Chapter 106

Baeksan’s training was intense, but even he admitted there were limits to fighting Spirit Entities.

So, I needed someone who could fill in for real combat.

I thought Ayu was the most suitable for that.

Ayu was the strongest person I knew.

Hearing my words, Ayu widened her eyes and started laughing.

“Finally, Domi Oppa noticed my greatness?”

“I always knew you were amazing. That’s why I rely on you so much.”

“Hmph, fine. You can rely on me more. I, the cutest in the world, will handle everything.”

I looked at Ayu, who was puffing up with pride, and held back a laugh as I asked.

“So, will you do me this favor?”

“Of course! Domi Oppa is really lucky. The Cheonma herself will teach you! From now on, call me Master.”

“Yes, Master.”

While we were talking, the elevator arrived at the basement.

Beyond the open door, Eun-hyeon was waiting.

She bowed her head when she saw us.

“Cheonma, Ha-chan, welcome. Everyone is waiting inside.”

“Are we late?”

“No. Si-ho just finished preparing.”

Good.

Following Eun-hyeon’s guidance, we headed inside.

The room we arrived at was filled with people I knew.

The first to catch my eye was Hyuk-seo, sealed with a lock by the Sealer, standing next to Yekaterina.

Hyuk-seo’s body had returned to its original state after being healed by the Saint.

Only a faint scar remained on his neck, a testament to the Saint’s incredible power.

Beside him was Eva.

Further away, Nae-ki was sitting behind Juk-sim, while Si-ho was moving her hands in the air.

Nae-ki waved at me first, so I waved back.

Si-ho seemed deeply focused, unaware of my arrival.

Not wanting to disturb her, I quietly stood in the corner with Ayu.

“Done.”

The moment Si-ho shouted, a crack appeared in front of her.

Everyone’s eyes turned to the space, and Si-ho took two steps back.

Beyond the crack, a strange storm was raging.

The pouring rain, the pitch-black sky, and the occasional lightning made it look like a scene from a nightmare.

‘This is the Dimensional Rift? It looks like a planet somewhere.’

As I marveled at the rift, Hyuk-seo stood up.

Eun-hyeon had already released the seal on him, and his shadow writhed beneath his feet.

“I’m going.”

“…Don’t push yourself.”

“I can’t promise that.”

Despite Eva’s concern, his response was typical of him.

“Manager, you’re here?”

Just then, Si-ho turned to me and smiled brightly.

I nodded and approached her.

“How is it? Any problems?”

“None. Opening it was no problem. I’ve pinpointed the location as much as possible. They should be nearby.”

Si-ho said maintaining it wasn’t difficult, but her expression wasn’t exactly bright.

“But I don’t know what might happen inside. It looks dangerous.”

Following her gaze, I looked at the Dimensional Rift just as another lightning bolt struck.

Scary.

Meanwhile, I locked eyes with Hyuk-seo.

“Domi, thanks for indulging me.”

I scratched my head at his sudden gratitude.

Hyuk-seo was scheduled to be sealed by the World Returner Association as an executive of Giraseong.

Even as acquaintances, his crimes wouldn’t just disappear.

And he knew that when he joined Giraseong.

Destroying others’ lives to protect those he cherishes always comes with a price.

“Round and round. If only you had accepted my proposal back then. I was such an idiot.”

If Hyuk-seo had listened to me that day, things wouldn’t have gotten this bad.

“Hyuk-seo, life is always full of regrets.”

But that’s just how life is.

Even I often think I should have lived more carefree.

I’ve thought countless times about not getting involved with Gwak Sa-yeon and just letting things slide.

Of course, that doesn’t mean our regrets are the same.

But no matter how resolute one is, regrets are inevitable.

“The world has always been a mess when you look at the results. This is no different.”

The damage he caused is being restored thanks to Seolhyang and Juk-sim’s efforts.

So now, a word of gratitude is more valuable than useless regrets.

“…I’m glad you’re here. I’ll repay this debt somehow.”

“I’ll make sure to collect, so let’s save Eva first.”

Hearing my words, Hyuk-seo gave a faint smile.

Seeing him smile, after always being so stern, was quite nice.

“That’s why I like Domi Oppa.”

Just then, Ayu leaned her head against my arm and spoke.

Her smiling face made me feel how sincere her words were, unlike before when I would have brushed them off as a joke.

“I’ll be back.”

And with that, Hyuk-seo finally stepped into the Dimensional Rift.

—

In the pouring rain.

Song Hyuk-seo walked through the blurred vision of the rain.

This was the Dimensional Rift.

In this place where anything could happen, Song Hyuk-seo kept moving forward.

