Chapter 123

…Let me die.

Before I could even think about the meaning of these words, the next scene appeared.

“Congratulations on joining, Lee Yun-seong.”

“…Thank you, Clan Master.”

‘In the first round, did Yoo Ju become the master of the Hwashin Clan…?’

“But… have we met before? Your face… it feels familiar somehow?”

“…You probably saw me during the tutorial. I was in the same batch as the Clan Master.”

“Ah… I’m sorry. I was being rude.”

“It’s fine, Clan Master. Don’t worry about it.”

Yoo Ju didn’t seem to remember me.

‘…I didn’t stand out, so it’s natural she wouldn’t remember me. In a way, it’s expected.’

During the tutorial, her attention would have been on Jo Chan-ho or Yoo Hyun. It’s only natural that someone like me wouldn’t be remembered by Yoo Ju.

‘It seems I spent some time by Yoo Ju’s side.’

Memories of time spent with Yoo Ju began to flash before my eyes.

“Ah… Yoon Seong, thank you.”

“Not at all, Yoo Ju. You must be tired, so why don’t you have some coffee while we talk?”

Watching all of this, I couldn’t help but clench my fists.

Because in the first round, I had deliberately approached Yoo Ju to manipulate her.

No matter how it looked to others, in my eyes, my hypocritical behavior was glaringly obvious.

Then came the scene where I brought Wi Ho-yeon.

‘What? I brought Wi Ho-yeon?’

“…My name is Wi Ho-yeon. Please take care of me.”

“Welcome to the clan.”

In the second round, Yoo Ju brought the Sword Monarch to Eternity, so I naturally assumed there was something between Yoo Ju and the Sword Monarch.

I never expected that I would be the one to bring Wi Ho-yeon.

As time passed, absurd scenes began to unfold.

“…I, I like you, Yoon Seong…”

“……”

‘Damn it, Lee Yun-seong, you crazy bastard…’

“Um, um… after spending time together… your personality is so nice… and your face is so… um…”

“…I understand what you’re saying. I’m really happy to hear that.”

“R-really…?”

“I feel the same way about you, Yoo Ju.”

“Ah… ah… sob… sob…”

“W-why are you crying all of a sudden? Y-Yoo Ju?”

“Sob… it’s just… I’m so happy…”

‘This… no, this can’t be… did I really do this to Yoo Ju?’

The way I played with Yoo Ju’s feelings.

I was certain. In the first round, I had no feelings for Yoo Ju whatsoever.

She was just a means to an end, nothing more, nothing less.

“Stop crying. You’re making me flustered…”

“Yes… sniff… but… Yoon Seong.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Since we’re… d-dating now… how about we drop the formalities?”

“Hmm…”

“D-do you not want to?”

“…No, let’s drop the formalities.”

“Okay! Hehe…”

“….”

“Um… Y-Yoon Seong… can you call me by my name?”

“…Alright, Yoo Ju.”

“Hehe…”

Watching Yoo Ju smile happily, my mood plummeted to the abyss.

‘Sigh… damn it, was this what I had to do in the Hwashin Clan? Why…’

Suddenly, an uneasy thought began to surface.

‘…I clearly said I would start over. And in the first round, I deliberately approached Yoo Ju, and Yoo Ju regressed.’

I remembered the first time I visited the Library of Records.

‘Ute… was interested in me, not Yoo Ju.’

It was a ridiculous assumption, but with all the circumstances pointing in one direction, I couldn’t help but think of it.

‘Did I… set things up so that Yoo Ju would regress?’

Even though I’m not a Returner, I’m involved in all the major events.

The fact that both Returners have a connection with me.

‘Damn it… no, that can’t be… if that’s the case, then why?’

Actually, I knew the answer to the question myself.

Yoon Yeon’s death, and the deaths of Yoo Rim and Yoo Hyun.

‘Damn it… let’s say my assumption is correct. Then why didn’t I regress myself, and instead made Yoo Ju regress? And how did I do it?’

I couldn’t understand.

I don’t know what the deal I mentioned was, but if I could regress, the best course of action would be to go back myself.

Yet, the fact that Yoo Ju regressed instead of me must have some reason.

‘Then there are two possibilities. One is that only Yoo Ju could regress…’

The second is that I couldn’t regress myself.

Soon, a clue that could resolve my doubts began to unfold before me.

