Returning to God’s embrace, a soul put to rest. To the afterlife, relieved from all burdens.

Prayers, salutation, mournings, tears—

The words that XiaoLe spoke in her passing. Mixed, muddled emotions that weaved into a catacomb of pain.

Sadness for her death.

Relief that mankind’s ultimate threat had died.

Guilt that she couldn’t keep her promise.

Elation that her most hated enemy was gone.

Frustration for not being able to make up her mind.

Agony for abandoning the one she most cared for.

Her idol, her inspiration; the one who brought both joy and ruin to her life,

Hwang EunHa.

She remembered the flickering candle flames, the strong winds that howled. The entire time, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

She was finally gone.

A heavy downpour drummed against the ground. Outback near the garden exit, XiaoLe remained deep in thought.

Tears traced her chin.

“Colonel Wu.”

“…?”

A voice called out to her from behind. She rubbed her eyes and turned around to meet the gaze of the man.

EunHa’s father, Lieutenant General Hwang JaeHyun.

“Thank you.”

He said with a gaze deep in respect.

“…Thank you?”

The funeral had already come to an end.

Cold blizzards and harsh winds failed to shake her… but that simple gesture of sincerity sent a chill right down her bone.

She parroted his words, but her question was met with silence.

Without adding anything more, he walked past her. Her expression hardened, his fleeting figure grew ever so blurry, melting right into the distant rain.

Thank you…? You thanked me for killing your only daughter?

Her chest tightened, shoulders heaved. She wanted to refute, but couldn’t bring herself to a justification. Gritting her clattering teeth, she held back the urge to hug her own body. Her eyes trembled, well aware of the irony which her response implied.

“My saint, are you okay?”

Following just behind EunHa’s father, Senior Chief Petty Officer Hwang JiSoo called out. EunHa’s elder brother.

“I’m… fine.”

She wasn’t.

“It’s not your sole burden to bear my saint. We all decided on this.”

“…”

JiSoo showed a bitter smile.

Even as a family, he could only do so much to stop her execution. Personal reason and political reason alike… to begin with, their relationship had never been by any means good.

“Her death was for the greater good.”

Everyone who signed the indenture convinced themselves of this very fact. And who could deny it? Even the saint herself, who knew of the future, couldn’t stop fearing for her existence.

“If it would make you feel any better, I think it wasn’t wrong that she chose this.”

Like father like son… even he expressed no sympathy. Was there even guilt? How could they be so heartless?

In the struggle to calm her thoughts, JiSoo began a narration to drive a wedge into her mess of a deliberation.

“My sister and I were born of different mothers.”

A story about their family XiaoLe hadn’t known.

“Father and I were the only ones who survived the Great Fall.”

Despite having lived twice, this was XiaoLe’s first time coming to learn of the deeper truth behind the Hwang family’s plight.

“Mother and… everyone else, father fell deeply depressed.”

The Great Fall, this historic event XiaoLe may not know very well. It happened at a time when she was just an infant.

But that didn’t mean she was unaware of the horrible events which had transpired.

“It was during this time a woman managed to seduce him, and thus… she was born.”

EunHa’s existence was but a way to cope with the loss of his late wife.

“But that woman left him as soon as my sister was conceived.”

By ‘left him’, XiaoLe’s knowledge was limited to EunHa’s mother dying soon after her birth. Could he be implying something else? A secret, perhaps?

“Ever since then, father raised her like she was his everything. Perhaps to make up for the family we lost, he never stopped looking at her. Forgetting that I even…”

He caught his rage and stopped. Then gazing out towards the hazy rain.

“…I must confess guiltily that I wished she had never been born. To cause so much pain to father, and blind him from the truth.”

No one out there can substitute for the void within each of us.

“I’m glad she can finally rest in peace, my pitiful sister.”

He said.

“It’s quite the cruel thing for a brother to say isn’t it?”

Knowing that behind his gentle words was a man who truly cursed his sister to death. XiaoLe bit her lips.

“My Saint, you have to be strong.”

Eyes sternly on her, he advised.

“Even if it was your friend that you had to kill, you did it for the sake of all humanity.”

I know. That’s why…

“… No. Even if it was family… sometimes a sacrifice is what’s necessary.”

I can’t let her down. Not after her death.

They stood in each other’s gaze for a few seconds. He turned away first, her gaze lingered only a second longer.

The rain had calmed to a drizzle.

“Do you need me to guide you back to the office?”

He asked.

“I’m not returning yet. There’s some business I have to take care of…”

“In your current attire?”

“This would be my last time wearing it anyway.”

“It’s a beautiful dress… a pity to ruin it, isn’t it?”

“…”

Knowing the person he was, she remained silent.

“I was being insensitive, my apologies.”

He apologised. She shook her head, dismissing it. He turned around.

“…In the end, her fiance never showed up. Why?”

“…No comment.”

“Pass him my condolences.”

“Yes—”

“That woman couldn’t have brought him happiness anyway.”

His final words rang out in her ears as light raindrops traced the roof edges.

It fell and created a splash.

╙⊠ ▢╨⌷⊳⚙⊲╙⊠▰

Ring.

The bell rang to her entry into the cafe.

Shaking off the water from the black umbrella, she hung it on the umbrella holder and looked around.

“Pst, here!”

A girl with raven-black hair and a pair of ocean-blue eyes waved.

Cho LiSeo.

The daughter of Cho Group’s president.

The Cho Group is a conglomerate of companies that has an outreach in many important industries. From pharmaceuticals and food resources to infrastructure and weapon technology. They were a major corporation actively supporting humanity’s fight in the war.

While it has yet to be decided who would inherit the Cho Group in the future, Cho LiSeo had, in ownership, a few small companies of her own.

And such a business talent was accompanying Matsushita Kenji as he slept on the table.

“Do you want something to drink?”

LiSeo asked.

“…How many cups did he drink?”

Seeing 5 empty ceramic cups, XiaoLe thought she was hallucinating.

“Three. As for the other two, one was me, the other was Hee JingKai who dropped by but… left just a while ago.”

“And he could still sleep after all that?”

“Well… I suppose.”

Cho LiSeo stretched her body across the table. Her fingers lightly twirled his hair while looking at him with a gaze that XiaoLe felt slightly irked by—affection.

XiaoLe wasn’t the only girl who held feelings for Kenji. In this life, and the one she had before, it had always been this way.

In truth, LiSeo’s presence in their current timeline was a unique variable. She and Kenji never met in XiaoLe’s previous life.

“The funeral… did everything turn out alright?”

LiSeo asked.

“I don’t know how to properly answer that question.”

“I’m not close to his ex-fiance, so I can’t really say I know what kind of eulogy you gave for her life.”

“The eulogy… huh…”

Floral speech, decorative accolades… a false, embellished exaggeration of the girl whom XiaoLe knew as EunHa.

“Don’t you want to take a seat?”

“It’s alright. I don’t want to disturb him.”

“Grr. Seriously though, he’s disturbing me and my time. I have work to do after this and he’s just going to sleep on me.”

“Give him a break…”

“He’s already gotten a break. You two went to the First Stratum alone without telling me anything.”

LiSeo said with puffed-up cheeks. Strangely enough, seeing her act this way reminded XiaoLe of someone. Wonder turned into curiosity.

“…LiSeo-nim, are you the only child in your family?”

“Me? No. I have a lot of brothers, sisters and cousins. 32 siblings in total including myself. I don’t even know who half of them even are.”

Ah, right. XiaoLe realised she had phrased her question wrong.

This was the result of polygamy and the desire to expand the Cho Group to its limits. XiaoLe thought it was best if she left the explanations about her unusual family tree to the appropriate journalists.

“Why do you ask?”

“I was just thinking how you resemble…”

Suddenly, something inside her warned that if she spoke the name, the future’s trajectory would change again. XiaoLe bit her lips and stopped her sentence there.

“…No, nevermind. It’s nothing.”

“You mean to ask how I resemble Kenji? Or how if Kenji and his fiance Ms. Hwang had a child I’d look like their daughter? Well, either way, if you’re not going to tell me, I won’t bother. If you’re not going to sit here and chill, what are you going to do now?”

