“I’m sorry, Hyung.”

A menacing aura began to seep in like a rising tide, though it wasn’t visible to the naked eye. It was a thick, unsettling feeling that hung in the air.

“Kim Soo-hyeoooon!”

I heard a familiar voice calling my name. I turned to see part of the formation surrounding my brother and me disintegrating. It was happening in the direction I had come from. Like the parting of the Red Sea, the once impenetrable wave began to split.

“Soo-hyun!”

Without hesitation, my brother and I dashed through the opening. Even as we ran, I kept scanning our surroundings.

The summoning must have been completed, as the water spirits had taken on their full forms. They stood about 1.5 meters tall, resembling women holding tridents, with water cascading over their bodies. Their long, flowing hair was a shimmering blue, and pointed ears peeked through, giving them an unmistakable fairy-like appearance. Their lower halves were like mermaid tails, glowing with a mystical light.

Soon, the spirits turned solemnly, focusing their gaze in one direction. Their eyes held a quiet fury, as if deeply angered.

Then it happened.

Thud. Thud.

As we ran, the source of the spirits’ anger came into view. Hundreds of them, wielding halberds that glinted ominously, were advancing slowly.

What could I call them?

Their bodies and arms were human-like, but their faces and lower halves were those of goats, forming a half-human, half-beast appearance. Two dull horns jutted from their heads, and they wore dark, blood-red armor. Their eyes glowed a fierce red, reminiscent of a beast filled with malice.

“I’ll save you now!”

A clear, ringing voice echoed between the ranks of the advancing creatures.

Vivian had arrived just in time to rescue us.

“Reveal yourself! Satyr!”

In an instant, a dark mist swirled, and a massive half-beast, standing six meters tall, appeared. It was three times the size of the others, likely the commander of the horde.

“Crush them!”

Screeeeech!

Vivian’s harsh command rang out. The goat-like beasts howled with a boiling rage. Their eyes flared a bright red, and they charged like beasts driven by bloodlust.

La la la la la…

The water spirits, undeterred, raised their tridents, singing in unison as they glowed with a watery light.

The battle between the spirits and the beasts began, water and darkness clashing violently.

While the spirits held off the beasts, my brother and I managed to break free from the encirclement. We reached Vivian, who was drenched but unharmed.

“Just in time, huh?”

Vivian waved at me with a bright smile, a stark contrast to the battlefield around us. Yet, in my eyes, she looked inexplicably beautiful.

“These beasts… did they summon a legion?”

“Yes, the Ninth Legion. The Executioner’s Satyrs. They’re crazy about women, so they’ll be a good match.”

I turned to look back. The place where my brother and I had been was now a chaotic battlefield.

A beast swung its halberd with a terrifying roar, striking a spirit’s neck. But the spirit didn’t fall. Instead, liquid flowed from its severed neck, and its body reconnected seamlessly.

The beast gripped its halberd again, but this time the spirit was faster. Its long hair extended, wrapping around the beast’s arms. Then, a water-colored trident pierced the beast’s chest, eliciting a scream of agony.

Hearing the cry, nearby beasts rushed in, attacking with their halberds. The spirit was quickly shattered into droplets.

But the spirits didn’t stand idle.

A barrage of over ten water beams shot forth, slicing through the beasts like a Water Cutter. The beasts caught in the beams were torn apart, dissolving into black smoke.

The battle had just begun, yet it was already intense.

The fight was nearly even, though the beast legion was slowly gaining the upper hand.

To be honest, the spirits had the advantage in individual strength. Unlike the beasts, who charged recklessly, the spirits fought with a variety of abilities, both at close and long range.

Yet the presence of the ‘Satyr’ in the beast legion was tipping the scales.

Boom!

Each time the massive halberd struck the ground, several spirits were reduced to water spray, soaking the earth. The ‘Satyr’ was rampaging wildly, and the beasts, emboldened, fought the spirits without retreat.

If a ‘Spirit King’ appeared, the tide would turn. But it seemed the spirits had exhausted their numbers, with no sign of a Spirit King emerging.

“Vivian, can we retreat and leave the legion here?”

“Huh? Of course… I mean, yes! It’s harder to control them the further they are, but since I got this, the range has increased significantly.”

I turned to see Vivian holding the Order of Harmony aloft. My brother nodded, relieved.

‘Control… range…?’

“Ah.”