‘What is that?’

In the first round, a transcendent being faintly appeared before me.

“Is the deal certain? The preparations are almost complete. If you change your mind now…”

“…Fool. I’m not like you. I don’t go back on my promises.”

“…I hope you keep your word. You’re the one who told me the method. We’re cooperating because what you want and what I want align. Both you and I.”

“….Aitas will turn back time. Of course, at the cost of my sacrifice. You… keep your promise. No matter what it takes, protect that child.”

‘….Aitas? What are you talking about? That child?’

I was bewildered by the sudden scene.

‘Who is the other party in this conversation? Definitely not human…’

“…Don’t worry about Yoo Hyun. I have no intention of repeating the same mistake.”

“Even though you’re a malicious person, I know you truly cared for that child, which is why I proposed this to you. I…”

“I know.”

“Don’t forget my words. If you can’t create at least one Transcendent… even if you go back, it will be meaningless.”

‘Transcendent?’

“…By the way, is it really impossible for me to regress myself?”

“Didn’t I say it’s impossible? I can’t directly regress you, who is making a deal with me. I will propose regression to the target you deem suitable. Have you decided on the target?”

“Yes…”

“Then it’s settled. The only hope for Eras is for that target to become a Transcendent.”

“…….”

“However, if that target refuses my proposal, it’s all for naught. Are you certain that the target will accept my proposal?”

“…They will definitely accept.”

“How can you be so sure? This is a serious matter. If they refuse, everything will…”

“…The feeling of losing someone precious is universal. She will definitely accept regression.”

“…What do you mean?”

“You’re not human, so you might not understand, but it doesn’t matter. She won’t refuse. Just like I didn’t.”

“……”

“After losing those precious to her and realizing there’s no hope in this world, the only way is to start over. I did it, and so will she.”

‘Sigh…’

My head felt like it was about to explode. No, my mood was the same. I just didn’t want to think about anything while watching all this.

“…Then it’s settled. I don’t like you, but I acknowledge your abilities. If you’re certain, then it’s fine.”

“Well… isn’t it mutual? You’re using me, and I’m using you.”

“…Impudent fool. I’ll take my leave now. Before my annihilation comes… I want to rest a bit.”

“Do as you wish.”

‘Damn it, what the hell is going on?’

I forced myself to keep thinking, but there was one strange thing.

Here, the target my conversation partner and I were talking about seemed to be Yoo Ju, so according to this conversation, the Returner should only be Yoo Ju.

‘Damn it… what’s going on… why are there two Returners…’

Before I could fully grasp the situation, the scene shifted again.

“Master… why are you going this far?”

“…What do you mean?”

“Why can’t we just live in the present… without starting over?”

“……”

“I, I’ll help you.”



“I’ll stay by your side so you can return to a normal life. So…”

“…Are you still saying that? Stop it already. You wish I were dead, so what are you talking about? And anyway, Eras is over. I have my own personal wishes, but there’s no other way than to start over.”

“…Isn’t it not confirmed that a threat is coming?”

‘Threat.’

“No, it’s confirmed. Without creating a Transcendent Being, there’s no hope. It’s already over.”

“…..”

“If we start over, possibilities open up. We can save Yoon Yeon, who was a Transcendent candidate, and make Yoo Ju a Transcendent Being. And you’ll gain your freedom.”

“Freedom… What are you…”

“When the second round starts, I won’t interfere with you. I promise I won’t use you or restrain you like now.”

“…What?”

At my words from the first round, Ruska’s face stiffened.

“You and I… we’ll go our separate ways. I don’t know why you stayed a slave, but live the life you want.”

“…What are you talking about? Are you letting me go?”

“Yeah. We’ll have no relationship anymore.”

Ruska bowed her head deeply and muttered something to herself.

“I… no… that’s not what I want…”

“In a month, I’ll pull the Hwashin Clan out. Then, I’ll lead the Outlaws and the Execution Society to attack.”

“…What?”

“I’ve already finished the work with Yoo Ju. Now… if I die in front of Yoo Ju, it’s over.”

At my words from the first round, Ruska’s face turned pale.

“…What do you mean, if you die, it’s over?”

“Literally, you pretend to attack Yoo Ju and kill me. I’ll act like I’m protecting Yoo Ju and die from the attack.”

“You… you’re telling me to kill my master…?”