Her nonchalance really did resemble her…

“I think I’ll go back to the office, since Kenji is under your care currently.”

“Are you sure you don’t mind me watching over him?”

LiSeo asked with a concerned look.

“I… need some space to process my emotions. So it’s alright.”

XiaoLe only wanted to make sure Kenji was alright. And since LiSeo was already here to take care of him, for many reasons concerned, XiaoLe thought perhaps she should leave before he woke up.

“…Okay. Take care of yourself, XiaoLe.”

“You too. Thank you LiSeo-nim.”

XiaoLe left the cafe without buying any coffee.

LiSeo pressed her entire face down on the table.

“Seriously, what can I do to help?”

She tilted her head slightly and glanced at Kenji’s eyelashes just beyond the shadow of his hair.

“…I wonder what dream you’re having right now?”

║⪡▰╖⪄⌺⪄╨▩⪡_.

,⪡ Matsushita Kenji╖’⊠

⪄ Origin Year 134, 20th of GuYu.

[DETAILS:▽NEARBY UNITS> Chen Ayumi - DEAD [00:02:43]>>Hints: Nil

…

She held the corpse of her squad mate tightly in her arms.

“She’s dead.”

Her frigid voice, a forced suppression of the great storm of turmoil crushing her heart. Even though EunHa risked everything to save her… in the end, we were the only ones who survived.

⊳╙⊠’╨

The jeep crested a small hill before entering a descent. I witness for a brief moment the scenery past the leaf coverings, beyond the boundaries of the world.

A sea of skies.

Various clouds sailing.

Small islands hanging afloat in the air, flying warships that should’ve been part of the seas.

At the base of the mountain was a small city. Wire fences, spotlight scout towers, modern infrastructure, military tents, vehicle hangers, ship docks…

Coral plants were growing among the forestry. In the air, fish and crustaceans hovered.

And, the surreal evening hue that painted the world.

Taking it all in was heavy.

“An interdimensional foreigner huh? So what kind of world did you live in before?”

Private Tian asked, breaking the silence.

A foreigner. I suppose that’s what the people here call people like me. Likely, I’m not the first victim. And as callous as it was, I had hoped I wasn’t the only one.

“…A world similar to this. Except, we don’t have to fight the demons, and things don’t float.”

“What a lucky world that sounds.”

Lucky.

Yes. I was incredibly lucky.

The fact that I made it out of such a bastard introduction alive.

Even if this was meant to be a cliche dropped-in-the-middle-of-the-forest isekai, couldn’t whatever God have not set me right in front of some demon…

“Shii—!”

The vehicle almost flipped as Sergeant Tian rolled the steering. A rocketing shadow passed in a blink, and we almost collided.

“Private Hwa…!”

A single bang erupted.

Before Sergeant Tian finished saying anything, the demon had already died. White smoke came from the barrel of her gun.

“…Wow I’ll be.”

Sergeant Tian exclaimed. I didn’t even know what demon fish that was, but it seemed EunHa got her target.

My gaze shifted from the gun muzzle to her face; her blonde hair waving to the wind.

In one hand, she held the gun, in the other, she cradled the corpse of her friend wrapped in a body bag.

Her soulless eyes met mine for a brief moment.

And then she turned away.

╓▰╨╖⊳⚙⊲╓⊠╥╖

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> MISSION RESULTS(1/2)

>[FAILED] MISSION TITLE: SAVE CADET WANG AYUMI

>SYSTEM REMARKS:

>>Nil

…

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> MISSION RESULTS(2/2)

>[SUCCESS] MISSION TITLE: SURVIVE

>SYSTEM REMARKS:

>>Clear Rewards: +2GUGP,

>>Beginner Clear Rewards: +10GUGP

>>Unlocked Progression: A New World

…

The jeep arrived at the hangar. There were soldiers and what looked to be runners busily moving about supplies.

“I welcome your safe return, Private Hwang, Private Tian.”

A soldier who was decked with badges approached us, then saluted.

“Major, did something happen?”

EunHa saluted, then asked.

“Preparations are currently underway for immediate Hive extermination interventions, hence the mess you see here.”

“I see.”

The person who EunHa called Major looked at me.

“Who is he?”

“Just someone I picked up along the way.”

“He’s a foreigner. That kind of foreigner.”

Sergeant Tian followed up with a suspicious inflection to the way he addressed me. The Major scanned me head to toe. I remained stiffly silent.

He then turned to a following entourage to his side.

“Ensign Tanaka, take him into custody.”

What?

“Understood sir.”

The man Tanaka tapped on my shoulders and prompted me to follow him.

“Private Hwang, could you follow me?”

Meanwhile, the Major continued talking to EunHa.

“Yes sir. But I have one request.”

“What is it?”

“I ask that my friend’s body be returned to her family as soon as possible, and receive a proper burial.”

“That’s a given.”

Their voices faded further and further away.

║⪡▰╖⪄⌺⪄╨▩⪡_.

“Here.”

In the interrogation room, Ensign Tanaka took out food packets and arranged them before me.

“This is…”

“Relax. You’re a victim. Once you finish that, let’s talk about what happened. Ease up, we’re all humans, and any information you can provide to aid the ongoing war will be useful.”

I tried to ignore the fact that he mentioned something about ‘war’ and looked at the food he gave. Grilled salmon, egg roe sushi and rice balls. There’s also soy milk and a slice of what looked like blue watermelon?

“You look completely shit. First time seeing a dead body?”

“…?”

“Do you need to see a counsellor or something after this?”

“…I don’t think so.”

I think I just need time to think.

“Well, don’t force the food if you can’t. Though it’s not like I recommend you starve. I’ve heard a number of stories of foreigners like you that’ve committed suicide because they couldn’t face the reality.”

“Is that so?”

“However, those who don’t just go off throwing their lives away become incredible assets and make big history names. I hope you don’t lose your way. The information you have in your head is incredibly valuable in this world.”

Valuable?

As in, do they plan to enslave me or something and then toss me out into some impossible-to-survive dungeon?

No right?

This world—the world of <Skybound Seas> has a cruel world setting, but the theme involves the unity of humanity, so…

“You look like you’re doubting my kindness here.”

“…I’m just wary.”

“Can’t help it. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably feel the same way. So let’s do it like this.”

Ensign Tanaka crudely took a seat on the foldable chair.

“How about you tell me where you’re from, and I tell you what I know about this world? That’ll get our communication up to speed.”

With that kind of silly grin he’s showing, I think I can trust the sincerity of the people in this world.

I nodded.

“Alright.”

Taking the first bite of food ever since I arrived in this world, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.

Maybe I was trying to deny it, so I talked.

And talked some more…

⊳╙⊠’╨

“Look kid. It’s not your fault. Just because you slipped into this dimension, you’re not responsible for the ones that just died. Whether or not she accepts it, the same truth applies. That’s the reality of war.”

“I understand that in theory. It’s just…”

“Matsushita-san, at times like this, you have two choices.”

He pointed two fingers at me.

“One is to blame yourself.”

He lowered his middle finger, index finger pointing at me.

“Or to accept that no one is at fault.”

“Think of it as advice from a veteran in the field. The peaceful era you came from is long gone, stop dwelling on it and move on.”

I don’t know how to feel about this. The fact that I just witnessed someone die before me, I’m still in denial.

Not just that but I have so many unanswered questions.

Like, how did I get here? Why don’t I remember anything? And why is EunHa also here?

She didn’t even recognize me.

General facts about this world match the setting of the game <Skybound Seas>. But gaps which hadn’t been considered for the game were automatically filled in.

Things like the concept of prana, the logic in which the world runs on infinite energy, and how demons were known as a meta-biological infection of marine life.

“Now then. Let’s wrap things up, I don’t have a lot of time.”

He checked the digital clock on the wall.

“Anything more to add regarding what you saw?”

“No.”

It’s enough to narrate what happened once. I don’t feel like revisiting the memory.

╙⊠ ▢╨⌷⊳⚙⊲╙⊠▰

Not a movie, not a light novel, not a manga.

<Skybound Seas> is an indie game EunHa and I were developing as a team.

Different from RPG games where you levelled stats and abilities, the game’s system handled more like those gacha games where you’d collect characters and build teams out of them.

