Crunch, crunch!
(Hey, what are you doing eating the dishes too?)
(Huh? Ah, s-sorry. It was just so delicious…)
Kim Yuhyun bit back a bitter smile. Does he not know what satisfaction means? Deciding it was time to change the subject, he figured their friendship was solid enough now.
But he didn’t want to switch topics abruptly or obviously. He needed to ease into it, so the other wouldn’t notice.
Snap!
With a flick of his fingers, a rope suddenly shot out from somewhere, wrapping tightly around the giant’s right arm. Since the meal was over, there was no avoiding it.
Yet the giant just looked on with a curious expression, watching the rope coil neatly around his arm.
After observing his reaction for a moment, Kim Yuhyun spoke.
(By the way, you’re really a good guy.)
(Huh? Me?)
(Yeah. From what you’ve said, I think I’ve misunderstood you all this time. Actually, those big-winged guys we met yesterday spoke terribly about you and your kind.)
(What? What did they say?)
(…That your kind is obsessed with fighting.)
Hmm.
The giant made a subtle expression, then shook his head.
(Well… it’s not entirely untrue. But they did exaggerate a bit.)
(Really?)
(Yeah. If you think about it, they’re no pushovers either. Sometimes we started the fights, but often they did.)
(So you’ve fought a lot?)
(They’ve been at it long before I was born. Honestly, they’re a pretty strong race.)
(Definitely. That blue one looked incredibly powerful.)
As Kim Yuhyun acknowledged the other race’s strength, a flash of indignation crossed the giant’s face. But he quickly snorted and shrugged.
(They’re strong, sure. But that’s all. We’ve faced countless challenges from them, but we’ve never lost.)
(That’s quite the confident claim.)
(It’s true. Back when my father ruled, those guys couldn’t even spread their wings.)
Oh.
“Father.” Finally, the word Kim Yuhyun had been waiting for. And “ruled” too. That meant this giant’s father had once been the king of the giants.
Kushan Lord. Didn’t Suhyun say the throne of the giants is passed down directly?
Kim Yuhyun kept his surprise hidden, instead wearing a look of amazement. The giant, reading his expression, puffed up proudly.
(You really like your father, huh?)
(I do. I respect him a lot. Unlike my siblings, he had a different way of thinking.)
(Different? What kind of thinking?)
(Well… it’s a bit complicated. Not exactly something good to talk about.)
The giant’s cheerful tone suddenly turned cautious, trailing off. Kim Yuhyun guessed it had to do with the dark history of the Titan War. He nodded casually and let the subject slide.
(But you said he’s not here now? That he left after a disagreement with the clan?)
(Yeah, something like that. It wasn’t really a fight, just a clash of different beliefs.)
(So, I guess you feel the same way?)
(Huh? What do you mean?)
Kim Yuhyun asked carefully, narrowing his eyes slightly. The giant tilted his head in confusion.
(You love and respect your father, but from what you say, it sounds like he was basically kicked out. Don’t you resent your kin, your brothers?)
(Hey! Why would I hate them? They care about me so much.)
But the giant shook his head as if the idea was ridiculous.
(My father left because our beliefs differed. The conflict was justified. He wasn’t forced out—he voluntarily gave up the throne and left. That shows how firm his convictions were.)
Simple and clear.
Kim Yuhyun clicked his tongue inwardly. He’d been planning something after hearing about the discord yesterday, but this wasn’t going to work. He hadn’t fully grasped the huge difference between human and giant perspectives.
Damn, I’m stuck.
He secretly licked his lips and sighed deeply. Still, he forced a sympathetic expression and spoke in a pitying tone. Since his plan had already hit a dead end, he needed to salvage the situation quickly.
(I see. Looks like I misunderstood.)
(Of course. But why did you suddenly think that?)
(Ah, well… I just felt how much you miss and long for your father. And similar things happen a lot in the human world too.)
(Ah, that’s true. Of course I miss him. That’s why I’m like this now… ah, wait.)
Just then.
The giant, who had been laughing lightly, suddenly fell silent with a startled look. When Kim Yuhyun looked at him in confusion, the giant’s expression grew even more flustered.
(You said similar things happen in the human world? Heh heh heh. We don’t have to worry about that. The throne always goes to the Kushan clan. And besides, I’m not qualified yet, and the current ruler is only temporary. When the time comes, it’ll be passed on to me. Right?)
His words stumbled out faster and more erratically, clearly trying to change the subject.
At that moment, a sharp light flashed in Kim Yuhyun’s eyes.
“Kushan.” The moment he heard that name, a new path opened in his previously blocked thoughts.
(Kushan clan?)
At least when it came to giants, Kim Yuhyun knew about them as well as Kim Suhyun did. Suhyun had told him everything—not just about the first cycle, but also the second. They had even fought in the war together.
(Yes, yes. Kushan, Kushan. It’s a good name, isn’t it? Oh, come to think of it, we haven’t even told each other our names yet.)
(Kushan…)
The giant said excitedly, but Kim Yuhyun suddenly fell into deep thought, repeating the name quietly. The giant watched him anxiously.
