Chapter 11
The world went to shit.
After the Great Cataclysm, countless surviving nations and human civilization finally exhausted their strength and collapsed.
No matter how hard I pound at it alone, how can I fix a world that's already destroyed?
When I went back and saw you again, I was so happy. Without thinking, I went and greeted you.
But for whatever causality affected you, you were different from the woman I knew - different personality and white hair.
[Perhaps this is the cause of your regression. Going against time means going against fate. Anything could be affected.]
That's what the Divine Sword said. No, more precisely, it was the Constellation dwelling in the Divine Sword.
Unlike your former shy self, this time you seemed annoyed with the world. And you hated getting involved with anything.
I wanted to become friends with you somehow. At least in my life, your death was an endless regret.
The day you died. I was able to synchronize with the Divine Sword through the power of rage.
Afterwards, I hunted down villains with your brother. You probably don't know that.
After coming back, I tried hard to befriend not just Reina but you too.
I wasn't particularly interested in romance, but seeing how Reina doesn't like me now, that seems to be an effect of the regression too.
Still, the most interesting thing is that you awakened.
[She might have had it before the regression too. Just that back then she didn't properly show her abilities, so we didn't know.]
That's certainly true. Still, I thought the ability similar to what Divine Sword Yoo Jin-seok had was clearly perfect for you right now.
That day. If you had known how to use that ability, you would have avoided the Mutant's attack. No, even worst case if you got the Monster Core implanted, you would have survived as a Mutant.
Of course this is a hard-won chance. I absolutely won't let that happen.
But one thing puzzled me about you now.
The Illusion Magic that the previous you would have shrugged off without issue.
"Kyaaaaaah! Hnnngh! Aaaaaaaah!"
Why were you so powerless against Illusion Magic now, when you're stronger than back then?
I pretended to be affected for the first time with the Divine Sword too, but honestly speaking, it just makes you recall terrible memories.
No matter how I think about it, this world is getting weirder and weirder.
[Even if personality and abilities changed due to awakening distortion. Hmm, changing experiences too? Unless Yoo Jin-seok tormented his sister in a different way, there's no reason she'd react like that.]
"But memories could have changed too, right?"
[True. If she had other horrific experiences, and because of that awakened with these abilities this time, that would make sense.]
She sent a one-sided text saying she'd skip school for a few days due to mental shock.
Can't be helped. Actually I want to go check on her, but with that personality, if I handle it wrong my life could be over. Plus with Han Soo-ji gunning for me, if I show concern I'll have to seriously face that karmic Spear before even dealing with the Mutant.
That woman's thrusting ability alone will become strong enough to kill the Seven Deadly Sins someday. In that past she was annoying targeting me, now it seems she follows you around.
To be honest, I thought she liked me, but thinking about it now, she probably just likes strong people.
No way she's lesbian right? At least the Han Soo-ji I knew never showed much interest in women.
Still, Rebecca really bothers me.
Even before regression, Rebecca remained an ally to the end, nearly destroying the Black God Church with Illusion Magic.
For someone like that to break into a cold sweat, what kind of illusion did you see?
"Instructor Rebecca. What exactly happened? Please tell me."
"It was visions of Eun-ha dying."
"Eun-ha died?"
When I pressed Rebecca persistently, it was visions of Eun-ha dying.
"Yes, not just once but hundreds of times."
Not just once but hundreds of times.
"Didn't you just cast the Illusion Magic wrong on Eun-ha? Making it repeat?"
"The problem is those hundreds of deaths were all different ways. Like different possibilities. Like Schrödinger's Cat. Like parallel world Eun-has dying different ways from getting Monster Cores implanted."
[There's a possibility Eun-ha regressed too. Looking at her white hair now, we can't completely ignore the Core's influence.]
The possibility of regressing but not remembering. Is that the answer?
After getting the answer from Rebecca, I returned to the classroom with a serious expression.
This is clearly no ordinary matter. This time I'll definitely protect you.
* * *
I really like this dream world, secretly.
While it's super dangerous without good party luck, I made a whole 1 million won from just one Dungeon run.
Apparently A-Rank Cores vary wildly in price depending on their condition too.
A purified A-Rank Core is 50 million won. S-Rank Cores start at 500 million minimum, and SS-Rank ones are "name your price" - that says it all.
"Come to think of it, the Core implanted in the original Eun-ha was SS-Rank."
So was that crazy Mutant who implanted it in Eun-ha just braindead?
Why implant a "name your price" Core into Eun-ha?
The Gate that appeared after she went berserk just got sealed by the Divine Sword anyway.
