Chapter 51: 50 – Karmic Blade

A myriad of colors.

Visible light was usually a mix of all colors. And when they blended, they became white.

But when refracted through a prism, they separated. Seven colors. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

But that was not every aspect of light.

The human eye could only comprehend those hues, but more existed.

The Nine Eyes were originally a mortal power. An innate ability born from human insight to peer into and adjust the records of existence.

In one timeline- No, in one dimension, they evolved to gauge the future. An ability that stood apart from mere prediction, analysis, or reading the secrets of nature. An authority unto itself.

But here...

[Transcendent Insight reacts to the evolution of Nine Eyes.]

...I was different.

[Nine Eyes has become Karmic Eyes of Destiny]

xxx

[Karmic Eyes of Destiny (Ungraded)]
The ability to perceive and rule Karma itself, the invisible bonds that run across the past, present, and future in all of existence.

Central Direction: Green - Insight
Upper Direction: Jewel - Karmic Ties
Lower Direction: Black - Fated Demise
Left Direction: Yellow - Attention Required, Orange - Immediate Danger, Red - Mortal Peril
Right Direction: Blue - Destiny Severance, Indigo - Karmic Binding, Violet - Atma Refinement

xxx

I opened my eyes to a familiar beautiful face.

"Hey, you." Yuhui smiled. "So you're finally awake?" 

...Did something happen since I last saw her? Or did the Banquet events make her like me even more? There were vivid crimson threads hovering around her and drifting towards me. Threads that were also laced with gold.

I pointedly ignored them and said, "What, so obsessed with me that you chased me down even here?"

"J-Jihu?!" Kazuki's astonished voice called out.

I blinked and then realized that I was lying on the ground- No, on Yuhui's laps. Also, we were back in the desert.

From the faint healing power I could sense in my body, it seemed like Yuhui had woken me up with a healing spell.

I sat up and then said, "Thanks, Yuhui."

Taking a look around, I saw that Hugo, Chohong, Maria, Kazuki, and that Jun Sakamoto guy were here. It was also daytime, meaning that they probably hadn't returned for long.

"Tch." Chohong looked at me, then Yuhui, and scoffed. "I still can't get over the fact that she hid her identity. If we knew before, then-"

"My apologies, Miss Chohong." Yuhui bowed her head. "I had personal reasons to attend the Banquet and I could only do it through accepting special restrictions. Truly understand that I had no intention of hiding it."

Chohong stared at Yuhui and then let out a sigh, shaking her head. "I know. I'm still just upset." She glanced at me and then looked away, muttering in a barely audible voice, "...I wanted to be relied on a bit too."

I stood up and brushed the sand off my clothes, again, pointedly ignoring the vivid crimson threads hovering around the women nearby. Particularly the fact that Chohong's threads were starting to circle me.

Completely ignorant to my thoughts and troubles, Kazuki sighed and said, "Whatever the case, we should be off." The Japanese Archer looked at the sky and said, "It will be a long march back. Better we begin now and not waste time."

xxx

"You seem lost in thought, Jihu." Yuhui looked to me, her eyes kind.

I nodded. "I'm thinking about what happened afterwards."

"Oh? Did something happen in stage three?"

"Mm..."

We were walking back beneath the haze of the desert sun. Though we rode a carriage here, the way back had to be on foot since there wasn't anyone that would wait the entire time. Obviously.

And while I said that I could warp everyone back, apparently everyone thought that I was pushing myself too much and refused.

...Maybe because I fainted a few times testing out my new powers in the last few battles at the Plaza of Sacrifice.

As a result, we were heading back home the old fashioned way. And as if agreed upon... Or maybe because they were still astonished about Yuhui's presence, the others stood apart from me and Yuhui, leaving us to talk amongst ourselves.

"...It's complicated. But I managed to get something useful out of it."

"That's good!" Yuhui smiled.

I looked at her and said, "Really though... Were you that worried about me?"

She coughed and looked to the side. "I don't know what you mean."

I gave her a blank look. "You can't honestly be saying that you think I didn't know it was you, Sunshine. I get playing cute, but acting dumb isn't good."

