Strictly speaking, the Summoning Room could be considered an independent space existing on a different dimensional plane from the Hall Plane.
The area connected to the temple’s portal is nominally used as a space where the angel assists their assigned user from multiple angles. Therefore, the angel chosen as a helper always remains in the Summoning Room all day long, observing their user without pause. They sit on the cold altar in this entirely gray, desolate space, waiting patiently for the user at all times…
“Welcome.”
In the Summoning Room, the Seraph rose from the altar and looked ahead with a composed demeanor.
“Nice to meet you. I am Seraph, the assistant assigned to user Kim Su-hyun.”
Then, bowing politely toward the front—a rare display of such formal courtesy from an angel.
“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Kim Yu-hyun, the user.”
The other’s voice carried the minimum required formality. Considering Kim Su-hyun’s usual disdain for angels, this was unexpectedly respectful.
“To be honest, I was a bit surprised when I received the summons. I never imagined Su-hyun’s assigned angel would call me first.”
Kim Yu-hyun sat down on the floor, smiling gently.
“Oh, did I inconvenience you?”
“Not at all. If you hadn’t called, I would have requested this meeting myself. I’ve wanted to meet you at least once.”
“The feeling is mutual. By the way, Su-hyun…”
“You needn’t worry about that. It seems the women around him are doing their best to lift his spirits. I’m grateful for that. In any case, he won’t have the energy to focus on this.”
Their warm exchange lasted only a moment. Seraph carefully sat back on the altar, and Kim Yu-hyun adjusted his posture. A heavy silence quickly settled between their gazes.
Kim Yu-hyun broke the silence first.
“Angel Seraph.”
“Yes.”
“The reason I responded to your secret summons—and why I said I wanted to meet you—is simple.”
“…?”
Kim Yu-hyun slowly clasped his hands together and continued.
“There is no one who knows user Kim Su-hyun better than you.”
That was true.
Seraph, the angel, knew Kim Su-hyun best as a ‘user.’
Kim Yu-hyun, his older brother, knew Kim Su-hyun best as a ‘human.’
The purpose of this meeting was no trivial matter. At least, not for these two.
“Are you aware of Su-hyun’s recent behavior?”
Seraph nodded quietly instead of answering.
“I see. No need for lengthy explanations, then.”
Kim Yu-hyun’s words meant they should get straight to the point. Since they weren’t exactly on friendly terms, Seraph had no reason to refuse.
“Then I’ll cut to the chase. Is it possible?”
And so began a barrage of blunt questions. Yet Seraph’s expression remained calm.
“If you’re asking whether it’s possible to open a passage between Earth and the Hall Plane, then yes, it is possible. Though there are some restrictions.”
At the word ‘possible,’ a flicker of surprise crossed Kim Yu-hyun’s eyes.
“But—”
Seraph immediately warned of a twist.
“Whether returning to Earth would be the right choice for user Kim Su-hyun is an entirely different matter.”
“A different matter?”
“Yes. Haven’t you noticed something strange in Su-hyun’s recent actions?”
“Hmm…”
Kim Yu-hyun lowered his head slightly, his gaze drifting toward the floor as if lost in thought.
After a moment passed,
“There was a festival recently.”
His voice was faint.
“After the war was won, the atmosphere was truly joyful and lively.”
Recalling that time, a bitter smile tugged at Kim Yu-hyun’s lips.
“But at that festival, Su-hyun…”
Just then—
“You must be feeling restless.”
Seraph’s sudden interjection stopped Kim Yu-hyun mid-sentence.
“Su-hyun has long been obsessively tormented by the idea that he must always destroy demons… Now that he’s gained power surpassing even the gods, he can’t adjust to the peace he’s finally achieved.”
At that moment, Kim Yu-hyun’s head snapped up, his mouth half-open.
“…!”
