Chapter 105

Juk-sim was said to be hiding somewhere, but I never imagined she would be out saving ordinary citizens.

Unless it’s a special case like with Eva, the time a soul can linger is usually about three days.

I was told that within that time, she had to consume the “stars” she had filled to save them.

But she saved people, hoping that this incident would cause less harm to Eva.

Was Juk-sim actually a saint?

I was deeply grateful that she, a hikikomori, had gone to such lengths.

[Returners have finicky souls, so it won’t be easy. Moreover, some souls are destroyed, so not everyone can be saved.]

Seeing her downcast over worrying about the lives of Returners, I knelt to meet her gaze.

“Thank you, Juk-sim. Indeed, you are the most reliable person in our guild.”

Hearing my words, Juk-sim shyly averted her eyes.

[She says it’s uncomfortable to make eye contact, so she’d prefer not to.]

So it wasn’t shyness, just discomfort.

[She says it’s our guild’s matter, so she did her best.]

Her following words confirmed she was a good person.

As I sighed in relief, Si-ho came down from the building.

And then, one more person appeared.

It was none other than Eva.

Dressed differently than usual, she was staggering.

I heard she had fought with Hyuk-seo, and it seemed he hadn’t gone easy on her.

Seeing Hyuk-seo collapsed on the ground, she let out a long sigh.

Then she approached him, grabbed his hair tightly, and shook him.

It was venting.

I hope his neck doesn’t snap.

Scary.

“…Damn oppa, are you done now? Must feel great, causing all this trouble.”

“Sorry.”

Eva slapped Hyuk-seo’s head once.

Then she turned to us, bowed her head, and apologized.

“…I’m sorry. My oppa caused so much trouble. Even with ten mouths, I wouldn’t know what to say.”

“Domi.”

“My sister says even with ten mouths, she wouldn’t know what to say… Why are you opening your mouth?”

Eva, boiling with anger, glared at Hyuk-seo, who had his head buried in the ground.

“…Can I ask for one favor?”

“I’ll hear it.”

I thought it might be better to ask Seolhyang, who could be considered the overall person in charge.

But everyone seemed to agree with me, looking at me, which made me feel awkward.

“You’re the center here. You’re the only one who can rally them.”

Baeksan’s advice made me scratch my head.

Thinking about it, that seems true.

Since I’m our guild leader.

“Shamelessly, I want to send people to the Dimensional Rift to save Se-hee.”

Hyuk-seo immediately spoke up.

“Let me do that.”

It really was shameless.

After everything ended, I was sitting in the temporary hospital room at the Returner Association.

Behind me, a large number of restrained Giraseong members were taken to the basement of the Returner Association.

They might be sealed away forever by the sealers again.

Meanwhile, Seolhyang quickly began to handle the situation by sending the Returner Association’s spokesperson to the media.

Given Giraseong’s involvement in this incident.

The media tried to subtly undermine the Returners, but that was out of the question.

Seolhyang preemptively announced through media play that the Returner Association had protected Jung-gu through cooperation with Korean Hunters.

By praising the Korean Hunters, she elevated Korea’s status and swayed public opinion.

‘Truly the Returner Association.’

The government, having no intention of antagonizing the Returner Association, actively supported the association and aided in civilian relief.

The association also provided substantial compensation to Jung-gu, aiding in civilian relief.

Thanks to this, the heat in Jung-gu gradually subsided.

Money is the best, after all.

Above all, the miraculous zero deaths quickly resolved the situation.

The common opinion was that a black-haired goddess who couldn’t meet their eyes had saved them.

Thanks to this, an unexpected craze about a black-haired goddess swept through Jung-gu.

‘Of course, Juk-sim was actually startled to hear this story.’

While Seolhyang was frantically handling the aftermath, I was being treated by the saint she called.

The saint, a Returner from Afghanistan, had Middle Eastern features and an elegant appearance.

Just her touch rapidly healed my body, and I truly felt the power of this healer specialist.

In an instant, my body felt as good as usual.

“You came to me when I lost consciousness last time too. Thank you, Saint.”

“Not at all. You’re someone precious to Seolhyang, so I must help.”

“Saint, you address Seolhyang by her name.”

Hearing my words, the saint smiled softly.

“Yes, others don’t, do they?”

I hadn’t seen anyone but Eun-hyeon address Seolhyang by her name among the Returners associated with her.

I had always wondered about that, and the saint answered my question.

“Before the Returner Association was formed, many Returners died fighting against anti-Returner nations and criminal organizations.”

I vaguely knew about that situation.

As I listened attentively, the saint continued.

“So, it became an unspoken rule within the association. If you get attached by calling each other by name, it’s too hard to bear when they don’t return.”

Now I understood why they didn’t call each other by name.

“It was a kind of mental guard for themselves.”

“Calling by titles instead of names makes it easier to avoid attachment?”

“Yes, we Returners are human too.”

“Yes, I know that well.”

No matter how much they’ve been tempered by numerous events, Returners are still human.