“Yeah. I told you I’d let you kill me.”

“No, no… I don’t want to. I won’t kill my master.”

“…What?”

“Why, why do you think I want to kill you? I…”

“No, even if you don’t want to, you have to. This is an order.”

“……”

The next scene… was personally hard for me to accept.

“Cough…”

“Y-Yoon Seong… no… sob…”

Me, vomiting blood, being supported by Yoo Ju.

“…Ugh… run… away…”

“No, no… don’t give up, Yoon Seong… I’ll save you somehow… please…”

‘What is this… no, damn it…’

“Cough… I… I was wrong… you run away… quickly…!”

“How can I leave you…! Please… you can survive. I’ll… save you… because of me…”

‘What the hell is this.’

“Ugh… Yoo Ju…! Snap out of it… you need to survive…!”

“Ah… ah… I’d rather die together…”

‘Lee Yun-seong, you damn bastard. What the hell is this?!’

“…And… cough… this happened… not because of you… don’t feel guilty.”

“No… because of me… because of me, Yoon Seong, you…”

‘Really… is this really how it’s supposed to go? Is this how the regression happened?’

While cursing inwardly, Ruska spoke up.

She looked different from when we talked alone, hiding her entire body. She wore a hood and a mask.

“Pathetic, both of you.”

“You…”

“The great Yoo Ju is crying like a baby… pitiful. Is that your boyfriend next to you? Looks like he’s about to die.”

“You… what are you doing! Why… why are you doing this?”

“…People always want to believe only what they see. Like you, Yoo Ju. Even if I explain, you won’t understand. Sadly, I can’t explain either…”

“What… what nonsense are you spouting…? Are you trying to justify what you did? You’re just… a lunatic… do you know how many people died because of you…?”

“…So? Are you going to attack me? In that exhausted state?”

“I can still…”

“Yoo Ju!”

“Ah…?”

“Please… please run away… ugh… listen to me…!”

“No…! I’ll protect you… I’ll go back with you.”

“Clan Master!”

“Ah…! Everyone…!”

“What… Mr. Lee Yun-seong?”

“Good timing, everyone. That woman…!”

“Cough… everyone… please listen to me. Take the Clan Master and run away.”

“Mr. Lee Yun-seong… what do you mean…? Run away? What about you…?”

“I… have no chance of survival… if the other Outlaws arrive, it’s over… quickly…!”

‘Damn it, you crazy bastard…!’

“…Forgive me, Clan Master.”

“No! No! What are you all doing?! Let go of meeeeee!”

“Please… don’t let Mr. Lee Yun-seong’s sacrifice be in vain. Clan Master, please…!”

“Yoon Seong, Yoon Seong is right there! Let go! No, Yoon Seonggggg!”

After the Hwashin Clan members took Yoo Ju and ran away, only Ruska and I remained.

“…Is this what you wanted, Master?”

“…Yeah, this is enough. Cough… heh… cough…”

“That woman… pitiful. She’ll walk a thorny path because of false love.”

“…So what? You want me to feel guilty?”

“…..”

“Damn it, anyway… cough… if this continues, everyone in Eras will die. I… I just chose the best option.”

“…I guess so.”

“…What? Do you have… something to say…?”

In the first round, I was losing consciousness and couldn’t speak properly.

I was practically on the verge of death.

“…Master said that when the second round starts, our relationship will be nothing.”

“……”

“Sorry, but I can’t do that. I’ll come find you. After we start over.”

“You… what are you… saying…”

“You thought you controlled everything, but no way. Forget me? And make me forget you? I can’t do that.”

“…What?”

“Do you believe everything you traded with Benat was true?”

‘What?’

In the first round, even as I was dying, I opened my eyes wide at her words.

“That… what…”

“Sorry, but I was also promised regression. I made a deal with her to regress. But the condition was to kill you in the second round.”

‘What, what are you talking about… kill me?’

Something was off.

If Ruska’s condition for regression was to kill me in the second round, she should have killed me when we met last time.

“Cough… you…”

“But I have no intention of killing you.”

She placed her hand on my dying face.

“You thought I hated you… but no. In the second round, I’ll protect you.”

‘What?’

“…See you in the second round. Your choice is regrettable, but as a slave, it’s also my duty to follow your choice. Even if it takes a long time, I’ll find you.”

“……”

“…Please close your eyes peacefully.”