Chapter 18. Home Visit (3)
“Rifts at S-rank or higher. We should assume that level.”
Mana’s emergence brought tremendous progress to this world. It wasn’t without its downsides, but if you put the two on a scale, it would tip toward the benefits. Overcoming natural disasters was one prime example. Volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons. Terrifying phenomena, sure, but nothing compared to a world without mana.
Humanity on this planet could suppress volcanoes using mana. Predict earthquakes ahead of time and prepare. Block tsunamis and dissipate typhoons. Mana made all that possible, and while writing World Guardian, I’d pondered one big question.
What if mana vanished in an instant…?
It could cause massive chaos and devastation. Of course, defeating the demon king wouldn’t make mana disappear right away. Even as the author, I didn’t want that, and logically, it was impossible. The work beyond the rifts had taken over a millennium to build. Severing that connection would naturally take time. Fifty years at the shortest. Over a century at the longest.
That would’ve been plenty of time. Humanity would prepare, research tirelessly, and by the time centuries passed and not a trace of mana remained on this planet, it wouldn’t have been a crisis. They’d already have alternatives to replace mana’s positive functions.
So… the ending of World Guardian was undoubtedly a happy one.
If the future had unfolded as I’d envisioned.
But a decade after the Great Rift, the prevailing theory now was that mana wouldn’t vanish. Rift activity was as rampant as ever. If anything, the situation had worsened. Current rifts appeared unpredictably, like natural disasters.
Awakened humanity had conquered old calamities, only to face this new one: rifts. That’s why I despised the traitors even more. If they’d just left things alone… everything would’ve worked out fine.
They’d schemed out of fear that mana might suddenly disappear, triggering the Great Rift—and my parents’ deaths. And now.
I suspected a massive rift would soon appear in Seoul.
The main episode in the latter half of volume 2 of Kill the Evil. A sub-quest demanding I acquire and activate one of the Black Heart’s derivative skills. Overly generous quest rewards. The title of the follow-up side story: Birth of the Demon God. The title of the official sequel: Kill the Evil.
If the Black Heart was tied to demonic power… then rifts. And demons.
I could predict that in the climax of Kill the Evil volume 2, I’d confront both.
“A rift… S-rank?”
Seo Yeon-hee murmured to herself, looking up at me. We were walking slowly as she asked in a low voice.
“You’re sure it’s an S-rank rift?”
“No, I don’t know the details. But I’m guessing it’s a rift.”
“In Seoul?”
“Better to widen it to the capital area. Could be elsewhere, but the odds are low.”
If a rift opened, Sea and Jin Yu-ri would be in its range. Plus the heroes from Europe. Unless they were somewhere far off, I could narrow it to Seoul—or the capital region at most.
Seo Yeon-hee muttered softly.
“Gotta prepare without drawing attention…”
She didn’t engage publicly anymore, but she still wielded massive influence in the awakener world. Preparing discreetly, hiding sources and avoiding suspicion, wouldn’t be hard for her.
Then, with a hint of regret, she asked, “About your ability… Can’t you probe deeper? Like timing or location?”
“I’d have told you already if I could.”
“Can’t you push a little harder? Hmm… How about this? If a pretty big sis cheers you on, doesn’t that give you a boost?”
“The most beautiful being in the entire history of the universe, the Long-lived Queen Ileia—”
“Oh my?”
Seo Yeon-hee quickly reached out, sealing my lips with her index and middle fingers. The soft pressure lingered before pulling away, and I continued.
“Anyway, even if that person cheers me on, no dice. Someone at your level? Forget it.”
“Wow… Listen to you. You’re trying to hurt my feelings.”
Both of us grumbled playfully. She sounded mock-upset, but I meant it more seriously. Who’d want to stay ignorant? Still, knowing it wasn’t nagging, I infused my thanks this time.
“I know it’s a no-go… You don’t have to worry about it.”
“Really?”
A faint smile tugged at Seo Yeon-hee’s lips as she tilted her head. She was proud of me, impressed. Worried I might blame myself. For knowing a rift might happen but not its place or time. She was trying to snap me out of it.
Don’t fault yourself for what you can’t know yet. It’s not your fault.
“That’s what you wanted to say, right?”
“You’re getting sharper lately. It’s like…”
She paused, searching for the word.
“You’re getting cheeky. Reading me before I even speak? Makes me embarrassed.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
I chuckled, keeping pace, when I felt a touch on the inside and outside of my arm. Seo Yeon-hee had sidled closer, linking her arm with mine. She gazed at me warmly.
“It’s not your fault.”
“…I know.”
“Yeah, but I’m saying it anyway, ‘cause I know you’ll worry. It’s absolutely not your fault. If anything, we can save lives because of you. I want you to think about that, Dojin. You might not shake it off completely… but when guilt creeps in, remember my words. That’s why I’m saying this.”
She laughed brightly. Didn’t expect you to meddle this much, huh? It didn’t fully ease my mind, but her smile was a huge comfort. I moved on to the next topic.
“About Arnaud Duré.”
“Yeah, what about him?”
“Might’ve been a mistake. He may not be a traitor.”
“Really? You’ve never backtracked like this before…”
Her tone dipped slightly. Hologram intel had been unclear plenty of times, but nullifying it like this—practically back to square one—was a first.
