episode_0124

41. There was a traitor here. (1)

The sound of something collapsing and falling, with a ‘Kuguguguung!’ sound, is heard, along with the sound of something breaking and falling, with a ‘Chaeaeng!’ sound.

As I look up at the sky, I see the thin glass walls surrounding the building breaking and falling towards us.

Every time it hits the floor, it makes a ‘bang!’ sound, and small shards of glass break off from the large shards and spread out on the floor, gradually accumulating.

The shards of glass that keep falling. And the shards that break and pile up.

” Huh! ”

Whenever the fragments touch the [Region, Brittany] that is protecting me and my party, they quickly melt and fall to the ground.

It was as if the glass that was being processed was glowing red and then gradually merging with other falling fragments to form a single glass work of art, but then shattered by the next falling fragments.

How many times have I seen that sight?

As I expanded my territory, Yeonseo slowly created an igloo-like structure using ice and led the others inside, while Hyunsuk and Jisung used their abilities to clear away the debris that had fallen around us.

I released the two hands that were holding the building and went into the igloo they were in.

” Seriously, I’m surprised. ”

As I let out a sigh of relief and told her how I felt about the current situation, Sister Jia hugged me.

” But you didn’t get hurt because you told me quickly, right? More than that… how much do you think it is? ”

” You mean the size of the glass wall that wrapped around the building? Hmm, when I saw it, it seemed to wrap all the way up to the roof. And… ”

When I poked my head out of the igloo and looked at the building next to me, Jia also poked her head out and looked in that direction.

” Are you saying it’s connected to the building next door? ”

” Yeah, if it was just the building in front of me, I would have let go a long time ago. But as I poured my divine power into it… it’s gotten quite large. ”

” Sigh, I guess I’ll have to change my plans a bit. I’ll have to check other buildings too… ”

” How long will it take? ”

” Well, wouldn’t it take a few hours just to build one building? The building next to it is even taller… It looks like it’s over 10 stories… ”

After saying that, Jia unnie said she would go inside the igloo to check the plan again, opened the device, and started organizing it, and I went in and sat next to Hyunseok oppa.

As I sat down next to him, my brother grabbed my shoulder and pulled me closer. I leaned against his shoulder, placing my shoulder on his.

” Don’t worry. There’s also Ji-ah, who has the ability to search, and Charlotte and I. You’re good at finding people and stuff, right? And if you use Yeon-seo’s summons, you’ll be able to find clues faster. ”

” Yeah, I think so too. But… I have a strange thought… ”

” What do you think? ”

” Do you remember the brooch you gave to your brother along with your uncle? ”

” Ah~ This is it? It’s the first thing Charlotte gave me, so I treasure it. ”

” Ugh, even if you don’t say it, I know you cherish me! Anyway, I felt my strength draining from the brooch that the old man was holding. I think it was draining to heal me.

But shortly after that, the connection was lost. ”

” That sounds pretty dangerous. ”

As I slowly nodded, my brother started stroking my head and told me to definitely find a clue. I felt even more warmth leaning against his shoulder at those words.

*****

After quite some time, the sound of the glass walls surrounding the building falling no longer disappeared and only silence surrounded us.

Yeonseo and I nodded and the two of us slowly came out of the igloo entrance and looked around.

As I looked around, I saw that the building that was a department store was… pierced or encased in a strange black crystal.

” How’s it outside? ”

I answered my brother Ji-seong’s question while releasing [Region, Brittany].

” I think it’s okay to come out now. But I think it’d be better to establish a base quickly. ”

” Okay, Jia. Do you have a place in mind? ”

” First… let’s set up Hyunseok’s tent in the parking lot behind this building. There should be plenty of space there. And we can hide it with the remaining debris using Oppa’s ability. ”

” Okay~ Then let’s all go quickly~ ”

Ji-sung Oppa hummed a song and moved quickly, arriving at the parking lot before he knew it. He then began to build a wall using the remaining cars and debris from collapsed buildings using his abilities.

As the debris and broken cars piled up, forming a wall that would buy some time for anyone who came, Hyunseok quickly started to set up the tent.

Ji-seong oppa, who was watching that scene, climbed up the wall he had made and called me.

” Why did you call? ”

” What do you think? ”

” What? ”

” You mean the crystal embedded in the building? Can you feel the energy from that too? ”

” Hmm, just a little? It’s not much compared to the walls surrounding the building. Still, you should be careful. The energy… Even if the fragments of Thanatos are small, they’re still divine. ”

” Phew, I thought it was just a demon attack, but it turned out to be a pretty big deal. ”

As he said that, he looked around and reached out to a collapsed building in the distance. As he did so, the building began to crumble and debris began to fall toward us.