Yuhui blushed. "...Fine. But honestly, it was a good disguise! You're the only one who found out until we finished the Banquet. And speaking of that!" She pouted and said, "What gave it away? The gods said that nobody would find out!"

I smiled. "Easy. Your gaze."

"Huh?"

I looked at her and shook my head. "You think I can't tell your presence from your gaze by now with how many months you stared at my back, Miss Bang?"

"You meanie!" Yuhui swatted my head with her sleeve and said, "That got added to my aliases! How am I supposed to explain it?! I'm the Daughter of Luxuria, you know!" 

"Oh. Right... Er, sorry?"

"Hmph!" Yuhui turned her head to the side and pretended to be angry. "You have to take responsibility!"

"...Wow. Stalkers sure do come up with creative ways to hook their targets, huh?"

"Jiiihuuu! You meanie!"

I laughed.

xxx

"Bastard." Hugo glared at Jihu playing around with Yuhui and said, "It wasn't enough having the other beauties so he went ahead and took the Daughter of Luxuria too?"

Jun Sakamoto nodded, his gaze equally sharp. "Traitor. He's definitely a traitor."

Chohong rolled her eyes and said, "Would you two give it a rest? He said it already, didn't he? Jihu knows Miss Yuhui from Earth."

"I know. And that makes him even more of a bastard." Hugo glared at Jihu and said, "What's next? Is he going to gobble up the Sacred Empress too?"

"Careful." Chohong frowned and said, "With that guy, impossible tends to become possible. If you don't want something to come true, you shouldn't voice it."

"Tch." Hugo spat on the ground and said, "If that guy hooks Baek Haeju too, I'll eat my goddamned shoes."

Kazuki sighed. "I must agree though, this turn of event is quite unexpected. I knew that Jihu was outstanding, but to have a personal connection with the Daughter of Luxuria even before entering Paradise... I truly wonder if the Heavens have eyes."

"Who cares?" Maria huffed and said, "What matters is that he gets things done, right?"

Chohong scoffed, eyeing Maria carefully clinging to her bag of coins. "You only say that because you won out by coming this time."

"At least I'm honest with myself, unlike a certain birdbrain here."

"Birdbrain?!"

xxx

While the others bickered with each other, we eventually made our way back to Haramark.

Jun Sakamoto left right away, followed after by Maria. The priestess waved and said to call her again the next time there was a business venture.

Following her, Hugo bailed, muttering something about unfairness and wanting to drown his sorrows.

And then it was just me, Kazuki, Yuhui, and Chohong standing at the southern gates.

"Are you sure you don't want to join Carpe Diem, Kazuki?" I stared at the Japanese Archer and said, "You know you have a place here, right?"

"I do. However..." Kazuki looked regretful. "If you had asked before the Banquet, I might have considered it. But now..." Kazuki looked at me and said, "I still have far to go to stand side by side with the Emperor."

I groaned and said, "Not you too. If more people-"

[The alias, Emperor has been added to your list of names.]

I froze.

Chohong laughed. "Well, well. So Oppa's become renowned enough to be called an Emperor, has he?"

"Shut it, Chocho."

Yuhui giggled and said, "Well, it's pretty fitting, isn't it? Jihu has the strength, resources, and personality to become one."

I sighed.

Kazuki chuckled and then said, "My apologies, Emperor."

"Oi!"

He laughed again. "On a more serious note..." He looked at me and said, "I don't want to let go of the steering wheel just yet. There's still a few things I want to do first. Especially if my little sister plans to come back."

I nodded. "Fair enough. But the offer is always open. I'm sure Coach would accept you as well."

Kazuki smiled. "I'll remember that." After those words and a short wave, Kazuki walked into the city, vanishing into the usual crowd milling about.

And then there was me, Chohong, and Yuhui. Chohong leaned against the wall, apparently content to wait for me.

Seeing that, I turned my attention to Yuhui. "Are you alright heading back by yourself?"

She chuckled and said, "Worried about me now?"

