a knife through tofu. At first, it was fun to stab, but now it wasnt fun to stab because it was getting stuck every time I moved. The swarms were more fun. I felt like I was dealing with a child who couldnt even wield a sword properly. Why. Why! Noname exclaimed, swinging a sword that couldnt reach him. Eunha dodged the flying attack with a slight dodge. Not even a strand of his hair was missed. Well. If the gift doesnt take effect, its over. Even snipers change locations after a single shot. The greatest effect of Nonames ability was achieved when he carried out assassinations using Disorder. Unaccustomed to engaging in combat with opponents, including those whose identities had been revealed, he was no better than the other players. Haa, haa. He was almost out of mana. Gasping for breath, looked at him from afar with a fearful gaze. Are you done? Eunha didnt break a sweat. By now, hed discarded his blades and had his hands in his pockets. From the middle of the match, Eunha used all sorts of tricks against Noname. For the first time in a long time, he was in a position of overwhelming strength, and he was going to use this opportunity to do everything he could. Ugh! Lets end this quickly then. Eunha struck Nonames leg with a flick. He fell on his ass from the force. Dont worry. I wont kill you. Nonsense! Noname screamed inwardly. He was already at full strength. He had already been stabbed again and again. He could have taken his own life at any moment, but instead, as if testing something, he carved himself with knife marks. Now, except for his face, there was no part of his body that was unmarked. He must have cut some flesh. Once hed cut enough flesh, hed cut the muscles he didnt normally use, and now hed cut the tendons in his ankles. Ah. It was a horror worse than dying. This was hell. And the man who had dropped him into it still wanted to try something. Lets take a look at . Stop! Dont touch that! Noname tried to shake off the man on top of him. But his body wouldnt budge. Even the muscles that moved his arms were now severed. He was nothing more than a breathing doll. Myfeet. Just kill me instead. Noname said in a throaty, cracking voice. Ignoring the sound, Eunha removed his sunglasses. So this is it. Eunha frowned when he saw Nonames bare face. It was somewhat expected. His eyes were as small as fish eyes. Not just small, but why are his eyelashes so long? And how clear are his irises? Seeing the face that didnt match his physique, Eunha pretended to gag. He put the sunglasses back on Nonames face. Ai, go to sleep. Noname looked at his face and shed a single tear. Eunha spat out his saliva and slapped the mans cheeks hard. His head spinning, was knocked unconscious. Haa, Ill be indebted to Noona Seo-young again. The last thing he saw before he blacked out was him running his hands through his hair and sighing. Like a child making a mess in his room and then leaving it to his mother to clean it up. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was no trace of the spunk he had displayed earlier. Dawn department store terror. The incident that occurred that day was reported nationwide. The Fairy Government condemned the monster terror committed by and announced their position to severely punish it as an act that threatens humanity. Publicly, the person who suppressed the Dawn Department Store attack was announced as Shin Seo-young, who organized the Silla Clan and the crime scene. People were puzzled as to why Shin Seo-young, a member of the Twelve Chairs, was responsible for the Dawn Department Store attack, but some praised her for taking down the mastermind of the attack, Noname. You know you owe me, right? Ill pay you back, Ill pay you back. When? Someday. Sighing inwardly, Eunha turned his head away from Shin Seo-young. The two had been meeting for lunch once a month since the events at Mount Bukhansan. They met at Cafe Happiness, located in the northeastern part of the city. Ever since Eunha had introduced her to the Happiness Potion, shed picked a time when the cafe was empty. As a player on the Twelve, she was a media favorite. She usually had a hat and sunglasses ready when she stopped by Happiness, but today she was wearing nothing. This was because she was trying to get Seok-hoon Jung to agree to a compromise, and she had established a boundary spell that interfered with human perception. People who werent used to dealing with mana didnt even realize the cafe existed. Impressive. Building a magic that interfered with human cognitive abilities, unless it was the gift , was a remarkably difficult task. Moreover, her magic targeted a location, not an object. She wasnt called the best caster in the country for nothing. Eunha sipped his plain yogurt, marveling once again at her abilities. Thats the first time youve ever summoned me, Eunha. Because I owe you a thank you. I dont think its just a thank you. Seoyoung looked at him with a meaningful smile. They were treating each other as players. They were doing business out of necessity, and it was unlikely that he, who was particularly reluctant to make contact with her, would be brought in simply to say thank you. How did it go? A question with many implications. But Seoyoung could guess what he wanted. Noname and his gang will receive a death sentence, the first since the establishment of the Fairy Government. The question was, who hired them? I cant tell you that. Shin Seoyoung didnt give him any wiggle room. As if shed been expecting him to ask this, she kept a poker face and spoke firmly. I cant help it. Im sorry. Just know that its not something I can tell you. Shin Seo-young still kept her poker face. Trying to read her emotions, Eunha had no choice but to give up. I wonder who hired those guys. It hadnt happened before the regression. He wondered who, and for what purpose, had caused an event that had never happened before. And what had changed the future. There was a story about how a single butterfly can change the course of the world. After saving his family, he intervened in events large and small to change the future. He wondered if the world seemed to be unchanged when viewed from a close perspective, but when viewed from a distance, the world had undergone a radical transformation. He was convinced. The future was still changing, even now. But he had no intention of standing still. Since he was given the chance to live a second life, he was determined to live happily ever after. So its not scary when the future changes. And if it tries to put a knife to his throat, hell just kill it. Are we done? By the way, what happened to Dawn Group? He had seen the news yesterday that Dawn Groups chairwoman, Lee Yoon-hee, was returning to management. Before the regression, the chairman of Dawn Group had left the job to his three sons and did not return to the management of the group. The three sons fought a succession war for control of Dawn Group, and the eldest son took over the throne. At a crucial moment, a series of scandals broke out against the second son. Chairwoman Lee Yoon-hee returned, and her successors decided to step down from everything for the time being and focus on social work. Again, the future changed. He was no longer sure how the succession war between the successors to take over Dawn Group would affect society or who would eventually succeed her. Well, Ill leave you to it, I have some business to attend to. Okay, thanks, Ill see you later. Okay. See you later. Seo-young looked surprised as he waved goodbye. Then she smiled softly and disappeared with the wind. The silence that enveloped the caf was gone, too. The future has changed. The future has changed. Eunha murmured to himself. The future had changed, but nothing had changed. If they got in his way, he would kill them. His policy hadnt changed. The year was coming to an end. He finished the last of the yogurt in his glass, thinking about the future he didnt know. And when he went home for dinner-. Mom. Dad. I want to be a player. Euna announced her decision in front of her family. The future had changed. Chapter 63 Chapter 63[Dawn Department Store (9)] I suppose you all know why we gathered here today. Conference room. A woman sitting at the head of the table asked while crossing her legs. She brushed her forehead, revealing her short hair that flowed down to her shoulders, with a nervous gesture. Thump. The woman uncrossed her legs. The sound of her footsteps reverberated through the conference room. The sublords gathered in their seats all fell silent. Among them were those who closed their eyes and deep in thought. They all knew that speaking without thinking would challenge Clan Lords patience. They had to be cautious with their words. The dawn department store attack is not a simple act of terrorism. Intense gaze and a grave voice that straightened the spine. Kim Yoojin, the Clan Lord of Silla Clan, opened her mouth. Dawn Department Stores first branch attack. Silla Clan promptly rescued the citizens, eliminated the monsters that appeared in the department store, and suppressed the terror. The media reported positively on Silla Clans name. But even uttering that annoyed and displeased her. Even if Silla Clan caught the terrorists, any mishandling could have led to a terrorist attack causing numerous casualties and public criticism. How terrible. One of the sublords murmured quietly. Yes, it was truly terrible. What if Silla Clan had failed to subdue the terrorists, and it was concluded that it was due to simultaneous occurrences of natural disasters caused by mana fluctuations? Silla Clans reputation would have plummeted, and even the sponsorship from the Dawn Group could have been lost. This is an internal struggle. Yoojin, who sharply grasped the situation, looked around the room as she spoke. Terrorism is inherently purposeful. But these individuals committed acts that wouldnt be unusual even if they were beheaded without any purpose? No, that couldnt be. She was convinced that they were hired by someone. Clan Lord, what do you mean by an internal struggle? Another sublord asked, glancing around after sensing the atmosphere. He couldnt understand why she mentioned an internal struggle. Some of the sublords were in the same boat. They simply didnt want to disturb the atmosphere that hung in the conference room in front of her uneasy temperament. Under normal circumstances, it might have been fine, but if they did anything to disrupt the atmosphere in front of her discomforting presence Lee Sunho. Youre still not used to your seat, are you? Im sorry! It was obvious that something like this would happen. The player called Lee Sunho scrambled out of his seat and stood upright. Sit down. If youre going to be Silla Clans sub lord, I want you to improve not only your skills as a player but also your ability to grasp the situation. Kim Yoo-jin sighed. She realized that some of the sub lords hadnt read the subtext in this situation. Maybe she should change that now. Resting her hand on her chin, she glanced at the Sublords who were averting their gaze. Silla Clan was one of seven clans in Korea that were rated S. Of those, Silla Clan was rated S+, the third largest clan in the clan hierarchy. The sub-lord spot was an important one. Whereas in the past, sublords were chosen based on their abilities as players and their ability to lead their members, nowadays they need players with the ability to see through situations. Otherwise, the Silla Clan would cease to exist. The country had been undergoing a radical transformation since Fairy Seonyeo took office. Wasnt it not long ago that a new type of potion, breaking the conventional concept of potions, was released in the potion market? In a rapidly changing world, the person who could take on the role of Silla Clans vice commander had to be someone who could grasp the current trends. For example, Seo Jeonghoon, I assume you are aware? Yes. Like Seo Jeonghoon, her right-hand man. He stood up and looked at the group with a calm gaze. As if hed been expecting this, he handed out a document from his briefcase. This? A smile crossed Kims face. This is the current power distribution chart of Dawn Group. Seo Jeonghoon explained with a straight face. He showed the Dawn Group at the top, with three groups connected at the bottom. The three groups were the factions of the heirs to the chairmanship of the Dawn Group. Brief, I suppose. Sublord, the oldest, let out a long breath. The chairman of Dawn Group, Lee Yoon-hee, is a woman. In the aftermath of the End of the Century Destruction, the new men in power broke the social norm of monogamy and began to have multiple concubines. Under the motto of producing outstanding talent to build a future in a world that was once destroyed, the phenomenon of polygamy showed no signs of slowing down. As a result, the Dawn Group did not have a complicated line of succession like the Galaxy and Eternity Groups. The eldest son, Lee Byung-in, is notorious for his wicked temperament. However, many people believe that just because he is the eldest son, he will inherit the Dawn Group. Some sublords groaned in frustration. If possible, they would have preferred Lee Jeong-in, the second son. He was known for having a good personality even among the second-generation chaebol heirs, and he demonstrated better management skills compared to Lee Byung-in. It was said that Lee Yoon-hee, the chairwoman, considered him the favorite of her three children. In fact, he was currently taking over the duties of Lee Yoon-hee, who had retired from management. The youngest is-. Well, I guess I dont have to tell you. The subclans all nodded. The youngest of the Dawn Group was worse than the second, but better than the first. It was the weakest of the three factions, and he was skeptical about the groups succession. I see. Suddenly, the sub-lords realized why Kim Yoo-jin had mentioned that this was an inside job. Yes, thats right, the Dawn Department Store attack was committed by someone to take over the Dawn Group. Seo Jeonghoon put down the documents he was holding. There was no need for further explanation. He caught Clan Lords eye and sat down quietly. Im assuming you guys still have brains. Do you realize who the idiot is were talking about here? A fool, indeed. No matter how greedy they were for the Dawn Group, they couldnt be expected to carry out a terrorist attack on what was essentially the first Dawn Department Store. It was the behavior of an idiot, and the only idiot was Byung-in, the eldest son of Dawn Group. Hes a complete idiot, he doesnt have a brain. Today, its his second son, Lee Jeonng-in, who runs the first Dawn Department Store. Byung-ins plan was to carry out a terrorist attack on Dawn Department Store in the name of a natural disaster, and then use Lees inadequate response to gain more power within the group. However, his plan was foiled when the terrorists were subdued. Without the terrorists there, Silla Clan would have fallen victim to an obvious ploy. Does the Chairman know? One of the subclans asked, ready to pounce. Who doesnt? This time, there was no rebuke from Kim Yoo-jin. For now, the media was only reporting on the attack at the Dawn department store. No one was talking about the terrorists purpose. The medias focus was solely on the Silla Clans suppression of the terrorist attack, their quick response, and the Dawn Groups actions and support for the victims. The Chairman used his hand. The old man shook his head. Lee Yoon-hee, the chairwoman of Dawn Group, had announced her intention to return to management after a long hiatus and was traveling around to meet with dignitaries. Of course, the Fairy Seonyeo government wasnt going to take it lying down. The Dawn Group not only suffered a decline in the brand image but also decided to withdraw from the Gangnam District development policy pursued by the Fairy Seonyeo Government. Mockery from other groups who noticed the Dawn Groups succession dispute was inevitable. Kim Yoo-jin gritted her teeth. She understood the importance of the intangible values that the Dawn Group and Silla Clan had lost. It would take a long time to regain their lost status. Thats not the only problem. Seo Jeonghoon brought up a new topic. This time, the force that Byeong-in has attracted is not a mercenary named, but most likely the Changhae Clan. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jeonghoon turned to the others. Among the players that took with him were players from the Changhae Clan who were expelled from Uijeongbu. That was good news. We were able to identify this as a terrorist attack, and we were able to deduce the connection to Changhae Clan from the players who participated in the attack. If they hadnt been able to subdue them, Silla Clan would have been caught with their eyes open, let alone learn what was really going on. Ah, how true. The old man clicked his tongue. After looking through the information, he shook his head, mumbling, The end of an era, the end I consider it speculation. It was one of the clans top Guardians who spoke up. Changhae Clan banned all the members of that clan, and even if s players were from Changhae Clan, I think its a bit of a stretch to link them to the ragtag group that was banned from the clan. Several Sublords looked up and nodded. You didnt just prepare this list on your own, did you? The old man who had been watching asked, opening his eyes, which were shaded by thick eyebrows. Seo Jeonghoon replied with a smile. I will hand out the following materials. You should have told me. Sublord protested. In the Mt. Bukhan incident, a total of 92 Hounds were suppressed, including Hellhounds. Changhae Clan took 70% of what should have been the Seonyeo Governments share and Hellhounds gems, excluding 30%. However, the gems from the Hounds that Changhae Clan released this year in the market accounted for only 30% of the total. It means that a clan that doesnt need gems is not contributing 40% even as the year comes to an end. Noname used the gems to unleash monster terror. The monsters in the Dawn Department Store were all Hounds. Where did all those Hounds gems come from? Hasty judgments are prohibited. The old man, while confident in the shadow of the Changhae Clan, tried not to let emotions cloud his judgment. What if the Changhae Clan is waiting for the price to rise? The gems of the 7th hierarchy are commonly available items. Moreover, during that period, Changhae Clan released all the gems of the 8th and 9th hierarchies in the market. Then is there a possibility that the gems released by Changhae Clan in the market were used for terrorism? The Silla Clan has utilized all its available power to investigate the source of the released gems in the market. That would never happen. But its just speculation. Theres no solid evidence. Yes, its just speculation. But everyone here knows, dont they? Seo Jeonghoons words were correct. The atmosphere in the conference room became tense. Those occupying the seats could not hide their discomfort. That was also in April this year. Kim Yoojin, who had been silent, spoke up. She remained calm like ice, even in the midst of a fervent atmosphere. When Shin Seo-young found out that Gil Sung-jun was having an affair with the heir to the Dangun Group, she went ballistic. Even if Shin Seoyoung tried to hide this incident, those who knew were well aware. It was widely known in the industry that Gil Sungjun had caused trouble with a woman, and the other party happened to be the successor of the Dangun Group. Its obvious what that guy was thinking. Gil Sungjun, not satisfied with the support of the Sirius Group alone, must have been considering receiving support from the Dangun Group as well. However, having been exposed to Shin Seoyoung, Gil Sungjun had no choice but to give up the sponsorship of the Dangun Group. Instead, he might have approached Lee Byung-in, the black sheep successor of the Dawn Group. While it was said that the Dangun Group had a significant influence in the world of players, it was not comparable to the Dawn Group, which ranked fourth in the Korean business hierarchy. The possibility that Gil Sungjun had shifted his focus was highly likely. I called you here today because of this. Kim Yoojin opened her eyes and revealed her speculation. Are we going to war? The clans top dealer looked at her with expectant eyes. War Well, its not necessarily a bad thing. Kim Yoojin replied with a cold smile. In her heart, she wanted to declare war, even if it was due to the Changhae Clans moves to dominate the table and the sacrifice of Silla Clan players in terrorist attacks. However, the two clans were competing for the 2nd and 3rd positions in South Korea. Fairy Im Gaeul would never approve of a war between the two clans, and Silla Clan had a weak justification for declaring war. With a weak justification, they would not only lose the fight but also the war. Changhae Clan has Shinpoong (Goddly Wind). Seo Jeonghoon expressed his opinion. One must not forget the existence of the Twelve Seats Shinpoong. She was the possessor of endless mana and considered the strongest caster of the current generation. Does Changhae Clan have the Twelve Seats only? We also have Naeje Emperor of Thunder. The dealer objected. He didnt like Seo Jeonghoons skepticism about the war and his mention of Shinpoong. Naeje The old man remembered a young man who recently joined the clan. He was a player in his early twenties, mentioned along with Kang Hyun-cheol and Park Hye-rim. (1) Hes still young. The old man didnt think he was worthy of the title of Emperor yet. Although he acknowledged that his skills were sufficient to be called the Twelve Chairs, he was still inexperienced. He wasnt worthy of being called Naeje without gaining more experience. No war. Kim Yoojin looked around at the divided subordinates and decided on the clans direction. She was the captain. The subordinates who wanted war begrudgingly accepted her decision. But we cant just leave the Changhae Clan alone. We will use all means to impose sanctions on them. And when they reveal their weaknesses, Silla will be waiting for that moment. She stood up from her seat, making a determined sound. If these guys dare to dominate Sillas table, we must kick them out without even raising their heads. From this moment on, we fully support Lee Jeong-in, the successor of the Dawn Group. Until now, Silla Clan hadnt paid much attention to the next president of the Dawn Group; they were simply the sword of the Dawn Group and would follow the will of the Dawn Groups master. However, if Clan Changhae were to intervene in the fight for Dawns successor, it would be a different story. If Changhae Clan wanted to make a troublemaker the chairman, Silla Clan would make Lee Jung-in the chairman. In an hour, well begin a meeting on how to sanction the Changhae Clan, and I hope youll have your heads in the game by then. There was a collective sigh. Kim Yoojin left the room, pretending not to hear it. Hmm. In fact, she hadnt mentioned it in the meeting. Her gut instinct was telling her, so she couldnt say anything as a Clan Lord. Why did Shin Seo-young of help capture the terrorists? If she hadnt helped, Silla Clan wouldnt have gotten hold of Changhae Clans elixir. But why? Could there have been discord between them? It was strange that there wasnt. Gil Sung-joon had Shin Seo-young as his lover, but he hadnt been carrying around another woman, avoiding her eyes. Kim Yoo-jin couldnt understand why Shin Seo-young would love such a man. Should I shake things up once? If lucky, we might be able to recruit .. No. No. She quickly rejected the thought. Silla and were not compatible. If she recruited her, it could cause discord within the clan. Moreover, Gil Sung-jun wouldnt just let go easily. Their relationship would return to normal as if nothing had happened. Or maybe she doesnt know. Kim Yoo-jin didnt know what the answer was. [December 17th. At 3pm today, there was a monster attack at Dawn Department Store No. 1 by a mercenary player. The player, known to the public as , led his gang and unleashed up to 40 monsters. Seoyoung Shin, along with the Silla Clan, suppressed the players responsible for the attackThe death toll totaled 23 andThe Fairy Government expressed condolences to the victims and announced a strong punishment for the players who caused the terror. It is speculated that this will be the first time since the establishment of the Fairy Government that a death sentence will be issued for the perpetrators . Lee Yoon-hee, the chairman of Sewol Group, returned to the front lines of management and offered her support]. Click. Click, click, click A narrow, dark room. The man was watching the news on the Internet. In the video, people who were rescued from the terrorist attack were coming out. Click Click, click, click. The man rewound the video to a certain point. He repeated it over and over again. Hoooo. Then he pressed the stop button. A woman wrapped in a blanket. She had emerald blue eyes and long blonde hair. And a man, hugging her with one hand and propping her up with his other shoulder. He was big as a bear, with a gaunt face, and his forearms were riddled with scars that even low quality couldnt hide. Click Click, click, click. The man zoomed in on the captured footage. He moved his mouse around to look at the blonde woman and the hulking man. Found it. A small, dark room. The corners of his mouth curved like a crescent moon in the light from the monitor. (1) : is a Korean term that can be translated as wild horse or untamed horse. It is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is rebellious, unruly, or difficult to control. E/N: I think I will start changing these surnames for example instead of will be and will be . I hope you guys notice that I was trying to put both names so that way you wouldnt get confusedsorry If it causes inconvenience. I cant believe it took me an hour to finish this chapter wow. Chapter 64 Chapter 64[Sirius Year-End Party] December 28th. Only a few days left in the lunar calendar year. Looking back at the year, it was incredibly tumultuous. Endless events prevented us from enjoying a peaceful life. I hope that nothing will happen next year. By this point, I couldnt help but pray. Eunha looked up at the night sky hanging over the tall buildings and made a wish. Even though I didnt believe in gods, it felt like making a wish in this way might improve my mood, considering that the world had once faced destruction. What are you doing there? Euna asked curiously as she stopped walking in front of the hotel and looked up at the night sky. Im sorry, sis, I just wanted to ask for something. You cant wish yet. You should make your wish while listening to the bells of the New Year! (1) Euna spread her hands wide above her head. She was wearing an off-the-shoulder blouse, revealing the line that ran from her armpits to her chest. Noona. Oh, sorry. Euna realized she was once again wearing a party dress. She was used to wearing casual clothes, but she wasnt used to being so careful. But arent you cold? I came by car, so its okay. Besides, the party venue is inside the hotel, right? Sure. Eunha held out her hand, and Euna smiled and took it. As if that wasnt enough, she wrapped her arms around his shorter frame and hugged him tightly. Eunha, Euna~! Kimchi~! His father, who had been walking ahead of them, was now filming them with his smartphone. The sight of the two children walking down the red carpet arm in arm was so adorable that they didnt mind the stares of the people around them. Dad are the people from Dads company here? Even though Eunha subtly hinted for him to keep calm. What, why?. He didnt even listen. Instead, he glared and threatened anyone who looked his way, and those who made eye contact quickly greeted him and hurriedly disappeared. My father is the Vice President of Strategic Planning and Management at Sirius Devices. Is this company really trustworthy? Eunha thought about the future of Sirius Devices. The device business, which could be considered the core of the group, didnt show any signs of being inferior to Galaxy Devices. He worried that even with his fathers addition, the future might not change. He hoped that he would stay in the company for a long time if possible. Please come in, Director Noh. Are there two children in your party? Im not a director yet. Well, next year is only a few days away, so Ill take this opportunity to flatter you. Haha, thanks for the kind words. Its just me, my son, and my daughter today. Every year, Sirius Group organizes a year-end party to celebrate the unity of its affiliates and their hard work throughout the year. The party was held at Dawn Hotel Myeongdong Branch, operated by Dawn Group. In front of the banquet hall, an employee who knew my father was checking the invitations. Have a good time. After checking the invitations, the employee bowed to the children and opened the door to the banquet hall. Wow! Euna couldnt hide her admiration as she stepped into the ballroom. A vast space with no place where the light didnt reach. Men in suits and women in dresses were chatting happily, and each table covered with a pure white tablecloth was lined with food that she had never seen before. Its a pity mom and Eunae didnt come. Euna paced around the table, her ponytail spinning like a propeller. His mother couldnt attend the party because she was taking care of Eunae. His father had planned to attend the party alone, as he did every year, but his mother had insisted that he take the children with him, as it was a promotion opportunity for him. We can eat as much as mom and Eunae. Eunha was disappointed that his mother and Eunae couldnt come, but he had no choice. He brought some of the food he had on hand to comfort her. Wow, its delicious! Eunha, you should try it too! Eunas face lit up instantly. Eunha stared at the food Euna dipped her fork into. For a party organized by the Sirius Group, the quality of the food was very high. Was it really this good? Come to think of it, he often attended parties out of necessity. There were times when he had to spend the whole party with a chewed-up face or guard the banquet hall, so he didnt pay attention to the food. Are you sure you dont want to eat this? Its delicious. Yoojung unnie, this is also delicious! Huh? This is the first chocolate Ive ever had, which pastry chef made it? Wow unnie, do you even know which pastry chef made it? Of course I do. Even though I look like this, I had a good life before I became a player. Well, I still have a good life now. Wow, unnie, unnie, please buy me that delicious food next time, please! There were times when Yoo-jung and Baekryeon recommended food. At the time, he couldnt understand why they enjoyed party food. Its delicious. Isnt it? He regretted that he only understood this pleasure now. If he had understood it earlier, he might have been able to treat them more gently. Lets eat a lot. Yes, sis. Euna had said she was uncomfortable in her shoes before coming to the party, but now she was running around the ballroom with a plate. The Sirius Group year-end party wasnt exactly a formal affair. So, Eunha decided not to pay much attention even if Euna ran around like a whirlwind. And he, too, followed her, holding a plate and piling up food. Kids, Im going to talk to the people at work. Cant you wander off from the chairman? Go ahead. For a while, Dad hadnt even touched his food. He hadnt been able to touch his food for a while, because people were coming up to him to congratulate him on his promotion, and people were coming up to him to get to know him a little better. Huh? Sis, you have sauce on the corner of your mouth. Hehe. Wipe it off, wipe it off. Eunha had been expecting this to happen anyway. After sending his father away, blending into the crowd, he wiped the pasta sauce from the corner of her mouth. It didnt take long for him or her to empty their first plates. They both picked up new plates for another bite. Eunha? Seo-young? Shin Seo-young. Wearing a dress instead of the leather jacket she usually wore over her shoulder, she pushed her way through the crowd. Why is noona here? Because Clan Changhae is sponsored by the Sirius Group. So youre here as a guard? Im here as a sub-clan. The people standing guard are over there. She shrugged and pointed behind her. He glanced around, noticing players who didnt blend in easily. Members of Siriuss sponsored clan were attending the party and guarding it at the same time. Gil Sung-jun was nowhere to be seen. Eunha scratched his head as he realized that the Lord of Changhae Clan was nowhere to be seen among the crowd. He was an opportunist, but it was rare for him to not show his face at a low-ranking party. Hes been busy lately. There was no way Shin Seo-young was unaware of Eunhas behavior. After a moment of bitterness, she spoke in a low voice. Why are you here, anyway, Eunha? My father is from Sirius Devices. Oh, right. So you came with Father. Then this must be Shin Seoyoung turned her attention to Euna. A girl who looked nothing like Eunha, neither in face nor in aura. But she could tell from the stories she had heard from him before that she was his older sister. That made her curious. How much mana she had in her body. Mana wasnt determined by genetics, but she couldnt ignore the role it played. If Eunha was on the higher end of the scale for kids his age, I wondered how much his sister was. Look at her? Shin casually checked the mana in her body. But Euna, who had sensed the flow of mana, quickly deployed concealment techniques. Since the dawn department store incident, she had started learning concealment from Eunha, making her own presence somewhat blurry. However, Shin Seoyoung/Golden Wind was a caster considered the best in South Korea. Nowhere to hide! She was not someone who couldnt unravel the concealment technique that Euna had deployed. Aah! Euna was surprised when her layered concealment technique failed to have any effect and disappeared. Moreover, it wasnt just breaking the concealment technique, but completely unraveling it. Sar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And Shin Seoyoung Dont you want to try being a player? Her mana, which was incomparable to the one she had encountered before, was beyond what the players gathered at the banquet hall possessed. Shin Seoyoung couldnt hide her astonishment. It was amazing that a child with such a vast amount of mana was still alive today, and her mana handling skills werent bad either. A girl with a promising future depending on who taught her. And Shin Seoyoung could say with certainty that she was the only one who could teach a girl with bottomless mana. Ill teach you. This unnie wants to teach you . Noona Seo-young? Eunha quickly interjected. He had thought this might happen when she met Euna, but he hadnt expected her to claim to be her teacher. But Eunha had also thought that she was the only one who could teach her. With so little mana in his body, he had no more magic to teach her. He didnt have any objections, as long as she made up her mind. Ill do it! I want to be a player! The decision didnt have to be made immediately. The players who had been paying attention to them for a while were trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. The banquet hall would have gone crazy if Shin Seoyounghadnt organized an anti-eavesdropping barrier. Lets talk about this later, there are many people watching. I see. You said your name was Euna. Well talk later. Shin Seoyoung also noticed the curious gazes of the players who were observing Euna. She released the barrier and exchanged greetings with the familiar children before parting ways. Sis Wow, theres something interesting over there too! Sigh, you purposely avoided me. Here. When Eunha called her sister in a low tone, it meant that he was scolding her. Euna deliberately jumped to another table, avoiding him. Among the foods that caught her eye was chocolate fondue. She couldnt take her eyes off the flowing fountain. She wanted to eat it but didnt know how, so she looked at it with a sense of regret. Sis, this is how you do it. Eunha put fruits and marshmallows skewered on a stick into the fountain. The skewer revealed itself from the fountain, coated in chocolate. I want to try too! With sparkling eyes, she made a new skewer. She skewered marshmallows among various fruits and shook the ponytail in various directions. How much do you want to eat? Oh, what a waste. Chocolate dripping from the skewer. She wiped off the chocolate that fell onto the table with her finger. Then she licked her finger. She seemed really eager to eat. She propped the skewer up with her plate and popped the chocolate-covered marshmallow into her mouth. Wow. Ah, she was impressed. Euna watched with amusement as she bit into the skewer, ignoring the chocolate in the corner of her mouth. Apparently, the other kids didnt. My mom says were supposed to behave at parties. She says Im not supposed to eat the party food. We might get in trouble with the adults. They were the kids who had been observing them since they entered the banquet hall. They approached them, concerned about the two who were freely behaving while keeping an eye on them from a corner of the hall. I translate this chapter half-sleep so if you notice some mistakes please let me know and dont worry Ill correct them tomorrow and upload more chapters. Btw happy Mothers Day! (a little late though hehe) Chapter 65 Chapter 65[Sirius Year-End Party (2)] Maybe because they were employees children, they werent particularly mischievous. Unlike Jin Sena and the children who followed her, these kids werent accustomed to parties. Most of the children gathered at the party were from ordinary families. Their party suits and dresses seemed quite uncomfortable. Whats wrong with them? Theres so much delicious food! Euna, with chocolate smeared around her mouth, teased the approaching children. This is delicious. Do you want to try it too? Without hesitation, Euna held out a chocolate-covered skewer to the children, not minding if chocolate got on her hands. She handed the boy closest to her a piece of bread coated in chocolate. Here, try it. Its really delicious. But my dad told me to stay put Are you not going to eat it? W-Well, Ill eat it. She captivated the hearts of the boys at Doan Elementary School. Today, she was even wearing light makeup and a standout dress. The chocolate around her mouth was nothing at all. It was even adorable. How is it? Delicious, right? I-Its tasty As the boy put the bread into his mouth, his face turned red, and he stuttered. Then, the other children began reaching out for the food as well. It looks like theres more over there! Euna became the leader of the children in no time. She pulled up the hem of her dress, which was getting in her way, and ran ahead. The boys in suits followed her, running like neighborhood kids. The girls were no exception. Eunas friendliness didnt discriminate between boys and girls. The children who were just shy a moment ago were now raising their hems like Euna and running alongside her. Some even took off their shoes and ran barefoot. Haaa. Eunha didnt want to be part of the parade of children. He was worried about Eunas behavior, but he didnt think it would be a problem with the children behind her. He wanted to enjoy the food in silence. This is delicious too. Wow, theres even horse meat? Eunha decided to enjoy the food that he wouldnt normally be able to eat. He was frustrated by the increasingly tight belt around his waist, but it wasnt often that he had the chance to eat something like this. Soon he was not even sitting down, but standing, gobbling up the food. The adults were busy greeting each other without touching their food, so it was nice to be able to walk around unnoticed. Hah~ I gulped down my Coke and wiped the grease from my throat. I wiped the corner of my mouth with a napkin and reached for the dessert. Huh? Then Eunha noticed a girl standing still at the edge of his vision. I cant do that either. Her hair was worn in a braid that exuded innocence, and while it looked like it was tied loosely, the outline of the knot became clearer as it moved downward, a calculated effort. He had braided Baekryeons hair before the regression and Eunas hair afterward, but he had never created such a natural, calculated braid. Moreover, the girl looking out of the window had perfectly executed the side braid. The way she looked up at the night sky gave her an otherworldly air as if she had descended from the moon. Even when she stood still, she was the center of attention, and the people she was chatting with were squinting at her because of her otherworldly appearance. The boys holding the glasses exchanged glances with each other, trying to talk to her. But the girl was indifferent to her surroundings. She stared out the window, unmoving. Youre missing out on life right now. Eunha spoke to her from the party venue, where she was staring out the window. She was giving off the same vibe of being irritated with the world as he had been before. Missing out? sea??h th novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He wasnt the only one who spoke to her. Boys had been approaching her out of curiosity for a while now, but she hadnt responded to any of them because she couldnt be bothered to deal with them. But if someone started an argument, it was a different story. For the first time, she tore her gaze away from the night sky. Pretty. Eunha thought as he saw the child looking at him with a cold face. If Euna was a cheerful beauty, Hayang was a cute beauty, and Seona was a calm beauty, she was a cold beauty. If I had to put it mildly, she was similar to the fairy goddess Im Gaeul. Ah, annoying. What? Oh, sorry. That came out wrong. Her true thoughts burst out and she regretted it. He furrowed his brow and looked at her inquisitively. I said its a loss, a loss. Why is it a loss to be like this? Because you dont know how delicious the food here is. With that, he stabbed his fork at the food on his plate. He popped a piece of meat covered in barbecue sauce into his mouth and nodded in satisfaction. When are kids like us going to get food like this again, I better eat it while I can. He knew how happy he was to eat while he could. Monsters could show up anywhere at any time. Youre not supposed to eat the food at the party. Its okay, its an informal party, and were just kids. Im eight years old, arent you? We dont need to worry about adults. Eunha shrugged, not sure what the problem was. For the first time, embarrassment flashed across the girls face. So eat while you can. You havent eaten any today, have you? No. I did. Youre lying. Some women had been starving themselves for days, believing that wearing a dress would reveal their figure. If she was someone who seemed to have received etiquette education for parties, it wouldnt be surprising if she had starved herself for the day. Try this. No. Its delicious. Try. Eunha held out a bite-sized piece of cheesecake. She looked at him and the cheesecake hesitantly, then averted her gaze, Fork, its dirty. Youre so picky. What? She retorted with a cold tone. Eunha didnt respond and found a new fork to put it into her mouth. How is it? Its delicious, right? Its tasty. She admitted meekly. It was soothing to taste the sweetness on an empty stomach. Theres a lot of good stuff in there. Really? Eat while you can. . Then Ill go back to eating. Bye, bye. . She didnt say anything. She just followed him as he set out a new tray of food and began piling a few items onto her own plate. Wait. Are you going to eat standing up now? She shot back at him as he leaned against a pillar to eat. Whatever. Even adults walk around with plates. You have too many. The food on Eunhas plate was overflowing. It was definitely not a reasonable amount to eat while standing. Neither did she. It was all because he suggested it. Out of curiosity, she took a bite of this and a bite of that. Youre bothering me. Why dont you go to your own table and eat. At times like this, a man should escort a lady, dont you know? She didnt back down a bit. He glared at her, then sighed. He didnt want to cause a scene in the ballroom, but he had no choice but to take her to a table. She skillfully used the fork and knife, cutting the food into bite-sized pieces to prevent it from getting on her lips. Her manner of handling the tableware was not awkward. Through her dress, way of speaking, and etiquette, Eunha deduced that she must have come from a fairly affluent household. No, she probably lived quite well. The people attending the party were employees of the Sirius Groups subsidiaries. There was no way that someone from a conglomerate like Jin Sena would attend such a party. Thats why I felt comfortable with her. Huh? Eunha? Why is he here? Han Do-young, the next chairman of Sirius Group. Eunha was puzzled when he saw that he was brought by his father. Hello, Im Noh Eunha from Doan Elementary School, first grade, fourth class! Eunha stood up and greeted him stiffly. He was his fathers superior. He didnt care who it was, but for the sake of his fathers job security, he had to be formal. So, youre Eunha, Ive heard a lot about you. Do-Young nodded and appraised Eunha. He was well-mannered for his age, and he had a loud voice. This is my daughter, Han Seo-yeon. Of course I know Han Seo-yeon. Eunha was also familiar with the Han Seo-yeon that Han Do-young was introducing. She was the successor to the Sirius Group, following in the footsteps of Han Do-young, the next chairman. She was older than me Was it four years? Hello. Im Han Seo-yeon. Please take care of me. Han Seo-yeon was an unassuming third generation chaebol. She was an executive who excelled at reading trends and making the best decisions. So Eunha was determined to look good to her, too. But then. And this is the second one, Han Seo-hyun. Eh? Did I hear wrong? Eunha blinked, forgetting to be polite. He even repeated that she had misheard. Or not. Call me Han Seo-hyun. Suddenly, she was standing next to Seo-yeon, greeting him gently. Eunha, I was surprised to see you with Seohyun. We met here and got to know each other. He seemed surprised that Eunha was eating with Seohyun because the son he knew didnt like to socialize. I see. Please continue to be friendly with Seohyun. Shes so shy that I dont know who she is. Han Do-young was also surprised that his daughter, who hated people, showed an unexpected side. He hid his feelings and chuckled, hoping that the two children would continue to have a good relationship. Yeah, yeah. Of course, he hadnt seen this coming. What the hell. He thought of the future as he knew it. He knew that Han Do-Young , the next chairman of Sirius Group, had one wife and one child, Han Seo-Yeon. He didnt even know about Han Seo-hyuns existence. He thought she was just another child from a modest family. He hadnt realized she was Han Do-youngs second daughter. Be good to me in the future. Seohyun smiled at the still bewildered man. It was her first smile of the day. Eunha couldnt react at all. The acts he had committed against that girl replayed in his mind over and over again. Lets go, then. Yes, Father. Yes. After the introduction, Han Do-young was about to leave. Father, wait a moment. Hm? Sure. He hadnt expected her to hold on to him in public, having been trained in etiquette from a young age. He was once again surprised by her appearance and was curious about what she wanted to do, so he decided to stay in his place. Huh? Seohyun walked over to Eunha. She walked right up to him and leaned down, And Im two years older than you. Oh. Additional blow. Seohyun walked away without listening to his excuses. Eunha could only stare after her as she walked away. Then, their gazes met as she turned her head. She seemed to be smiling mischievously. He had been played. He had a motto of repaying double when someone played him. But that wasnt the issue. What? Whats wrong? Maybe Dad, You are about to get fired. What? What do you mean? Eunha stood still, not explaining. Three days had passed. The end of a year had passed just like that. E/N: I thought it was Lee yoo jung!! (The girl who practically gave Eunha a second life) Ugh, I want to see her soon Chapter 66 Chapter 66[In Lunar Year 4, 2nd Grade] The lunar year has changed, and it is now the fourth year according to the lunar calendar. (1) Eunha is in his second grade of elementary school. He had grown so tall that his mother said she had to buy him new clothes because he couldnt fit into the ones he wore the previous year. Sure, he had grown in a year, but not as much as the girls. He was still a head shorter than Minji and Seona. Captain, what are you thinking about? Haha. And Eunhyuk, taller than Minji and a little smaller than Seona. Eunha sighed when he saw him pop up out of nowhere. Are you the only one who gets bigger when you eat? The two of them had been about the same height a year ago, and while Eunhyuk was taller then, it wasnt by a head like it was today. Huh? Well Ive been training like the captain told me to, so maybe thats why Ive grown? Thats a lie. I havent grown at all. Eunha was also training whenever he had time. So he couldnt believe that training made him taller. How tall was I in my previous life? Right before I died, I was 174.5, an ambiguous height in the player world, not small, but not tall either. In this life, I had a goal to surpass 175 and reach 180, but after seeing Eunhyuks growth, I felt less motivated. Oh, is it because of the juice Hayangs dad made? Did you go to Happiness often? Captain told me to stop by Happiness whenever I had time. As soon as I had pocket money, I went to drink the juice, didnt I? Eunhyuk puffs out his chest. I am good, right? Praise me. He was looking at him with wide eyes like a puppy waiting to be petted on the head. Of course, Eunha didnt meet his expectations. What Eunhyeok said made sense and made him think. Could it be that it also helps you grow taller? Huh, captain? When Eunha consumed mana, he would absorb the mana that dissolved in the atmosphere. The process of absorbing mana into his body was time-consuming and inefficient, but he didnt need to use potions to restore it unless he was fighting monsters. Eunhyuk, on the other hand, was not used to recovering mana from the atmosphere. If he absorbed it incorrectly, it could cause a mana surge. So Eunha suggested that he drink Jungs potion whenever he had a spare moment while training. Sure enough! Eunhyeok wasnt the only child he recommended potions to. Minji and Seona, too. He advised the two kids to drink potions too. I cant believe its a potion that makes you taller. Ill have to drink one everyday from today. Whats wrong with him? I dont know, hes just not talking to me anymore. Meanwhile, Minji returned from talking to the kids in her new class. When she saw him, she frowned and clicked her tongue, Here we go again. By now, he was no stranger to being lost in thought. Hey, No Eunha, wake up. Are you going to be like this on the first day of the second year? I wish the potion had fixed your personality, too. What? What did you just say? Come on, I didnt say anything, its just that you always act like this when I do something. Dont try to play dumb. I dont know what you said, but do you think I dont know that youre cursing at me? Youve been cussing me out since you were a little girl. Eunha thought back to the first time he met Minji. Even then, she hadnt known what Mukminji meant, but she had recognized that he was cursing at her. I cant go anywhere and curse at you. But Eunha wasnt the type to back down. Where do you get the nerve to accuse me? You wont speak straight? Youre a Gungye, youre not a Mukminji anymore, youre a Gungminji, right? (2) What is Gungye, and didnt I tell you not to call me by that name? Eunha raised his voice with a nuance of resentment. The loudest person in the room always won. Minji wasnt one to be pushed around either. She also raised her voice and strengthened her gaze. Guys, stop fighting~ Thats right. Is it going to be like this since the beginning of the semester? Eunhyuk couldnt stop the two who had started arguing, so he sent a distress signal to Hayang and Seona, who had arrived at school just in time. Were all in the same class this year, are you going to do this? Hayang had gotten used to their bickering by now. She put her bag on Minjis backseat and made a stern face. They werent afraid of her puffy cheeks, but they knew when to back off. Ha, I cant help it. Youre only putting up with me because its the beginning of the semester, I know. On the topic of Mukminji This is so! The two were still growling, but they werent arguing. Instead, they just glared at each other without speaking. But its weird. Were all in the same class. Thats right. I thought we were going to split up. Seona nodded at the topic Eunhyuk had brought up. She was worried that she might be the only one in a different class. On the day of the closing ceremony, when they heard the class assignment results, she couldnt help but jump up, not caring about the eyes of others. Well, it was exciting. Eunha also expected the kids to be separated into different classes, but contrary to his expectations, only the kids who were close to each other were assigned to the third class of the second grade. Jin-sena, on the other hand, was placed in a class with kids she didnt get along with. Last year, she lost her clique after an incident at the sports day and ended up alone. She was in class 1. At Doan Elementary School, there were four classes per grade. He was assigned to Class 3, and his shoulders were lightened by the thought that he would never have to face Class 1. I hope we can have a peaceful year this time. Captain, Captain. Why? Hey, those kids are staring at you from earlier. Ugh. Eunha had been feeling the stares since he entered the class. They hadnt been threatening him, so hed left them alone. Captain. Do you want me to scold them? Ha, Eunhyeok, lets not make a big deal out of this. Yes, sir. Eunha had no intention of laying a hand on the children first. Especially since they were looking at him with wariness and fear in their eyes. Um, excuse me At that moment, a particularly large boy stood out among the children who were looking at each other. Ha. Eunha sighed to herself. He wasnt going to touch him if he didnt approach him, but he didnt expect him to come to him directly. Hick. The kid made eye contact and backed away, embarrassed, then wiped his sweat and apologized. Hi My name is Kim Domyoung. My father is the CEO of Domyoung Tires. So. What do you want? Im sorry, Im not going to touch you guys. Im just going to breathe quietly and be a third year! Ha, okay, go ahead. Lets get along for the rest of the year. Ugh, yeah, Ill just breathe! The boy ran off without looking back. Sar?h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The children who had been watching the situation were relieved. Aha. After the sports day, a rumor spread around the school that Eunhas father had made the president of KK Pharmaceuticals bow his head. The upperclassmen who heard the rumor were not pleased, thinking that Eunha was an idiot who used his fathers power to run wild. Fortunately, Euna did her best to dispel misunderstandings, but the rumors didnt disappear among his classmates. The kids were right to be scared, as Jin sena, who dominated the first grade, hadnt spoken to Eunha since that day. There was even talk among the kids that his father must have been behind the breakup of her clique. Are you sure we dont need to clear up the misunderstanding? Minji was uncharacteristically concerned for Eunha, and she didnt like the rumors about him. Part of her wanted to rant to the kids. It was the same for the other children. Except he didnt want to. Stay still. How nice that they wouldnt touch him. How much she had hoped for that. It was the last thing he needed, given his aversion to children. Im fine. How nice to be quiet. He didnt like the lingering stares of the children, but he could live with it for the seclusion. Yeah, okay. But do you really you have to tell me if youre having a hard time Seona blamed herself for him becoming the object of fear for the children. If Eunha asked for help, she was determined to do everything she could to assist him. Okay. Not that he would. In his second life, he was determined to live in seclusion and peace. That was happiness. I wouldnt do anything to destroy it. Eunha vowed to himself again. Oh, its you! Captain, Ill go back to my seat. The children scrambled to their seats as the teacher entered the third class of second grade. The teacher who put the attendance book on the table was a man with thin-rimmed glasses. At Doan Elementary School, the teacher of class 3 was also the head of the grade, so he was usually a man. So Eunha had been expecting a male teacher since he was told his class assignment. So he wasnt as nervous as other kids when he saw him. What is he doing? In a different sense, Eunha felt tense. The way the man moved from the classroom door to the teachers desk was similar to the footsteps of a player trying to make a surprise attack without giving any signs. Moreover, the man had concealed his mana by condensing it externally as much as possible. My name is Im Dohoon, and Ill be your homeroom teacher for the next year. The man looked around at the children before fixing his gaze on Eunha. He had sensed Eunhas mana leakage. What the hell is this guy doing? He didnt avert his gaze from the player who introduced himself as a homeroom teacher. Its me. Hmm, come in. The old man closed the book he was reading. I wonder how long hes been reading. He rubbed the corners of his eyes and carefully polished his monocle. Report. He didnt turn his head. Leaning back in his rocking chair, he looked out over the balcony where the sun was beginning to set. Yes. Mr. Kim replied briefly. (3) There are signs that KK Pharmaceuticals is trying to get involved in the administration of Doan Elementary School. Apparently, theyre trying to prevent Ms. Jung from being in the same class as the children. I see. KK Pharmaceuticals. The old man muttered to himself. He tapped his fingers on the armrest. If its KK Pharmaceuticals, was it run by Kim Geons bloodline? The old man recalled the shareholding structure of KK Group in his head. KK Pharmaceuticals was a small company that didnt have much weight in KK Group. It was probably not an affiliate