The wind howled fiercely, whipping up dust from the ground that stung my face, forcing my eyes shut. Even when the wind subsided, I kept my eyes closed. Though I couldn’t see, my other senses sharpened—my heart pounded with the fear of death, my lips trembled, and I felt the touch of a demon’s hand on my head. The ground beneath me was teeming with an unfathomable number of dark presences.
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
A faint tremor ran through the earth where I knelt. Heavy footsteps, growing stronger, suddenly stopped as if cut off by a lie. In their place, a grating voice pierced my ears.
“Lord Belphegor, I have a report. The reconnaissance team has confirmed the appearance of the Thunder Emperor.”
“Ugh!”
A sharp pain shot through my scalp, as if my hair was being torn out, but it quickly faded. The shock of the news I had just heard overwhelmed the pain.
“Really? I had a feeling, but he’s actually here. Heh! But surely he didn’t come alone?”
“The contact was lost right after the sighting. However, they reported seeing over a thousand troops.”
“A thousand, huh? Then the entire Hamil clan might be here. We outnumber them, but don’t underestimate them. Each one is formidable.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.
The footsteps receded, and I exhaled softly, trying to calm my racing heart. My brother is coming. He and his comrades are here to rescue me. The thought stirred an indescribable emotion in my fear-stricken heart.
But it was short-lived. Belphegor, still resting his hand on my head, spoke with a mocking tone.
“Hey, Kim Su-hyun. Open your eyes. Your brother and his friends are here to save you.”
”…….”
“It’s fascinating, really. All those powerful people coming to rescue someone as useless as you. Surely the Thunder Emperor knows this is a trap, right?”
I didn’t respond to Belphegor. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—anger, shame, relief, anxiety. I had nothing to say. This was a situation everyone had warned me about, and I had walked into it by choice. I had no one to blame but myself.
With that realization, a sense of helplessness washed over me. There was nothing I could do. I clenched my eyes shut tighter and bit my lower lip until it bled. Tears threatened to fall, but I refused to show weakness in front of him. I tried to hold back, but the emotions surged up my throat.
Crash! Crash!
“Huh?”
A loud thunderclap echoed from afar. I doubted my ears, but Belphegor’s puzzled reaction confirmed I wasn’t mistaken.
“What? Are they here already? That can’t be. The vanguard should be….”
The atmosphere grew chaotic. The demons, who had been eerily silent, were now visibly agitated by the Thunder Emperor’s presence. Then it happened.
A familiar, electrifying flow of magic filled the air, powerful enough to make the ground hum. As the waves of magic subsided, a familiar voice resonated, compelling me to open my eyes.
(Belphegor.)
“Oh! That voice… the Thunder Emperor! Communicating from such a distance, impressive~. Heh!”
(I warn you. Take your hand off Su-hyun immediately.)
“What? After all the preparation for today, you want me to back off now? Hahaha! You must be joking, Thunder Emperor.”
(That’s not what I mean….)
The magical flow continued. I looked around as much as my neck allowed, but saw no signs. Then I noticed the sky darkening, and I looked up. My hair, damp with sweat, clung to my forehead, but a few shakes cleared my vision.
The sky was filled with dark clouds, gathering ominously.
Belphegor seemed to sense something amiss and looked up as well. I felt his hand twitch on my head as he saw the golden lightning crackling visibly among the clouds.
Crash! Crash!
Thunder roared again, shaking the earth.
(Take your filthy hand off Su-hyun’s head.)
My brother’s voice resumed, and at that moment, countless bolts of lightning descended from the sky, bathing the ground in a brilliant yellow light.
My heart skipped a beat as I saw the people in the room.
Jin-ha, who promised to rescue me soon.
Ga-hee, who playfully suggested I should like her instead.
Tae-won, who told me not to worry and go ahead.
Jun-sung, who warned me to run far before he beat me up.
Hye-rin, who cheerfully waved goodbye, guiding us here.
And my brother, Kim Yu-hyun, who told me to survive no matter what.
Familiar faces, all of whom cared for me in their own ways. I had missed them desperately and had so much to say. But my mouth felt frozen, unable to form words.
What should I say? How should I say it?
It’s been a while, everyone. No, that’s not right.
I’m really sorry. No, that’s even worse.
