“I’m going to add a condition.” Chi-Woo’s answer was unexpected. “I want to become stronger.”
Chi-Hyun furrowed his brows and replied, “If you’re talking about training, I trained you—no, I was in the process of training you.”
“I’m not just talking about training.” Chi-Woo sighed and continued, “I’m not only talking about improving the stats in my user information. As you said, I’m lacking in every way right now.”
“That’s right.”
“Yeah, I’ve lived as an ordinary person for most of my life, so it’s natural that I’m lacking. But I’m here anyway. I can’t remain ignorant anymore.”
“…”
“And I shouldn’t keep talking about how I didn’t know.” Chi-Woo spoke firmly. “I have to know now.”
Chi-Hyun suddenly realized that his brother was craving something. Chi-Woo had been constantly training, but he hadn’t felt like he had gotten much stronger. First, it was because all the enemies he’d dealt with so far were at least on par with middle-level bosses. Second, Chi-Woo was still inexperienced. Just being good at fighting and having excellent skills were not enough. Chi-Woo wanted to have the perspective and mindset appropriate for the current Liber.
He wanted to have the vision to see not just black and white, but gray areas as well. It was not an easy decision to make, since Chi-Woo had to change his perspective and mindset 180 degrees. It would be as much of a struggle as a veteran soldier fighting on the battlefield for years to return to normal society. However, Chi-Woo was right. He had come to Liber anyway, and if he wanted to survive, he had no choice but to adapt further.
“…So what do you really want to say?” Chi-Hyun asked.
“Please lead me.”
“?”
“I’ll do as you say. If you lock me in the mountain and force me to train like before, I’ll definitely stick to the plan…But.” Chi-Woo spoke with a stronger voice, “I refuse to only stay under your protection.”
Chi-Hyun’s eyes narrowed. “So you’re saying that you intend to go around Liber in the end.”
“But at least I won’t go after a great demon without your knowledge.”
Only then did Chi-Hyun finally realize what his brother was trying to tell him. “You’re telling me to become your manager.” He would be responsible for all managerial aspects of Chi-Woo’s pursuit as a recruit; for the first time, Chi-Hyun looked extremely conflicted.
Chi-Hyun had also known that his brother wouldn’t listen to him forever—it was just that the timing had come way sooner than he expected. The end was still far away, but Chi-Woo couldn’t only train endlessly day and night in a mountain. There was a limit to getting stronger through training, and he would eventually have to gain experience out in the real world. On the other hand, Chi-Hyun, as a hero who had experienced many worlds before, could provide the most optimized and efficient guidelines for him.
‘That’s pretty good.’ Chi-Hyun rubbed his chin. He didn’t really want to do it, but Chi-Woo’s proposal was reasonable; he couldn’t flatly refuse it either. He suddenly became curious and asked, “What made you suddenly think of that?”
“I felt something in this expedition,” Chi-Woo calmly said. “I definitely felt something, but I didn’t really know what it was.” Chi-Woo wasn’t only talking about his battle with Zepar; he had felt it from time to time since he first formed a team and right before they got separated. He felt frustrated; he knew that he was lacking, but when he tried to think about what he was lacking, it was hard to clearly define what he specifically needed to improve. After listening to his brother’s words, he was able to get at least a grasp of what he was feeling.
“I definitely have to,” Chi-Woo spoke quietly, “change.”
Chi-Hyun took a soft breath. Wanting to be strong and wanting to change in an environment like Liber sounded similar, but meant something slightly different; the latter was much more expansive.
‘I’m in trouble.’ This was the first thought that came into Chi-Hyun’s mind. While Chi-Hyun was training Chi-Woo, he thought Chi-Woo was mediocre. Since he had so many abilities and tools, Chi-Woo’s growth had been much faster than expected—but that was all there was to it.
