Chapter 298: Butterfly Effect
Chapter 298: Butterfly Effect
A fierce wind blew. Dust kicked up from the ground struck my face, and I reflexively shut my eyes.
Even after the wind died down, I kept my eyes closed. I couldn't see anything, but all my other senses grew sharper. My heart, pounding with the fear of death. My trembling lips. The touch of the demon's hand stroking my hair. And the countless auras of darkness standing on the earth, too many to count.
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
Just then, I felt a faint vibration from the ground where I knelt. The footsteps were heavy enough to make the earth tremble. The vibrations grew stronger and stronger, then suddenly stopped as if by magic, just a short distance away. In its place, an unpleasant voice that sounded like scraping metal pierced my ears.
“Lord Belphegor. I have something to report. A message came from the reconnaissance unit. We have confirmed the appearance of the Thunder Emperor.”
“Kgh!”
For a moment, a pain as if my hair was being ripped out shot from the crown of my head. But the pain quickly subsided. The unbelievable news I had just heard washed over me, a wave of shock stronger than the pain.
“Is that so? I had a feeling he might, but he really came. Kehehe! But surely the Thunder Emperor didn't come alone?”
“Contact was lost right after they confirmed his appearance. However, they said they saw at least a thousand men in the final transmission…”
“A thousand, you say… Then the Haemil bastards might have all come. Understood. Our numbers are far greater, but do not let your guard down. Every single one of them is a foe not to be underestimated.”
“Yes. I'll keep that in mind.”
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.
The footsteps faded into the distance again. I tried to control my surprise and let out a small breath.
My brother is coming. My brother and my comrades are here to save me. The moment I heard those words, an indescribable emotion began to stir in my heart, which had been soaked in fear.
But that feeling was fleeting. Belphegor, whose hand was still on the crown of my head, spoke in a sneering voice.
“Hey, Kim Soohyun. Open your eyes. Your brother and his comrades are here to save you.”
“……”
“You know, it's quite fascinating. To think all those incredible people would come rushing in to save a half-wit like you. Honestly, there's no way someone like the Thunder Emperor wouldn't realize this is a trap. Don't you think?”
I didn't answer Belphegor. My feelings were too complicated. Indignation, shame, relief, anxiety—all sorts of emotions were churning inside me. Above all, I had nothing to say. Everyone had warned me against this, but I acted on my own. Falling into this trap was entirely my fault, and I couldn't blame anyone else.
As I thought that, a sudden sense of powerlessness began to well up inside me.
There was nothing I could do. I could only squeeze my closed eyes tighter and bite my lower lip so hard it might bleed. I suddenly felt like I was about to cry. I didn't want to show weakness in front of this bastard. I tried to hold it back, but the emotions were already welling up, rising to my throat.
CRACKLE! RUMBLE!
“Hm?”
From far ahead, the loud clap of thunder echoed. For a second, I doubted my ears, but since I heard Belphegor’s questioning hum as well, I must have heard correctly.
“What's this? Are they here already? No, that can't be right. The advance unit is definitely up ahead…”
The surroundings were growing chaotic. The demons, who had been deathly still just moments before, were now stirring with an agitation I could feel even with just my senses. It was then.
Vwooom!
I began to feel a familiar, tingling flow of magic. It was a wave of magical power so strong it made the very space around me hum and vibrate. Just as the rippling waves of power began to subside, a familiar voice echoed all around, and I snapped open the eyes I had kept squeezed shut.
(Belphegor.)
“Oh! This voice… It's the Thunder Emperor! To send a message from so far away. How impressive~. Kehehe!”
(I'm warning you. Take your hand off Soohyun right now.)
“What? After all the preparations I've made for this day, you want me to just let go? Kuhahaha! I see you have a fine sense of humor, Thunder Emperor.”
(That's not what I meant…)
Vwooom! Vwoooom!
The flow of magic continued. I scanned my surroundings as far as my neck could turn, but I couldn't see any sign of what was happening. But then I noticed a dark shadow slowly falling over the land, and I snapped my head up to look at the sky. My sweat-soaked hair was plastered to my face, but a shake or two of my head cleared my vision.
And in the sky, a mass of dark clouds was gathering, though I don't know when they had arrived.
Finally sensing something was wrong, Belphegor looked up at the sky just as I had. I felt the hand on my head flinch and stiffen, as if he had seen the golden currents of electricity crackling visibly between the dark clouds.