They grieve and suffer when someone beside them dies, just like anyone else.

Knowing that well, I quickly understood the saint’s words.

“Hoho, it’s a point that shows why Seolhyang values you so much, Ha-chan. The treatment is over. You might feel a bit dizzy, so rest a bit before getting up.”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Not at all.”

As the saint left, I leaned my head on the pillow.

“…Baeksan, you said our sister appeared.”

“Yeah, she appeared when you were kidnapped.”

Hearing that, I bit my lip.

This sister really does as she pleases, popping up here and there, driving people crazy.

“And she probably passed something to Cheolhyeol. That stopped him from wearing the crown.”

The following words made my feelings even more complicated.

Seolhyang is already busy and suffering enough from this incident.

Seeing her like this is pitiful, and I’m worried that our sister’s actions might add to her burden.

“If you’re that worried, hug me tightly for an hour later. I’ll act spoiled a lot.”

Thinking about what she does, I couldn’t refuse, so I naturally agreed.

Thanks to that, Seolhyang has been working even harder, speeding things up.

I hope she doesn’t overdo it.

“Baeksan, that person who peeks at the world lines we talked about before.”

“Yeah.”

“Could that person be related to our sister?”

I thought Mari was moving because of Baeksan’s prophecy.

But now, it seems there’s more to it.

Something else is driving our sister.

And for some reason, it’s centered around me.

“Ha, the problem isn’t just related to Kang Mari.”

“Who is that person who sees the world lines?”

Hearing my question, Baeksan seemed to ponder for a moment.

Then, as if out of habit, he swept his bangs up and told me the truth.

“That guy.”

“That guy?”

“The Iron Blood Empress, Baek Seolhyang, that guy.”

That was something I never expected.

Shocked, I stared at Baeksan with wide eyes.

“Seolhyang?”

“Yeah, that’s the power of the crown she possesses—the ability to see world lines. She can pull any world to the point she desires if she wishes.”

“But…”

Seolhyang had never mentioned anything related to that.

Seeing my doubt, Baeksan also made a face as if he couldn’t understand.

“So, I can’t judge now. Judging from Cheolhyeol’s reaction, it didn’t seem like she wore the crown. But seeing the situation revolve around you, it seems like someone is doing something similar…”

“Are you saying there’s something else moving that you don’t know about?”

“Yeah, damn it, what’s with this world having so many secrets? Even after reaching destruction, new variables keep popping up. It’s giving me a headache. From what I see, it’s not Cheolhyeol. There’s something else.”

Baeksan irritably shook his head.

As Baeksan said, things are indeed getting complicated.

“Alright. I’ll ask Seolhyang directly.”

“How will you ask?”

“Properly?”

After all, I have a one-hour time slot scheduled with her.

I’ll find the right moment to ask then.

Such conversations are better face-to-face.

As I thought that, I looked at my phone.

I had contacted Eun-namu.

But for some reason, there was still no reply from her.

I was worried, but Eun-namu is immortal.

I wanted to believe she was safe.

‘For now.’

It’s time to solve other matters first.

I got up from the bed.

“Let’s finish the matter with the Eva twins.”

It’s time to save Eva.

Returner Association basement.

I was riding the elevator down with Ayu.

After being treated by the saint, I was immediately grabbed by her, and I had to force a smile seeing Ayu tightly holding my arm.

“Ayu, my arm is going to fall off.”

“Then I’ll reattach it.”

What a scary thing to say.

“I’m really fine now, you know?”

“I know. I’ve been treated by the saint too.”

“…You’re just sticking to me because you like me, right?”

Ayu didn’t meet my eyes.

Instead, she tightened her grip on my arm.

Is she really planning to tear it off?

“Domi Oppa, remember when I said I’d lock you up if you kept getting hurt?”

“Yes.”

“I’m tolerating this for that. Do you want to test my patience more?”

“No, thank you.”

“Good. I’m really reaching my limit now. Let’s do well, okay? I don’t want to see Domi Oppa getting hurt anymore.”

Her words were filled with sincerity, so I could only give a shy smile.

If Ayu got hurt like me, I wouldn’t be able to bear it either.

Just as she values me, I value her too.

So, it’s good to take her words to heart.

“Idiot, don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

At that moment, Baeksan clicked his tongue and spoke from behind.

I wanted to retort, but the reality was that I couldn’t stay still.

‘At least I’m not a glass cannon anymore.’

Though crude, I’ve learned to use Aura intermittently.

I can avoid becoming completely empty after shooting both feet.

That’s a huge achievement for me.

Moreover, I’m starting to understand what Baeksan meant by Aura proficiency.

“Ayu, can I ask you for one favor after this is over?”

“What is it? Do you want a kiss?”

“Yeah, I’ll ask for that then.”

“Tsk, you’re underestimating me. Just pucker up. I’ll just plant one on you.”

As Ayu leaned in to kiss me, I barely managed to stop her with my hand and got to the point.

“I want to learn how to fight from you.”