Assuming that system functions are similar to the in-game UI, I expect there to be familiar RPG progression mechanics like a main storyline with side quests, upgrading individual unit skills, and creating an engineering base where I can invest in new technologies that’ll help level up humanity’s fight against the demons.

It would be a level-progression focused on those around me as opposed to the standard self power-levelling.

I did hope to see a tab where you’d get access to an actual slot machine to procure units but I suppose that would’ve been bizarre… wouldn’t it? It seems all units which I’ll be adding to my database will have to be collected manually.

Basically, making allies and forming connections.

Actually, hold on. Calling living people as ‘units’ sounds a little condescending. Shouldn’t I phrase it better?

Friends? Crew? Allies? Well, either way…

Ensign Tanaka didn’t have anything else to provide me, so when the interrogation ended, he brought me to a private room. He told me that someone would fetch me tomorrow morning so that I can head to the capital city of Hoshizora.

As part of the game’s front-line developer, I only knew the general regions of the First and Second Stratum. This was the first time hearing the name Hoshizora as a city in the Third Stratum.

With night soon approaching, I laid on the bed and stared up at the grid-patterned ceiling.

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> NEW(1/2)

>MISSION TITLE: “REUNITED”

>TASK: Find Saint Wu XiaoLe

>REWARDS:

>>1. Acquire [Unit: Wu XiaoLe_(A-rank)]

>>2. Unlock System Setting: [PERSONAL: BORROWED TRAITS]

>>3. +1UGP for [Unit: Wu XiaoLe_(A-rank)]

…

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> NEW(2/2)

>MISSION TITLE: STARTING OVER

>TASK: Gain Hwang EunHa’s favour

>REWARDS:

>>1. Acquire [Unit: Hwang EunHa_(A-rank)]

>>2. Unlock System Setting: [PERSONAL: APPRAISAL]

>>3. +1UGP for [Unit: Hwang EunHa_(A-rank)]

…

More functions will be unlocked when I level up, but for now, there’s a limit to what I can do with the system. Besides a few words to my system profile, the quest board, and ongoing missions, there wasn’t anything else I could do.

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> ONGOING MISSIONS> MISSION TITLE: “REUNITED”> REWARDS:> +1UGP for [Unit: Wu XiaoLe_(A-rank)]

>>Description: +1UGP (upgrade points) that can be used to increase the level of [Unit: Wu XiaoLe]‘s [TRAITS].

UGP is the acronym for Upgrade Points.

GUGP is the acronym for General Upgrade Points.

This function is the same as in the game where GUGP can be used for all characters whereas, UGP is only limited to that one character. GUGP can substitute any deficiencies in UGP.

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> ONGOING MISSIONS> MISSION TITLE: “REUNITED”> REWARDS:> Unlock Setting: [PERSONAL: BORROWED TRAITS]

>>Description: Unlock the system’s ability to borrow ‘TRAITS’ owned by different ‘UNITS’.

‘Traits’ is the terminology we used to define the ‘special abilities’ of a ‘unit’. And the higher the level of their ‘trait’, the stronger their effects when I equip the ability.

It’s a design choice for the game which EunHa suggested originally.

[DETAILS:▽PROGRESSIONS> ONGOING

>[Current] Story Progression: A New World

In regards to the main story line though… it seems to have nothing to do with the original story we planned for the game.

I’d take a moonshot and say it’s probably a dynamic one for me?

“There’s no way anyone would want to believe that their destiny is fixed.”

…There should be multiple endings to this, right?

Anyway, thanks to the system, the next few steps I need to take are made somewhat clearer.

But for the mission where I need to ‘meet the saint’, what the hell does the title ‘reunited’ imply? Is the saint someone I know from my previous world?

I shook my head.

“No. That’s not the biggest priority.”

Before I should consider plans to progress, I need to get clear on something… no, someone, first.

“EunHa.”

Regardless of her current relationship with me, I witnessed first hand the death of the squad Sergeant and her friend. She may put on a brave front, but I know deep down she was hurt.

I raised my palms to the ceiling.

The engagement ring on my finger. The one we vowed to.

I clenched my hands into a fist.

Unlike novel tropes where the protagonists have a clear understanding of how scenarios are going to progress, I don’t know where and what begins or ends.

“EunHa, what is going on?”

The one who should’ve been developing the game with me… was not here to respond.

╓▰╨╖⊳⚙⊲╓⊠╥╖

“Private Hwang EunHa.”

“Yes sir.”

“I grant you a distinction in this expedition.”

“Yes sir.”

The substitute sergeant handed her a certificate.

Successfully returning from an ambush with important information regarding the potential demonica nest-in-spreading, the certification congratulated her achievements.

Normally, these cadet-level practical missions consisted only of very basic and simple tasks that could be completed if one had the necessary physical stamina.

However, this particular mission had to be classified under the pretence of an ‘accident’.

It meant invalidation. But, in certain cases, an honour may be granted.

Mission qualifications like these were not completely necessary for enrolling into military school. However, they contribute to one’s credentials and provide the necessary experiences in preparing the younger cadets for what is to come.

“Private Hwang EunHa. Don’t let it get to you. Stay strong, you’ve contributed greatly. If not for you and your squad mates, we may not have noticed them in time to stop them.”

Again. This bullshit again.

She nodded expressionlessly.

If only I hadn’t messed up the reconnaissance mission. This wouldn’t have happened.

She tightened her fists.

Everyone died.

They died because of me.

A chain reaction of events that led to this incident. The Cloud Hive which the army had failed to subjugate in full months earlier gave the demonica an opportunity to regain strength.

Like how an incomplete removal of a tumour led to a relapse elsewhere, the original Cloud Hive, which should’ve been gone, was still actively advancing.

Sergeant Pang and Liu ChaiWen’s body was recovered during the search, the rest were still missing.

She was given a reminder to avoid the families of those deceased and immediately dismissed.

She left the office after falling out with a salute. The certificate crumpled under the force of her grip.

Out in the hall…

“Hwang EunHa.”

She walked past him, ignoring his call for her attention.

“Hwang EunHa.”

How did he even end up here? Shouldn’t he be in the custody of the higher authorities? She didn’t understand.

Whatever. It didn’t matter. She didn’t have time to entertain him anyway. There were more important things…

“EunHa!”

Her feet came to a screeching halt. An unusual sensation spread in her chest; a mixed feeling of wrath and intrigue.

“It’s not your fault.”

His words silenced her reasoning. A single phrase appeared in her mind.

Don’t let go of him, ever.

The Saint’s prophecy… right. XiaoLe did mention something like this was going to happen. EunHa turned to him.

“Who exactly are you?”

Why should she not let him go exactly?

And what did the Saint mean by: the fate of humanity depends on this?

“… Who am I?”

“Yeah. Who are you? Why do you seem like you know me?”

“…I know you because you… you…”

“I’m what?”

Why did he know her? Why did he care so much?

The two of them stood in silence, facing each other.

His expression turned complicated, a little frustrated even.

“You… existed where I came from, a different you.”

“Pardon?”

“You were my friend.”

He revealed the hard to digest truth.

But what kind of coincidence was that? She existed in the world he came from?

It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in the possibility of another her existing in some other dimension. It was more an issue of probability.

The timing was too apt… serendipity failed to explain. The Saint’s prophecy rang true, he was indeed the chosen one.

Seriously? This guy? It made her cringe inside.

“…I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. But it’s the truth.”

“So, what do you expect from me now? That person you know from your world isn’t me, and I’m not her. I don’t know who you are, or why you’re here. Speak your demand.”

⊳╙⊠’╨

“…I don’t know who you are, or why you’re here. Speak your demand.”

She said sharply, glaring.

The way she spoke, and the emotions laced in her tone were different from the EunHa I knew.

“I… don’t know either. Regardless, we need to work together to stop the demons.”

“Hah? Stop the demons? You? Do you think it’s as simple as just saying we have to?”

I really wanted to crawl into a hole.

“No that’s not…”

All I want is to figure out my footing.

“Big ideals don’t mean anything. Own your words, prove it.”

But I was too caught up in my thoughts and said something amazingly foolish.

She was processing this rationally. In comparison, I…

“I know.”