It hit me in a flash. Vivian’s words sparked a rapid chain of thoughts, piecing together a plan in my mind.

“The legion will be fine. I don’t have much magic left, but I can fully recharge once with the Order.”

“That’s a relief. The enemy’s cries are getting louder. Let’s leave the legion here and retreat. Soo-hyun?”

”…”

“Soo-hyun? Soo-hyun!”

Waaaaaah!

For a moment, my mind went blank. We had been retreating, but as my brother said, the enemy’s cries were growing louder. We had lingered too long, and the enemy was closing in.

“Hyung.”

In the urgency of the moment, I called out to my brother instinctively.

I turned to face them slowly. My brother was breathing heavily, and Vivian was glancing between the battlefield and me, looking anxious.

Seeing them, I spoke quietly.

“You and Vivian go back first.”

”…What?”

“I have something to do.”

“What are you saying…?”

“Go back first!”

Thud!

Suddenly, I felt my body jolt. As soon as I spoke, my brother grabbed my shoulder roughly with his right hand.

“What did you just say…?”

Seeing his expression, I realized I needed to explain.

I quickly continued.

Pressed for time, I kept my explanation brief. It wasn’t a complicated plan, so I finished quickly.

“Soo-hyun? What did you say? You’re going to assassinate the summoner?”

“Exactly.”

”…Are you crazy?”

For the first time, my brother cursed at me, calling me crazy.

I bit my lip for a moment, then shook my head calmly.

“No, I’m not crazy.”

“What… you… now…”

He seemed utterly incredulous, or perhaps beyond that, furious. His voice trembled with a strange metallic edge.

I had summarized my plan hastily, but his reaction showed he understood it clearly.

I turned to Vivian.

“Vivian, remember what I said earlier…”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

I was about to ensure Vivian remembered my words when my brother shouted, something he rarely did. At the same time, a faint pain spread from my left shoulder where he held me.

“Are you joking? We came all this way to get you, and now you want to go back in?”

“I told you, Hyung…”

“I know what you said! But still…! Even if that’s the case!”

Hearing my brother’s shout, a sharp pang pierced my heart, as if a needle had jabbed into my chest. But I didn’t let it show. I just stood there, silently watching him.

“Do you think this is your playground? Are you some kind of hero? Why are you doing this? Why go in there? Why do you have to be the one? Is this because you’re the team leader?”

“It’s not like that, hyung. I just thought it was necessary given the situation.”

“Oh, really? Necessary, huh? So you expect me to just stand by and watch my brother walk into danger alone? You want me to just sit back and do nothing?”

His voice, usually calm and low, now roared like a beast. His grip on my shoulder was firm, as if he was determined never to let go.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, drowning out the distant cheers. I could sense it—they were close enough to see with the naked eye now.

I spoke quickly, knowing I had to convince him before it was too late.

“Hyung, listen. This battlefield is already lost. The enemy is closing in fast, and we’re still disoriented. The support unit? We’ve lost communication. Even if they regroup and come, it’ll take at least 20 minutes, probably more. Right now, survival is the priority, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, survival is important. So why are you doing this if you know that?”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

“You could die, you fool!”

Unable to face his shouting any longer, I closed my eyes tightly. But I couldn’t stop speaking.

I raised my voice, cutting through the tension.

“That’s why I’m asking you to create an escape route. If the situation repeats and you use your abilities, a path will open. And once it does, I can get out on my own.”

“Do you think the enemy is blind? How am I supposed to create an escape route if I leave?”

”…….”

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this or for whom. Su-hyun, it’s not too late. Let’s retreat now and look for another opportunity later. Isn’t that better?”

I shook my head. It would be too late then.

“Su-hyun… please…”

Sensing my resolve, his voice softened, almost pleading. For a moment, I wavered, but I quickly steeled myself.

If you ask why, I’d say it’s for me.

If you ask for whom, I’d say it’s for everyone we know.

I took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

“You can do it, hyung. I believe in you.”

“Kim Su-hyun!”

“Hyung!”

My shout startled him, and for a moment, his mind seemed to be in chaos. I realized that if this continued, it would never end. I had to say what I didn’t want to, what was hard to say.

‘I didn’t want to say this here…’

A flurry of thoughts raced through my mind, but I made my decision.

It was time to speak.

I opened my eyes and saw my brother’s face, filled with concern.

Looking at him, I finally let the words spill out.

