“Crrk.” Underfoot, the charred debris, dried out by indirect heat alone, crumbled into ash. Even one with high fire resistance would struggle to approach such flas, yet Han Yuhyun strode in without a second thought. The inky black fire bared its teeth at his steps, at the hem of his garnt, but couldn’t leave a single scorch mark.
“No need to deal with him!”
The Puppeteer called to Han Yuhyun as he retreated beyond the fire’s domain.
“We’re both trapped here—fall back!”
As if he’d not heard, Han Yuhyun kept advancing. The ever-shifting flas brushed past him not like a conflagration but like jet-black reeds swaying softly. His gaze fixed on the flitting butterflies. Beyond them, a blurred figure shrouded like mist. Concealnt hindered perception, yet none but Han Yuhyun sensed that presence so clearly.
The fire he had forged by Han Yujin’s hand—its origin and the touch that created it—were identical. A five-year gap lay between them, but Han Yuhyun’s essence was the sa. And—
“...Connection.”
Han Yuhyun looked upon “himself.” At their first encounter he’d felt nothing, but now it was unmistakable: a part of him resided in that Other. Sothing binding them.
The gaze beyond the butterflies was indifferent—worthless to the figure before him. The Puppeteer, furrowing his brow as he tended the wound in his chest upon beholding Han Yuhyun holding his sovereign blade, spat out,
“Hey, Han Yujin’s kid! You’re no match alone.”
True, this Han Yuhyun was weaker than that one. Yet Han Yuhyun—
“You’d be the sa, if it were you.”
Blue willow leaves fluttered down. Through the black butterflies seeped a sapphire light. The wind stirred the flowerbeds violently, sending petals and butterflies aloft in unison.
“Quietly vanish.”
For Han Yujin’s sake. What Han Yujin needed was one living brother and one lost corpse.
“‘’ is what my brother needs.”
If that Other Han Yuhyun knew this truth... he could never harm the living Han Yuhyun. If only one could remain, there was no hesitation. To Han Yuhyuns, it was a simple fact—no need for sorrow or doubt.
Han Yuhyun stamped on the fire-engulfed ground. Riding the willow leaves, his curved black blade t the pale-white sword with a sharp clang.
[The overseer here is taking his sweet ti.]
A new subordinate’s voice faintly whispered from the screen. They say subordinates can’t use skills properly—music to my ears.
‘Even newbies are pitching in.’
Thanks, rookie. You’re the best. The horned subordinate flew off, and Director Song charged at the one like a glass flower. For a mont I hesitated, but Director Song used a shield item to stop the petals. That must’ve been at least an S-rank consumable! Director Song really spends on the expensive stuff!
Not only Director Song, but Seong Hyunjae was effortlessly handling an unseen foe. With Park Hayul’s aid, there was no need for worry—at least for now.
“Have you found Noah and Riet yet?”
“Um...”
Park Hayul tilted her head.
“It’s a bit blurry. They’re in Seoul, but it’s like they’re hidden by fog.”
“Hidden?”
“Yes. I can’t see them. Whoever it is, they seem less strong than masterful with mana—like my brother.”
...They’ve encountered a subordinate. Still, they’re not far away.
“Seong Hyunjae’s picking up mana stones again. Hayul, strike lightning on him.”
Leaving the clamor behind, I checked on Yuhyun. My brother remained unchanged, gazing only at . I worried he wasn’t even breathing—he never moved. Only occasionally °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° did he blink. The sight pained and shad .
‘...Even if it’s guilt.’
How could anyone look at that and not soften? Putting everything else aside, wanting your cherished little brother to be happy is natural. Yet that guy was right... We are different; we can never beco the sa. Fulfilling all one another’s desires is impossible for any relationship.
I myself don’t always act as I wish—planning to exercise, yet slacking off, telling myself to go to work yet lingering in bed, vowing to set an example but sneaking a stray rice cake crumb.
“Wow, Guildmaster Sesung is tough.”
Expecting perfection from others when one can’t control oneself is too much to ask. Even the flawless ideal has at least one mismatch. So if neither Yuhyun nor I et each other’s wants... it’s not wrong. That’s just how people are.
“Oh? Another one ca out. Even stronger.”
Even if I wanted to cater to him... huh?
“Yuhyun?”
Onscreen, Yuhyun suddenly turned his head—fixating not on but on empty air. Did another subordinate appear nearby? My brother blinked, assessing my state. Seeing I wouldn’t wake easily, he straightened and spoke to Peace:
[Protect Hyung.]
Peace, as if understanding, grew to dwarf beast form. Yuhyun then turned and vanished through the open living room window. Whatever the reason.
“Hayul, wake up now—.”
Beyond the large window, black flas flickered. Park Hayul stared, mouth agape.
“Hyung! It’s really dangerous! A new subordinate appeared!”
Above the rising dark fire, a swarm of black butterflies descended. Shock jolted my body.
‘Fire color black—nothing to marvel at.’
Fireworks co in every hue. There are many Fire Abusers in our neighborhood.
“That subordinate—he’s burning others too!”
“...An ally? Even Transcendents think differently—.”
Before the words finished, the butterfly-sward man vanished. He struck at Seong Hyunjae and Song Taewon at a speed my eyes couldn’t track. Clang—sword and chain collided. Reflected in his butterfly-stepping toe was a gaze filled with...
Soone I didn’t know, yet soone I did know.
‘A willow-leaf–like skill... possible.’
Countless worlds exist, countless Awakened One fighters. These are butterflies, not leaves. Lightning struck—he moved through the swarm with elegant agility. Director Song’s body flung aside like a ragdoll.
Different, yet every mont was familiar. I’d watched such scenes on screen countless tis: running on air, speed no one could follow, the arc of a curved blade.
