“Are you okay?”
“Huh? Yeah. The Sesung Guild Master was injured.”
“I’m glad he’s safe. I’m still part of that world, so I can send ssages directly. I had to stay hidden until the Transcendents moved, or they’d get annoyed if they found out.”
“What? Hey, don’t do anything dangerous.”
I wasn’t one to talk, but still. Moon Hyunah asked if that was a ssage from the smith, and I nodded, then explained the situation to Myungwoo.
“So we’re on our way to find Park Hayul.”
[...Of all people, it has to be him.]
“Exactly. At least he treated kindly. It’s just his thods that are weird.”
“Just leave S-Ranks behind and co with !” That crazy bastard—one of them is my own brother. Sure, I saved Park Hayul, but what did we really see? We t briefly on the broadcast, exchanged a couple ssages, helped in a dungeon, then parted ways. He’s still strange. If his odd behavior is because of the Crescent Moon, I feel a little sorry for him, though.
[The Transcendents are interfering in the dream world through the Crescent Moon’s portal. They can’t use much power yet—they’re only sending monsters.]
“I see...”
I glanced at Yuhyun. Only Yuhyun and I knew the Transcendents’ true target was Seong Hyunjae. Yuhyun was keeping quiet because of the contract, but Hyunah and Director Song... I’m worried. Hyunah is surprisingly decisive, and Director Song might grab a parachute and dive with Seong Hyunjae, saying, “We’ll be the bait—go et Park Hayul, Han Yujin!”
“They’re targeting the Sesung Guild Master.”
Myungwoo answered bluntly the mont I skirted around it. Thankfully only I could see the ssage.
[Because he’s an Awakened most likely to grow into the strongest Transcendent. Transcendents are divided—so want to eliminate him early, so want to recruit him, so say don’t interfere. The first two factions are actively sending monsters.]
“Luckily I can handle low-ranked monsters. There are so many people helping.”
I couldn’t help but smile. It was the exact opposite of before my Regression. Even then people reached out, but right after Regression I had terror resistance yet didn’t want to face the public. I’m still a bit embarrassed. I’m not cut out for broadcasting.
[Even though there’s a moonlight portal, the scattered mana is still weak. They won’t send anything above low-rank for at least a day.]
“So the trouble starts once the mana stabilizes.”
[Yujin, don’t get found out.]
Even as text, the ssage carried heavy gravity.
[The Crescent Moon’s great influence cos from her ability to raise Transcendents. You could beco a similar being—yet not a Transcendent.]
With F-rank stats anyone could grab and use at will. Because I’m incomparably weak, most Transcendents consider a tool, not an equal—just like Seong Hyunjae and the other S-Ranks did.
“I’m not one to stand out.”
How would the Transcendents know that? Unless they’d watched like a rookie, they’d have no clue. Thankfully the system hides skill info well.
“Park Hayul can make dreams reality. So before the system applies, he could send us back to reality.”
It’d be perfect if he could grant my wish to reclaim my dream, my brother.
“The problem is the Crescent Moon can interfere with Park Hayul too. After all, she planted the Transcendent seed in him.”
[Before that, Park Hayul is obsessed with you—he might want to trap you in this world.]
“That might happen. And I’d be fine with it.”
[Yujin, you’re not thinking...]
“If that’s the case...”
Suddenly Seong Hyunjae spoke. He tapped the armrest with his fingertip.
“You’d easily persuade Park Hayul, Han Yujin.”
“...What?”
“With the temptation: return the S-Ranks to reality and let the two of us stay here together.”
“You’re reading my ssages?!”
“No.”
Why does he read minds so damned well?! Everyone’s glare burned into . That’s exactly what I ant!
“I wasn’t not thinking of it! Of course I’ll return!”
“...Hyung.”
“No, if it really cos down to it—once the system applies I can go back anyti. I can reuse Grace, and it’s safest there, right? ...I won’t do it. I swear I won’t stay behind alone.”
“Just tie the old man up.”
“Jin, we should put a leash on you too~.”
Hyunah nearly fetched a leash, and I stopped her. Seong Hyunjae picks up on everything. I can’t say anything around him.
[Do I need to forge another shackle for you? I’ll grade it higher so you can’t break free.]
“...No. I’ll behave.”
Universal Keys only work on S-Rank or below—an SS-Rank shackle would hold . He could make one now. I’d better be extra careful what I say and do around Myungwoo.
[Once the system applies you can return without Park Hayul’s help. Don’t overdo it.]
“At the sa ti, the Crescent Moon’s influence will strengthen. Other Transcendents too.”
That was the problem. System application wasn’t the end, but the beginning. The Crescent Moon and Transcendents would of course prevent us—and Seong Hyunjae—from returning. Their power would surely overwhelm my rookie managent. Even helpers might not suffice.
So the best plan remained getting Park Hayul’s help. He was weird, but better to face him than a horde of Transcendents.
[...There’s not much we can do to help now.]
I could almost hear Myungwoo sigh in his ssages.
[Are you wearing Grace?]
“Yes.”
[Grace is my creation, so I’ll let you use it. But you’ll only get around C-rank damage nullification. And use it sparingly.]
“Thanks. That’s enough for now.”
[The Mana Spring will apply too, so you can use your skills weakly. But disable Fear Resistance—don’t get caught by Park Hayul’s psychic skills again.]