Clouded by anger or otherwise, slipped yet another ridiculous response.

“Good. Then follow me.”

“…? Huh?”

I looked at her dumbstruck. She rolled her eyes at me, sending a side-long glance.

“Do I have to repeat myself?”

Serious?

With a dramatic sigh, she turned tails and walked on ahead.

In my confusion, my feet picked up the slack before my mind could make sense of anything. I decided to follow her, keeping distance between us.

╙⊠ ▢╨⌷⊳⚙⊲╙⊠▰

“I shall introduce myself. I’m Ju MinGyeo, EunHa-nim’s personal servant. Milady has told me to assist you should you have any concerns. Don’t be afraid to reach out to me.”

The woman wearing a tuxedo introduced herself with a bow.

Actually… I know her too. She was EunHa’s favourite secretary. I’ve met her other self a couple times before, to think she’s here in this world too.

“Thank you. I’m Matsushita Kenji.”

“I have learnt of your name from Milady, Matsushita-san.”

I was currently seated in a cabin of what looked like a public coach. Except, this coach was part of the flying airship going to the capital city, Hoshizora.

“I will be staying in the cabin adjacent with Milady. Please be reminded to knock when entering. That’s if you need anything.”

“Understood.”

“If nothing else, I will leave.”

“Alright.”

There was a window adjacent to the sliding table where you could view the entire sky. From where I was situated, many islands could be seen far out in the distance, with ships and floating creatures almost floundering. Some up high, some down below; some alone, some in clusters.

A fantasy world unhinged, truly.

As I admired the scenery, I reached into my pocket by instinct.

“…Oh.”

I actually tried to take out my phone. Am I crazy or what?

“This is going to be one hell of a boring trip…”

For 24 hours, I’m going to be cooped up here alone. Will I be able to stay sane?

I took the glass jar and poured some water for myself. I observed that the water in the glass wobbled only slightly when placed on the table.

The turbulence within the cabin was minimal to a fault. Was this part of an engineering feat I don’t know about?

“No, what am I doing?”

Now wasn’t the time to be chilling. I need more information about this world.

The currently available technology, humanity’s culture, geology, the current situation of the demon war—anything.

I walked out of my cabin and into a hallway.

“Where do I begin?”

I went right, recalling that it was the direction where I came from. I reached a connection point. A spiral stairway led upwards, a door on the opposite side led to the economy seats.

Though I say economy seats, they actually resemble more like train-line suites. Pairs of seats facing each other with a table jammed in between. As there was no reason to enter the passenger cabin, I took the stairs and went up instead.

Here was the community lobby.

A social space where people could chat with drinks, or play some variation of poker by the betting table.

There was a minibar too. A female barista was busily making drinks for the clients seated by the counter.

“Oh right.”

An important concern I failed to consider.

Money.

I can’t believe I’ll have to bring up this issue to MinGyeo-ssi later.

Actually, should I even? I’m not even paying for my own ticket here.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a free-reading magazine stand. I walked over and grabbed an article.

“What the…”

What kind of weird fusion language is this?

Korean characters among kanji and kanji written without hiragana in string. It’s almost like Mandarin except it isn’t quite that at all.

Some parts I could vaguely understand, others I couldn’t.

It made me recall how some people’s names here were Korean-Japanese, Chinese-Japanese and vice versa.

As I deliberated, my ears picked up on the conversations of those nearby. I attune myself to listen in on their words. It was an unusual mixture of Chinese, Korean and Japanese.

I don’t get it. Does this mean EunHa had been speaking to me in proper Japanese the whole time?

A breeze blew into the lounge. I noticed that it was caused by the opening and closing of the door to the deck.

I put the magazine back and made my way towards the entrance.

“Wow…”

The strength of the wind out on deck caught me off guard. You wouldn’t have known just how fast the ship was flying if you only stayed indoors.

My clothes fluttered strongly as my hands kept tight around the rails.

Under the light shade of the abode, I gazed out at the skies.

I felt some kind of weight pressing down against my body, that sinking pit in the stomach.

“This isn’t Earth, this isn’t a dream.”

I don’t know how many times I’ve reminded myself of this fact.

“Fuck.”

I struggled to accept the truth.

╓▰╨╖⊳⚙⊲╓⊠╥╖

“So you came from an era where the three languages were still distinctly their own? But you’re understanding my words fine though?”

“Because you’re speaking only Japanese… right?”

“No?”

Is she not?

I rubbed my forehead and tried to focus.

“Say that again?”

“Say what?”

The ‘say what’ EunHa just said wasn’t Japanese. Yet I understood it.

“What do you mean you don’t understand what we’re saying?”

“Then when I’m talking, am I talking in proper Japanese or, is it a mixture?”

“Huh? Uh… I think when I first met you, you spoke only the Japanese slang. Just now you used some odd choice of words, but at least I get what you’re talking about.”

I don’t understand what she means by ‘slang’, Japanese isn’t a slang. Could it be a difference in the language system?

“Is it possible to speak without using any of what you refer to as the… Japanese slang? If that’s even possible.”

EunHa turned to MinGyeo-ssi.

“MinGyeo-ssi, don’t misunderstand. He knows the me of the other world, not the me of this world.”

“I’m not misunderstanding anything.”

“I actually don’t approve of him calling my first name.”

“Then you should let him know.”

That wasn’t Japanese… and I can’t tell if it was Chinese or Korean or both.

Was this due to the effect of the system? Am I interpreting Korean and Chinese without realising it?

“So, did you understand what I just said?”

“Yes.”

“…I shouldn’t have said what I did then.”

“Then if not, should I call you Ms. Hwang?”

“You’re older than me. Just don’t call me by my first name. The full name is fine.”

“Hwang EunHa it is then.”

“…”

Oddly enough, while this conversation was happening, we were also having dinner together.

As a side note, the dishes were an assortment of high end fish delicacies. At first I thought maybe the EunHa of this world had a thing with seafood.

But the more I thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense. She was someone who would choose Korean barbecue over sashimi any time of the day. We even argue over this sometimes.

From past recollections of EunHa’s behaviour, to current observations of the fantasy world. The puzzle pieces started assembling themselves, bringing to life something I thought unimaginable.

…I may never eat another chicken drumstick ever again.

Ah, isn’t this my fault then? I’m the software engineer for <Skybound Seas>. What if my preference for seafood is the reason why regular meat no longer exists in this world?

…Screw me.

“Hwang EunHa, if you don’t mind me asking something strange.”

“…What is it?”

“Is there any reason why you’re bringing me to Hoshizora? I don’t mean I’m ungrateful, I just… want to know why you’re going so far for a stranger like me.”

I have no idea why she’s treating me so well. I sure thought she hated me.

Was it because there was some kind of plot armour going on? Or could there be some unknown reason I’m not aware of? Realistically, EunHa should’ve left me stranded at HuaShan Outpost… not that I would prefer.

“Well…”

Her words trembled as her gaze averted mine.

“…I’m bringing you to the Saint to figure that out myself.”

“What?”

She’s bringing me to the Saint?

“It’s up to you to believe what I’m about to say, but she told me of a prophecy.”

She hesitated.

“…That I would meet you.”

The Saint knew that EunHa would meet me?

“It seems the Saint knows something about you, so… the best individual to ask would be the person herself. That’s the reason I’m bringing you along.”

“…If you don’t mind me asking. Who exactly is the Saint?”

There was such a character in the main story of <Skybound Seas>. The Saint.

She was the person who would spur ‘you’ the ‘player’ to fight these demons. It draws parallels with what was happening now but, there was no rational explanation to how the Saint would know about EunHa and I unless…

“Tell me her name. I’ll see if I recognise it.”

“Wu XiaoLe.”

Wu XiaoLe…? What? I don’t know such a person.

The Saint’s name in <Skybound Seas> was simply denoted as ‘The Saint’.

She is a support-healer class you can slot in the armament category of the team. A character in the story who becomes one of your first [UNIT]s in the game.

I had plans for her to be included in the still-in-development tutorial section… it seems this world picked up upon my incomplete intention, even going to the point of deciding a name for her.

Meeting her was how the story is supposed to begin. Though, it gives me the chills just thinking the world may be forced in a certain direction in order to accommodate me.