Brother, I missed you. That’s not it either.
Hello, I’m Kim Su-hyun, leader of the Mercenary Clan….
“Can you really cure the curse of the Banshee?”
”…………Yes.”
All the thoughts swirling in my head condensed into a single answer: “Yes.” The words I had rehearsed since dreaming of this reunion vanished.
“I heard you don’t have an Elixir. What method will you use, and can you do it right now?”
My brother’s voice was cold and dry. He looked worn, shadows under his eyes, his face gaunt. But his eyes were as piercing as ever.
“Are you listening?”
“Su-hyun…! What’s wrong all of a sudden?”
A gentle nudge and a whisper from Go Yeon-ju brought me back to my senses. I took a deep breath.
I had felt this way when I first met Han So-young. Unsettled, unable to meet her gaze. I might have looked foolish then, and it was the same now. Emotions welled up inside me, threatening to overflow. Though hidden under a thick robe, I could feel my lips and hands trembling.
After exhaling all my breath, I paused, then inhaled deeply and stepped into the room.
Suddenly, I realized I might have placed too much significance on this reunion. I hadn’t expected a grand reunion. I missed them, but I didn’t long for a tearful embrace. Such a scenario was impossible and unnecessary.
I just needed to focus on my goal for returning to this second life. Yes, that’s all I needed to do.
A few steps from my brother, I stopped. Clearing my throat, I spoke in a low voice.
“The method I’ll use is purification. However, it doesn’t mean complete healing. It will only lift the Banshee’s curse from the body. We’ll need to monitor any aftereffects caused by the curse.”
“Removing the Banshee’s curse will save a life. That’s enough for now. Can you do it immediately, or will it take time?”
Jin-ha spoke up. I tried to smile, remembering I still wore my hood, and replied.
“I can do it right now.”
“Really? Then let’s…!”
“Wait. Before I begin, I have one condition.”
“The situation is urgent! We don’t know how much time we have. If it’s compensation you want….”
I raised a hand to calmly stop Jin-ha. Then I turned back to my brother.
“I’ll start the treatment, but I’d like everyone except Hamil’s leader to leave the room for a moment.”
“Can’t we observe the process?”
“I need to discuss something with Hamil’s leader after the treatment.”
“Hold on.”
As confusion spread across their faces, Jun-sung interrupted.
“Monica, the southern city. I hear you’re from the Mercenary Clan. If it’s not too much trouble, could you share your name and show your face?”
“Of course.”
‘Still as suspicious as ever.’
On the surface, he seemed cold and aloof, but in reality, Junseong was a deeply considerate person.
“I’m Kim Suhyun, the Clan Lord of the Mercenary Clan.”
“Oh. The Clan Lord himself… Wait, what?”
“Yes, the Mercenary Clan Lord. Kim Suhyun.”
“Kim… Suhyun?”
Junseong tilted his head, glancing at Yuhyun.
Just as I was about to lift my hand to remove my hood, Yuhyun’s expression, which had been icy until now, began to change. He wasn’t the type to be shaken by a mere name similarity. His reaction meant he remembered my voice. At first, he probably didn’t think much of it, but hearing “Kim Suhyun” must have triggered a vague sense of familiarity.
He looked confused, then shook his head slowly, muttering to himself, “It can’t be.” Yet his gaze remained fixed on me.
It was time to reveal myself.
“Hyung.”
”…What?”
“I had a feeling, and it turns out I was right.”
“Uh… uh… you… uh…?”
His face, which had just started to calm down, was suddenly filled with shock. Despite the stares from all around, I didn’t care. As long as he was looking at me, I was looking at him.
Even though I called him “hyung,” he still seemed unsure. I slowly pulled down the hood I was holding. The fresh air felt liberating against my face. At that moment, his eyes and mouth opened wide.
“No way…”
“It’s me. Your younger brother, Kim Suhyun.”
“Suhyun? Suhyun-ah…?”
He stood there, mouth agape, then stumbled forward as if in a trance. His hands reached my shoulders, then moved to my cheeks, lips, nose, eyes, and forehead, finally resting on my head. Only then did his doubtful expression turn to certainty.
Feeling his touch after so long, I quietly spoke.
“Hyung.”