But no words came out; he only moved his lips silently. Because he couldn’t deny it. He had seen it with his own eyes. Though he had quietly observed the festival from a step back, his brother’s demeanor was strangely sharp.
There was only one time when Kim Su-hyun seemed truly happy—when the topic of war came up. He smiled clearly as he spoke of wiping out the angels and the remaining enemies.
Then—
“What I’m about to show you now…”
Suddenly, several messages appeared before Kim Yu-hyun’s eyes. Staring at the floating text in midair, his face went blank, trembling as if he had seen something unbelievable.
Name: Kim Su-hyun (8th year)
Class: Normal Swordsman (Sword User, Master)
Nation: Atlanta
Clan: -
True Name / Nationality: 1. Psychopath 2. Madman 3. Schizophrenic 4. Erotophonophilia • Republic of Korea
Sex: Male (31)
Height / Weight: 181.5 cm / 63.2 kg
Alignment: Chaos • Devil
“This is…”
“Year eight. The worst period during his first cycle… More precisely, this is the user information from when Kim Su-hyun’s mind was on the verge of collapse.”
Seraph continued calmly.
“He kept whipping himself, over and over… Living as if chased by the weight he imposed on himself. It’s no surprise his instincts have become dulled by habit. It may sound contradictory, but ironically, the enemy was what sustained Su-hyun for these fifteen years.”
Seraph knew better than anyone. The man who had wallowed in a blood-soaked cesspool, screaming in hatred of demons.
That man had longed for only one thing: to live, and to protect life.
But now that it was all over, the user Kim Su-hyun—hardened and unyielding—had nowhere to belong except the ‘battlefield’…
“The great enemy called demons has already been eradicated. If he wished, he could wipe out angels, the Western Continent, and the Southern Continent in an instant.
…But after all the wars, if nothing remains before Su-hyun in the end…”
Seraph’s eyes slowly narrowed.
“…That is what I fear most.”
He closed his eyes sadly, filled with regret.
“So…”
Hearing this, Kim Yu-hyun finally spoke.
“Your… meaning is…?”
“This time, I will ask you, user Kim Yu-hyun.”
Seraph seemed to understand the turmoil behind Kim Yu-hyun’s scattered words.
“Is the human Kim Su-hyun on Earth capable of handling the user Kim Su-hyun of the Hall Plane?”
Despite the confusion, Kim Yu-hyun remained silent. In truth, there was no need to debate.
His brother had once hesitated even to kill a bug. How could he accept and handle the nature of the user Kim Su-hyun, who was accustomed to slaughter?
It was absurd. Unless he went mad and committed suicide, it would be a miracle.
At that thought, Kim Yu-hyun bit his lip unconsciously.
How cruel it was. Even after finally achieving what he wanted, there was nowhere for Kim Su-hyun to return to. Whether choosing the human or the user, the destination was the same—only the timing differed.
After a moment, Kim Yu-hyun covered his face with his hands.
“The lesser evil is the user…”
A fleeting sigh escaped.
“In the end, hoping Su-hyun would return as a human was just my selfish wish…”
His voice sounded almost resigned.
Then, suddenly—
“Actually, regarding that matter…”
Seraph’s voice grew stronger, echoing through the quiet space.
“Though I cannot be certain, there is a way. It’s not impossible.”
“What did you say?”
Kim Yu-hyun’s eyes snapped open. He stared intently, as if doubting his own ears, but Seraph’s face remained calm.
“And to carry out this method, your cooperation is absolutely necessary. That is why I summoned you today.”
“My cooperation?”
“Yes. Because you, user Kim Yu-hyun, also hold the authority to inherit the Zero Code.”
“That’s…”
Not untrue. Kim Su-hyun had indeed designated Kim Yu-hyun as the successor of this authority.
“That may be so…”
Kim Yu-hyun’s expression showed confusion. Seraph spoke calmly.
And as the long conversation came to an end—
“…Are you serious about this?”
Kim Yu-hyun’s tone was grave.