Now that I think about it, Eun-ha's death was how the first Divine Sword User Yoo Jin-seok and Choi Si-woo first met. That's how they became master and disciple.
So do I need to die then?
Since this is a dream, dying shouldn't matter right?
No way. Even if it's a dream, I don't want to die.
"What do you think?"
I casually asked the suited man standing by the door, but got no response.
What the hell is that guy, stalking me like this.
At this point I can't tell if he's a ghost or a Constellation.
One thing's for sure - he's staying in my room without my permission.
What's so great about this pure white room that he wants to stay here?
Well, if you get to be with a cutie like Eun-ha, you'd probably be satisfied living in a cave.
"Should I go to Academy?"
Or maybe play some games. Even this dream world has games.
If I keep refusing to go to school, that Firebat might come looking.
Ah, I don't want that. It's scary.
Come to think of it, the Mutant terrorist event at Academy happens around first year first semester finals.
So the original Eun-ha died pretty damn early.
Ding
A message arrived.
Firebat: You're not coming to Academy?
Eun-ha: My head hurts too much.
Firebat: Go to the hospital or something. If you don't come soon I'm gonna wreck you.
Eun-ha: Ah period cramps.
Firebat: Do your periods last 2 weeks?
Is this too much?
Well, I'd need to have actually had a period. This body is already fully developed as a woman but the magic day hasn't come.
It might still come, but honestly it seems late.
This body doesn't even need to eat or sleep. Would it have periods?
That's why this is a dream. Where in the world would you find such a perfect body?
Eun-ha: Eun-ha is a baby. You have to be gentle.
Firebat: If you don't come today you're expelled.
Eun-ha: Wow, just what I wanted!
Having already formed a connection with Bbeum-mi, I have nothing to fear anymore.
Firebat: Yoo Eun-ha!
Eun-ha: Logically speaking, am I so pathetically weak that I need to waste time at Academy?
Firebat couldn't answer this question.
Yeah, that's right. Actually if I unblock all the Guilds that I blocked, there are tons that would take me.
But why is this person so quiet? Usually they'd be pissed and try to slander me with all kinds of insults.
Something felt off like thin ice so I looked toward the window. There was a woman with a grotesquely twisted face hanging like a spider.
"You fucking bitch. You're dead today."
"Oh shit."
She's holding a Firebat in one hand.
No wonder Yoo Jin-seok hates her.
* * *
In the end, I got dragged to Academy.
I painfully realize that no matter which world it is, Hell Joseon is an education-obsessed society.
That fucking Firebat bitch. That woman who'd be a corpse without her bat had the audacity to hit my ass with it.
Before I knew it, it was time for magic class.
The professor is Rebecca, who dragged me into this hell.
"Today we'll be learning about magic. Some of you who use weapons like swords or spears instead of magic ask why you need to learn this. But to know yourself, you must know your enemy. Some enemies use magic, and there are Villains too. You need to understand that Monsters aren't your only enemies."
Right, Villains are important. Though I guess Divine Sword User Choi Si-woo will take care of them all anyway.
"First off, whether you have talent for magic or not, you all have an attribute. Of course, there are also elemental affinities. However, those with absolutely no talent for magic are considered non-elemental. In that case, you don't really need to worry about affinities, which isn't bad. There are Magic Swordsmen, Magic Spearmen, and Magic Archers. Even Student Reina's Spirit Arrows could be considered magic arrows in a broader sense."
"Then is the Divine Sword also a magic sword?"
A student raised his hand and asked.
"The Divine Sword is a type of Holy Sword. Moreover, the Divine Sword is synchronized with Constellations - it's literally the ultimate weapon. You shouldn't carelessly call it a magic sword."
That must be Kim Seung-joon.
In Academy life, he's the guy who feels inferior to protagonist Choi Si-woo.
According to himself, he should have gotten the Divine Sword, showing a weird obsession with it. His backstory is laughable too - the reason for his Divine Sword obsession is that he idolized heroes since childhood and thought you needed a Divine Sword to become one.
So when he wasn't chosen by the Divine Sword, he became twisted like this.
Moreover, he's the one who makes deals with Mutants who are Villains and becomes a Mutant himself, launching the first attack on Academy.
His actions are truly pathetic beyond measure.
And when that surprise attack fails, the Mutant behind him attacks Academy. That attacking Mutant had an SS-Rank Core.
Seems like we're getting closer to that Event.
Well, it wouldn't matter if I just stay holed up at home.