"I'm always worried. You're not a fighter, after all."

"Mm..." She nodded and said, "I'll be fine. I'm the Daughter of Luxuria, remember? Even the dumbest person in this world would at least hesitate."

"True. But..."

Yuhui was beautiful and had a reputation of debauchery due to being the Daughter of Luxuria and the impulses that would come along with that role. And in truth, she would fall victim to those impulses if she wasn't careful.

Fortunately, I accounted for that the last time we met.

I glanced at her arm and said, "You still have that bracelet?"

She smiled and raised her arm, shaking down her sleeve to reveal a glittering golden bracelet. "I do."

"Good. Remember to keep an eye out, and if those bastards at the temple pester you too much, call me. We'll see just how much power they have once I start spreading around healing spells that anyone can use."

The temples only had a monopoly because priests were in high demand and low supply. And the Temple of Luxuria's priests were the best because they specialized in healing.

But I could do it now. It was a bit complicated, but with my enlightenment and understanding on how mana and healing spells worked...

Yuhui giggled and said, "I will, Jihu." She paused, "Though she'll probably be a bit upset at that."

I crossed my arms. "Well Luxuria can deal with it since you're her daughter. Parents need to take responsibility for their children and protect them from harm."

Yuhui blinked, giving me a weird look. And then she laughed and said, "I'll see you around, Jihu! Ah, and tell Miss Flone that I want to have tea with her some time for girl talk!" After that, she waved and started walking to her residence.

That left just me and Chohong.

"Finally done flirting?" Chohong pushed herself off from the wall.

"Again with the flirting jab..." I shook my head and said, "You really haven't been flirted with that much, huh?"

"What?!" Chohong flushed. "I'll have you know that plenty of guys flirt with me!"

"Sure, sure." I started walking down the streets.

Chohong quickly walked beside me and huffed. "Don't believe me?"

"No, no. I do. After all, you're beautiful enough. But I just have a hard time believing that they still flirt with you now, considering your reputation."

"Hmph! Whatever, Oppa."

I cringed. But I didn't take it lying down. "Oppa, huh? Well if you still want to play it that way..."

"What?"

"Chohong." I stopped in front of a wall and looked at her.

She stopped as well and stared at me, confused.

"Did you know? The fact that you've always stood beside me and worried about me is enough to keep me going when the times are rough."

"W-What?" She blushed and started blinking. "W-What kind of bullshit are you-"

"Your harsh mannerisms and severe personality are off-putting, I won't lie about that. But the few moments when you're calm. The gentle gaze of concern, that slightly awkward but sincere way you try to make up for your mistakes. It's enough to make my heart skip a beat."

"J-J-Jihu." She stared at me and blushed, averting her gaze. "S-Stop with the-"

I took a step forward and then placed my left arm against the wall. blocking off Chohong's escape. "And then there's the hard work you put in every day. The training you do to keep yourself sharp, the determination to not take shit from anyone at all... Did you know? That I..."

Chohong's eyes widened and she backed up against the wall, trying to escape. But she couldn't.

"Think that you..." I reached out and hooked her chin with my right hand, leaning my head in close.

Chohong blushed, her milky white skin turning a deep red. For a moment, her eyes spun around, wild and frantic. But then she closed them and slightly pursed her lips.

It was clear what she was expecting. But rather than that, at the last second, I smiled and finished my words. "...Should figure out what flirting really means."

"H-Huh?" Chohong opened her eyes and looked at me, confused.

I gave her a bright smile and then backed off.

Chohong froze, her brain short circuiting. But then her face twisted in anger and she pointed at me. "You...! You...!!!"

I laughed and started walking ahead.

"SEOL!"

She reverted back to calling me by my last name huh? She must really be mad.

Glancing back, I saw her running forward, her right hand twitching, as if unable to decide whether or not to pull out her mace.

But I wasn't finished just yet.

Pausing, I turned back to look at her and said, "You know? I wasn't lying about any of that, my precious templar."

A finishing blow.

Chohong stumbled and then froze, staring at me in disbelief with her entire body a deep red. If this was a cartoon, she would surely have steam coming out of her ears.