They left the debris in the alleys and roads connected to where we were, blocking anyone from entering.

” Unless you have some strong abilities, this should work out somehow. ”

” Next time, speak up and act in advance. When you suddenly act like that, I thought you were a demon. ”

” Haha, sorry. I heard it briefly earlier, but you gave something like this brooch to Mr. Doosik? ”

Before leaving, he took out the brooch I had given him and asked me.

” That’s right, sir… I gave it to you too. Honestly, even if you have combat experience, you haven’t fought in another world like me, and you haven’t used your powers for a long time like Hyunseok oppa, right? ”

” Well, that’s true. You have some sense, though. ”

” So at least I was able to understand the situation and help him survive even if it was dangerous. ”

” But you don’t feel that now? ”

” Yeah… ”

Ji-sung Oppa took a deep breath, patted my back, and started stroking me.

” What, what is it…?! ”

” Don’t take it so seriously. He’s a pretty strong guy after all. ”

I leaned my head against my brother Ji-seong’s arm as he slowly stroked my hand and said.

” I know. But now, with these guys with the power of the evil god Thanatos running wild… we have to be careful. ”

” Yeah, that’s right. ”

At Jia’s suggestion to take a break downstairs and talk, Jisung put down his caressing hand and went downstairs. I also went down and was about to go into the tent.

Hyunseok grabbed my hand and dragged me to the back of the tent, but I was pushed against the wall at the back of the tent.

” Why, are you… looking at me like that? ”

” Hmm, why? ”

” Well, I don’t know… ”

” Don’t you know? Is it difficult? ”

I closed my eyes at the sight of my brother slowly raising his hand and felt his hand on my head.

” Oh, brother…? ”

” I feel a little bad these days because everyone touches ‘my stuff’. ”

The moment I heard the words ‘mine’ from his mouth, I started to get excited at the thought of me being his property.

” But, but that’s…! ”

” I know. They both cherish you. But… ”

As my brother slowly brought his face closer to mine and began to overlap our lips, I was just quietly feeling his lips and becoming intoxicated by the ecstatic sensation.

As his lips parted, the transparent thread connecting him and me stretched like always, making me feel hot.

” Remember, you are ‘mine’. Got it? ”

” Yes… I am yours… ”

” Okay, I understand. Instead, as a ‘punishment’… There will be no more skinship until we finish Namsan Tower. Got it? ”

” Huh?! Why, why… ”

” Yes, because it’s a punishment. But do you know what happens when you finish Namsan Tower? ”

I know exactly what that means.

It means letting go of my past and becoming completely ‘his’.

Just the thought of it makes me feel a little…

” Then shall we go now? ”

” Yeah… ”

I was led by my brother’s hand to the tent where everyone was waiting.

Moving my trembling legs slowly so he wouldn’t notice…

*****

As we entered the tent, everyone was sitting at the table, drinking drinks and eating energy bars.

When Hyunseok and I came in together, everyone narrowed their eyes and looked at me.

” Why, why… Everyone else is doing that. ”

” Oh, okay, sit down quickly. ”

Yeonseo shook her head in disbelief and told us to sit next to her. When we sat down, Ji-ah showed us the device.

” Okay, let’s get back to talking. First, we’re going to go into the building right next door, which is only about 5 stories tall. ”

The device displayed a map of the building’s floors.

A building with five floors, starting from the basement. In that building, Sister Jia pointed to the third floor.

” First, let’s investigate this third floor first. ”

” Why is that? ”

When Ji-seong asked why she was trying to explore from the third floor, his older sister took out the debris that had been covering the building from her pocket and placed it on the table.

” Sister?! Why do you have this! ”

My sister, surprised by the sight, grabbed my hand and said it was okay when I tried to channel my divine power towards her.

” It’s okay. I didn’t just take any random fragment. I just picked up the fragment that was in your hand. And since you purified the other fragments anyway, it’s okay, right? ”

” But you never know. Next time, just tell me to give it to you. Okay? ”

” Okay. Anyway, the reason I’m starting here is… I saw it a little while ago, but the crystals on this floor were extending toward the building next door. That bothered me a little. And the fact that it was wrapped around the building. ”

” Hmm, I get it if that’s the reason. It’s honestly hard to investigate a wide area, so it would be good if we could reduce it like this. ”

” Okay, I think everyone agrees. Let’s take a short break and leave at 10. Okay? ”

Everyone nodded at those words and sat comfortably in the living room, relaxing and chatting.

I sat next to Hyunseok oppa, leaning against his body, and thought about the future exploration.

Will we be able to get a clue about the old man? Where is the old man now? And what on earth was Choi Young-wol, the person who sent the signal, thinking?