controlled by the immediate family of the chairman of KK Group. And yet, they were trying to interfere with a child he loved like a granddaughter? The old man couldnt believe it. As far as he was concerned, KK Pharmaceuticals was nothing more than a neighborhood pharmacy, and he didnt like the fact that such a company was trying to interfere with the Doan Elementary School, which he sponsored. The world has certainly become much better. To think they would challenge me in a fight over money. He was someone who would sell even land to buy the books he desired. While youre at it, deal with the teachers who took money from KK Pharmaceuticals. As for KK Group let that Kim Geon know what I have to say. Yes, understood. The next agenda is about Jin Seona Yang Hmm, whats going on? Apparently, theres been a spate of demands from some parents to expel Jin Seona Yang The old man frowned. Jin seona was a little girl who lived in the church he sponsored. He had actively pushed for her admission to Doan Elementary School when he heard of her coming of age. And he thought he hadnt made a bad choice. She was as good and sincere as he had heard. Why? Is it because shes an ain child? The old man asked. Mr. Kim said nothing. The old man clicked his tongue as he rocked in his chair. Even he, who was over 60 years old, looked at humans and monsters separately. He thought it was foolish to treat children as monsters. The future must be led by children. And it was children like Seona who would rebuild the world once destroyed. Since the world has been destroyed, I cant say that education should be provided equally to all children, but a child with talent should be given the opportunity to showcase that talent, which is the most necessary thing. Foolish people who only believe in what they can see. Tell them that will never happen, the old man sighed, closing out the agenda. Phew. The childrens school life will be tough. Kim, what about that matter? I handled it well. In April last year, the old man couldnt forget the Bukhansan incident that stirred up public opinion in South Korea. Children had been injured in the fight against the monster. I cant say that it wont happen again. We have to think that it could happen in the future. The world is crazy. Besides, there was the Dawn Department Store attack a few months ago. Eunha was involved in a succession battle at Dawn Department Store. The old man couldnt help but worry about his children being caught up in such a toxic event. In the end, he chose to hire a former player as their teacher. Although retired due to injuries, the player still holds a reputable position in the players world. Is he trustworthy? He retired from Regulus. I see. Regulus was one of the seven clans that received the S-grade in South Korea. It was also the clan to which Park Hye-rim, the Twelve Chairs , belonged. Hmm. The old man picked up the book and stood up. Stepping out onto the balcony, he watched the sun set and recalled what had happened not long ago. With who do you want to be in the same class when you enter the second grade? Well, I want to be in the same class as my friends, but my dad said it would be hard for me to be in the same class as all of them. Huh. Well, thats not going to happen. Grandpa will make your wish come true. Heh. Im fine, Grandpa. Im not a little kid anymore. Im nine years old. Hehe! Im sorry. Grandpa must have thought you were a child, then lets see if you can make a prediction. A prediction? Yes. You will be in the same class as your friends in the second grade. Hehe. Goseogwang, the one who would sell land to buy the books he wanted. (4) When did this child get a place in his heart? Its amazing, isnt it? The old man called someone who was no longer in this world. He gently stroked the thickly bound book. It was a book with a silhouette of a rabbit wearing a monocle and holding a pocket watch. (1) The lunar year is a different way of measuring time based on the moons phases. It has 12 months, but they can be shorter than in our regular calendar. Sometimes, an extra month is added to match it with our calendar. Different cultures use the lunar calendar for special holidays. (2) In this context, the term noble () is used metaphorically to refer to someone who is elevated or distinguished in some way. It doesnt necessarily imply literal nobility, but rather a higher or privileged position. Of course, Eunha was joking. (3) Mr. Kim: I dont know if you guys remember but I wasnt sure about whose name was it. Now I want to know the grandpas identity (4) Goseogwang is a term that refers to someone who is willing to sell their land or property in order to acquire books. It is often used to describe a person who values knowledge and books above material possessions. In the given context, it is mentioned as a characteristic of the old man, indicating his deep love for books and willingness to go to great lengths to obtain them. Chapter 67 Chapter 67[if youre the player]. -Mom, Dad. I want to be a player. On that day, just days after the Dawn Department Store attack, Euna declared at a family gathering. She wasnt kidding. As Euna waited for her family to respond, they realized she was serious and drew their eyebrows together. Im against it. They had heard the gist of what had happened at the Dawn Department Store. Shed been saved by Bruno, and it was no secret that she admired the players. But the people who attacked the department store were also players. We shouldnt think of players as heroes who save people from monsters. Players are nothing more than emotionally driven madmen who kill monsters for the sake of killing them, and selfish people who will stop at nothing to fulfill their own needs. Players are dangerous. They dont go well with you, Noona. You dont know until you try, and you said I have talent, Eunha. You have talent, but I didnt teach you mana control to be a player. The reason Eunha taught her to control her mana was because of the vast amount of mana she had in her body. If she hadnt been taught to use her mana from a young age, she would have died of mana sickness. He never intended to teach her to be a player. All he wanted was for her to be happy. He wanted her to live a long, healthy life without getting sick. He wanted her to live in a world where mana was power and not be treated unfairly. I dont care what you say, Eunha, I want to be a player. Eunas attitude was firm. She listened when Eunha was serious, but she wouldnt back down on this one. I want to be someone who can save others. No one would break her resolve. Eunha knew that once she set her mind to something, she wouldnt give up. Whoa. He wanted her to be happy, and that included her being free. If she was this determined, he wasnt going to argue with her. But he wasnt the only one she had to convince. There was no way his parents would stop her from becoming a player. Deep down, Eunha was even hoping for that. Even if he couldnt break her resolve, he thought his parents might. Of course, they didnt live up to his expectations. Fine. Eunha, do what you want. Mom! His mother spoke without hesitation. Startled, Eunha forgot he was eating dinner and slammed his hand down on the table. There was a loud clatter of silverware. Eunae, who was clumsily handling her fork in her mothers arms, burst into tears at the sound. Thats not right, Eunae is crying. Eunae, its okay. You did something wrong, didnt you? You made Eunae cry. Uhh, Im s-sorry Mother picked Eunae up and patted her on the back. Then she scolded him in a condescending tone. Eunha was hurt by Eun-aes tearful sight, but this was not the time to be depressed. Mom. My sister is going to be a player, are you okay with that? Of course Im not. I know what its like to be a player. But if thats what you want to do, then I want you to do what you want to do. Thanks, Mom. Youll be good at it, right? Yes! She just wanted Euna to have the life she dreamed of. She wanted her to be a player. Even if she got frustrated and despaired along the way, and gave up on her dreams, that was still her dream life. Of course, if she had the right aptitude as a player, that would also be her dream life. So her mother had no intention of discouraging her. Instead, she asked if she could do her best to achieve her dream life. Euna realized her mothers intentions and nodded. Dad. His mother raised her hand. Now the only person left was his father. Eunha hoped he could convince her. Hmm. You. His father had kept his arms crossed and his eyes closed ever since Euna had declared her intention to become a player. Only when his mother called him did he slowly open his eyes and face her. When you say you want to become a player, you mean youre going to enter the Middle School Academy next year, right? A player is someone who knows how to manipulate mana and kill monsters. In South Korea, a player is a graduate of a state-designated player academy. The Player Academy consisted of a comprehensive 10-year program. It was divided into a 3-year middle school academy, a 3-year high school academy, and a 4-year advanced academy, starting from the point of graduating elementary school. The issuance of player qualifications was only applicable to those who completed the program after the third year of the high school academy. Therefore, among players, some attended the high school academy during their high school years or transferred to the third year of the high school academy. In addition, the Player Academy, excluding the middle school academy, accepted people of all ages. Euna wouldnt have thought of abruptly transferring to the third year of the high school academy. The reason she declared her intention to become a player before her sixth year of elementary school, the following year, was so she could take the entrance exam for the Middle School Academy. Yes, Dad. Im applying to the Middle School Academy. Its not because the academy exempts tuition, right? Were not a financially struggling household. We can send you to any middle school you want. The Player Academy was funded by government taxes and sponsorships from various companies. Tuition and dormitory fees were waived for academy students. Not that Euna would ever consider it. His father was worried that she was applying to the Player Academy out of concern for her family. And if she did, his pride would be hurt. Of course she wouldnt. I like the Player Academy. Okay, then, Euna, do what you want. He had no intention of stopping her if she truly wanted to become a player. Although he was concerned about her willingly facing risks, he knew that there were no parents in this world who could surpass their childrens determination. He wanted to let her roam freely as she pleased. It was a pre-marriage commitment as well. Father glanced at mother out of the corner of his eye. It was as if the world had already come to an end. Father was an orphan. He had no choice but to live ruthlessly in the destroyed world. The things he wanted to do and the things he wanted to eat, he had to avert his gaze from the things other children took for granted and dream only of success. And then he met mother. Didnt he make that commitment back then? To let our children enjoy the things I couldnt. Fathers lips curled up as he recalled that time. Mother, who happened to meet his gaze, also showed a gentle smile. Thank you, Dad! Euna stood up abruptly and ran towards her father. It was a rare occasion for her to cling to him, as just a while ago she complained about his prickly beard. Father felt happy and laughed heartily. I cant help it. Eunha could only shake his head as he watched. Since his parents raised their hands in agreement, he couldnt oppose them. Just like they said. If Euna was so determined, they could only encourage her to do what she wanted to do. Still, Euna, I didnt expect you to say you wanted to be a player. Well, maybe if it were Eunha, but I never thought you would say such a thing. We both agreed on this. If Eunha wants to become a player, lets sincerely support him. Upon hearing those words, Eunha choked on his dinner. He raised his head, covering his mouth with his hand, and coughed. It was as if he felt unfairly treated. Mom, Dad, Im not going to become a player. He was about to tell them his decision. No way. Dad smirked and scooped up his seaweed soup. Mom wont object if you want to be a player. My mother consoled me, saying, Dont worry too much. No, I dont really want to be a player. No one listened to him, no matter how many times he said it. (E/N: We all know you will though) In the end, Eunha decided to support Eunas player declaration. In fact, he changed his mind. If she was willing to become a player, he would make her a player with unrivaled power. Captain, arent you going home? You guys go on your own today. I have somewhere to go with my sister. After gathering his things, Eunha left the children waiting outside the classroom. Knowing his personality, they wondered what was going on, but they left without asking. Should I find a place to pass the time? The lower and upper grades had different end times for classes. So Eunha read in the library and waited for her sisters dismissal time. If youre going to push, you have to push with determination. With a vast amount of mana, the only people who could turn Euna into a mature player were those with equally vast amounts of mana. Of all the people Eunha knew, Shin Seoyoung was the only one. Moreover, she was the most qualified person to teach Euna. It just so happened that Seoyoungs sister also wanted to teach her. Last year, at the Sirius year-end party, Seo-young actively appealed to Euna to accept her as The Seed. So it was a no-brainer to make an appointment with her. He planned to take Euna to meet her today. If shes really going to be a player, she should be able to do this. If Euna was truly determined to become a player, she would be able to pass the test he and she had prepared. She had to pass. Didnt noona say shes in the fourth grade? Eunha climbed the stairs and reached the fifth floor, where only the sixth graders gathered, just as the last kids were coming out of class. He bumped into one of them as he ran to get out of school. He was still small in stature, but his daily training had prevented him from losing his balance. Instead, the bigger child stumbled. Ah, shit. Shit? If you collide, you should apologize politely. Eunha frowned as he looked at the child who almost fell. Youre not in the sixth grade, are you? Who told you to come up here as you please? The kid had a big face and was wearing clothes that showed off his bulk. Haa. Eunha sighed inwardly. Soon, the boy was surrounded by children with hair just as yellow as his. So what the hell. What? The chubby-cheeked boy pursed his lips. He didnt seem pleased as he stared back with intensity. When I have something nice to say. When I have something nice to say, just go away. Eunha looked up at the grumpy kid and stopped himself from speaking. What the hell. Isnt that Lee Kang-hyuk? He recognized the face. Grumpy cheeks. Dull yellow hair. The huge frame. Except for his height, the face was identical to the one he knew. There was no way he couldnt remember it, even if it was just a glimpse. Lee Kang-hyuk. Before his regression, he was a player who dominated the back alleys of Seongbuk-gu. He wasnt a very good player, but he had a knack for exploiting peoples weaknesses and manipulating his subordinates. It wasnt a myth that all information in the slums of Seongbuk-gu went through Lees organization. Youve been living in Seongbuk-gu since you were a child, so thats why you were able to deal in information from Seongbuk-gu. Eunha didnt have much to do with him directly. Lee Kang-hyuk was the head of the organization and didnt even bother to look at Eun-ha, who was just a player at the time. So when they started calling him Undead, Berserker, or even The Little Princesss Hound, he didnt feel anything for Lee Kang-hyuks death. It was an insignificant death. Lee Kang-hyuks death was so hollow; He lost his life to the blade of a lover with whom he had promised to share his life. There was nothing behind his death. It was a simple love quarrel. Whoever it is, they havent met yet. If Lee Kang-hyuk is no longer a player, it may change his future. Not that its any of my business. I didnt want to bother. There was nothing to be gained from a future that changed Lee Kang-hyuks death. sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunha had nothing to do with whether he was stabbed to death by his lover or not. You still dont get it, do you? Do you really want to get into trouble? Wow, kids these days are so arrogant. On the contrary, Eunha could have killed him at any moment. In another sense, he had a chance to end Lee Kang-hyuks future. He clenched his teeth. He slowly drew mana from within his body. He planned to intimidate them with a light shot of mana first. If they didnt back down, he was determined to show them what it meant to be consumed by fear. Just then. Lee Kang-hyuk! A group led by Lee Kang-hyuk was bullying the younger kid. The news of their confrontation had reached Eunas ears, and she was running through the crowd of children to save Eunha. Didnt I tell you to stop bullying the kids! Ugh, Eun-ah. Huh? Eunha looked at Lee Kang-hyuks reddening face and shook his head. No way, this guy. The way his eyes were rolling, and the way his lips were pursed, it was like he was at a loss for words in front of his crush. Huh. This is how I found out he likes my sister? My consideration of him crashed through the floor and into the bottomless pit. But, its not like that. He bumped into me without apologizing. So, we were just trying to teach him a lesson. Since Lee Kang-hyuk couldnt touch Euna, the children following him couldnt say anything to her either. All of the big kids were unable to stand up and even cowered. A lesson? Euna raised her eyebrows as she glared at Lee Kang-hyuk. Thats not it! Lee Kang-hyuk felt unjustly accused. It was his friend who said it, not him. He waved his thick hands to prove his innocence, but his words stuttered and gibbered. Did you just tell my brother that youre going to teach him a lesson? Your brother? Lee Kang-hyuk, who hadnt even met Eunas eyes, jerked up at the sound. He looked back and forth between her and Eunha, who was behind him and scratched his head. They dont look alike at all. One of the children said. Lee Kang-hyuk nodded inwardly. Euna was the one who was rumored to be the prettiest girl in her grade, with a good personality and no bad at sports. And yet, she was siblings with a boy with a rough-looking kid and harsh eyebrows. It was unbelievable. But Lee Kang-hyuk wasnt an idiot who couldnt read the mood; he didnt take over the back streets of Seongbuk-gu with his keen eyes and cunning. Im sorry, I guess we werent thinking, we wont do that next time. Lee Kang-hyuk didnt even bow to his teacher. But he could have bowed to Euna as long as he didnt offend her. As it was, he bowed to Eunha as well. Im sorry. You said you were Eunas brother. Are you hurt? What is this guy? Now hes stammering and trying to be friendly. Eunha didnt like how he could change his demeanor in an instant, especially considering what he had in mind. Eunha, lets go! Euna abruptly turned her head, shouting, Dont do this again! She swept her hair back and grabbed Eunhas wrist, pulling him away. Hehe. Have a good time~! Eunas brother, if anyone bullies you at school, be sure to tell me, Ill take care of it! Even so, Lee Kang-hyuk was smiling pleased. Sis, do you like him? I dont know, but Kang-hyuk is older than you. Whether its him or someone else. Do you like him? Hehe, I like you the most. Then its okay, I wont kill him. Hell die later, even if its not by me. While Euna couldnt see, Eunha raised the corners of his mouth. Chapter 68 Chapter 68[If you are a player (2)] After the End of the Century Destruction, the Republic of Korea lost some areas to monsters and left others in ruins. Thirty years have passed since then, and despite the inauguration of the Fairy Woman, the neglected areas have remained largely unchanged. There is talk of retaking occupied territory and rebuilding shattered cities, but for now, just defending the existing territory is enough. Its about time. Eunha brought Euna to a building in an area that had been neglected by the government. The slightest movement stirred up the dust on the floor. If you looked down at the floor, you could still see their shoe prints. They both drew on their mana to keep the dust from entering their respiratory systems. How did you know her, Eunha? Weve been friends since we met in Happiness. It was difficult to recover if unnecessary topics were brought up. Eunha scratched his cheek. He wasnt lying. Eunha had met Shin Seo-young at Mount Bukhansan, but he hadnt gotten to know her since lunch at Happiness. As it was, he avoided the questions he couldnt answer and waited for her to arrive. Shes coming. Ah. It wasnt long before the flow of mana was observed. Euna, who had gotten better at deploying her sensing net, also recognized an abnormal flow. A wind was blowing. Inside a building that couldnt be called windy. And. Eunas mouth dropped open as she watched the winds from different directions intertwine in the middle of the room. It was a simple yet methodical technique. On the surface, it looked like anyone could do it. But Euna knew how hard it was to imagine the shape of the wind. It was only with the support of her imagination that the rituals came together and became truly magical. Greatwow. The only time Euna knew of Shin Seo-youngs power was when she unleashed the magic she had constructed in the party hall. It was the first time she had witnessed the reason why she was called Im sorry. Youve been waiting a while, havent you? Ive been waiting a long time, not just a little. Youre really impatient, arent you? Seoyoung Shin stepped out of the wind. She swept her hair behind her ear and pouted her lips when she saw Eunha, who was giving her a big smile. Hello? Oh, hello! Euna quickly bent her upper body at a right angle in greeting. Since shed gotten a glimpse of Shin Seo-young, shed wanted to learn more magic. Ive introduced myself before, but Im Shin Seoyoung. Dont call me Xin Feng or whatever, just call me Sister Seo-young. Yes, Seo-young! Okay. Shin Seo-young looked at the sparkling Euna and suppressed a smile inside. Shed been caught. This was all according to plan. In fact, she didnt even need to use magic to appear. She just wanted to show Euna, her future pupil, a side of herself as a teacher, and she wanted to stimulate Eunas mind. Of course, Eunha was unimpressed by her appearance. In fact, when he realized her intentions, he gave her a cold shoulder. Seo-young wasnt disappointed by Eunhas reaction. Her target today was Euna. Lets show her a little more, shall we? Theres too much dust in here. Let me air it out a bit. She waved her hand lightly. At that moment, the ripples that spread out from under her palm became wind, blowing away the dust on the floor. Wow! Euna exclaimed, as expected, Oh, I wish I had one of these in my house. Eunha marveled in a different sense. Eunha you. What? Why? Eunha smiled widely, like an innocent child. He has become more playful since the last time she saw him, more playful indeed. It was as if she was dealing with an indifferent person. Noona, did you bring it? I brought it as you asked. Eunha didnt pay attention to her tongue-in-cheek reaction. Sighing, she reached into her belt pouch. What she handed him was a small gemstone. Eunha looked it over, then walked over to the window to hold it up to the light. The sunlight streaming through the tall building was enough to see its condition. It was fine. The gemstone had a smooth cross-section. It was an eighth-ranked gemstone, the highest grade, with not a single flaw in sight. Sis, I told you before, being a player is dangerous. Yes. Euna replied with a determined face, but she had already heard the explanation before she came here. But if you want to become a Player, Im not against it anymore. Im not against it, but Im going to test you to see if you can become one. Eunha imbued the small gemstone with mana. It was only a small amount of mana. But mana has a way of attracting mana. Even though it was only a small amount of mana, the mana dissolved in the air began to flow around the stone. Noona Seoyoung, please. Sure. Eunha tossed the gemstone onto the floor, and as if it had been waiting for this moment, the mana rushed in. Seo-young immediately formed a barrier around the entire floor. Seo-young, wheres the player device? Its here. Here, sister. Seo-young pulled out the player device, which was a knife that a child could wield. Eunha checked the device for any problems and handed it to Euna. Yeah. It was her first time holding the device. She ran her hand over the sharpened blade. It was cold. Very cold. A knife without a hint of warmth. She knew what she had to do with it. Ill begin. The stage was already set. Eunha pointed to the monster that was born from omnipresence. Huh? The monster shook off the mana on its body and looked around. Euna, who had been carefully holding her sword, made eye contact with the monster and panicked. It was a blue squirrel the size of her palm. Porori, an eighth-ranked monster. Thats your enemy. Eunha said calmly. Euna couldnt understand anymore. This is a monster? She thought monsters were dangerous beings that harmed people. The monsters she faced as a child and the monsters at the Dawn Department Store were like that. But this monster was so small and cute. It was hard to think that they could harm people. Dont let your guard down. Eunhas advice fell on deaf ears. Porori cautiously approached, her tiny head cocked. Are you going to hit me? Her round eyes seemed to ask just that. Hes so cute! I wanted to run over and hug him right then and there, and rub his face. By the time I thought about it, I had already given Porori full access. Huh? Pororis head popped up, and she opened her mouth with a toothy grin. Poro..ri? Where did a head that could swallow one whole come from such a small body? It was a sudden and unexpected turn of events. There was no time to think. Im going to die. Thats why I told you not to let your guard down. If Eunha hadnt kicked Porori, her head would have been ripped off. Eighth-tier monster, Porori. A monster that catches its opponents off guard with its cute behavior and then shoves anything into its mouth. Ah. Suddenly, she remembered what Eunha had told her earlier. Humans and monsters could not coexist. Monsters born of omnipresence kill humans for mana. Dont judge by appearances. If youre a player, you shouldnt hesitate against monsters. Its you, sister, who dies. If youre a player, you exist to kill monsters. But just a moment before, she had thought that maybe there were monsters that were harmless. Her complacency was her undoing. Monsters were monsters. Monsters and humans could not coexist. Still, still. She looked down at the knife on the floor. She hesitated when she looked up and saw Porori standing guard, keeping her distance. She was supposed tokill him? Porori was now frightened and running away as soon as he made eye contact. After realizing that the entire floor was surrounded by barriers, the monster cowered in the corner. It looked like a frightened puppy. I wanted to run over and reassure it that it was okay. Even if Porori recognized it as a monster, she felt resistance to killing such a small creature. Ah. It was a knife. Even if it was a device, it was still a weapon that could kill. From the moment I realized it, my hand trembled as I held the knife. Suddenly, she remembered the incident at the department store at dawn. Even then, she had failed to kill the man, even when she could have. This time, she must. Shed made a promise to Eunha. If she wanted to be a player, she had to at least be able to kill monsters. Still, it was better than before. Monsters, not people. Can you do it? Eunha asked her, barely able to hold her sword. Euna nodded, even if it was forced. I still want to be a player. I never wanted to be a player from the beginning. That day, I watched Eunha run to face the Kraken alone. That day, listening to stories of him taking down goblins to save his friends. That day, watching him sleep in his hospital bed. That day, watching Julieta being taken away by the men, feeling helpless. That day, I watched Bruno turn one hellish moment around in an instant. Its not wrong to be weak. Its not wrong to be left behind. Its not wrong to be protected. But she didnt want to stand by and watch helplessly. She didnt want to let her beloved brother do it all alone. She wanted to be the one who could stand beside him. She needed strength to defend the people she loved. She wanted to be the one who could protect them. So, so. Euna tightened her grip on the knife. The trembling didnt stop. But she had to get through it. Hes scary, really. Seo-young, who had lunch with Eunha every month, knew how important his sister was to him. So it was surprising. The way he treated her so coldly. What? Did I get something on my face? Eunha asked without taking his eyes off Euna, who was struggling with Porori Youre more composed than I thought. I have no reason to be composed. She realized now that Eunha was suppressing the urge to kill Porori right now. If she touched him in the slightest, his mana would explode with the power to harm people. But we have to do this. Because players are dangerous? Eunha nodded steadily. Players didnt kill monsters that threatened humanity. Players were the most greedy, selfish, and self-serving of all. She was well aware of the fate of those who entered the Academy with a sense of righteousness to become defenders of humanity. Some gave up along the way. Some resigned themselves to reality. Some would eventually be culled. Only a small percentage of players would go on to become defenders of humanity. Which one am I? It occurred to her, and she smiled bitterly. She was the one who had adapted to reality. Wearing the mask of a defender of humanity. I need her to be just my sister, so I dont want her to be a player. For the umpteenth time. Even when she could have killed Porori, Euna didnt dare to swing her sword. It was the reason for this long, tedious battle. But if she wants to be a player, I have to help her become the player she wants to be. Is that what youre doing, making a child whos still in elementary school kill monsters? Seoyoung was dumbfounded. Normal humans have a resistance to killing creatures. Even the Player Academy doesnt do crazy things like ask new students to kill monsters. Yes, this was crazy. Now hes doing the crazy thing of asking you to kill monsters if you want to be a player. Ah, this kids mind is messed up. What were you thinking just now? Oh, nothing. I just thought maybe youre too sensitive. I dont think its too late for you to enter the academy. I originally wanted to tell you to kill people, but I decided to lower it to monsters because I didnt want to hear that Im a crazy person. I have to pretend I didnt hear that. Seoyoung didnt reply. She felt like if she did, she would find out just how crazy this world was. There are two reasons for this test: I want her to give up, and I want her to realize that saving someone is no different than killing someone. Seo-Young couldnt agree more. Saving someone means killing someone. At least in the players world. Sometimes players had to sacrifice someone to save someone, and sometimes they could only save someone by killing someone. And the other reason? The other one is if my sister is going to be a player, I want her to be a strong player, so at least she wont have anything bad happen to her. Seoyoung couldnt agree more. The world of players was ruled by the logic of strength. It was wrong to be weak. You had to kill before you were killed. S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was wrong to be left behind. It was wrong to be culled before being culled. It was wrong to be protected. It was wrong to betray before you were betrayed. She had suffered unspeakable indignities to get to this point. Those who caused that tragedy are no longer here. If shed had unrivaled power from the start, she might not have had to go through such a difficult time. Maybe I wouldnt have gone through the painful and complicated emotions. No, wait. She looked down at Eunha. How did this child know about the players world? Above all, it seemed like he was warning against trusting anyone. Not to entrust ones heart to anyone. Thats the ideal players life. Players are human beings after all, and they cant help but trust someone. To completely deny that notion. Is it because hes still young? Or is it because he had some experiences at that age that led him to such thoughts? Seoyoung wanted to believe it was the former. Euna had 14 chances to kill Porori. And it wasnt until number 15 that she was able to cut off the monsters breathing. Amidst the ruins, even though they had engaged in such a fierce battle, there was no trace to be found. Just a thud, with the sound echoing through the floor as the lifeless jade stone fell. Ah Euna sank to the ground. Her grip on her sword had stopped trembling. As she stared at her bloodied hand, the sensation of slaying the monster shed been struggling with returned. Aah. Something gurgled inside her throat. She ducked down to avoid spitting it out. She clamped her hand over her mouth. She held it in, barely. Then a single tear slid down her cheek. She wiped it away with her bloody hand. Until blood smeared across her face, which was a mixture of sweat, tears, and dust. Well done. You did well. Quietly, Eunha wiped the dirt from her face. She embraced him silently, sobbing softly. Chapter 69 Chapter 69[Milk and Cigarettes] Doan Elementary School served milk to its students. The caterer left a carton of milk by the door before the end of first period. Ugh, I dont like milk. Im Dohoon brought the milk carton back to class as soon as it was over, and some of the girls pouted their lips and grumbled. The kids had a love-hate relationship with milk. Some said they couldnt drink it because it was empty, while others refused to drink white milk. The class representative should come forward and take as many as the number of students. Put any empty milk cartons back in the box. If Miss Yu Ji-na had been the homeroom teacher when Eunha was in first grade, she wouldnt have been able to calm the childrens complaints. However, Im Dohoon, the homeroom teacher of Class 3 in second grade and also the grade coordinator, was different. The children found him difficult to read, as he maintained a blank expression all day. Lets settle it later. Im Dohoon was aware that the children found him intimidating. During break time, he would try to leave his seat as much as possible. The children didnt wander off. They noticed him distancing himself and busily dealt with the milk. Who wants to drink my milk? Hey, hey. Dont you want my milk? They said if you drink milk, youll grow taller. Then you drink it. Eunha let out a sigh but accepted a girls offer and received the milk. He quickly downed the milk in one breath as soon as he opened the milk carton. Here you go. Yes, thank you! The girl smiled brightly and went back to her seat. Ha. A month into second grade. The kids who were afraid of Eunha were now slowly coming around, because they realized that he wasnt the troublemaker he was rumored to be, and most importantly, because his friends stood up for him. Minji, for example, had turned the second-grade class into a clique. This is because Kim Domyoung, who would have been an influential figure within the third class, is not at school as he promised Eunha. Moreover, unlike Sena, Domyoung was not belligerent. It was too easy for Min-ji to bend him to her will and use him to control the other kids, and she ended up becoming the one who set the tone for the class. Eunhyuk was the same. He had been popular among the boys even before. Starting from second grade, his excellent athletic abilities, natural friendliness, and liveliness captivated the attention of the girls as well. When someone like him started gravitating towards Eunha, the children couldnt completely ignore him. Captain, Captain, I saved one for you! Whats wrong with this kid? Eunha frowned at Eunhyuk, who was in a good mood today. Ta-da~! The item Eunhyuk pulled out of his pocket was a Jetty. It was a magical item that made even children who hated white milk love it. You, where did you get this. Shhh! Only the captain knows about it because I secretly bought it at the stationery store today. Of course, Dohoon had warned them not to bring food to school or mix jetty with milk. The children were afraid of him, so they didnt dare bring any food. It was Eunhyuk who did it. What if you get caught doing this? Captain, since when are we afraid of this? Well, yeah. Eunha reluctantly accepted the jetty that Eunhyuk teasingly handed him. It had been a little while since he drank a carton of milk. But now, he craved chocolate milk. Hey, give it to me. Ill mix it for you. As expected of the leader. Using his former player instincts, he discreetly added jetty to the milk when the children werent looking. It was a complete crime. The two of them savored the chocolate milk while watching the busy children dealing with the milk. Since they drank two now, they might grow taller. I prefer low-fat milk. Minji had been staring at the milk on the desk for a long time. She wanted to pass it to another child, but considering Eunhas sneering attitude, she felt compelled to drink it herself. In the end, she closed her eyes and quickly downed the milk in one breath. Kya~a~! Youre a good beer drinker, huh? Hmph, Im a good drinker. Eunha teased Minji for making a gurgling sound. She took it in stride, running a hand through her hair. Her chest felt good after drinking the milk that had been giving her so much trouble. But low-fat milk, do you really care if a little kid gets fat already? What a child, dont you know that you have to take care of this kind of thing from a young age? Yeah, I dont know~ Min-ji is probably the only one in the class looking for low-fat milk. Eunha doesnt know what drama she watched that made her prefer low-fat milk, as she used to drink it casually until last year. Muk Min-ji, you should drink as much as Seona and Hayang. Eunha pointed to Hayang and Seona, who were sitting at the table reading a book. As soon as they received the milk, they drained it. Hehe, I like milk. Hayang closed her book and snapped the ribbon. She had been drinking milk since she was a child and had no objection to it. She didnt even cover it up. You should drink milk while you can. She had a strong life force, and like Eunha, she would drink milk for children who couldnt. There were some kids in class 3 who shunned her. But none of them openly expressed their dislike or bullied her, because she was close to Minji, who controlled the class and had a casual relationship with Eunhyeok. Above all, the kids knew the consequences of messing with Eunhas friend. Eunha wasnt the troublemaker rumored to be, but the story of him beating Sena last year was true. Not all the kids despised her. And some of them understood Eunha. So Senas face grew brighter and brighter as the days went by, and her face began to glow. Why do you get prettier the more I look at you? Minji pouted her lips in half envy, half jealousy. Dont you know? Drinking milk makes your chest grow. Sena made a gesture of supporting her own chest. The third class of second graders suddenly became quiet. What the hell. Eunha was puzzled to see the children who had been talking so loudly that it was deafening, squinting with their mouths closed. What you said Are you serious? It was Min-ji who broke the silence, gripping Senas shoulders with a firm hand and looking her in the eye. I saw it on TV. Sena couldnt get used to the sudden change in atmosphere. She averted her gaze because she felt burdened by the girls eyes on her. Captain, whats going on? Dont ask. I dont know. It wasnt that he didnt know why the girls were doing this, his heart understood, but his head couldnt. If I stay here, Ill be a nuisance. Eunha decided to take Eunhyuk and sneak away. Just then, the bell rang for second period. Thank God. Eunhas relief didnt last long. The girls were in a death match for the milk as soon as class ended. Hey, youre still second graders. Eunha stopped Minji because it was too ridiculous, Move! This is all mine! Minji threw her arms out and jumped into the fray. As if she was preparing for a battle to the death. Come to think of it, something similar had happened before. Now that I think about it, I cant help but smile at the memory. When he had met Baekryeon not long ago. Uncle Eunha, do I have to drink milk? Its not just milk. Its a potion that Seok-hoon Jung made for you. Uck, I dont like milk. What if you cant become a fairy in the future because you cant drink milk? Dont you want to become as beautiful as a fairy? Just then, Yoojung approached to calm down Baekryeon. Eunha decided to go along with her temperament. But then he said something he shouldnt have. They say that girls chests grow bigger if they drink milk. You, acting so childish if you do that youll end up like her Ugh! Eunha, youve been called crazy and now youre finally crazy? How hard it was then. Eunha had to recover on its own until the anger of the Yoojung was released. He even had to fight an unsupported battle against the leader of the monster horde. After that, Eunha never brought up the topic of chests with her again. Not even when he was drinking milk. I was only joking. It made him look bad as a party leader. It was hard enough to keep the mocking party members in line. Hey, boss, whats this stuff they sell in milk cartons these days? Eunhyeok asked. Eunhyeok pretended not to notice the girls bickering and pointed to a milk carton. It was the same phrase he had been seeing on the streets for the past few days. There is such a thing. So, this year was the time for that. Not that he cared anyway. During third period recess, he had to throw away the milk that the kids drank. Its annoying. Today it was Eunhas turn. He had always enjoyed goofing off during break time, so he didnt feel like returning the green box that milk was dripping from. I should quickly get rid of it. Eunha returned the green box at the back gate of the school. There wasnt much time left for the break. In order to go back to class, he tried to quickly climb up the path he had come down. Hey, whats wrong with the taste of this? Cough! Cough! Ah, why am I coughing so much? Huh? From the back gate to the middle of the stairs leading up to the building, in a corner where attention wasnt usually paid, Eunha heard the voices of the kids. Whats that sound? The sound bothered him. Smoke was also wafting through the crack. Eunha raised his head curiously. Oh my. He had come across news about kids smoking cigarettes not too long ago. At the time, he let it slide, but he never expected to see elementary school students smoking. I also started smoking when I entered the academy. Eunha started smoking at the age of 17. Unable to cope with the unpredictable academy life, training, and the hatred towards monsters, he turned to cigarettes as a means of relief. But even so, cigarettes at this age? What kind of difficulties could those kids possibly be facing at their age that they need to smoke? Eunha was dumbfounded and shook his head. It was their own lives anyway. It didnt matter what happened to them. He tried to pretend he didnt see and pass by. But then Oh! Hey, come here! Of all things, he made eye contact with the kids who were smoking. Uh, what should I do? The kids smoking didnt scare him. Eunha knew that just by giving a strong gaze to kids who gave off a tough impression with cigarettes, he could make them feel intimidated. The problem was whether to ignore and go back or to intimidate the kids and then go back. Its better to intimidate them before leaving. If he ignored them and went back, the kids might unnecessarily become troublesome. It was better to step on the bud as soon as possible. Eunha tried to give a strong gaze to intimidate the kids. And right at that moment Huh? Arent you Eunas brother? The kids who were smoking were the ones Lee Kang-hyuk was taking with him. In the farthest corner, he, with his grayish-yellow hair, was squinting through his cigarette. Phew, I got myself into trouble. Eunas brother is my brother. Whos your brother. Eunha frowned, but Lee Kang-hyuk didnt care. Hurry up, hurry up. You have class. Lee Kang-hyuk waved his hand gently. The kids wouldnt bother him. Irritated, Eunha turned to walk back to class. Then he noticed a cigarette case at his feet. Oh, its from Dangun. It was a player-exclusive cigarette. Where did they find these small things? It was a cigarette hed smoked in the days before cigarette potions. It was refreshing to realize that the cigarettes he smoked were so old. By the way, Jung Seokhoon didnt create cigarette-shaped potions. They were made by another creator, and their efficiency was significantly lower. Oh, do you know about this? Do you. Lee Kang-hyuk squinted his eyes and smiled. Come here, come here. Boys, make room for one. Lee Kang-hyuk was convinced by Eunhas reaction that he was interested in cigarettes. A cigarette from a child already? Lee Kang-hyuk clicked his tongue inwardly. Nevertheless, he wanted to get close to Eunha, even if it meant showing off. And cigarettes were something that could turn an awkward relationship into a familiar one, right? Would you like one? Oh. Eunha was conflicted when he saw the cigarette offered by Lee Kang-hyuk. Ever since he regressed, he had been struggling with wanting to drink and wanting to smoke. Looking back, its been nine years since I was forced to quit smoking and stop drinking. I endured a lot. I endured a lot. Eunha kept repeating to himself like a brainwashing. Oh, Im not supposed to smoke. But his hand kept going to the cigarette. Thats right, he couldnt help but smoke because he asked him to. Hey, give me a light. Lee Kang-hyuk poked his friend in the side. The kid coughed as if he wasnt used to cigarettes and pulled a lighter out of his pocket. I shouldnt do this. Even as he said it, Eunha held the cigarette to the flame. He swallowed hard. All my attention was focused on the cigarette. He took a drag. He slowly brought the cigarette to the corner of his mouth with the intention of taking just one puff. No-eun-ha, what are you doing! Oh, shit! Eunha was so surprised that he dropped the cigarette as he brought it to his lips. Noon, Noona, this is! How long had Euna been here? His heart sank as he saw Euna holding a milk carton and glaring at him with a frightening glare. Po, poker face! He was already wrong. He was caught in the act. Im going to tell mom! Sis, let it go! Euna scolded Eunha, his shoulders shaking. He had never been scolded like this before. No matter how much Eunha begged, she was stubborn. Meanwhile, Lee Kang-hyuk and his friends were slowly trying to get away. Huh? An invisible wall blocked their path. The kids were banging their heads in the air, unable to believe what was happening in front of them. My sisters gotten a lot better. Eunha admired her as he saw the barrier she created with a single gesture. You guys too. Youll get in trouble with the teacher for this. In front of the cigarette, Euna was unforgiving towards anyone. In the end, Eunha had to endure scolding from his homeroom teacher and his parents. Ha. Eunha, cigarettes are bad for you. Do you understand? Sear?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Euna tried to comfort him, but Eunha just hung his head and sighed. You didnt smoke, so this is just a slap on the wrist. Dont do it again. You know its scary when Daddy gets mad, right? Youre not supposed to smoke, okay? And I dont think those kids are good friends, from what Mommy can tell. Oppa, cigarettes are bad. Haaa. Eunha lifted his shoulders in frustration. Somehow, he felt like he would never be able to smoke in this life. The children still drank milk today. The milk they drank was printed with a phrase that had been seen on the streets. We are praying. For the safe return of our compatriots who are still suffering in Italy. Chapter 70 Chapter 70[What are you doing out there?] One year ago. The Kraken, a third-tier monster, destroyed the Seongsan Bridge and took the lives of those on it. Three years have passed, but the traces of the Krakens appearance have not completely disappeared. Seongsan Bridge remained in ruins, and monsters of unidentifiable hierarchy lurked beneath the Han River. Let them come, Im ready. Eunha stared out the window the entire time they passed by the Gayang Bridge. He had deployed his mana detection net before entering the bridge, preparing for any untoward incidents. The Eunha family was on their way to visit their maternal grandmother in Incheon for Family Month. This was their third visit to their grandmother. In the 2nd year of the solar calendar, the aftermath of the Krakens appearance had restricted access to Incheon. Moreover, that was when Eunae had just been born. The second visit was during Chuseok in the 3rd year of the solar calendar. Eunha had recently started elementary school, but he had to be hospitalized, so they ended up visiting during Chuseok. And now, the last visit was happening right now. Eunha was crossing the Gayang Bridge to meet his grandmother. What have you been doing? Just checking if any monsters appear. Euna also deployed her mana detection network, following Eunha. Since meeting Shin Seoyoung, her skills had improved, allowing her to search a wider area than Eunha. But it was only on the surface. There are quite a few beneath the bridge. Its the Han River. After the events of End of the Century Destruction, monsters appearing in the Han River were no longer just something from movies. The Han River had become a favorable habitat for monsters. Except for the areas covered by Cocoon, monsters would still be fighting and being born beneath the river, seeking each others mana. So while players were standing guard on the bridges, the Kraken outbreak led some to the extreme of suggesting that the entire river be exposed. Not that theres anything to worry about for the next few years. As someone living their second life, Eunha knew that monsters threatening humanity would appear from the Han River. And the Kraken was just the tip of the iceberg. It would be the day when monsters invaded Seoul all at once that South Korea would truly understand. Its none of my business. He shook his head, even remembering the date of the invasion. He planned to get his family and friends out of Seoul before then. It was a tough journey. Id better get that ramen before its gone. What? You want ramen? No. Dad, I want a hot dog. Eunhas family made a stop at a rest area after crossing the Gayang Bridge. The traffic congestion wasnt as bad as before, but Eunae couldnt endure the long journey. Eunha and Euna were the same. While enjoying the breeze, the two of them wandered around trying various foods. Can we really eat all of this? Father looked at Eunha with a skeptical gaze. Of course, well share it all together. How could I eat everything by myself? Even so, thats a lot Hot dogs, chicken skewers, sausages, buttered potatoes, buttered squid, soft serve ice cream, and Thats more than we can share. Father clicked his tongue as Eunha recited the order to the waiter. Dad, we have plenty of money. Do we really have to eat it all? Father made a grumbling sound and opened his wallet. He had a philosophy of letting the kids do what they wanted, but he hesitated to buy food that they couldnt finish. Dad! Me too, me too! Ice cream! Sure. Lets get some for our Eunae who wants it. The hesitation didnt last long. When Eunae, clinging to his leg, sang, Ice cream! Ice cream! his lips naturally curled into a smile. Eunae, is there anything else you want to eat? Mother wiped the ice cream from Eunaes lips and asked. Oppa, whats that? What? Oh, shaved ice? Shaved ice? Eunae looked at the canopy with a drawing of shaved ice without realizing that her ice cream was dripping onto the ground. She seemed fascinated by the various syrups drizzled over the shaved ice. Sister wanted to try it too. What would you like, Eunae? Euna, who was eating a hot dog she had chosen, smiled mischievously and asked. She wiped Eunaes hands with a wet wipe and approached the shop with the fluttering shaved ice canopy. Sister, sister, I want that! That? What is that? That! That! Blood! Blood! Blood? You mean red? My mother repeated as she pulled her purse out of her bag. Yes! Blood, blood! Eunha? Hohoho. Today, the sound of a polite laughter felt eerie. Eunha quietly turned around. His father was right behind him, waiting. What did you teach Eunae? I I did something wrong. Eunha avoided eye contact. He didnt know if Eunae would remember the word blood that he had mentioned. It was a scene that briefly appeared in a popular cartoon movie among kids, but he wondered if Eunae remembered it. Oppa did something wrong. Right? Right? Eunae mimicked the behavior even as she shook her head. She couldnt shake her ponytail, but instead, her stubby hair stood up straight. Sis, sis, this is delicious! Its scary! Spicy! Eunha? I never taught her that. Euna? I did something wrong. Euna, scolded by their mother, let her ponytail droop. She didnt expect Eunae to remember the casual words she had used during a phone conversation with her friends. Eunae is still young, and she doesnt understand what those words mean. Both of you should use nice words in front of Eunae. Yes The siblings were scolded by their mother in the middle of the rest area. This is delicious! Eunae, who didnt know anything, enjoyed various foods next to her father. Welcome home. Euna and Eunha have grown up a lot since I havent seen you. Grandma~! The children were greeted by their grandmother, who came out after hearing the sound of the engine. Eunha was also happy to see her. He had lived with her grandmother until he entered the Academy before his regression, and he missed her very much. He he has been misbehaving with me. His mother looked at Eunha in his grandmothers arms, and her eyes narrowed. Eunha smiled wryly. He hugged her mother back, but her lips were still pouting. You may have had three kids, but youre still a kid, my godness what a kid. I am. Your poor husband is suffering while taking care of our daughter. Tsk. The mother grumbled at the grandmother, but there was kindness and affection in the way she treated her. And you Eunae. Grandma said to Eunae, who was clinging to her mothers leg. Oh. Eunae hesitated, then hid behind her mothers back. We met last year. Doesnt she remember? Bending down, the old woman waited for Eunae to stick her head out. Wary, Eunae gently poked her head out. Grandma, is that you? Yes. Whats your name? Eunaes name is Eunae, Noh Eunae. I see. Grandma forgot. Eunae is so smart. Hehe. Then how old is Eunae? Grandma asked with a kind smile. Eunae glanced up at her mother and slowly counted on her fingers. Three. Eun-ae held up five fingers. I see, her grandmother said, but she didnt correct her. Instead, she slowly pulled her hand, which was already halfway down her body. I got you, Eunae. Ehehehe! Eunae was delighted, not knowing what was happening. The old woman picked her up and smiled wryly. Didnt you have a hard time getting here? Didnt any monsters show up? There was a bump along the way, but the road wasnt blocked. The father replied wearily. His stomach was bloated from single-handedly dealing with all the food the children hadnt eaten. Dad, Im sorry. Inwardly, Eunha apologized to his father. His appetite had grown since second grade, and when he ordered food, he thought he could eat it all. But it wasnt until the food was in his stomach that he realized how much he had ordered. In the middle of the meal, a monster appeared. This delayed our arrival time as we waited for the players to clear the area. We left in the morning, but the sun had already set. It was too late for dinner. At least well have something to eat. Grandma patted Dad on the back and insisted that the children eat dinner, too. Grandma, Im full. Me too. Eunha and Euna pointed to their stomachs. They still hadnt digested the food from the rest stop. If they ate any more, their stomachs would pop out like tadpoles. Dont you guys like chicken? I was thinking of getting some for you. Got it. Chicken is a different story. Even my dad, who was covering his mouth with his hand just a moment ago, responded with a thumbs-up. Chicken and beer! Chicken and beer! The corners of my mouth twitched at the thought of drinking beer, and I was saddened that I would not be able to drink beer. Still, chicken and soda go well together, so Eunha decided to have a soda to make up for it. Sis, lets go inside and wait for the chicken. Yes, Eunae, lets go inside! Chicken? Eunae stuck her finger in her mouth and shook her head. Big brother. Sis. Whats chicken? Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunae asks with her eyes wide open. Eunae, youll know when you grow up. Eunha wordlessly stroked her hair. Its impossible to describe how delicious chicken is without trying it. Eunha opened the door to go inside the house. As he cautiously stepped into the entrance hall, Huh? He felt an unfamiliar presence. And it was coming from inside the house. Whats wrong? Sis, wait. Frowning, Eunha pushed past Euna and Eunae and stepped forward. Is it a monster? For a monster, it was calm and lifeless. He deployed his mana detection sense. It wasnt just a feeling. Something was being detected inside the house. Or is it a thief? How dare they enter our grandmothers house. Eunha quietly took off his shoes and stealthily walked down the corridor. If it was a thief, he had no intention of letting them off easily. He slowly clenched his fists and prepared himself to unleash mana if necessary. The presence was coming from the living room where the TV was. There were no signs of movement. The presence had been there since they entered the house. He didnt know who it was, but he couldnt just leave it alone. Eunha pressed his ear against the door. He could hear the sound of the TV seeping through. It was sporadic and muffled. He opened the door silently, making sure not to make any noise. He slipped through the crack and turned his body in the direction where the muffled sounds were coming from. Huh? The person turned around. Eunha quickly adjusted his stance and threw a ball of mana he had formed in his hand. Eat this! Did the chicken come Cough! It was the voice of a young boy. The boy, who quickly turned his head from the TV, was hit by the mana and staggered backward. So it wasnt a thief but a kid from the neighborhood? The fact that the opponent was a young child was momentarily surprising. Eunha quickly ran out to confirm the identity of the fallen child. And there he was. Huh? Ugh Seeing the boy lying down, holding his head with his hand, Eunha became perplexed and stopped in his tracks. Huh? Eunha blinked his eyes. His mind still couldnt believe the information coming through his eyes. Hey, whats this? Wheres the chicken? Rubbing the back of his head with his hand, the boy stood up with a pouting expression. Dark bluish hair, wolf ears sticking up sharply above his head. And a disheveled, untamed tail and unusually sharp canine teeth. Lastly, his eyes were a distorted red, influenced by the mana within his body. The boy was a werewolf-type Ain. Why, why, why The problem wasnt that the child was an Ain. Even though it had been a while since he had seen his face, there was no way he could not recognize the child with the long hair. Jin Farang? Huh? How do you know my name? Before his regression, Jin Farang was a werewolf-type Ain player who served as both a hunter and a telepathist in the party led by Eunha. He was always rampaging like a mad dog on the front lines, following the Undead. People called him that. Mad dog, they told him not to bite. And Tiger mouth, for his deep blue. Who are you? Eunha stiffened at the sight of Jin Farang glaring at him. The words that hadnt come out before, They were slowly Uttered. Why why did you come out here, Hyung? Chapter 71 Chapter 71[What are you doing out there? (2)] It was a rainy day. Even with an umbrella, I couldnt avoid getting the hem of my skirt wet. Still, I felt light. The children came to visit after a long time. Eunha liked meat, and Euna liked fruit. If Eunae is three years old this year, there must be something she can eat. With the death of her beloved and the marriage of her only daughter, the house felt spacious. Sometimes she felt lonely whenever she entered a house with no one to greet her. Noh Seobang and her daughter talked about living in Seoul again and again, but she was against it. Even though she was lonely, this house was filled with memories of her loved ones and her daughters growth. It was hard to imagine leaving it. Uhh. Returning from the market. My clothes are going to get wet. The rain had picked up. Thank goodness there was no wind. Otherwise, I wouldnt have been able to relax while getting soaked. Come to think of it . I smiled as I suddenly remembered something. Rainy days always brought unexpected encounters. The day I met him was also a rainy day. I didnt have my umbrella with me, so I was sheltering from the rain under the eaves when I ran into him, who was also sheltering from the rain. The day my daughter was born was also a rainy day. The newborn daughter cried until she was deafening as if she feared the rain would drown out her cries. Was it also raining on the day my daughter brought her husband home? The two of them, drenched in rain, felt as if they had emerged from somewhere in the water. Then Eunha and Euna. And finally, Eunae. Its strange. I wonder if my family has a connection with the rain. It was interesting to think about. If so, I wonder if there will be some kind of meeting today. Thats what I thought. Uh. A sound drowned out by the rain. I heard an intermittent moan. Did I hear it wrong? I looked around, but there was nothing. Ugh. But the sound didnt go away. I stopped walking and looked around again. Still nothing. Ah. Maybe. Just in case, I stepped into the alleyway. There, under a dimly lit telephone pole, was a large trash can. I lifted the lid of the trash can, Oh my God. A child was curled up in a ball, whimpering. Why is he here. Then I realized it was an Ain. Ah. She had experienced the End of the Century Disruption firsthand. It was an unspeakably horrible world. Friends you met today could be eaten by monsters tomorrow, and people fought over what they could eat to stay alive. Children who had lost their parents poured into the streets. But no one could afford to take them in. They were left to fend for themselves. Children who grew up in this way developed a deep-seated animosity and hatred for monsters. The most serious victim was the Ains. Children born under the influence of the omnipresence of mana or monsters while still in the womb had the appearance of monsters. Humanity hated monsters, and those who were unable to defeat them, unlike players, vented their hostility on Ain as if they were monsters themselves. As a result, parents who gave birth to Ain often abandoned their children in the face of social disapproval. Even orphanages rarely took them in. Left with nowhere to go from birth, they ended up in slums or sewers. And this alley was one of the streets leading to the slums. Hey, are you okay? She too was carrying the scars of the End of the Century Destruction in her heart. But a child around Eunhas age was lying in a trash can. She couldnt let it go. Ugh. The child was curled up, so I couldnt see how badly he was hurt. But he was dressed in rags, with nasty bruises all over his exposed body. His face looked puffy and swollen. Who the hell. Who would beat a child and then throw him in a trash can? I was furious with the ghetto people who said that strength is law. Hey, are you okay? Her first priority was to save the child. She reached into the trash can to pull him out. Just then. Kaaaah! The wide-eyed child screamed like an animal and burst out of the bin. The trash can tipped over, spilling its contents at her feet. Covered in trash, the child glared at her with the childlike gaze of an enemy. Shack. What are you doing!? Like a cat puffing itself up to defend itself. The child was just like that. Go away, go away! He yelled. He couldnt take her foot off the ground. The childs condition was dire: skinny and wounded, every inch of him. Most of all, his face was full of poison. How could she leave him like this? She shook her head. What was her best option? If she called the police, the child would be sent back to the slums. Its not uncommon for children to be abused anyway. The people theyre supposed to be protecting arent the ghetto or the child. The best option is to take them home. If it was fate, then, that on a rainy day, she met a child who looked as if he might collapse at any moment. She thought to herself. The house was large enough for her to live in alone. If there had been anyone at home, anyone raising a child, it would have ended at the point of turning the child over to the police, revealing everything right before their eyes. If its meant to be, it is. Smiling softly, she approached the child. I told you not to come! The child shouted in a cracking voice. She didnt hesitate to approach and bend down to her knees. She held out her umbrella. If you have nowhere else to go, will you come to my house? That was the first time she and Jin Parang had met. A meeting that would have only been a passing glance in the past. You could have at least told us. After hearing the whole story, his father took a deep breath. Yeah, its not like wed object. My mother pouted her lips and grumbled. She seemed to regret that Grandma hadnt spoken up until now. You said you were coming anyway, so I thought Id tell you then. Grandma said, pouring herself a drink like it was nothing. Mhm. Ha. My father and mother could say no more. They both knew that once Grandma made up her mind, she rarely changed it. Now they realized that Euna looked exactly like her grandmother. They ended up drinking only what Grandma poured for them. What is it? What are you trying to do? Meanwhile, Eunha was looking at Jin Parang, who was greedily eating chicken. How surprised he was a moment ago. I never thought Id see him in my grandmothers fuzzy pajamas, eating snacks and watching TV. The future has changed. I had to admit it. The future had changed. By saving my family from the Kraken, by choosing a future with my family and not my grandmother. Hadnt he said it before? If there had been one person in the house, he might not have brought Jin Parang home. Before the regression, Eunha, who had lost his family, had spent several years as an autistic child under his grandmothers care. Even if she had met Farang then, she would never have brought him home. What a coincidence. Now that I think about it, Farang was also from Incheon. I didnt realize that she and Farang had been connected since childhood. How much has the future changed? Huh? Whats wrong? Nothing. Nothing. Eunha shook his head at Euna, who was eating chicken next to him. He couldnt help but think that the future had changed more than he realized. He couldnt predict what would happen next. If someone interferes, Ill just kill them. Of course, Im happy to see Jin Parang again. But, Why do you keep looking at me? This is mine, and Im not giving it to you, so get lost. Parang, I thought your grandmother told you not to use that kind of language. Damn, he keeps glaring at me. Damn? Just ignore him. Im going to have to break this habit. Eunha laughed out loud as he watched Farang talk down to her grandmother. What, what, why are you laughing to yourself? Come to think of it, he did. From the first time they met, Parang was a mad dog who would bite anyone and everyone. A crazy dog is just a flea. Then he met Eunha. They met when he had just graduated from the Academy. Ostracized from a party he was attending, Jin Parang got drunk on a whim and was unfortunate enough to be caught and beaten by Eunha. Hey, you asshole! Wait a minute! Who starts without saying anything?! A dog can say everything Im not a dog, Im a wolf, and Im a year ahead of you in the academy, dont you realize that? Wolf or dog, youre going to whine the same anyway, and why should I know whos on top of me? Wow, me, this stone-head stop hitting me, Im going to spin! Ive heard of psychos, but this guy is a total psycho, isnt he? Maybe. It was no exception to the fact that Farang was drunk and unable to control himself. On the contrary, he took this opportunity to beat him so that he would never get up again. Ah, damn it. Jin Parang couldnt even fight back that day. Later, he said it was the first time hed ever been beaten so badly that it brought tears to his eyes. He said that even in the slums, people dont beat people like that. But still, if it was fate, it was fate. The reason Jin Parang was expelled from the party at the time was because he was treated unfairly due to being an Ain, and he claimed his rights to receive proper compensation. Eunha didnt care if the other person was an Ain. He was solely focused on how many monsters he could kill. So, Jin Parangs recruitment was as good as decided. A crazy dog is just a flea. Why, why are you tearing it apart? Did you eat the chicken wrong!? Parang stepped back in fright. Whether he said it or not, Eunha, who was still tearing apart a chicken leg, raised his shoulders as he continued to watch him. This guy needs a good beating to sober up. Later, Jin Parang became one of the representatives of Ain players, serving as a hunter and telepathist simultaneously. However, his personality was so dog-like that no one wanted to recruit him. He caused trouble more than once in the party commanded by Eunha. It took a long time to tame him and turn him into someone resembling a human. In that case, it would have been better to let him know who his true owner was from a young age. Above all else, Dont talk like that to my grandmother. Farangs tone hadnt changed since before the regression. The way he spoke to his grandmother was his way of being friendly after living in the slums. But Eunha couldnt ignore his demeanor. He promised herself that he would take this opportunity to correct his speech habits. He also had some research to do. Eunha still remembered the boasting Parang did while being cocky before his regression. Heh, heh! Why dont you people realize how amazing I am? How few children can be telepathic from a young age! Youre lucky to have me as a telepath, you bastards! And Ill hunt for you, and Ill fetch water for you, and Ill make a fire for you, and Ill do everything for you, and youre lucky to have me, you boys! Yeah, yeah. Jin Parang, just get in. Next time youll have something interesting to say. Unnie, unnie, I dont really like men who only have a big mouth. Me neither. A man should be strong down there, what if only the top part is alive? Ive just had an idea. Then, lets leave the top to Parang oppa and the bottom to the leader. How about that? Wait, kid. We still dont know if the leader is alive down there. Lets ask Yoojeong first Ha, can you guys please keep your mouths shut? Shut up, all of you. The day they camped outside the city. Parang was furious that he should be excluded from the invasion. He even claimed to have been telepathic from a young age. I didnt know his childhood, so I let it slide, but now I can see for myself. He could see if Parang was better than anyone else. If Parang had lied to her, he was going to make him pay dearly. Eunha lifted the corner of his mouth, Im going to go play outside with Parang hyung. Huh? At this hour? Huh? At this time? Father raised his head in surprise. I want to go too. No, no. Sister is eating chicken. Euna nodded her head while peeling the crispy skin. Okay, take your time and come back. Grandmother, who was taking care of Eun-ae, had no suspicions at all. Come on, lets go, Parang. Why are you like this? When did I say Ill play with you? Parang glared at Eunha with his ears and tail standing straight. Whether he liked it or not, Eunha grabbed him by the collar without giving him a chance to resist. Heyyy!! What is this? Let go!? Do you want to die, huh!? Eunha dragged him out without giving him any opportunity to struggle. Hey, wait! At least let me eat the chicken! Ah, seriously! Just one thing! Let me eat just one! Hey, you bastard, you dont even touch a dog when it comes to eating, and you wont even let me eat chicken! I flicked it into the yard. Then I laughed. What did you say? Because its a dog, I wont touch it? Well, dogs like that. Eunha cut through the air with his hand. Mana spread like ripples, creating a soundproof barrier around the two of them. Should let the owner know. From now on, he would let him know who the owner is. Realizing that, Parang bowed his head and mumbled, My, my chicken. Sarch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He looked down at the fallen chicken on the floor, his voice choked with tears. Oh no, not that. Chapter 72 Chapter 72[What are you doing out there (3)] You, you, you, whats wrong with you! Rolling on the floor, Parang made a pained sound. Kerr, kerr! Eunha walked over and kicked Parang in the side, who no longer had the strength to fight. Who said face up? Eunha said in a cold voice as he looked down at Parang on the ground. Parang didnt look up this time. Even his tail, which had stood erect only moments before, drooped. Damn it Tears welled up in Parangs eyes overwhelmed by the fact that he had been beaten without understanding a word. It was the first time in his life that he had been so pitifully beaten. Dont you dare look at me? Damn it. Eunha scolded him in a stern voice. Although Parang had lost his will, he hadnt completely given in. Eunha had breathed with the true Jin Parang for nearly ten years. He could tell whether Jin Parang had given in or not, and what he was thinking. Its good to stretch after so long. Eunha shifted his shoulders alternately and stretched. He hadnt had much of a chance to warm up lately. So he stretched lightly by slapping Jin Parang. Halfway through, he even got a taste for the fun of it. Even before his regression, Eunha had been a master at beating up crawlers like Jin Parang. He knew where to hit and how to hit to make the wounds less noticeable and less bruising. The same goes for Jin parang, who is currently rolling toward Eunha. Although his clothes were covered in dirt, there was not a single injury. After rolling enough to avoid bruises, he exhausted Parang to the point where he had no energy left. Not good for kids. All of this was possible because he was Jin Parang. It was something he couldnt do to his friends, who were learning mana management skills from Eunha. Not even Eunhyuk, who still insisted on becoming a player. Not yet. He could tolerate crawling. But if any of his friends tried to get in his face, or talk down to him, he wouldnt let it go. Ididsomethingwrong. I, ate, wingswas that?, are you kidding me!? This guy hasnt come to his senses yet. Eunha lifted Parang, who was lying on the ground and threw him to the opposite side. Colliding with the soundproof barrier, he fell to the floor along the wall. If it was Jinparang, then it was indeed Jinparang. He was only 10 years old now, but his talent, which would later make him a prominent AIN player, was undeniable. He endured one-sided beatings with his exceptional stamina as an AIN and was gradually becoming accustomed to falling techniques with his outstanding agility. So what? It was nothing to Eunha. He rolled and rolled Blue, thinking that he would drain every bit of remaining stamina. His tears dried up completely. Ha, Ill tell the old woman everything! Thats all he managed to say, holding back hIS tears. Eunha sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Grandmother. What? Grandma. I cant believe you havent gotten over this. Who calls grandmother, an old woman? I, sorry. Call her grandma. Yes, haa, grandma. Good. Roll more then. Damn it-!!! Roll to the left, then to the right when you hit the sound barrier. Roll left and right once, then up and down. Parang rolled and rolled and rolled until he swept the floor. His stamina was showing its limits. Eunha called out to him as he gasped for air. Hey. Huh? Im still older than you, arent I? What, Parang Hyung, are you really going to do this? Yeah. Can you use telepathy? Jin Farang had been bragging about being able to use telepathy since he was a child. Eunha secretly wondered if he could use telepathy. Im only 10 years old. Uh-huh. So you lied. Eunha clicked his tongue, and he decided to make him roll again, this time until Parang was unconscious. A sin is a sin, but Parang is Parang. Parang was Parang, unless you saw white and called it black. What the hell! Why again! Huh? Why again! He is really hard to tame. Come to think of it, even before regression, it took a long time to handle Jin Parang as desired. The thought of taming him in just one day had to be discarded. Well, fine. Lets roll him slowly until he enters the academy. If Hyung can use telepathy with Grandma, Ill stop tormenting you. Tormenting? This is tormenting? Youre insane Should we continue? No. I was wrong. Ill try using telepathy with Grandma. Good. Try using it while rolling. You crazy bastard! You said you wont torment me! I said Id stop if I can use telepathy. Tell me after using it. Youre not even human! Jin Parang shed tears and veins popped on his neck. He jumped around, squeezing out every ounce of strength, trying to escape from Eunha. I have to use telepathy no matter what! Parang clenched his fists tightly, so much so that his nails dug into his palms, whether there was sand in his hands or not. It was a matter of life and death. If he stayed like this, he would die without even the strength to breathe. But Eunha wouldnt even bat an eye if he died. Even if he begged for forgiveness, it would be in vain. So Parang called his grandmother the whole time Eunha was beating him. The problem was that the soundproof circle was a spell that blocked sound from inside and outside. It wasnt until later that he realized this, and he was almost beaten into submission. He had to use telepathy to survive. Despite Eunhas promises, a telepath could surely break through the sound barrier. But how? Learn as you go, I guess. What the fuck. [Bird] Damn it! He succeeded. Eunhas fist cut through the air. Parang widened his eyes and looked at Eunha, who swung his fist unexpectedly. Jin Parang smirked. I got it, youre dead now. Parang chuckled and wagged his tail. It was only for a moment, but I thought I knew how to use telepathy. Yes, this is it. Sparks crackled from his ears and tail. They were small, tiny sparks. As I steadied myself with the thought of strengthening my ears and tail, a slightly larger spark shot out. Ho-ho. Eunha watched with interest as Parang used his telepathy. It was still sloppy. It would be a while before he could do it without sending sparks flying around like Seona. But it was unusual for a ten-year-old to use telepathy. Jinparang was not just Jinparang for no reason. Perhaps Eunha had met him earlier, but Parang might have been able to use telepathy from a very young age. Oh, I think I can do this? [Youre goi] However, Parang was not yet familiar with telepathy and could not use it because he could not distinguish between what he was saying with his mouth and what he was saying with his mind. Furthermore, he was not very selective about what he communicated and what he didnt. The result, Kahahahahahaha-!! Repeat after me that youre dead. This bastard treats me like garbage? Grandma Grandma, Noeunha is bullying me~! The shouts are. [aha~] [ha~] [ha~] [ha~] [You] [Die] [Now] Sarch* The ovlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Bird] [??] [] [Grandma!] [Eun] [Ha] [~!!] The telepathy resounded and spread. Uh, huh? Haa. Why does this shame belong to Eunha? Why are you hitting me! I used telepathy just like you said! Just let me hit you a bit, Hyung. Parang kept rolling and rolling until the family appeared upon hearing the strange sounds. I got it. Then I should find out about the elementary school Parang will attend. Im sorry for asking you to do this. No, Mother-in-law. Of course, you should apologize. Do you think its easy for a parent to send their children to school? Hey, I sent you to school and even got you married. The conversation between the parents and grandmother concluded with sending Parang to elementary school. Of course, Parang opposed by saying, Im not going! There was no one in the house who would listen to him. Even Eunae was playing with his tail. I want this! No, thats off-limits. Eunha pointed to the tail that Eunae was playing with. Parangs face contorted at once. His lips twitched to protest, but nothing came out. Will he get hurt if he messes with Eunae? Tch! Who cares what anyone says! Parang tilted his head in amusement. In his heart, he wanted to scold Eunae for her mischief, but Eunha was watching, so he couldnt do anything. In the end, he had to put up with whatever she was doing with his tail. Hmm, did I mention that Parang is now 10 years old? Then he should start in the third grade, right? Since he said that he hasnt had any education so far. Father and mother wondered which grade to enroll Parang in. The elementary school had already been decided. The only elementary school near his grandmothers house was Incheon Elementary School. This was the elementary school that Eunha had attended before the regression. The problem was that Parang hadnt had any elementary education until now. He may have been stupid, but he wasnt stupid enough to need a first or second grade education. Whats more, Parang was surprisingly good at math; apparently, to survive in the slums, you had to be able to do simple calculations. The adults looked at him with pity as he proudly recounted his experiences living in the slums. Dad, mom. I think second grade would be good. The silent Eunha chimed in. Before the regression, Parang had entered the Player Academy at the age of 17. The Players Academy was a pretentious place. People who had been admitted from the Secondary Academy bullied him because he hadnt gone through any educational institutions before entering the Player Academy and because he was an Ain. What treatment Parang received at the academy after one year, Eunha couldnt know for sure. He only knew that when Eunha realized his existence, Parang was already being called a crazy dog with a big mouth. He had glimpsed him fighting once. At that time, he couldnt even handle mana properly and was thoroughly trampled by the students. If he surrendered, it would have been easier, but he didnt yield even if he fell and instead stood up and confronted them. Damn it. If I only had this power back then. If I had encountered those bastards, I would have crushed them completely. Before his regression, Parang drank heavily and trembled while reminiscing about his time at the academy. Whether those events contributed to making him a true Mad Dog, he didnt know, but the fact remained that he had endured three agonizing years. Yeah, second grade would be good for Parang since hes a fool. What?! Did you just call me to look at you? Parang silently took his seat as he locked eyes with Eunha. Its unclear if Parang still wants to become a player. However, as an Ain, he couldnt live an ordinary life wherever he went. Eunha thought it would be better to send him in the same grade as himself if it came to that. Although the distance was far, in middle school or high school, he could protect him. Even if Parang applied to the Player Academy, Eunhyuk was there. Eunhyuk would accept Parang without prejudice. Second grade of elementary school. How do you feel about that, Parang? Im 10 years old. So Parang was about to express his opinion to Eunhas father but caught a glimpse of Eunha from the corner of his eye. Am I going to die? Parang swallowed hard. With a single word, his life could be at stake. Having already lost his rebellious spirit towards Eunha, he replied in a voice as if reading a language arts textbook. I want to be in the second grade of elementary school. Thus, Parang was admitted to Incheon Elementary School as a second grader. And he had to undergo training without rest while staying at Grandmas house with Eunha. Whenever I come to Grandmas house, Im going to check if you can use your telepathy, okay? Ah, fine. Dont avoid my calls. Got it? I got it! For fucks sake. Be careful in the heat now that its summer and eat watermelon. Its still May. Lets be careful, okay? Yes. In this life as well, Parang was unable to stand up to Eunha. E/N: Hi there, Ive been heavily busy with assignmentsso Im sorry if I havent been updating as usualanyways thanks for your kind support. Chapter 73 Chapter 73[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy] At times reminiscent of flowers, at times of butterflies, the pattern was drawn with simple yet graceful lines. The wallpaper itself was a meticulously crafted work of art. If one were to ask for whom the casters, supporters, and engineers of South Korea designed this magic A woman with brown hair sat upright, maintaining a composed posture on a stone seat. It was the fairy Im Ga-eul. The only woman in South Korea who possessed the gift of White Silver. The actress who had once been called the Beauty with a Thousand Faces hadnt faded her beauty, and even now, she wore dresses that could be considered offensive depending on the person. Rather, she was bewitching. As if she would be impaled by thorns if she reached out her hand. No, they would be stabbed by the swords of her bodyguards waiting behind her. The bodyguards, all over six feet tall, looked as if they could draw their swords at a moments notice. The man on the left, unable to contain his speculation, is Lee Jung-hyun, who has a haircut that exposes his forehead, and he stares at the door as if hes going to jump out at any moment. The man on the other side of the room is Park Sang-jin. Despite maintaining a calm demeanor, his right hand was resting on his left waistband. The atmosphere was tense. It was no exaggeration to say that the day had come. I wont say it twice. Im Ga-eul, maintaining an unruffled posture, gently lifted her eyelids. Without turning around, she spoke while facing forward. Suppress your emotions. Lee Jung-hyun opened his mouth as if to say something. Then he locked eyes with Park Sang-jin, took a deep breath, and killed his emotions. Park Sang-jin lowered his hands from around his waist. The tense atmosphere that made it painful to even breathe gradually loosened. Ga-eul, still facing forward, spoke to the bodyguards. No matter what happens. There was another click, a stomp of heels. Dont provoke them. The sound grew closer and closer, and suddenly the door burst open. Lee Jung-hyun frowned, sensing the mana that had been getting on his nerves for a while now. They were rude. If they were visiting the Blue House, they should be polite. Not only did they give off an unpleasant mana, but they opened the door without permission. But he had to wipe the emotion from his face. Even though a fire was raging inside. The Blue House isnt much better. The people are so weak. The man who stepped into the interview room was a foreigner. He had grayish-orange hair like a giants, piercings in his ears and mouth. He had a stooped waist, and the way he put his hands in his pockets was like he was a bully. He was wearing a suit, which only made him look more frivolous and rough. Come on, I just showed you how lax Korean security is. The man spread his arms in an exaggerated pose when no one responded. While looking at the security personnel who had collapsed beyond the mans shoulder, Lee Jung-hyun had to suppress his rising anger. Truly an unbelievably impolite man. How dare he blatantly display his flesh while carrying a weapon in the Blue House. A prank gone too far. On the other hand, the foreigner who followed the man who deserved to die a hundred times was a gentleman. With his pomaded blond hair slicked back and thin-rimmed glasses, he was the kind of man youd hear about time and time again as handsome. What am I supposed to do? Shouldnt you be grateful instead? If it werent for me, the fairy wouldnt have been an unusual assassination target. Do it in moderation. Recognize your position as an ambassador. Are you acting according to Valentines command? Werent we in the same position? Are you kidding me? The two foreigners turned their hostility on each other. Lee Jung-hyun couldnt keep up with what was happening in front of him. These people are the ambassadors of Italy? The more he thought about it, the more angry he became. Youve come a long way. It was Im Ga-eul, who interrupted the two mens eye contact, and who had been watching them, and who drew their attention back to them with a cheerful voice. Its just that its not very polite. Maybe in Italy, but this is Korea. Even when the man with piercings glared at her, she showed no fear. As the leader who governed a nation. She faced the approaching aura with an assured attitude. I will inform Big Mama about this. Please take your seats. Tch. The man withdrew his aura in a sullen manner. The men who had come from Italy took their seats as Ga-eul suggested. The distance between them and Ga-eul was just one small circular table away. If they wished, they could reach out to Ga-eul. Yet, Ga-eul showed no hesitation in treating the two players as the ambassadors of Italy. Only Lee Jung-hyun and Park Sang-jin, who were escorting her, were on high alert. Ill greet you again, then. Nice to meet you, Italian ambassadors Zenko Myron and Albert Valentine. The man with the piercings is Zenko Myron. The man with the pomade is Albert Valentine. The two ambassadors were part of the Tredici, a group of thirteen players representing Italy. And apparently, they didnt get along well enough to antagonize each other. Maybe its because they come from different families. Im Ga-eul stirred her teacup in thought. The End of the Century Destruction occurred simultaneously across the world. The one ray of hope in the destroyed world was the existence of the Gift, White Silver. With its ability to disperse mana, the gift served to save those who had lost their fear of monsters. In Korea, a woman who possessed the Gift of White Silver became a fairy goddess. The same was true in Italy. However, the situation in Korea and Italy is different: Italy has long been a country where the mafia is a cancerous force. The mafia, which is only seen in movies, seemed to be disappearing from Italian society, unable to overcome the passage of time, but with the release of End of the Century Destruction, the mafia began to be active in a big way. The mafia was a group of people who were specialized in dealing with monsters. Starting in Sicily and Naples, the mafia was untouchable. The people obeyed the mafia, the government became irrelevant, and it was only a matter of time before the mafia waged a war for control of Italy. The situation in Italy at the time was indescribably terrible. If Korea was struggling to survive, in Italy, the mafia was fighting a bloody war to become the godfather of all mafias. However, the war between the mafias came to an end when a woman with a gift of white silver appeared. The people who lived in fear of monsters and the mafia called her a saint and supported her. She eventually became the Big Mama of Italian public opinion, just as Im Ga-eul became the Good Fairy of public opinion. Eventually, the Mafia, unable to completely ignore public opinion, bowed to her. Of course, public opinion wasnt the only thing she had on her side; she had the boss of the Myron family, who was considered the godfather of Italy, on her side, giving her an influence that no one could ignore. That aside. Lost in thought, Im Ga-eul looked at Zenko and Albert. It wasnt the fact that Italy had been transformed into a mafia society that mattered. You two really speak Korean well. There are Koreans in Italy who were isolated after the End of the Century Destruction. The number is about 4,000. Of these, only about 200 Koreans have returned home so far. And Korea has been forced to face the reality that it has been turning a blind eye to the 30 or so people who have returned most recently. I learned from a Korean I met in Sicily. I see. Ga-eul nodded calmly. Zenco chuckled and added. If you want to know what a slave is thinking, you have to learn the slaves words, dont you think? The atmosphere became heavy. Ga-eul stared back with an emotionless face. Zenco shrugged and laughed. These guys are so busy just surviving, they dont even bother with their own people. Korean people are diligent and hardworking, arent they? Zenco. Even when Albert called him, he pretended not to hear, as if he was determined to see Ga-euls emotional face. And when they gather, they conspire for rebellion. What can we do if those who cant even handle mana properly conspire for rebellion? No matter how much they run away, they are still in Italy in the end. Zenco. So I showed them a firsthand example. If they try to escape, I showed them what will happen. But still, these guys dont give up on the idea of running away. Zenco Myron. A slave works like a slave, and you know what the first Korean word I learned was? Zenko Myron. Its not hello, its not thank you, its baby, I love you. Are you going to try it now? Shuddering, Zenko didnt even flinch at the sight of the sword tip stopping in front of him. Sitting up stiffly, he rested his arms on the backrest and glared at the man who had pointed the blade at him. This asshole. Lets see! I cant take it anymore. With a bright red face, Lee Jung-hyun released all the life force he had been holding back. Good Fairy. You shouldnt be doing this. Were here as ambassadors of Italy. Do you realize that by doing this, youre turning every family in Italy against us? Shut up, you big dick! Zenko snickered, and Jung hyun shouted with veins bulging on his neck. As if saying, If you can kill me, go ahead. Zenco raised his chin, deliberately moving closer to let Jung-hyuns blade touch his throat. Kill me. If you can. As if implying that you cant kill me . Zenco was enjoying this moment. I think I can It was when Jung-hyun tried to infuse mana into the blade. Jung-hyun. A resolute sound, as if a glass bead rolling. Yet, it was a chilling sound that instantly froze the heated atmosphere. Im Ga-eul raised her hand from her knee and placed it on the table. As if the hand had been holding it from the beginning, mana of pure white color flowed out. The small amount of mana instantly neutralized the mana attached to Jung-hyuns blade. Not only that, she scattered the mana that Zenco and Albert were releasing as well. Sar?h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Go out and cool your head. When you come back, bring that too. Im sorry. Jung-hyun frowned. Bowing his head to Ga-eul, he received a stern look from Sang-jin and left the meeting room. I apologize. But lets make sure that what happened earlier doesnt happen again. Ga-eul didnt give the Italians any leeway. She swiftly ended the incident that could have caused diplomatic problems with a flowing attitude. Hwiyu~ Zenco no longer provoked her. Even if Ga-eul is currently in her late twenties, she is the leader who rules over South Korea. She wasnt just a figure called a fairy for no reason. Moreover, didnt she instantly neutralize the mana that both she and Albert were about to release? A beauty to the extent that she could be called a stunning beauty, with a well-developed figure. A confident attitude as the leader ruling the country. Lastly, a gift of . If this werent Korea, if she werent just a fairy, he would have fallen for her immediately. Its a pity that it cant happen. Zenco decided to step back here. Realizing that he couldnt provoke her any further, he entrusted everything to Albert. We have been very rude. Yes. Albert apologized with a polite posture. Ga-eul accepted his apology as if it were natural. She didnt leave any superficial words to show her magnanimity. Albert didnt mind. He acknowledged that Zenco had gone too far. It seems that Koreans are living in very difficult conditions. Ga-eul spoke calmly, and Albert did not respond. She already knew how isolated Koreans were living in Italy. Not only her, but all the citizens knew. In a world plagued by monsters and the rampant activities of the mafia, they knew what kind of life Koreans, who were not even in their own country, had to live. Public opinion was boiling. They demanded to bring the isolated Koreans in Italy back immediately. That was the background of the meeting between South Korea and Italy. Italian residents in Korea dont have the same circumstances. Once again, Albert remained silent. From the beginning, Ga-eul didnt expect any response from the two of them. She was relieved that she didnt have to hear the insane excuse that in order for the Italians to unite, they had to make Koreans their enemies. It seems like the atmosphere has become stifling. Should we get some fresh air? Ga-eul gestured to Jung-hyun, who had returned to the meeting room. He bowed his head to Ga-eul and quickly walked over, placing three glasses of beverages and a cake on the table. You must be tired from coming all the way here. Please enjoy something sweet. Ga-eul picked up her fork and reached out for the chocolate cake. Without paying attention to the two men watching her, she put the cake into her mouth. Please have some. She said once again. The two men followed without saying a word. Somehow, they felt that they would suffer a loss if they didnt comply. This is Huh? As they savored the cake, the two men showed contrasting reactions. Albert furrowed his eyebrows as he inspected the cake, while Zenco chewed the cake whole and observed the changes in his body. What is this? Mana surged. And not just a small amount, but enough to replenish all the consumed mana. Albert couldnt hide his emotions. Its a potion. Ga-eul replied, her faint smile finally appearing on her lips. No way. This is a potion? The potions Albert knew were all medicinal remedies administered directly into the body in the form of syringes. Moreover, the potions he knew had low efficiency, whereas the cake he just ate instantly replenished his mana. Theres a potion like this in Korea? He knew little about the country called Korea. But he knew that the cake before him would bring about a revolution in the world. Yes, it was a revolution. Well then, shall we continue our conversation? Ga-eul spoke to the two men, who were still unable to regain their composure, with a smile on her lips. Only then did the two men divert their attention from the potion. Shall we start with something light? I heard that mana alloys containing a large amount of mana are mined in the Mediterranean. Before the End of the Century Destruction, as well as now, South Korea and Italy had no exchanges between them. There was no regret in the absence of exchanges with Italy. However, Ga-eul became intrigued by the mana alloys mined in the Mediterranean. The possibility of future exchanges with Italy was ridiculously low. Thats why she wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to achieve two goals with one stone. E/N: Dear readers, I apologize for the lack of updates on this website. Due to my final year of high school and preparations for university (examns, assigments and college aplications), I have been unable to dedicate sufficient time for website maintenance. I understand your disappointment and want to assure you that I am actively working on finding a solution to ensure timely updates moving forward. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. (I will make it up with more chapters!) Chapter 74 Chapter 74[Turning the World into an Enemy (2)] The Mediterranean, known for its abundant mana content. As a result, mana alloys with excellent mana transmission rates were being mined in the surrounding areas. The reason the Mafia could gain control over Italy could also be attributed to this factor. The majority of Tredeccis members were players from families active in the Shar-Dena, Sicily, and Naples regions, closely tied to the Mediterranean. But what about Korea? The difficult-to-access East Sea region due to monsters inhabiting the Taebaek Mountain Range and Gangneung. The threat from monsters was not significant, but the West Sea region had a relatively low mana content. Even the areas where mana alloys were mined were limited to the southern coastal areas. And they still couldnt match the mana alloys mined in the Mediterranean. Fortunately, exceptional engineers were maximizing efficiency with limited resources. The player devices of Galaxy Group and Sirius Group were recognized even in Japan and China. Without them, South Korea would not have been able to recover from its downfall. What do you think? Im Ga-eul desired to promote the qualitative improvement of players and safeguard the nation, even if it meant obtaining mana alloys mined in the Mediterranean. Above all, she needed mana alloys with excellent mana transmission rates to create artifacts for deploying cocoons. It had been three years since she assumed the role of a fairy. While she tried to install cocoons nationwide, despite an extremely demanding schedule, it was still insufficient. Even after the world had faced destruction, Seoul, which still functioned as the capital, only had two cocoonsone in Gangbuk and one in Gangnam. With just two artifacts, they couldnt encompass the entire city of Seoul. The residents in the outskirts of the cocoons outer wall zone were constantly exposed to threats from monsters. The situation was even worse in the provinces. Some areas still lacked cocoons, and even in the areas where they were installed, they only covered a limited range around administrative facilities. Moreover, cocoons needed regular mana replenishment. The artifacts made of alloys with lower mana transmission rates had a shorter-lasting effectiveness. Based on what youve presented, it seems unnecessary to ask what item Korea should propose. Im glad you dont have to say it, saving us the trouble. Albert glanced down at the remaining half of the chocolate cake and adjusted his glasses. She was a very resourceful woman indeed. If she had mentioned the new potion first, Albert would have been able to control the flow of the conversation. The value of the new potion would have been lost on him. But she offered the cake without mentioning the potion. He took the potion without knowing anything about it and was amazed by its performance. His astonishment gave Korea a lot of leeway. There is no substitute for the new potion in Italy. And that Italy is in dire need of it. For Italy, the trade of new potions is very important. To make a deal, the emotional party must first fold his hands. The moment he loses his poker face, the initiative is hers. All of this, of course, assumes that the new potion doesnt devalue. This potion is a novelty, though I dont see the need to trade it. May I ask why? Do you really think that Korea can have a monopoly on this potion forever? She didnt answer. Albert gave her a stern look. Besides, I dont think it would be possible to mass-produce the potion. I dont know how much you want the mana alloy, but I dont think you can afford it. Albert decided to end the conversation here. Inwardly, he was intrigued by the potion. But Korea couldnt keep the secret of the new potion forever. One day, the recipe would be revealed. The value of the new potion would decrease over time. There was no point in buying it while it was still valuable. Italy needed the potion, but I didnt want to make a losing trade. This was the moment. It was as if shed been waiting for it. Mass production is possible, but its not as efficient a potion as the cake youre eating. With a wave of her hand, she summoned Lee Jung-hyun, who had been waiting. As he approached, he pulled a handful of potions from his waistband. So many potions? Albert didnt miss the countless potions in Jung-hyuns waistband. Well offer you 200 potions of each type, for a total of 1000 potions, plus 30 highly efficient potions like the cake and coffee you just had. Is that not enough? She asked with a smile, the corners of her mouth tugged up. Albert frowned. She really had her act together. He hadnt expected such a large quantity. Especially when she could offer him thirty tablets of the potion hed taken earlier. The deal was tempting. He couldnt resist. The only question was how much mana alloy to trade. Her answer was simple. Im not greedy. One ton. Well pay the shipping. I dont think the numbers add up. Albert shook his head. He was still in the red for a ton of mana alloy. On top of that, he couldnt ignore the monsters that would be encountered while transporting a ton of mana alloy. Even if Korea paid the shipping fee, they couldnt afford to lose their excellent players. 500. 700. 600. No more. Okay, fine. What? Six hundred is good. One flick, and the deal was coldly accepted. Albert suddenly realized he had made a mistake. The new potion was worth far less than he thought it was worth. And she had taken advantage of his lack of information about the new potion. He may have had an idea of how much he would be paid, but it was surely less than he had mentioned. I will. Once spoken, the words could not be bitten. It was the Italian way. Im Ga-eul had expected this, too. She nodded at him, his face crumpled. In truth, she was expecting a mere 100 kilograms of mana alloy. The 1,000 potions she had prepared were a subset of the recent new potions, manufactured in a haphazard manner under the influence of the new potions. Several pharmaceutical companies had released new potions through people with the gift, but none of them could keep up with Jung Seok-hoons revolutionary potions, which were supported by the Alice Group. Nevertheless, the inferior works were more efficient than the existing potions. It was impossible to completely ignore the 1,000 inferior works. It would be comparable to 100 kilograms of Italian mana alloy. I was satisfied with the deal, as I could get 600 kilograms of mana alloy with 1,000 inferior potions and 30 of Jungs premium potions. Enough about potions, lets get down to business. Zenko Myron. You shall remain still. Im not doing this because youre making a shitty deal. Zenko snapped. Sear?h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sighing, Albert decided to get back to the point. Italy is willing to help the stranded Koreans return home. Im Ga-eul nodded silently. So far, so good. The question was, under what conditions would Italy be willing to return the Koreans? Even if the conditions were unaffordable, they were willing to offer something in return. She couldnt completely ignore public opinion. But as the head of state, the less blood loss the better. We are also willing to support the repatriation of Italians who cannot return to their homeland. She decided to offer the least burdensome price first. At the same time, she emphasized that Italy was not the only country holding South Koreans hostage; South Korea was also holding Italians hostage. Since the End of the Century Destruction, there were about 500 Italians who couldnt return to their homeland. Even Italy could not ignore the voices of Italians who wanted to return to their homeland. But she was mistaken. She was mistaken about one thing: that they would have any attachment to Italy. Players were, after all, a people who were only there to fulfill their own needs. We dont need them. Whether they want to come or not is none of our business. Zenko said, crossing his legs. Albert didnt argue, but he didnt interrupt either. Bluffing or sincere? She had been an acclaimed actress before she was even in her twenties. She realized they werent acting. If you dont want to, so be it. As she stepped back, they didnt seem to be disappointed. The initiative was once again in Alberts hands. We are willing to help the Koreans return home. Albert stated Italys position again. Then he offered a deal. But only if you can help us exterminate the monsters in the North Atlantic. Surely you wont just expect us to accept that, right? We have to endure risks for your sake. If its not necessary, then theres nothing we can do. As expected, even though she stepped back, neither of them showed any signs of disappointment. Albert regained control once again. We are willing to assist in the repatriation of Koreans. Albert spoke from Italys standpoint once again. Followed by presenting a deal. But only if you can help us subdue the monsters appearing in the North Atlantic. Surely you wont just expect us to accept that, right? We have to endure risks for your sake. Ga-eul tightly gripped the hem of her dress under the table, unseen by the two men. She had some expectations. She hoped that such a situation would not arise. Since the End of the Century Destruction, monsters had been appearing simultaneously worldwide. Interactions between countries had significantly decreased. Monsters had spread not only on land but also in the seas and skies. Especially in the sea, numerous unidentifiable monsters existed, and there were challenges in confronting them in the limited space of a ship. And even more so between Korea and Italy. Although there was little exchange between them in the past, it was impossible to traverse the Pacific and the North Atlantic during the era of rampant monsters. To repatriate Koreans unable to leave Italy, Italys assistance was crucial. And to receive Italys help, she knew that Italy needed to create conditions for the repatriation of Koreans. She was aware of it, but it was a significant loss. Because in the North Atlantic To redirect Italys intentions, she opened her mouth. We are not asking you to repatriate Koreans all the way to Korea. If you can send Koreans to the United States, we will take care of the rest. Why are you bringing this up now? Its disappointing. With a thud. Zenko put his legs on the table. Before we move Koreans to the United States, there is a prerequisite. There is only one thing we desire. For the first time, Ga-eul frowned. Her composure, which she had maintained all along, wavered. Zenko, who had been waiting for that moment, openly chuckled and continued speaking. If you want to get Koreans back, lend us a hand in defeating the creature that appears in the North Atlantic. Im taking down a second-ranked Leviathan. Phew. She exhaled, unperturbed by the sight of the two of them. It was Korea that requested the talks. Nevertheless, Italy had accepted, and the reason for their visit was predictable. It was the worst possible outcome. To apply to defeat the second-tier monster Leviathan. The second-ranked Leviathan. The weight of the second rank was different. Whereas the Ranked 3 monsters caused disaster and catastrophic damage, the Ranked 2 monsters were catastrophic. The strongest monsters outside of the theoretical first rank, they were measured to be capable of paralyzing the administration of a country. Among them, the Leviathan was different. Living in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Leviathan was a monster that caused catastrophe as a single entity, and was treated as an overranked monster close to the first rank even within the second rank. We dont want to send players from Korea into an unfamiliar environment. Id rather provide potions for players in Southern Europe to help them slay it smoothly. Whats wrong with this. Why would the good fairy send them away like this? must be because Koreans are weak? Zenko chuckled. She kept her mouth shut and didnt answer. Instead, she squeezed the hem of her dress hard enough to crumple it. There was so much she wanted to say, but she had to hold her tongue as a good girl. Come on, Albert. What did you call the strongest players in Korea? Ten? Twelve-footers? Twelve-Seats. Yeah, twelve-strong right?. But the Korean Twelve Stooges must be really weak. Or maybe its because our fairy is cheap. I dont know their faces, but I pity them. Zenko, moderation, please. What do you mean, isnt that what you mean by not denying the fairy? Zenko shrugged. As if to say, go ahead and say it. He glared at the bodyguards behind her who were suppressing their mana. This is why I hate Koreans, with their fucking kimchi. What the fuck are you, an asshole? A yellow circle who can only spit out words. Thats enough. She had warned the guards to endure no matter what happened. She canceled her own words. She couldnt listen anymore. Even if it meant coming forward in a lowly position to repatriate Koreans who couldnt leave Italy, it had gone too far. The existence of a fairy represented the status of the Republic of Korea itself. She couldnt tolerate such insults and disrespect from the Italian ambassador. For her to be insulted meant that the Republic of Korea was insulted. Ugh! What are you doing now? Every living creature possessed mana within their bodies. And mana, even in minuscule amounts, was a miraculous power that made the heart beat. The distance between her and the Italian ambassadors was just a small table. It was a distance where they could threaten her at any moment, but conversely, it was also a sufficient distance for her to threaten them. Guh gasp! Zenkos face turned pale as he collapsed from his chair. He clutched his chest and thrashed around. Albert was the same. Veins bulged on his forehead as he collapsed onto the table, unable to catch his breath properly. The Republic of Korea will cooperate in subduing the Leviathan. Once again, it should be emphasized that the reason why living beings exist as living beings is because mana exists within their bodies. For the well-being of all Koreans in Italy and their return home, we will give you our full support. And the gift of had the ability to disperse mana. We will dispatch two of the Twelve Masters, including Nam Gung-seong, known as the , who are considered the strongest in our nation. Regulating mana within the body with a single gesture was as simple as breathing. If you wish to protest this, protest. I will report Big Mama to the International Mana Management Organization for sending a torpedo boat as an ambassador to Italy. (1) She stood up and waved her hand. The gift that had been dispersing the mana in their bodies disappeared. Thisthiswont do any good! Albert warned menacingly as he regained his breath. Zenko, meanwhile. Ill kill you-! As soon as he regained his senses, he drew his weapon from his waistband and charged. How dare you point your sword at anyone! Do you want to die? The bodyguards could not stand still. The twos reactions were instantaneous. Jung-hyun protected the woman, and Sang-jin aimed his sword at Zenko. It seems you havent fully regained your sanity. Ha, unbelievable. Did you think you would be hit once and then hit again? Zenko was undeterred even by the freezing voice that chilled the conference room. Wait a moment. In that moment, he finally realized the chilling cold that surrounded the conference room. Since when? When he realized it, the intense cold enveloped him. If he moved, he would die. He understood it with animalistic instinct. The moment he stepped out of the cold, his body would freeze into pieces. It seems you havent completely lost your mind. We will conclude the meeting here. Everyone, return. She left the conference room without looking back. Damn it! The cold subsided, and Zenko unleashed a string of Italian curses. (1) Torpedo boat: In colloquial terms refers to someone or something that totally messes up or ruins your plans. They just torpedo all your efforts! Chapter 75 Chapter 75[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (3)] You were too reckless. Park Sang-jin opened his mouth, which he had kept tightly shut since entering his office. As the Fairy you should know how to cherish your body. Even just a moment ago, you could have gotten yourself injured. He felt horrible even thinking about it now. Even if the Italian ambassador, Zenko Myron, had been insulting, he was a member of the Tredeci, a player with the skill of the Twelve. But she, a non-player, had lost her temper and provoked him. She was the only person in Korea who possessed the gift of White Silver . As a fairy, it was important for her to maintain her dignity, but she wanted him to realize that her presence would determine the future of the country. From now on, please give us orders. The bodyguards are here not only to protect you, but