“So I’m putting related plans on hold for now. Gotta call Hae-bin separately this weekend and explain.”
“Separately? Is that necessary?”
Her casual question caught me off guard. She was coming to Silver Demon Mountain too, so of course she needed to know. Why ask? As I puzzled, Seo Yeon-hee grinned.
“We’re already out—why not tell her now?”
“Phone or magic?”
“Silly, it’s important. Gotta say it face-to-face. We can just drop by her place together?”
“Pardon?”
Her unexpected suggestion made me double-take, and she laughed mischievously.
“You going alone’s rude, but the three of us—boss, second-in-command, and cute newbie? That’s fine. I’ve been wanting to visit her place anyway.”
“Then let me at least call ahead—”
“I wanna surprise her.”
No one around. Shiiik— She flicked her hand, and our appearances shifted. Still arm-in-arm, she extended her right hand forward like pointing at a target.
She was serious…
“Let’s grab some food and drinks too. Think she’s home?”
“Probably. But we should call—”
“Nope. Boss’s orders.”
“…Boss only when it suits you.”
I grumbled in defeat and walked with her. After a bit, she asked suddenly.
“That thing you said earlier.”
“Which?”
“Long-lived Queen or whatever? I don’t know who that is… but you said she’s the prettiest in universal history. For real?”
“…It’s true.”
“Oh? Beauty’s subjective, though. What do you think, Dojin?”
“My tastes aren’t far from the norm. …Probably.”
“So you think she’s the prettiest? Say it clearly.”
“Sigh…”
No helping it. I sighed and turned the question back.
“You really wanna know?”
“Yep. Depending on your answer, I might cover all expenses today.”
“Well… in my eyes.”
“In your eyes?”
Her eyes sparkled expectantly, so I gave my most honest answer yet.
“In my eyes, Sea’s the cutest and prettiest.”
“……”
“Why so quiet?”
“Dojin…”
“Yeah?”
“That… that’s a sickness too.”
Rare icy tone from her, but I brushed it off. Should’ve teased less moderately. And later, at the store, I paid for all the food and drinks.
May 13th, around 8 p.m.
Yoo Hae-bin, in pajamas, was rolling listlessly on the sofa. It wasn’t that she had nothing to do—plenty if she looked. Studying. Mana training. Or…
“Group project… die…”
The resentful mutter slipped out. Deadline: one week. Research, presentation, report—all had to be done. And she was the group leader.
“Lee Dojin… that Lee Dojin… you jerk…”
She blamed him heavily for this grim fate, then flushed with sudden shame, covering her face.
So quick on the uptake…
He’d spotted the edit/delete buttons on a screenshot even she hadn’t noticed. Why did a graduate even have a Zeta account? Unfair. Embarrassing. Her heart all aflutter.
And one more thing.
Perverted creep who gets off making high school girls say embarrassing stuff…
About an hour ago. The words he’d made her say after getting caught manipulating public opinion.
I, Yoo Hae-bin, swear to live as an even slightly better and more upright high schooler from now on.
To outsiders, it sounded like an ethics pledge. But to her, the one who’d said it? No way.
That’s a talent. A talent for making me say weird stuff without realizing.
The old forced physical submission. Today’s mental reflection. She saw dark intent to dominate her body and soul. Not just paranoia.
Glancing down from her lounging position, she gripped her pajamas and addressed them.
“Hey. Hey.”
No reply, of course. But she kept grumbling resentfully.
“Your former owner, Mr. Lee Dojin. Why’s he so shady and lecherous? Huh? What’s his deal? Does he do this at home too? Spill.”
Swish— The fabric shifted with a soft rustle, almost like an answer. Who’re you calling shady? At least my former owner didn’t steal clothes for pajamas.
“Yeah, fair.”
Yoo Hae-bin conceded flatly, with zero remorse. She’d just get revenge as best she could.
“Hmm… What could I do to you to indirectly pay him back?”
She murmured, propping up her upper body. The rumpled collar rustled pleadingly again. What more? Don’t lose more dignity.
She ignored it lightly, getting up. Stomach rumbling—time for chicken delivery.
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang right then. A voice from outside.
“Delivery!”
“Ah, just leave it by the door!”
Yoo Hae-bin shouted back. Right, a few packages today she hadn’t picked up. Elevator dinged; delivery guy gone. She opened the door and…
“Hi?”
A smiling stranger woman greeted her brightly. A man beside her—also unfamiliar.
Shiiik—! The woman flicked her hand, mana rippling out.
Now, two familiar faces stood before Yoo Hae-bin.
Phantom’s boss. Her loyal subordinate, Lee Dojin.
The situation was bewildering enough…
Then it hit her.
Oh no… my outfit right now…
She looked down. No change. The outerwear she’d made her pajamas draped over her.
Swish— Fabric brushed, whispering. You tormented me. Deceived my former owner. Now… time for fitting punishment.
“Huh?”
“…What?”
The boss and Dojin tilted their heads almost in sync. Their eyes fixed on her upper body.
Precisely… her clothes.
Yoo Hae-bin, who’d never prayed before, whispered fervently.
O great dragon progenitor… grant me the strength to survive this crisis…