‘I can’t feel my shadow.’

Even though he was walking on solid ground, he couldn’t feel anything.

This strange sensation sent chills down his spine.

Despite being an S-class Returner, this place kept giving him bad premonitions.

‘Se-hee.’

According to Ha Si-ho, her body should be nearby.

Believing that, Song Hyuk-seo heightened all his senses.

Just then, he saw something.

In the distance, a figure swayed, and Song Hyuk-seo quickly moved towards it, finding Se-hee.

“……”

No words came out of his mouth.

Se-hee’s body was a mess.

Her arms and legs were torn, and her skin, soaked in water, was peeling off.

Seeing her pitiful state, Song Hyuk-seo bit his lip and lifted her body.

“I’m sorry.”

Tears welled up, but he swallowed them and turned around.

“Let’s go back.”

He had found Se-hee’s body.

Now, all that was left was to cross the Dimensional Rift Ha Si-ho had opened.

Kugugugugugu!

As he started running, he felt everything around him vibrating.

Realizing the sound was coming from above, he looked up.

“…What is that?”

His eyes widened.

Above him was a massive sea.

What was pouring down wasn’t rain, but the sea itself.

How could such a massive amount of water be in the sky?

Realizing this, Song Hyuk-seo couldn’t tell if he was standing on the ground or in the sky.

‘This is bad.’

The Dimensional Rift was clearly affecting his mind.

But even so, he couldn’t take his eyes off the sky.

Because the sea above was making ominous sounds, and the rain was getting heavier.

And then, at that moment.

Kwaguagugugu!

The sea began to pour down.

A massive amount of water, unlike the rain, cascaded from the sky.

Instantly caught in the sea, Song Hyuk-seo released his energy to resist being swept away.

The pressure was so intense he couldn’t even take a step forward.

‘This isn’t normal water.’

He was a Returner.

No matter how strong the water pressure, being unable to move meant this wasn’t ordinary water.

No.

He couldn’t stay trapped in the water, not knowing what might happen next.

Grrr!

In the pouring water, Song Hyuk-seo gritted his teeth.

With all his energy, the shadow inside him began to writhe violently.

Thud!

Trapped in the water, Song Hyuk-seo held Se-hee tightly and slowly took one step after another.

Each step felt like his body was being crushed in a hydraulic press, but he didn’t stop.

I’ll get out.

I will survive.

I’ll get out no matter what to save Se-hee.

With unwavering determination, he pushed forward.

Just then, the sea began to change again.

Despite being underwater, a tornado-like wind started swirling in the distance.

Song Hyuk-seo’s body was being pulled towards it, and he felt like he would be torn apart.

His skin tore, his muscles split.

He felt his bones breaking one by one.

In this feeling of being corroded by the water and wind, Song Hyuk-seo took another step.

Almost there.

Just a little more.

Kwakakakakakak!

At that moment, he saw the tornado coming to swallow him.

Its size was absurd, enough to sweep away the entire Korean Peninsula.

Is this the end?

Can’t even save Se-hee? Is this really it?

Clank-

Just then, he heard the sound of metal clashing.

Reflexively looking up, he saw a red flash in the distance.

Kwakakakakakakakak!

A massive storm of red lightning collided with the tornado.

The sheer force momentarily shattered the tornado, and Song Hyuk-seo felt the pull on him lessen.

“Ha, Domi, you really…”

Song Hyuk-seo felt strength return to his crumbling body.

Following the red flash, his legs frantically pushed forward.

And then, he saw the crack.

“Oppa!”

Se-hee’s voice rang out strongly.

Hearing it, Song Hyuk-seo ran even harder.

Crunch!

Just then, he heard the sound of something breaking in his leg.

It felt like his bones were shattering, and one leg completely crumbled.

“Damn it!”

Without hesitation, Song Hyuk-seo used all his strength to throw Se-hee’s body towards the open space.

He saw her body cross the threshold.

At the same time, he locked eyes with Se-hee, her eyes wide.

With his broken leg, Song Hyuk-seo’s body began to collapse.

Kugugugugu!

Another wave was coming to swallow him.

If he stopped now, it would mean his death.

But even so, Song Hyuk-seo was smiling.

“It’s done.”

I lived for you.

Don’t cry, little sister.

Though she couldn’t hear his words.

Song Hyuk-seo could accept death knowing he had saved his twin sister.

But even if he accepted death.

“Hyuk-seo!!!!!!”

Others might not.

Just before closing his eyes, Song Hyuk-seo saw Ha-chan’s face.

Why are you here?

Realizing Ha-chan had jumped into the Dimensional Rift to save him, Song Hyuk-seo thought.

Is this guy crazy?