to destroy those who pose a threat to you. You still seem to think of yourself as an actress beloved by the people, but its time you realized that youre a fairy goddess- Park Sang-jin. Ga-eul, who had been listening, interrupted. Is that your opinion as an escort or as the manager of actress Im Ga-eul? Sang-jin remained silent. Taking a step back, he hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He couldnt tell what she wanted him to say. He could read her mind as a former actress, but he couldnt read her mind as a woman who chose to be a fairy. His answer, after a long silence, was neither. With all due respect, I hope you will have the awareness of being a fairy. Ugh, coward. What? San-jin glared at Jung-hyun in disbelief. Jung-hyun shook his head and pouted his lips. As long as youre good at your job, you still dont know how women feel. Lee Jung-hyun. Youre not in a position to say that. Didnt I clearly tell you to keep your feelings to yourself? Yes. Im sorry. Jung-hyun, who had been acting like an ass, quickly straightened up. Ga-eul sighed and waved her hands in the air. Ive had enough, so Ill forgive you this time. But you know? Yes. I know. I wont do that next time. Jung-hyun was relieved that his punishment didnt end with a pay cut. Hed be happy with a pay cut, but he didnt want to be thrown over a mountain and told to learn the basics all over again. Then, as he left to prepare the cake, he brought up a story hed heard from the scribe earlier. By the way, I heard they brought a Maserati GranTurismo as a commemoration of their visit from Italy. Maserati? GranTurismo? Yes. I heard it from an employee at the Italian embassy. They said it was a car that Big Mama favored. They gave that to me now? Im Ga-eul put down her pen and asked with a tense expression. It was an overwhelming presence that made one take a step back. Jung-hyun apologized and corrected himself. Thats why I asked as well. I asked why they were giving the car that Big Mama used to ride. They said the Maserati GranTurismo is not only bulletproof but also made of a premium alloy with strong resistance to mana Jung-hyun. Are you a guard or a car dealer? Just give me the main point. Yes, Im sorry. They said Big Mama wanted to present you with the GranTurismo, expressing her affection. Im Ga-eul glared at him with discomfort. Jung-hyun felt like a frog in front of a snake under the scrutinizing gaze. Hey, Sang-jin hyung! Help me out a bit! He glanced at Sang-jin with his peripheral vision. Sang-jin turned his head. He didnt want to jump into the fire unnecessarily. So they gave it to me as a gift from Big Mama. Yeah, tell them to let you drive it. What? A Maserati? The GranTurismo? Even so, Jung-hyun couldnt understand. It may have been a car someone else had driven, but it was a Maserati. It was the GranTurismo. It was a sedan manufactured by a world-renowned sports car company. S~ea??h the N??eFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moreover, it was not only bulletproof, but also perfectly engineered with mana resistance, a premium vehicle. Did she not know how much the value of overseas sports cars had risen in the domestic market since End of the Century Destruction? Jung-hyun inwardly raised an eyebrow. I dont ride cars that others have ridden. Besides, I prefer Lamborghini. Lamborghini is great, but Maserati is also amazing. I understand that you didnt really like those Italian spaghetti bastards, but still, do you want a sports car, especially someone elses? Well, Im not particularly fond of those Italian spaghetti kids either, but it seems like Big Mama genuinely wants to give you the car she used to ride as a sign of affection No, it wont work. You will go to the mountains for a while Yes, Fairys words are absolutely correct! Jung-hyuns attitude change was immediate. Sang-jin, who was watching from the side, sighed in pity. Dont think Big Mama sent this as a gesture of love. Ga-eul said to the escorts. She had never met Big Mama in person. She had only heard rumors about Big Mama through Japan, China, and the United States. People said they didnt know what Big Mama was thinking. They said she was never a friendly person. They said she was no different from a player who only sought to fulfill her own desires. She wouldnt have simply sent the GranTurismo as a sign of affection. If she received it without reason, she might be asked to give something in return later. Furthermore, even though it was sent as a sign of affection, it could be interpreted as Italy having the upper hand over Korea. It seemed excessive to speculate, but when she thought of the Italian Ambassador Zenko Myron, she couldnt completely dismiss that thought. Italy looked down on Korea. Otherwise, it wouldnt have come out like this. I dont like it. She spoke out her thoughts that she didnt like. Once called the nations actress, the thought of someone existing above her head was extremely unpleasant. Especially if the person was a woman. Why did Italy send someone like Zenko Myron? They must be looking down on us. She listened to the conversation between the guards and immersed herself in her thoughts. Why did Big Mama send Zenko Myron? There must be some hidden reason behind it. She couldnt grasp what it was. But still, its fortunate. Nothing unfortunate happened. Something unfortunate did happen. He just didnt cross the line. Then she found a clue that was not apparent in their words. The ambassador had been disrespectful to the fairy. If it were before the world ended, it would have been resolved through diplomatic pressure or a sincere apology from the opposing country. But the world had already ended. The world had become a place where people couldnt complain even if the reason for someones death was because the dead person was weak. If the ambassador had been disrespectful, and if it was also a highly offensive remark, it wouldnt have been strange for him to die. Even Italy wouldnt have been able to strongly condemn it. But still, Big Mama sent Zenko Myron, knowing who he was as a person. As if she wished for Zenko Myrons death. Is something going on inside Italy? What? Nothing. For now, she couldnt figure out the situation in Italy. Her conclusions were speculative, not something she would divulge to her escorts. She just didnt like it. If her guess was correct, Big Mama had brought Korea into her scheme. In other words Did she dare to cross the line? Could there be such an intention hidden behind Big Mamas gift? The more she thought about it, the more disturbed she became. And if Big Mama had indeed entrusted her with dirty work, it wouldnt end here. Lee Jung-hyun, release someone trustworthy and have them keep an eye on the Italian ambassadors. Notify me immediately if any issues arise. Yes, understood! Lee Jung-hyun didnt harbor any objections. He responded firmly and left the office. Now, only she and Sang-jin remained in the office. Still, its fortunate. The deal yielded better results than expected. He spoke in a softer voice than before. Approaching her, he poured coffee into a cup. As she sipped the aroma, she lifted her gaze. The success was thanks to Alice Pharmaceuticals potions. Alice Pharmaceuticals revolutionary new potions that sparked a revolution in the potion market last year. If the new potions hadnt been released, acquiring Italys mana alloy would have come at a considerable cost. And Korea would have had to bow even more to Italy. It was fortunate that it was released at the right time. Thanks to that, not only were inferior potions produced by other pharmaceutical companies, but we also acquired the facilities for mass production in a short period. Especially being able to prepare the top-grade potions by Engineer Jung Seok-hoon. Thats right. We owe a debt to Engineer Jung Seok-hoon and the Alice Group. As soon as the trade with Italy is concluded, prepare to express our gratitude. Yes, I will inform the Chief Secretary. Still, provoking the Italian ambassadors was risky. He scolded her. She raised an eyebrow and looked at him. Then, with a smirk, she shifted her gaze to the documents. Anyway, with waiting in the next room, if there was any trouble, it would have been the ambassadors, not me. Really. You dont seem to be tired at all. Sang-jin shook her head as if she couldnt help it. As she said, was waiting in the next room. Namgung Seong-woon. The old man who was currently the strongest man in Korea would definitely be able to rescue her safely. Still, it was clear that she had done something dangerous. There were contingencies. As an escort, you had to assume the worst. He was going to tell her to be a good girl again. She knew it as if she had expected it. As an actress, as a fairy, she must not be broken by anyone. Sigh, theres nothing I can do. Sang-jin kept his mouth shut. Before becoming a fairy and even after becoming one. She still had a heart as strong as steel. La~ lulu~ lu lulu~ lulu~ Julietta hummed a tune. As she walked down the street after leaving the hospital, she seemed happier than ever. So this is what happiness feels like. She stopped in her tracks. The sunlight was warm. The weather, entering early summer, was not as hot as she had expected. Was the weather in Sicily like this too? She recalled the days she had spent in Sicily. It wasnt just filled with bad memories. If anything, there were more good memories. Thats why she sometimes longed for her homeland. Although she never told him. I guess I cant show it to you. She placed her hand on her belly. Her belly hadnt swollen yet. But it felt as if the baby inside was moving. Congratulations. Youre pregnant. Youre already entering the 6th week. Today, she received the news of her pregnancy. It was the news she had been hoping for since leaving Italy and settling in Korea. She couldnt describe how lovely Eunae was. How much she longed for a child every time she saw her. A child with the person she loves. Finally, it bore fruit. Ah! She stopped stroking her belly and pulled out her phone as she remembered something. Ill have to let Bru know soon. Ah, maybe its better to tell him in person? Then Ill just give him a hint. Julieta waited for the toot-toot signal. Soon enough, Bruno picked up the phone. Bruno, its me! [Yeah. Lunch?] Im on my way to eat. Have you eaten? [Me too. Im on my way to eat. Did you go to the doctor? Are you feeling okay?] A concerned voice on the other end of the phone. The feeling of being the center of attention for a loved one is always indescribable. I wanted to tell him right away. But it wasnt the right time to say it. I wanted to tell him face to face, and see his face light up with joy. Im feeling fine. Anything you want for dinner? [Not really. Dont cook. If you want something, Ill make it]. Bru. I know I cant cook. Of course I was going to buy it. [Oh, yeah]. Bru. [Yeah, Julie]. You need to come in early today. [Okay.] I hung up the phone. I was happy. She hadnt been this happy since shed left Italy. She started walking. She stopped and put her hand on her stomach. May this happiness continue. May this happiness continue. She basked in the bliss of early summer. May the happiness continue. May it continue. Who is this, Julieta Valentine? May the happiness go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on. How have you been, youve gotten a lot prettier since I last saw you. Ah. Aaa-aah. But what am I going to do about this? Zenko Myron frowned. Its time for the bluebird to go back to his cage. Happiness, it goes on. Only while you dream. Chapter 76 Chapter 76[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (4)] Julietta Valentine. All the people of Sicily called her the Princess of Sicily. They called her the Princess of Sicily because there was no other woman in Sicily as beautiful and regal as her. They also called her the Tomboy Princess. Sicilians knew how tomboyish she could be and how much trouble the Valentine family had following her around. Are you sure you want to set off fireworks? You dont mean you want to set fire to some assholes house you dont like? Yes! Yes! Yes! I want to see fireworks! Julietta Valentine. The Sicilians, in unison, called her the Princess of Valentine. She was a blood relative of Lukenik Valentine, the boss of the Valentine family, who ruled Sicily. There was no one in Sicily who could touch her with a bargepole. And if you crossed her, youd learn the hard way what the Valentine family was made of. Bru! He touched my ass! Now, my bad, ah, I didnt realize you were the Princess of Valentines. What a ridiculous excuse, what Sicilian doesnt know her? Well, I really do, Im just traveling to Sicily this time. Whatever the reason. And youll know why Bruno Valentine is called Valentines Brown Bear. There was a saying in Sicily that was passed down orally. If you want to keep your penis intact, never touch the Princess of Valentine. Its a testament to the Valentine familys hold on Sicily and how much they cherish the presence of Julietta Valentine. However, the Valentine family was not the only family that wrinkled Sicily. In every city in Italy, not a day goes by that the mafia doesnt wage a war for control of the city. And the Valentine and Myron families were fighting for control of Sicily. Of course, it was the Valentines who had the upper hand. It was only a matter of time before the Valentines would overthrow the Myrons and become the true rulers of Sicily. The Valentines had Julietta Valentine. Another fight? They started it. Miss, I beg you, Im desperate, please give me the strength to beat them! Alright, you must come back alive. Julieta Valentines gift was, the ability to amplify mana efficiency. Her amplification had the power to double the power of the Valentine family. Of course, was not a rare gift by any means. There were people everywhere who possessed gifts that amplified mana efficiency. It was just that her was superior to those who possessed the same gift. Thats why, up until this point, people had no reason to doubt Valentines victory. The twist came unexpectedly. Big Mama has chosen Myron to be the ruler of Sicily. One day, Lukenik Valentine called the family together and delivered the grim news. They couldnt believe what their boss was telling them. Why would Big Mama choose the Myron family to be the rulers of Sicily? The Valentine Family should be the rulers of Sicily. The Valentine family is stronger than the Myronfamily. Still, the reality remains the same. The Myron family has risen to the top of Sicily with Big Mamas stature behind them. This seemed to be the end of the mafias war, but it wasnt completely over. The Myron family, now in control of Sicily, began to gnaw away at the Valentine family metallurgically. Theyve fallen to the Myrons! Whats going on, where the hell did they come from! In the name of cleaning up Sicily, the Myrons diminished the power of the Valentines. As time went on, Valentines power grew weaker and weaker. Some members of the Valentine family chose to defect to the Myron family, and the Myron family recruited powerful men from all over the country. Until one day, Julieta Valentine met a cruel fate. What? The Valentines have decided to merge with the Myron family. Dad, thats not a merger. Thats right, boss! Are you saying were going to succumb to the Myron children as it is! To protect Valentine. Lukenik Valentine was finally brought to his knees. He made no pretense of hearing the objections of Julieta and the other officers, and continued in silence. Valentine did not give in. Its just joining hands with Myron, for a while. What does that mean? Doesnt that mean well be merged, which is all well and good, but in the end, well be under Myron! Julieta and Vincent Myron will share a betrothal. What? She tilted her head in confusion. There was only one son of the Myron Family Boss. Vincent Myron, the troublemaker. Why should she marry a good-for-nothing man who openly revels in debauchery? She looked at Lukenik and her brother Albert, demanding an explanation. Albert averted his eyes. Lukenik opened his mouth, not showing the slightest sign of agitation. Myron said he would relinquish some control of Sicily if you and Vincent became husband and wife. Isnt that the same as sacrificing your daughter? No. Were just taking advantage of the next opportunity. Lukenik looked to his left. Lets face it. We lost. But we will win next time. And the one person who can make that next time happen is you, Julieta Valentine. What am I. Marry Vincent, have children. Daddy. In that moment, she recognized Lukenicks intent. She wasnt the only one. Some of the officers were more perceptive than others. All eyes turned to her. Perhaps its for the best. Vincent Myrons gift is one of Myrons strengths. Everyone has a gift. We just dont recognize them. So, are Gifts hereditary? The International Mana Management Organization has stated that Gift is not a heritable variable. The report cites statistics that show that newborns gifts are not inherited from their parents. It concludes that even if a child sometimes possesses a parents Gift, it is only a coincidence. They also concluded that a newborns mana is negligibly influenced by their parents. In other words, mana and gifts are indeterminate. With a few exceptions. The International Mana Management Organization has found that some gifts can be inherited from parents. And Amplification was a Gift that had the property of inheriting a spouses Gift. Boss, I think it would be good to get a second generation from Miss Julieta. How about my child, she has minimal mana, but her gifts are worthy. Ive received correspondence from several families who would like to form a conjugal bond with Lady Julieta. She had overheard a conversation the officers had once had with their boss. Discussing marriage contracts against her will. At the time, she felt betrayed and even angry. But she also realized that she had to consider Valentines future as one of the people who would carry on his name. She was thinking about it. She hadnt been thinking about a future in which she would be Vincents mistress, succumbing to Myron in this way. Is a mana efficiency gift. If Julieta conceives Vincent Myrons child, the child will inevitably be affected by . Bo, boss, you dont mean. Thats right. The child born will have gifts beyond Vincent Myrons. We will steal the child, and we will make him or her the one to rebuild Valentine. The officers were silent. It was a ridiculous plan. It meant the Valentine family was backed into a corner. The officers looked at each other. None of them wanted to deny the absurdity of the plan. Lady. Please think of Mr. Valentines future. Please. Lady. Please fulfill your duty as Valentine. Lukenik turned to her. Julieta. If you are one of the Valentines, you will endure the humiliation of being Vincent Myrons mistress. But. If you have enjoyed what Valentine has enjoyed so far, I think you should fulfill your duty as one who bears his name. Julieta looked at Albert, hoping he would convince Lukenick. Albert said nothing. His silence was an affirmation. She looked around the room. Suddenly, everyone was looking at her. They were waiting for her answer. In the end, there was only one answer she could give. Yes. When youve earned it, do your duty. The words echoed in her head. She realized what a sweet dream she had been having. It was time to wake up. And then-. Say it. No. I dont want to get married like this! Julieta Valentine. The night the officers were guarding her in the name of protecting her. To keep her from running away. Bruno climbed through the window and approached her as she sat on the bed, transfixed. He put his hands on her shoulders and leaned in. I will protect you, even if it means turning the world against you. Julieta was chilled. She clasped her hand over his large one. The next day, no one found them. Cazzo! Zenko Myron cursed in Italian. Albert, sitting across from him, sighed and turned to look out the window. What happened? The player driving the car glanced at Zenko in the rearview mirror. Tom Myron. He was Zenko and Alberts assistant on this trip. He wasnt an ambassador and didnt seem to know what had happened in the interview room. There is such a thing. Zenko didnt answer, but hummed to himself. Sar?h the N?vel(F)ire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He hadnt laid a finger on her since then. Since when, he wondered. When he realized, a chill surrounded him. The chill seemed to linger in his body even now. His body remembered. An indelible horror. Cazzo. Zenko thought he recognized the man who had imprinted his fear on him. Namgung Seong from . Only he can handle such coldness, and he is said to be the strongest spear in Korea. Korea, their player level is not low. Dont underestimate the Twelve. They are recognized by the international community. Didnt I tell you that before? Yes, recognized. Lets just say theyre the equivalent of the Tredici. Zenko hummed and glared out the car window. Maybe Ive been underestimating Korea too much. It wasnt just . He thought of the bodyguards who had blocked his attack. They werent the Twelve, but they were just as strong. They werent guarding the fairy for nothing. Forget it, drive on, were going to meet the Princess of Valentine. Zenko pursed his lips. The meeting with the fairy wasnt the reason for his visit. An ambassador was originally scheduled to visit Korea, Albert Valentine. At the last minute, the Myron family stepped in to attend the meeting. To win over Julieta Valentine. Even after all these years, her value has not diminished. She was a useful artifact. How many times had they searched for her? I hadnt realized she had fled to Korea, where she could only be caught by crossing the Pacific and North Atlantic oceans. Are you sure? Couldnt they have mistaken her for someone else? I showed it to the Valentines, Im sure. It was Julieta Valentine. Tom asked, and Zenko answered. Zenko recalled an incident last winter. He was watching the U.S. news and happened to see a video of a department store attack in South Korea. And there she was, Julieta Valentine. How excited he was. He was so excited to see her again, the princess of Sicily. It just so happened that the familys research on her escape route and direction pointed to South Korea. She was a beautiful woman. Although she was to become the wife of her boss, Vincent Myron, she was only a concubine. Once Vincent had made his big move, and shed given birth to his child, hed let the executives have a taste. Hmph, Im looking forward to it. If Julieta was untouchable in the Valentine family, she was untouchable in the Myron family. Everyone in the Myron Family wanted to see her surrender on bed. If she was conquered by the Myrons, it meant that the Valentines had been completely conquered and humiliated. And then theres Albert, how could he not recognize his own sister? Well, maybe hell recognize her and pretend he doesnt out of loyalty. Zenko snapped. Albert was still staring out the window. When he felt the stare, he adjusted his glasses and replied. That wont happen. Ill keep my word. Julieta needs us, too. Ho-ho. You mean to tell me youre going to defile her yourself, Valentine, before Myron does? Youd better do it in moderation. The boss isnt very nice. Youre right about moderation, I may have bowed to Vincent Myron, but Im the boss of the Valentine family. Zenko stiffened suddenly as he received an unexpected threat. Albert Valentine. Recently, he had become a prominent figure within Tredici. As much as he resented it, he knew he couldnt beat Albert. Tsk. Hey, were here. Tom pulled up. Zenko got out with a grunt. What the So she was living in a place like this? It was a four-story row house. She hadnt expected the Princess of Valentine to live in such a small place. Zenko was devastated and decided to wait for her. Soon enough, he spotted a blonde woman walking in the distance. Oh ,who is this, Julieta Valentine? I felt sluggish after eating lunch. Nevertheless, I had to finish the work. I stared at the monitor and tapped on the keyboard. Just a little more It happened when I tried to move the mouse to save the document. The smartphone placed on the table vibrated. On the screen was the name of my beloved wife. What could it be? I had just called her a little while ago. It was strange to receive another call so soon. Julie. I called her name, but there was no response for a while. I sensed something was off and leaned closer to the smartphone. I could hear the sound of heavy breathing several times. It seemed like there was another persons voice mixed in as well. Bru. Its me. Soon, Julietta spoke. It wasnt her usual cheerful voice. It was the voice she had when she was downcast, as if her throat was tight. Bru. Thank you for everything so far. What? Dont look for me anymore. Julie! Julie! I stood up from my seat. I called her name, but there was no response. She had already hung up the phone. Without paying attention to the distorted shape of the smartphone, I gripped it tightly. Even though everyone at the office was staring at me, I ignored their gazes and started packing my things. B-Bruno. What on earth are you Im leaving for today. What are you talking about? You havent finished the work yet! Then Im quitting. Thank you for employing me. If I get a chance, Ill come back later to bid you a proper farewell. Bruno! Hey, Bruno! Where are you going? He stomped out of the office, not even hearing the department head call after him. Ehhh. The manager ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Then, he shouted loudly towards the corridor where he had rushed out. If a man acts like this, there must be only one reason! Seize it for yourself! Ive had moments like that too. Wait, doesnt Assistant Bruno have a wife? Seems like he still has a good catch. Oh? Is he leaving the company because of his good catch? The supervisor soon gave up on thinking about it. He lit a cigarette. When his head was in a mess, cigarettes were the best. Hey, Supervisor Yeah? What is it? Assistant Kim approached. With his hands in his pockets, the supervisor asked. Assistant Kim whispered, cautiously observing the eyes of their colleagues. Were still inside the company, you know. Ah. The supervisor dropped the cigarette he had been holding in his mouth. Chapter 77 Chapter 77[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy(5)] S~ea??h the N??elFir.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Its too hot. Seona, are you okay? Hayang placed his hand on the wall and examined Seonas complexion as she lowered her head. Sweat was running down her cheeks. She was a child. It was only natural for her to be weak in the heat. Its only early summer. Its too hot. Eunha pouted his lips as he gave her a light pinch. Now her red eyes were filled with moisture. Not tears, but sweat. Hayang was fanning her, but her near-golden hair clung to her sweaty cheeks and refused to fall. Do you want me to cut your hair? Then why dont you come with me, I was thinking of cutting it too. No, its okay, the nun at the church will cut it for me. Well, thats fine then. Ill have to go alone. Min-ji, come with me! Seona sighed, twining her fingers in her blond hair that reached down to her shoulder blades. She decided to ask the nuns to cut her hair sometime today. Just then, Eunha, who was walking ahead of her, dropped a bombshell in a nonchalant voice. Then why dont you cut off her tail as well? Uh, uh, what did you just say? Why dont you cut off his tail too. Thats cruel. Seona hugged her tail tightly, distancing herself from him. The other children did the same, slinking away from him and clinging to him. Even Eunhyuk. Why. I did something wrong. Its not your tail, but how could it be? Ha ha. Trim your fur. Then you should speak straight. This is why I have a problem with Noeunha. Shut up, Mukminji. Seona let go of her tail and looked it over. Even though she brushes it twice a day, is it still too much and messy? She stroked her fluffy tail and thought about it. Then I remembered a time when I was a kid and my tail was trimmed incorrectly. It was so traumatizing that it still haunts me in my dreams. Okay, Ill just trim the fine hairs. Why cut it? Its nice and fluffy. Hey, when you touch it, can you say something first? Oh, sorry. She freaks out when someone suddenly touch her. Seona wiped the sweat from her neck and blinked. Eunhyuk, who was fiddling with his tail, apologized with a cheerful smile. Okay, okay, okay. We can buy ice cream, right? Guys, Eunha wants ice cream! Wow~! Youre the boss! Minji-satisfied, making a V with her fingers. Meanwhile, she was pecking Eun-ha, forcing him to raise his hands in surrender. They bought ice cream at a nearby convenience store. Seona was finally able to cool off. Why dont you hang out at my house today? Dads cafe is cool. Ill go. Seona, who was biting a Popsicle, quickly raised her hand. In succession, other children also held up their thumbs. Eunha did the same. He was going to drink the potion from Happiness. I must be so tall. It was hard to get a drink at the cafe now that Jungs potion had gotten around. If not at a time like this, when else would he use his friend Jung Ha-yang? Ah. Then Ill leave my bag at home. Muk Minji, what are you going to do? Ill go with you. Just dont come out late because youre hanging out with Eunae again. Its not like I do that every day, and Eunae is cute. Lately, shes been greeting him at the front door when she hears him coming home. It was so adorable to watch her little body waddle over to him like a duck. If I stopped watching, time would fly by. It wasnt the first time Id broken a promise to Minji. Okay, Ill try. I tried, but only so far. He felt good just thinking about his sister, who would greet him every time he came home from school with a Big brother! Huh? Thats Julieta. By the way, who are the people shes with? Huh? Minji pointed to a row house around the corner. A car was parked in front of the rowhouse, its tinted windows obscuring the interior. Julieta seemed to be having a conversation with two foreigners who got out of the car. I couldnt get a good look at her because of the distance, but I could tell she was frozen. Wait a minute. Isnt that Tredici? Recognizable even from a distance, the foreigner with the dull orange hair and slouched posture with his hands in his pockets. Zenko Myron. There was no way he didnt know him. There was no direct connection, but the ripples he had spread in Korea were indescribable. Why is Zenko Myron here. Come to think of it, today was the day of the meeting between Korea and Italy. Eunha remembered the talks before the regression. Before the regression, Korea held talks with Italy to bring back the Koreans stranded in Italy. The fairy Im Ga-eul took advantage of this opportunity to trade mana alloys in the Mediterranean. Some criticized her for spending so much money to trade for so little mana alloy. The Fairy Government explained that even a small amount of Mediterranean Mana Alloy would improve the quality of players devices. The accusations seemed to die down quickly, but the main content of the meeting was problematic. Korea had agreed to cooperate with Italy in subduing the second-ranked Overrank Leviathan that inhabited the North Atlantic in order to repatriate isolated Koreans in Italy. Second Overrank. Up until this point, South Korea had never seen a monster in the second rank. But now we have to cooperate to defeat a second-rank overranked monster. Some people were skeptical about the risk of sending Koreans back home. However, public opinion still insisted on sending them home. In the end, South Korea had to send three Twelve Seats to the North Atlantic. The result was. We lost a lot. A large-scale allied operation involving southern Europe, including Italy; the Americas, including the United States; Africa, which bordered the North Atlantic; and finally Korea. Leviathan was defeated by a combined effort of the best players in each country. Koreas participation in the alliance resulted in the safe return of the Koreans, but the damage was severe. Namgung Seong-woon lost his left arm instead of landing a critical hit on Leviathan. Shin Myeong-hwan suffered complications in mana recovery ability due to the aftermath of a mana rampage. And Bang Yeon-ji died during the mission. At that time, they thought she had died. It was an unbelievable event. It happened when he was still attending the academy. Did you hear about it? The news this morning? Impossible not to hear. It still gives me chills. Bang Yeon-ji was being held captive in Italy. Hey, they say held captive, but the reality is sigh, the more I think about it, the angrier I get. Bang Yeon-ji, , was not killed during the mission but was held captive in Italy. If she hadnt managed to escape after going through various hardships, the truth would have been buried forever. The author who committed this extraordinary act was none other than Zenko Myron. Public opinion in South Korea exploded. The Fairy Government and the Twelve Seats strongly protested to Italy. Several countries also issued condemnatory statements. To quell the condemnation, Italy captured Zenko Myron alive. Big Mama publicly executed him in the square. She made mixed-blood individuals with Korean blood stab him with a knife until his death. Zenko Myron was said to have died after being stabbed 41 times. And Big Mama, while bowing her head sincerely and apologizing to Korea, sent Zenko Myrons head as a sign of repentance. That was the outcome of the Korea-Italy meeting. And now. Zenko Myron, the villain, was having a conversation with Julietta. Minji, wait here. Dont come out under any circumstances. Who knows what might happen. What? What are you planning to do!? I told you. Dont come out under any circumstances. Eunha warned Minji and rushed out of the alley. He concealed his body in a location where they wouldnt notice, suppressing any presence. Damn, I couldnt understand a word of it. They were talking in Italian. I couldnt make out what they were talking about, but I could tell it was bad. Fanabla! Julietta shook off Zenkos touch. She even tried to draw on her mana to flee the scene. Just then, Zenko Myron stuck his hands in his pockets and smirked. He approached her, not caring if she was wary or not, and whispered something. What was it? What did he say? Whatever hed said, her face had gone pale. She offered no resistance, draining the mana from her body. Chuckling at what was so good, Zenko tapped her on the shoulder. I dont know what it is, but I dont think we should leave it like that. Julieta walks to the car that Zenko is pointing at. She looked like she was walking into a prison cell. Watching the scene, Eunha wondered what to do. He couldnt hear the conversation, but it looked like she was being dragged away for some reason. Of course he had to save her. But he was powerless against Zenko Myron and the other Italian, both members of the Tredici. The ideal course of action would be to find out where they were going. If he could figure out where they were going, he could leave the rest to Bruno or Seo-Young Shin. So he jumped out to chase after the car as soon as it took off. He used his mana to enhance his physical abilities, Huh? He blinked at the sight of the Italians waiting for him as he rounded the corner. He hadnt expected them to notice. Marmcchio? A bespectacled Italian with a pomade haircut frowned. I was wondering who was watching us earlier. Was it just a kid? Zenko Myron grumbled in Korean. He scratched the back of his head and slowly approached Eunha. Kid, do you have any business with us? An attitude that didnt convey any sense of wariness. Rather, a friendly demeanor. But Eunha quickly assumed a defensive stance. Unexpectedly, Zenko Myron swung his hand like a whip. Ugh! Huh? Who do you think you are? If he hadnt protected his head with mana, he would have been knocked out. Meanwhile, Zenko Myron looked at him with curious eyes. Then, after seeing his own swinging hand, he murmured in disbelief, You blocked that? as if unable to believe it. I wonder if even a kid in this country can handle mana well. Makes sense. That kid is weird. Right? I thought Korea was more amazing than I realized. But what about him? I cant even leave him alone. Hes a child, but I cant help it. Right, lets get rid of him. Zenko Myron stretched out his legs as if to throw a jab. This bastard! Im going to kill him. Eunha ducked his head to avoid the attack that flew overhead. What? Thats amazing! Eunha leaped up with all the strength in his legs. He kicked the wall once, turned, and drove into Zenkos flank. Zenko took a step back, dodging it by a mere sheet of paper, then reached for him as he disappeared from view. Eunha swerved as best as he could in midair, reaching out for him. In his hand, a mana-filled sphere. He shot mana toward Zenkos outstretched hand. Cazzo! Zenko shouted, and with his other hand, he blocked the flying sphere. What kind of a kid. He looked at the red marks on the back of his hand and spat. Even though he had protected the back of his hand with mana, he hadnt been able to block all the damage. It was proof of his mana efficiency. So what. That was more fun than I thought. He was a kid, after all. Zenko moved with disorienting speed and grabbed him by the nape of the neck as he looked for an opening. As annoying as it was to have to use his true strength against a child, he knew that if he didnt use her true strength, it wouldnt be easy. Ugh! Uh-huh. Where. Eunha pried Zenkos hand away from his, channeling mana into the hand that held his wrist. Zenko wasnt going to let him get away with it, though, and he was protecting his wrist with mana, blocking the attack. Kuck! I couldnt breathe. Zenko was pressing down on his throat. Suspended in midair, he struggled to break free. But his consciousness was becoming increasingly blurry. If he kept this up, hed suffocate and die. Damn it. His strength was about to drain from his body. Let him go. I thought you said you wouldnt touch the people around me. Julieta said in a nervous tone as she got out of the car. Oh? Was he one of your people? Ha, no, he shouldnt be. Hes just a kid, get your hands off him. Hes not a normal kid, and I can tell you from experience that you should kill him while you can. Zenko. Ha. Valentine, you assholes. Got it. Zenko loosened his grip on his throat. Sinking to the floor, Eunha breathed in sharply. The spinning world slowly fell into place. Julieta knelt before him as he caught his breath. Eunha, thank you for your help. I dont need your help anymore than that. Noona, whats going on here? Julieta said nothing. Instead, she handed me the ring with a bittersweet smile on her face. Will you take this to Brew? Tell him Im sorry. And that Ive been happy. Noona. I called out to Julieta. She shook her head, still. I was happy in the meantime. I was happy. The moment he heard the words, a small surge of irritation ran through him. He was determined to be happy in his second life. And the category of happiness he was pursuing included the happiness of others. She was happy in the meantime? On someone elses terms? It was ridiculous. Why would she say she was happy without asking permission, and then come out and say she was going to be unhappy now? Dont try to get away with it. She was part of his happiness. She couldnt be unhappy on his own terms. The only time she was allowed to be unhappy was when he excluded her from it. He tried to use his physical abilities to catch her getting into the car. Just then. Uh-huh. Be a good boy when youre being watched. Zenko Myron grabbed him by the nape of the neck and threw him to the ground. Eunha hastily manipulated his mana to soften the blow. But it was too late. If he tried to repurpose the mana to enhance his physical abilities, he wouldnt be able to react in time. I had to brace myself for some impact. Huh. Luckily, he landed in a pile of garbage. The garbage bags cushioned his landing. The more I think about it, the more pissed I am. He threw something at the top of his head. It was a banana peel. My stomach lurched. You can say youre happy all you want, but Im not happy yet. He glared at the car as it drove away, buried in a pile of trash. Hey! No Eunha! Are you okay! Are you hurt? It was Minji, who was making good on his warning. As soon as the Italians were out of sight, she ran over to him, who was leaning against a trash bag with his arms propped up and his legs crossed. Minji, tell them Im not playing today. Dont tell the kids why. Okay. I kind of know what happened. But dont you think you should take a shower first? Minji frowned and pinched the bridge of her nose. Eunha hadnt heard her, still glaring in the direction the vehicle had disappeared. Chapter 78 Chapter 78[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (7)] Eunha. Get off. Its dangerous. I know its dangerous. Thats why Im coming with Mr. Bruno. I mean, whatever. Bruno turned the wheel and sighed. He was going to go rescue Julieta alone. He could hear from Eunha why she had disappeared, but he had no intention of taking him with him. He knew from the attack on the department store at dawn last year that Eunhas skills were better than most, but he was up against an opponent. Tredici. Bruno wasnt sure he could take on the two of them. Nevertheless, Eunha insisted on accompanying him, even to the point of a sword fight on the front porch. In the end, it was Bruno who raised the white flag. He had Eunha in the passenger seat and was tracking Julietas location on his smartphone. Do you think well find her? Luckily, she has a smartphone. Julieta hadnt realized that her smartphone had a built-in locator. There was no way Tredici, the man who had taken her, would know. The red spot was currently flashing at the Alice Hotel near Jonggak Station. What floor is it on, that was high performance, wasnt it? Eunha knew how accurate Brunos tracker was at relaying information. He didnt have to sneak into the hotel and look through the directory or go room by room. But, Mr. Bruno. Do you have any player devices I can use? There should be a bag of player gear in the back seat. Take your pick. Eunha unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to the back seat. On the seat was an aluminum briefcase. It was quite heavy. He brought it to his lap and inspected the equipment. A Beretta 92, SB. It was an old pistol, but thankfully in good condition. Eunha opened the magazine, glanced inside, and tucked it into his back waistband. He didnt bother to pick out a sword. The mangoche S3 and kukri S1 that Seoyoung had prepared for him would suffice. There should be armor there, too. Its dangerous to be naked. Id love to wear armor, but Im small and nothing fits. Its hard enough to move with this. Eunha pointed to the mangoshu and kukri tucked between his legs. Then he pointed to the various potions hanging around his waist and the beret hed pulled out of her bag earlier. Seeing that, Brunos mouth fell open. No words came to him. It was as if the Eunha was going to war. A war, indeed. He was ready for it, too. He didnt know what to say to him. Oh, I see you have the Shadow Spiders venom. Do you mind if I use it? Sure. Eunha smiled in delight as he pulled out a container of purple liquid from his bag. Sixth level Shadow Spider. The Shadow Spiders venom was a terrifying poison that disrupted the flow of mana in the body, forcing a mana surge. Along with the Shadow Spiders venom, he hadnt forgotten the antidote, which he hung on his belt. And this. And this? Eunha held out a wedding ring. There was no way Bruno didnt know who it belonged to. But he was so lost in thought, he could only stare at it. After a moment, Bruno removed his hand with the one holding the gears. You need it more than I do. Itll help. Yes, I will. Eunha was grateful for Brunos favor. As an elementary school student, he needed something to compensate for his lack of skill. He slipped Julietas ring onto a necklace hed worn since he was a child. It was too loose to fit a grown womans ring on his finger. I assume you know what that is? Sort of. Eunha nodded. Hed been bugging Bruno about it since theyd gotten into the car. And Eunha vaguely realized why he hadnt known about Bruno and Julietas existence before the regression. Even before the regression, Julietta and Bruno would not have been able to completely escape the Italian mafia. We dont know what would have happened, but the outcome would have been the same, given that their presence in Korea was unknown. And the Bruno of before the regression would have died, unable to save Julietta. Without him, Julieta would have died. , Julieta Myron. Eunha lowered his head and quietly recited. . He remembered the name. There was no way he wouldnt remember it. It was one of the tinnitus of the people who had raided The Abyssal. I wasnt expecting that. The Abyssal was a black dungeon that mankind had tentatively declared untouchable. There are only eight dungeons in the world, and they are located in Chulwon, Kagoshima, Sichuan, Siberia, and the Grand Canyon. And in the Mediterranean, there was the Dungeon of the Deep, a conical tower rising from the sea floor. Mankind thought that the Deep Dungeon, with its extreme difficulty just to approach, would be the last of the Black Dungeons to be tackled. Ironically, however, it was the first to be tackled. In the year 26 A.D., the Southern European Union became the first country in the world to successfully capture a Black Dungeon. The world was buzzing about the logbooks of the Deep Dungeon. Eunha was no exception, and he pored over the Abyssal Dungeon walkthroughs in hopes of beating it. Then he realized that Italian players had been instrumental in taking down the Black Dungeon. He realized that many Italian players had the surname Myron. Is the Myron family a representative clan of Italy? At first, I thought about the stature of the Myron family. Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to learn more about the Myron family. And he was surprised to realize the truth that the Italians had been hiding. No, he wasnt. More like disgusted. Juliette Myron, a supporter of the Southern European Campaign. She possessed a powerful Amplification. Her gift allowed the raid to visibly augment its power. On the surface, this is a story of one persons power. However, Julieta Myron was merely an amplifier who was forced to participate in order to use the . In fact, even the term amplifier could be considered tame. She was nothing more than a breeding machine. Gifts are not inherited, with a few exceptions, but the Amplification was one of those exceptions. Of the players who bore Myrons name in the raid, all of them in their twenties or so were children of her blood. . That was the name by which she was known in Italy. I had no idea that was Julietta noona. No further explanation was needed. With a little deduction, I was able to figure out that a woman named Julieta Myron must have been Julieta Valentine. The more I thought about it, the more disgusted I became. That pisses me off. Before the regression, Julieta would have been living in a hell worse than hell. And Bruno, who would have died without being able to save her. He hoped they would never have to go through what they had before the regression. He wanted them to be happy. So-. Were here. Bruno stopped the car. The Alice Hotel. Julieta would be in there. Dont regret it. If theres any regret, its theirs. Good luck. You, too. The two of them stretched lightly. He checked his gear once more, then stepped forward without hesitation. Kill them all. Kill them all. The 18th floor of the Alice Hotel. The Italian ambassadors were using the entire floor. All thanks to the consideration of the Fairy Godmother Government. In reality, the government had rented the entire floor to prevent the ambassadors from causing international trouble. Albert Valentine didnt mind. The facilities and services were too good to complain about. Best of all, the imprisonment of Julieta Valentine would not arouse suspicion. The same seemed to be true for Zenko Myron and Tom Myron. But there was one thing that didnt sit right with Jenko. Why did they suddenly change hotels? He took a swig from his bottle of soju and frowned. Slaves drink it, obviously. I was a fool to believe it. Hed tried to taste how good soju was for Korean slaves, but it was just alcohol mixed with a little water. Yeah. What were they thinking? Tom agreed. Originally, he had planned to take the ambassadors to the Dawn Hotel, which had been prearranged by the government. But just as he was about to drive off, someone from the government rushed over and informed him that the hotel had changed. Instead of the Dawn Hotel and apologized that they had prepared the top floor of Alice Hotel, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized something was wrong. If the hotel had been notified in advance, they should have been prepared, but could there be a problem on the day of the summit? Albert Valentine was also lost in thought, trying to figure out what the Good Fairys intentions were. Even I would not accept the likes of you. Ha, that bitch. Zenko sighed. He downed the bottle of shochu in one gulp. Red-faced, Zenko glared at Julieta, who sat cross-legged. Despite her imprisonment, Julieta felt no threat from them. She was simply monitored to make sure she didnt leave the room. This made her realize how important her value was to them. They could not pose any threat to her. Thats why shed been hysterical about them for a while now. Hey, Why dont you stay quiet, you know my temper? You seem to think we cant touch you now, poor thing. What? Julieta batted her eyes. Zenko leaned in close to her face and spoke again. If I set my mind to it, I could easily devour you. After all, youve done everything imaginable with that Bruno guy, havent you? Crazy bastard. Julieta spat out the saliva that had been building up in her mouth. Her spit landed squarely on his face. Is this bitch really going crazy and trying to get herself killed!? Losing his sanity, he raised his hand. Whether she became the bosss property or not, it didnt frighten her in the slightest. Didnt the boss also say it was okay to give her some leeway? He was determined to make sure she would never crawl back up again. Zenko Myron. If it werent for Albert Valentine restraining him. Tch. Such a tearful little sibling. Zenko lowered his hand and licked his lips. Whether it was frustrating for him to receive Alberts leftovers or not, he put his hand in his pocket and stood up from his seat. Where are you going? Why! Fuck! Im going out to get some fresh air, you damn dog! Dont you dare look for me. Go ahead and try to find me? Since there are plenty of rooms anyway, theres no way Im staying in the same room as that bitch and you! Zenko slammed the door shut with a loud bang. Albert Valentine looked at the front door with a pitiful gaze. Now, he thought he could finally relax. But it was a miscalculation. Albert oppa. Julietta stroked her stomach and opened her mouth. Im hungry. Go buy some convenience store lunch boxes. And get some bread too. Once again, she was taking full advantage of her position. Albert frowned at her behavior, which still resembled that of a cheeky child even after several years. Unable to help it, he called Tom, who was leaning against the wall and watching Korean TV shows. Tom Myron. Yes, whats the matter? Go out and buy something to eat. Cant we just order room service? I said I wanted convenience store food. Yes. Tom couldnt resist Alberts intense gaze and reluctantly agreed. He had no choice but to grab his wallet and head outside. Before leaving the room, Tom turned back with a sinking gaze. Mr. Albert. What. You should know that youre not Albert Valentine, youre Albert Myron. Albert shut his mouth. Tom Myron was his aide-de-camp, the watchdog of the Myron family. He was warning them now. He did not want Julieta Valentine to be released. Dont worry. I will. Ill be off then. Tom smiled and left the room. There were only two people left in the room. Julieta was frustrated to be alone with Albert. She felt like shed invited him over for a convenience store lunch for no reason. She stood up, not wanting to feel this awkwardness. Where are you going, I thought I told you not to leave the room? You still dont have a delicacy, Im going to the bathroom, why! Julieta slammed the bathroom door, just as Zenko had done earlier. Ha. Sitting on the toilet, Julieta covered her face with her hands. She felt like tears were about to fall. But crying wouldnt change anything. Even if she thought of Bruno at times like this, she shouldnt expect him to come. Jenko Myron and Albert Valentine. They were Tredici. Tom Myron, their assistant, was not to be underestimated. They were no match for him alone. Besides, he had never defeated Albert Valentine. Even if it means turning the world into an enemy , I will protect you. On that day, Bruno promised her a love that could not be bettered. So she ran away from Valentine. She could run. She ran, but she couldnt run anymore. She couldnt believe she was the only one who mattered in this world. She hoped Bruno wouldnt die. She didnt want the people she loved to get hurt. So she followed them without resistance. Bruno. She repeated her loved ones name over and over. No, no. I dont want him to come. I purposely didnt mention my destination. She turned off her phone so she wouldnt get any calls. And in the end, she would return to Italy with them. He would never find her. And yet, for some reason, she felt like he would. She shouldnt be hoping to be saved, but she was hoping to be saved. And then, somehow, he would find her. No, no. Still no. She clutched at her stomach, repeating it over and over again. Julieta. It was then that Albert called from the other side of the door. Why? She replied in a blunt tone. Its for Valentine. If youre Julieta Valentine, endure it. Endure it with me. . Valentine. When she was younger, she couldnt help but be proud that she bore Valentines name. The world was beautiful. Everyone loved her. But now the name Valentine was just a shackle. As long as Valentines blood ran through her veins, she would never escape the curse. Bru. She whispered it again. Her beloveds name. The man she hoped would never come, but wished he would. Desperately, he searched for the happiness she could not grasp. Even if it means turning the world into an enemy , I will protect you A happiness she could never forget. A mysterious magic that defeated nightmares. Damn, I drank too much. Zenko wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. Soju was the problem. He drank the ordered wine continuously to cleanse his alcohol-soaked insides. Ah, Im hungry. The snacks were all gone. Cheese alone wasnt satisfying. He stood up and tried to order room service through the intercom. sea??h th n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What? The signal didnt go through. Are they busy or something? He threw the receiver and decided to go downstairs to place the order in person. It happened when he got on the elevator. Of all times, why now? He needed to use the restroom urgently. As soon as he got off on the first floor, he passed by the lobby counter and looked for the restroom. It was strange. Why was it so quiet? As he passed by the lobby, he raised his head in bewilderment. Even though there were no people, it felt too empty. Come to think of it, there was no one at the counter either. Maybe it was his mood. The entire hotel was too quiet for that. Excuse me. The restroom came first. He hurried into the restroom at the end of the hallway. He shuffled down his pants and braced himself against the urinal. Phew. Cool. Ill order room service on the way back and. Humming a tune, I finished my business. Life? I sensed life right around the corner. Since when? Even if I had been drunk, there was no way I could have failed to notice its imminent approach. And now he didnt even feel it. When he caught his breath, he looked back, How lucky I am today. The child jumped up to his head, brandishing the kukri in his right hand. You, you bastard! kurhk! Kukri pushed back the hastily deployed barrier. Zenko was hit by the barrier and slammed into the urinal. The pure white urinal shattered in a shower of shards, and water gushed from the ruptured pipes. And there he was, in a bizarre position, banging his head against the wall where the urinal had been installed. You, you, you! He pulled his head out of the wall and cursed in Italian. The kid remained nonchalant, Pull up your pants. Well, if you can pull them up. Mana swirled. Chapter 79 Chapter 79[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (8)] Today was a lucky day for some reason. Eunha and the fairy, Im Ga-eul, had aligned their interests. Eunha wanted to kill the Italian ambassador, and Im Ga-eul was wary of what the Italian ambassador might do in Korea. So when he entered the Alice Hotel, there was no one there. Not in the lobby, not at the counter, not in the room. When he checked the register, he found that everyone had checked out. When he asks Seoyoung Shin, she tells him that the government has ordered the entire Alice Hotel to be emptied. I dont know what Im Ga-eul was thinking, but it was a lucky break for him. Now he can run amok. Inwardly, he smiled a smile of conversion and wanted to kill the people who had brought Julieta and Bruno such misery. Ah. Just then, he caught sight of Zenko Myron walking toward the restroom. He seemed to be in a hurry. And judging by his red face and gait, hed been drinking quite a bit. Uncle Bruno. Lets get out of here. Sear?h the N?velFire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Can you do it by yourself? Its okay, you dont have to worry about me, you have to save Julieta, dont you? Looking down at him, Bruno nodded solemnly. In some ways, the two men were thinking alike. To protect what you want to protect, even if it means turning the world into a enemy. Where Eunha fought to protect his own happiness, Bruno fought to protect Julietta. The rest was none of his business. Well, you better get ready to die. Because it might be the last time we see each other. Eunha killed his presence and walked towards the restroom. Windwalk. One of the buffs Shin Seoyoung had granted him. It was a spell that minimized footsteps. And Haste. It was a spell that increased the speed of your bodys movements by leaps and bounds while it was in effect. Another was Strength. It was a spell that inflated muscles