My brother didn’t show the slightest sign of movement. Only his eyes, gleaming with a strange light, flickered continuously over the records. But when he failed to find what he was looking for, he’d push the record aside and search for another, repeating this over and over.
I quietly picked up a record lying on the floor and let out a bitter chuckle. It contained a brief mention of dimensional travel. There was hardly any information on dimensional travel to begin with. Yet, the fact that he had scoured even this detail meant he had searched every last corner.
I was about to scold him for such a ridiculous obsession, but I swallowed the words. His expression was too serious, and, in a way, he looked utterly miserable.
…Is he cold? Despite being wrapped in a thick robe, his patchy beard trembled. His eyes, glowing only with that eerie light, muttered to themselves, stirring emotions I couldn’t put into words.
After staring at him for a long while, he finally moved slowly.
“Leave it there and get lost. I’ll eat it later.”
His hoarse voice echoed through the silent library. It sounded strange—so unlike him that I doubted if it was really my brother. He probably mistook me for a clan member bringing him food. Still, he remained seated, eyes fixed on the records.
Goyeonju was right. The brother I knew was always neat and charismatic. And yet, he always smiled warmly—only for me. None of that was here. The man before me was nothing but a hollow shell, a stranger consumed by despair.
At that thought, I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Brother.”
I called out, my voice thick with emotion.
But it was as if he had forgotten my voice. No reaction. His expression remained blank as he read and discarded records mechanically. Only the pale blue light from the table flickered quietly in the stillness.
Then—
Thud.
Suddenly, a sound shattered the silence. A record fell to the floor. My brother stiffened, then slowly—very slowly—turned his gaze. The cold blue fire in his eyes extinguished instantly when he saw me. He blinked once, then his eyes widened. Waves of disbelief rippled through his dark irises.
“Ah…?”
Thump!
A cracked groan escaped as he tried to rise but collapsed back with the chair. Yet his startled eyes never left me.
“Uh… uh….”
He shook his head roughly, rubbing his eyes with trembling hands. It was clear he couldn’t believe I was really here, standing before him. He was too shocked to even speak properly.
But then—
“Su, Suhyun…?”
His voice was barely a whisper, almost like a faint whistle, but when he said my name, I finally felt a wave of relief. I took a step closer. He stopped struggling and slowly reached out a trembling hand.
That gesture stirred a strange sense of déjà vu. Memories from my first life flashed through my mind. I had gone mad after he died, drowning in rage and despair. Yet deep down, I always hoped—prayed—that one day, somehow, he would appear before me, smiling and reaching out his hand.
Though back then, it was someone else who came instead…
‘But now, this is real.’
I knelt slowly on one knee as I approached. The moment our eyes met, his hand reached out and gently touched my face, as if confirming I was truly there. His touch was rougher and less gentle than before, but it was enough. His breathing grew heavier.
“A dream…?”
“No. Reality.”
I shook my head firmly and spoke with all the strength I could muster.
“Didn’t I tell you in my first life that I went through hell? I don’t remember if I said it clearly. Ha… ha…”
“Ah…?”
“Anyway, I’m back. Really back.”
“Ah, ah…!”
At that moment, his dry lips trembled, and his face crumpled. Suddenly, he broke down in tears, bowing his head deeply. His shoulders shook as he choked back sobs.
What should I say now? A thousand thoughts flashed and vanished. I quietly closed my half-open mouth. I felt I already knew what he was thinking without words.
So, the sobbing continued for a long time.
The sounds gradually faded, but he remained unsettled. I silently patted his back and helped him to his feet. Though he staggered slightly, he leaned heavily on me as I supported him. Together, we left the stifling library. Breathing in the fresh air outside, I felt a little more grounded.
“It’s really a relief, isn’t it? That you came back safely.”
As we descended the stairs one by one, I spoke softly.
“Mm…”
He replied in a low, drawn-out voice.
“It really is… truly a relief…”
And when he spoke again—
I finally smiled.
I felt proud. Like I had finally released something buried deep in my heart that I couldn’t achieve in my first life. I wanted to savor this feeling a little longer.
Just then, a cool breeze blew from ahead, and I closed my eyes gently.
“Phew. That feels good.”
I murmured as I scooped up a handful of hot water and washed my face. Leaning back against the large tub filled with steaming water, I let out a contented sigh.