“You, you…”
“When I heard the Clan Lord of Haemil was named Kim Yuhyun, I wondered. But I never imagined it would really be you.”
His reaction was uncharacteristic, but I understood. In fact, it was probably stranger that I was speaking so calmly. For him, this was the first time meeting me in this world called Hall Plain.
His hands slid back down to my shoulders, and his expression was complex. There was no trace of the ‘joy’ I felt. Once he realized I was his brother, his eyes were filled with sadness, pity, anguish, conflict, tenderness, anxiety, and regret. It all boiled down to one emotion: worry.
“Suhyun-ah…”
”…”
“Why are you… why are you here…?”
His throat moved as if he was struggling to speak. Then he gripped my shoulders tightly, his face contorting as he shouted with a voice that echoed with despair.
“Why are you hereeeeeee!”
His voice, resonating through the room, was filled with a sorrow that was almost a cry of anguish.
Name: Lee Hyoeul (8th Year)
Class: ① Guardian of the Northern Continent: Active ② Normal Mage: Inactive
Nation: Barbara
Clan: Haemil (Clan Rank: Under Performance Evaluation)
True Name · Nationality: Guide of Light · South Korea
Sex: Female (27)
Height · Weight: 168.7cm · 49.3kg
Alignment: True Neutral
[Strength 25(-22)] [Endurance 40(-23)] [Agility 48(-21)] [Stamina 20(-21)(+2)] [Magic 82(-17)(+3)] [Luck 89(-10)]
(Remaining Ability Points: 0)
(The curse of the Banshee has been lifted. It was purified so thoroughly that the reduced abilities have almost fully recovered. However, some aftereffects remain, and due to prolonged suffering from the curse, some endurance (-3) and stamina (-5) have been permanently lost. With proper care, the reduced abilities can be restored.)
The treatment itself wasn’t difficult. As Seraph said, the difference in ‘rank’ was so vast that the Banshee’s curse was easily incinerated by the purification.
My body feels fine. There’s a slight twinge in my right arm, but it’s nothing like before.
‘The permanently reduced abilities can’t be helped, but there’s no need for an elixir. But the Guardian of the Northern Continent…? Guide of Light…?’
“I can’t believe it. How did you manage to heal her? The curse that enveloped her body has been completely purified! The flow of magic and her physical state are much more stable!”
“Really? Oh, thank goodness…”
“Phew. That’s a relief.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
As I pondered the unexpected player status, Gahee, who was checking on Lee Hyoeul, spoke up. Her voice was brimming with joy and relief. As I tried to respond to the exclamations around me, I felt a presence grabbing my elbow again.
“Suhyun-ah. Suhyun-ah?”
“Hyung? Oh, I treated her. I saved her life, but there are still aftereffects, so she needs special care for recovery…”
“Suhyun-ah. Let’s talk, just the two of us. Okay?”
“Uh, okay.”
The concern that had been focused on Lee Hyoeul was now entirely directed at me. Nodding at his earnest request, I looked around to see everyone giving us awkward glances. It was clear that they were surprised by his uncharacteristically anxious demeanor. They were used to seeing him as calm and authoritative.
“Junseong, sorry to keep asking, but could you take the clan members out again… Oh, Suhyun-ah. Are those people behind you your companions?”
“Yes.”
Goyeonju, Kim Hanbyeol, and An Sol hadn’t said a word since meeting my brother. They seemed equally shocked to learn that the Haemil Clan Lord was my brother.
“Then let’s go outside and talk. Gahee and Hyerin, stay here and keep an eye on Hyoeul. Junseong, Taewon, and Jinha, please escort Suhyun’s companions to the reception room.”
“Understood.”
As soon as Jinha answered, my brother led me outside. Before being dragged away, I managed to signal to the three to wait for a bit. (They still hadn’t removed their robes, not even their hoods.)
He took me to a terrace overlooking a garden, a place I knew well. Outside, the rain was still pouring relentlessly.
Watching the raindrops splash, I instinctively reached into my pocket for a cigarette.
“Huh? Suhyun-ah, do you smoke?”
“Oh? Uh, yeah.”
It was then that he turned, leaning against the railing, and asked in disbelief as he saw me put a cigarette in my mouth.
“You didn’t smoke before.”
“Well… it just happened.”