I chuckled and then waved at her. "See you back at the office. I'll head on ahead."

xxx

As I walked onto the street in front of our office building, I noticed an old man in a black suit walking towards me from the opposite direction.

"Hm?" I waved and said, "Coach! Did you just get back too?"

"Jihu." He nodded in greeting and then looked confused. "Where are the other two?"

"Ah... Chohong will probably be back in a bit. As for Hugo... Apparently he went to drown his sorrows at Eat, Drink, and Enjoy."

"Drown his sorrows?" Jang Maldong furrowed his brow and then sighed. "That guy... Seems like I might need to instill more discipline into him if he hasn't broken that bad habit."

I nodded and then said, "Where did you just get back from, Coach?" I opened the door and held it out for him.

He nodded and walked in, saying, "I just met an applicant for the team."

"A new Archer?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, it's more difficult than anticipated to find one that can fill Dylan's shoes." Maldong walked inside the building and I followed him.

"You see," Maldong said. "If it were just finding an Archer, we have no issues. With Carpe Diem's reputation, my return, and Ian here, attracting High Rankers is a non-issue. However, the problem comes with the color of the team."

"Ah, right." I nodded and said, "We are a volatile sort of group..."

Chohong had a short fuse and rarely respected anyone. Hugo was crass and stubborn. Flone only cared about me and the people I cared for. Ian... Well, he was Ian. 

I frowned and said, "You know. It's actually kind of a miracle that we're all getting along so well, come to think of it..."

Finding some new people to fit in this crazy group...

Maldong shook his head. "It's nothing you should worry about. I'll sort it out somehow." Tapping his cane on the ground, he turned to me and said, "But enough about that. How did the Banquet go?"

I frowned. "It was... harder than I anticipated."

Maldong's eyes widened. "Was it that difficult this year?"

"Not quite. Instead-"

"Jihuuuu~!"

Before I could finish talking, footsteps ran down the hallway to the left and someone jumped at me.

I instinctively caught them... No, her and then blinked.

A delicate young woman looked up at me with blue eyes sparkling and silver hair scattered. "You're back!"

"I am." Smiling, I patted her head and said, "Have you been good?"

"Of course! Who do you think I am, a child?"

"Sometimes."

Laughter echoed down the hallway and a middle-aged man walked out as well. "I'd agree with you, my friend. Miss Flone is definitely quite the handful without you around."

"Hmph!" She turned and glared at Ian. And then she paused, looking at me. Sniffing, she frowned and said, "Why do I smell a woman's perfume on you?"

"Ah, that's probably Yuhui. She stuck pretty close to me on the way back."

Flone frowned and then held me tight, clinging onto me even more as if trying to wipe away the scent.

Ian laughed and then turned to look at me. "How did it go?"

"Right, right!" Flone nodded and said, "How did that Banquet thing go?"

"Well... Let's go get comfortable first. This might take a while..."

xxx

The building that used to be Elysium's headquarters. In the lounge there, sitting around a table, were Ian, Flone, Maldong, and myself. Since it would take a while to retell what happened, I made everyone some refreshments. Wine for Ian, a cold iced tea for Maldong, lemonade for Flone, and black tea for myself.

After taking a sip from my tea, I gave a rundown of what happened. Meeting everyone in the first stage, going to the second stage and how I turned the Banquet into a proper banquet. And as for the third stage...

"I won't say."

Maldong looked surprised. "Won't? Not can't?"

I nodded. "The restrictions of the gods... Well. Let's just say that they know better now than to try that on me."

Ian sipped his wine and then nodded. "Of course. With one as miraculous as you, even the gods would be cautious to not go too far."

I remembered how the gods almost went too far and how I almost started a war against the heavens. "...You could say that. I will say that I got a few interesting abilities for my Harmonious Wish though. As for what they are. Mm... I'll explain more when I get a handle on it."