Knocking my forehead with a sigh, I thought maybe I shouldn’t jump to conclusion so soon. Until I have a firm basis to back my theory, I can’t confirm anything yet.

I ignored EunHa’s puzzled expression and continued eating my meal. For now, please forgive me for keeping this a secret from you, EunHa.

⊳╙⊠’╨

“Thank you.”

“You’re most welcome.”

MinGyeo-ssi watched me off. Though I thought it was quite unnecessary of her as my cabin was right beside theirs.

I was just about to enter when I realised I hadn’t actually asked about EunHa’s condition.

“MinGyeo-san, how is EunHa doing currently?”

“…Milady EunHa?”

Because EunHa looked completely fine earlier but… as usual, I couldn’t tell if she was okay or suppressing it inside.

“I couldn’t do anything to help her friend who died.”

“Rather her, how about you? How are you doing?”

MinGyeo-ssi’s ruby-red eyes fixed upon me. I felt choked by her gaze.

“…Still figuring things out, I guess.”

“Then she’ll be relieved to hear that.”

“…?”

“Monitoring her mental state is also a part of my responsibility. It’s natural for her to experience these things as she develops as an adult, so don’t worry too much about it and take care of yourself first.”

Natural to experience this kind of thing as an adult?

What a broken world.

“I see. Then please watch over her, thank you.”

I said before breaking off our conversation.

⊳╙⊠’╨

I wasn’t sure if it was because of the cold air, or the unsettling feeling that I had missed something but—I couldn’t really sleep that night.

I tossed and turned on the seat-turned-bed.

“…”

I got up and tousled my hair. I looked out the window.

Lights like speckles of the galaxy clumped in clusters.

Bioluminescent marine wildlife were visible in the dark, drifting amongst the dark blue clouds. Jellyfish and phytoplankton, among many other species which I didn’t know the name of.

There was a gentle glistening near the sill. I focused my attention on the lone phytoplankton stuck to the window, watching its tiny green body pulsate like a firefly, separated from its home, I thought of how we were so alike…

“…So that’s what it is.”

The joy of experiencing a fantasy world, compared to actually confronting one.

The empty feeling in your chest because of the lack of direction.

The fear and confusion rising from the unknown.

Gratitude for being alive, the opportunity to witness all this.

And the yearning for my old life.

“Seriously—what the hell.”

How did I get here?

Why isn’t this a dream?

What did I do to deserve this?

When can I return?

Is there a purpose to return?

“…What the fucking hell.”

It was only a week ago when I proposed to her.

On that day I promised her happiness. A vow I swore to uphold.

Yet…

I raised my trembling hands before me. The light from the moon scintillated off the silver ring.

The proof of our promise.

If I’m here, where is the me from Earth?

If I’m here, what would happen to EunHa there?

“EunHa…”

I couldn’t hold my tears.

I pressed the ring against my forehead.

“Sorry.”

I couldn’t keep the promise.

“I’m so, so sorry…”

Just, what is this situation…

“…I don’t know anymore.”

I didn’t die in some freak accident. Nor was I in some dire situation where I hated my life.

I was so excited…

I was so excited to finish this game and share it with the world.

…Finally say goodbye to sleepless nights.

…Show off our indie project to our class.

…And graduate from college.

…Then confront her father.

…And become a family.

“God, why…?”

What was the point of this?

Throwing me here and having me complete some stupid heroic mission? Removing me from my perfectly fine life?

Why God? Why…?

║⪡▰╖⪄⌺⪄╨▩⪡_.

My cries didn’t stop the morning from coming.

At the break of daylight, I went up to the deck.

This was a world which did not follow the laws of astrology. We were not situated on a round planet yet the sun could rise and the moon could fall—celestial objects that were unreachable because they existed in a different plane of existence.

The abyss below was infinitely deep; the skies above were boundlessly high.

Plant a flag on any island and traverse in any horizontal direction and you’ll return to the flag.

A world-building concept EunHa thought would be cool to implement into the game—this world <Second Eden> was set within a duocyclinder (hypersphere) universe.

That was the kind of ingenious idea she had.

“…I wish you were here to see this.”

The wind was strong, but withstandable if you widen your base. I leaned forward against the rail, and caught a whiff of a sweet scent.

“…And by that, who are you referring to?”

Blonde hair swept up by the wind, clear cerulean blue eyes that resembled today’s sky. Hwang EunHa was leaning on the abode pillar a few steps away from me. I didn’t know when she arrived.

I replied.

“You’d be creeped out if you knew.”

“Creeped out? Why would I?”

“Because that person is the other you, damn it.”

“…Huh?”

Her expression which went from confusion in contemplation… to complete shock was cute.

“M-Me?”

“Just leave me alone if you think that’s weird. After all, you are you, and you’re not her.”

“…”

Surprisingly, she didn’t leave even after I told her that. It was odd. She even closed the distance and took the space beside me.

“What was the me in your world like?”

She asked, looking in the direction of the rising sun. I followed her gaze and said,

“An adult.”

“What? That’s… it?”

“The kind of girl who is excellent at everything she does. Genial, kind, warm, gentle, considerate…you’re exactly like her if she was a few years younger.”

She looked just like her during her teen years.

“So you’re saying…”

“…But also the kind of person who’s good at hiding her pain, the things she dislikes, lacks personal boundaries, overworks herself. Someone who hides her fears behind a smile.”

I saw her lips open, just to close right back.

“I don’t know if the same applies to you, but… you honestly can’t be too careful with your emotions. Otherwise, you’ll start hurting yourself unnecessarily.”

She looked at me as if she couldn’t believe it.

“…What? You’re saying it’s wrong to do that?”

Her expression contorted.

“As a soldier, do you seriously think a person can survive without having to put up with pain? Do you think nobody in this world wears a mask? Oh right, you came from that amazingly peaceful world, didn’t you? Too bad the rules here work differently. If you want to survive, you have to adapt!”

Words dripping with disdain, and naive contempt. It was something I wouldn’t have expected from someone so timid as EunHa.

“Get your facts straight. This isn’t the same world you grew up in. War means sacrifice. Unless you plan to work in some miracle job that doesn’t involve suffering, by all means, say what you want. I doubt such a thing exists.”

“At least you can get mad about something. The other you can’t even express herself properly.”

“You…!”

I was making a justifiably correct claim based on my knowledge.

Was it because she looked like a middle-schooler? Or had I already gotten used to her antics? Her criticism was baseless, and I wasn’t even offended. I feel like I’m advising a child.

Her eyes clouded by anger, face red as a tomato.

Her words came out in gasps.

“She… died…”

Tears began running down her face.

“She died because… because I tried to save you.”

Who… oh, right. I see… that girl…

“How could you be so insensitive…?”

She hurriedly squinted her teary eyes and pressed her face against her arm.

Matsushita-san, at times like this, you have two choices.

I tried to reach out to her.

One is to blame yourself.

“…You monster!”

Or to accept that no one is at fault.

I had no idea what kind of person Wang Ayumi was. I don’t know anyone with a name like that back in my world.

Even if EunHa would hate me forever because of it, there wasn’t anything I could do to fix what had already happened. I couldn’t turn back time.

She ran away. I failed to reach her.

“…I’m the reason why she died huh?”

My hands dropped back to the side.

There was a mission that tasked me with just that: Save Wang Ayumi. That fact that it was even a mission meant that saving her could’ve been possible. But where did I mess up? What did I do wrong? What did I miss?

With our lives on the line, what else could I have done differently?

Those words, I know she was only trying to vent but…

It hurt.

Gripping with my flow of thoughts, MinGyeo-ssi approached me, nodding slightly to greet me an unconventional good morning.

“You’re quite the sadist I see.”

Wow.

“Did… you really have to say that?”

“She didn’t mean what she said. I hope you can pardon her.”

“Shouldn’t you go talk to her?”

“She told me to leave her alone.”

“…?”

I wasn’t sure why MinGyeo-ssi, who should be prioritising her mental state, was coming to see me.

“If anything, I should thank you for poking her. She’ll be alright. Don’t worry.”

I wasn’t really all that close to EunHa’s secretary back on Earth, but I could tell she was a good person.