The bracelet on my wrist glowed faintly.
[I’ll update you if things change. Be careful.]
Myungwoo said he couldn’t maintain the link long, then the ssage window vanished. Grace’s gemstone cleared from its cloudy haze.
– Beep!
The Bluebird fluttered up as if freed. Simultaneously, from inside Yuhyun’s sleeve, Irin wriggled out and jumped onto my shoulder.
– Irin was so cramped in there!
The little lizard drew a deep, loud breath and cried out.
– Hyung’s mana’s weaker than usual, but it’s bearable! I’ll stay with you a bit.
“Oh, okay.”
“Uncle! too!”
Yerim hurried over to . A droplet sprang from her dangling earring and flew toward .
– Waaah, Yerim! This place sucks!
Sanho landed on my right shoulder, pouting. Irin on my left stopped panting and sealed his mouth. His round eyes stared intently at the water spirit. Sensing the gaze, Sanho narrowed his eyes too.
“Um—”
Suddenly, both spirits lunged without warning: one bit the other’s tail, the other punched the first’s head. You two... Above my head, Grace wagged her tail, watching the spirits’ fight.
“Sanho, calm down!”
– Water and Fire can never get along!
– Irin refuses to drink mana tainted by water!
Yerim quickly separated them. I grabbed Irin.
“You’re family too. Yuhyun and Yerim are family. If the spirits fight, it’s not right.”
– Hyung! His presence is drying out my mana! I’m suffocating!
– It’s damp! Gross! I feel mold growing on Irin!
Maybe because the Mana Spring was weaker. The young spirits’ instincts ran strong, making them fierce.
“Irin on the left shoulder, Sanho on the right. Don’t wander off—sit still.”
Irin and Sanho hopped to their respective shoulder edges, turned, then lted into my clothing. Well, kids fight then beco friends. Better than ignoring them completely.
“Myungwoo will keep you updated. As I said, we’ll et Park Hayul and find a way back. It’s a long trip to France, right?”
“Even without delays, about ten hours? Now, really rest.”
I nodded at Hyunah’s words. Peace rumbled a big yawn and lay down. I couldn’t sleep with them, though. Yerim fetched in-flight als, and Yuhyun brought fresh clothes. There were individual bedrooms and a spacious shower room. I should rest well while I can.
“Uncle, look at this. SNS and news sites are updating in real ti.”
Yerim showed an article on her phone titled “Dreamland Storm Sweeps the Globe.”
“They say people in our country are finding ways to teleport in dreams to reach France. Airlines are helping, saying if imagination fails, they’ll charter flights.”
“Even airlines?”
“It’s an ad opportunity. Big companies are scrambling to promote. ‘Watch special ads before sleep and experience the latest smartphone in your dream!’”
Since dream abilities rely on imagination, the exterior might change superficially. But at least you’d feel like you had the latest phone. Most posts I glanced at brimd with joyful excitent.
“OMG, foreign singers are performing together at Gimpo Airport! Huge crowds there. We’re still far from France. They say the fireworks will set a world record—they’re still going off!”
In reality, it’d destroy the airport foundations. But since it’s a dream, people plan to ignore flight safety and push speed to the limit. I feel sorry for those who can’t sleep because of work. So jobs can’t pause—need shift work.
“Black Dragon, Hansul is my sword.”
Yuhyun, sitting quietly beside , finally spoke.
“So I should pay child support to you, right?”
“...What?”
Yuhyun’s face was serious. He seed troubled by Soyeong’s comnt.
“Hey, you and I are family. Child support?”
“But Peace paid a fee.”
“That was an official contract. But the spirits are different. We live together anyway, and if I’m gone, you’ll take care of them...”
Could he? Yuhyun nodded.
“I’ll protect them. Because you care for them.”
“My brother is too good.”
“Uncle, that’s natural. I’d do the sa.”
“Our Yerim is practically an angel—”
“And they’re my nieces and nephews! Anyway, Uncle!”
Yerim shook her head, avoiding my gaze.
“Han Yuhyun might actually be good at childcare—textbook strict. So boss around Yuhyun more.”
“There’s here. Besides, Yuhyun helps without being asked.”
“Right. Hyung, you should rest.”
“I’ll handle playti emotionally! I might not take you to an amusent park, though.”
“Let’s all go together.”
Byul would love that. Gyeol would pretend not to but be thrilled. Seol too—let them all play like kids.
Occasional explosions sounded outside, but no monsters attacked the plane. I put aside worries and drifted into sleep. Even in a dream—but perhaps because of the dream—I dread again.
A white moon hung in the sky. The Crescent Moon stood in the night forest as she had in ancient tis. The night’s eyes holding the moon gazed at . Simply gazed, with unwavering affection.
Seeing her, I felt she would never change. Even as a Transcendent, she is human. Yet the Crescent Moon felt just like the moon—no matter a hundred cries, struggles, or pleas, moonlight only shimred back.
“We’re scheduled to land in an hour.”
Moon Hyunah said. Yerim, who never put her phone down except to sleep, nodded.
“They say tons of people are in France. They’ll lightly clear monsters again, they say. It’s dayti in Korea now—many can’t sleep. So said they pulled an all-nighter for this.”
Chaos would reign again. I savored the last restful monts. A landing announcent played, and through the window I saw the moonlit airport. ...Wow, that’s all people.
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