Atma Refinement and Karmic Binding... They were completely different from what Seol had. I had a vague idea of what they did judging from the names... Probably something with enhancing the soul for Atma Refinement and then forcing someone to accept karmic ties with Karmic Binding, but I wasn't too sure yet.

You are reading story The Second Coming of Gluttony, the First of Vainglory at novel35.com

Ian waved his hand. "Don't feel pressured, Jihu. It isn't anything too important."

Maldong nodded. "What's more important are the lessons that you picked up while attending. And it seems like you learned more than enough."

"Right..." I frowned, remembering how I had to deal with all of the Earthlings in the first and second stage. It was a hassle... Definitely a hassle.

I shook my head and then looked at Ian. "How's the project coming along?"

"It's going... Well, I can't say that it's going *great* but it's going better than expected."

Flone nodded and said, "Yeah! Mister Ian and I have had a lot of fun playing with it!"

Maldong looked confused and glanced at Ian. "You were working on something?"

Ian waved his hand. "Nothing too important, old friend. Just a bit of a side project."

"Not important!?" Flone huffed and said, "But Mister Ian! If it works, then-"

"It would be wonderful," Ian finished. "But until it's complete, we don't want to get anyone's hopes up, do we?"

"Oh." Flone thought about it and then nodded. "That's true..."

"In any case," Ian said. "I'll need to borrow that a bit longer. I hope you don't mind, do you?"

I shook my head. "Of course not. Besides, it'll probably let you find that enlightenment you need."

Ian laughed. "Here's hoping. This old man needs to learn a few tricks to catch up now that he's planning to run along with you younglings."

Maldong scoffed. "Says the one who created a potion to return his youth."

"Hey, that was a miraculous occasion-" He paused and then looked at Maldong. "Wait... You've been bugging me about that a lot. Did you want to try as well? Maybe have an old lady you've got an eye on?"

Maldong coughed and then lashed out with his cane. "Did you finally lose it?!"

A sparkling barrier popped up to block the cane. With it, Ian laughed. "Relax! It probably wouldn't end well for you anyway. After all, you're not an old bachelor like me."

"Hmph." Maldong lowered his cane.

"Speaking of enlightenment..." I spoke up and said, "I achieved it at the Banquet."

"Eh?" Ian blinked and looked at me. "Really?"

Maldong sighed. "Of course. I expected as much, but..." He shook his head and said, "Well, what is it?"

"Apparently, it's called 'All as One'."

"All as One?" Maldong blinked. "That's what it's called? Then what does it do?"

"It's... complicated." I tried to describe it and said, "Mm... I guess you could say that everything becomes connected?"

"Everything becomes connected?"

"Yeah, like... Ah." I looked at Maldong's cup and said, "Here." I held out my hand and pretended to grab it. As soon as I did, I lifted it up.

He blinked and said, "A spatial ability...?"

"No. It's not just space. Mm... Ah."

I pulled out a napkin and wrote something on it. Afterwards, I held it up and said, "Does this look familiar, Coach?"

Maldong froze, his eyes widening. With shaking hands, he pulled out a note in his shirt.

[Could you keep this on you for me? Thanks - Jihu]

"I was wondering what this was for..." He looked at my napkin... and then blinked when he realized it was gone.

Ian choked on his drink and started coughing. After wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he looked at me and said, "Time manipulation?!"

"Nothing that extreme. It's just..."

It wasn't like I could jump back in time or anything. Instead, I just made the sequence of events happen? Since it didn't disturb the flow of causality too much, I could add what wasn't supposed to be there. Time didn't factor into the equation at all, so it wasn't really time manipulation. Instead...

"Argh." I ran my hand through my hair, failing to find an explanation. "Well, it's complicated."

Flone leaned on me and said, "Well whatever the case, that's amazing!"

"...You've really missed me, huh?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Flone huffed but didn't move.

I sighed.

xxx

After hanging out with Flone and the older members of Carpe Diem for a little while longer, I went to the temple to check in with Gula.

It was late, the talk with Flone and the old guys in Carpe Diem taking longer than I expected. As a result, when I went to Gula's statue, there weren't any people in front of her statue.