This Yuhyun differed from the current one—a different lineage, a different blade forged by a different master through different trials. I refused to believe it, yet my heart pounded. My jaw ached from clenching.
‘They might have sent soone aiming at .’
Even if Seong Hyunjae drew attention, other Transcendents would still find intriguing. Perhaps they chose a subordinate resembling Yuhyun on purpose. A copy. But not identical. And how... how?
“Hyung!”
Park Hayul called to . I saw Seong Hyunjae get driven back. My head swam. I had to get up. In that panic—
[Finally popped out.]
The Puppeteer blocked Seong Hyunjae’s path. His long hair whipped wildly. Where did he go!?
[That’s the Gardener’s subordinate, right?]
A confident voice. The Gardener’s? The one who helped make Eclipse? Hearing this, I wondered if it really was a fake. The Gardener would know Yuhyun and —he could send a copy of pre-regression Yuhyun as a subordinate. Yes.
“Hayul, the thing I asked earlier—wake up!”
“Already?”
“Gotta finish before subordinates get skill registration. And who knows when Yuhyun will return.”
“Understood. Close your eyes, Hyung.”
Reluctantly nodding, Hayul obeyed. My consciousness wavered, then snapped clear. I opened my eyes.
“Hmph!”
Peace sprang up and approached . I petted his thrusting head and cast Teacher on him. Yuhyun’s presence was gone.
“Peace, let’s go out with Dad. You okay?”
Hesitant, Peace trotted to the closed window Yuhyun had used. Seeing the falling rain, he looked back worriedly.
“Dad likes the rain! Really.”
I had to hurry before Yuhyun returned. Pushing the window wide, Peace tapped the railing with his forepaw. Clearing space, he wagged his tail as if inviting to ride. Good boy, Peace.
“Yerim, let’s find her first. Avoid Yuhyun.”
Peace leapt down. His wings unfurled, not for flight but to shield from rain. The street lay empty. A patch of sky ahead turned ominously dark, smoke swirling below. My heart chilled.
‘No. Never.’
Impossible—Yuhyun was moving fine. The concealnt alone proved it couldn’t be him. If real, he wouldn’t hide. So it must not be. If soone targeted , they planned well... Saddening how easily I wavered.
“Sir!”
“Ah, Yerim?”
Soon I t Yerim. Why was she here? She should have been near Seong Hyunjae, fighting subordinates.
“Why are you here?”
“It was Yuhyun!” Yerim said, flying down.
“He suddenly popped out and told to protect you, then left. Sothing’s wrong?”
“What? I just ca to my senses and ran. Yuhyun told to take care of you?”
“Yes. Weird, right? He’d never entrust without reason—he wouldn’t answer either.”
She was right. I’d thought a hostile subordinate appeared, but if not... then why?
“Which direction did he go?”
“Toward Director Sesung’s side. Which makes it stranger—Yuhyun would never help them over .”
“...True.”
“Huh—could it be soone else in Yuhyun’s skin? A shape-shifting subordinate like Yunyun! Though the voice was Yuhyun’s.”
Yerim’s words summoned black flas in my mind—where Seong Hyunjae was. And Yuhyun’s sudden departure.
‘...Right after the Gardener’s subordinate appeared.’
The real Yuhyun wouldn’t leave , yet he departed, entrusting to Yerim as if unable to return soon. And black fire lay in that direction.
My brother’s voice hovered: “Is it because of pre-regression ?” Surely not.
“Sir? You’re shaking—are you cold?”
“No, not cold, Yerim. It’s just—”
I didn’t know what to say. My head and heart were in chaos. What had Yuhyun been like on screen? His face—no confusion, no surprise. He’d been composed, as if waiting. The Yuhyun who asked about his pre-regression self... I couldn’t recall. What expression did he wear? What eyes?
“Sir!”
“Ugh!”
A breath I’d held burst free. Yuhyun—Yuhyun...
“You’ve seen him before, right?”
“Huh?”
When? How? I had no clue. But I had to go—right now.
“Yerim.”
“Sir, you should go back and rest; your face is a ss.”
“No. There’s sothing I must do.”
I had to go. Before too late. I grabbed Yerim’s hand and showed her a specific mana motion.
“Rember this. When you feel this motion, don’t resist. It’s Park Hayul.”
“P-Park Hayul?”
“Yes. Then find a safe place and sleep.”
“Sleep?”
“As soon as you can.”
Yerim looked taken aback.
“Hayul will handle it—Hyuna unnie will finish off the subordinate she’s fighting, then co after you. Being with her is safest.”
With that, Yerim streaked ahead. Peace and I followed. Soon Hyuna Moon roared up on her bike.
“Why’s Chief Han’s face like that?”
“Hyuna, watch over Yerim while she sleeps!”
“What? Now?”
“Unnie! Please let sleep!”
Yerim pointed at her nape as she spoke to Hyuna. Confused, Hyuna glanced between us.
“I don’t know what’s happening.”
“There’s no ti to explain. You need to go to Han Yuhyun—he’s the one in danger, right?”
“...Yeah.”
“Hurry!”
Yerim’s urgent signals said she trusted without explanation—sothing I appreciated. After asking Hyuna to help, I signaled Peace to head toward the smoke.
Raindrops passed by . The acrid scent of wet asphalt rose. It still didn’t feel real. I could hardly believe it. Perhaps Yuhyun had been mistaken. Yet my brother sensed it precisely, even from that distance.
I drew in a breath. Despite Peace’s fire resistance, I felt faint warmth: collapsed buildings, a horned Fla Lion leaping across the rubble. A haze in the sky, and beneath it a sea of black fire—dark fla.
“Han Yuhyun!”
I shouted at the top of my lungs. Two pairs of eyes turned to .
My brother’s. And another’s.
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