“Just this once, use the power of the Thunder God.”

At that moment, his lips, which had been about to speak, closed tightly. His eyes widened in shock, as if he’d been struck by a hammer.

Since I’d already said it, I continued.

“Use the Thunder God’s power. With your unique magic control and that power combined, you can do it.”

“How… how do you know about that? That’s… a secret only I and Lee Hyo-eul know…”

His voice trembled with surprise. But I finished speaking and gently placed my hand on his, which still gripped my shoulder. The touch was cold but comforting.

I wrapped my hand around his.

“Su-hyun!”

Sensing I was about to pull away, he called my name urgently. Unable to meet his eyes, I spoke softly.

“I’m sorry.”

“Su-hyun.”

“I’m really, really sorry, hyung.”

“What are you sorry for…?”

A faint tremor passed through our joined hands.

Feeling it, something surged within me, choking me up.

“I’m sorry, hyung.”

It wasn’t just for rejecting his concern. I was sorry for everything.

“I had so much to say when I first saw you.”

There were so many things I wanted to tell him when we first met. But I never did.

“So many stories I wanted to share.”

Stories about how I’d lived, what I’d been through. But I never got the chance.

Even now, there’s no time for details. We simply don’t have the time.

“Never mind. I’ll go instead. I can’t just leave you…”

“That’s not an option!”

The distance was now less than a hundred meters. I glanced to the side. The enemy swarmed like a mass of black ants, filling my vision.

“I know your sincerity, and I know what you want to say. I’ve never doubted you, hyung. But we really don’t have time. Not anymore.”

”…….”

“When I come back… I’ll tell you everything. So please, trust me this once. Give me a chance.”

A massive explosion erupted, and a flash of light blinded me. I heard something hurtling through the air. The spirits’ songs grew clearer, and the cries of satyrs and beasts filled the air.

Amidst the cacophony, I swallowed hard and looked at my brother.

‘Now it’s my turn to protect you.’

Ten seconds passed, feeling like an eternity. Then I felt his grip on my shoulder weaken.

Was it because he heard my sincerity? Was it shock? Or something else? His hand still clutched my shoulder, but I could feel it loosening. Without hesitation, I brushed his hand away.

And then—

”…….”

His hand slipped off, his arm falling limply to his side.

”…I’m going.”

”…….”

I felt Vivian’s gaze on me, but this was the last chance. I reached for my ear and grasped the ‘Glory of Victoria’ in my empty left hand.

“I’ll trust you, so trust me.”

With those words, I turned to face the enemy.

From now on, I had to use every skill and piece of equipment I had.

『Unique Ability: Third Eye (Rank: S Zero) activated.』

『Special Ability: Sword and Spirit as One (Rank: Extra) activated.』

『Potential Ability: Close Combat (Rank: A Plus) activated.』

『Potential Ability: Unyielding (Rank: A Plus) activated.』

『Potential Ability: Insight (Rank: A Plus) activated.』

『Potential Ability: Blessing of the Battlefield (Rank: Extra) activated.』

『The latent ability of ‘Glory of Victoria’, ‘Majesty of the King’, activated.』

“Su-hyun…!”

I felt as if my brother was reaching out for me again. Before he could grab me, I pushed off the ground. Drawing on all my magic, I sprinted forward.

The scenery blurred past me.

---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=

Originally, I hadn’t planned to reveal the truth. I intended to keep it hidden. But as the story progressed, I changed my mind. I realized there were limits to what I could do alone. The ultimate goal was to give the second part of the story more speed and momentum. Given Kim Yoo-hyun’s personality, his brother complex might intensify, but… Su-hyun will handle it, I’m sure. Haha. :)

Now, about next week’s updates.

I initially mentioned in the last note that I would take a break this Sunday (the day before my exam). I said I’d update you based on the situation, and I planned to post every three days next week. That is, post on Wednesday and resume daily updates from Saturday.

However, I think it would be better to move the Wednesday update to this Sunday (October 13th) and take a break from Monday to Friday next week. My exam ends Friday afternoon, so I can resume daily updates on Saturday (October 19th).

I don’t know why exams always cause such chaos.

I sincerely apologize to my readers. I can only ask for your understanding. (__)

To summarize, I’ll post this Sunday, take a break from Monday to Friday next week, and resume daily updates on Saturday.

PS. I’ll include this information in the main content and the author’s note, just in case.