Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Beautiful Times Continue
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***
"Sis, come on, I'm begging you—can't you just not go?"
As I was packing up in the morning to head out, she blocked the front door.
"Worrying like it's something new. How many times have I gone to Seoul? Move aside, let me through."
Why was my sister acting like this? She always worried about me, sure, but not to this extent.
Puzzled, I suddenly felt a strange sense of déjà vu.
Here we go again.
What was this feeling?
It had hit me when I saw the sunset, and now with my sister right in front of me, it surged back. Why did everything feel like it was repeating?
I frowned slightly.
"Hey? Jae-ah?"
I stayed silent, so she grabbed one of my arms, her voice laced with worry.
I felt bad for making her anxious. Softening my tone, I tried to reassure her.
"Nah, I was just lost in thought. Don't worry too much. This op is airtight. I'll be back before you know it, like always, okay?"
"Still..."
What was bothering her?
My sibling instincts had always been sharp since we were kids. Something felt off, different from the norm.
"You idiot, getting more worried with age."
I reached out and patted her back.
Honestly, I wanted to say I loved her, but the words wouldn't come out.
It was something you should tell family, which made it that much harder.
But some impulse gripped me—if I left like this, I'd regret it forever. On a whim, I reached up and stroked her hair.
"Huh? Jae-ah?"
She looked startled. Ignoring it, I kept stroking her hair.
Her glossy, soft locks slid smoothly over my fingers.
"I'm not your little sister, you know. Stroking my head like this..."
She was clearly flustered, her face red as a ripe persimmon.
But she didn't pull away.
Sure, it was weird for your little brother to suddenly pet your head out of nowhere, but since I never showed affection like this, she seemed more happy than anything.
And honestly? It felt surprisingly good to touch her hair. A bit embarrassed, my words came out sharper than intended.
"I get it. You're getting old, full of worries? I can cut you some slack for early menopause since you're family."
"What? Calling a fine young maiden who hasn't even married yet old!"
She smacked my hand away, then burst out, "Good lord! Me, who hasn't even dated a guy once!"
Yeah, I knew. Poor sis was 27 and claimed she'd never even kissed. Someone please take her already. Pretty face, killer figure—what more could you want? This old maid who screamed at kissing scenes in movies was too much for me to handle as her brother.
"A unicorn would take one look at you and crown you Virgin Queen!"
"Don't you dare say crap like that anywhere. Please, sis."
Bickering like that lightened the mood for both of us.
That's how we siblings always handled heavy vibes.
"I'll be back soon. Like always."
"Then promise you'll come back."
I nodded, then hooked my pinky with hers. Her face relaxed.
***
The infiltration into Noryangjin went smoothly.
In the forest packed with carnivorous plants along the Banpo Stream, I even took down two Cyclops from my outpost.
Trouble hit near Nodul Station, though. Chased by flying monsters, we ducked into a dangerous subway tunnel.
"No chatter."
We moved quietly along the dark tracks.
GPS showed we were almost halfway there. Then the scout ahead reported back.
"It's a fork in the path."
"Huh? That shouldn't be."
Puzzled, we eyed the left branch. Nodul to Noryangjin was a straight shot. No side lines...
Tilting my head, I realized this wasn't the normal route.
"Everyone, fall back slowly."
Only then did the team catch on and tense up.
For some reason, the rookie popped into my head. I scanned around, spotted him, and hurried over.
That's when the kid, backing up, caught his heel on the rail and tripped.
"Whoa!"
I rushed in and caught his back.
Like I'd known it was coming from the start.
Huh. That's weird.
Weird was weird, but I chewed him out first.
"You idiot. Watch where you're going!"
I glared, and he realized how bad it'd almost been, bowing his head repeatedly.
"Sorry. Sorry."
"Enough. Quiet. Fall back quietly. We'll be fine."
The veterans watching us ground their teeth.
Tough break, rookie.
He was in for a beating once we got out. Can't be helped after nearly screwing us.
Still, what was that?
Why'd I suddenly seek out the rookie like that?
Like I knew he'd trip or something.
Déjà vu hit again, and I gave a bitter internal laugh.
Told you not to binge those fantasy novels.
If this was a time loop, I'd punch myself.
***
We reached Dongjak District Office.
Team leader pride swelled— we'd made it intact. But now the real work began. Dismantle the Lord-grade monster corpse fast as possible, then exfil the team.
Of course, I planned to split off midway.
"It's fine. I'll get my whole team out safe. Last leg of these ten years. It's fine—it's over."
Cupping my face in my hands, I muttered to myself.
Anyone watching would think I was nuts, but no one on the team batted an eye.
They got why.
Then gasps erupted from the hyenas up on the corpse.
"It's the core! Team leader, the core's out!"
Cheers all around.
A Lord-grade monster's magic stone. Worth at least a trillion—that'd hype anyone.
But why.
Why was my heart pounding like mad? Bad vibes.
"St-stop!"
