Blind Men and the Elephant
"So?"
Cha Yeryeong kept the conversation going while sipping the last of her zero soda.
"Uh, yeah? So what?"
"What does the novel saying a break happens in Japan have to do with whatever you're stressing about?"
Her sister's question jogged Cha Yaeun's memory—she'd gotten sidetracked and forgotten about it for a moment.
"Well... it's a break, right? Knowing something like that disaster is about to happen and doing nothing... doesn't that feel wrong?"
When she'd first read the novel, learning about the break in Japan had made her think she had to do something. Cha Yaeun was basically a good person at heart, so hearing about a catastrophe like a gate break made her feel like she couldn't just sit idle.
Just recently, the Yeonam-gu break had nearly put her siblings in grave danger. The worry and fear of something bad happening to them had been overwhelming. Imagining someone else going through that horror was enough to unsettle anyone with a shred of humanity.
Park Hangu had misunderstood her as some kind of psychopath lacking empathy, but Cha Yaeun was actually the opposite—a genuinely good person.
"No antidote...?"
"Uh... it's not lethal, so just tough it out?"
"It hurts like hell! Shouldn't you carry an antidote just in case you mess up the dosage?"
"Oh."
"Oh? 'Oh'? What kind of—gahk!"
"Getting worked up is dangerous!"
A good person... for sure. But—
It's not some local Korean disaster—it's in Japan. What the hell am I supposed to do about it...?
If it were a break in Korea, she could've leveraged her recent exploits and reputation to issue some kind of warning. But Japan was a different story. Who would listen to her? Especially Japan, with their immense pride in gate safety management. Telling them a break was coming? Even if the Sword Saint, an S-rank like Seo Dami, or Kang Sora said it, Japan would just scoff.
"Ah, sure sure, we'll handle it~."
A mere C-rank like her, with no standout track record? They'd ignore her completely—not even bother mocking her. Scorn was reserved for worthy opponents.
Even if she desperately tried to warn people, she'd get reactions like "What's her deal?" right here in Korea, let alone Japan.
She knew a disaster was coming. But no one would believe her, no matter how much she shouted it.
With her kind heart, Cha Yaeun naturally sank into worry over what to do.
Ahh... so this is how tls123 felt when writing the novel.
She finally understood the feeling of Cassandra—of tls123 himself.
Seeing her sister's expression, Cha Yeryeong let out a hollow chuckle.
"Okay, fine. Say it really happens just like in Lebalheonda. Why are you stressing? That's Japan's problem to handle."
Cha Yaeun was speechless at her sister's cold, realistic words. They were spot on, after all.
Still... as someone who successfully interpreted the author's intent in Lebalheonda, shouldn't I at least spread that message to the world...?
She felt like a disciple compelled to spread the gospel.
The author must have written it hoping someone would notice and respond. If I've figured that out, isn't it my duty to do something?
But the reality was, she had no means to act. It left her chest tight with frustration.
Ah! Crimson Guild—nah, too much.
Seo Dami's contact from before flashed in her mind, but she dismissed it. Recalling the interview payout, she'd just end up disappointing herself and getting laughed at.
If only I were as famous and strong as Hunter Seo Dami right now... If I had influence in Korea, or even worldwide...
Then she could help spread the author's truth, unbound by Cassandra's curse. She could even go to Japan herself to save people, fulfilling the novel's warning.
But reality bit hard: no power, no time, no fame. It was heartbreaking.
Cha Yaeun wallowed in that sorrow. Somehow, Yoon Sungjin's casual novel had solidified into prophecy within her.
Her sister's offhand jab had left her speechless at first, but now she was fully buying into it herself. What a mess.
If Yoon Sungjin knew, he'd probably slip her a psychiatrist's number.
"I've made up my mind!"
"Whoa! Made up your mind about what?"
Her sister had been lost in thought for a while, then suddenly raised her voice. Cha Yeryeong's eyes went wide. Good thing the soda was gone—no spit-take this time.
"I'm gonna get stronger. And famous. Then, on behalf of tls123, I'll interpret Lebalheonda and warn the world."
"Sis...?"
Cha Yeryeong's face twisted in confusion. Resolving to grow was great, but that reason? Really?
Sigh, webnovels—what's the big deal?
Was this better than falling into some weird cult, or basically the same thing? She was torn. Her twin brother Cha Do-eun was a wuxia fanatic too, but not this bad.
Wait, is he?
Thinking back to him raging online a few days ago over "Are Palm Winds Viable in Real Combat? Or Just a Waste of Qi?"...
Cha Yeryeong couldn't fathom why people got so hooked on fantasy novels.
Whatever, whatever. Thinking about it just gives me a headache. More zero soda.
Cracking open another from the fridge, she reaffirmed her vow: I won't end up like that.
And then—
"Pfft!"
The breaking news shattered that vow, making Cha Yeryeong spray soda again.
Japan's first gate break in a decade. And it was massive, like it'd been bottling up all that time.
That wasn't all. Japan, lulled into complacency by years of peace and their "break-proof archipelago" delusions, botched the initial response completely.
Despite having 11 S-ranks, predictions of quick stabilization proved wrong. The chaos lingered, rippling even to neighboring countries.
Especially online, where posts poured in daily. Korea was particularly abuzz—thanks to a certain popular webnovel.
And seeing this online buzz, the author of the hot topic Lebalheonda, Yoon Sungjin, rolled around on his bed thinking.
"Whoa, what if this spawns a real 'Lebalheonda Record' meme?"
Seeing memes like that proved his novel had truly blown up.