Not long after, Kim Yuhyun looked up with a sudden realization.
(Kushan… oh, right! Kushan Thor. I think I’ve heard that name before.)
This time, the giant—no, Kushan’s—eyes went wide.
(Huh? Thor? That’s a name only a king can have.)
(Yeah, that’s right. It was definitely Kushan Thor.)
(Wait, how do you know that name? I never said it.)
(Oh… I heard it as a rumor before. From another continent, a giant named Kushan Thor was said to be traveling with humans. Yeah, I’m sure.)
(When was that?)
(Hmm. About three or four years ago?)
Kim Yuhyun frowned, trying to remember, and Kushan’s face grew even more astonished.
(My father left four years ago!)
(Then…)
Kim Yuhyun deliberately trailed off. The rest, Kushan would fill in.
(That… that must be my father!)
(That’s very likely. Has any other giant left before?)
(No. Not a single one.)
(Then it’s almost certain. Wow, this world really is small.)
Kim Yuhyun clapped his hands exaggeratedly.
(Uh, uh…)
(Hmm?)
Suddenly, Kushan called out in a desperate voice. It was obvious why—he admired and missed his father so much, of course he wanted news.
(Hmm. You want to know?)
(Do you have any other news?)
(Not recently, but I’ve heard a few things before.)
(Tell me!)
Kushan shouted eagerly.
But Kim Yuhyun crossed his arms and smiled mischievously.
(Haha. Seeing you like this, I don’t want to just tell you outright.)
(Eh, come on… I’m really curious.)
Kushan’s face fell noticeably.
A moment of silence passed.
Waiting for Kushan’s frustration to peak, Kim Yuhyun quietly spoke.
(Then, how about this? Do you know what a negotiation is?)
(Neg…otiation?)
The giant struggled to pronounce the word. It seemed he didn’t understand the concept.
Kim Yuhyun sighed inwardly at such a simple stumbling block, then explained calmly.
(Yeah. When two parties have goals, they make decisions through mutual exchange to meet those goals.)
(……?)
(For example, say you have to fight those big-winged guys, but something comes up and you can’t. Then we fight for you, and in return, you do a favor for us. That’s negotiation.)
(Ah. I hope it never comes to that, but I get it.)
Kushan understood immediately when it was explained in terms of battle.
Kim Yuhyun smiled wryly.
(Anyway, what I’m saying is, if I share what I know with you, you do me a small favor.)
(A favor?)
(Of course, it’s only something you can handle. If it’s too much, you can refuse.)
(If it’s within my ability… sure!)
Without hesitation, Kushan nodded. A brief smile flickered on Kim Yuhyun’s lips, then vanished.
And then.
(Alright.)
At that very moment.
(Then my favor is…)
It had finally begun.
For the next five days, until the conquest of the Third Region was complete.
The Night of Theater for the giants.
Even Kim Soo-hyun—someone Kim Yoo-hyun didn’t want to turn into an enemy—was starting to reveal the first stirrings of his true power.
“Oppa.”
“Hm?”
“What kind of user is your oppa’s oppa?”
“…My older brother?”
‘Older brother, huh.’
The question came out of nowhere.
Puzzled, I looked away and saw Lee Yoo-jung staring at me, her mouth and chin smeared with stew. Then my eyes caught the pile of empty bowls scattered on the floor, and I couldn’t help but sigh.
Sigh.
It’s not mealtime right now. We’re on night watch duty during the camp, which is the most important time to stay alert. She should know how to pace herself. The whole point of the watch is to protect our sleeping comrades, but if she eats that much, she’s bound to get drowsy.
Not that I want to scold her for eating. The midnight watch can make you hungry, and a little food helps with fatigue.
Still… can’t she eat a little more quietly?
Across from us, Cha So-rim was delicately moving her spoon, eating so quietly it was almost meditative. But Yoo-jung? She was a whole different story.
I sighed deeply and motioned for her to come closer. Yoo-jung quickly leaned in.
“You’re a grown woman. How can you eat with your face all messy like this?”
“Hm? Ugh, ugh!”
I reached out and wiped her upper lip. Yoo-jung instinctively twisted her head away but soon settled down. Then, out of nowhere, I felt a familiar gaze.
“That’s enough. Anyway…”
Just as I was about to pull my hand away after wiping her, Yoo-jung suddenly smeared stew on her lower lip again—and then pouted, as if asking me to wipe that too. I stared at her, dumbfounded.
“What are you doing now?”
“What do you mean? I wiped the top, so now I want you to wipe the bottom. See? The lower lip’s jealous.”
“…That makes no sense. Lips can’t get jealous.”
“Watch this~.”
Yoo-jung stuck out her lower lip and wiggled it around. Then, still pouting, she mumbled, “Please wipe me too! I said wipe me!” The sight was so ridiculous I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Hahaha. You’re something else. Fine, fine.”
“Hehe.”
After wiping her lower lip, Yoo-jung smiled happily and pulled away. That’s when the gaze I’d felt earlier grew even stronger. Who was it? Cha So-rim?
Anyway.