"Now, close your eyes and try to feel the Mana inside you. I can't explain in words what it feels like. You'll be able to feel your own Mana yourselves."
"Oh shit. This is sick!"
One student blurted out with a meaningful expression.
"You can't feel anything so stop pretending to feel Mana."
A student pretending to feel Mana got smacked by Rebecca.
Right. Mana. Mana. Maybe that gloomy suit guy who keeps turning his head to the blackboard next to Rebecca is also some kind of Magic Power.
Well anyway, I need to play along with this dream.
I closed my eyes and felt my Magic Power inside my chest.
It was something truly hot and intense.
And as I felt it, I could feel it bursting out on its own without meaning to.
Like tipping over a bucket full of water.
"Eek!"
"Oh, Yoo Eun-ha. Your Magic Power is overflowing. Looking at it, you're non-elemental. As a fun fact, non-elemental is very useful for Physical Enhancement. If you use it with your ability, you'll probably see great results."
How shitty would it be to use Acceleration too.
Next was Choi Si-woo.
"As expected of a Divine Sword User, you control light. With that light, you could purify the darkness in that abyss."
"Yes."
"Reina. You have complex attributes. Is this the power of spirits? Other Worlders have Elf blood too, right?"
Elves are forest people with long ears, white skin, and exceptionally strong Magic Power.
Humans who came from the Otherworld are said to have Elves as ancestors.
"Yes."
"Tsk, that's bloodline for you."
That Reina is broken too. Complex attributes? Beloved by spirits?
Then this Yoo Eun-ha character really feels like some junk storage.
They say Acceleration but it puts huge strain on the body. Unless you transcend being human.
But everything we're doing now is stuff that anyone connected to Hunters would know.
Come to think of it, there's a reason why the protagonist's group are elites.
"Now, I'll see how you control your Magic Power. Try making a sphere above your palm by drawing out that Magic Power inside you."
Pull up the Mana from inside. Slowly move it through the arm to the hand, then make it appear to come out through the palm to the outside. Slowly. Very slowly.
And so I created a magnificent white dragon above my palm.
Why did a dragon come out?
"Good, Student Yoo Eun-ha. You made it very well. I asked for a sphere, but you deceived the other students by making a dragon. As expected of Yoo Jin-seok's sister."
Is that praise or sarcasm?
"Urgh. Wait, Yoo Eun-ha. I'll make a tiger!"
"Great, then I'll make an eagle!"
"Then I'll make a red dragon!"
The Protagonist and Heroines stopped making spheres and started making animals.
Of course, Rebecca's assignment of 'making spheres' was completely buried as all the students started competing to make something other than spheres.
Where can we find someone to save these crazy bastards?
"Sigh."
Is it just me or do Geum Tae-yang and Bbeum-mi seem more normal than these guys?
And why did Choi Si-woo become an idiot?
I could predict Reina and Flame Spear Bitch Han Soo-ji showing competitive spirit towards my actions. But why him?
It seems suspicious. He's not supposed to be like this.
"Eun-ha."
"Yes, Instructor."
"Look at what you've achieved."
Rebecca quietly put her hand on my shoulder.
"What?"
"Thanks to you changing the goal from spheres to something else, the kids are making things with delicate control beyond spheres. The students' Magic Power Control has become more elite than expected."
Rebecca is a magic master. If Rebecca says so, it must be true.
"Just luck. Or maybe this batch is exceptional."
"So from now on, you'll teach the class."
"Are you crazy?"
I cut off Rebecca's attempt to make me work for free.
But something is definitely different this time. Is it because it's a dream? It's different from the original.
Finally Reina made a rainbow tiger, Choi Si-woo made a diamond eagle, and Flame Spear Bitch made a burning dragon.
Am I imagining that they all look like idiots with snot dripping from their noses?
Is this really Hanseong Academy?
"Kim Seung-joon, yours is the worst."
"Ugh. Professor. I just made a globe!"
"Why not call it Pangaea. How is that Earth? Does America look like a penis to you?"
Seems Kim Seung-joon tried making his sphere into Earth.
This is quite different too. Originally Kim Seung-joon breaks his sphere with a 'pop!' while making it. But now he's making a globe beyond a sphere.
That bastard might get stronger when he becomes a Villain, should I kill him now?
Dream Si-woo seems to be lacking in intelligence, maybe I should secretly request his assassination.
"Urgh. Just you wait, Yoo Eun-ha!"
Why is he raging at me again? Did he catch that I want to request his assassination?
Why is Kim Seung-joon targeting me instead of Choi Si-woo?
* * *