Thus, I went right up to the edge and lowered my head. Almost immediately, a voice called out.

[Fufu... You caused quite a stir, my child.]

'I bet. You in any trouble?'

[Of course not. Though it may not be obvious, I hold quite the sway among my kin.]

'Mm. Makes sense, considering you were the one who could send the emotions back.'

[Indeed. Now, I suppose you're here for the level up?]

'We could chat too?'

[Haha... Though it is always fun around you, my child, there is much in store for you. With your actions... Well. Fate maintains its course so far, but the divergence will arrive soon. At that time... you will not be able to rely upon 'those' memories anymore. Until now, you have been treading much the same path, but when the divergence occurs, you will be treading unknown waters.]

I figured. So far, things have been the same. But the changes I made are slowly piling up.

[Indeed. Fate tends to maintain its proper course, but with your actions and your new abilities... Mm. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds. The path you walk is vastly different from 'his' at least.]

Well, yeah. For one, I'm not a child like him.

Laughter echoed in my head. [So you say. But you have faults of your own as well when it comes to- Hm? Something like this would break causality...? Interesting, interesting.]

'What is it?'

[Nothing important. Now, as for your contribution... The banquet alone is enough to bring you to Level 4. But with your enlightenment to such a unique realm, that is enough for Level 5. The mission... Mm, considering you saved Teresa, we can waive it. However, there is that issue.]

'What issue?'

[I have yet to complete it.] Gula sighed. [In all honesty, I did not expect you to act so much and grow in such a manner and so quickly. The realm you achieved... It is one that bears infinite potential. No, transcendent potential to reach beyond even us.]

'I figured as much. All as One... It's something that unifies everything, even beyond the Synthesis Blade you had in mind, right?'

[Indeed. And you already evolved that skill as well to the one I had in mind. Unbound Karmic Sword... Yes. An attack that relies upon connections and experiences. Mm...]

Gula sounded like she was wracking her head. [Do you still wish to continue treading as a Warrior?]

'Would I have to choose someone else if I didn't?'

[No. But it might become troublesome if you choose another path...]

'Then I'll stay a Warrior. After all, I think we're pretty similar.'

[Hoh? Do you?]

'Yeah. We're both plotting bastards that don't care about turning over the board when shit hits the fan, right? I'd rather be with someone like that who won't bitch at me or try to interfere too much.'

Light laughter. [How amusing. Every time I speak with you, I am reminded of how simultaneously similar and dissimilar you are to those two. But very well.]

Power began to swell up around me. Gula's divine might filling the room.

[In the name of Gula, I shall grant my child Jihu the title of Karmic Blade!]

Divine power etched itself into my body. But the moment it did, my core instantly ripped it apart to assimilate it, making it my own.

[I look forward to your feats in the future as a level five High Ranking Warrior, my child. And best of wishes.]

'You too, Gula. Try to not be too bored by whatever you gods do, alright?'

I opened my eyes and left, accompanied by the light peals of feminine laughter in my mind.

xxx

When I arrived back at Carpe Diem, Ian was sitting at the table with a pile of notes. Seeing that, I walked over and said, "You still working this late?"

Ian glanced up and nodded. "I know I don't have to since I'm no longer the Royal Magician, but I couldn't bear to let pinky deal with things alone, you know?" He looked up at me and grinned. "After all, it'd be rude to let my dear friend's wife down."

I sighed. "She's not my wife."

"Right, right." Ian nodded and continued writing.

I glanced over and skimmed it a bit.

It was similar to the reports of the previous banquets. A detailed description of the events, although written more like a story than an objective account.

I looked back at Ian and said, "Did you want some help?"

Ian waved. "It's fine. Leave the boring stuff like this to me. More importantly..." He glanced upstairs and said, "Take care of Miss Flone, would you?"

"Hm?"

Ian shook his head and said, "Women are emotional creatures, you know? And while Flone isn't an ordinary woman, she's still a young maiden at heart. She's endured well, but I think you should spoil her a bit. After all, you've been gone for quite some time."