Chi-Woo only did as he was told. He was desperate to get stronger because he recognized the necessity to get stronger in a place like Liber, but he didn’t look beyond that. He only trained because it was necessary; it didn’t seem like he wanted anything desperately or passionately. However, the Chi-Woo in front of him was now strongly compelled to change. It was a desire that all humans had. Even though Chi-Woo seemed unable to easily put a finger on what he really wanted, Chi-Hyun could understand his younger brother’s feelings. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so motivated like now.
‘It seems like…he hasn’t gone on this expedition to just gain merits.’ Chi-Hyun couldn’t decide whether he should be happy or sad about this fact. While Chi-Hyun contemplated his choices, Chi-Woo looked at him with nervous eyes.
Even though it was too early to jump to conclusions, Chi-Woo thought he was already half-way to success. Considering his brother’s personality, Chi-Hyun would have flatly refused and immediately told him to stop talking nonsense if he didn’t like his proposal. However, the fact that Chi-Hyun was quietly contemplating his choices was evidence that he was wavering.
Chi-Woo didn’t know how much time had passed until Chi-Hyun finally asked, “Is that why you told me you wanted to leave it up to me?”
“Yeah. When you think that I’m fully capable of doing my own part, you can give the World’s Milestone back to me.”
“My standards are extremely high.” Chi-Hyun bent his neck side to side and glanced at Chi-Woo while continuing, “Moreover, you’re my brother. I’m going to be even more stringent with my judgment.”
“I’m prepared for that already.”
Chi-Hyun exhaled a long breath in response to Chi-Woo’s determined answer. “No matter how much I think about it, I think it’s only my loss.”
“But I’m doing what you want, right?”
“It’s not for me. It’s for you.” Chi-Hyun smacked his lips. He felt a bit frazzled; he hadn’t expected to be persuaded by his younger brother. He could now understand how Chi-Woo had gotten Noel on his side. Then he smirked. Besides what Chi-Woo had said, he could feel Chi-Woo’s sincerity. It must not have been an easy decision for Chi-Woo, either, since his brother might become nothing but a puppet if he had to follow whatever Chi-Hyun told him to do. Moreover, he must have heard all kinds of things about him from other people, yet Chi-Woo was the one to bring up the proposal first…
‘Is he telling me he trusts me?’ Chi-Woo was showing trust towards his only brother—a family bond forged with blood. Like the relationship between parents and children, an older brother will not lead a younger brother to the wrong path, so Chi-Woo was stating that he’d entrust everything to his brother and follow his guide. This was the surest proof that Chi-Woo thought of him as an older brother. Of course, Chi-Hyun was not such an easy person that he would just agree to the proposal with an ‘okay’.
“If you add one more promise to your terms…I might consider this deal favorably,” Chi-Hyun said.
“A promise?”
“You said this was the World’s Milestone, right?” Chi-Hyun tapped the back of Chi-Woo’s hand and said, “This die…don’t throw it recklessly ever again.”
Chi-Woo blinked.
Chi-Hyun continued, “In gambling terms, you have a 43 percent chance of losing.”
“Uh…”
“And it doesn’t only involve you. It’s an object that can push us into destruction with nearly half the probability,” Chi-Hyun continued. “You should never abuse it, especially not during this time. You understand what I’m saying, right?”
Chi-Woo obediently nodded because he agreed with everything Chi-Hyun said.
Chi-Hyun continued, “…I’m not telling you to never use it at all. There will probably be times when you have no choice but to use it.” Chi-Hyun’s tone grew softer. “Still, no matter how desperate the situation is, I want you to discuss it with me at least once before using it.”
Chi-Woo understood what his brother was saying: Chi-Hyun would leave the World’s Milestone with him, but he must not use it carelessly. In short, Chi-Hyun was telling Chi-Woo that just as he trusted him, Chi-Hyun was also going to trust his younger brother once more.
“I want you to at least keep this promise for sure,” Chi-Hyun finished.
“…All right. I got it.” Surprised, Chi-Woo was about to take the die back, but he suddenly felt a strong squeeze on the hand holding the die. “!” At the same time, he found himself getting yanked strongly by the arm.