Since setting out to conquer the Steel Mountain Range, had I ever felt this comfortable? No, never. I was always on edge during the campaign, and even after arriving in Atlanta, it was the same. The only time I felt at ease was when I was in Gehenna’s embrace, but even then, a pressure to return weighed on me. This lightness was a rare luxury.
Taking a deep breath, the warm, humid air of the bath filled my lungs. Calling this a bathroom was a bit generous—it was just a room with a window and a big tub. But the feeling of my bones melting in the hot water was more than enough to satisfy me.
“Good. This is good.”
Following the rising steam with my eyes, I saw the ceiling fogged white.
“Suhyun… wait a moment…”
Just as I was about to tilt my head back further to loosen up, a soft female voice drifted through the mist. Looking ahead, I saw a graceful woman exuding a mature fragrance.
Her glossy hair, reaching down to her waist, was neatly twisted and pinned up. Following the white cloth wrapped around her body, I caught sight of a delicate, deer-like nape. Her gentle eyes, which alone could bring comfort, shone with focused concentration. Occasionally, the faint sound of snipping came as strands of hair fell softly.
On a whim, I shook my head playfully, and a tender hand gently grasped my hair.
“Hey, it’s all done now… just stay still… okay?”
Her voice was like a lullaby, and I found myself stilling without realizing it. There was a mysterious warmth in Im Hanna’s gentle tone that made anyone listening feel safe.
“It tickles. When will it be over?”
“Almost done. Someone cut your hair all unevenly…”
Since I was the culprit, I kept quiet.
But this time, my gaze drifted to the curves revealed beneath the white cloth. The faintly visible, flushed skin beneath the steam was one thing, but the barely contained swell beneath the fabric was truly remarkable. It looked as if it might burst free at any moment, boasting an incredible volume.
‘Come to think of it, it really was soft.’
Recalling my relationship with Im Hanna, I swallowed hard. No matter how many times I thought about it, her chest was the best. If Goyeonju’s was firm and elastic, Im Hanna’s had a different charm. The very essence of softness. It changed shape with my touch, carried a sweet milky scent, and melted gently with every breath…
“Wow. All done.”
At that moment, Im Hanna slapped my back lightly and scooped water from the small tub to pour over me. Feeling the hot liquid cascade from my head down my body, I splashed up and stood.
“Ah, ahma!”
Suddenly, Im Hanna let out a cute little scream, covering her face with both hands and turning away quickly. Curious, I looked—and saw my penis standing tall. I must have woken up without realizing it after all the lewd thoughts about her body.
Ah, well. Since it’s come to this—
“I think I should get out quickly. Where’s the towel?”
“Over there…”
Casually, I asked, but Im Hanna still looked away, pointing somewhere else.
“Aren’t you going to help me wash up?”
“Huh? Like a kid?”
I pointed at Im Hanna’s bare chest with my index finger.
“No, I meant I wanted you to wipe me with that.”
“…?”
She quietly pulled her hand away, tilting her head in confusion, then bit her lower lip.
“Honestly, I don’t get it. Since Suhyun came back, you’ve gotten so sly.”
Im Hanna narrowed her eyes prettily and pouted. I chuckled softly, grabbed a neatly folded towel, and stepped out of the bathroom. She snorted and brushed past me, wrapping the towel around herself as she ran off somewhere.
By the time I finished drying off slowly and put on my underwear, shirt, and pants, I glanced around, wondering where my gear had gone. Just then, Im Hanna came back—fully dressed, carrying my dobok and sword. I was surprised by how quickly she moved, and it made me realize anew that a woman’s transformation is truly something else. Though it felt a bit odd to say that in this situation.
“Well, that’s a relief, isn’t it?”
As Im Hanna helped me put on each piece of equipment, she suddenly asked a strange question.
“Hm?”
“About your brother-in-law. He’s come to his senses, right?”
“Oh… yeah.”
“Well, it’s because of Suhyun, isn’t it? Since he’s back, I guess it’s only natural.”
Im Hanna, who had been adjusting the Glory of Heaven, now fastened the Glory of the Sun around my waist. Then, as if she suddenly remembered something, her expression changed to one of realization.