“Understand that you too have your limits. It’s beautiful to hold the desire to save everyone, however, one should know that even a God can’t promise such an ideal.”

That’s quite the callous statement from her.

“Yeah, that’s true… what you said. Frankly, I’m just relieved she can properly express herself.”

Though, I thought there was some truth to her words. She smiled slightly, looking amused.

“I take it that you know her personality to an extent.”

“…Yeah? Maybe I do.”

“Matsushita-san, as her attendant and caregiver, may I ask you to look out for her?”

“…What?”

“The Saint has told me about you, and I believe your words are the truth. You know a part of her that I don’t. The EunHa you knew may not be the EunHa here, however, I trust that you know best how to take care of her. Will you help me?”

“…Help you?”

Again, the Saint. How much does she know about us? Why me? What did I do to deserve so much of their trust?

“I should be the one asking you for permission to help her.”

I really didn’t understand why,

“Then it’s mutual.”

Though maybe there was still some hope.

She smiled wryly.

The sincerity and support I was receiving from people that shouldn’t even know me… it whispered a gentle reminder that everything was going to be alright.

⊳╙⊠’╨

With that, an implicit agreement was formed between me and EunHa’s secretary.

And so, a few hours after that first encounter…

“Ugh…”

MinGyeo-ssi managed to drag EunHa out of her room.

I wasn’t sure for what reason, but she reluctantly sat EunHa down in the opposite seat. Now we were gathered together in the lounge area.

“What do you wish to order?”

MinGyeo-ssi asked.

“Anything that’s not bitter.”

“Anything that’s not bitter? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

EunHa nodded approvingly.

Odd. Perhaps she was still young, she hadn’t developed a taste for coffee? The EunHa I knew slept on that drink every day.

I noticed a scheme-ish smirk slightly decorating MinGyeo-ssi’s lips.

“Understood. As for Matshushita-san? What would you like?”

“I’ll just have water.”

“Coffee latte it is.”

“…Huh?”

Stubbornly deciding the drinks on our behalf, she made her way over to the barista. I preferred plain black coffee but… I suppose a little milk wouldn’t hurt.

Actually, if cows don’t exist in this world, what kind of milk are they even using here? A plant-based creamer?

“…How do people even drink that sort of thing?”

EunHa muttered, half expecting me to respond, half not.

“You’ll get it when you’re older.”

“So I drank that stuff in your world?”

“Yeah. A lot more than I did.”

“…How much more?”

“Maybe twice as much.”

Maybe it was good that she didn’t drink coffee. I remember the struggles I went through incentivizing her to drink less of that substance.

Her expression showed that she didn’t believe a word I said.

Our seat was situated right beside a large glass window, so our conversations fell short when her eyes set on the horizon outside.

It was a beautiful horizon.

“EunHa, I’m sorry.”

Awkward as it was, I knew I had to say something after what had happened earlier in the morning.

“About your friend. You’re right, things could’ve been different. I messed up.”

“That’s enough. People die in war, it’s an unavoidable consequence of things.”

Her eyebrows twitched at my words. She shut me up with what looked like a pout.

“To begin with, it’s my fault for…”

“EunHa, it was never your fault.”

“…”

Self blame. This insidious habit of hers was something I could never find a solution to.

“…Alright.”

Looking away, she muttered in a barely audible voice.

MinGyeo-ssi arrived with the drinks.

EunHa looked at her secretary with a somewhat confused gaze.

“What… is this?”

“It’s lemon water.”

“What happened to tea?”

“To a degree, tea is bitter.”

“MinGyeo-ssi how dare you!”

“Haha—”

I watched the two enter a catfight. Was it strange how unhinged this EunHa was compared to the original I knew? I never thought she had a relationship like this with her secretary.

Also, it was quite the gap moe on MinGyeo-ssi’s part. I didn’t know she had this side to her personality.

“Enough, enough, I repent, I repent. What do you want now, milady?”

“Tea! Iced tea! And don’t get it wrong!”

“Understood.”

The skirmish ended with that. After passing me my coffee, MinGyeo-ssi got up again to order the ‘correct’ drink this time around.

EunHa hissed at me.

“Ugh, don’t look at me like that.”

“What? Am I showing a weird expression here?”

“I swear something’s gotten into her. She’s not always like that.”

As much as she’d like to act all adult-like, there was no running away from her childish side.

“Yeah. Yeah.”

I followed her gaze.

“Forget what you saw…”

EunHa said sulkily.

A more recognizable jumbled mess of three languages. The nuances to our conversations started to become intuitively more decipherable in my ears.

For a moment the lounge dimmed because of the brief passing of a shadow. A large whale floated by the side of the ship.

And when it passed, the skies revealed tens of hundreds of airships in flight. The sparkling skyscrapers and army fleet docks bustling with activity. Clouds danced around the floating city archipelago spanning an entire view.

I almost dropped my coffee in awe. It surpassed anything, and everything I could’ve ever conceived for the world of <Skybound Seas>.

I looked at EunHa who was giggling.

“…What?”

“I suppose the word bumpkin would suit a person like you.”

She said cheekily.

I shook my head and rubbed my forehead.

“Yeah, I suppose so.”

“Welcome to Hoshizora. The capital city of the Third Stratum.”

Giant spire tower structures made from some kind of special alloy steel. A military base with tens of hundreds of airships currently docked. A colourful city and grand green parks with lakes that dazzled to the sunlight—all this on a giant floating island in the middle of nowhere.

“It sure is amazing alright…”

“Amazing? Wow, you’re so ignorant. Fine, whatever, I have a prophecy to fulfil anyways…”

“Prophecy…?”

“Yeah, a prophecy.”

She looked me in the eye, a twinge of frustration reflecting in her blue irises.

“Let’s come to a consensus in this way.”

Captivated by her eyes, I was reminded of the vow I made that day I proposed to her.

“If you are as important as Saint XiaoLe says you are, you will help me achieve my goal.”

To my love, Hwang EunHa.

Whatever world we may be in, I had already promised.

“We’ll save the people from those monsters together.”

Promised that, I will hold your hand.

To love you,

Protect you,

And cherish you,

“So you better prove yourself useful.”

Until death do us apart.

╓▰╨╖⊳⚙⊲╓⊠╥╖

Dreams are called dreams for they aren’t meant to be achieved.

I woke up feeling a tingling sensation on my cheeks.

Rising from the table, I squinted my blurry eyes back to focus.

The aroma of coffee was strong. The shuddering sound of hailing rain tingled in my ear.

I looked to the front.

Cho LiSeo.

She was half dozing off.

Her lustrous black hair neatly scattered across her shoulder and her droopy long eyelashes fluttered slightly at each sound.

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> MISSION RESULTS(1/2)

>[CLEAR] MISSION TITLE: DENIAL

>SYSTEM REMARKS:

>>Clear Reward: Acquired [Title: World Vengeance]

…

[DETAILS:▽MISSION BOARD> MISSION RESULTS(2/2)

>[FAILED] MISSION TITLE: ACCEPTANCE

>SYSTEM REMARKS:

>>Nil

…

DETAILS:▽PERSONAL STATUS> TITLES

>>World Vengeance

>>>Description: Grief and sorrow denied, wrath burns. Possessor of this title granted a sharp increase in all aspects of luck and chaos. A permanent [UNIQUE TRAIT: Bloodlust] is inherited as long as the title is active.

“…”

I stared at the half translucent display.

…For a good while.

[UNIQUE TRAIT: Bloodlust]

This [TRAIT] was quite the surprise. How I, who had been depending on borrowed abilities finally had one I could call my own.

Its effects were simple: it makes the demon feel a natural fear towards you.

Despair.

“If you’re awake you should’ve said something.”

LiSeo-chan’s voice snapped me out of my head.

“Sorry.”

I swiped the system screen away.

Her ocean-lilac eyes, resembling that of a beautiful salt lake, stared at me.

“So, feeling better?”

I feel horrible.

“No.”

She looked at me like I was a lost cause.

“Seriously… it can’t be helped, can it? How about instead of going about grief alone, you do with XiaoLe?”

“…XiaoLe?”

“You two give off the exact depression vibes.”

The fact that the system noted the completion of the missions would mean that the funeral was over.