“Chi-Woo.” Chi-Hyun’s face came close to him in an instant. “This is the last time.” A cold voice rang in his ears. “There’s no second chances.”
The back of Chi-Woo’s hands felt hot; Chi-Hyun was holding his hand so tightly that Chi-Woo felt his hand might burst.
“You’re my younger brother,” Chi-Hyun said.
“…”
“I don’t want to treat you like the other heroes.”
“…”
“Please help me continue to think of you as my younger brother in the future.”
An indescribable pressure came from Chi-Hyun’s gaze, and Chi-Woo had no choice but to nod. Then the pressure on his hand gradually subsided. Chi-Hyun pulled away.
After a brief silence, Chi-Hyun said, “I’ll take care of Noel, so don’t worry about her. I’ll let you know once she gets a bit better.”
“…Uh? Ah, yeah.” Broken out of his reverie, Chi-Woo put the die in his pocket.
“And while we’re at it, I’ll give you your first assignment.”
“Assignment?”
“You asked me to be your manager.”
“Yeah, but you’re already giving me an assignment?”
“Since we’ve gotten the gun, might as well pull the trigger.” Chi-Hyun snorted and continued, “Once you return home, immediately get ready to move out and leave for Shalyh.”
“That’s my first assignment?” Chi-Woo asked.
“As soon as you arrive, find a place to stay inside the city first. However, you must resolve all the challenges that would entail by yourself.”
“Get a place for myself inside the city…?” Chi-Woo tilted his head as he listened to his brother. “I get what you’re telling me to do, but…what exactly do you mean by that?”
“You’ll know once you get there,” Chi-Hyun said clearly. “And think about that much on your own. Thinking for yourself is part of the assignment.”
“I got it for now but…”
“Once you think you’re well-established inside the city, send me a message. Then we’ll talk again.”
Chi-Woo shrugged and said, “Anyway, you’re telling me to go to Shalyh first, right?”
“Yeah, as soon as possible.”
“What about you?”
“I’m also going there as soon as I’m ready.” Chi-Hyun waved his hand to dismiss him, and Chi-Woo turned around. And like that, the second sibling war ended with a dramatic settlement between them.
Click. Chi-Hyun heard the door close. Now left alone, he remained seated without any signs of movement; he looked extremely thoughtful. But then he suddenly opened his mouth. “When did you wake up?”
Creak. Chi-Hyun heard a door open—it was not the door Chi-Woo had left through, but the door connected to another room.
“About half an hour ago,” Noel said, her hair loosely running down her shoulders. She quietly walked out the door. “My Lord, thank you for saving my life again.” Noel bowed to him as soon as she stepped out.
“Take a rest,” Chi-Hyun replied. “For the time being, step away from the front lines and focus on taking care of yourself. You are banned from all duties until you fully recover.”
Noel looked at him with surprise. She had disobeyed an order; considering the kind of person Chi-Hyun was, Noel had been prepared to be expelled as his subordinate. “…Yes, my lord.” Noel soon realized the reason for his new order and said, “I’ll concentrate on recovering as soon as possible so that I can play the role that you want me to play.”
‘Play the role that you want me to play.’ It seemed Noel had heard his conversation with Chi-Woo. Chi-Hyun said, “If you don’t want to do it, you can leave.”
“Of course not.” Noel smiled brightly. She got up to Chi-Hyun and dropped to one knee with her head bowed. “You’ve saved my life several times already. If it is your order, I will gladly dedicate my life to the young master.” Then she slightly lifted her gaze. “But still…” Noel hesitated for a moment and continued, “With all due respect, I’d like to ask you a question.”
“Fire away.”
“From what I saw and felt in person, the young master has already done more than one person’s share and is fully capable of standing on his own. In fact, there are many heroes following him.”
“…”
“Why does my lord feel overprotective of the young master?”
“Overprotective?”
