On the way back after escorting the unconscious Jung Ha-yeon to the dormitory.
The first-floor hallway was still thick with the heavy scent of alcohol.
It was clear evidence of how wild the festival had been, raging on until dawn.
Originally, the gathering was meant to celebrate Seraph’s pregnancy, but the one who truly enjoyed herself was someone else entirely.
Especially Lee Yoo-jung—she partied so hard it almost felt excessive, turning the festival into a frenzy.
Well, with all the stress from pregnancy and childcare building up, she probably needed some outlet, no matter how wild.
That’s why no one stopped her.
Still, where had I dropped that thing?
Breathing in the fresh dawn air, I scanned the surroundings carefully.
But on the lobby floor, only the remnants of last night’s heavy celebration remained—no sign of the condom I’d dropped on the fourth-floor stairs.
Earlier, I’d been too flustered to look closely. Had someone already picked it up and thrown it away?
That seemed unlikely.
It wasn’t even time for the staff to arrive yet.
I checked thoroughly once more, but it was nowhere to be found.
Deciding to let it go, I turned down the corridor I’d come from.
Maybe I’d had a bit too much to drink, because my bladder was starting to send signals.
There was a bathroom in the dorm, but climbing up to the fourth floor seemed like a hassle. The staff’s small restroom on the first floor was much closer.
“…”
As I walked absentmindedly, a question quietly crept up in a corner of my mind.
How on earth did Seraph conceive my child?
It wasn’t that I thought her pregnancy was a bad thing.
I considered it a good thing, and Seraph was happy too.
But joy and suspicion were two separate matters that needed addressing.
Because this involved my own child.
After checking, it turned out not only So-hyun but all the babies shared user information similar to mine.
All nine of them.
Regardless of good or bad, it was an unsettling feeling I couldn’t shake.
What on earth was going on…?
“Huuuu…”
Lost in deep thought, I suddenly found myself right outside the restroom.
Maybe it was a mental hangover, but my vision felt blurry.
The heavy thoughts made my neck and shoulders ache as well.
I opened the door and entered, closing my eyes as I slowly and firmly rotated my neck clockwise.
Crack, crack—the pleasant pain tingled through my whole body.
Feeling my body tremble involuntarily, I pulled down my pants.
Just as I opened my eyes to aim…
“Uh.”
The first thing I saw was a short bob of ebony hair brushing against a shoulder.
Blinking a couple of times, I realized AhnSol was sitting on the toilet.
Huh?
Why was AhnSol right in front of me?
No doubt it was her.
Her priestly robe’s lower half was pulled down to her ankles, and her bare thighs were neatly pressed together as she stared blankly up at me.
Her innocent eyes slowly drifted downward, stopping exactly where I was holding.
I found myself drawn to those lovely thighs.
Their skin was as white and pure as freshly fallen snow.
Softly plump in all the right places, they looked deliciously inviting.
I almost wanted to take a bite and leave a mark.
After a moment, her arms lowered and she began to pull her white skirt back up.
No, don’t pull it up.
I wanted to look a little longer…
“?”
Wait.
What am I thinking right now?
Is this really the time for that?
“O… oppa…”
Her voice, weak and pained, snapped me back to reality.
AhnSol had stood up from the toilet and was looking at me with a slightly embarrassed smile.
I quickly pulled up my pants and turned away.
I’d completely lost my composure in this absurd situation.
“S-sorry.”
Of course, I apologized.
“It’s okay.”
Her voice was calm.
No, it even sounded a little nervous.
“I really am sorry. It wasn’t on purpose. I didn’t expect anyone to be here at this hour.”
Though I was the one who’d made the mistake, a strange feeling washed over me.
I couldn’t deny my carelessness, but me making this kind of mistake?
I never would have imagined it before.
Had my senses dulled after being away from the battlefield for nearly six years?
“Y-yeah, it’s fine. I don’t think you did it on purpose. Don’t worry about it.”
AhnSol spoke softly and clearly.
Then she bowed her head politely and walked out of the restroom.
Only when the door closed behind her did I finally let out a sigh of relief.
“…What was that?”
Something felt off.
Looking down absentmindedly, I saw my own manhood sticking out proudly.
I screamed silently inside.
Despite the strange incident in the morning, I finished my business and immediately got to work.
After a day of fun, I needed to return to normal life quickly.
Laziness is like inertia—once you start slacking, it’s hard to stop.
Around noon, a messenger arrived at Mercenary Castle.
I thought it was from the central administration, but surprisingly, it was sent by the temple.
Some of the angels who had fled to the Celestial Realm had returned.
“I think they’re just testing the waters,” Jo Seung-woo cautiously offered his opinion after hearing the news.
“Since they managed to uphold the Zero Code against the demons, we can say they’ve achieved their initial goal.”
“Then there’s no real reason for them to come back. Our users and the angels severed ties five years ago.”
“Lord, you have to consider users who don’t know the full story. After all, angels have managed the whole plane for decades and have maintained relationships with users as helpers.”
“Yes, they’ve certainly helped in some ways. I acknowledge that. But that’s where it ends. I refuse to be exploited any further.”