“Hey, are you even processing my words properly?”

I wasn’t in the mood to bother with her antics. She had always been the annoying little-sister type of person. But today especially… it was getting on my nerves.

I got up from my seat and headed to the cashier to pay.

“Kenji, I’ve already paid.”

LiSeo said.

“Thank you.”

I turned to the exit.

“Do you even know where XiaoLe is?!”

“It doesn’t matter.”

I wasn’t planning to see her. I’m just going home.

“Doesn’t matter? You think you can find her in the downpour without any info?”

“I never said I was going to see her.”

“I think you should.”

I turned around to look at her.

She had an expression that showed off both her noble-like pride and concern. Perhaps laced with a sparkle of human empathy, nevertheless…

“Kenji, XiaoLe came earlier and…”

“You know, you look just like the girl who killed EunHa.”

“…!”

There, I said it.

I never realised I had such a thought brewing in my head—my heart.

Leaving her in a stunned state, I grabbed my umbrella and went out.

⊳╙⊠’╨

You look just like the girl who killed EunHa.

LiSeo felt strength leave her body as she leaned against a seat.

“Are you alright?”

The barista, her employee asked.

“I’m fine…”

“He shouldn’t have said that.”

“He’s… just angry. I’m sure he’ll come begging for my apology tomorrow…”

As a chaebol, if she got worked up over fickle words like that, there was no way she’d be able to keep herself sane while handling so many people beneath her.

Still, no matter how she rationalised it, being likened to a murderer was not a nice thing to hear.

“To think I’d look like the person who killed my rival… I wonder who that person is?”

The Black Siren.

The name had popped up in a few more than several conversations most recently.

It was said that her fame in Fortress City Fuji was second to none. Not only for her beauty, charm, and military achievements but also for her business merits.

“If I get a chance, maybe I should go take a look at what this Black Siren rumour is all about.”

It was the first time the ‘woman magnet’ Kenji, showed such disgust towards someone. Curiously, LiSeo wanted to know who the girl that made him so mad was.

LiSeo smiled wryly to herself.

║⪡▰╖⪄⌺⪄╨▩⪡_.

The downpour fell upon the umbrella’s canopy, creating a clattering din. Yet the noise did nothing to squelch the unceasing voices swirling in my head.

“Fuck…”

I gritted my teeth. Why did I say that?

“I… lost my mind…”

Was it really necessary to tick her off like that? LiSeo-chan was only trying to be helpful.

“Turn… back…”

Somewhere inside my head, I reasoned that there was no point going back—LiSeo-chan would’ve been gone by the time I returned. I should turn back; I wanted to turn back.

“…Apologise…”

Guilt and regret. Regardless of myself, I had to apologise.

“Damn it.”

Why… why is this so hard? Why is life so hard?

I can’t live anymore.

Slapping my own cheeks, I stared stunned at myself.

“What just…”

Can’t… live? Did I just think that?

“…No”

Did I just tell myself to die?

EunHa often told me about the dark feelings going round her head on a day to day basis. How it constantly gnawed at her, this unquenching pain.

It was the reason she fought, her drive.

To change her fate, and properly save the human race.

To one day put an end to the pain.

Every day.

She had been feeling this kind of sickening weight every day… knowing that the reason for everyone’s pain, the ruin of everyone’s life in the previous regression was… herself.

I lurched forward and struggled, my chest tightened.

“So was this why EunHa…?”

Was this why you chose death?

I refuse.

I refuse to die.

Not until humanity’s ark is safe.

Not until I kill every last one of those damned demons.

“Stop it. Don’t think about…”

Why did you have to choose this path, EunHa…?

“Forget about her already…”

What did we ever do wrong? What did you ever do wrong?

“Just…”

You told me yourself. We would fight those demons together.

“Fuck, why…”

I told you so many times to prioritise yourself yet still…

“…”

My feet came to a halt.

“What…?”

The stalls emitted a warm orange glow, the pleasant smell of food.

I realised after coming back to my senses that a little distance away was the familiar park EunHa and I often visit. I thought seeing this would bring up all the regrets I ever had but…

All thoughts ceased when I saw her standing in the rain.

Her white priestess gown drenched all the way to the ground, the fabric clinging tight to her wet skin.

I silently walked over and held out my umbrella.

Drip. Drip.

Drops of rain began soaking my clothes. Her shoulders trembled.

“Sorry for showing you something so unsightly, Kenji.”

“Why are you not using your umbrella?”

“I thought it would be nice once in a while to feel the cold.”

“…”

I carefully peered at her face from the side.

A soft fake smile adorned her lips, the edge of her eyes red and swollen. She stared out towards the silhouette of the buildings, clouded in rain.

“…Are you angry at me Kenji? For deciding this without you.”

Am I angry that she finally gave up trying to save EunHa?

When I first arrived in this world, she was the first person I depended on. A regressor who came from the failed timeline to guide me towards a better future.

She moved the heavens and the people to change the fate of the world. It was more than anything I could’ve ever done.

And all of this for one reason:

To save EunHa.

But what then now when the reason for everything she had ever done was… gone?

The Saint Wu XiaoLe.

What was she feeling now?

Did I think it only hurt for me?

I lowered my umbrella, letting the full impact of the rain fall directly on us. Confused, she turned to me.

Her dull spectre-blue eyes resembled a hollow vessel, pink hair that looked as if it had been drained of life.

I pulled her into a hug.

“Hanging on to guilt sucks… don’t you think?”

I said, hearing my own voice crack up.

It took her a while, but her hands soon wrapped itself around my back.

She buried her head into my shoulders.

Saying nothing.

She just cried.

And cried…

╓▰╨╖⊳⚙⊲╓⊠╥╖

His fresh ripe blood dripped from the walls.

A buzzing noise akin to a jet engine.

Nausea that made her entire stomach invert.

She couldn’t breathe… stopped breathing.

Hands to her mouth, trying to stay sane.

His blood made a pool on the ground.

Indecipherable screams and shouts.

“…XiaoLe, can you trust me?”

Flashbacks of ‘that time’.

Different but similar…

“You’ll save the world.”

She said with blood dripping between her fingers. A broken smile that pierced the darkness.

“…!”

“Someone save him.”

Wu XiaoLe finally snapped out of it.

Seeing the bride who was detained by her own father, and the bleeding groom who was carried out of the chapel.

Between one or the other… she was forced to make a painful choice on that wedding day which ended in failure.

⊳╙⊠’╨

Having experienced horrors worse than death, there were very few things that sparked XiaoLe’s wrath.

One was the thought of having to witness humanity die out once more. A resentment directed towards oneself.

The second was… when someone harmed those whom she loved.

“EunHa… why?”

Prayers could only do so much.

“Why EunHa? WHYY?!”

“It was all… to save…”

Words failed to describe her truth.

She never meant it.

Neither of them ever meant it.

Yet in a situation where nothing could change the intended direction of the future, they were simply trying their best to fulfil the same dream.

To save humanity… wasn’t it?

No.

To XiaoLe, who had seen the worst of EunHa, she knew that her implications… meant something else.

It meant something even more inane.

“…To save?”

The dimly lit cell where the bride sat limply on the chair, and the Saint standing indignant—losing her mind.

“…Save the world, just like how you promised me in my last life?”

The bride’s hands were bound by shackles, hollow eyes glued to the ground.

“You… you killed… everyone, you know?”

EunHa’s promise warped in a completely different direction. The salvation she sought to bring humanity born out of death, not life.

To bring forth a new era where mankind be set free in extinction.

That.

That was what EunHa did to the human race.

“You killed Kenji once, and even tried to do it again.”

“With your bare hands, you ripped his heart out.

“You ate his flesh in front of my eyes.”

“And promised me these same fucking words in my fucking face!!”

The gore and memory from that day would never leave her mind.

“…You demons should just die.”

It was too much to bear so, just die.

Just die already.

DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE. DIE.

…A small, weak laughter.

It sent a chill down her spine. Starting from her toe, travelling upwards, toward her legs and into the spine. Ending with the sensation of ice stabbed deep into her heart.

“XiaoLe. Thank you…”

And tears ran down the bride’s cheeks, weeping as she spoke.

