The Contract's Twist
Actually... I can't send you back.
Yang Soyu.
A martial artist from the Unorthodox Faction with no roots,
After honing his unknown talent to the end, he defeated the Heavenly Demon who was causing chaos in the world and ascended to the position of Unrivaled Under Heaven.
That was exactly the current me...
Originally a normal 20-year-old college student from South Korea, I was suddenly pulled into this unknown martial world, endured 10 long years of hardship, and finally managed to defeat the Heavenly Demon.
That was the current state of Kim Dohyun.
And right now,
I was facing a strange glowing blue light emitting basketball-sized orb of light.
Also known as the light entity named Sangje who introduced himself as a god or kidnapper, I was facing this glowing lump of light.
The culprit who suddenly dragged me into this world of Murim without any reason and made me suffer for 10 years.
While looking at him, from the perspective of someone who had definitely fulfilled the past promise, I demanded boldly.
“Hey, since I’ve defeated the Heavenly Demon as promised, send me back to the original world right away. Don’t forget the promised amount.”
Ten years ago, on the day that this Sangje suddenly dragged me away,
this guy told me:
If I defeat the Heavenly Demon who is disrupting the causality of this world, he would send me back to the time period I came from as close as possible to home,
and also insert 100 billion won into my account in the original world.
And hearing Sangje's proposal, I accepted it because I couldn't return on my own, and 100 billion was a huge amount that even a poor commoner like me couldn't earn in a lifetime no matter how hard I worked.
Eventually, because of my origin as an Unorthodox Faction member with no roots, I endured discrimination and suppression from the Murim Alliance members, and finally succeeded in defeating the Heavenly Demon.
Also, on the way out, I vented my accumulated grudges against those high-spirited Orthodox Faction bastards who had been bullying me all along with a refreshing barrage of curses.
So,
Now that everything is over and I'm going home to reunite with my beloved family...
While feeling joy and relief at the fact that I can meet my only younger sister again,
I was waiting for the Sangje in front of me to send me back quickly.
-“Hmm... Indeed, as per the contract, you have completed the mission splendidly. With this, there is no need to worry about the Heavenly Demon's threat anymore. However, this doesn't mean that the root of the world's disaster has completely disappeared...”-
“I don't know about that, just send me back already. I have no interest in any of that.”
Looking at Sangje who was hesitating and trying to explain in front of me, I firmly cut him off.
After all, I had killed the Heavenly Demon.
The things after that would be handled by the others.
Even if something beyond their capacity arises again, it wouldn't be my concern anymore if those ungrateful Murim Alliance guys end up in trouble.
‘Well... there are a few guys who might get caught, but I don't have the leisure to worry about them anymore. Even if I look like this, I have a family that I'm looking out for.’
Deciding not to pay attention to Sangje's useless baiting, I demanded the contract fulfillment again.
But...
-“Hmm... Hmm... However... Actually, there's a small problem with that.”-
“...Problem?”
Suddenly starting to say something unlucky, Sangje.
At this, I frowned instantly and looked at this crazy glowing entity in front of me coldly.
“What problem? Tell me clearly.”
-“T-that... Actually...”-
“What is it?”
-“I can't send you back.”-
“...What did you say?”
-“Ah... No, to be precise, I ended up unable to send you back. I originally intended to fulfill the contract faithfully, but... because of the influence of the things you did in this world, your existence has become very tied to this side of the world... I'm sorry...”-
This guy starting to blurt out dog-like words at this point.
At this, despite my body injured from the battle with the Heavenly Demon, I gathered killing intent for a moment.
In the situation where I realized that the efforts I've endured through countless near-death experiences for 10 long years were all in vain.
And crucially,
If this happens, the 10-year-old younger sister who would be left alone in the other world without any protection would end up living in misery alone.
This began to shatter the patience I've been holding back all along.
“So... the conclusion is that you've been scamming me all this time?”
-“N-no! This is because I tried to fulfill the contract but an accident occurred unavoidably...”-
“Haha, really? Then... I have to make an accident too. Since I killed the Heavenly Demon anyway. If I go down to Murim like this and cause bloodshed to become the second Heavenly Demon, that would be it?”
That guy who broke the most precious thing to me.
If that's the case, then I would also repay him by destroying this world that he holds so dear.
After all, since he called me to stop the Heavenly Demon, at this point, there would be almost no way for him to stop me with his limited abilities.
At that moment...
-“W-wait! Don't act rashly! Ah... There are still ways left! I'm sure it's a method that you will be satisfied with enough, so please listen to me!”-
Sangje raising his voice urgently the next moment.
At this, since I had decided to leave if necessary anyway, I said coldly, wanting to hear what nonsense he was saying.
“...What? Go ahead and say it. If it's not something I would be tempted by, then prepare for what's after.”
-“T-that... In short, the point is that you can make it so that you can be with your family... that is, your sister and you together...”-
“That's true, but you just said it's impossible to go back home...”
-“J-just... Okay. Then how about this? Just as I brought you from the other world, this time I'll bring your sister to this world. As per the contract, the timing should be pulled as close as possible to the point ten days have passed since you disappeared.”-
“...!”
Sangje's unexpected proposal.
At this, after calming the anger from before, I began to seriously consider this issue.
‘Bring our sister... to this world...’
Honestly, it was a bit shocking, but surprisingly not a bad story.
Of course, the best thing for me would be to return to the original world with a fortune, which is safer than this world.
But.
If that's impossible, then bringing the child here and raising her would be the best option in my current position.
‘Moreover, with the power I have now... I might be able to do more for Dohwa in this world than in the other. It would be annoying to talk about such things to the Murim guys. But if I live with a bit of disguise, that would be enough.’
Although she has mature aspects compared to her peers, I can't leave the child to live alone in an environment without parents.
So, at this point, I decided to make the choice that seemed best, and looking at Sangje in front of me, I said.
“Okay, then let's do that.”
-“Haa... You thought well.”-
Sangje's voice sounded genuinely relieved at my words.
Seeing this, I thought internally that if this happened, I would have to deal with the events that would burst out as he wanted, but decided to overlook that for now.
More than anything, for me, it was important to help my sister grow up happily no matter what.
Thinking about it, compared to the hardships I went through raising my sister while chewing on poverty in the other world, the current situation might even be better.
‘Well, in this side, I don't have to worry about those parts...’
So, no matter what, since I could see my sister's face again, I decided to view the situation positively,
and in front of me, the glowing orb of light changed its color to golden and said to me.
-“Then, I will proceed immediately. By the way, unlike you, this time I will clearly ask for the opinion of the other side.”-
“Do that.”
Although the possibility is almost none,
But if by chance my sister refuses to come to this world for some reason like civilization or whatever, then I would have to respect the other side's opinion on that part.
Although it's for my sister, I had no intention of forcibly dragging the child into this dangerous Murim world like me.
So, with a bit of anxiety, I was waiting anxiously for the result while looking at Sangje flashing golden light in front of me.
And...
“Ah!”
-“Done.”-
The next moment, Sangje grew larger as if a passage opened with brilliant light.
Then, from there, a girl's figure began to appear as if coming out of the passage.
That person I had missed so much for the past 10 years.
A girl with black hair and black eyes, radiating a loveliness like a doll.
My only younger sister, Kim Dohwa.
At the sight of her figure,
I trembled with overwhelming emotion and cautiously approached her.
“D-Dohwa...”
The name of that child I called again after 10 years.
At this, she looked straight at my face and began to roll her big bead-like eyes.
And...
“Ah... Who are you, uncle? Oppa? Where... where is oppa?”
“...”
My younger sister, seeing me, was caught in fear and started shedding bead-like tears.