“But Lord, after the final war, about thirty percent of the angels remained… and this time, about ten percent of them have returned. That’s all the messenger said. It’s proof the angels are watching you closely.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“These returning angels are in a similar situation to Seraph. Let’s wait and see. If you go today, it’s likely to be a waste of time. There will be a crowd. It’s better to negotiate when the archangels return.”
“No. I have no intention of showing them any consideration. I don’t feel the need.”
When I said this firmly, Jo Seung-woo took a few steps back and bowed.
He was smart enough to know I wouldn’t change my mind.
“Ah, does Seraph know about this?”
“Not yet.”
“Try to keep it that way. I don’t want her worrying unnecessarily.”
“Understood. Shall I prepare weapons and armor?”
I shook my head.
There was no need to be fully armed against mere angels.
Not anymore.
“This is enough.”
I took up my swordless blade and left the office.
As Jo Seung-woo said, today was likely to be a wasted trip.
As Seraph showed, ordinary angels were heavily restricted in information and actions.
Only archangels mattered.
At best, they could only express their will.
But even that was something.
After running scared to the Celestial Realm when I gained power, I hated the idea of them sneaking back in so timidly.
I’d changed over time, but my feelings toward angels remained sour.
Except for Seraph.
Just then.
As I stepped onto the stairs, I bumped right into AhnSol.
She was dressed up, looking like she was headed somewhere.
“Where are you going?”
I greeted her first, and she smiled, a little surprised.
“I have some business outside.”
“What kind of business?”
“To the temple.”
“Oh, I’m going to the temple too. Want to go together?”
AhnSol nodded happily.
Soon, we walked down the stairs side by side and left Mercenary Castle.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since I’d walked with AhnSol like this.
Maybe that’s why it felt a little strange.
She seemed much more mature now.
It felt like just yesterday she was whining, calling out “Oppa, oppa.”
Feeling fond, I gently ruffled the top of her head.
AhnSol looked a bit surprised, then blushed shyly.
—Sigh…
Zero Code let out a long breath, clearly disappointed.
It was no wonder—AhnSol’s behavior was obvious.
Even now.
“Why is this line so long?”
“Hurry up and get in!”
Murmurs and shouts filled the temple, a crowd gathering like a cloud.
A scene you’d often see on a crowded subway during rush hour.
And right in the middle, Kim Soo-hyun and AhnSol stood pressed close together, unsure what to do as they faced the same direction.
When the line moved, their bodies subtly brushed against each other.
Just from that, their intentions were clear.
—Of course.
After gathering all that luck, what did they do?
Pour it all out for just one man?
Unbelievable.
At that level, they could have achieved their goal immediately, but instead, they seemed hesitant.
—Why not just go all in?
Zero Code grumbled, then gently pushed the man standing behind them.
“Uh, uh?”
The poor man stumbled toward Kim Soo-hyun.
If this continued, Kim Soo-hyun would fall and collapse onto AhnSol.
But at that moment, a strong gust of wind blew, pushing the man the other way.
It was the auspicious energy gathering around AhnSol at work.
Did it hear that?
Suddenly, a part of the energy drifted away and moved closer to where Zero Code was.
Then it started to grumble angrily.
Buzz buzz buzz!
The expression, now with a will of its own, rekindled Zero Code’s previously cooled interest.
Buzz buzz!
Buzz buzz!
Buzz buzz!
Buzz buzz!
Zero Code muttered as if understanding.
The luck gathered today was certainly incredible, but Kim Soo-hyun was no pushover either.
The energy’s complaint—or rather, explanation—was that they had tried everything to create an opportunity, but with that monstrous ability, he always slipped away, leaving them helpless.
Buzz buzz…
With that, Zero Code moved away from its original spot.
Relieved, the energy returned to its place and resumed its work diligently.
Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun was holding Ansol protectively, almost hugging her tightly.
“There are too many people here.”
“I’m sorry…”
“What do you have to apologize for… Ansol, should we sneak around and go in from the back?”
“Th-That’s not a good idea. There are so many people. It’s probably crowded inside too.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. And there’s also your brother’s position to consider. People will definitely think badly of it. I don’t want my brother to get badmouthed.”
Kim Soo-hyun looked at Ansol with pride as she spoke so clearly.
Then, like an older brother picking up his little sister, he suddenly lifted her up.
Startled, Ansol struggled and squirmed.
“Eh? Eh…”
“You’re so cute. Our little bundle of joy has grown up. I guess it’s time to get you married off.”
“Ma-Married off?”
“Yeah. Do you have someone in mind? I could help you out.”
At that moment, Ansol’s leg, which had been trembling slightly, suddenly kicked Kim Soo-hyun’s shin hard.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
I apologize for taking a day off yesterday.
The story wasn’t progressing well, and I was tossing and turning until dawn, so after rereading what I’d written, I decided to take a break.
There was a lot of nonsense in there. ^^;
Also, I’m sorry to say that from late February to early March, I’ll need to adjust my posting schedule for a while.
I have to move into a new place, and classes start on March 2nd, so things will get pretty busy.
Honestly, I don’t want to drag the side story out any longer than this.
Once I’ve sorted out my thoughts and made a decision, I’ll let you know.
In any case, I promise to complete the two promised omnibus side stories.
Thank you all.