I sighed, remembering that, and rubbed the back of my neck. "You're right... Thanks, Ian."

"No problem. It's the elder's job to teach the young, right?"

I nodded and then walked up the stairs.

xxx

When Jihu left, Maldong walked over. Watching where the young man departed, Maldong sat down across from Ian.

The Alchemist didn't look up from his work, but said, "Couldn't sleep?"

"Of course not." Maldong placed a cup of tea on the table, sliding it over to Ian.

The Alchemist took it with a nod, slowly sipping while writing.

Maldong took a long drink from his own cup as well and then said, "I think it's time. But I'm worried."

"About our young friend?"

"Mm." Maldong stared out of the window into the dark Haramark streets and said, "He's uncompromising. Righteous, but uncompromising. Someone like that leading... will be troublesome."

"I know what you mean." Ian sighed. "But he won't change."

"I know. And someone that powerful and skilled deserves the right to be that uncompromising. The problem is with the fallout."

"...I see." Ian put his writing utensils down and looked up. "You're worried about the other organizations."

"Sinyoung already raised one uncompromising magic swordsman in the past. Letting Sung Shihyun roam around as he pleased caused everything to worsen."

"But our young friend isn't like that. You should know by now, how he is."

"I do. And that concerns me." Maldong stared up at the stairway and said, "Jihu is a man who can accomplish countless miracles. But at the same time, this is a world where miracles are not enough. And if the time comes that he falls short..."

"Well, that's what old men like us are here for, right?" Ian grinned and said, "A man like Jihu is one who needs to run forward without looking back. That's the best path for him. At the same time, he's also the sort of person who cares too much for the ones following him. So we have to get rid of that burden."

Maldong sighed. "I suppose you're right."

Ian nodded and took a sip from his tea. "Then you're decided?"

Maldong scoffed. "You talk like I have a choice. Even if I didn't make him the leader, he'd either set off on his own or make his own team anyway. And we can't afford to lose him."

"Mm." Ian gave a noncommittal response and went back to writing. As he did, he muttered, "I wonder how far he'll go? Our young friend... Well, whatever the case, the future should prove interesting. Now, to finish up this record..."

xxx

Early July, 2017 AD. Around 300 Paradise days after the opening of the Neutral Zone on March 16.

On this day, the event that drew the attention of all the Earthlings in Paradise was officially over. The fifth Banquet.

However, contrary to all expectations, a large number of survivors exited the portal. The rate of survival had always been devilishly low... and this was truer for the third stage. But in this Banquet, over half returned alive.

And as to the source of this phenomenon...

xxx

The Southeast City of Eva.

A priestess with a glittering white sword sheathed at her left side grinned and waved around an article. "Did you see this? Look here!" She grabbed anyone in the room that she could and pointed at the story. "We're from the same year, you know? We even went through the same Tutorial!"

A man weary of her actions spoke up. "We know, Miss Shin Sang-Ah. But could you please calm down?"

"Calm down?! How could I?" She pointed at the paper and said, "It says here he's at least level four! And that he can already use sword ki! Isn't that freakin' awesome!" She pumped her fist in the air and said, "I knew Mister Seol was great, but this is even better!"

The man sighed. "Yes, yes. Seol Jihu is incredible."

At that time, a woman blinked and spoke up. "Hey Unni. Just what kind of person is he to get you this fired up?"

"You don't know who Mister Seol is?" She let out a dramatic sigh and shook her head. "There's no helping it. I guess I'll have to tell the story again."

Groans filled the room.

xxx

In the Northwest City of Nur, a man with a green baseball cap grinned, watching a middle-aged man react to the latest article.

"I don't believe it!" The middle-aged man flipped through the newspaper and said, "He didn't only fend off an Orc Champion, but he slayed it? No, he slayed one along with an Orc Lord?!"

Hyun Sangmin's grin widened and he said, "Boss was always incredible, you know? He's someone who always breaks expectations."

The middle-aged man shook his head. "Even so, this... It's not something a level two can do. And then there's the talk about him using Sword Ki and potentially a spatial technique... What a monster."