“Oh! Speaking of which, someone came by earlier from Haemil. They said if you return your brother-in-law peacefully, there won’t be any bloodshed.”
“Interesting. Tell them to surrender and take him away quickly.”
Im Hanna and I exchanged smiles. It couldn’t be helped. Since we brought him from the library the other day, my brother’s behavior over the past two days has been… embarrassing to even list. So much so that Ansol and Lee Yujeong stopped looking for me every time they woke up and started reflecting on themselves. When I first shouted at him to stop clinging so much, I was actually a bit hurt, but after seeing how he acted, they understood and apologized.
“Heh. He’s already gone anyway. He has to attend today’s summit.”
“Of course. But can you tighten that a bit more? Tighter.”
“Uh… hey, don’t say it like that.”
“Hahaha.”
After strapping the sword to my waist one last time, we headed out immediately.
Outside wasn’t quiet. Maybe because of the third summit hosted by Han Soyoung today, the area around the inn was packed with users. But the summit wasn’t held nearby.
“Wow, it’s real. It really is.”
“I heard rumors it was fake, though…”
“No, no. It’s for sure. I saw it up close during the last operation in Zone 2.”
“Wow, that’s amazing. Today’s summit’s gonna be interesting.”
Many were whispering as they looked at me, but I didn’t care and kept walking. After all, I’d heard the rumors had spread like wildfire since yesterday.
Not long after, I found the place where the clan members were lined up. Just as I smiled, they smiled back. The gloomy atmosphere from before was gone. Everyone radiated a confident pride that seemed to pierce the sky, commanding the space around them.
“Oh~ bro, you look so sharp now.”
An Hyun greeted me warmly. I nodded casually and looked up. Maybe it was because I’d just bathed, but seeing the clear sky made me feel refreshed. This is what the start of the year feels like.
“Where was the summit again?”
“The inner city square. Ah, here it is.”
Just then, as I pulled out a cigarette, An Hyun quickly raised his hand. With a sharp click, the flint sparked, and the flame caught. I stared blankly for a moment, then smiled wryly and lit mine.
“What’s gotten into you? No, why is everyone acting like this today? The hospitality’s pretty good.”
“Hey, it’s because it’s nice.”
“Nice? …Well, anyway, it’s nice. I don’t know how long this will last, but this kind of envoy treatment isn’t so bad.”
“Hehe, right? But, um…”
An Hyun laughed lightly but then trailed off, fidgeting with his hands.
“Uh… do you know where the summit is?”
“You said the inner city square, right? Of course…”
I was about to say I knew, but stopped mid-sentence. An Hyun’s eyes held a strange, eager look.
“I don’t know. I just got into the city.”
“Right? Then…!”
“You lead. You.”
“Y-yes!”
An Hyun practically bounced with joy as he dashed ahead. I smiled inwardly, understanding why he was so excited. After flicking the spent cigarette to the ground, I walked toward the clan members. No need to line up separately—they were already waiting for me.
An Hyun came up beside me, glanced around, and clenched his teeth. He trembled as if he’d been waiting for this day or was about to unleash all the frustration he’d been holding back.
“Hyung.”
“Let’s go.”
I nodded lightly.
“Then, let’s get going!”
An Hyun’s loud shout echoed nearby. At the same time, the users watching us automatically parted to the sides, clearing a path. We moved forward through the crowd, heading toward the summit.
Yes.
It was time to reset everything back to square one.
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Poem.
Title: “Uh-huh-huh” / Hinting at the narrator’s inner feelings.
Uh-huh-huh uh-huh ehehe / Expressing the determination to post at midnight today no matter what.
Ehehe ah-hng uh-hut? / But suddenly, around 4 PM, a call comes, catching the narrator off guard.
Ehehe uh-huh
Uh-huh-ehehe uh-het uh-hng / The narrator’s reluctant feelings as they finally agree to go out due to their sibling’s complaints.
Uh-hng-hng ehehe
Uh-huh-huh uh-hut-hng / Important! Exam question: Condensing the narrator’s frustration of wasting precious time, unable to do anything.
Hng-hng ehehe hung-huk / The narrator rushing home in a hurry.
Eung-eung ut-ut hing-hing / Worrying about being late.
Uh-heut hing-hing / But ultimately expressing joy after successfully posting.