and increased strength. In addition to those, Seo-young also cast buffs for increased defense, faster recovery speed, increased mana within the body, faster mana regeneration, increased magical and physical resistance, and so on, but there were so many that Eunha gave up counting from the middle. Ill kill you!!! Eunha wasnt intimidated by Zenkos lunge. There was no reason to be afraid, no reason to dodge, when his entire body was overflowing with power. Whats more, Zenko wasnt wearing any gear, and he didnt even give him a chance to pull up his pants. So he had no choice but to tear his pants in two, and fight with them around his ankles. Eunha kicked up against the bathroom wall, flipped Kukri over the back of his neck, and swung wildly. Mana Crusher. I never had to worry about mana in my body. I had buffs to compensate for my weaknesses, and potions to replenish my lack of mana. Merda. Damn. Zenko deployed his barrier when he saw the mana surrounding Kukri glow green. The glow was strange. One layer was unnerving. In a short time, he created two layers, then three. Cazzo! Kukri tore the first barrier to shreds. Then the second, then the third. The green magic subsided as it tore through the third barrier, but the shards that made up the barrier splattered against his body. What will you do when you only see that? Kuck! That wasnt the end of it. He was so focused on stopping Kukri that he allowed him to get within striking distance again. A kick to the stomach sent him crashing into a radiator. Eh, eh, eh! Sprawled out with his legs in an M-shape, Zenko wiped the raw flesh from his face with the back of his hand. He looked ridiculous. Eunha laughed out loud at him as he glared at him. Zenko, flesh on flesh, squinted toward the exit. So what was he going to do? Zenko was going to get past him, somehow, and run away from the restroom. But Eunha had no intention of letting him escape. Hed pushed him, unarmed, into a confined space, and he didnt want to send him stupidly out into the open. He wanted to end this in this place. I came to see you today with a plan. But I cant pass up a good opportunity like this. Fuck! The kukri was not the right weapon for slashing people. It was more of a blunt instrument. Of course, there was no better weapon for striking down the barrier that Zenko was deploying. And the kukri wasnt the only weapon. With the mangoshu he held in his left hand, he stabbed it into the only remaining barrier. Boom! Zenko jerked back. He didnt care that the mangoshu had sliced his arm, he just kept moving forward. I cant believe he had that! He clicked his tongue as he saw his hand groping for the small of his back. Sure enough, he pulled out a Beretta-type player device. The distance was too close. Dodging in such a small space was impossible. If only he were an adult. He teased his feet with a step-like motion and spun around, kicking the wall, leaping, and hitting the ceiling. Hed been storing mana in his kukri since hed decided to perform his acrobatic maneuvers. Mana Crusher. Before or after the regression, my mana handling hadnt changed in the slightest. In fact, Ive been managing mana since I was a kid, and Im more efficient with it than I was before the regression. Oops. Eunha realized in hindsight that hed been caught in a fake. Hed pulled out his Beretta, but Zenko hadnt pulled the trigger and had run out of the bathroom. He hurriedly released the mana bound to his Kukri, but Zenko only deployed a barrier, flesh and bone, to block it. Boom! The mana turned into a blade and tore through the barrier. The ensuing impact struck him in the back. Still, Zenko gritted his teeth and ran down the hallway. A tredici is a tredici, I suposse. The restroom was a mess. Losing sight of him, Eunha stepped over the debris on the floor and gave chase. He couldnt let Zenko get his hands on the player device. He was on the eighteenth floor. He would have to take the stairs or the elevator. Zenkos choice was-. Cazzo! His choice was the kitchen. He figured that if he ran to the elevator, hed be attacked in an enclosed space. Same with the stairs. With only his Beretta as a weapon, he had no means of stopping the pursuing Eunha. Zenko abandoned his search for the player device. His head spun. His legs stiffened as he rounded a corner. He felt drained. He circulated mana through his body, spewing poisonous energy. His head cleared, but his body still didnt. Now he was running down the hallway, pantsless, with only his boxers underneath. His face was covered in raw spots, his left arm was tingling from a mangoshu cut, and his back was aching. If he could just get some rest, hed feel better. The problem was, Eunha never gave him a chance to catch his breath. Even now, he was chasing him down the hall. What kind of a child! Zenko threw whatever he could get his hands on as he ran for the kitchen. When it was dangerous, he used his beret to keep them at bay. You brat. Im going to have to kill you. Who says that? Its your day of sacrifice. Eunha frowned. In his mind, he didnt want to send Zenko to the kitchen. But if he tried to get to him, he couldnt do much about it. His childs legs couldnt keep up with him. To make matters worse, his buffs were wearing off. He had used up quite a bit of his mana. Eunha pulled a small glass bottle from his waistband. Espresso. Before the regression, he had been a fan of the double shot of espresso, but in this era, Jung Seok-hoon had not yet realized the full effect of the double shot. For now, a single shot was all he had. But even a single shot was enough to restore his mana, which was still not as high as it was before the regression. Suspicious bastard. I should have killed him then. Zenko clicked his tongue when he saw the potion dangling from Eunhas waist. Still, he could guess what it meant that he had taken it out. One, he didnt have enough mana in his body for his skills. Two, he was getting weaker. The latter would mean that the buff was coming to an end. Youre dead. Really. Zenko clutched a knife in each hand. It wasnt a player device, but it wasnt something he couldnt handle with a weapon. He crouched low and lunged. He shuffled his poke, hoping to disorient his opponent. As expected. He wasnt fooled. He predicted the direction of my attack and parried it with his sword. Who the hell is this guy! Someone who will kill you. The motion of the sword was familiar. Zenko held the knife upside down, ready to strike him in the head. Still, he didnt hesitate, plunging it into his chest. Eunha raised the mangoshu he held in his left hand just before Zenkos knife reached him. He parried the knife with his blade, then blocked it with his crossguard. Then he struck him in the side with his kukri. Gotcha! ! If I hadnt blocked in time, my side would have been harpooned. Zenko grabbed the kukri by the wrist and slammed it to the ground. I guess youre out of strength now, huh? Zenko was sure of it the moment he slammed down, and though he tried to resist by summoning his mana, it was too easily broken. Before he knew it, the buff was gone. Give this to me. Good thing. Zenko looked down at him as he was pinned to the ground by his arm, tugging the kukri away from him. Ill need one of my own to fight, right? Ugh! If I let him out of here, hed do it again later. I had to kill him while I could. Zenko loaded his feet with mana and slammed down on him. He had a barrier, but it was a thin one. And he was wearing no armor. Elemental. Even though he tried to create a barrier, there was no way a thin barrier could hold up. Furthermore, he wasnt wearing any armor. Resentful spirits. He released mana abundantly to protect his body. The manifested mana rushed towards Zenko without any restraints, like vengeful spirits tearing apart souls. After all this trouble Once Zenko recognized the nature of the magic, he jumped back to evade the resentful spirits. An advanced technique that devoured mana as soon as it touched the body. It was a skill that could only be handled with a good sense of manipulating mana, which was not something an ordinary person could manage. Especially not a kid. I should have killed him, I should have! Because of Julietta! He regretted it now as he ran down the corridor, leaving the kitchen behind. A little more, just a little more! He berated his intoxicated mind. The resentful spirits tore at his leg. The magic applied to his leg was partially damaged. Eunha didnt miss that opportunity. Heavenly. Madness. Closing the distance in an instant, he shredded the mana in his mangoshu. The needle-thin mana rushed into Zenkos back. He tried to dodge it with his legs, but there were more than a few spirits clinging to his legs. Damn it. Cursing under his breath, he coated his kukri in mana. It tore through the spirits, parrying their attacks with the remaining mana on his sword. Heavenly. Madness. Insanity. A thousand steps. Mana Crusher. You crazy bastard! Eunha didnt want to send Zenko out into the open lobby. Right now, he was using his small body to push Zenko to the limit. But sending him to the lobby? One wrong step and the tables could be turned. The reason he was able to push Tredici now was purely the result of Zenkos defenselessness. No one would miss you here. It was a mistake to send him to the kitchen. It cost me two espressos. Ha, ha, ha, damn it. You coward! Then you should get the potion. If you can get it. I took a step back and swallowed my third espresso. A bitter taste spread in my mouth. He pulled out a bottle of banana milk to wash it down. It was the most potent of the health-restoring potions he could currently concoct. Espresso was quite effective, but it took a toll on the body as the number of doses increased. Therefore, he had to neutralize the effects of espresso with a stamina-restoring potion. Are you tired now? Am I mistaken in thinking youre weaker than before, and wheres your swagger? Whatever, attack me then. The reason Eunha had been able to deal with Zenko so far, even with his buffs gone, was because he was maximizing his mana efficiency with extreme control. His mind was more tired than his body. It was like having dozens of fingers moving in different directions. Dont think youre the only one who can do this! Spitting on the ground, Zenko swung the red mana in his kukri sideways. A fiery trajectory struck. Eunha tried to tear through the flames flying toward Mengoshu. Kick! But it wasnt enough; he was being pushed back. He retracted his sword without a second thought. This is it! Behind the flames, Zenko was performing another spell. It was this one. Wrapped in flames of mana, Iri was sprinting through the flames. A thousand steps. As soon as he took a step, he twisted and leaped. At the same time, the mana on his blade flew out. Youre really weak! Chapter 80 Chapter 80[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (9)] Zenko chuckled. Hed taken the mana hed shot at him, and hed come back unscathed. No more madness! Insanity was one of Eunhas favorite techniques before his regression. It was perfect for dealing with hordes of scavengers. It had worked just a little while ago. So what. There was no point in getting frustrated. You just have to find a way to turn it around. One-point breakthrough. As soon as I landed, I clutched the mangoche with both hands. The mana gathered so fiercely that it became a gust of wind. As he ran, it became a barrier of mana that surrounded him like the wind. It was a giant spear in itself. It perished as he charged in a straight line, unable to stop him. Celestial. Vastness. There was no time to catch his breath. Zenko had slipped out into the lobby the moment his attack failed. His legs tingled. Hed overdone it with the Tenpai. Still, he pushed through the pain and kicked the floor, closing the distance between them to the shortest distance he could, and stabbed his mangoshu at Zenko. He expected to dodge the first strike. He braked with his back foot, spun, and swung his mangoshu. This! Zenko was no slouch either. He parried with his kukri, closing the distance and pointing his muzzle at Eunha. Eunha did the same, closing the distance in the opposite direction and aiming for the Beretta 92SB. They both pulled the trigger at the same time. Ha! A mana-filled bullet pierced his left shoulder. The barrier was no longer able to block Zenkos attack. Zenko, on the other hand, casually deflected the bullet. Alas, it looks like Im going to live. Stepping out into the open, Zenko ruffled his hair. It was already difficult to move his long body in such a small space. From now on, it would be different. As proof, Eunha wasnt even close. Lets see if you can get any bigger. What, youre a wimp now? Zenko chuckled. He had noticed over the course of several battles that Eunha was avoiding ranged magic as much as possible. He had less mana in his body. Zenko, on the other hand, could use ranged magic. He was a Ranger. Sparare a caso. The mana in the lobby pulsed. Whereas the madness that Eunha had used was meant to keep hordes of monsters at bay, Zenkos magic was meant to hunt them down. Until now, he hadnt been able to use it because of its narrow range. I wonder if you can stop this! The churning mana steadied the blade. The arrows drifted erratically through the air, but Zenko was aiming for Eunha. Zenko waved his hand. In an instant, an unfathomable number of arrows moved in unison. Vastness. No barrier could offset it. With his buffs gone, Eunha didnt bother to block the arrows. He didnt stay in one spot for a moment, frantically moving his body to dodge or parry the arrows. Ack! He didnt dodge all of them. He escaped death, but a few arrows lodged in his back. He gritted his teeth and endured the pain. Without breaking stride, I shifted my body to avoid further hits. Finally, he was out of the storm. So what! Zenko could use more than just ranged magic. He was a Tredici, recognized for his skills as a ranger. It was not a frontline position like a Hunter or a Dealer, but it had the advantage of being able to both block and attack from the middle of the field. Zenko, who had gotten close enough, threw the potted plant in his hand. Eunha reflexively struck it with his mangoshu. The container shattered, the soil inside scattering. It blocked his view. A gunshot followed. Hastily brushing the dirt from his face, he swallowed hard when he saw the direction the muzzle was pointed. Cowardly bastard. Zenko had destroyed the device holding the chandelier in place. He was about to use his Tenshi when he saw the chandelier begin to fall overhead. Im all set to kill you. From whence it came. An iri lunged at him from behind, biting at his leg. He hadnt noticed him approach until a moment ago, when Zenkos magic had left a thick layer of mana around him. Iri didnt want to let go of his leg. It raised its claws, lifted its hips, and refused to budge. All the while, the chandelier was falling. A breakthrough. There was only one way out. Instead of running away, he chose to break the chandelier. He leaped into the air with it hanging from his legs. Some damage was inevitable. As he destroyed the center of the chandelier with his machete, shards of glass pierced his body. He wasnt the only one to suffer. Neither did Iri. The mana that made up his body was beginning to disperse. Still, Iri would not let go of Eunha until the very end. Get out. Dropping to his back on the ground, he aimed for Iris forehead with the Beretta 92SB in his left hand. A single blow was enough. The falling Iri turned to mana and scattered. Mana Crusher. This is! Eunha didnt stop at killing Iri. In midair, he twisted his body as far as he could, channeling the green glowing mana into his mangoshu and slamming it down at Zenko. Zenko caught the mana from the blade and recoiled. It was annoying. So fucking annoying. Fanabla! Fuck you! Zenko hadnt just stood by and watched Eunha struggle. As a Ranger, he was as good at disarming traps as he was at setting them. Hed already laid out the landmine-type magic in the area. It was a rats nest for Eunha that fights with agility. Whats more, the landmines Zenko had planted were cascading. The moment one exploded, the nearest mine would detonate, dealing additional damage. Not enough mana! Im already out of mana. The mana around him thinned. Eunha realized how little mana he had left and grew impatient. When he emerged from the blast, he was a mess. He hadnt been wearing armor, and his clothes had been reduced to rags. The backs of his hands were burned, and the tips of his hair were charred. His left shoulder was throbbing, and although he had applied first aid in a hurry after being shot, blood was trickling from the wound as he moved. There must still be a mine in the center. There was no way he was going to run. Stepping out of the smoke, Eunha leaned back against the lobby wall. He took out an espresso and banana milk to restore his health and mana. Youre just going to eat it? Zenko snatched up the potion from right next to his. Zenko wasnt waiting in the mined area. He had assimilated his body into the surroundings and was waiting for the moment when the galaxy would recover. I see. The potions in this country are good. Health and mana are restored quickly. Zenko scoffed, showing an empty bottle. One thousand. Eunha was about to use Heavenly Treasure. Where do you think youre running to? Zenko noticed the flow of mana. He slammed his kukri upward from the bottom, knocking the mangoshu out of Eunhas hand. He didnt stop there. Reaching out, he grabbed it by the hindquarters and kicked it away. Im not going to just kill you. Eunha fell toward the center, where landmine-type enchantments were still in place. The mines exploded in unison. The room shook, the ceiling collapsing under the force of the blast. Dogs dont wake up until theyre hit. Where the fuck do you think youre going to crawl up to? Zenko muttered as he stared at the unrelenting smoke. This is the way for Valentine. All this is the road to rebuilding Valentine. Albert Valentine, the current boss of Valentine, had made it his mission. He felt he had a duty to his sister as a Valentine. If youre a Valentine, if youre in his blood. She would have to endure the humiliation of bowing to him. You must endure the humiliation of being defiled by him. So endure it. Ill be out for a while. If you need anything, ask Tom, or use the intercom. There was no reply. I kind of expected it. It was expected. That if he wanted to fulfill Valentines duties as boss, she wanted to break free of his shackles. Ever since she was a child, always. Julieta sought freedom. As her brother, Albert wanted to grant her wish. But he was Valentines boss. He had to fulfill the responsibilities bound by the name of Valentine, not the bonds of blood. So endure it. For all the shame and humiliation you will suffer, I will one day repay you in Valentines name. One day, I will bring Myron to his knees before you. Albert wiped his glasses. He removed his coat and checked his weapons. There was no way he hadnt felt the stirrings of life a moment ago. He stepped out into the hallway. The 18th floor was supposed to be deserted. But there was someone walking across the hall, blatantly displaying flesh. No, no. Its not blatant. He was unable to control himself. Long time no see. Albert said to the man walking toward him. He knew Bruno. In the past, he had been one of the pillars of support for Valentine, like himself. Perhaps if Bruno hadnt fled with Julieta, there could have been two Valentines in Tredici. If that had happened, Valentine might not have turned out the way it is now. Or maybe not. would it really happen that way? Thats unlikely. Albert answered himself. There was no way Bruno would have handed Julieta over to Myron. It would have been fortunate if Valentine hadnt completely collapsed. He suddenly brushed off a bitter smile on his face. What about Julieta? Shes inside the room. Shes safe. Bruno showed no emotion except for survival when facing him. Albert, too, calmed his mana and spoke calmly. Bruno. The sin of taking Julieta and leaving the family is a heavy one. You realize, dont you? Bruno said nothing. He merely raised his gauntleted arms. Still, Albert spoke. Then Ill give you a chance. Come back to Valentine, Bruno. Come back and take down Myron. The words didnt last. Brunos blast of mana grazed the side of his face. The mana in his gauntlets was destructive, piercing through the wall on the other side. Question and answer dance. I see. I had expected it. Albert raised a finger and adjusted his glasses. He pulled two automatic pistols from his holster. Come on. Hunter Albert Valentine. Bruno had never beaten him, until now. Not even once. What the hell, are you dead, this couldnt have killed you, right? The chain blast was powerful. But I didnt think it would kill him like this. But lo and behold. As the smoke slowly cleared, his silhouette became visible. Clang! I heard the sound of glass shattering. Not one, but two. I thought it was two, but it was three. How much is he drinking? He must have used up all his health and mana. Drinking potions wasnt unreasonable. It was just that the number of potions was out of the ordinary. I should have used it earlier. The smoke cleared. Several bottles rolled around at his feet. You, asshole. What the hell have you been drinking? Zenko was horrified. Not only had his health and mana been completely restored, but he was surrounded by buffs, just like when they first fought. A set of fruit potions, why. He said, pointing. Potions could control buffs. Zenko gulped. Potions that instantly restored health and mana were amazing, but he hadnt thought of potions that buffed without a cooldown. Usually, potions took a while before the buffs appeared. They werent even this effective. Wait. Zenkos eyes widened at the mana that surrounded him. The mana pulsed wildly and dynamically, as if it were alive. It wasnt just the potion, now. Something had increased his power. The only conclusion he could think of was. Gift? The mere manifestation of his gift was intimidating. Zenko found herself stumbling backwards. Did I? His pride was hurt. Angry. Its not just the gift. On the other hand, he said with a tone that said he was unimpressed. As if he hadnt been since the beginning. He had no qualms about controlling his mana, which was now far more efficient. I also have this. What he pulled out of his clothes was a necklace. A necklace? No, it wasnt a necklace. It was a ring hanging from a necklace. No way. Zenko realized the rings identity at once. It wasnt a ring, it was an artifact. And based on what had happened so far, it wasnt hard to imagine what that artifact might be. He chanted, activating the artifact. The ring bathed his vision in a brilliant light. By the time it faded, blue and golden mana enveloped his body. No way. He shouldnt have underestimated him. He should have killed him when he had the chance. Jenko regretted his decision once again. Not only did he recover with potions, Not only did he become stronger with gifts, Now he was enhancing himself with an artifact. It was immeasurable. How much stronger had he become? But there was still a chance. He had to defeat him now! The only weapon he had in his hand was his Beretta. Mangoshu was a good distance away. Zenko was going to take advantage of that and surprise him. He aimed his beretta with both hands, if only to keep Zenko at bay. He was too quick to pull the trigger. A mistake. Zenko sneered inwardly and dodged the attack. With this, I won. Eh? Asshole. Sar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moment the corners of his mouth turned up, I realized something was wrong. No way, no way. He turned his head to see Mangoshu flying at him from behind. Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!! Mangoshu cut through the barrier like a sheet of paper and stabbed her left hand. Zenko, forgetting that he had dropped his beret, grabbed his punctured hand and cried out. What if this hurts, were just getting started. He chuckled, and with a single flick of his chin, the mangoshu that had fallen to the floor rose into the air and landed in his hand. A dog needs to be beaten to come to his senses. But it turns out, it wasnt me, but you? Chapter 81 Chapter 81[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (10)] Power surged through him. A simple flick of his hand sent sparks flying. The mana coursing through his body moved menacingly, as if to protect his master. You have that much power, and youve been hiding it all this time. Zenko asked, lowering his stance. Whatever. Eunha smiled at the fact that he was wary of him. Zenko Myron. One of the Tredici, and hes afraid of a mere second grader. Well, I wouldnt believe him either. But so what. Reality is inherently unreal. I take a stance with my mangoche in my right hand and my beretta in my left. A thousand steps. Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It wasnt hard to reduce the remaining distance to a single step. He spun to avoid the approaching Kukri in his line of sight, then leaped diagonally with his right foot. A whirlwind dance. ! Eight sword slashes at once. In Zenkos eyes now, it must have seemed like he was taking over the space, appearing everywhere. Who would have wanted to hide? What? How much I wanted to do this. A, Ahhhhh! L, Le mani!! A, Ahhhhh! My, my hand!! I didnt let my guard down. I couldnt let my guard down. Even so, his wrist was cut off. Zenko screamed as he held up his left arm, which was only partially severed. Blood dripped like slime from the cut. Youre crying over a severed hand, but if its only partially severed, it can be repaired with healing magic. Eunha gave me a dumbfounded look. Then he walked over to the missing hand, still holding the gun, and lifted his foot over it. That, stop! Zenko Myron, writhing in pain, realized his intentions. But it was too late. Eunha had missed several opportunities to kill Zenko in the past. He couldnt let this one pass. What? Did you think youd make it out of here alive? Didnt I tell you from the beginning? Im going to kill you. There was a snap and a crack, followed by the sound of something twisting. Ah. Zenko gasped at the sight of the hand that emerged from beneath his swept-away feet. Fingers grotesquely twisted, the back of the hand bent out of shape. It wasnt something that could be easily repaired. It was no exaggeration to say that he had lost it completely. Cazzo! Cazzo! Cazzo! Cazzo! Cazzo! You son of a bitch! Dont swear in Korean. You dont speak Korean. Do you know what Ive heard so far? Eunha pointed to his ears as Zenko lunged at him, discharge spraying from his eyes and mouth. I heard you say, Youre an asshole. Just because you know how to talk shit doesnt mean youre good at it. Cazzo! Yeah, Id rather like that you say that. Zenkos face flushed. It wasnt from drunkenness, and it wasnt from pain. His mana was beginning to stain a darker and darker color. Miccia detonante (detonator). Mana that crackles and sparks. Tsk. He knew a similar spell. Eunha closed the distance, unable to hide his annoyance. It doesnt work, its a wide area spell. It was a simple technique for a wide area spell. There wasnt much of a flow of mana. No. If there was, it was already dense. Zenko was using the mana in his intestines as a medium to deploy the wide-ranging magic. I couldnt help but be drawn in. A thousand steps. To minimize the damage, I used the Tenkai. Miccia detonante was a spell that responded to residual mana. It was an annoying spell that sensed the flow of mana whenever you cast it, and then rode the flow to cause an explosion at the caster. An explosion occurred beneath my feet. I managed to dodge the blast, but the recoil sent me flying farther than I had anticipated. I manage to roll over and take some damage. My body wouldnt listen. Covered in soot, Eunha stood up and checked his condition. Earlier, Zenko had asked him why he was hiding his power. He himself had no intention of hiding his power. He was just waiting for the right time to use it. The Unnamed Gift was not a power he could activate on his own accord. It was a gift that started when your bodys mana dropped below a certain level, and the more mana you spent, the more your mana efficiency and physical abilities increased by leaps and bounds. Moreover, once you activated the gift and stopped fighting, it would rebound. Just as quickly as your abilities increased, they decreased. So even though he had a few chances to use his Gift, Eunha often had to stifle the urge to squirm with an espresso in his mouth. Luckily, there were a couple of things he noticed. One, I knew when I was in the gift zone. And two, that drinking the potion while the gift was active would have lasting effects. Sipping his espresso, Eunha checked to see which Gifts were still active. The unnamed Gift, when activated, consumes mana and grows stronger with each use. But for someone with so little mana in his body, it was a gift that could be used to his advantage or disadvantage. If he couldnt deal with his opponents in a short amount of time, he was better off without it. However, if he could make up for the lack of mana with potions, the situation was different. This is ridiculous. A gift that makes you stronger as you consume mana. I wonder how much stronger Ill get if I fight while drinking potions. And it wasnt just the nameless Gift that was giving her power. I was also receiving Julietas using a single-use artifact. Sparare a caso. The numbers increased. Countless arrows flew from different directions, at different speeds. This time, he didnt dodge. He deflected them as if the mana in his body was waiting for him. I turned. He charged in a straight line, meeting the hail of arrows. Power overflowed. The effect of the unnamed gift and overlapping was indescribable. On top of that, the Fruit Potion Set that Seok Jung had made for me. At this point, the only benefit of the Fruit Potion Set was the ability to receive buffs without a cooldown. Before the regression, it was still a far cry from his premium potions. Nevertheless, his strength surged. His senses alone had already surpassed the level hed reached without any support. Im getting tired. The longer the effects of the unnamed gift lasted, the harder it took on his body. In theory, the gift would allow me to reach heights that no one else could reach by drinking a potion. But it was too much for a second-graders body to handle. At some point, the commands from my head and the signals from my body stopped meshing. My body was slow. Faster, faster, faster, faster. I hit a limit that my childs body couldnt handle. Just as I was about to cross that line, the mana in my body twisted. What? Zenko didnt miss this opportunity. His mana had been restored by the potion he had taken from Eunha earlier. Sparare a caso, Miccia detonante. Arpse (Butterfly). Now was his chance. Zenko saw the mana that had enveloped him disintegrate in an instant, and fired a red glowing arrow. He ran at the same time. His legs had no intention of stopping. Miccia detonante. The area was littered with the remnants of mana scattered by the two as they fought furiously. Phew. He whistled. A series of explosions shook the space. Another wave of debris rumbled down from the collapsed ceiling. Mana sensors deployed. I caught him. I caught him as he emerged through the smoke. When Zenko had recited the spell a moment ago, he had activated a spell he hadnt yet implemented. Arpse. A magic that trapped an opponent in a cage of mana. In order to use this, it was necessary to grab his ankle. Miccia detonante did the job well enough. Mana Crusher. Eunha smashed the cage that trapped his with a mangoche. Damn. Before his body collapsed, the first thing to go was his mangoche. Developed from the Sirius device, the Mangoshu S3 was a universal device that could be used by anyone with access to mana. Im glad it made it this far. I just wanted it to last longer. Just a little more, just a little more, and I could take him down. Maybe the device didnt make it, but Im still here. Zenko burst through the smoke. He had taken advantage of the momentary pause. loppressine dei deboli (the abuse of the weak). the spirits. Zenko slashed at Kukri. The black energy at the tip of the blade tore through the barrier. Eunha raised his left hand and blocked the attack with his beret. The mana coursing through his body bit into Zenkos body like a snake. Boom! Zenko didnt back down. The pain of having his mana eaten away was worse than the pain of having his flesh eaten away. It felt like a part of his soul was being shaved off. So what. I already lost a hand. After losing a hand, it was no time to hold back the fire. I had to end the battle as quickly as possible. Blood was still trickling down the section where his hand had been blown off. His senses were dulling, and if he left it to bleed out, he could die. So Zenko pummeled the kukri, even as the spirit chewed at his body. He struck again and again. Kuck! The Beretta couldnt block it. His hand was shattered. Eunha switched the Beretta to his right hand and stepped back to leave his position. There were only a few rounds left. Zenko, too, had escaped from the spirit, but he didnt seem to have the strength to stand properly. Seizing the opportunity, Eunha secured the Beretta with his injured hand and replaced the magazine with his right hand. Ha, damn. He lost consciousness for a moment. There was little mana left in his body. Zenko exerted force in his legs and leaped. His body felt heavy. But he had to finish it. From the looks of it, the opponent couldnt control their own power and was self-destructing from within. Contrassalto (Counterattack). I gathered my remaining mana. The kukri in his hand cracked, as if it might shatter at any moment. Black mana coated the blade. I can swing it once more. I will, I will kill one of you. No, you think I cant kill you? Before the regression, Eunha had not backed down against Kang Hyun-chul, one of the three strongest fighters in Korea. There were many more Twelve Seateds he had faced. He could say confidently. I can never lose to you, who is much weaker than them. With his right hand, he pulled the trigger. Once more, then again. One after another, the flying bullets shattered the barrier of mana around Zenko. Tianbo. Zenko wasnt the only one who thought it was now or never. Eunha was also thinking that it was time to take him down. He ducked low and lunged, deflecting the attack. A thousandbo. His legs gave out. He forced herself to take a step, forcing his magic. A crack. My body screamed. Hold on, hold on, damn it! Gritting his teeth, he swung his uncoordinated legs. Zenko, whose back was to him, took the blow and fell forward. But he didnt fall. Just before he hit the ground, he kept running and gradually straightened his upper body. He twisted. The mana in his kukri was still going strong. Va sulla frca! Fuck you! I dont know what youre saying, but you can die! Touch the blade and die. I didnt even have time to drink the potion. I clutched at my dwindling mana, barricaded myself, and aimed my gun. I dodged the flying blade. Stepping on it, I spun around and fired again at the weak spot. Boom! The bullet pierced through his side. For a moment, Zenkos body shook. uccidere, uccidere, uccideree! Kill, kill, kill, kill! I cant die here. No, Ill kill him. Zenko steeled himself and released the mana he had stored in his Kukri. The mana ran wild. Out of control, it became a whip, whipping at him, catching his ankle as he luckily ducked backwards. Va sulla frca! Kukri shattered. It was none of his business anymore. He screamed, forcing the pain away. Moving his heavy body, he leaped at Eunha, who was consumed by the rampant mana. Landing on his chest, he punched him in the face with his fist. I cant die like this. No, I wont. Look whos going to die. Die, now. He swung his fist with all his might. Eunha raised his hand to point the Beretta at him, but Zenko wasnt afraid of the muzzle. Eunhas mana was still twisted tightly in his body from the mana surge Zenko had unleashed. It was easy enough for Zenko to punch out the childs arm. Sparare a caso! Now he couldnt use magic without chanting it out loud. He was out of his mind, and any misuse of magic in this state would result in his demise. So Zenko used the mana he had available to him to cast a spell with his voice to lock in his skills and imagination. The number of arrows was noticeably less than the spell he had cast a moment ago. It was enough. Now he was in a situation where he couldnt stand up properly. Ecco fatto. Thats it. Zenko signaled, and dozens of arrows rained down on him. It was impossible to dodge or parry. Haha, haha. The arrowstorm was over. Beyond the smoke, Zenko found him slumped over, face down on the ground. It was finally over. Zenko laughed, a winded sound. Its over. I lived! Cazzo. It was a desperate battle. The area had been reduced to rubble, with no trace of the hotel. The fire had not yet been extinguished, even in the ashes. Even if my legs are broken, Ill crawl. Even if my weapon is shattered, Ill tear it apart. Desperately, Tenaciously, Devoted to evil. The dont die. Chapter 82 Chapter 82[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (11)] Bruno Valentine. He was called Valentines Brown Bear for more than just his size. It was because he could crush a human skull with just a swing of his fist. It still does. Even after all these years, every time he swung his fist, it sounded like a mace had passed through it. Bestia feroce (Beast of Prey) II. The mana-less fist alone was intimidating. But Bruno shot out the mana in his right gauntlet. He didnt stop. The attack wasnt over yet. Leaping to close the remaining distance, he pulled his right elbow behind his shoulder. Bestia feroce III. The fist aimed at Albert slammed into the floor. The floor began to collapse in an instant. Even Albert, who had dodged the blow, hadnt expected the floor to collapse. But he didnt panic. He jumped off the crumbling floor and aimed his Beretta at the ceiling. The bullets fired from the muzzle were mana-infused, allowing him to shape-shift freely. He landed on the ground, holding on to the bullet as it stretched like a harpoon as it lodged in the ceiling. Bestia feroce I. It was then that Bruno lunged. Turning, Albert squeezed the trigger. Bruno didnt back down. He blocked the bullet with his gauntlets, which had transformed into a circular shield. Meanwhile, his right gauntlet spewed sparks. The flames leaked through the cracks, adding momentum and destructive power. Inferno IV. He had no intention of ending this with a single blow. Bruno, he was a Guardian. He prided himself on provoking, holding back, and drawing in his enemies. Albert, on the other hand, was a Hunter. A Hunter is basically a position that only comes into its own when a Dealer or Guardian is present. He was good with a mix of ranged and melee weapons, and was good at supporting the Dealer directly. Without a Dealer or Guardian, he was vulnerable. Inferno X. The flames intensified. Bruno made no move to retreat, even as the heat from his gauntlets burned him. He didnt want to give Albert a chance to reorganize the battle. Hold him like this. Flames began to erupt from his left gauntlet as well. Disengaging Guardian Mode, Bruno lowered his stance, shielding his head with his arms. Hoo. Albert sighed. It seemed like he was running low on bullets. Now was the chance. He blocked the oncoming bullets with his gauntlet, flying in a straight line. As a Guardian, there was no attack he couldnt defend against. The flames grew stronger. He swung the flames that burned flesh along with his fist. Kuk! Finally, all the bullets ran out. Albert had to endure the engulfing flames. With the gun still in his hand, he stretched out both hands and blocked the incoming fist. It wasnt just a block. He raised his gauntlet with the gun barrel and thrust it beneath Brunos armpit. He dodged the fist that was coming from the right by lowering his head, and struck Brunos chest and abdomen. Your skills have declined. Albert calmly evaluated his condition as he replaced the magazine. It wasnt as difficult as he thought to break through Brunos defense. Several years had been a trivial time. Bruno. He was no longer the Valentine Bear, but merely a beast that charged recklessly. Bestia feroce I, IV, III. Bruno assumed his stance again. Having grasped his strength, Albert didnt retreat any further. He deliberately aimed for the weak points in Brunos defense, causing his stamina to decline. So it didnt matter if he got closer. When Bruno extended his right arm, Albert swung his gauntlet as he did before. He grabbed the arm and shifted the axis of his body. Using the momentum of Brunos charge, he slammed him to the ground. Youve also lost your edge. I had some expectations, but Im disappointed. Albert aimed the gun barrel at Brunos forehead. Bruno didnt panic even when faced with the muzzle pointed at his face. Scudo del Gladiatore (Gladiators Shield) II. A magic that manifested alongside his fighting spirit. The thin threads bound the shield not only blocked the bullets but also repelled them. So, what will you do? Will you just stand there like that? There was no chance for the blind bullets to hit. Albert, who blocked the reflected bullets, surrounded by the tightly woven shield, asked him. Scudo del Gladiatore II was excellent at blocking attacks, but while its effect lasted, he couldnt move. That was Brunos mistake. The magic that could bind the monsters feet and become a shield protecting the party, when there was no one to assist the Guardian, it became a magic that confined oneself. Albert aimed for the moment when his magic was about to expire, planning to end the battle that had been nothing more than a farce. Coincidentally, it was the moment when the magic was reaching its peak. Wait! There was no way she couldnt hear the noise when such a battle was taking place in the corridor. It was Julieta, who had realized something was going on in the hotel and had come running out of her room. Julie. I told you not to come. When their eyes met, Julietta forced a bitter smile. I shouldnt cry. This is the path Ive chosen. Fighting back the rising emotions, she tore her eyes away from him and walked over to Albert. We had a different agreement. Youve come all this way to talk about a promise? You said you wouldnt touch the people around me! Julieta shouted. Albert sighed. This was ridiculous. True to his word, he had no intention of touching her people. He wasnt the one who started this fight, Bruno was. And he wasnt going to let him get away with it. Itll be over soon. Stay put. . Albert aimed his other hand at Julieta. Feeling the coolness against her forehead, she faced him without closing her eyes. It was as if the redness in her eyes said, if you can do it, do it. She wasnt afraid of the muzzle. The promise is different. Youre being noisy. Stay still. Bru, you shouldnt be like this either. Go back. Is it because you want to die? Julietta spoke to Bruno, who was trapped in the Scudo del Gladiatore II. He hadnt said a word since shed appeared, his eyes fixed solely on her. Do you really want to die? Its not just Albert Oppa here. Zenko Myron and Tom Myron are here too. Doesnt it bother you? Isnt it hard for you to put up with me using you every day? You always do. Why dont you say anything? Why dont you listen to my feelings, why do you do something so reckless? You think this will make me happy? What I want, what I want! She poured out a torrent of resentment at him as he stared at her in silence. At the same time, she vented the desperation in her heart. She tried to hurt him with her heartless words. She wanted him to give up and go home. She was waiting for him to take her again, just like that day. It was duplicitous. It was a contradiction. She was a double, a contradiction. And she thought she was a contradiction in terms, a selfish contradiction in terms. Even now, she could not choose. She couldnt choose. The moment she saw his face, the part of her that had decided to give up reared its head again. I dont want him to die. Then run away. I wanted to continue living with him. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. So save him. The more my conflicting thoughts clashed, the more the words came out of my mouth in contradictions. Her eyes filled with water. And when she finally broke down and burst into tears, it was his response, his silent acceptance of her emotions. I promised you, Ill protect you. The effects of the Scudo del Gladiatore II were slowly fading. Bruno deployed a protective spell on the gauntlet around his left arm. His face and neck burned. The flames from the gauntlet burned. His whole body burned. The wound widened with every movement as if flesh had been stuck to it. Still, he didnt take his eyes off her. Just one word is enough. Dont move, Bruno Valentine. And with that, the spell was broken. Bruno took a step forward. Albert pulled the trigger, but he raised his shield and stepped forward. Inferno X. It can be said many times. It can be pledged many times. Even if I fall, Ill get up. Ill get up again and again to protect you. One word is enough, Julie. The heat washed over me. Gritting her teeth, she pushed through the pain of the flames burning her flesh and tightened her fists. Even if the whole world turns into enemies, I only need you. Bruno. Then answer me. He threw the flames that raged through his body. The atmosphere exploded. I controlled the flames so they wouldnt reach her, burning the area to the ground. Save me. Whoosh. The roaring flames swallowed the sound. In the midst of the explosion, Julietta reached out her hand towards him, flipping the flames and engaging in a struggle. -Save me. The roaring sound that didnt subside even within the flames. Words carry determination. Determination is synonymous with the heart, And the heart is synonymous with the wind. Words imbued with the wind are self-reflecting spells and spells that move others. In a broader sense, it is no different from magic that affects the order of the world . Within the flames, golden mana blossomed. The flower, which was only a tiny speck, shone without turning to ash. Hahaha, ha There was no strength left in his body to move. But he had to move nonetheless. Leaving him alive like this would cause great trouble later on. Yes, I admit it. I acknowledge it. How strong you are. Although he received buffs, potions, and gifts to assist him, his skills were genuine. The ability to distribute mana strategically, a sense to enhance mana efficiency, and a difficult-to-believe combat sense. Above all, the resilience to keep getting up without giving up, no matter how many times he fell. It was dangerous. He had to kill him. Zenko knew well how terrifying people who keep getting up without giving up can be. They would go forward, even if it meant burning through death, to achieve what they sought. So, he had to kill him while he still could. He couldnt count how many times he had thought about it already. Zenko approached to confirm his death. If he was still not dead, Zenko planned to slit his throat while he was unconscious. But it was already too late when he realized that it was a careless thought. The fallen one suddenly jumped up and latched onto Zenkos throat. D-Dont let go of this! Let go! Let g Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh! He hung onto Zenkos neck with all his remaining strength. Determined not to let go, he bit into Zenkos throat. Relentlessly, desperately. A bitter taste spread in his mouth. He bit so fiercely that he couldnt tell if it was his own blood or Zenkos. You What the hell Let go quickly! Zenko struggled to pry him off. He clung on with whatever strength he had left. He had no intention of letting go like this. Bite. Even if he had to tear it off, he would kill him. You, what the hell Arrgghhhhaaa! Something lumpy entered his mouth. Eunha, who had detached his face from Zenkos throat, spat it out onto the ground. With a sound of something bloody hitting the floor, it fell. Cazzo! Zenko seized the opportunity and overpowered Eunha. Helpless, Eunha rolled on the floor, unable to take evasive action. Only at a point where the path was blocked by debris could he finally come to a stop. Cou Cough! Urgh! Frowning, Eunha spat out something from his mouth. You disgusting bastard Zenko gritted his teeth and used his right hand to stem the bleeding around the torn flesh near his neck. He had to kill him. Zenko realized he had no strength left to move his body. Tearing at his throat had been his final desperate act. This truly shows what a despicable scum you are. But what should he do now? Unlike his expectations he was still unharmed. As Zenko tried to speak those words, something boiling surged up from his abdomen and he began to vomit. Blood. Blood, you say? He doubted his own eyes. Was there a wound severe enough to cause him to vomit this much blood? It was at that moment. U-Ugh!! His mana reversed. The minuscule amount of mana that remained went rampant. His flesh expanded and contracted, blood flowed profusely from the wounded area, and eventually, he couldnt control his body and collapsed. What what have you done? Zenko Myron, who fell into a pool tainted with his own blood. There was only one possible thought. When he tore at her throat a moment ago, he had executed some scheme. Its the venom of the Shadow Spider of the 6th Order. Eunha replied, staggering to his feet amidst the debris. Cazzo. Zenko inwardly groaned. The venom of the Shadow Spider of the 6th Order was an immediately effective poison. It caused chaos in the bodys mana, leading to a mana frenzy that would result in death. It was a lethal toxin. The verdict was out. He was going to die. But he wouldnt be the only one. Zenko chuckled inwardly. He also hadnt kept the poison in his mouth during the process of injecting it into himself. As evidence, he was vomiting blood and staggering. You fool. Who would carry only poison? Of course, I have the antidote as well. It was fortunate that I had brought the antidote. At the very end, when Zenko let his guard down, Eunha planned to use the poison. Eunha had given up his attack and swallowed the antidote when he was caught in the arrow storm a while ago. Since he believed his body wouldnt respond, he had been waiting for this moment. Cra zy. Dont curse in Korean. Whats migchin? Its michin. (1) The antidote neutralized the poison. Eunha staggered and walked over, picking up the fallen Beretta. There were still bullets left. He had already decided what to do with this gun. You Zenko looked at the barrel aimed at his forehead, unable to resist. Death wasnt frightening. He was just annoyed that he couldnt kill him. He was furious, furious to the point of rage. Even though his death had been sealed by the venom of the Shadow Spider. Do you have no regrets? Im Tr edici. Do you know that if you kill me it could become an international problem? If that happens the whole world could become your enemy? Even if you turn the world into an enemy, are you prepared to kill me? No matter how old a man got, he remained childish. Even on the brink of death, Zenko wanted to inflict even the slightest bit more damage on him. What are you saying? Eunha didnt hesitate. Strength gradually seeped into the finger pulling the trigger. Ill decide whether to turn the world into an enemy or not. The world isnt turning me into an enemy. What? And you seem to think your death holds some value, but its a big delusion. Mu sst While you may have been quite the fly high in Italy, here, youre just a loser who would be bullied by an elementary school student. Got it, you little loser? You, you basta Dont curse. But it seems even you can say loser. Good for you. Youve learned a proper curse before you die. How far will you go to kill me?! Are you trying to insult me? Zenko, who was about to scream while vomiting blood, couldnt say a word. The gun aimed at his forehead prevented him from speaking. Shut up. Did I say you could speak freely? Stay on topic. If you lose, just die quietly. ! The value of your death is not determined by you. Its determined by the one who survives. ! Youve been quite filthy all this time. The gunshot didnt end with a single round. The trigger was pulled until the magazine was empty. Eunha, now standing over Zenkos body, had fallen to the ground just as he intended. Damn it. His body couldnt move anymore. There was only one potion left: a single bottle of banana milk. He needed to restore his strength. While he had neutralized the poison of the Shadow Spider, his mana was still in turmoil. Haah. He could only rest for a moment. Eunha regained some strength and stood up from where he was. Now, should I go see Mr. Bruno? The bloodstains on his face were still vivid. With an unusually calm stride, he left Zenko Myrons life and death behind him. (1) michin is a transliteration of the Korean word , which means crazy or insane. Chapter 83 Chapter 83Whats going on here? Tom Myron couldnt believe Zenkos death. He, a Tredici in Italy, being defeated by a mere child. Well, fine. He acknowledged that the opponent wasnt an ordinary child. He had personally witnessed Zenkos intense battle with the child. Even after being defeated in a battle where he had no chance, he had seen the child rise again and again. However, he never thought Zenko would die. I need to escape. Tom gave up on killing the child. Although he could have killed the exhausted child, it would take time. The first-floor lobby of Alice Hotel was completely destroyed to the point where its shape couldnt be discerned. As long as the building didnt collapse, it was enough. The issue was that the arrival of Korean players who would become aware of the situation was a matter of time. If they got involved unnecessarily, it could escalate into an international problem. Moreover, they were currently holding Julieta captive. She wouldnt make any unfavorable statements about them, but there was still a possibility. And Tom realized that something unusual was happening nearby only when he reached the 18th floor. Here too! The first thing that caught Toms eyes as he stepped out of the elevator was the fierce battle between Albert and Bruno. It seemed that the child who killed Zenko and Bruno were on the same side. But that wasnt the problem. In a situation where there was already a potential for an international problem, the battle between Albert and Bruno had no apparent conclusion. It just seemed like Bruno had a slight advantage. . Tom quickly grasped the situation when he saw Bruno manipulating mana mixed with golden color in the flames. Thats why Albert, who had started to show his prowess within Tredici, was falling behind. I cant let it go like this. Toms actions were swift. He realized that the three individuals hadnt noticed his presence and hurriedly approached Julieta, who was anxiously watching the battle. Huh? He grabbed her from behind and pressed a knife against her neck. Bruno Valentine! Tom shouted loudly. The gunfire stopped, and the fists that were tearing through the air came to a halt. Both of their gazes were fixed on him. The game is over. Do you want to see Julieta Valentine die? From the beginning, he should have done this. If he had taken Julieta hostage, he could have killed Bruno without engaging in battle. Yet, despite the situation where Albert could use her, he had chosen to fight against him. Tom had sensed that Albert had something up his sleeve since he planned his infiltration. That suspicion had now turned into certainty. As soon as he returned to Italy, Tom intended to report Albert Valentines actions to Vincent Myron, the boss of the Myron family. Albert, sir. I dont know what youre thinking, but lets finish this now. Bruno Valentine. If you dont want to see Julieta Valentine die in front of you, collect your mana. Juli. Bruno called Julietas name, who was being held by Tom. She met his gaze without the slightest fear, despite the knife pointing at her throat. There was no need to be afraid. Im fine. Not being able to stop even this, Julieta Valentine, no, it wasnt Julieta. She had endured until now. Endured and endured. Now she no longer had to endure. She had made up her mind. To live happily with him. If you think I cant kill you, its a big mistake. Dont do anything youll regret. Tom Myron threatened, and to prove he meant it, he drew the tip of his knife across the nape of his neck. A fiery line formed where the knife passed. Im fine. Nevertheless, Julieta let her eyes speak for themselves. Bruno, who had been staring at her in disbelief, nodded. He decided to believe her. Mr. Albert. Please finish this quickly. Were running out of time. Zenko-sama is dead. With all the commotion, I wouldnt be surprised if the Korean players barge in right now. I dont want this to get out of hand. I see. Is Zenko finally dead? Yes, hes dead, and that too, eh. Finally? Tom frowned, hearing something unclear. What do you mean. Tom tried to ask what he meant. But he didnt get to finish his sentence. Alberts gun was pointed at Tom, not Bruno. The bullet exited the muzzle and pierced his forehead. Huh? Julieta, who had been preparing to sneak a counterattack, looked down at Tom, who had fallen backwards, unable to comprehend the situation. Why? What was happening right now didnt make sense. What the hell was going on? Bruno was the same way. Startled by the gunshot, he rushed over to her on the ground. Then he looked at Albert, who was holding the gun, still warm from the heat of the bullets passage. Is that so? Zenko, finally dead. Albert raised his tail high enough to reach his ears. He was delighted. Very much so. Ignoring the two people who were looking at him with absurd gazes, he loaded the magazine with a contemptuous look. I was hoping for a chance to kill that guy, but I didnt expect to be taken out before I could even lift a finger. Albert murmured casually even after killing his comrade. He aimed the gun at Bruno and spoke. Tom Myron is dead too. Across the sea, there is no longer Myrons shadow in this country. Brother, what are you thinking? What on earth is going on? Julietta asked. Albert didnt even glance at her. He only focused on Bruno, who showed hostility, and opened his tightly shut mouth. Bruno, I propose to you once again. Come back to Valentine. Julietta, you too. Now that Zenko is dead, its the perfect opportunity to bring down Myron. Brother, have you gone mad? He had gone mad. Completely mad. To Julietta, Albert pointing a gun at her felt like he had gone insane. She knew he wasnt such a reckless and crazy person. Was it too much for him to bear the weight of being Valentines boss? She felt a pang of pity to the point of sympathy. I think its a good opportunity for you too. Wasnt it difficult living here? Wasnt living on the run tormenting? Come back to Valentine. Now, Julietta, I can protect you. And Bruno, you too, with Julietta. We can live happily. He never spoke such selfish and arbitrary words that would be criticized by others. No words came out of his mouth that could be accused of sounding selfish or self-serving. I dont know what youre talking about, but you need to get a grip. Dont you know what it means to be overbearing? Eunha interrupted. Stepping out of the elevator on the way up, hed been watching the situation from the moment Tom had taken Julieta hostage. And hed waited for Albert to let his guard down, picked up the sword Tom had dropped to the floor, and leapt out of sight. sea??h th NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Well, I see what you mean about being impatient, I learned that from the kids. Taking a step back, Albert dodged the vertically falling blade. Landing on the ground, Eunha dug in at point-blank range to prevent him from pointing a gun at it. He didnt offer him the slightest reprieve. I dont know what you were muttering in Italian, but Ill tell you this. I couldnt manifest my mana. The mana in my body was twisted and tangled. His physical abilities were greatly diminished by the effects of the nameless gift. Nevertheless, Eunha refused to give up his fight against Albert. He would fight until his body could no longer move. Who do you think you are, taking my people without my permission? Eunha made the most of his small size. There was no way Albert could take aim at him as he moved about beneath him. There was no way he couldnt attack him with magic. However, every time he tried to perform a spell, he cleverly interrupted him. Julietta Noona, are you the same? Leaving as you please? Eunha dived between Alberts legs and stamped his foot. Albert spun to avoid the attack and kicked him, his hand on the gun no match for the man shifting under his legs. He tried to close the distance. Of course, being kicked in the foot wasnt going to stop him. The moment I kicked him in the leg, he dangled from the bridge and slashed at my calf with his knife. Porca miseria! Damn it! There was nothing Albert, with his protective spell, could do to stop it. He was just angry that hed been attacked by a mere child. He was fully aware that he was no ordinary child, but as Valentines boss, he had some prestige. His pride was cracked. To the point where he lost his poker face. Im the one who decides whether or not to abandon you. Dont you dare leave. Albert finally caught Eunha, not realizing the gap hed deliberately left was bait. The bullet pierced his thigh. Eunha, who had been running around, collapsed forward and fell to the ground. He no longer had the strength to fight. Albert assessed Eunhas condition and turned his head towards where Bruno was, to conclude the long and exhausting battle. And Since when. Alberts eyes widened. Okay, Julieta Noona? He took his time. Enough, right? Eunha, lying on the floor with a bullet wound, pursed his lips. . Julieta, hugging Bruno from behind, muttered a spell. When she opened her closed green eyes, golden mana permeated Brunos entire body. He was defeated. Albert realized then that Eunha had been playing him for time. Yeah, Ill never leave on my own terms again. She patted Bruno on the back. You have to come back alive. Uh. Bruno scrambled to his feet. As he started to run the short distance, he held his left hand out in front of him, palm up. His right hand clenched into a fist, ready to pull. Inferno V, II, X, IV. Combination Devil (Eldorado). Combination Devil (Gold). It was dangerous. It was dangerous. He had to avoid it. He couldnt stop it. Albert Valentine stood at the end of the corridor, bewildered. There was nowhere to run. The only way out was the path in front of him, where Bruno was rushing towards. Fuoco a caso (Rapid Fire)! He fired bullets, infusing them with mana until the gunshots ceased. Bruno deflected the attacks with his extended left hand, even intercepting the flying bullets. In a moment, he dashed forward, engulfed in flames that consumed death, and split the filled space into two beams of light. Che il diavolo ti porti. May you fall into hell. His whole body was already battered. Nevertheless, he extended his fist, which he had pulled behind his shoulder, with all his strength. He anchored his body with his legs and swung his fist with his full weight. Ch!! The air exploded. The protective magic shattered miserably. Glasses shattered, and shards of glass entered his eyes. The impact of a direct hit on his right cheekbone left Alberts head spinning, disorienting him. It felt like his face was stuck to the fist after just one swing, and it stubbornly refused to leave. He slammed the back of his head against the wall. A thudding sound echoed, and the wall cracked. It wasnt just the wall that started to crack; it felt like something was tearing apart from inside his head. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!! An unreleased scream raged inside his chest. His face was buried. The wall broke. Finally, unable to overcome the recoil, he was sent flying into the wall. 18th floor. His vision distorted. The distinction between up and down vanished, and he spun around mindlessly as if caught in a whirlpool. He was falling. He had to regain his senses. Albert squeezed his mana desperately to survive. Every time he controlled the mana, his buried face cried out in pain. It felt like the slightest mistake could trigger a mana surge. But he had to control the mana desperately. To survive. Above all else. I must rebuild Valentine! I swore to my father. Didnt I make a commitment when I decided to become Valentines boss? I would endure any humiliation and bring Myron to his knees before Valentine. This was the beginning. He couldnt die here. Desperate, determined to stay alive, he deployed a protective spell. His swirling vision faded to black. The asphalt pavement crumbled under the impact. Survived. Albert Valentine breathed a sigh of relief as he realized he was alive. He couldnt see out of his right eye. The right half of his face was caved in. Still, he was glad to be alive. There was still a chance. Zenko Myron was dead, and Bruno and Julietta had been found. Time was on his side now. This much pain, he could take. I, Valentine. I had to get away. Bruno might be after me. As it was, he had no strength left to fight him, let alone convince him. He had barely crawled out of the pit. The wind was blowing. A fierce wind. Violently. Italian Ambassador Albert Valentine. A woman wrapped in the wind, her iron fan unfolding with the sound of metal clashing. She, Shin Seo-young , pronounced with a tone that allowed no objections. I am arresting you as the mastermind behind the Alice Hotel terrorist attack. Isnt it a headache to get involved in such things? The wind of blades whirled. The wind rushing through the tall buildings converged upon him. An unspoken threat that warned if he resisted, his body could be shattered into pieces. Albert Valentine, with his head lowered, had no choice but to be restrained by the players. Well, its too late. Im going to get scolded by Euna for this. It was late at night. The night sky above the buildings was so dark that not a single star could be seen. Shin Seo-young sighed as she looked up at the invisible night sky. Chapter 84 Chapter 84Thx bunny bacon for your kind donation and support! [Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (13)] On the 18th floor, the outer wall of the building and the inner wall of the corridor shattered side by side. A fierce wind raged. I barely managed to open my eyes against the wind, and the view of the city sparkled like a jewel. The world may have been destroyed once, but the people who live in it still shine. Beautiful. Leaning against the side wall, Eunha looked out over the city lights and thought. Its still dark over there. The outskirts of Gangbuk were locked in the night. It would be a long time before Seoul would shine brightly under the night sky. Eunha reminisced about the time when he and his companions looked out at the cityscape before regression, then turned his head. Julie. Are you hurt? Bru. Im fine, youre the one whos hurt, youre burned all over, are you okay, does it hurt a lot? Its okay, Ill get better with medical attention. Bru. Julie. Two people hugging each other and giving love. Eunha couldnt understand what they were saying in Italian, but he had a feeling he wouldnt need to. Bru. I have a confession to make to you. What is it? Sar?h the n??el Fire.nt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bruno asked, running a hand through her hair. She slid into his arms and wrapped her pure white arms around his back. A back that was too big for both of her arms. And she liked it. Being able to be deeply embraced like this. Were having a baby. A child? Yes, your child. Aah. Bruno didnt quite understand what she was saying. After repeating it over and over again, he was able to accept the unbelievable reality. His heart swelled with joy. He wanted to protect this person until the end. And also their future child. Thank you. Im so happy. I hope this isnt a dream. Its not a dream. Since the day I swore to protect you in Sicily. Weve never dreamed. This is reality. Bru. Julie. The two stared at each other with even more passionate gazes. I cant take this anymore. Eunha decided to let them know of his existence. Uncle Bruno, Julieta noona , its nice that youre having a touching reunion, but can you help me? With a bullet wound in his leg, Eunha could barely stand up. His internal mana was tangled up, and blood was flowing from his injured leg. Im sorry. Sorry, Eunha! The two of them checked on him. Julieta hastily administered first aid. Then her eyes locked with Brunos, who was still staring down at her. Ah. She read his mind. He nodded. She did the same. To prove that this reality was not a dream. To escape Valentines weeknight once and for all. She rose from her seat and stood beside him. Huh? Julieta noona? Uncle Bruno? Leaning against the wall, Eunha couldnt figure out why the two were suddenly looking at him. Even as they sat down on one knee, he couldnt comprehend what was happening. Eunha. Ill never be able to repay you for what I owe you today. Thank you for saving me. If it werent for you, I would have lived in despair. Ah, uncle, noona, please stop. Eunha waved his hands in the air. It was a bit overwhelming to see two people kneeling and speaking so earnestly. Nevertheless, they continued in silence. I would give my heart to repay this debt. I would give my life for you, too. Of course, Bru wouldnt approve. I dont care. Ill give my heart for Julie, too. Why are you saying that? The atmosphere is strange. Eunha tried to get the two up, bewildered, but they still refused to listen. If he could move his body, he would have forcibly lifted them up. He regretted not being able to do that. Even as he did, Bruno craned his neck and murmured something. On this night, under the brilliance of the moon and the stars, in the silence of the night, I make a holy covenant in humble language. The words were received by Julieta. I entrust everything I have to the one I accept, and swear to protect the honor of my brothers. No way! Eunha had a hunch. The words the two began to utter were an oath, and they were even dedicating that oath to themselves. If someone asks about your origin, answer like this. Bruno murmured, And both of them answered simultaneously. My father is the sun, and my mother is the moon. Haha. Eunha couldnt help but let out a soulless laughter when he saw the two lowering their heads. I have no intention of becoming a player, and even less so a mafia. Cant I just live an ordinary and happy life like this? Of course, the two didnt pay any attention to his wishes. Eunha, please take care of us in the future. Should I call you Boss Eunha from now on? Oh, Bru! How about raising the baby that will be born this time as the exclusive heir to Boss Eunha? Thats a good idea. Um, excuse me, but I dont need something like that. Just call me as u Huh? A baby? What baby? While Eunha was trying to somehow resolve the situation, he caught onto a point that couldnt be brushed aside. As Eunha tried to deflect the situation, he heard something he couldnt help but point out. Julieta giggled, Bruno smirked, and the corners of his mouth turned up. Ill tell the Eunha Boss, were having a baby! The night was still deep, and the lights of the city lit it up. Detention cell. Im Gaeul, leading the guards, spoke to the man behind the glass. The situation has changed this time. The man, with his face wrapped in bandages, didnt say a word. He just blinked his eyes, trapped in restraints. Albert Valentine. A few days ago, his face half-buried, he was still undergoing treatment for his injuries. It was uncertain whether he would fully recover before returning to his home country. It would be troublesome if you ran amok in our country. Isnt that right, Albert Valentine, the mastermind behind the Alice Hotel terrorist attack? Im Gaeul provoked. Then Albert Valentine revealed signs of life. The guards behind her took a stance ready to draw their swords at any moment. But she raised her hand, signaling the guards to stand down. The guards sighed and withdrew their hands from their swords, but she ignored their reaction. She was simply waiting for Alberts response from behind the glass. I did not commit any acts of terrorism. What youve done is nothing short of imprisoning me and falsely accusing me to the Italian Embassy. Currently, Albert Valentine was confined in a detention cell beneath the Blue House on the grounds that he was the mastermind behind the Alice Hotel terrorist attack. Only in name. He had never actually committed the act of terrorizing the Alice Hotel. Thats why he intended to use that point to persuade the fairy. In another sense, he was considering proposing a deal. But Fairy Im Gaeul was not a lenient person. Is that so? Even though we obtained a video of you murdering Tom Myron? And the fact that you and Zenko Myron kidnapped an Italian woman. Im Gaeul smiled. Even if the charges were only nominal, she was already prepared to call black white. Thats all. It wasnt all me. Albert tried to slip out of the trap she had set for him, if only to seal the deal in his favor. His intentions were completely undermined by her next words. Are you trying to tell me that an elementary school child killed Zenko Myron and carried out a terrorist attack at the Alice Hotel? Who would believe that? She looked at him with pitiful eyes. The emotions reflected in her eyes were pity, sympathy, compassion, and empathy. It was a gaze that only someone in an overwhelmingly superior position could cast down. Albert snapped. He snapped, but he couldnt refute anything. An elementary school child killing the renowned Zenko Myron from Italy? It was ridiculous. Even if it had happened, the moment he claimed it, Italys honor would be greatly tarnished. Besides, no one would accept it as the truth. At first, I couldnt figure out what you and Big Mama were plotting in Korea. But as I gathered information about Big Mamas political position in Italy, the Valentine family in Sicily, and the Myron family, it became clear. You and Big Mama were trying to kill Zenko Myron and suppress the power of the Myron family, werent you? Albert Valentine said nothing. She was right. The current Tredici was composed of members of the dominant family in Italy. Two of them, Albert himself in the Valentine position, and Zenko in the Myron position. At first, Big Mama empowered Myron as a force to be reckoned with in Sicily, but after a while, Myron grew stronger and more intent on consuming Big Mama. At this point, Big Mama and Albert Valentines thoughts coincided. Big Mama was looking to reduce Myrons influence and find a new family to support her. Albert Valentine had a plan to rebuild Valentine, away from Myron. The two planned to take advantage of Zenko Myrons visit to Korea and kill him out of Myrons shadow. At the same time, Albert planned to recruit Bruno, secretly protect Julieta, and use her as a wedge to bring down Myron in the distant future. But it looks like you have a long tail. According to player Shin Seoyoung, there were other Italian players around the Alice Hotel besides you. It wasnt until he heard her words that Albert realized that Myron had been moving beneath the surface. Tom Myron wasnt the only player sent to spy on him. Myron, who had detected his and Big Mamas plan, must have intended to kill him if he caused any trouble. All the Italians who were there, we have them in our custody. In custody. It meant they werent killed. Albert understood the implication. Depending on the conditions he accepted, he could either send them back to their homeland or handle them discreetly. Dont play games with me. Youre not the one proposing the deal. I am. He had to admit it. Albert acknowledged that he had been completely defeated by her. As she said, he never had the right to propose a deal from the beginning. What do you want? Many things. Winners always find a way to smile, while losers have no choice but to accept the winners words. Im Gaeul, holding Albert Valentines lofty ambitions and Big Mamas political leverage, was the winner who had both in her hands. Alice Hotel has transformed into a dungeon due to a sudden mana anomaly. Unfortunately, you, Zenko Myron, Tom Myron, and the Italian players were trapped in the dungeon and, except for you, died while trying to conquer it. How about it? If you agree to my proposal, the Fairy Government can even fabricate falsehoods as truths. It was a weak plan with only the framework, but not bad. All he had to do was add flesh to it. Surely the Fairy Government had proposed it with this in mind. Albert nodded his head. So, what do you want? As much as fabricating falsehoods as truths, a lot. A lot. She paused for a moment and then opened her mouth. But Im not without shame either. First, lets modify the Mediterranean mana alloy we agreed to trade before to 2 tons. Albert remained silent. It didnt quite add up. But it was within an acceptable range. He nodded his head and responded in silence. Second, we will change the clause stating that South Korea will dispatch three Twelve Seats for the Leviathan subjugation to one person. Instead, we promise comprehensive support within our capabilities. He furrowed his left eyebrow. To defeat a Rank-Over Leviathan from the Second Rank, they needed sufficient power. Reducing the number of players comparable to Tredici could disrupt their power. Instead, the Twelve Seat we will dispatch is Nam gung- seong . I understand. If it was , he could accept it to some extent. Continuing, Im Gaeul raised her third finger. Third, in the Mediterranean, there is a Black Dungeon called the , right? Yes, but? Albert interjected bluntly. He found it strange that she mentioned a dungeon she had declared temporarily impossible for humanity to conquer. Someday, someone in Southern Europe will attempt to conquer the . Even if they say humanity cannot conquer it, it doesnt mean they wont try to conquer it at some point, right? As she said. Although the current main concern in Southern Europe was the subjugation of the Leviathan, there was ambition to conquer the someday. Any country that possessed a Black Dungeon would have the same ambition, regardless of which country it was. While the whole world publicly stated that Black Dungeons could not be conquered, they were secretly exploring ways to conquer them. Allow us to get involved in that as well. I dont think thats something we can decide right now. I understand. So, when the time comes, Im asking you to request support from South Korea if Big Mama still holds power. Understood. It wasnt a difficult request to accept. After all, it was a matter for the distant future. She probably proposed it because she didnt want to end the deal as it was. The two things she wanted were likely the ones she presented at the beginning. Lastly. She tapped the table with her finger. And then, with a sly smile on her lips, Lamborghini. She spoke with a playful tone. Chapter 85 Chapter 85[Even if it means turning the world into an enemy (14)] 12 weeks of hospitalization. That was Eunhas diagnosis. Shin Seo-young had given him first aid, but she was a caster, not a supporter. A bruised and swollen face, almost harpooned hands, and a bullet-ridden leg. It was beyond what she could heal. Worst of all, his mana was severely depleted. Every living being is born with a different amount of mana in their body. It was a factor that didnt change much as the body grew. However, he not only excessively consumed potions to restore his mana but also pushed his mana circuitry to the point of overload. Just the fact that he didnt go into a mana frenzy was fortunate. In a way, the name 12 weeks of hospitalization sounded mild. Are you not going to listen to Mom? Oppa, dont be in pain. Every day, Eunhas mother visited his hospital room with Eunae. And every day, she scolded him at least once as a standard routine. I made a mistake. When it was past the time to finish work, his father would also come to visit. At that time, he should have begged for forgiveness, even if it meant becoming his fathers hands and feet. Mommy doesnt want you to push yourself too hard. Do you understand? Yes. His mother would leave the hospital room with those words. Each time, Eunha felt bad for worrying his family. But he knew he would do whatever it took to keep himself happy. His mother and father must have known that. Still, his parents never failed to tell him not to do anything dangerous. I felt both sorry and grateful for my family. Noona will be back later. His parents werent the only ones who visited him in the hospital every day. Euna also came to the hospital after school and was busy chatting. She used the refrigerator, which was stocked with food gifts from visitors, as her own. Its peaceful here. There was nothing else in the hospital room. It was a single room. He was currently hospitalized at Alice Hospital. It wasnt due to Shin Seo-youngs consideration or the Fairys assistance. I dont think the media in Korea is reporting the facts as they are. If I didnt know better, I would have believed it was real. Eunha was reading the free news from Yonhap News Agency. The news was reporting that Alice Hotel had transformed into the Red Dungeon due to a mana surge. Since the people who were staying at Alice Hotel had evacuated in advance, there were no civilian casualties, they said. However, it was reported that the Italian ambassador and the players who were scheduled to stay at Alice Hotel went to conquer the Red Dungeon, resulting in the death of all members except the Italian ambassador, Albert Valentine. According to the news, the Red Dungeon quickly vanished due to their sacrifice. If Eunha hadnt known the truth of this incident, he would have easily been deceived. Perhaps there were incidents involving Italian ambassadors and Bruno before the regression as well. However, even at that time, the truth might have been distorted in a similar manner. There must have been some sort of dealings between Korea and Italy. Before the regression and after. Through this incident, Eunha realized that the outcome of the Korea-Italy talks had changed significantly compared to his past life. What will happen in the future? How would the future change with this incident? As he pondered, his head throbbed. He tried to change the channel to listen to music. He wanted to listen to music, not- Captain, were here! He wanted to listen to music, not the noise. Eunha sighed as he saw his friends, who always came over after school. Wow! Theres a roll cake! Captain, can I eat this? Adding another person who considers the refrigerator in the room as their own refrigerator. Eunha was amazed to see Eunhyuk taking out and eating the roll cake without permission. He promised himself that he would scold him thoroughly once he was discharged. Alright, this is your homework for this week. Do I really have to do it? You wont be coming to school until the end of the first semester, so at least do your homework. Seona took out a large amount of assignments from her bag. Since Eunha had been hospitalized for about three months and wouldnt be attending school until the end of the first semester, it was a special measure for him. Eunha sighed at the thoughtfulness of his homeroom teacher as he put the homework in the drawer next to his bed. The assignments he received a few days ago were still piled up in the drawer, untouched. Guess whos taking advantage of this opportunity to slack off? Hey, cant you see that Im injured? You would know if you were hospitalized, how boring it is to do nothing Then what about the game console over there? Sarch* The N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Minji, who had a good eye for watching dramas, used her observation skills in everyday life as well. Eunha had nothing to say and just came up with a nonsense excuse. Hmph! I used my favor. Just wait and see. What are you going to do with the knife? To carve an apple for you, of course. She looked triumphant as she held the pod for the first time in a long time. Eunha, on the other hand, Eun-hyeok, take that knife away from her. Im going to be hospitalized for the entire summer vacation. Okay, captain. Ill protect your health. Hey, Kim Min-ji, why dont you put that knife down right now? Come on. Im just slicing an apple. The knife! The knife! Why are you pointing it at me? It was chaos. I felt so nostalgic for the moment when I was free to do whatever I wanted. Eunha decided to stay away from the two people arguing over the knife. He had no intention of eating the apple she offered to slice. Here. My dad wanted me to bring you this. Im sorry every time. Ill drink it. My dad doesnt mind. Dont feel sorry for me because Im selling them for money. What are you, Mr. Jung Seok-hoon? Eunha took the tumbler from Ha-yang. On the tumbler with a straw was a silhouette of a rabbit wearing a monocle representing the Alice Group and holding a clock. It was coffee milk, one of Jungs premium potions. Although it restored less health and mana than banana milk or espresso, coffee milk could restore both health and mana at the same time. In addition to the tumblers, there was a large tub of coffee milk in the refrigerator in the hospital room. I drank it to restore my broken body and twisted mana. Even after he was discharged, he would have to live on coffee milk for a while. Though sometimes Id like to drink something else. Should I tell my dad? No, thank you. Coffee milk is enough for me. Be sure to tell him thank you. Yes! Eunha gulped down the coffee milk. Next to him, Hayang was twitching her pink ribbon and talking about what happened at school. There you go. Im done. Hows that? At that moment, Min-ji, who had been chatting with Eun-hyeok, held out a plate with apples. This, what a strange shape. Its a raccoon. I tried to arrange it by carving a rabbit. What do you think? Isnt it cute? My appetite was gone. In a way, it was a skill. Eunha was amazed as she looked at Minji, who had transformed the apple into a ferocious beast. Moreover, she had carved the peel into the shape of fruit, making it bite-sized. Here, Eunhyuk, eat this. Eww~! Why? Its your fault for not stopping her. But, Minji carved this for the captain The roll cake that I left to eat earlier, where did it go? Someone must have secretly eaten it. Looks like I need to give a strict lesson Yeah, Ill take care of the apples. Captain, Im willing to die for you. Hey, Choi Eunhyuk. Who told you to eat it? If you dont want to eat it, then dont! Oh? Really? I dont have to eat it? Youre really funny. Do you think Ill believe that you wont eat it? Fine, dont eat it then! What do you want me to do? Eunha decided to look away from Eunhyuk and Minji. If he confronted the two of them, his stamina, replenished by the coffee milk, would quickly be depleted. Then, he made eye contact with Seona, who was taking out pears from the refrigerator. Can I eat a pear? Do you want to eat one too, Eunha? Youre not trying to make a squirrel like Minji, are you? Watch closely. Seona made a determined expression, gathering her eyebrows. Sitting down, she skillfully handled the pear with calm hand movements. Wow! Seona, you carve them so beautifully. Ive gained experience from always bringing snacks for my younger siblings at church. Let me know next time too. Then, shall we try it together at our dads cafe? I want to try carving them beautifully too. Well, as long as its not bothersome. Seona carved the pear so beautifully that Minji and Hayang were amazed. Before they knew it, there were two pears on the plate, shaped like rabbits, stacked one on top of the other. Seona insisted that it was a fox, not a rabbit, but it didnt matter as long as they could eat it. Boss Eunha, how are you? It was Julieta who came to visit us in the evening after Euna returned. She was one of those people who never missed a day. But noona, please stop calling me boss. How strange his family looked at him. Actually, knowing her personality, they seemed to have gotten over it by now, but it was still embarrassing. Boss Eunha is Boss Eunha. A man should know how to stick his chest out! Ha, never mind. I got you a cake from Happiness, do you like cake here? I like it. Eunha loved anything that Jung Seok-hoon made. She would bring him something to eat whenever she came to visit him like this. In fact, she would bring more than his mother would leave in the refrigerator. But wheres Uncle Bruno? Bruno was nowhere to be seen. It was strange not to see Bruno, who had been discharged from the hospital less than a week earlier with his wounds healed. Hed been following her everywhere lately, worried about her pregnancy. He has some errands to run today. Really? Boss Eunha, by the way. Voila! Huh? What is this? Eunha was eating his cake when he saw the piece of paper Julieta pulled out of her handbag. It was a social security card. Look at the name on there. Name? What is it? Eunha shifted his gaze to where she was pointing her finger, and accidentally swallowed the cake in his mouth. [No Julieta.] [No Bruno]. What is this? Eunha asked with a fearful tone. Well, since Ive decided to live a new life, I changed my name. I had to choose a Korean-style surname since Im changing it in Korea, and while I was at it, I thought I should take the surname of Boss Eunha! From now on, please call me No Julieta and No Bruno! No!! It was still a day without a break. There you are. An old man who had closed the book he was reading greeted Bruno as he entered the study. Mr. Min Jun-sik, the chairman of Alice Group. He was currently stepping down from the group management, but the fact that he was still the chairman of Alice Group did not change. Mr. Min. Im indebted to you. Standing in front of the table, Bruno bowed deeply. He owed him a lot. It was him who had given Bruno a place to stay when he had fled from Italy. To him, it might have been nothing more than entertainment, but to Bruno, who was living in a foreign country where he didnt speak the language, it was something he was grateful for beyond words. Whats more, he was very helpful in this case. Not only had he protected him, Julieta, and the Eunha from the Fairys government, but he had also made it clear that they were not to be touched. I know how difficult it was for you to hide your identity from the Fairy Lady and evade her curiosity. No, I am truly grateful. Looks like we settled it with the potions value. Even though Min Jun-sik laughed it off, Bruno knew that the losses he incurred couldnt be eased with laughter. Alice Hotel was demolished under the pretext of the Red Dungeons annihilation. In the media, there were constant critical stories about Alice Hotel. The Mana Cataclysm was an unexpected natural disaster, but human hearts were not so easily swayed. Even now, the hotels sales were plummeting. Anyway, the hotel couldnt keep up with the Dawn Group and YH Group. So, instead of that, why not withdraw from the hotel business and invest more in the pharmaceutical business, which is experiencing a surge in sales due to the New Potion? Although he had retired from management, he was still an entrepreneur. Since the business that wasnt profitable anyway was being abandoned, he intended to invest in the pharmaceutical business that was booming with the New Potion. However, Bruno couldnt hide his remorse. Apologies lose their value when repeated multiple times. He could only lower his head with a sense of shame. But still, be careful. The Fairy Lady seems interested in you guys. Even if she says she wont investigate with words, she is not someone who would act accordingly. The Fairy Lady is watching. Bruno made a mental note of that. He, and probably Eunha, didnt want to get tangled up with the Fairys Government. All he wanted was a life of leisure and happiness. By the way, since you have nothing else to do, why dont you become my exclusive player? Mr. Min suddenly suggested to Bruno. Bruno looked up. A few days ago, he received a notice from his company. He had left work early without authorization, hadnt told them he was in the hospital, and hadnt shown up for work. He was now unemployed. Still, he had to turn down Min Joon-siks offer. Im sorry. You do realize that Italy has a bad reputation these days, right? Its not going to be easy to find a job. Im sorry. I did need to find a job. I just didnt want to be someones pawn. I was going to give my life to Eunha. If you dont like it, I cant force you, but it doesnt mean I want you to be exclusively my player. How many dangerous things can an old man buried in books have? What do you mean? When youre not guarding me, protect those kids. Just like youve been doing so far. It shouldnt be a difficult task for you. Bruno, keeping his mouth shut, looked at Min Jun-sik. What could be his intention? Having spent over 60 years, he didnt reveal any emotions on his face. Bruno couldnt read the eyes of the person who had placed Alice Group among the top 8 in the Korean business world even after the world had once been destroyed. Dont stare at me like that. Its piercing. Yes. I have no ulterior motive. I just want to see the bright smiles of the children who have entered the remaining days of an old mans life. Min Jun-sik spoke with a sentimental voice. Wiping his monocle, he waited for Bruno to accept his proposal. Understood. Thank you. Bruno accepted the proposal. Min Jun-sik waved his hand, indicating that he could leave. With his head lowered once again, Bruno left the study. By the time the creaking sound of the corridor ceased to be heard. Min Jun-sik placed his hand on the book that was on the desk. I must be getting old too. To be indulging in sentiment at my age Isnt that right, my dear? He gently caressed the cover of the book. Speaking to someone who was no longer in this world. Wearing his monocle and holding a pocket watch, the silhouette of a rabbit. Hi there! If you are looking for something else to read and youre into chinese webnovels, try this one (a friend of mine translates it!) so I super recommend the webnovel Master, I am truly your future husband! Its a captivating story about Wang Xuan, who is given a second chance at life and seeks to fulfill a mission to resurrect his deceased wife. The novel combines elements of romance, cultivation, and adventure, making it an exciting read. Go and have fun! heres the link: /master-i-am-really-your-future-husband/ Chapter 86 Chapter 86Thank you for the coffee and your support John Buckingham! [Seaweed Soup] The days of hospitalization were filled with a sense of freedom. When I woke up in the morning, I would undergo a health examination. The attending physician would check if there were any complications from the surgery or if my mana was affecting my body. After the health examination, it was time for breakfast. Seaweed soup again? Breakfast usually consisted of light foods that were easy on the stomach. This morning, it was rice, kimchi, stir-fried fish cake, rolled omelet, and bean sprout side dish. And finally, there was seaweed soup, which had been served for three consecutive days. How am I supposed to eat this? I didnt dislike seaweed soup. However, the seaweed soup served in the hospital lacked flavor. It felt more like something to soothe the throat rather than a meal to enjoy the taste. Having grown accustomed to hospital life, I wrapped the rice in the seaweed soup. By avoiding the broth and eating it with kimchi, it became somewhat palatable. Ah, Im hungry. After breakfast, there was usually nothing special to do until the evening check-up. During this time, I would usually play video games, watch TV, read comics, or simply take a nap if there was nothing else to do. Although it had been over a week since I was admitted, I hadnt touched the homework in the drawer at all. I wonder if theres anything to eat. As the days of hospitalization grew longer, I found myself talking to myself more often. Feeling the hunger intensify, I tossed and turned in bed. Since I had been living in the hospital bed for a long time, I couldnt sleep, so I decided to eat something. I got up from the bed and rummaged through the refrigerator. Inside the refrigerator were the cake that Julietta had brought, apples that my mother had cut yesterday, and gifts from friends. From there, I took out a slice of cream cake and a PET bottle of coffee milk. Ha, I knew it. How can you snack when it hasnt been that long since you had breakfast? Then, what about seaweed soup for three days straight? You know the hospital seaweed soup is tasteless. Thats not my job, thats the nutritionists job, so theres no point in telling me. With pursed lips, I complained to the nurse who entered the ward. She was one of the nurses responsible for taking care of me, who was admitted to a private room. She had worked at Alice Hospital for several years and knew just how tasteless the seaweed soup served there was, so she avoided eye contact for no reason. Dedicated nurses like her would come into the room at intervals to check on him, or to offer companionship. Noona, youve been running away from the head nurse again, havent you? Its not even lunch yet, and shes been nagging me since morning. Its so annoying, really. The nurse rambled on about how shed been yelled at by the head nurse again today. Indeed, this is the taste. People should live by eating delicious food, not just tasteless meals all the time. Regardless of her complaints, Eunha savored the cake and coffee milk. Ha, I have to get back to work. Can you eat that and have lunch later? Ill be in trouble if you dont. Just make sure its delicious. Ah, I cant live like this. With a stern expression, Eunha dismissed the nurse who had been cautioning him. In addition to his doctor and charge nurse, there were hospital officials who often visited his room. They were all kind to him. Sometimes their kindness was so excessive that it became burdensome. At first, he couldnt understand why they treated him so extraordinarily. But soon enough, he discovered the reason behind their behavior and couldnt help but chuckle. The reason was He focused his mana to enhance his hearing. Eavesdropping on a single conversation was nothing, and it didnt strain his body. So, you were hanging out with Eunha again? Youre thrilled because youve been assigned as VVIP recently? Come on. If youre jealous, you can also take care of VVIP or secretly talk to Eunha. Too bad. If I werent so old, I wouldve made a move. But is that true? The Chairman of the Alice Group personally instructed us to take special care of him. He must be living in a rich family somewhere, so he should take this opportunity to show off a little, right? Alice Hospital officials were thinking about whether he had a deep relationship with Alice Group or was descended from a famous chaebol family. So people who had no connection to him would make up excuses to come and say hello. In order to make a little headway, their behavior was too obvious in his eyes. No need to have any intentions or feel burdened. Was it necessary to correct them? They were simply misunderstanding. Wait a moment. Why is breakfast like this? Wasnt I a VVIP? A sudden doubt crossed his mind. There was no answer. Anyway, he decided to enjoy this situation. There was nothing to lose, and he could at least observe those who were trying to make jokes to impress him. It was one of the little pleasures of his free hospital stay. Shall I go for a walk? There wasnt much time left until lunch. It was an awkward time to sleep. He decided to take a leisurely stroll to stretch his body. The attending physician had allowed him to take walks, after all. Today, he would go alone. His dedicated nurses, as if sensing his departure, followed him closely. It was understandable that they worried about something happening to him. However, it was quite bothersome at times. Sometimes he wanted to wander alone. Its a bit tiring. Eunha manifested his mana to suppress his presence. Even though it was a technique to weaken his presence when dealing with ordinary people, his body momentarily twitched. The bullet wound in his leg had been treated by Shin Seo-youngs first aid and surgery at the hospital, leaving no sequelae. But now that he tried to manifest his mana, the area where the wound had been throbbed. Walking as usual was a challenge. In the end, Eunha had to narrow his stride and leave the ward. Oh, I shouldnt have come out. Its so hot. June was coming to an end. July was just around the corner. So it wasnt even lunch yet, and it was still hot. Sweat was dripping down my back even though I was only wearing a patients uniform. Still, it was worth it. Summer flowers were popping up along the walkway. It wasnt a bad walk, with flowers on the left and right. Huh? I exclaimed as I turned off the trail. Eunha found a large tent near the back gate. People were gathered in front of the pure white tent. It seemed like some kind of flea market. He raised an eyebrow. At first, he thought it might be a flea market or a bazaar. But as he got closer to the tent, he realized that everyone in line were children. The children all looked disheveled and pitiful, without a single exception. Some wore torn clothes as their basic attire, while others wore ill-fitting school uniforms or wore their clothes inside out. Some even wore shoes with missing soles, and it wasnt uncommon to see children walking barefoot. Children with dirt stains stood in line, receiving meals. Others guarded the children who hadnt received their meals yet, as if it was something they mustnt lose, and guided them into another tent. Come to think of it, today is Wednesday. As Eunha watched the children receiving free meals, he realized what day it was. Usually, on Wednesdays, hospitals, churches, charitable organizations, and the like provided free meals to wandering children, called Wonder Runners in Korean. Hey, you kids! Get in line, one by one! You tried to touch my food, didnt you? Whats this? Arent you looking at me? Just shut up and eat your own. The children gathered around the prepared tables in the tent, giving each other wary glances as they ate their meals. The older children threatened others to keep them from touching their food, while the younger ones hurriedly finished eating before anyone could reach for their meal. Wonder Runners. Even after the world had once faced destruction and more than 30 years had passed, wondernlings still existed. Monsters hadnt completely disappeared from this world. Wonder runners were usually children who had lost their families to monsters, or those born in impoverished areas, or infants abandoned right after birth. The Fairy Government tried to address the issue of W.R, but there were limitations to their support policies. With some children who couldnt be accounted for in statistics, the protective facilities couldnt accommodate all the children. Furthermore, there was a shortage of hands to care for the children, and there were also financial constraints. Even companies and private organizations conducted free meal programs on Wednesdays to address these issues, but it couldnt provide a fundamental solution. Angel, hyung? As he heard himself being called, he turned his head towards the child. The child was incredibly small. The child held a piece of scrap metal or a kettle in their hand and pointed towards the tent, sniffling. The child was barefoot. On their pitch-black feet, there were recent bruises here and there. There were no calluses visible. It seemed like a child who hadnt been on the streets for long. Above all, their act of speaking to him was genuinely innocent. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. An angel? My mom said angels wear white clothes! The child was innocent. Eunha let out a bitter smile and lowered his head. Angel, arent you going to eat? The child was innocent. Smiling bitterly, Eunha shook his head. Im fine. Eunha replied to the snorting child, stepping out of the way for him to climb the stairs. I heard theyre serving seaweed soup today. The older hyungs/brothers I live with said the seaweed soup at Alice Hospital is the most delicious. You dont have to eat if you dont want to, hyung Yeah, I already ate earlier. Hurry up and go eat. If you go late, you might not get any, right? Oh, right! The child was pleasantly surprised. He stomped his foot, and the coins in the scrap metal clinked. Hey! Why arent you coming? What are you doing over there? I might not be able to eat if I dont come, right? Didnt I tell you to follow me and not get distracted? A while ago, the children who had rushed to join the line at the tent had returned. They seemed worried since the child they were waiting for hadnt come. Huh? The children who ran back spotted Eunha. The children fell silent in unison. If the child who was sniffing hadnt appeared on the street recently, the children who were exchanging glances seemed accustomed to street life based on their worn-out appearance. Hey, you idiot! Werent you told not to talk to that kid? Huh? Why? Cant I talk to him? Hes a little angel, right? Our mom said so, angels are Hey, I told you not to mention my mom. Look closely. Hes wearing hospital clothes. Hes clean. Hes different from us. Hes not the angel youre talking about. Is that so? Youre not an angel, Hyung? The child asked, shaking the piece of scrap metal in their hand. Eunha didnt say anything. He simply nodded slightly. Upon seeing this, the children who were accustomed to street life immediately bowed their heads. They even went as far as to push down the head of the child who was sniffing. Were sorry. He doesnt know yet. Were sorry? The child who added the ending was the one who was sniffing. Eunha silently watched the children. When the children lifted their heads to check the situation, Eunha only pointed at the tent with his finger. The children lowered their heads again and ran towards the direction of the tent, taking the child who was sniffing with them. Not only them, but the children lining up in front of the tent and the children gathering around the table to eat also cast sidelong glances at Eunha. The emotions captured in the childrens gazes were envy, tears, and jealousy. Among them, there were children who looked down at their own condition and tried not to show their distorted faces by bowing their heads. There were also children who forced themselves to swallow their food, their cheeks bulging, repeatedly chewing down the emotions that were about to burst out. Eunha knew what those children were thinking. This way, I cant throw a tantrum because the seaweed soup is either good or bad. It wasnt that he pitied them. He didnt feel sorry for them. He, too, could have been in that line, getting his lunch. He was just lucky. Having lost his family before the regression, he was just lucky enough to be raised by his grandmother. Thats why Eunha couldnt sympathize with the Wonder Runners. He had no right to sympathize with the children who lived ruthlessly. The only people who had the right to sympathize with them were those who could compare and find contentment in their own happiness and share it with others. Why are you here? Here? Or here? On the streets, Binggu. Whatever. Whats the big deal. What? Do you think youre the only one here who cant talk about it? Look at her. Her family was eaten by a monster, and half the time she looks like. Kraken. A kraken killed my family. Its not a big deal. My friend, and my friends friend, also came out because of the Kraken. The Kraken. He muttered inwardly. He had grasped a future where he could save families from the Kraken. At the same time, compared to before regression, he produced results that significantly reduced the number of fatalities. But the results were just numbers. No matter what the numbers indicated, no matter how many people died, ultimately, they were people who died. Above all, by changing the future, people who should have died might have lived, and people who should have lived might have died. The passing conversation of the children was precisely the future he had changed. If he didnt feel guilt, it would be a lie. But thats it. He had no regrets. He would have made the same choice many times over. So he had no right to sympathize with those children. He had no intention of sharing his happiness with them. Just alone, selfishly. Pursuing his own happiness. Miss, weve run out of seaweed soup! But wheres the cup ramen? Im fine with cup ramen. I still want to eat warm rice. Hey, didnt I tell you not to say that? Do you want to get hit again? This time, the passing Wonder Runners were girls. They pretended not to see him and ran off, chatting among themselves. Did that child receive seaweed soup? He suddenly became contemplative. He lowered his head. It didnt suit him. It wasnt the right answer. He didnt need to know what happened to the child. For no reason, he got lost in deep thoughts and ended up sympathizing with others. He berated himself and moved his heavy feet. Huh? Captain, is it okay to go outside? You didnt sneak out, did you? He met his friends on the way back. They were staring at him curiously as he walked in from the back door. Hey, guys. Isnt it time to be at school? Captain, today is the schools anniversary. Thats nice. That doesnt seem like something you, whos hospitalized, should say. Minji retorted with a bewildered expression. He nodded calmly. What she said made sense too. Yeah? Why are you like that? Whats wrong? Why arent you retorting today? Minji smirked. She was surprised to see that he didnt respond as she expected. There was something like that. It was a day when he got sentimental for no reason. Without answering, he looked at the food the kids brought and chuckled. You dont have to bring it. Theres plenty in the fridge. Why are you like this? I brought this for myself. This hamburger is mine. I thought you might be bored. We came to eat together. Seona explained why she came to the hospital without resting even though it was the schools anniversary. The nonchalant Eunha scratched her cheek. Thats when it happened. Huh? Whats that? There are a lot of people gathered there. Is there something happening? Eunhyuk pointed to a white tent behind Eunha. Yeah? Only kids are there? Over there? Yeah. What are they doing? Minji and Hayang also showed interest. They could only see the children lined up in front of the tent, but they couldnt see the appearance of the children far away. Thats when the children who had eaten the free meals were coming down the stairs. Lets come early next week. I thought I was going to starve standing in line. Now that our stomachs are full, how about going to Cheongnyangni today? Cheongnyangni? Whats there? I heard there are a lot of odd jobs in the back alley there. Even though theyre older sisters, they say they make a lot of money. How much can you make? Lets go! Lets go and see. Their eyes met with the children coming down. The dirty-faced children flinched and lowered their heads as they passed by. The child who was running far ahead was rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. Captain? What is this? Eunhyuk had an expression that showed he didnt know what to say as he watched the children moving away. Those kids earlier. I-I was scared. Minji and Hayang quietly clung to Eunha. They were surprised by the behavior of the Wonder Runners. It was understandable. Parents who would inform their children about the existence of Wonder Runners were nowhere to be found. And Wonder Runners lived in the slums or on streets where peoples footsteps didnt reach. The children who only knew school and playgrounds had never come across Wonder Runners. So today is that day. On the other hand, Seona remained composed. Eunha seemed to know the reason why she wasnt scared. She was an Ain. She was abandoned by her parents as soon as she was born, but fortunately, she was able to grow up in a church. It wasnt strange for her, who had seen children in similar situations at the church, to know about Wonder Runners. You dont have to know. Not yet. Eunha turned his gaze to the flower garden. He didnt feel the need to add more words between the sentences. Someday, these children would also come to know the hidden side of the destroyed world. It was inevitable. Even if they wanted to avoid it, they couldnt, as the hidden side was melting right nearby. Seona. Yeah. Dont bring the kids on Wednesday. Yeah, got it. For now, they didnt need to know. About the cruel world that awaited them. Eunha decided to take the speechless children to have lunch. That days lunch also included seaweed soup. As expected, it didnt taste good. Chapter 87 Chapter 87[Crest] Summer vacation assignments. He spent his free time making up diary entries and copying reading passages. No wonder Lim Do-hoon, the third-grade teacher, scolded Eunha. Eventually, he had to clean the classroom for a month with the kids who hadnt done their homework. Ha, now I can breathe. Eunha flopped down on the grass as soon as he saw it. The bag on his shoulder had long since been thrown on a random pair. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He hadnt been to school for three months, and the tiredness of school was even worse. I was exhausted. The other students who started the new semester seemed to be in a similar state, but Eunha couldnt gather his thoughts in the reality that he had to go to school for another week. Fortunately, today was the day of the school festival. It was like a refreshing rain in a drought. He wanted to close his eyes and sleep on the grass field just like that. Of course, his friends wouldnt leave him alone. You came all the way here just to sleep? Come on, help us spread the mats. Captain, hold this for a moment! He opened his eyes at the sound of his friends calling him. Eunha reluctantly got up from his spot. He helped Eunhyuk spread the mat, making sure to put rocks on the corners so that it wouldnt fly away in the wind. We should draw or sleep soon. What should we draw? Whatever we see. Hayang asked with curious eyes. Eunha casually opened her sketchbook. She roughly sketched trees, fields, flowers, stone walls, and the fringe of a pavilion. It didnt take long to complete the sketch. If you show this, the teacher might scold you. Hayang, who had been silently observing him draw, cautiously spoke. In her mind, she was already envisioning the sight of the homeroom teacher scolding him, and her voice contained a worried and anxious emotion. He can scold all he wants. What does it matter? Eunha wasnt scared at all, whether the homeroom teacher scolded him or not. Drawing was just not his thing. Even if he had regressed, he had no talent for drawing or music. If he had any talent at all, he would have been severely reprimanded before his regression by Yoo jeong. That was when: Mistflower was created. (1) Mistflower. It was the name of the first party he created, and the one he remained a part of until his death. At the time of the partys founding, the members were meeting to decide on a crest for the Mistflower Party. Not caring what the partys crest would look like, he showed them a rough draft. Are you sure you want to go with this? Lee Yoo Jung was looking at him with a strange gaze. Whats the big deal. Eunha frowned. He didnt like intricate paintings, so he thought something as simple as the one he had drawn was appropriate. Still, this isnt it. Jin Farang looked at him with a strange gaze and click out his tongue. What. Eunha was getting annoyed as one by one, the members of the party had nothing but negative things to say about the painting. Hed thought that the partys crest, with its black background and white flowers, was enough. If anyone saw it, they might think its not Mistflower Party but a well-something party, dude. Its my fault for trusting you. Give it to me. Ill draw it. Farang giggled as he saw Eunha annoyed. Placing her hand on her forehead, Yoo jung sighed and said, If you think so. Then, she opened a new sketchbook and began drawing a picture of several white mistflowers clustered on a black background. Oh, youre good at drawing? How is it? Well lets go with that. Eunha had no choice but to approve of Yoo jungs drawing. He was inwardly surprised to learn that she had a knack for drawing in addition to the classics. He heard from her later, Come on. Im an educated woman, you know how competitive I am, you should be nice to me. Ha, thats why Im staying up all night for you. Go back to bed and get some sleep. You know what? What? I deployed the mana detection net earlier, and there are no monsters around here But? My tent, the one next to yours, is empty. Well, its good to have some extra space. Why did I have to remember that? Returning from his reminiscence, Eunha smiled bitterly. Eunha was trying to forget what had happened before his regression. What are you drawing anyway? Just you. Are you kidding me? Eunha turned to face her and glared at Minji, who was still drawing. Then she showed him what she was drawing. A face with squinty eyes, drawn in jagged lines. The eyes were set in pairs and ther nostrils were unusually large. Alright. Lets fight, then. A fire was ignited. Eunha, even if it meant seeking revenge, started drawing a new picture. What are you looking at to say that about me! I didnt look like this! Youre fine with just sleeping. Honestly, even just being a sleeping beauty is a waste of time. This is ridiculous! Im the one who feels more wasted! Who said I look chubby just by looking at me! Oh, I should also draw a Pok Ball. They were engaged in a heated argument at Gyeongbokgung Palace. I also need to draw quickly. Hayang had gotten used to their bickering by now. She turned her head to see what the other kids were drawing. Close by, Hyunyul was drawing a picture using Seona as a model. Hey, I need to start drawing too. Stay still. Stop flinching. Haah. Seona, who had been sitting on a wooden pillar since morning, sighed. She regretted meeting the alchemy duo from the other class. But if that hadnt happened, Hyunyul wouldnt have chased her, with his drowsy eyes suddenly sparkling, to draw her. Were almost done. Just hold on a little longer. Eunhyuk, why are you drawing me? Seona complained in a muffled voice, holding the sketchbook vertically. In response, Eunhyuk, who had his face close to the sketchbook while drawing, moved his head back and said, You really match well with the autumn leaves. Huh? He blurted out and buried his face back in the sketchbook. Seona opened her eyes wide and stared at him. Huh? What? I match well? Me? She couldnt figure out how to take in those words with her twitching ears and her tail wagging in the air. Me, matching well? Other kids would match better. Her face grew hot. It felt embarrassing for no reason. She wondered if she, as an Ain, deserved to hear such words. Stay still. Oh, sorry. If Hyunyul hadnt caught her attention, Seona would have been holding her head down in embarrassment the whole time. Regardless, Eunhyuk was completely absorbed in drawing her. You both draw well, huh? At that moment, the two who had been arguing approached. Wow, its pretty. Minjis eyes sparkled as she looked at the picture that Hyunyul was painting with watercolors. It felt like Seona was completely captured inside the sketchbook. Shed heard rumors that Hyunyul was good at drawing, but to see him in person was awe-inspiring. I see. Hes good. Eunha, on the other hand, wasnt looking at Seona, but at what she was wearing. Seona liked to wear plain clothes. Patternless clothes. Even the outfit she wore to the event was the same. But Hyunyul had added patterns to her clothes, adding a touch of color that matched the autumn leaves. You could become a Crestar, Eunha mentioned, catching Hyunyuls interest Eunha explained further. They are the ones who create mottos for clans and parties. But the role of a Crestar, known as a Monshangga, goes beyond just creating mottos. The Crestars mottos are the embodiment of a ritual for activating magic. Their true abilities are revealed when they carve the mottos onto the players device. Only first-rate Crestars were capable of carving complex rituals required for certain magic spells, minimizing the chances of impairing the functionality of the players device. However, being skilled at drawing alone doesnt guarantee one can become a Crestar. The process of transforming the unreal world of magic into a tangible ritual was challenging, and even the process of engraving mottos onto the players device was not without its difficulties. One small mistake could render the players device unable to function properly. So I didnt engrave any crests on my sword. Eunha watched as Hyunyuls drawing came to a close, and he was once again immersed in the past. Im sorry. I couldnt keep my promise. I couldnt find a skilled Crestar who could engrave a motto using my name. Dont worry about it. Now is not the time to be concerned about that. Did you take your medicine? I never take medicine when I work. Haa, just wait. Yoo jung will get you some. No, its fine. Instead, take a look at this. Waves of the Sea. The man who was only dubbed the after his death held out a pure white longsword composed of divine beings. No One Cry. What do you think, its a fitting name for you, isnt it? No One Cry was the sword that the No Eunha wielded until the moment of his death, and was known as the last work of the . Eunha never let go of that sword, even though he changed his secondary weapon from Mangoshu. Nor did he think to engrave it. Only the Crestar acknowledged by Waves of the Sea himself could engrave a motto onto his masterpiece. It was a matter of stubbornness. Eunha couldnt simply brush off the fact that he couldnt complete his final work before taking his last breath. Thats why, even when people started calling Waves of the Sea the and praised the value of his work, he didnt reveal that his final work was actually incomplete. When renowned Crestars begged to be allowed to engrave mottos onto Waves of the Seas masterpiece, he didnt accept. Why should I use your motto? he asked. Before Waves of the Sea departed from this world, he left a testament for Eunha, urging him to let any Crestar engrave a motto on his sword. However, Eunha had no intention of honoring his last will. Those who had shown no interest and turned their backs when Waves of the Sea was unknown, suddenly became interested and sought him out once he was called the Maestro of Misfortune Captain, what are you thinking about today? Just reminiscing. Reminiscing? About what? Just something from the past. Eunha finally snapped out of his recollection. It was then that he realized Hyunyul had been drawing him. Why are you drawing me? Just stay still. Earlier, your face It was very nice. After that, Hyunyul remained silent. Eunha had to assume the poses as instructed, meanwhile, Eunhyeok continued to paint using Seona as his model. Lift your legs a bit higher. What are you trying to draw? Just something. You drew a picture of me earlier. Because I thought you and the autumn leaves matched well. You also match well with the autumn leaves. Seona made a sound of amusement as she mumbled that she matched well with the autumn leaves. I dont fit in. Im not a good match. Thinking that she didnt fit in, Seona demanded a difficult pose from Eunhyuk, even if it was for venting her frustration. Why only me? Hyunyul say it too. Youre trembling in your legs. Just stay still. Were almost done. Cant we take a little break and then continue? No. We cant. Seona wagged her tail back and forth. Eunhyuk had to hold his ground, almost sulking. Meanwhile, Hayang, who was trying to decide what to draw, spotted a rabbit hopping in the grass. Hmm, I think Ill draw a rabbit, and it would be nice to have a watch with it. Hayang took out the pocket watch that Min Junshik had given her and placed it right next to the rabbit. She didnt even mind getting grass stains on her skirt. She sat on the grass and sketched the pocket watch and the rabbit. Im done. Where? Show me. Huh? Whats this? Suddenly, Hyunyul finished Eunhas drawing. Minji, who had been leisurely eating lunch after finishing her own drawing, rushed over. Both Eunha and Minji couldnt help but feel surprised. In Hyunyuls drawing, it depicted Eunha with a sorrowful expression on his face. And that face looked like a person in their 30s. Why did you draw me as an adult? Eunha was taken aback by the drawing. It resembled his appearance before the regression. Did this one also undergo regression? That thought crossed his mind for a moment. Yeah, it just seemed that way. Hyunyul showed no further interest in the drawing. He didnt have any more inspiration. He returned to his drowsy state and responded with annoyance. Whats up with him? Eunha gazed intently at Hyunyul, who was lying face down on the mat. He even checked his internal mana, but it was below average. Maybe he just has exceptional talent. There was a saying that a Crestar couldnt become first-rate just by relying on what they saw. The essence of being a Crestar was to depict the unseen phenomena with mottos. In that sense, Hyunyul might possess the qualities to become first-rate. How about you try becoming a Crestar? So Eunha proposed to Hyunyul, who closed his eyes, saying he would sleep. Hyunyul waved his hand dismissively in response. No, I dont want to. Its bothersome. Im sleepy. Im going to sleep. Apart from drawing, Hyunyul found everything else bothersome. The results of the art competition were as follows: Seonas drawing, which was created by Hyunyul, received the gold medal in the entire grade. In addition, Eunhyuks drawing won the gold medal within the grade, and Hayangs drawing received the silver medal. Seona received an encouragement award. And as for Eunha and Minji Why do I have to clean up with you! Thats what Im saying, lets just finish up and go home, okay? After submitting their distorted drawings, the two had to clean the classroom every day after school. Naturally, Eunha had to clean for another month. (1) Mistflower: In Korean, the term (Angaekkot) can be translated as both fog flower and mist flower. So both translations are accurate and can be used interchangeably to describe the flower. I prefer Mistflower so I will stick with it. Dont forget to subscribe to get your notifications of new chapters! :)) Chapter 88 Chapter 88[What to Believe] The sky was dark, and the sea was turbulent. There was no moment of calm in the water. The violent waves engulfed the blood, spitting it out anew. They did not anticipate the scent of blood. People continued to die incessantly. Their bodies, their blood, stained the sea with a somber hue. Nevertheless, people did not cease their journey toward the heart of the maelstrom. Even if a monster, fiercer than any other, awaited within. A creature covered in jet-black scales, capable of absorbing all light, a monster befitting the name The Demon of the Sea. The Leviathan, an overranked monster of the Second Hierarchy. Its resilient, truly. The battle had continued for days on end. The players still trembled at the sight of the Leviathan, unsure if it would ever fall. Despite the fear that gripped them, they could not escape. Everyone gathered here knew. The moment they revealed their backs, they would be the first to fall. Therefore, they had to fight. There was no way out. Even if it meant fighting for those who had already perished. No, it was to survive. They had no choice but to subdue the demon of the sea. Step aside. No one stepped forward. As the players hesitated, an elderly man walked toward the Leviathan, emerging from the depths of the sea. The man was of Asian descent, his snow-white hair neatly tied up. With a single swing, he struck the Leviathan with his spear. One strike. With that strike, the water parted. I will clear the path. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The old man spoke in Korean. However, no player failed to comprehend what the old man intended to do. Renewed vitality filled the players eyes as they gathered their mana, ready to give their all. The old man, too, gathered his mana. His muscles bulged beneath his seawater-soaked robes, and a fearsome mana surged from his back. The Leviathan focused its attention on the old man. The sea demon rushed forward, its hundreds, thousands of teeth bared wide. The crashing waves concealed the old mans sight. And then, a roar that swallowed all sound. Undeterred, the pitch-black darkness approached, almost within reach, but the old man remained unfazed. Ill give you one arm. Cold Plum Blossoms Extreme Will Hanmaeryu () the essence of extremity. The icy wind and snowstorm raged in the world. November. The second year of school was coming to an end. Meanwhile, the South European Union embarked on the subjugation of the Second Hierarchy Over Rank Leviathan. The result: successful defeat of the Leviathan. It was the first recorded incident in human history of a successful subjugation of a Second Hierarchy Over Rank monster. The world turned its attention to the players who participated in the Leviathans subjugation, including those from the South European Union, players from the United States, and lastly, the Korean player, Shin Chang, Nam Gung-seong. The exploits of Nam Gung-seong were beyond reproach. He played the most significant role in cutting off Leviathans lifeline, leaving no one to belittle his achievements. In South Korea, there was no shortage of excitement. People were singing the praises of Nam Gung-seong name at the top of their lungs. However, he lost his left arm during the fight against Leviathan. The media called him the first player in South Korea to defeat a second-tier overranked monster, but they didnt forget to mention that it was a national loss. It wasnt much different from the future that Eunha knew. Of course, the future where Shin Myeong-hwans mana circuitry failed and Bang Yeon-ji disappeared during the Leviathan slaughter was gone, but Nam Gung-seong ended up losing his left arm. If the future as he knows it plays out, Nam Gung-seong will probably step down from the Twelve within a few years. Euna, dont be so nervous. Okay? Dont get down on yourself if you make a mistake. Just enjoy it. You have to enjoy the test. Okay? Mom and Dad said what they had been saying since the car ride. Euna didnt think anything of it, but they were worried that she might be nervous. Mom, Dad. I can do it. Im not nervous at all. At first, Euna listened to her parents advice, but she got tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. His parents burst out laughing as they realized they had been saying the same thing. Eunha, you should say something to Euna. Dad said to me. On the way to the Player Academy, Eunha was replaying the news hed heard on the radio when he snapped out of it. Euna was waiting for him with a twinkle in her eye. I know. Eunha was lost in thought again. Today was the day Euna would take the entrance exam for the Secondary Academy. Since the entrance exam fell on a holiday, her family had been driving since dawn to cheer her on at Player Secondary Academy in Jongno-gu. Well, Im sure shell do well. Tsk, what is that? Euna pouted her lips. But Eunha was serious. There was no way Euna would fail the Secondary Academy exam. Even he had gotten into the High Academy, so the entrance exam for the Secondary Academy wouldnt be as difficult as the High Academy. What more could the Secondary Academy expect from a kid who could barely handle mana? The students entering the Secondary Academy were nothing more than powerless children with the goal of becoming players. With competitors like that, there was no way the sky was going to fall on Euna, who had learned to manipulate mana from a young age. The world had already ended once. Moreover, she was being trained under the tutelage of Shin Seoyoung of Divine Wind There was no way she was going to fall short of becoming The Seed. Still, if she wanted advice. Dont trust anyone. No one? Eunha nodded. Having never taken the Secondary Academy entrance exam, he had no idea what to expect. So he thought hed better tell her what she needed to hear most. Ive told you before, if youre a player, you cant trust anyone. No one. Even trusted colleagues among the top players had to be given room for the possibility of betrayal. In this world, the only thing one could trust was oneself. Yeah, I got it. Ill remember. Euna had heard similar words from Seo-young as well. She brushed off her thoughts and headed towards the lecture hall where the entrance exam would take place, stretching her body lightly. Sister, fighting! Eunae, who had been playing in the grass, shouted towards Euna as she moved away. Euna turned around and waved her hand before entering the lecture hall. Well then, should we go to a cafe and have some coffee while we wait for Euna to finish the exam? Sounds good. The exam seems like it will take a long time. Theres a cafe nearby hmm, it should be on the first floor of that building over there. Eunha pointed to a building with a circular dome. His parents stared at him in disbelief. Finally, they realized. Your older brother told us that the cafe is in that building. I see. I wondered how you knew. His father accepted his excuse as a given. Eunha inwardly sighed. He had been behaving and speaking as if he were back at the academy, forgetting that he was living his second life. That aside, Im starting to recognize quite a few faces. Even though it was a holiday, there were many academy students practicing since the morning, as well as several children who had come to take the exam like Euna. As Eunha wandered around the academy, he saw familiar faces. The faces he recognized were all people he used to know by name before the regression. Well, they didnt call them the Golden Generation for nothing. It was a time when Eunha saw a qualitative rise in the quality of players graduating from the Player Academy. When Eunha graduated from the Player Academy, it was a time when the level of players was qualitatively improving. People gathered together to call this generation the Golden Generation, and among them, those who produced the most Named were called the Golden Class. Euna was a player belonging to the Golden Class. Of course, he belonged to the Golden Class in terms of skill, but he had no background, and his personality was considered insane, so most clans didnt want to take him on. He didnt like to be tied down, so he was either a solo player or bouncing from one party to the next. He was tired of that, so he founded the Mistflower Party, where he could play freely and without judgment. Its interesting. To see them all as children. Eunha sat by the window and watched the faces of the children as they went to take their exams. It was a strange feeling to see people he knew as children. As his family drank coffee, he sipped coffee milk from his bag and looked out the window. Some of the people visiting the academy covered their faces with shawls or sunglasses. They were scouts from their respective clans. Perhaps they were trying to covertly reach out to candidates with promising qualities. They work hard in the morning, too. Even though the scouts were acting like normal people, the aura of a player could not be completely erased. Whats more, knowing their true colors, Eunha didnt miss the way they casually looked around to judge the candidates. Big brother. Play with me. Im bored. Is that so? I was bored too. Shall we go outside and play? Yes! Mom, Dad. Ill go play outside with Eunae. Eunae was bored of sitting still in the cafe. After finishing his coffee milk, Eunha decided to take her for a walk around the academy. The academy didnt look much different than when he went there. Eunha took her to the place where he had spent time alone at the Academy before his regression. Eunae liked the off-the-beaten-path forest. As they sat under a tree, Eunha watched her run and play with delight. It must be getting late. He didnt have a watch, but he could guess from the sun and shadows that it was lunchtime. Eunha walked back to the cafe with Eunae. It was slightly past the usual lunch hour. They went to the Secondary Academy lecture hall once again to pick up Euna, who had finished her exam. Where else would such an exam exist? I didnt use much mana, so it should be fine, right? I hope she passes. Coincidentally, children who had finished the exam were coming out of the lecture hall, some walking around excitedly, informing their parents of what happened during the test, while others ignored the noisy crowd and walked back alone. Eunha spotted Lee Kang-hyuk walking out with his shoulders slumped. Whats up, did you come to take the test too? Huh? Eunha. Kang-hyuks eyes widened. He had been looking at the floor, and he didnt expect Eunha to be here. How did you do on your exams? Eunha wanted to ask Kang-hyuk how the entrance exam for the secondary academy went. He didnt care if he had passed or not, because Lee Kang-hyuk was transferring to the third grade of the Higher Academy after bouncing around the back streets of Seongbuk-gu. Ugh! As he had expected, he had failed. Eunha was certain when he saw Kang-hyuks tearful face. Now, lets see how the exam was Just you wait! Ill take the exam again next year and pass! Without revealing the content of the exam, Kang-hyuk shouted loudly and ran away. Left behind, Eunha and his family could only watch the sight of the large-bodied child running with tears streaming down his face in a daze. What was that about? I wonder. His parents exchanged puzzled glances. But he wont be able to take the entrance exam next year. The time for admission was only for the secondary academy and the high-level academy, and the time for transferring was only for the third year of the high-level academy. There was no other opportunity to apply to the academy. Unless Kang-hyuk didnt attend middle school, but usually, one had to take the high-level academy entrance exam or transfer to the third year of the high-level academy. Of course, he would surely fail the high-level academy entrance exam as well. Eunha, who knew the future, wanted to tell Kang-hyuk to give up early. Well, what do I know? By the way, isnt Euna out yet? Eunha looked up at the lecture hall where Euna hadnt come out yet. According to the people leaving the lecture hall, the exam had been extended due to the large number of test takers. Nevertheless, Euna was late in coming out. My sister, you didnt get lost in the academy, did you? She must have passed the exam. Eunha waited for her to come out, preparing his congratulatory words. Notes! Hi there, still looking for something fun to read? then dont forget to try this one!!: /2023/06/18/master-i-am-truly-your-future-husband-chapter-1-opening-mission-becoming-a-disciple-of-my-previous-lifes-wife/ A captivating webnovel blending cultivation, romance, and mystery. Follow Wang Xuan as he battles adversaries, unravels ancient techniques, and discovers the true power of love and sacrifice. Can he change the course of fate and achieve his hearts desire? Will he overcome the trials and fulfill his missions, or will darkness consume him and the world once more? Go and find out! (Also done by an awesome person btw) Chapter 89 Chapter 89[What to Believe (2)] The first training center of the Seoul Secondary Academy. The training center, which is usually used by secondary academy students to train, was occupied by children who were about to graduate from elementary school. Wow, is this all a line? Euna couldnt believe her eyes when she saw the line of kids lined up around the inner wall of the training center. The entrance exam for the Secondary Academy was divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Each class was divided into groups A, B, and C, and the exams alternated. Nevertheless, there were a lot of people in the training center waiting to take the test. I heard the teacher say earlier that there are more applicants this year than ever before. No kidding. Wont it all be over before the afternoon exam starts? Euna listened to the kids in line in front of her. She, too, was thinking that the test might not end on time. But she was wrong. As soon as the test began, the line quickly began to thicken. Luckily, itll be over on time. Its only a mana test. Huh? Oh, I see. Euna nodded at the girls words, which she had heard from the proctor earlier. Hi. Im Heeji Choi. Nice to meet you. Im No Euna. The girl who introduced herself as Heeji had been sharing information about herself with the other kids in line since the beginning. In this way, she was building friendships with them. Euna, on the other hand, was just waiting for the line to move out of the way so she could talk to them. Normally, she would have talked to them, but she realized that they were nervous and didnt want to approach them. Heeji, on the other hand, spoke to her first, which was a nice change of pace. Euna, which elementary school are you from? Im from Doan Elementary School. What about you, Hee-ji? Im from Jonggak Elementary School. Its the closest elementary school to Cocoon, which is located in Jongmyo Shrine. Huh? ah, I see. Euna brushed off Heejis proud description of her elementary school, as there were children among her friends who also took pride in attending Doan Elementary School. Theyre quite confident. Euna observed Heejis approachable nature towards the children, her pride in her elementary school, and her claims of being the best at handling mana at school. Based on these observations, Euna realized that Heeji exuded confidence, which made her somewhat uncomfortable. Even now, it remained the same. As Heeji continued to talk about herself or the things she knew, Euna found herself in the position of merely nodding along. Euna, do you know how this examination is conducted? Heeji asked when the conversation didnt flow. Heeji frowned for a moment as she saw Eunas monotonous responses. She silently lowered her assessment of Euna by one level and introduced a new topic. Yeah, its about testing the mana within your body, right? I heard its as simple as touching the crystal ball, just like we did in elementary school. My sister attends the junior academy. According to her, the results of the mana examination are also considered in the admission evaluation. Really? Isnt it just a regular examination? The other children who had been silently listening to the conversation chimed in. Heeji enthusiastically nodded her head and explained the mana examination process. Of course, Euna was already familiar with the content from the beginning. Shin Seoyoung had informed her in advance that those applying to the Player Academy were obliged to undergo a mandatory mana examination. Furthermore, the measured values from the examination were relatively reflected in the admission evaluation. The proctor did mention that there would be no deductions for those with low internal mana, but they didnt mention any disadvantages. The players world was talent-driven. While the Player Academy outwardly stated that there were no requirements to become a player, they were secretly hoping to attract players with a significant amount of mana. It was an unavoidable reality. Outwardly saying they werent penalizing people, while secretly penalizing them, was rampant in society. It was better to have an open secret than no secret at all. Therefore, there were quite a few people among the test takers who knew the secret. So, Heeji, you learned how to manipulate mana from your sister? Of course. Meanwhile, the children surrounded Heeji and chatted about the mentioned exams and the fact that her older sister was currently attending the Player Academy. Then Heeji turned to Euna, who was waiting for the line to clear. Euna, what about you? Huh? Euna, who taught you mana control, or did you learn it in elementary school like everyone else? Um. Should I say it? Euna pondered as she looked at Heeji, who sent her a prompting gaze. If she said she learned it from her younger brother, no one would believe her. On the other hand, if she said she learned it from the renowned Shin Seoyoung, it seemed she wouldnt be able to handle the consequences. I learned everything in elementary school classes. So, she went along with the atmosphere where everyone claimed they had only learned everything in elementary school. Heeji replied, I see, and turned to talk to another child. After that, Heeji never approached Euna again. Euna also refrained from joining the childrens conversation and simply waited for her turn. Now its my turn. Finally, it was Heejis turn. She walked confidently over and placed her hand on the crystal ball in the center of the training grounds. The crystal ball used in the secondary academy was much larger than the one used in the elementary school. This meant that it could measure the mana in her body more precisely. As Heeji touched the mana crystal, half of it emitted a faint light, and a satisfied expression appeared on her face. The proctor confirmed her internal mana and gave a few compliments. Her smile grew even brighter. Hey, see you in the next test, everyone. Heeji waved to the children shed been chatting with earlier and left the training center. Behind her, the children placed their hands on the crystal ball, but most of them had average mana. Now it was Eunas turn. No Euna. Yes. After her name was called, Euna stood in front of the giant crystal ball. Huuu She took a deep breath. When she was a first grader, the crystal ball had broken when it failed to measure her bodys mana. So she had used up quite a bit of her mana before entering the training center. Eunha and Seo-young had also been warned her not to draw attention to herself with her mana since she hasnt even entered school. She was worried that the same thing would happen to her. So please. You have more than the average, thats fine. Move on to the second training ground. The crystal ball was a little more than half full. With a sigh of relief, Euna bowed to the proctor and descended to the second training center. The second training area was an oval-shaped track with obstacles. Besides the visible obstacles, Euna could also sense magic deployed on the track. Euna, over here. She had been reading the formula hidden beneath the track and turned at the sound of the children calling out to her. A group of children who had finished the mana test had gathered in a corner. sea??h th ovelFire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Heeji was also among them, engaging in a conversation about the internal mana examination. Just then, the proctor explained about the test in the second training center. The second test was a stamina test. Every 10 minutes, 10 students with corresponding numbers on their backs would start and run a lap around the track. They were told that their grades would be based on the time they took to complete the lap, with points distributed on a relative basis as opposed to an absolute basis. Students could use mana during the test, not use mana, or complete the lap in any way they chose. Im not a good runner. Ill have to pace myself to save mana. Heeji, what are you going to do? The children asked Heeji, who seemed knowledgeable about the test. Heeji, with a triumphant expression, looked around the track and opened her mouth, making her voice only audible to the nearby children. I actually used to compete in track and field in elementary school. Then its nothing for you, Heeji? Still, I cant let my guard down. Well, my sister taught me how to speed up with mana. Can you teach me too? Heeji enjoyed the envious looks from the children. She had competed in track and field competitions before, and she was confident that she would finish the Second Training Grounds exams with flying colors. I dont have to use any mana. Meanwhile, Euna examined the enchantment deployed on the track. While doing so, she spotted a girl who was meticulously observing the training ground, much like herself. Wow, shes pretty! She was tall and thin-waisted. Her skin was flawlessly white, her eyes were as calm as sleep, and her light pink lips gave her an air of maturity that belied her age. Most importantly, her hair was light sky blue. It was a color that matched the mood, like a single green flower. After untying her hair and tying it back again, she suddenly felt someones gaze and swiftly turned her head. Their eyes met. Euna waved her hand discreetly, hoping not to attract the attention of others. The girl looked around, as if checking if Eunas greeting was directed at someone else, but soon realized that there was no one around. With a slight nod of her head, the girl returned to her original position. Unlike the other children, she didnt engage in conversation but started stretching, perhaps to warm up her body. Euna also moved her body lightly. Choi Heeji, number 38. No Euna, number 39. Ryu Yeonhwa, number 40. The proctor called out the numbers, and Euna, feeling relaxed, moved to the designated track. It was a pleasant coincidence. Right next to her was the girl she thought was beautiful, looking at the track. Their eyes met once again. Your name is Yeonhwa? Im No Euna, Euna said, extending her hand with a welcoming smile. The child called Yeonhwa looked at her hand with a calm gaze, nodded once, and tilted her head. I want to become friends. Whenever Euna saw a pretty or cute child, she couldnt help but want to strike up a conversation. Yeonhwas somewhat cold attitude secretly disappointed her. But there was nothing she could do. This is a test where some people fail and some people pass. The candidates gathered in the training center were friendly with each other, but maintained a reasonable distance. Yeah, we can become friends after entering the academy! Infinite positivity. Euna made a silent vow to become friends with Yeonhwa, with her doll-like fair skin and long eyelashes. Meanwhile, Heeji, who was in a crowding spurt position, was snorting inwardly. Even in my school, there was no one who could keep up with me. Im sorry, but I have to show off a little in front of you. The second test was also based on relative evaluation. She had a plan to outperform the children in her line with an overwhelming difference and achieve the highest score. This year, there are many talented kids. The general supervisor monitored the children while drinking coffee from a mug. Other supervisors, who were also teachers at the Secondary Academy and were taking a break, were also watching the video of the training center. This years harvest is really impressive. Teaching these kids next year will be rewarding. The childrens internal mana levels are even better than last years test. Each of the supervisors shared stories about the students who applied to the Secondary Academy this year. They also mentioned candidates they are keeping an eye on. The most mentioned examinee was a girl with light blue hair reminiscent of a pale blue hydrangea. Is she Ryu Yeonhwa? Yes, her internal mana levels were outstanding among the applicants. There shouldnt be any doubt about her ability, either. No matter what anyone says, she was recognized as even before she entered the Secondary Academy. The supervisors nodded in agreement. No one expected Ryu Yeonhwa to fail the entrance exam. Thats why the supervisors felt sorry for the children who had to run alongside her. The entrance exam for the academy was based on relative evaluation using absolute scores. So even if Ryu Yeonhwa finished the second exam with the best performance, they could still get the same score as her if their record was similar to hers. Not likely. The proctors had no doubt that Ryu Yeonhwa would outscore the other children by an overwhelming margin and earn the highest score by herself. The kids behind her would be scored a few notches lower on the absolute scale, and test takers with similar records would be scored differently on the relative scale. That was the general expectation. What am I seeing right now? The proctors were astonished to see what was happening beyond the monitor. As soon as the test began, Ryu Yeonhwa sprinted around the track, leaving the children behind. She leapt over obstacles with feather-light movements and dodged the traps that had been set for her, as if she had predicted them. So far, so good. All cameras in the second training center. Return them to Ryu Yeonhwa, number 40, and 39. The general supervisor gave the order. Soon, all the monitors showed the faces of Ryu Yeonhwa, who was in the lead, and the girl number 39, who was following her very closely. Whats the name of number 39? Shes No Euna. Really? Any peculiarities? Is she also from ? No, I dont think so. But still, shes performing like that? The chief supervisor couldnt believe the skill of No Euna, who was chasing after Ryu Yeonhwa. Like Ryu Yeonhwa, she showcased aerial acrobatics, effortlessly evading obstacles and smoothly nullifying the time-delayed magic traps. The second test held at the training ground aimed to assess examinees physical abilities, reflexes, instant judgment, and mana utilization skills. Therefore, the magic installed in the training ground didnt activate in a predetermined order but rather had time delays or triggered based on specific conditions. Nevertheless, No. 39 was chasing after Ryu Yeonhwa in a way that was hardly characteristic of an elementary school student. Of course, Ryu Yeon-hwas moves were also hard to recognize as elementary school students. Still, isnt there a difference between elementary school students who are recognized as and ordinary elementary school students? Theres another rookie. Now, both of them were even avoiding advanced magical techniques effortlessly. What was even more astonishing was that instead of hesitating momentarily to evade the magic, they continued moving forward even when the magic was triggered. It was an acrobatic feat that even regular players found challenging. Their aptitude as players was outstanding. The supervisors leaned forward, pressing their bodies against the monitors to closely observe the test of the two individuals. Well, teaching them next year will be extremely rewarding, wont it? To have members, promising talents, and even rookies. Maybe the next Twelve will be born from next years jockeys. It could be. The supervisors wore satisfied smiles as they watched the two individuals running at an almost equal speed. Their faces soon hardened, however, when they heard the voice of the assistant overseer operating the monitor. By the way, neither of them seem to be using any mana at all? It looks like theyre taking the test on pure physical ability alone. How could that be? The examiners looked at each other, wide-eyed. No one answered their questions. [Second Training Ground Morning Session A-4 Test Results] 1st Place 06:36, Number 40 Ryu Yeonhwa, A+ 2nd Place 06:39, Number 39 No Euna, A+ 3rd Place 08:42, Number 38 Choi Heeji, D+ 4th Place 08:44, Number 32 Kim Miyeon, D0 5th Place 08:45, Number 34 Geum Suni, D0 6th Place 09:50, Number 31 Yeom Minjeong, E+ 7th Place 09:55, Number 36 Kim Misook, E0 8th Place 09:58, Number 33 Jo Yeona, E- 9th Place 10:02, Number 35 Jang Bo LEE F0 10th 10:11, Number 37 Kim, Malja F0 Chapter 90 Chapter 90[What to Believe (3)] To a large extent, the Secondary Academy was an institution that did not produce players, but rather players who were trained to be players. The entrance exam for the Secondary Academy was not centered on identifying the qualities of the candidate, but on whether the candidate had the ability to be a player. It didnt make sense to give a test to children who didnt know what their qualities were, and to ask them to demonstrate the qualities of a player. Its not uncommon for students to enter the Secondary Academy with a good handle on mana, and its not uncommon for students to transfer to a regular middle school while still in the Secondary Academy. Therefore, the chances of a candidate failing the Secondary Academy entrance exam were not very high. As Eunha mentioned, it wasnt as difficult as she had thought. For some reason, Euna didnt think the entrance exam for the Secondary Academy was difficult. In fact, it was too easy. Shed been learning the mana language since she was a child, and now that she was being tutored by Seoyoung, she didnt find the test difficult. Shin Seoyoung must have been expecting her to feel that way. Euna remembered a task that Seo-young had given her the day before. Dont use mana during the test. If you really need it, thats fine, but I dont want you to use it. Why? Dont you have to be good with mana to be a player? Youre right, Euna, a player should be able to handle mana properly, because the difference between a player and a normal person is how they handle mana. Then why cant I use mana. But Euna, you rely too much on mana. Until she heard those words from Seoyoung, Euna hadnt realized that she was dependent on mana control. But Seoyoung was right. Looking back, she had been using mana whenever she could. In particular, she tended to rely on it when she was in a critical situation. There were more than a few times when she just threw mana around. It was unavoidable. From a young age, Euna was told that she had more mana in her body than other children of her age. She subconsciously trusted her bodys mana because she didnt feel tired whenever she used magic. A player who knows the limits of their mana wont consume it recklessly. But you and I have abnormally different levels of mana than others, dont we? As a player, you should be able to anticipate when youre at a disadvantage and deal with it in advance. Thats why Eunha approached the test without using mana. Even without using mana, it wasnt difficult for her to take the lead with her well-trained physical stamina since she was young. However, she didnt expect someone else to run without using mana like her. Shes really fast! Even faster than me. Euna couldnt help but be amazed. In the end, she had to finish the track without surpassing Ryu Yeonhwa. Youre really fast! I didnt know someone could run without using mana like me! Euna felt a sense of friendliness towards Yeonhwa. She approached Yeonhwa, who was drinking water from the water dispenser, and started a conversation. Yeonhwa glanced briefly and then averted her gaze. Silently nodding her head, she passed by Euna without saying a word. She seems distant. Euna turned to look at her passing by and simply shrugged her shoulders. Strangely, she didnt feel any discomfort from being ignored. Instead, she felt an urge to strike up a conversation for no particular reason. After the examination in the second training center, the students ate snacks provided by the secondary academy to satisfy their hunger. The children who had been running early in the morning couldnt even properly eat their snacks. Perhaps because they were not accustomed to using mana, their stomachs werent feeling well. Some sat on the ground, passing the time, while others lay down and took short naps. Well, this isnt a big deal. Heeji wasnt feeling well either. Due to mismanaging her pace while depleting mana, she had used up a considerable amount. The more she struggled, watching Yeonhwa and Euna taking the lead, the more anxious she became, resulting in several mistakes. Mmm, it tastes good! On the contrary, Euna received another snack. The bread, coated with sugar, quickly disappeared into her mouth. After finishing their snacks, the children moved to a less crowded area. Although snippets of conversations between the children and Heeji could be heard, she didnt show interest and focused on meditating to refine her mana. While Euna occasionally stored mana during her free time, she found that refining her mana was sufficient. Glancing around the training ground, Euna noticed that Yeonhwa also had her eyes closed, meditating. Morning class A examinees, please wait in the third training hall! The break was over. The examinees rose from their seats and followed the proctor to the third training room. At the door to the third training room, the proctor explained the final test. The candidates will have to escape from the maze set up in the third training room. The structure of the maze changes every hour, and the candidates are randomly assigned a starting point from the entrance. At certain points in the maze, the assistant supervisors will provide drinks and refreshments, so you can take breaks as you see fit. If something doesnt feel right, please tell the assistant proctors. You may or may not cooperate with each other. Feel free to use weapons or mana as needed. Anything that amounts to killing is prohibited, and if this happens, we will fail you for any reason, and we will deal out severe punishment in the name of the Korean Mana Management Organization. The maze changes every few hours. And you have to find the exit from a randomized location. The candidates were understandably nervous. They glanced at each other. Some of them had gotten to know each other at the test center, some of them had gone to the same elementary school, and some of them were whispering about cooperating with each other. I knew it. Heeji smiled inwardly. The test at the second training center had gone against her expectations, but the test at the third training center would not. Beforehand, she had heard from her sister, who was enrolled in the Secondary Academy, that the test in the Third Training Ground would be the most difficult. She was also advised that she would need to be able to read the flow of mana to pass the test, and that she would need to be on the same side as other students who had a good sense of mana. Im glad Ive gotten along with the kids. This was the reason why Heeji approached them and talked to them a little bit. She was looking for kids who could help her pass this test. S~ea??h the novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This allowed her to offer her cooperation to the children she had been eyeing since before she entered the Third Training Ground. Euna should be recruited. I may not like her, but shes capable, and shell be easier to deal with. Euna, what are you going to do? Do you want to cooperate with us? Heeji had been eyeing Euna since she first saw her. No one in her elementary school was as pretty as her. She also had a charming smile. She was absolutely mesmerizing. She naturally caught peoples attention. She wasnt the only one, but all the candidates would steal glances at her. Moreover, she was not only beautiful, but also quite capable. Her results in the second training center were undeniable. It was fortunate that she had made friends with her early on. Heeji chuckled inwardly at the envy of those who missed the opportunity to approach her. Well sure! But wont we all scatter once we enter the test area? Well cooperate if we meet in the maze. After entering the test area, everyone will try their best to achieve good scores, so lets promise to have friendly competition among ourselves. Right, guys? Yes, thats right. Lets meet in the test area. Lets do our best. The children who promised cooperation along with Heeji raised their voices. Sure, lets do that. Lets meet in the test area. Euna nodded without much hesitation. Should I ask Yeonhwa as well? Euna became interested in Yeonhwa, who had remained silent throughout the test. So she was worried about Yeonhwa, who didnt seem eager to socialize with the other children. Euna was drawn to Yeonhwas captivating beauty and the skills she demonstrated at the Second Training Ground, and she wanted to enter the Secondary Academy together with her. Yeonhwa, want to join us? Thus, she approached Yeonhwa, who was leaning against the wall, observing the entrance to the test area. It was natural that the attention of the other candidates focused on the two of them. Everyone was paying attention to the two who had shown astonishing skills at the Second Training Ground. Im fine. Yeonhwa turned away from Eunas extended hand. Really? Can you do it alone? I can do it alone. Euna wasnt discouraged or hurt by Yeonhwas refusal. She was genuinely concerned about Yeonhwas decision to take the test alone. Oh my, what should we do about her? Shell feel left out. Meanwhile, the candidates who had been observing the two secretly sneered. None of them wished to see the two holding hands. Deep down, some of them were even envious of the two. Of course, there were also negative glances directed at Yeonhwa. Acting all high and mighty alone. Why is she so arrogant? Who does she think she is? Especially the children who had promised cooperation with Euna exchanged words while eyeing Yeonhwa at the end of the corridor. It was a whisper that could be heard all the way to the corridors end. Although Yeonhwa must have heard the sound, she showed no reaction. She simply closed her eyes and waited for the test to begin. Euna, are you okay? Shes really mean. She probably doesnt have any friends at school. Heeji and the other children comforted Euna. But Euna didnt pay attention to their words of comfort. Unlike in the past, she knew that the test-takers were watching and restraining each other. She also knew that their words of comfort held no sincerity. Thats why she became even more interested in Yeonhwa. Yeonhwa, who showed her genuine self without any pretense. It was like looking at a clear and pure crystal. She was strangely drawn to her. And she knew exactly what that attraction was. She felt like she could become close friends with Yeonhwa. It was a familiar allure that seeped in whenever she made close friends. And a moment later, the final test began. We will now enter the Third Training Ground! Euna stepped into the dark space. There are so many candidates this year. Theres no problem with that. Next year, well have to hire more proctors and secure more examination centers. The chief supervisor sighed. The competition for admission to the secondary academy averaged is 3:1, and the entrance exam was 1.5:1, excluding candidates with poor life evaluations at the paperwork stage. This year, however, the number of applicants alone was 10:1, and the competition rate for the entrance examination was reduced to 3:1. The cohort entering next year consists of 300 students, but there are over 900 test-takers taking the entrance exam. To make sure the test runs smoothly, they split the candidates into morning and afternoon classes, and divided each class into A, B, and C groups. Its still a morning exam. The supervisors were tired from observing the test-takers since early morning. Their skills are commendable, but this is still too much. Exactly. Does anyone get out of here for even half an afternoon? The chief supervisor asked the proctors who were resting in the monitor room. Those who raised their hands were already exhausted. Several were rubbing the corners of their eyes to relieve the fatigue. Maybe we should ask for a bonus. The chief supervisor understood their frustration; he, too, had an afternoon of proctoring ahead of him and was sighing. As soon as the exams were over, he was going to propose an additional allowance to the Secondary Academy. The Player Academy was a free institution, but it wasnt like they didnt charge a fee. There were a lot of candidates this year, so they must have filled their coffers. Morning session. Bring in the outstanding ones so far. In group C of the morning session, student number 25, Mo Minseok, student number 63, Choi Hyunjeong, student number 89, Park Hyoseok, and student number 103, Han Jaehui, have shown excellent performance. In group B of the morning session, student number 8, Kang Jinmin, student number 26, Han Jinhyeok, student number 67, Jung Yeonim, student number 100, Han Changjin, and student number 115, Lee Daseon, possess notable qualities as players. In group A of the morning session, student number 39, No Euna, and student number 40, Ryu Yeonhwa, stand out among the test-takers. Group A? The chief supervisor, leaning back in his leather chair as if sinking into it, stroked his chin. He also remembered the remarkable performance of the two individuals from group A in the morning session. Group A of the morning session. What are they doing now? They are currently taking the test in the third training facility. Ah, that test. The chief supervisor recalled the content of the test conducted in the third training facility and couldnt hide his interest. The test conducted in the third training facility was the Mana Detection Test, which was considered the most important among this years entrance exams. Assign all the available monitors to group A of the morning session. The Mana Detection Test required test-takers to demonstrate their talent for mana detection and how they dealt with the changing maze at regular intervals. The maze, whose structure changed periodically, could not be escaped without using mana detection. They should not be fixated on what they see. As players, they had to be able to perceive things that were not visible. Of course, the entrance exam did not expect test-takers to have the ability to read the flow of mana in great detail. Therefore, the maze was designed in a way that could be easily escaped as long as they could detect mana. It sounds easy in words. But can the children who have lived as if the unseen is natural really focus only on the unseen? To read the flow of mana, they had to detect mana throughout the test. The maze changed its structure at regular intervals, and there were countless intersections. And there was another factor that caused confusion among the candidates You shouldnt trust anyone. The assistant supervisors stationed at specific points would subtly guide the candidates down the wrong path, relieving the candidates vigilance from mana detection. Can the candidates truly doubt whether the paths shown by the assistant supervisors are incorrect? If they know how to see mana, then the answer would be clear. However, they were not players but rather test-takers striving to become players. Again, can those who have lived thinking the unseen is natural truly believe in what they couldnt see? In the end, there were two things necessary to pass this test. One is to perceive mana that is not visible. The other is to clearly determine what to believe in. If one truly wants to become a player, they must know how to clearly determine what to believe in. If what should be believed is not clear, then no one should be trusted. In any situation, there was only one thing that could be trusted, and that was oneself. In the world of players, life and death were always close at hand. The only one who could take responsibility for it was oneself. What about those kids? The chief supervisor was curious about the movements of the two individuals who showed outstanding skills among the candidates for next years admission. Student number 40, Ryu Yeonhwa, is progressing confidently. And student number 39, No Euna um The supervisors all had a stern expression. Some supervisors expressed their disappointment. Its regrettable. The chief supervisor couldnt hide his disappointment either. The admission of student number 39, No Euna, and student number 40, Ryu Yeonhwa, was already a predetermined fact. However, student number 39, No Euna, would not be admitted with excellent grades. It seems she wont be able to enter on time like that. No Euna, student number 39. She was listening to the instructions of the assistant supervisor. Chapter 91 Chapter 91[What to Believe (4)] Euna looked around. On her left and right, she was surrounded by walls. The walls rose from the floor like a tree, wrinkled like wood, and stretched to the ceiling. It seemed impossible to climb over them. Unconditionally. You must be able to read the flow of mana anytime, anywhere, even when youre in an unknown situation. The first thing you need to do is analyze the flow of mana and analyze the situation youre in. Euna remembered Seo-youngs words and felt the flow of mana. She didnt even need to deploy her senses. Just by looking at the invisible mana with her eyes, she could roughly understand the structure of the maze. Euna looked back, remembering the layout of the Third Training Ground. Even if the placement was random, the entrance would be in the direction of her back. And the exit would be on the other side of the entrance. Mana would also flow in the direction of the exit. Euna walked in the direction of the mana flow. Even if there were intersections along the way, she did not hesitate. Her mana was flowing in the same direction toward the exit. The same was true when the maze transformed. Even when the high walls of earth crumbled and new walls rose to make way, the flow of mana didnt change. Welcome. Youre the first one to reach this point. As Euna walked along the path, she met an assistant supervisor who was preparing refreshments. Apparently, the section with the assistant supervisor was unaffected by the changing maze. Only the soil and walls around him were red. You must be tired, right? Would you like some water? Wow, thanks! Even if he didnt, she was thirsty. Euna quenched her thirst with the water the assistant supervisor handed her with a wistful expression. Should I give you a hint? Even though its an exam? Of course. The third test is quite difficult, so we allow some hints. We just want to observe how the candidates navigate through the maze. The assistant proctor made it sound like it was nothing. Euna nodded absentmindedly as she munched on a sweet. The entrance and exit are on the same line, so even if you get lost, as long as you walk in the direction you came from, youll end up near the exit. Okay, thank you! Oh, Euna. What? Dont tell anyone else, will you? The shortcut is that way. By now, Euna was comfortable enough with the supervisor to call her by name. She was so comfortable with strangers that she could call them by name. That meant she had a low level of wariness of others. It also meant that she was not suspicious of others. Euna followed the direction pointed out by the supervisor. What? Theres no mana flow here? She scratched her head, realizing that the flow she was reading was going in a different direction. The assistant supervisor wouldnt have lied. Perhaps the shortcut he mentioned deviated from the flow. Coincidentally, she discovered a path where the flow of mana continued at a junction, and she smiled contentedly. She thought that the shortcut the assistant supervisor told her about was probably correct. After that, Euna listened attentively to the advice of the assistant supervisors they met at the resting points. They were all telling her the right way. So she never doubted them. She didnt realize that in order to tell a lie, you have to plant the truth in between. She was halfway through the maze. Huh? No Euna! Huh? Choi Heeji? Euna ran into Heeji and the kids shed planned to work with. Heeji and the others were happy to see her. Euna was also happy to see them as she was moving through the maze alone. Thats great. We were taking turns watching the flow of mana. Taking turns? Yeah. Even for me, with a lot of mana in my body, it was difficult to keep reading the flow of mana. But Euna, didnt you have any trouble with that? Heeji asked with a puzzled look. She was actually proud of the fact that she was learning to control her mana earlier than her children. It was no wonder, then, that she thought Euna was tired of reading mana flows. She didnt realize that it was nothing compared to Eunas usual training. Yeah, now that I think about it, Im a little