CRACKLE! RUMBLE!
At that moment, the sound of thunder once again shook the heavens and the earth.
(I told you to take your filthy hand off Soohyun's head.)
My brother's voice, which had cut off for a moment, continued.
At the same time, countless streaks of yellow light, enough to cover the entire sky, shot down and slammed into the ground.
*
The moment I saw the people in the room, my heart pounded once, hard.
Jinha, who told me she'd rescue me soon and to just wait a little longer.
The demure Gahui, who told me I should just like her instead.
Taewon, who told me not to worry and just go, that he would hold this place.
Junseong, who told me to run far, far away before he beat me to a pulp.
Hyerin, who guided us here and waved cheerfully, saying she'd see me later.
And my own brother, Kim Yoohyun, who told me to survive until the very end.
They were all familiar faces, people who had cared for me, whether I knew it or not. I had missed them like crazy, and there was so much I wanted to say now that we were meeting again. But my lips wouldn't move, as if they were frozen solid.
What should I say? How should I say it?
It's been a while, everyone. No. That's not right.
I'm so sorry. No, that's even weirder.
Hyung. I missed you. That's not it either.
Hello. I’m Kim Soohyun, Mercenary Lord…
“Did you say you can cure the Banshee's curse?”
“…………Yes.”
The countless thoughts floating chaotically in my head were all dismissed with that single word: "Yes." All the things I had planned to say, ever since I was in the restaurant—no, ever since I first dreamed of meeting my brother again—had now vanished without a trace.
“I heard you don't have an Elixir. Could you tell us what treatment method you plan to use, and if it's possible to perform it right now?”
My brother's voice was cold and dry. He had dark circles under his eyes and his face looked gaunt, as if he'd been through a lot. But his cold eyes were the same as before.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Soohyun…! What's wrong all of a sudden?”
Ko Yeonju whispered as she poked me in the back. I snapped back to my senses and took a deep breath.
Come to think of it, I was like this when I first met Han Soyoung, too. My heart was unsettled, and I couldn't meet her eyes. I might have looked pathetic. It was the same now. An emotion kept surging in my chest. I was hidden by a thick robe, but I could feel my lips and hands trembling slightly.
When I had finally exhaled completely, I held my breath for a moment before taking another deep breath and stepping into the room, one foot at a time.
It suddenly occurred to me that perhaps I had placed more meaning on this reunion than was necessary. It wasn't that I wanted some grand reunion. It was true that I missed them, but I wasn't hoping for a romantic scene where we hugged and cried. Hoping for such a thing was impossible in the first place, and there was no need for it.
I just needed to focus on the goal I had returned to the 2nd playthrough for. Yes. That would be enough.
A few steps away from my brother, I stopped. I cleared my throat once or twice and then spoke in a low voice.
“The method I will use can be described as purification. However, that does not mean a complete cure. I can remove the Banshee’s curse itself from the User’s body, but I’ll need to begin the treatment before I can be certain of the details. We will still have to monitor the aftereffects for some time.”
“If you can remove the Banshee's curse, you can save her life. For now, that's more than enough. Can you perform the treatment right now? Or will it take some time?”
The one who replied was Jinha. I was about to offer a faint smile, but then I remembered I was still wearing my hood and spoke immediately.
“I can remove the curse immediately.”
“Really? Then please, hurry…!”
“Just a moment. Before I begin the treatment, I have one condition.”
“This is an emergency! She could die at any moment. If it's compensation you want, we can provide plenty…”
I calmly raised a hand to stop Jinha. Then I turned my head back to my brother.
“I will begin the treatment right away, so I would like everyone here, except for the Haemil Lord, to please leave the room for a moment.”
“We can't watch the treatment process?”
“It's because I have something to discuss with the Haemil Lord after the treatment is finished.”
“Hold on.”
Just as looks of confusion appeared on everyone's faces, Junseong cut me off.
“Monica, the southern city. I heard you're from the Mercenary Clan. If you don't mind, could you show us your name and face?”
“Of course.”
Sheesh. He’s as suspicious as ever.
He might seem cold and aloof on the outside, but Junseong was actually a very considerate person.
“I am Kim Soohyun, the Clan Lord of the Mercenary Clan.”
“Ah. The Clan Lord himself… What?”
“Kim Soohyun, Mercenary Lord.”
“Kim… Soohyun?”
Junseong tilted his head and glanced at my brother, Yoohyun.