“But why do you want to know about my brother?”
“Just… curious?”
She said “just,” but Yoo-jung looked genuinely bored.
“What are you curious about?”
“Hmm~. What kind of user he is?”
“What kind of user…?” That’s a pretty broad question.
I glanced at the crackling campfire for a moment, then tilted my head back to look at the night sky painted pitch black. My brother’s face came to mind.
‘My brother is…’
“He’s amazing. Truly amazing.”
“Heh, more amazing than you? Is he stronger than you?”
“Of course, I’m stronger physically. But…”
“But~.”
Yoo-jung tapped her foot, mimicking my words. Judging by her expression, she wasn’t really listening. If that’s the case, why ask?
I fell silent for a moment, then spoke quietly.
“When it comes to strategy, he’s probably better than me.”
“Huh? No way. He’s better at strategy than you?”
Finally, a note of surprise escaped Yoo-jung’s lips.
Honestly, it wasn’t hard to understand. If Yoo-jung was thinking of my brother as a second-cycle user, I was talking about my brother from the first cycle.
But I truly believed it.
The second-cycle me pushes forward with knowledge of the future and overwhelming user info, but if you compare pure strategic skill, my brother likely outshines me.
Maybe even more than Han So-young from the first cycle.
Comparing their primes, that’s the impression I get.
Han So-young and my brother share some similarities, but their approaches to strategy differ greatly.
Han So-young is bold, quick to adapt, and fast-paced. My brother is the opposite.
His strategies are a bit slower, but he always sets the stage exactly as he envisions before making a move. Like a spider weaving its web before catching prey.
Maybe that’s why his methods are so unconventional. No one else thinks the way he does. Perhaps even the demons see him as the biggest obstacle and planned to use me to take him down.
‘My brother’s way… is terrifying.’
To be honest, I’m really glad he’s not my enemy.
He’s not someone you can just overpower. If he were truly an enemy, he’d be a huge headache.
Just then—
“Heh heh…”
While lost in thoughts about my brother, I suddenly felt a quiet giggle and a poke.
I glanced over to see Yoo-jung covering her mouth with one hand, pointing across from us.
‘What is she up to now…’
I thought she was being ridiculous, but Yoo-jung looked like she was barely holding back laughter.
Then I remembered—across from us sat Cha So-rim, the source of that strange gaze earlier. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued.
I casually turned my eyes toward her. Surely nothing unusual was happening.
But—
‘Whoa.’
The moment Cha So-rim came into view, I was utterly shocked.
‘W-what on earth are you so focused on applying?’
“U-User Cha So-rim?”
I was so surprised I blurted out her name.
“Huh?”
Startled, Cha So-rim shuddered and let out an unexpectedly small, cute squeak.
One second, two seconds, three seconds.
At exactly three seconds, her head turned toward me with a mechanical creak, as if she were a machine.
Her lips trembled pitifully, and stew was smeared all around her mouth.
Not just around her mouth—her forehead and nose were also covered in stew. And it wasn’t the kind of smudge you get from eating; it looked like she’d carefully applied it.
Our eyes met.
“W-what… are you… doing…?”
I asked cautiously.
“……”
No answer came.
Clatter!
The spoon in her hand fell limply to the ground.
“Ah, ah…”
For a moment, her dazed face flickered with a complex mix of emotions. Among them was a helpless “What do I do now?” look that left me utterly bewildered. Seriously, why ask me?
“N-no, it’s nothing!”
Cha So-rim hurriedly picked up the spoon and spoke in a strong voice, though her eyes still shimmered with embarrassment.
“I-it’s just that… I, I was… um…”
Don’t panic. You’re only making it worse.
Then, suddenly, her eyes flashed with determination. It looked like she’d found an excuse—or a way out.
I felt relieved (though I’m not sure why) and decided to play along, thinking it’d be better for everyone.
…Anyway, here comes the explanation…
“Y-yeah! I was… putting on makeup!”
“Pfft!”
At that moment, Yoo-jung quickly covered her mouth with both hands and bowed her head as low as possible.
“Sniff… sniff… sob…”
She was barely holding back laughter, trembling all over. I wanted to tell her to stop—she was killing Cha So-rim twice over—but honestly, I almost burst out laughing myself.
Seeing that, Cha So-rim shook her head vigorously, looking like she was about to cry.
“C-clan lord, I think I messed up my makeup. Huh? Huh?”
It wasn’t that she messed up her makeup—it was that she said the wrong thing. Cha So-rim was so flustered she was making mistakes she never usually would. From the bowed head beside me came a muffled, “Kill me…! Please just kill me…!” She really was struggling to hold it in.
“No, no! I mean! It’s not makeup!”
“Sniff… sob… sniff… sob…”
“It’s camouflage!”
“Whaaa?!”
That was the breaking point.
“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!”
Yoo-jung couldn’t hold it in any longer and rolled on the floor, bursting into uncontrollable laughter. Tears streamed down her face as if she might die from laughing.
Meanwhile, Cha So-rim bit her lip tightly and looked at me with watery eyes.
Why… why are you looking at me like that?
What did I do?