"Heh."

xxx

"Noona!"

The capital city, Scheherazade. There, a male teenager barged into a run-down room waving a newspaper.

"Look! It's Hyung!"

"Hm?" A female archer glanced over, in the middle of adjusting her bow on her bed. "Mister Seol?"

Yi Sungjin rolled his eyes and said, "Didn't Hyung tell you to call him Jihu?"

"I couldn't." Yi Seol-Ah looked away and said, "Not after what he's done for us."

"Whatever." Sungjin plopped on the bed beside her sister and said, "Look! It says that he cleared the Banquet and even beat two Orc Champions! Two!"

Seol-Ah let out a wry smile and said, "He was always incredible."

Sungjin frowned. "Aren't you happy to hear about him, Noona?"

"I am, but..." Seol-Ah's grip tightened around her bow. "Hearing it only reminds me how far apart we are."

"Ah."

Sungjin's frown deepened.

Seol-Ah had a point. While both of them had risen to level three without much trouble, the problem was that they were at a stand still. No, it was more accurate to say that compared to Seol Jihu, the pace they were on might as well have been non-existent.

Sungjin couldn't even imagine handling a single Orc Champion for a few seconds, let alone killing it. Not only that, but the two of them should be around the same level too...

"It can't be helped," Seol-Ah muttered. "It's just the difference in talent."

"Noona-"

The door suddenly opened. At the same time, a sharp voice called out. "What are you guys doing?"

The siblings went stiff and turned to look.

A woman stood in the doorway. She had one hand on her face and looked down at the two with an impassive expression. Despite that fact, her haughty face and infamous sharp personality made her seem like she was exuding hostility.

Yi Seol-Ah immediately hopped to her feet and bowed in greeting. "H-Hello!"

"What were you doing?" She walked over, the sharp clack of her heels echoing against the hardwood floor, and then snatched the paper out of Seol-Ah's hands.

"Ah!" Seol-Ah reflexively reached out, but stopped when she saw the woman's eyebrows shooting up.

"Hmm..." After glancing through the paper, the woman looked at the two siblings and said, "Who brought this?"

Sungjin stood up. "I did." A rebellious tone.

"Hah." The woman shook her head and muttered, "These punks are driving me crazy once again, huh?"

Sungjin clenched his fists but remained quiet.

The woman crumpled the paper in her hands and tossed it aside. That done, she looked at Seol-Ah and said, "You. Girl. Do you think Paradise is a joke?"

"Of course not!" Seol-Ah quickly shook her head.

"Then why are you looking at this? Do you think you have the leisure time to fool around looking at someone else's achievements when you don't have any of your own?"

Seol-Ah lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Unni."

"Unni?"

"I-I mean Sunbae!"

The woman let out a long sigh and then stared at Seol-Ah. "Look, kids. You guys didn't come here for free. You both came through because I used my achievement points, right?"

Seol-Ah lowered her head. "Yes..."

"Then why are you idling around? Don't you feel any shame?" She pointed at the paper and said, "That guy's from the same year as you. I don't expect the same level of performance, but at least a quarter of his achievements. That's all I'm asking- No, even hitting average would be fine. But you two... You're both already level three but you're still moping around like this instead of going out there to complete missions."

"I'll try my best. I'll work harder." An automatic response. Seol-Ah spoke up without raising her head.

The woman shook her head. "I don't get it. It would have been one thing if you weren't talented, but you two... Hah. Whatever." Seeing that Seol-Ah was pale and shuddering, the woman sighed and walked off. "Don't waste any more time. There's a lot you two still need to do."

The door closed shut. Even so, the room was silent well after the woman's footsteps faded away.

Finally...

"Does that woman have some sort of sickness that'll kill her if she doesn't bitch around at least once a day?" Sungjin muttered that with clenched fists and then glared at the door.

"It's fine, Sungjin." Seol-Ah sniffed and said, "She's right too."

"Noona-"

"I'm going to train." With that, she stood up and left the room.

Sungjin watched his older sister leave and then sighed.

"Hyung... Just what are we supposed to do?"

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