Just as I was about to raise my hand to remove my hood, a change finally appeared on Yoohyun's face, which had been cold until now. My brother wasn't the type to be shaken by a similar name. His reaction meant he recognized my voice. He hadn't considered it at first, but the moment he heard the name 'Kim Soohyun,' he must have felt an unexplainable sense of dissonance.
My brother looked confused for a moment, then calmly shook his head and muttered to himself, “It can't be.” But his eyes remained fixed on me.
It was time to reveal myself.
“Hyung.”
“……Yes?”
“I had a feeling, but it really is you.”
“Wh… wh… you… wh…?”
His expression, which had just started to calm down, was instantly filled with shock. I could feel intense stares from all around, but I paid them no mind. Just as my brother was looking only at me, I was looking only at him.
Seeing him still half in doubt even after I called him 'Hyung,' I slowly pulled down the hood I was holding. The open air felt cool against my stuffy face. And in that moment, my brother's eyes and mouth flew wide open.
“N-No way…”
“It's me. Your little brother, Kim Soohyun.”
“Soohyun? Soohyun…?”
My brother just gaped for a long moment before stumbling toward me as if possessed. His hands landed on my shoulders. From my shoulders, his hands moved to my cheeks, my lips, my nose, my eyes, my forehead, and finally my hair. Only then did the doubt on his face change to certainty.
As I felt my brother's touch for the first time in so long, I spoke quietly.
“Hyung.”
“You, you…”
“When I heard the Haemil Clan Lord's name was Kim Yoohyun, I wondered if it could be you. I happened to get the chance to come here… but I never imagined it would really be you.”
It was a reaction unlike my brother's usual self, but I could completely understand. No, perhaps I was the strange one for speaking so calmly. After all, for him, this was the 'first' time he was meeting me in this world called the Hall Plain.
My brother's hands slid down and came to rest on my shoulders again. His expression was truly complex. The 'happiness' I was feeling was nowhere to be found on his face. After he fully registered that I was his little brother, his eyes swirled with sadness, pity, anguish, torment, affection, anxiety, and regret. And all of it pointed to a single emotion: 'worry.'
“Soohyun…”
“……”
“Why are you, why are you…”
“……”
His Adam's apple bobbed as if he were choked with emotion, unable to speak. He gripped my shoulders hard enough to break them, his face suddenly contorting as he shouted so loudly I could see the back of his throat.
“Why are you hereeeeeee!”
My brother's voice, echoing loud enough to shake the room, was filled with a grief that sounded like a scream of despair.
*
Player Status
1. Name: Lee Hyoeul (Year 8 User)
2. Class
① Guardian of the Northern Continent: Active
② Mage (Normal, Mage, Master): Inactive
3. Nation: Barbara
4. Clan: Haemil (Clan Rank: Under performance evaluation.)
5. True Name · Nationality: One Who Guides the Light · Republic of Korea
6. Sex: Female (27)
7. Height · Weight: 168.7cm · 49.3kg
8. Alignment: True · Neutral
[Strength 25(-22)] [Durability 40(-23)] [Agility 48(-21)] [Stamina 20(-21)(+2)] [Magic Power 82(-17)(+3)] [Luck 89(-10)]
(Remaining stat points: 0)
(The Banshee's curse has been removed. It was purified so completely that not a trace remains, and nearly half of the reduced stats have been restored. However, aftereffects linger. Due to the long-term effects of the curse, some stats have been permanently lost (Durability -3, Stamina -5). With proper care, the remaining lowered stats can be fully recovered.)
The treatment itself wasn't difficult. Just as Seraph had said, the difference in rank was so great that the Banshee's curse was cleanly incinerated by Eternal Flame without putting up any resistance.
My body felt fine. There was a slight tingling in my right arm, but I didn't feel the same strain as before.
The permanently lost stats can’t be helped, but it looks like I won’t need to use an Elixir. Still… Guardian of the Northern Continent? And One Who Guides the Light…?
“I can't believe it. How on earth did you treat her? The curse's energy that was surrounding her body has been completely purified! Her magic flow and physical condition are much more stable, too!”
“Really? Sob…”
“Phew. What a relief.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much!”
As I was lost in thought over the unexpected Player Status, Gahui, who was checking on Lee Hyoeul, spoke up. Her voice was dripping with joy and elation. Just as I was about to quietly respond to the exclamations coming from all around, I felt a hand grab my elbow again.