“Kill me before it’s too late.”

You have to kill me.

Then the world would be set free.

So that Kenji would live on;

So that you would live on.

Happily.

╓▰╨╖⊳⚙⊲╓⊠╥╖

I offered XiaoLe a warm cup of tea.

“Thank you.”

“No problems.”

She sat down on her armchair, still rubbing her damp hair with a towel.

There was a small lounge and shower in her office, so we went ahead and got ourselves changed.

She was now wearing her military uniform, same with me.

Though, I was surprised she even kept a set of uniforms, my size specifically in her storage.

“Let’s first put aside the matter of the funeral and focus on what we can do. I think we should proceed with a contingency meeting tomorrow. It’s been almost two months since the last one. The current state of the war has changed.”

“The usual meeting except…”

XiaoLe nodded to my words, I didn’t finish the rest of the sentence.

“Do I contact everyone…?”

“Not everyone. Cho LiSeo, Aoki Yuta-san, Yoshida Kaori-san, Hee JingKai and… maybe add MinGyeo?”

“Are you sure? She’s… you know.”

“…I was thinking maybe she should know what our plan is going forward now that it’s… happened.”

“…I’ll at least try and ask. Where’s the venue, here in your office?”

“No, we’ll hold the meeting at the fifth-floor function room adjacent to the fountain. But if there are any changes, I’ll let you know by tomorrow morning.”

“Great…”

“…What’s with that reaction?”

“…I screwed up earlier.”

“???”

Holding my head, I confessed.

“I got mad at LiSeo-chan. Said a bunch of things I didn’t mean… I don’t know how she’ll react tomorrow… or later when I tell her about the meeting.”

“What did you say…?”

“I said she looked like the Black Siren.”

“So you’re not the only one who thinks so?”

Huh?

I looked at XiaoLe who, like me, had an odd expression.

“What do you mean? Are they actual sisters or something?”

“Ms. LiSeo in my previous life most likely died, so I don’t know much about her.”

What were the possibilities that those two were blood-related?

“No, I think it’s simply a coincidence that looks similar. There are a lot of people that look like each other.”

“Yeah…”

I quickly took a sip of my tea to wash away the chills brought by the thought.

“In any case, I owe her an apology.”

I put down the cup and sighed.

“You do owe her a big one. It was harsh of you to say something like that.”

“…Yeah.”

“I’m sure she’ll be back to normal after throwing a fit or two. You just have to suck up to it.”

“…Didn’t need to put it that way, do you now?”

XiaoLe chuckled. I shook my head, smiling wryly.

In this room, just the two of us. Just like the old times…

“Kenji?”

“Ah, no. Nothing… just brain fog…”

“As for the agenda, tell them to prepare a brief about their ongoing assignments. We need a progress report on the Fourth Stratum by Ms. LiSeo. And then the current progress of the exoskeleton suits, and drones from Yuta-san and Kaori-san. After that the current state of affairs surrounding the First Stratum by…”

Hearing XiaoLe rambling on and on.

The only thought that kept swirling in my mind was why…

This comfort felt so familiar.

║⪡▰╖⪄⌺⪄╨▩⪡_.

The next day arrived.

A girl was peeking at me from behind a turn. The moment I met her eyes she hid away.

Scratching my head while groaning, I walked towards the corner and—

I bowed deeply.

“Sorry.”

“Hmph.”

LiSeo-chan folded her arms and stared at me.

“I’m really, really sorry for what I said yesterday. What can I do to make up for what I said?”

She pointed a finger at me.

“You will go out with me tomorrow as an errand boy. Got it?”

“…What?”

“I hear no objections, I know your schedule is free. I’ll see you at GwangMyeong Plaza sharp, 9 am tomorrow morning.”

“GwangMyeong Plaza? Are you going there shopping or…”

Without answering my question, she turned away and marched off ahead of me.

“…”

After saying something so hurtful, expecting to be forgiven in a snap would’ve been naive. Still, to let go of me by accepting this much was a blessing.

“Even so… can’t she read the mood?”

I sighed.

Whatever. If that’s what it takes to make up with her, then it’s at least better than letting the grudge fester.

Trudging towards the meeting room, I bumped into JingKai.

“Morning Kenji-san. You okay today?”

“Morning. Yeah, I’m fine.”

My pal Hee JingKai.

“You’re earlier than Yuta-san today?”

I said.

“Doesn’t that sound great?”

He shrugged with a grin to his smile. Then unexpectedly, he placed a hand on my shoulder.

“We’re in this together.”

He said with a firm, yet consoling voice.

Grief into resolve. I understood his intentions.

“Thank you.”

It was clear I couldn’t let it continue bothering me. We still had a mission to fulfil, and I can’t be the one to bring down the team.

Down the hallway and reaching the venue, we entered the function room together.

“Morning.”

“Morning.”

Kaori-san and Yuta-san had already arrived… contrary to what I had told JingKai.

He looked at me as if he had been betrayed. Well, it’s your fault for trusting my blind guess okay?

The waves of demon attacks progress year over year with an ever-increasing intensity. Against their almost infinite numbers, a battle of attrition using the human flesh had its limits.

So, the only solution to fill in this gap would be technology, as it had always been since the advent of mankind.

Yoshida Kaori and Aoki Yuta. With LiSeo-chan as our investor, they were both engineers working alongside me to develop new weaponry for the war. Ongoing was the research into the use of mech suits and autonomous drones.

As the product was already in its final prototype phase, I have a feeling the two engineers would have a lot to say in this meeting.

Thanks to the unique quantum properties of the prana crystal, it was possible to generate an infinite amount of energy through an advanced dynamo. An energy core that can consistently generate a stable output was the basis of this world’s machinery.

It was commonplace to use this ‘perpetual machine’ dynamo to power entire towns and cities. The problem of a ‘lack of power’ never existed in this world to begin with.

It didn’t matter so much that we had infinite energy. What proved difficult was coming up with a process to mitigate the effects of sub-zero freezing.

Sub-zero freezing was a problem that plagued free energy.

As the components of an energy core drop below the critical temperature required for a superconductor to function properly, the system collapses. With that came a limit to the output.

As the creation of energy swells, the rate of sub-zero freezing rises just as sharply. Sometimes going all the way to absolute zero.

From material deformation to output limitations due to the thermal-energy relationship of the components. Subzero freezing poses various problems to small devices that utilise high output source energy created from prana directly.

That’s what the pair, Kaori-san and Yuta-san, were trying to solve… and they’ve almost got it.

“Everyone is… no?”

XiaoLe looked around as JingKai-san and I took our seats.

The members of XiaoLe’s selected council were as follows:

Small chaebol Cho LiSeo. Daughter of the large conglomerate Cho Group which had extensive economic influence in many important industries.

She was the main investor in our research into new military technology, and the primary prerogative to develop the first island in the Fourth Stratum.

Engineer Aoki Yuta and engineer Yoshida Kaori. In the game setting, these two would’ve been part of the base-building mechanism. In reality however, these two played a crucial role in advancing military technology.

Both possessing traits that boosted their engineering talents, they stood at the frontiers of modern warfare.

Hee JingKai. One of my trusted friends under the same company XiaoLe manages. Looking beyond his military rank, he was an informant and agent who had networks with many people. He was the one that coordinated the resources for most missions we partook in.

And, one last empty seat. The one meant for Ju MinGyeo, EunHa’s secretary.

“…Kenji?”

XiaoLe looked at me for an answer.

“She said she wouldn’t be coming.”

“Did she say why?”

“No. I’m not sure.”

I don’t have the details, but I plan to meet with her later in the afternoon.

“…”

Ju MinGyeo.

EunHa’s attendant, a member of the council. What she brought to the table was critique. She was the analyst, the one to fix and point out flaws between the links in ideas.

“Alright.”

XiaoLe concurred with a nod. The already sombre mood sank even further.

“We shall begin the 23rd council as planned.”

The many questions surrounding EunHa’s death.

The blaming, finger pointing.

Anger and sorrow.

Nobody had any idea what to make of it.

But the most important thing here was the person who sacrificed herself.

What was it that she desired from her death?

Everyone steeled their resolve.

“We will bring an end to this war.”

Victory.

“For her.”