“It’s bad for you, so don’t. Give it to me.”
‘No, it’s not bad for me, hyung.’
He took the cigarette from my hand as if it were the most natural thing, and I let him. The absurdity of the situation almost made me laugh.
He snapped the cigarette in half and tossed it outside, letting out a deep sigh.
“So… where were we?”
“You were asking why I’m here.”
“Right. I was. Suhyun-ah, how did you…”
“Wait. Why are you here, hyung?”
The moment I asked, he fell silent. He must have realized how pointless the question was.
I didn’t know the exact numbers, but if my guess was right, the total user population of the Northern Continent was estimated to be between 40,000 and 60,000. Even if they weren’t related by blood, it wasn’t unheard of for people who knew each other to end up meeting here. I had heard of a popular girl group member and a famous celebrity entering and causing a stir.
Of course, that was all in the first round. But one thing was certain: the world was quiet, without any chaos. Which meant…
‘Before I entered Hall Plain, hyung was definitely in the modern world.’
Thinking about it, it was absurd. He should be a second-year user, which meant he should have been forgotten or missing from my memory. But he was definitely my brother. He wrote to me often while I was in the army and visited me several times. Yes, he was undoubtedly my brother.
“Still, I want to hear it.”
Had I been lost in thought for too long? When I snapped back to reality, I saw his eyes fixed intently on me. I couldn’t define this irrational situation right now, and it would come up again when we talked.
After gathering my thoughts, I tried to speak in the calmest voice I could muster.
“It’s nothing special. I was on my way home after filing my discharge papers and catching a train. I must’ve dozed off, and when I woke up, I found myself in the summoning room. Honestly, I’m curious why you’re here too.”
“What? You got summoned while heading home after discharge? These angels, I swear…”
“Let it go. If you think about it, is there anyone here who isn’t here unfairly? There’s no point in complaining now.”
I chuckled and shook my head, and my brother slowly unclenched his tightly held fists. I could feel his eyes carefully examining me.
Silence stretched between us, with the rain still pouring down outside. I deliberately avoided his gaze, staring out the window instead.
Just as the quiet started to feel a bit awkward, a gentle voice broke the stillness.
“Suhyeon, you’ve changed a lot.”
”…Have I?”
“Haha. I know it sounds strange, but you don’t seem like my little brother anymore. You’ve really grown up, Suhyeon.”
”…”
He nodded, stepping closer to ruffle my hair with a light laugh.
But his words pierced deep into my heart for some reason.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Royujin.
I have something to share with my readers. I don’t think you necessarily need to acquire equipment only through expeditions or adventures. Haha. I’ve hidden a clue in this chapter. Even the sharpest eyes might miss it! Look forward to the next chapter! I have a feeling it might turn into a Kim Yuhyeon fan fest… -_-a
『 Reader Comments 』
Kanesada: Congratulations on being first! You were first last time too, and now again. (A new champion emerging?!) Haha. Enjoy this chapter as well. :)
Uiver: It seems that way. Some equipment will surely prove its worth in the upcoming war!
Flute: Haha, you’re curious about the hints regarding the guide of light, right? This part is a bit twisted. It’s a little complex. Just so you know, angels aren’t fools. Hehe.
Jikaf: I-I’m sorry. Please, anything but that. Sob. ㅜ.ㅠ
Jeongyeon: Bang bang bang bang bang bang bang bang!
Wowoooo~~: Thank you for binge-reading! Thanks for the coupon! (__)
LOVE Autumn: Haha, the exact power of Hwajeong is, well, I was going to write about it when meeting the Seraph last time, but it got too lengthy, so I cut it. :) In the second round, there won’t be any users exceeding 101, except for the protagonist. (Still thinking about it.)
Melis: Correction completed. I mistakenly thought it was D Minus rank. Thank you. (__)
Lea: Haha, back then, there was ability but no significant change in attitude. This time, the sudden change in attitude surprised everyone. It’s the power of 101! (Right?)
Potato Chip: Hohoho. I was surprised by your comment. Especially the first! Second! Third! It made me smile. :D It reminded me of the scene when Kwon Sora appeared in Magia. :) Hot!
Thank you for always reading. Your recommendations and comments are a great encouragement.
I hope you always read with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.