“Yes. The young master’s feelings for you are so strong and firm that even I became ashamed of my lacking devotion. If you trust him a bit more…”
“Hahahaha!” Chi-Hyun suddenly burst into laughter, and Noel’s expression turned blank. It was the first time she had ever heard him laugh so boisterously.
“Overprotective…yeah, that must be how it looks like. You can see it like that, but ultimately, that’s not the case.”
“Sorry, I don’t understand.”
“It’s true that I’m trying to protect something, but you got the target wrong.”
“If it’s not the young master, then…?”
Chi-Hyun looked at the now confused Noel and listed, “You, me, humanity…”
Noel blinked; she looked extremely perplexed now. Chi-Hyun had told her that he wasn’t protecting Chi-Woo. She had been on the verge of asking who it was outright, but Chi-Hyun volunteered a shocking answer.
Chi-Hyun continued, “The Abyss, the Demon Empire, the Cassiubia League, the Sernitas…and beyond that.” Chi-Hyun paused before asking, “What do you see outside the window?”
Still befuddled, Noel turned around and said, “I see…the sky.”
“What do you think the sky is?”
It was an abrupt question, but Noel fell into thought. The sky was an infinite space where incomprehensible beings of all types lived. After careful consideration, Noel replied, “I think it’s the universe.”
“That’s correct.” Chi-Hyun nodded and asked again, “Do you know about the legend linked to the sky?”
“Legend?”
“The legend of its origin.”
“Ah,” Noel exclaimed. “Are you talking about the legend of the Heavenly King?”
“You must have heard of it somewhere.”
“Well, it’s famous. I recall that there’s a prophecy about the new origin of the universe in that legend…” Then Noel’s eyes spun a full circle, and she lifted her shoulders. “Isn’t that all made-up?” Noel had heard of it before, but remembered it as nothing but an interesting tale.
“What if it’s not?”
Noel’s eyes widened, and her expression hardened. She didn’t doubt Chi-Hyun’s words because he never said things for no reason. ‘Why is he suddenly talking about this…?’ Then Noel’s mouth gaped. ‘Perhaps…’
The Heavenly King was the king of the sky. And if one reinterpreted it based on Noel’s answer, the Heavenly King could also be the king of the universe. Since the universe was always trying to maintain balance, it was impossible for an existence to rule and control the entire universe in the first place. But what if, under a bizarre and crazy probability, an existence that might break the balance emerged?
“What do you think will happen then?” Chi-Hyun asked.
“Are you saying that…the universe could end?”
“There’s no way that’ll happen.” Chi-Hyun laughed and shook his head. The universe did not allow anyone to rule over it; this was an absolute and immutable truth. If such an existence did emerge by chance, the universe would struggle frantically to protect the balance somehow like what a world would do; whenever a world was in crisis, a hero appeared to save it without fail. When an existence that could break the balance emerged, the universe would likewise invoke this same rule by creating a new existence that could keep the Heavenly King in check. In earth terms, it was like a nuclear weapon development war with no means of defense, in which multiple countries developed nuclear weapons and forcibly kept each other in check. In short, as soon as a Heavenly King emerged that would threaten the balance of the universe—
“The universe will fall into great confusion,” Chi-Hyun continued. “And in that mess, a terrible ‘chaos’ will be born.”
And that wouldn’t be the end. If ‘chaos’ did emerge due to the appearance of a Heavenly King, an unknown ‘something’ would then emerge to keep the ‘chaos’ in check. The cycle would repeat over and over again as the universe tried to create a new order of balance. This was the prediction written in the legend of the Heavenly King. The best possible scenario was for the Heavenly King to not emerge in the first place; there would be no reason for the universe to create a new order then. But…
“…It might already be too late,” Chi-Hyun muttered and shifted his gaze to the bright blue sky outside the window. The tide had already begun. At this rate, the time would come soon, and when it did…
“We won’t be able to return it to how it was or stop it.” No one would be able to stop the Heavenly King from heralding the new orders of the universe.