tired. Euna decided to fake it. She knew that no one would easily believe that she had been training since she was a child. So Euna decided that she and the children Heeji had brought would take turns checking her mana flow every minute. Of course, none of the children actually kept track of the minute. Heeji also found it difficult to keep track of her mana. Wow! I see a rest point over there! Oh, I want something sweet! Sugar! Guys, lets go! The kids would cheer every time there was a rest stop. They drank water to quench their thirst, replenished their energy with snacks, and so on. Hearing hints from the assistant supervisor was a must. Teacher, teacher, cant you give us a little hint, please? Please~ The girls jumped up and down like puppies, showing their cuteness to the assistant supervisors. The assistant supervisor smiled helplessly at them. Ill give you this hint. Where does the sun rise? On the right path! Thank you! Heeji took the hint from the assistant supervisor and took the right path when the road split into two. The other children did the same. Only Euna, who was still watching the mana flow, shook her head. Euna! What are you doing? Thats right, Euna, this way! Strange. Eunas mana flow was going to the left. Another shortcut? Still, something was wrong. Euna looked up at the assistant overseer. Whats wrong? he asked with a friendly smile. Teacher, the mana flow is pointing to the left. Yeah? Thats weird. I thought the mana flow was pointing to the right oh, Im not supposed to say this. The assistant supervisor covered her mouth with her hand. Euna doubted her eyes. She stared into the void once more. The vaguely blue aura wafted like smoke, leading to the path to the left. Hey, how does it look to you guys? Why do we need to look at that? Heeji furrowed her eyebrows and asked in confusion. The others did the same. They looked as if they didnt think it was worth the effort to look at the mana. Dont worry, Euna, you must be mistaken. Ive been learning mana control for a long time, but I still find it difficult to handle it. Me too. Me too! As the children chimed in, Euna couldnt tell them that the mana flow she was seeing was just pointing in a different direction. In the end, Euna swallowed hard and took the right path. Lets go in first! Yeonhwa must be struggling all alone, right? I hope she fails a bit. Dont you think shes a bit mean? It seems like shes ignoring us. With half the distance still remaining, the kids found a common topic to discuss and started speculating about the entrance exam, a topic they could all relate to. And in the absence of Yeonhwa, they began to gossip about her. It was not uncommon for girls to gossip about someone. In the case of Heeji and the other kids, they enjoyed seeing others in difficult situations. Heeji exaggerated Yeonhwas actions at the training grounds, creating empathy among the kids and attracting attention by fabricating events. I dont really like this. Even Euna, during her elementary school days, had seen kids ostracizing others or secretly gossiping about them while pretending to be friendly. Being friends with everyone, she had seen different sides of the kids up close on more than one occasion. Each time, Euna did her best to ensure that the kids could get along without any barriers. There was also a reason why she felt compelled to approach someone who was alone. She couldnt bear seeing them like that without saying anything. It was like looking at a Eunha. Though less so now, Euna remembered the lonely look on Eunhas face whenever he was alone. So whenever she saw someone alone, she couldnt help but think of Eunhas loneliness and how he used to fight it. She didnt know if that was why she wanted to reach out to Yeonhwa. Euna, dont you think so too? Huh? Lost in her thoughts, Euna stopped walking quietly alongside Heeji and became aware of the kids gaze. She fumbled with her words. The kids were looking at her as if to say, Hurry up and speak, the answer is already determined, or You should say something too. But she didnt want to lie to herself. Maybe its because shes shy? Euna, its because youre too nice. Its not like that. Euna, you shouldnt be too nice, or youll be taken advantage of. Didnt you see Ryu Yeonhwa ignore you earlier? Ahaha. Euna laughed awkwardly. When children were so persistent, it was difficult for her to respond, no matter how sociable she was. If Euna had been the leader leading them, she would have tried to change the topic or take control of the conversation. But since Heeji was leading the kids, Euna couldnt take the initiative to redirect the conversation. I hope the exam ends quickly. I miss Eunha. Being with them was becoming more and more painful. Euna vowed to embrace Eunha and Eunae tightly once they escaped the maze. Hmm this way. Huh!? The structure of the maze changed right before their eyes. The path that Heeji was leading them on suddenly turned into a dead end due to the change in the mazes structure. It was natural for the kids to be confused. The kids stood at the intersection where the path diverged and glanced at each other. Ugh, my eyes hurt. Me too. I cant see well. Sorry. I feel the same way. The children, through a combination of embarrassment and fatigue, were unable to see the flow of mana on Heejis behalf. Hey, everyone It was when Euna was about to point out the way. Oh! Look! I see a red wall over there! The teacher must be there, right? Ah, Im thirsty! I want to drink water! The kids cheered as if they had found an oasis in the desert and ran towards the distant red area visible at the intersection. Its supposed to be the right. Nevertheless, rest was important. After taking a break, they could continue on the right path. Sar?h the n?vel_Fire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Euna walked slowly towards the resting area where the kids had rushed to. Teacher, could you tell us a little more? Please? Haha, that would be difficult. Huh? The assistant supervisor pointed to the left. Euna paused. The children, on the other hand, took the left without question. Hey, guys, wait! I see a mana flow on the right side of the road. Euna, the teacher said its on the left. Why do you keep saying that? Hee-ji, what about you? Me? Well I can see the flow of mana on the right, but maybe the teachers words are correct. Could the teacher be wrong? Heeji shrugged. The other children were in agreement. Even the assistant proctor chimed in. The way you see is correct, but if you take a left, you can take a shortcut. You heard that, everyone! Lets go! The kids stepped forward on the left path. Euna hesitated to take a step. Just a while ago, when she walked along the shortcut that the supervisor had mentioned, she could see a path where the flow of mana was visible. Since then, the assistant supervisor hadnt been wrong. After contemplating for a moment, Euna decided to follow the kids and walked along the left path. Chapter 92 Chapter 92[What to Believe (5)] The same thing happened next. It wasnt that Euna didnt trust the assistant supervisors words. Its just that there was something uncertain about it. Every time she walked on a path that went against the flow of mana, she couldnt discern what to believe. The flow of mana clearly indicated the way to the exit. But the supervisors hints were pointing to paths that werent the exit. Since the teacher said its here, it must be here. Mmm Euna, are you doing this again? Euna, are you doubting it again? Euna, I understand your concerns. But do you think the supervisor would lie? The supervisor handles mana better than us. Do you think you can handle it better? At first, the kids let it slide, but as it happened again and again, they started showing signs of dissatisfaction. Even the kids who had a favorable impression of Euna couldnt accept her differing opinions with a smile. The teacher says this is the right way, whats wrong with it? But the mana flow is. Look over there. Were getting closer and closer to the exit, and its all because the teacher told us the way. Euna, you could be wrong. I know it hurts your pride, but dont be so hard on yourself. You look a little lost. Heeji wrinkled her forehead as she began to disagree with Euna. She didnt like the fact that she was being so contrary. Now that they were moving toward the exit without getting stuck, Eunas arguments were losing steam. Thats not the way. We havent gotten stuck before, and the exit is right there. The kids were pleading with her to stop, some of them sighing in frustration. Euna was offended. No matter how hard she tried, she couldnt help but feel offended. However, she couldnt just raise her voice like a child. Even though she was offended, she didnt have the courage to leave the group because of a difference of opinion, nor could she easily dismiss the children. Im too sociable to be selfish. Kind and gentle, but unable to firmly reject them. This was Eunas limit. A personality that could be poisonous in some situations. In the players world, it was poison. The exit was right there, but the road ahead didnt lead to it. Euna could see that. But she couldnt say for sure that the path the assistant supervisor was showing her was wrong. There was no way the assistant supervisor could be lying to her. Besides, the assistants supervisors were cheering them on as they got tired of looking at mana. What should she do? The world she saw was telling her what the right answer was. She just wasnt sure if it was the right answer. It was shallow. Youre the one who sees the world, but youre judging it based on what others see, not what you see. As the children said, the teacher would never show her the wrong way. Euna couldnt make a decision. Not even confidently proclaiming that her own perception of the world was the answer. Nor could she separate from the children who had been with her until now, whose hearts were also wounded. Dont give love so easily. There are not many people in the players world who are as naive as you, Euna. You should know how to detach yourself from others. The teaching that Seoyoung had told her came to mind. Still, Euna couldnt part with the kids who had gotten this far because of her broken heart. She couldnt let them go. I want to be someone who can save others. If only she hadnt suddenly remembered why she decided to become a player. Weve come this far. This is the final stretch. One of the three paths will lead us to the exit without diverging. It was another rest stop. The kids listened to the advice of the assistant supervisor who stood before the intersection of the three paths. The test is coming to an end, sir, can you please tell us which way to go? The end was near. The childrens eyes lit up and they begged for a hint. The assistant supervisor smiled bitterly, as if he had no choice. He rolled his eyes and pointed to the right. There was no way they could have missed it. Guys, lets go there! Good job, everyone! Wow, arent we first? Euna, why are you hesitating again? Arent you coming with us? The children called out to Euna, who was standing still without touching any food. They were asking with their eyes. Why arent you answering and what are you doing? Are you going to point out another direction? The teacher said its over there, right? Euna looked up at the supervisor, who had a friendly face. She glanced at the children, and then at her mana flow one last time. Its not there. Euna didnt choose any path. She simply pointed back to the way they came. The exit was right nearby. They could quickly reach it by retracing their steps. The flow of mana was indicating that. It became visible. What was normally invisible was always right there. Euna, dont you really know? Hey, the teacher said its that way. Why are you trying to go back the way we came? The exit is over there. The children didnt hold back their bitterness. What are you going to do? Heeji asked Euna, who firmly refused to change her assertion. The other children gave her piercing looks, urging her to answer. Are you really going to leave like this? Are you trying to stand out on your own? There is a correct answer, why cant you see it? The gaze that made her feel endlessly insignificant. Euna hesitated to answer. This choice would be the last. No, it was the end. She felt that if she didnt decisively make a choice, everything would simply end. Can she leave these children behind? I also want to become someone who can save others. She could leave these children behind. She could say that shes not the person who would risk everything to save them. However, she struggled with what to believe as the correct answer. Eunha, what should I do? sea??h th N?vel(F)ire.et website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She looked for her younger brother who always broke things easily. The dilemma didnt last long. Dont trust anyone. Those were the words Eunha said just before taking the test. Why did she only recall those words now? From the beginning, the only one she had to believe in was herself. But until now, she had been agonizing over the disparity between her perception of the world and how others saw it. Once she realized the obvious, a sudden laughter escaped her. The exit is over there. Ha, then Euna, you go that way. Well go that way. Heeji sighed and shook her head. The children behind her openly mocked. Do I have to give my love even to these kids? If it were Eunha, she probably would. Laughter erupted once again. She straightened her shoulders. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I was really worrying about nothing. Yeah, thats what Eunha would say. Yeah, get lost. It felt good to let out all the frustration Id been building up with them. You, what did you just say? Heeji demanded, raising her voice with a fierce look on her face. The other kids did the same. Yeah, get lost. Before they could shout anything else, Euna ran back the way she came, never looking back. She didnt even listen to them cursing at her in the distance. Im sorry I couldnt keep my promise to Seo-young unnie, but- There was no time. Euna deployed her sensory net. It took her only a few seconds to figure out the mazes structure. The exit was right in front of her, as if it was revealed by the world she had seen. Euna manifested her inner mana and enhanced her physical abilities. The surroundings started to blur and recede at a rapid pace. Is she really an idiot? Heeji couldnt understand why Euna chose a different path when the correct answer was right in front of her. She wondered if she was doing something stupid to impress the assistant supervisor. Whatever. It didnt matter to her. The path pointed out by the assitant supervisor was leading straight to the exit without any forks in the road. She used the mana she had saved for this moment to enhance her physical abilities. Having learned mana control since childhood, she left her companions behind and ran straight along the path that stretched in a straight line. This should be it, I made it! She leaped into the darkness that marked the end of the path in front of her. What? Once again, it was a maze. What do you think? Well The Chief Supervisor closed his eyes as he reviewed the data brought by the Command Supervisor of Training Ground 3. The data he was looking at was the results of the mana detection test taken by Morning Class Group A. Ryu Yeonhwa, number 40, had achieved the highest score overall and passed the test. Her record was 18 minutes and 11 seconds. But the subject of his contemplation wasnt her. The Chief Supervisors focus was on No Euna, number 39, who belonged to the same group as Ryu Yeonhwa. She had passed with a score of 22 minutes and 41 seconds, placing within the top 20 among all the test takers. Its luck, not skill. The Chief Supervisor recalled Euna, who had turned back on the path she had decided on and returned. She was fortunate. The maze had transformed at the right moment. The path she had turned back from miraculously became the shortest route to the exit. Moreover, she reached the exit at an unbelievably fast speed by manifesting her inner mana. She had the potential, and there was still room for growth. However, her qualities as a player were not yet reliable. I wonder if she can graduate safely. The Player Academy was a world of survival of the fittest. It would be a difficult environment for someone like her to endure. But he was also curious to see what kind of player she would become if she survived the rigors. The chief supervisor replayed No Eunas performance in his head and looked forward to the new students entering the academy next year. Phew. In the end, I got lucky. I didnt expect the maze to change and create a path leading to the exit. Otherwise, I wouldnt have gotten a B+. It was around lunchtime when I left the training center. The test in Training Ground 3 had been prolonged, making it the last to finish among the morning classes. I was thirsty. Coincidentally, there was a vending machine within sight, so I decided to get a drink from it. Huh? Someone came first. It was Ryu Yeonhwa. Our eyes met as she carried a long pole on her shoulder. Hello? When I greeted her, Yeonhwa nodded once and stepped aside, clearing the way. It was the moment when I was contemplating what to drink in front of the vending machine. Hey. Huh? Yeonhwa spoke up. With the long pole on her shoulder, she avoided eye contact and extended a canned drink. I got two of these. I stared blankly at the can Yeonhwa was offering. Then, she turned her face with a shy expression, which was so adorable that I couldnt help but burst into laughter. Shes really cute. So adorable! I couldnt help but think that, even though she was taller than me. Yeah, thanks! Ill enjoy it. I received the can of drink that Yeonhwa offered. It was a soda. I gulped it down, feeling the refreshing fizziness tickling my throat. Lets become close friends even after entering the academy. Do you know my name? Its No Euna. Im Ryu Yeonhwa. I handed her the can. Yeonhwa hesitated for a moment. Eventually, she took the can. At that moment, Eunha Oppa, Im hungry. Me too. Euna still hadnt shown up. Eunha was sitting in front of the lecture hall, waiting for her to come out. Eunae, who was sitting on his lap, also seemed bored. Like Eunha, she stared straight ahead with her round face propped up on her hands. Ah, alcohol, I want cider. I was tired, having been up since morning and not getting much sleep. I was craving a drink. If only I could get a drink, I could get a good nights sleep. Unfortunately, I was too young. I had no choice but to drink cider instead. I decided to drink cider as soon as Euna came out, no matter what I had for lunch. Just then, Eunae tilted her head back and teased me. Oppa, oppa, oppa. Me too, Eunae too. Cider. Shall we go drink cider when Noona comes out? Sweet potatoes too! Sweet potatoes sound good too. The weather was chilly. It was the season when the street vendors sold roasted sweet potatoes. When will our sister come out? Eunha held Eunae in his arms and waited for Euna endlessly. Chapter 93 Chapter 93[Call it whatever you want] Before they knew it, it was the end of the year. In the media, they were highlighting the events that occurred this year and discussing the future of the Fairy Government. Well, this year was relatively uneventful. Eunha sipped on the childrens champagne and felt a sense of emptiness. It couldnt be helped. The story of the Italian ambassadors death in the Red Dungeon had been sensationalized like a candy bar overpacked with nitrogen. The truth was that the Italian ambassadors were causing trouble in Korea and were stopped at the hands of Eunha and Bruno. Since it was a story that couldnt be disclosed to the outside world, it seemed that this year had been relatively uneventful. Perhaps thats why the people gathered at the party venue were talking about how this year had been filled with good things, hoping that the business would continue like this next year. Whats wrong with this taste? Eunha furrowed his brow after sipping on the childrens champagne. When he arrived at the party venue and heard that childrens champagne was available this year, he had rushed to the waiters like a bullet. However, the childrens champagne turned out to be non-alcoholic champagne with a fruity flavor. I must be a fool for having high expectations. It tasted like a faint carbonated drink. Eunha handed his empty glass to a passing waiter and decided to indulge in other food. Eunha, where is Euna? Noona is playing over there. At that moment, their father, who was dealing with people, noticed Eunha. Dealing with multiple people at once seemed to have exhausted him, as he wiped his face with his hands, showing signs of fatigue. Eunha pointed towards the garden. Euna, wearing a dress, was happily chatting with other children. Dad, eat this. Theres no one like my son. Eunha handed him a chocolate that was within reach. Although it was an informal act at the party venue, the two of them didnt think much of it. Their father, who hadnt eaten anything due to dealing with people, ate the chocolate and regained his energy. He then disappeared into the crowd, saying he was going for the second round. Our dad is truly amazing. Eunha looked up and nodded at his father, who had shown a tired appearance earlier but was now engaging with people and smiling cheerfully. Today was the day of the year-end party hosted by Sirius Group. Their father was a director in the Strategic Planning Department of Sirius Devices, and he had been busy interacting with people who came to establish connections. Euna was wandering around the party venue with the children she had met last year, taking them around here and there. In the midst of that, Eunha was taking a break, eating food alone. Ah, Im tired. Im sleepy. I want to play with Eunae. Eunha didnt like parties. Although Sirius internal year-end party was relatively less formal since it was a gathering of employees families, he still had to act and behave formally at the party. Above all, the sight of people rushing around to form connections with each other seemed pretentious and artificial to him. The same was true in the players world. No. They were more bold in revealing their desires. Anyway, I was fed up. Whether it was the party or the world of players. I just wanted to spend time peacefully at home. Yeah, Ill just play games until I go home. When will I come here again? Id rather fill my stomach. Using the privilege of being a child, Eunha decided to roam around the party venue and enjoy various foods that he hadnt tried before. It was the second round. The food he had just eaten had been digested. As he reached out to pick up the plate, he heard a voice, Haha, Eunha, if you like, you can come to our house anytime. What do you mean by filling? I bumped into Han Do-young and Han Seo-hyun. Apparently, they had heard his muttering. Hello. Eunha took his hand off the plate and put on a casual attitude. He hadnt expected that the next president of Sirius Group, Han Do-young, to speak to him. Yeah, its been a year. You seem to have grown taller. Moreover, he approached him so amiably. It was a moment, but Eunha quickly rolled his eyes left and right. As expected. Everyone who had tried to approach the future chairman of Sirius Group was now staring at him. He could see surprise on their faces. I feel the same way. Pretending to be pleased, Eunha gently placed his hand on Han Do-youngs outstretched hand. He knew how to show respect. Without exerting force, he moved his hand in the direction Han Do-young shook it. Ho-oh. His eyes lingered on Eunhas hand. It seemed that he had caught his attention. Damn, I shouldnt have done that. I should have just shook it like a child. Eunha regretted inwardly. Whether he spoke or not, Han Do-young initiated the conversation. So, youre Director Nos son. Well, how do you like the party food? Yes, its really delicious. We have chefs at our house who can make even more delicious food. Well send you an invitation next time, so come and play with your family. Thank you. Eunha could see that people were not just surprised but also finding it hard to breathe. Eunha himself was also astonished. Although Han Do-young didnt explicitly invite him to his mansion, his attention towards him was evidence enough. No, it might not be me. Eunha changed his mind when he spotted his father urgently approaching from the other side of the party venue. It seemed that his father had earned special trust from the future chairman of Sirius Group. Never would I have thought that Han Do-young would consider getting close to our family. Surprising, Mr. No. Now I have to change my surname, oh, right, Im Mr. No. He was stunned. What surprised Eunha wasnt just this. Father, Ill step back here. Yeah, you did well. Make sure to show up at events like this in the future. Seoyeon is having a hard time alone. I thought she asked me to leave all the parties to her? But you should show your face at the important ones. Ill think about it, then. Seohyun had grown unrecognizable to the boys who had been staring at this scene. In just a year, she had changed so much. Her clear complexion and pink lips matched perfectly with the light blue dress adorned with waves that cascaded over her exposed shoulders, adding a fairy-like innocence and radiance. But above all else She has grown even more. When they had met last year, the height difference between him and her was only about one head. However, considering that she was wearing high heels, the difference had widened by at least the length of a thumb. Deep down, as someone who had thought he had grown a lot this year, Eunha couldnt help but feel shocked. What are you doing? Arent you coming? Huh? Huh?? Eunha thought Seohyun would just pull up the hem of her skirt and walk away. But Seohyun took a few steps forward and then turned around, calling out to him. When Eunha panicked and pointed to himself with a stupid sound, she raised her tone and mimicked him. Ah, shes the direct heir of Sirius Group. The daughter of the person who is equivalent to my fathers boss. Yes? Yes? She repeated, then sighed. Although Eunha responded while considering the difference in status, he felt frustrated by Seohyuns apparent annoyance. Seohyun seemed to be about to say something but then glanced at Han Do-young and softened her tone. Forget it. Are you just going to stand there? Ah, no, no, thats not it Why are you not following? Do I really have to follow? Dealing with the direct heir of Sirius Group was the most troublesome thing imaginable. Although he felt like turning around and leaving, he couldnt afford to be rude to her for his fathers sake. At the very least, he looked up at his father to seek help, but Go and have fun. Dont say anything impolite. He smirked and patted him on the back. He couldnt hide the fact that he wasnt happy. It was the same with Han Do-young. He looked at Seohyun walking ahead with a satisfied smile. Sigh S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eunha reluctantly had to follow Seohyun. As expected, peoples gazes didnt leave him. He had to maintain his composure even more. If he used the privilege of being a child to treat this way the direct heir of Sirius Group, it was obvious how people around would perceive his father. So Eunha followed quietly, both to clarify the difference in status and to avoid offending Seohyun. He didnt think about walking side by side with her. Are you going to keep following behind like that? Why! Whats the problem! Eunha was frustrated. He was trying not to get on her nerves, but her tone was unpleasant. Han Seohyun looks back with a poker face. I cant read what shes thinking. Thats enough, right? Yeah. Suppressing his frustration, Eunha stood next to Seohyun. Finally, she nodded. When he matched his pace with her, she even praised him, saying, Yeah, thats right. Eunha couldnt understand why she was acting like this. He couldnt comprehend how the people from chaebol families thought and lived. Even before the regression, Eunha had encountered various things involving the chaebols. Even while living his second life, their way of thinking remained difficult to grasp. It was easy to predict the next move of someone who had desires or couldnt even maintain a poker face. On the other hand, the thoughts of someone who concealed their true feelings and maintained a poker face were impossible to fathom. Seohyun belonged to that category. Eunha couldnt figure out what she was thinking. Hey. Yes? Say something. On the way to the garden. While walking silently, Seohyun suddenly blurted out. After leaving the party venue, there was no one in the corridor. Ga-na-da-ra-ma-ba-sa Do you want to get scolded? Noona, I dont like that. They had suddenly arrived in the garden. There would be no one to see them, so Eunha spoke more casually than before. Noona? Why again! Shes two years older than me, she said. For the first time, Eunha saw the emotions she revealed. The way she twitched her eye was different from the emotions she showed, somewhat awkward and cute. Thats beside the point. Eunha raised his voice, saying, Noona? Noona? as Seohyun approached him. Im in second grade, and youre in fourth grade. So, youreNoona. Hmm Seohyun pondered for a moment. Then she turned her head abruptly and grumbled in a casual tone. But why am I your noona? Just call me casually. Casually calling her. Eunha was on the verge of sighing. Perhaps she didnt know her position. Maybe it was because she was still young. But since she asked, Eunha had no choice but to let it go. Really, it cant be helped. Okay, then. By the way, hey, do you want me to bring something to drink from inside? You must be thirsty. At this moment, she changed her expression again. Hey? What did you say just now? Well, you said to call you casually Yeah, I was a bit harsh. Eunha looked down as he saw Seohyun, who was rushing at him like an angry cat. It was a little too casual. Even Eunha had to admit it. In a moment when he was determined to let go of the conversation. Han seohyun. Call me by my name. Seohyun. Well, thats a bit But well, its better than Hey. Eunha felt more comfortable calling her noona, but since she disliked it, he decided to call her by her name. Okay. Then Ill call you Seohyun no, Seohyun-ah. Is that okay? What about you? Why? Dont you know my name? Why wouldnt I know your name? Just tell me what to call you. Huh? Just call me Eunha. Okay. Seohyun murmured Eunhas name with her lips several times. She seemed satisfied and smiled. Now that I think about it, she has quite a range of expressions. Eunha revised his thoughts about her as he saw her smiling gently. Her crystal-encrusted hairpin sparkled in the moonlight that descended from the ceiling. She radiated a subtle beauty, like someone who had descended from the Moon Kingdom. Well, this must be a connection. Eunha smiled wryly. Then, unlike earlier, she spoke to him as casually as she had when she first met him last year. Its nice to be outside. Its nice and quiet. Thats the thing, party halls are loud. And suffocating. And boring. Its funny what people find enjoyable. Our eyes met. Apparently, we were thinking alike. Eunha burst out laughing. Seohyun glared at him coldly. Then she couldnt hold back her laughter either and let out a small giggle. I thought you were hospitalized not long ago? I was hospitalized last year. Whats wrong? Oh, it was something. A life-threatening disease. What a disease? Seohyun asked cautiously. Eunha shrugged. It was no big deal. Ill die if I dont sleep, Ill die if I dont eat something delicious, Ill die if I dont lay around, Ill die if I study, and. Do you want to be punished? If I dont finish my sentence, Ill die. Ugh, fine, go on. Seohyun shook her head in disbelief. Whether she said it or not, Eunha held a word feast. Compared to the party chairman who acted formally, the gathering where they could talk about anything under the moonlight was much more comfortable. But arent you cold? Who stays dressed like that for so long? My nanny put this on me. Ugh, come on. Huh? Eunha held out his hand. Seohyun stared at it, then shook her head. Take my hand. Are you going to play with me again? What do you think I am? As she hesitated, Eunha grabbed her hand. Seohyun flinched in surprise. Eunha, on the other hand, didnt care and transferred mana to her. Warmth enveloped her. Ah. How is it? Its warm, right? You know how to use mana? Im popular in the neighborhood because of this these days. Eunha recalled the times when kids in the neighborhood rushed at him saying they were cold. It wasnt just kids. Even though they had a boiler at home, his parents would rush to hug him. Then Eunaes eyes would light up and hed be swarmed and hugged. That was nice, but. Its warm. Right? Im like a human heater. It would be nice if every house had one. In case theyre not the direct heirs of Sirius Group? Huh? No. I cant believe shes still thinking of business ideas at this point. Even for a kid, it was amazing. Eunha stuck his tongue out at himself. A garden where no one comes. The moonlight was beautiful. It was nice to be quiet. I could spend hours just like this. Are you hungry? Im craving chocolate. I saw chicken at the party venue earlier. I was already hungry. With the hand that held her hand, Eunha gently patted his own stomach. I need to eat something, anything. Dont you have any mood? Seohyun said sharply. It was a conversation that took place a few days before the start of the 5-year solar calendar. Chapter 94 Chapter 94[Unexpected Development] Five years since enrollment. A new year has begun. Eunha has now reached double digits in age. His friends were excited to turn ten, but he didnt feel anything special about it. Oh? Its the teacher again? Please take care of us this year too. Eunha was assigned to the same class as his friends this year as well. Grade 3, Class 3. In this class, a male teacher served as both the homeroom and grade head. As expected, the homeroom teacher for Grade 3, Class 3 was Im Dohoon. Oh? Hello, Teacher~! Hayang, who was late because she was changing into indoor shoes, greeted him energetically. Im Dohoon nodded gently in response. Following her, Seona and Minji also accepted the fact that Im Dohoon was their homeroom teacher without any surprise. Captain, captain. Its Im Dohoon again this year. And were all in the same class again. Thats right. Although I thought we would all end up in the same class. Its quite interesting, isnt it? Yes. Eunhyuk, you dont know the circumstances of adults. Seated in the back row, Eunha suppressed a laugh secretly. The children still didnt know. Im Dohoons true identity. The reason they all ended up in the same class. Thinking back, it was natural. If Eunha hadnt been hospitalized only last year, they would have thought it was just a strange coincidence and moved on. Its strange. Very strange. In the midst of it all, Seona, who sat at the back like Eunha, raised her eyebrows. Since last year, she had grown significantly taller and had an incident where she sat in the front and caused some embarrassment. It wasnt just about her height, but her fox ears and tail obstructed the view of the kids sitting behind her. After that incident, Seona started to prefer sitting in the back. Of course, Eunha chose to sit in the back because he didnt want to listen to the class. Well assign seats by key number tomorrow, so feel free to sit wherever you want today. Oh, those damn key numbers! Eunha slammed his fist on the desk, almost wailing. He slammed it down so it wouldnt make a sound, so no one would notice. Its weird, its really weird. Why did I end up in the same class as all the kids I said I wanted to be in? Meanwhile, Seona wagged her tail, which had stuck out into the empty space between the chairs backrest and butt rest, and thought back to what happened at the end of last year. Grandpa Goseogwang had asked her, while she was reading in his study, who she wanted to be in class with. Seona had mentioned the names of children who treated her with no dislike for being an Ain. But they were all in the same class. Is it because of my feelings? Thats not possible. What do you think, Eunha? Yeah, thats a weird coincidence. Youre lying. You know something, dont you? Eunha deliberately withheld the truth. Seona had been persistent, but hed denied knowing anything. Honestly, ouch! Jin Seona, it takes a lot of courage to be distracted from the start of a new school year. Im sorry. Why dont you clean the classroom after youre done? Okay. Seona was so focused on talking to Eunha that she didnt notice Lim Do-hoon approaching. Even though she was more physically developed than the average child, there was no way she could detect any signs of his former life as a player. After being slapped on the head with the attendance book, she rubbed her head with both hands. Her head hung low. She was embarrassed, as it was the first time she got scolded. Seona had lived by watching her surroundings until now. As a result, she had never been scolded by a teacher at school. Sar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the kids giggle as she received the punishment made her even more embarrassed. With her triangular ears drooping, she wished there was a hole she could hide in. You too, No Eunha. Huh? Why me? Eunha had no choice but to face the unexpected situation. He tried to defend himself with a look of injustice, but, Then why didnt you speak up? Uh its not like that Youll clean with Seona and go. Yes Choi Eunhyuk, you too. What?! Why me? You laughed. Ah Eunhyuk raised his head in frustration, but he couldnt plead his case and had to clean up the mess. It was a bonus that Eunha and Seona got to see it. Were you laughing? Are you laughing now? Hmph, Eunhyuk, you must have found me funny? The two exchanged glances. Lets have fun cleaning together~. They both spoke at the same time. It was the first time Eunha and Seonas thoughts coincided. Im dead. Eunhyuk let out an earth-shattering sigh. Oh, how come you two dont change at all even though youre turning 10? I should change too, what am I going to do? Minji, who came fully prepared with glasses, claiming to be a model student this year, scolded from the front of the classroom after witnessing what happened at the back. Wow~! Player Secondary Academy. Located in a place that was once Jogyesa, the academy had banners hanging from each tall lecture building, welcoming the new students. [Welcome to the academy, is it your first time?] [Behold, the kingdom of~ study.] [Admission, is this for real?] [Welcome beauty!!!!] [Newbies are cute~] [Lets go, academy~!] These were witty variations of familiar lines that Euna was already familiar with. Even though she hadnt had the entrance ceremony yet, she felt that her life at the Player Academy wouldnt be too difficult or painful. Of course, not all banners were clever and humorous. On the way passing by the High School Academy, there were banners that reflected the current reality. [This life is a failure. But will there be another life?] [Reality is a dead end.] [Do not seek meaning in your death. Your death has no meaning.] [Live for today, die for tomorrow.] [There is no dream or hope in this world.] [I just want to be a player] [Talents dont betray you. Effort does.] [Those who make an effort will continue to make endless efforts. But even those with talents make endless efforts.] [Never forget. Give up. And admit it.] Euna remembered the inscription in the guidebook she had when she first visited the academy. It mentioned the survival rate of players who graduated from the academy within five years, which stood at 30%. Her excitement subsided. She walked past the banner on the lecture hall and found the academic wing of the Secondary Academy. Um, class 5 is. The Secondary Academy had a total enrollment of 300 students this year. A grade consisted of 10 classes, each with 30 members. Euna was in class 5. After mumbling the results of the assignment sent home in advance, she looked for class 5 of the first grade. Here it is. She stopped in front of class 5. No sound came from beyond the door. It was quiet. Ugh, Im suddenly nervous. This was the Player Academy. Each student here would have their own reasons for choosing to become a player. So dont be too friendly with them. Maybe its best not to talk to them at all, but it wont do you any good, will it? Those were the words Eunha had spoken this morning. She wasnt a little kid anymore either. She knew she shouldnt be too casual with the academy students like she did in elementary school. Alright! As she adjusted her school uniform and made a resolution, it happened. Euna? Uh-uh!? As Euna was about to open the classroom door, she jumped up from her seat at the sound of someone calling her. She was surprised. Just not shouting was impressive enough. Ever since the Secondary Academy entrance exams, Euna had been strictly instructed by Seo-young to be able to sense mana anytime, anywhere. But she hadnt been able to sense it to the point where she hadnt even noticed someone approaching her from behind. She hadnt studied enough yet. Sorry. Startled? A little. No, a lot. Sorry. Thats great, though. I really didnt see you coming. It was none other than Yeonhwa who called out to her. Her hair, transformed into mana, flowed down to her shoulders, resembling a cluster of beautiful hydrangeas. The light blue and violet color was a perfect match for the Secondary Academys uniform. She was tall and slender, and her black uniform with a red border was perfect for her. Yeonhwa is always beautiful whenever I see her! Hehe. I missed you. How have you been? Yeah, Ive been fine. Euna couldnt stand just looking at her, so she hugged her tightly. She had already forgotten what Eunha had said to her in the morning. Meanwhile, Yeonhwa fiddled with her hands as if she wasnt used to this situation. At the same time, she didnt forget to support the long stick with one armpit. Are you also in class 5? Yeah. Thats great! Its good to know someone! Me too. Euna smiled brightly. Yeonhwa relaxed her composure a little. It stimulated Euna even more. Why are you so pretty? Im not pretty at all. Youre prettier. No, no, its you, Yeonhwa! Thank you. Yeonhwa was about to say something, but decided to back away. She finally managed to get a litle away from Euna. By the way, arent you going to go into the classroom? Oh, right. I forgot. Lets go in, come on. I relaxed. Someone knew her. Euna opened the door with a lighter heart than before. The classroom was organized in a row of seats that gradually rose from the front. The students in the front all turned their heads to look up at her as she entered the room. Oh, hello. Meeting their gazes, Euna waved awkwardly. No one returned her greeting. Hi. Yeonhwa followed Eunas greeting with a cold face. Again, there was no response. Eventually, Euna had to shrug and sit down with Yeonhwa. I can do this, right? Euna looked at the students who didnt even talk to each other and fell into contemplation. Then, she met Yeonhwas eyes sitting beside her. Whatever! As long as Yeonhwa was there, everything seemed like it would turn out fine. It didnt take long for her worries to fade away. On the other hand, the students who had been looking at Yeonhwa were bowing their heads deeply, whispering something in their hearts. Shes really pretty. Am I mistaken? Not just one person, but two? I should strike up a conversation with them when we become friends. Theyre all so pretty~ Since there arent many girls, I should get to know them. The students who enrolled in the middle players academy each had their own painful past or a reason to become a player. However, that didnt mean they all intended to keep their distance from others. They were only 14 years old. They hadnt completely abandoned their innocence yet. Is everyone here? Ill start calling the attendance numbers, and those called should respond. The players academy would test their determination again and again. There would be those who couldnt endure and withdrew, as well as those who survived and adapted tenaciously. There would be those who have lived upright but were broken, as well as those who compromised with reality and adapted. Number 3, No Euna. Yes! It was too late to regret now. Chapter 95 Chapter 95[Unexpected Developments (2)] Why do I have to help? Minji grumbled as she swept the floor with a broom. It seemed wearing glasses all day was uncomfortable, and her lips were pouted in the usual way. Work, Minji. Even someone who doesnt eat should know not to slack off from work. Id rather die. I really wont do it. Just help a little, please. Eunhas approach was quick. There was no way the three of them could clean the classroom alone. Minji let out a sigh of frustration and continued sweeping the corners of the classroom. Hey, I brought the mop~ Minji wasnt the only one helping with the cleaning. Hayang had also offered to help by bringing a mop. Thanks for helping with the cleaning, Hayang. Hehe, we need to finish quickly so we can go to the hospital, right? Hey, No Eunha! Why dont you say thank you to me for helping, but youre thanking Hayang? Oh, thanks. You really dont help!? Why do you guys always fight? Sarch* The novlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sorry. Hayang picked up the mop and scolded them with a stern expression. When she was satisfied with their apologies, she hummed and started pushing the mop from the front of the classroom. However, the children were cleaning from the back of the classroom. Hayang. Hayang, you havent swept yet. Eunhyuk started to say something, but then looked at Eunha and closed his mouth. I dont know. I dont know. Seona smirked. She didnt move forward anymore, just stayed in place, her tail wagging gently. So did Eunha and Minji. Eventually, Eunhyeok decided to make a modest attempt at cleaning until Hayang, who was humming, pushed the mop. Thanks to this, the classroom was cleaned ahead of schedule. Lim Do-hoon looked around the classroom with suspicion, but he didnt see any problems and released the children. Captain, are we going to the hospital now? Yes, its a little late, so lets go. There was another reason why his friends stayed in class and helped clean the classroom. They had decided to go to Julietas doctor together. It was now almost two weeks later. Julieta gave birth safely. His friends wanted to visit her the day she gave birth, but for her and the babys safety, they had to wait until today. You guys know what youre getting into, right? Weve been to your house so many times. Of course we know, dont we, Hayang? If you take the green bus from here, youll be there in no time! Since its a local bus, the fare isnt expensive. Eunha boarded the bus his friends pointed out. It was a small local bus. There was no one else on the bus but his friends. So they each took a seat by the window and looked out over the city. Not long into the bus ride, Alices Hospital came into view. Julieta was in the same ward where Eunha had been hospitalized the previous year. In her room, Julietas clothes were disheveled. She had been feeding her baby only moments before. Everyone, Ciao! Ciao! Hello. Julieta finished buttoning up her clothes and greeted the kids. The children, who had washed their hands in the hallway bathroom beforehand, flocked to the bed. Shhh! Dont be so noisy. Julieta cautioned, putting an index finger to her mouth. There was another small bed right next to hers. After gently patting the babys back until she burped, Julieta laid the baby down in the crib. The baby in the crib wiggled its tiny hands and feet around. Wow, how cute! Minji, Seona, look at her hands. Theyre so tiny. Cute~ The girls stuck their faces into the bed where the baby was lying. The baby, who was struggling, stared at their faces. Then the baby burst into a hearty laughter. Arent you afraid of strangers? No, my baby is not afraid of anyone. Julieta shrugged at Eunhas question. As she spoke, the baby seemed to resemble Julieta in appearance. Yellow hair and green eyes, just like hers. The only thing that resembles Uncle Bruno ishis size. The baby was healthy. As if about to say that the baby resembled Bruno, the baby looked plump and full. This is homemade tiramisu made by my mom. Wow, tell her Im grateful. Ive been wanting to eat this! Oh, noona Julieta, this is what I got on my way over. Oh, chocolate! Thank you, Eunhyuk! What Eunha pulled out of the bag was his mothers homemade tiramisu. Julieta loved tiramisu. When she accidentally tasted his mothers homemade tiramisu, she was hooked. So much so that when she got pregnant, she said his moms tiramisu was the food she craved. Julieta, Julieta, is it a boy or a girl? Eunhyuk asked, leaning over the bed. She was nibbling on chocolate and tiramisu when she replied with a giggle. Bambino! A healthy boy. Bambino? Hmm, a boy. Eunhyuk stepped in between the girls, curious about Julietas child. Hey, Eunhyuk Choi. Move over. Its tight here. Why~ Its a boy. Hell like me more than you guys. Where did you get that idea? Wait your turn a bit. Eunhyuk, dont make too much noise. It might scare the baby. From the other side of the room, he could hear the sound of children playing. Eunha was curious about the baby, but he didnt want to squirm as they poked their heads into each others space. Well then, Eunae will be the big sister. Eunae already visited today. She really likes him. Apparently, his mother had taken Eunae there earlier in the day. Eunae began to take an interest in Julieta when her belly became visibly bulging. Every time she saw her, she would ask if she was going to be a big sister or a little sister. I could imagine Eunae squealing with renewed joy when she saw Julietas baby today. Whats the name? Have you decided yet? The name is, Bruno and I decided on something before the baby was born. Huh? What is it? Julieta ran a hand through her hair. She swallowed the tiramisu in her mouth, unable to hide her embarrassment. Avvenire. It means dream, hope, future, prospect. Avvenire. I see. Yes. Because this child is our future, our hope. Avvenire. Eunha muttered the babys name. He could almost imagine how Julieta and Bruno must have felt to name the child. Thats why he was so intrigued by the name. And then, Wait, Avvenire? I mumbled the childs name again and paused. Avvenire. I had heard that name before. Before the regression, when he had been digging through the raid logs. The name Avvenire had appeared on the list of raiders. Avvenire Mairon He was a player who played a key role in the capture of the . His name was . As far as Eunha knew, he was a dealer with a powerful fist. Maybe he was the one here, he thought. Avvenire. I see. If hes a brother to Eunae, hes a brother to me. It was an unexpected turn of events. Maybe that baby was the reason why Julieta hadnt decided to die despite her miserable situation. It was just a guess. Eunha watched the Avvenire reach for the children and thought. Thats right. Hell be like a little brother to Eunha Boss, so be nice to him. Bruno and I will do our best to make our child a valuable asset for Boss Eunha. Never mind. The child who would be called in the future would be his own. The thought of having someone like Bruno by my side, never far away, made me want to say no. Huh? So Avvenires last name is No? At that moment, Eunhyuk, who was observing Avvenire, turned his head abruptly. Julieta made a V with her finger to Eunha. Yes! Call him No Avvenire. No!! It was a completely unexpected development. A state of emergency has fallen on the academy. The first person to hear the news was a student from the Higher Academy who was returning to his dormitory. He doubted his eyes when he saw an outsider looking around the academy with confidence. Its the Twelve Seats! He grabbed the people walking around him and pointed his finger at the woman heading to the Secondary Academy. There was no reason for the Twelve to visit the Academy at this time of year. At first, the students thought he was joking. But when they saw the woman in a one-piece dress wearing flat shoes, they couldnt help but create a commotion. It became even more tumultuous when they saw her trademarked stone monument. Holy Mother! Isnt that Park Hye-rim? If its Park Hye-rim, youre talking about Park Hye-rim , who was selected as the Twelfth Seat at the age of 22, right? Yes, thats Park Hye-rim, a member of the Regulus Clan, and the Twelfth Seat, Park Hye-rim ! Im not . Meanwhile, Park Hye-rim heard the occasional voices and furrowed her brows. Though she was still in her 20s, she was already being referred to as . What a nuisance. She wanted to curse at the journalist who first gave her the nickname . But before that, she had things to take care of. She walked to the academic wing of the secondary academy. The academy hadnt changed much over the years. Of course, there hadnt been a banner hanging on the school building when shed been there. What class is she in? Holy Mother, Park Hye-rim. She visited the secondary academy at this time, unannounced, for one reason. She stopped walking and looked at the list of new students on her smartphone. As a graduate of the academy and a Twelfth Seal, there was no reason why she couldnt get the list of new students. Ah, No Euna, class 5. [No Euna, attendance number 3, 5th class, 1st year, Secondary Academy]. Hye-rim smiled with satisfaction as she read Eunas name. How long she had been waiting for this day. Four years. She still vividly remembered the day, four years ago when the third-ranked monster Kraken appeared in the Han River. A moment of desperation. A pillar of light shot up into the sky, defying all odds. Not only did the Kraken lose its legs, but it was also hit with over a dozen debuffs, unable to resist. It is a . It was said to be the rarest gift in the world, second only to white silver, and its existence was still unexplained. But it was in the possession of a girl who was only 10 years old at the time. As one of the top supporters in Korea, she couldnt help but be interested in the girls gift. I want to study her gift. I want to make her a player. To be more precise, she wanted to make her The Seed. She has talent as a supporter! Hyerim remembered the that the girl, No Euna, had performed that had weakened the Kraken. Surely the girl would have a promising future as a supporter. So she wanted to approach Euna for the sake of her country, for the sake of her own selflessness, for the sake of her own research. If only she hadnt been stopped. The first was Kang Hyun-chul . Hey, do you really want to do that to kids who are still young? Why, why, youre interested in the kid too! But I know how to be patient. You should wait. What are you waiting for? Um, do you know that its a bit creepy? Do you feel the goosebumps? Oh, I dont know, I dont know. Forget it, since we met, lets go eat. Suddenly, Im craving beef bone soup. Sigh, do you always have to have Korean food? Sometimes, how about Western cuisine like pizza or pasta Thanks. Ill eat well. Again! Again! Youre asking me to buy you food again? How many times have I treated you to a meal until now Youre so noisy. Ill introduce you to a special restaurant, so just bear with it. The second was the Regulus Clan. This notice came out of the blue. I heard that youve been investigating someone lately. How do you know that? Hands off. What? Clan Lord, what does that mean. Whoever it is, get your hands off me. Ive got orders from above. From above? The government? Im a Twelve, who the hell is. The Alice Group. Oh. Alice Group, the sponsor of the Regulars, was important. Hye-rim could only do a cursory check on Euna. She couldnt even approach her. Four years had flown by. I thought youd be a player after all. Instead, she was sure of one thing. There was no way a kid with that much talent wouldnt become a player. So she waited to see when Euna would graduate from primary school, waiting for the list of children who had taken the secondary academy. There she was. And she was accepted, ranked 23rd overall. Again, again. Talent. There was no other word for it. Now that Euna had been accepted into the Secondary Academy, neither Kang Hyun-chul, the Regulus Clan, nor Alice Group would try to interfere anymore. It was a good thing for Euna, too. With one of the best supporters in the country, there was no reason for her to resist passing on her teachings. Lucky. Just then, Hye-rim spotted Euna coming out of the academic building. She didnt look much different from the photo she had researched. She still had her childhood face. Finally, no one is around. Euna was heading down a deserted road. There was a light-blue-haired girl beside Euna, but Hye-rim didnt hesitate to call out to her. Hey, hey. Yes? The girl with Euna turned her head. Now that she looked, the girl with the mysteriously colored hair also seemed to have an unusual amount of mana. Upon closer inspection, her hair wasnt dyed, it was natural. This meant that the mana in her body was strong enough to affect her physical body. However, Hye-rim was more interested in Euna than her. Only four years have passed. Within those few years, the girl had accumulated enough internal mana that Hye-rim couldnt grasp. When she tried to test her mana, Euna quickly took a defensive stance. The technique she deployed was not ordinary. It was a structure that could not be easily broken. Who are you? Euna asked warily. Oh, her mistake. Hye-rim realized her mistake in hindsight. Shed tipped her hat in an attempt to be friendly, but it hadnt worked. Uh, sorry. But Im not a bad person. You should already know who I am, right? Ive been waiting for you to come here for so long. Hey, dont you want to learn from me? Im confident that I can teach you really well, my dear little sister. Hye-rim tried to get to the point, avoiding any further confusion. Hurry! Hurry! She was convinced. Euna would come to her. Unless she didnt know who she was, there was no way she wouldnt come. But Eunas response was, Its alright! I already have an excellent teacher! She replied like that. Hye-rim doubted her answer. It couldnt be true. It was an unexpected turn of events; she never thought Euna would refuse. Hey, hey, wait! Who on earth is that teacher! Hye-rim called out to Euna as she was leaving the academy. Though young in age, she was someone who prided herself as the best supporter in the country. Even in South Korea, individuals with outstanding skills in controlling vast amounts of mana were extremely rare. At best, there were just a few like the or the