The forced words barely left my mouth when—
My vision went pure white.
Explosion?
No clue why it blew, but I knew we were done for.
99% death odds, and it ends this lame.
No chance to scream or fight—just blindsided.
Should've had the shield out.
If I'd deployed my SS-rank shield, maybe I'd have survived.
Oh well.
No way I could've known.
One weird thing, though.
Hadn't I... had the shield out before? A ridiculous illusion.
***
The feeling was downright bizarre.
I'd struggled to learn shield use from Suiel—should feel accomplished.
Instead, staring at the sunset, déjà vu hit hard.
Confusing as hell.
This sunset—I'd definitely seen it before.
Anyone hearing this would call me crazy.
But it felt like a time loop from some movie or anime was happening to me.
Bits of memories from the previous "loop" lingered.
Delusion?
Time loop was too absurd.
No clue on triggers or reasons.
Wait. No way?
I eyed the Sun God's shield beside me.
It had one hidden option for sure. No idea what or how to activate, though.
"Nah, no."
Way more convincing I'd lost it mentally.
Odds favored that.
Hyenas endure more mental scars than physical. Ten years of heartbreak? No wonder I'd snapped.
"Hahaha."
Hollow laugh.
Knew I'd go mad eventually.
Guess this was it?
Makes sense, really.
99% death chance ahead. Massive stress.
Plus, luck boxes yoyoing me between heaven and hell. Poor hyena mind finally broke.
So now I'm a nutjob hallucinating time loops.
Had to analyze.
Why time loop? What was my psyche defending against with that excuse?
Smartest move.
Clinging to time loops? Irrational.
***
"Sis, come on, I'm begging you—can't you just not go?"
As I geared up for the expedition, she hesitated at the door, blocking me.
Something swelled in my chest.
I love my sister. Most precious family in the world.
Never properly shown it, though.
Might be the last time I see her—hated acting like a sulky kid anymore.
"Jae-ah. Did I upset you or something?"
Her anxious face broke me.
I yanked her into a hug.
"Eek!"
She yelped in surprise.
Didn't care. Pulled her squirming form tight, stroked her hair.
Where's this courage coming from? No idea.
"I love you, sis. Always have. Always will. Sorry for stressing you out, making you suffer."
"Jae-ah?"
My words shocked her ten times more than the hug.
I felt her trembling. Then she burst into sobs.
"Jae-ah. Sniff... sob. You're the most precious in the world to me too. Waaah! Sob!"
Why was she crying?
Dumb logic aside, my emotions knew.
Tears welled in my eyes too.
Come to think—first time I'd ever said "I love you" to her.
"Be back soon. No worries. Safe as always."
"Waaah!"
She couldn't answer through tears, just nodded frantically.
Then whispered in my ear.
"Jae-ah, I love you."
***
On the subway tracks from Nodul to Noryangjin, my mind was a mess.
Weirdest dilemma ever.
Anyone hearing it'd ship me straight to the psych ward's deepest cell.
The worry? Felt like an accident had to happen here.
If I stopped whatever it was, bigger trouble later. Gut feeling.
What twisted logic?
Fretting deepened.
"Two paths ahead."
I stepped up at the scout's report. Glanced left—knew instantly it was monster-made.
Déjà vu again.
Last time, I'd puzzled over the tunnel. This time? Clear.
"Everyone, fall back quietly."
Team caught on, retreated silent.
No orders needed—I scanned left for the rookie. He was backing up, about to trip.
Hmm. Block it? But strong inner warning: leave it.
Let it happen.
Clang!
Echo boomed through the tunnel.
Team froze solid.
Then a deep roar shook the depths.
Grrrrowl!
Monster in the tunnel reacted.
I stood still, lost in thought.
"Yeah... yeah, that's it."
Maybe I wasn't crazy. Bits of this exact scene lingered in memory.
Lost in reverie, no orders—vice leader yelled.
"Retreat now! Team leader!"
Panic shouts everywhere.
Me? Cool as ice. Shook my head.
"Everyone, form up behind me."
"Huh?"
Vice leader gawked like a ghost.
Skipped explaining—pulled shield from subspace pouch.
I can do this.
I can handle this situation.
Shocked cries around me, but I focused power.
Whiiiirrr!
Shield glowed white-hot like an arc lamp.
"Team leader? What the—"
Team behind freaked. Ignored, poured into activation.
Whiiiirrr!
Why?
Unfamiliar skill, yet smooth.
Like I'd nailed it once in a crisis before.
Rumble!
Giant Worm, halted by light, gaped again.
"Team leader!"
Team screams peaked.
As they lost it and opened fire—
Light exploded.
Pure white everywhere.
Erased every scrap of darkness.
Vision cleared: Giant Worm charred black, flames crackling on its body.
"What the hell..."
"Team leader, what did you do?"
Team stared, dumbfounded.
Some dangled guns, mouths agape like fish.
"What, freaking out over that? Like total noobs."
Parroted words some klutz angel once fed me back at them.