“Soohyun. Soohyun?”
“Hyung? Ah, the treatment is done. I saved her life, but there are still aftereffects, you know? So from now on, for her recovery, you need to be especially…”
“Soohyun. Let's talk for a bit first. Okay?”
“Uh, okay.”
The worry that had been focused on Lee Hyoeul was now directed entirely at me. I nodded at his pleading voice and looked around, noticing everyone was giving us awkward glances. That's how restless my brother had been acting. They had probably only ever seen his cool-headed and dignified side, so seeing him like this must have been why they were looking at us that way.
“Lee Junseong. Sorry to keep making you go in and out, but please take the clan members and leave again… Ah, Soohyun. Are the people behind you part of your group?”
“Yeah.”
Ko Yeonju, Kim Hanbyul, and Ahn Sol hadn't said a word since meeting my brother. It seemed they, too, were greatly surprised by the fact that the Haemil Clan Lord was my older brother.
“Then let's you and I go out and talk. Gahui and Hyerin, stay here and look after Hyoeul. And Junseong, Taewon, Jinha, please guide my brother's companions to the reception room.”
“Understood.”
As soon as Jinha replied, my brother immediately pulled me outside. Before I was dragged away, I managed to signal to the three of them to wait for a moment. (The three of them still hadn't taken off their robes, not even their hoods.)
The place my brother took me was a terrace I knew well, one with a clear view of the garden. Outside, the rain was still pouring down relentlessly.
Watching the splattering raindrops, I habitually reached into my coat and pulled out a cigarette.
“Huh? Soohyun, you smoke?”
“Oh? Uh, yeah.”
Just then, my brother, who had turned to lean his back against the railing, saw me put the cigarette to my lips and asked in astonishment.
“You didn't use to smoke, did you?”
“Well… it just sort of happened.”
“It's bad for you, so don't smoke. Give it here.”
No. It’s not bad for me, Hyung.
My brother snatched the cigarette from my hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and I let him take it. The whole ambiguous situation made me feel like laughing for some reason.
My brother folded the cigarette in half, tossed it outside, and let out a deep sigh.
“Right… where were we?”
“You were asking why I'm here.”
“Right. I was. Soohyun, you, how on earth…”
“Hold on. Then why are you here?”
The moment I asked him the same question, my brother fell silent. He must have realized from my question just how meaningless his own had been.
I don't know the exact numbers right now, but if my calculations are correct, I estimate the total User population of the Northern Continent to be between 40,000 and 60,000. Even if they weren't related by blood, it was rare but not unheard of for acquaintances to be summoned separately and meet here. In fact, I knew of cases where a popular girl group member or a famous celebrity was summoned, causing quite a stir.
Of course, this was all from the 1st playthrough. But one thing was certain: the world had been calm, without any chaos. Which meant…
Before I entered the Hall Plain, my brother was definitely still in the modern world.
It didn't make any sense when I thought about it. My brother must be a second-year User now, which means he should have been forgotten or gone missing from my memory. But he definitely existed as my family. He sent me letters often while I was in the army and came to visit several times. Yes, that was without a doubt my brother.
“I still want to hear it.”
Had I been lost in thought for too long? When I snapped out of my reverie, I saw my brother's eyes staring intently at me. There was no way to define this illogical situation right now, and it was a topic that would come up again as we talked anyway.
After roughly organizing my thoughts, I tried my best to sound nonchalant as I spoke.
“It's nothing special. I had just reported my discharge from the military and was on the train home when I dozed off. When I woke up, I was in the Summoning Room. Well, I'm also curious as to why you're here, Hyung.”
“What? You were summoned on your way home after being discharged? Those angels, I swear…”
“It's fine. If you're going to complain about that, who here isn't a victim? There's no point in arguing about it now.”
I let out a small laugh and shook my head, and my brother slowly unclenched his fist. I could then feel his gaze carefully scanning me from head to toe.
Silence fell for a while. The rain continued to fall coolly. I deliberately avoided my brother's gaze and looked outside.
Just as the silence was starting to feel a little awkward, a gentle voice broke it.
“Soohyun, you've changed a lot.”
“…You think so?”
“Haha. It feels a bit strange to say this, but honestly, you don't seem like my little brother anymore. You're all grown up, Soohyun.”
“……”
My brother nodded, walked over, and patted my head with a light laugh.
But for some reason, my brother's words pierced deep into my heart.