Ch.102102. The Room of Mind and Time, Yoo Chae-mi’s Approaching Revival

“Ui-seok? Why are you suddenly looking around?”

Lu-a leaned in close to my face, peering curiously. Looking around, I realized we were at the indoor fishing spot Lu-a had wanted to visit.

I recalled the memory. It was last year.

About three months after the battle with the Galaxy Empire had ended.

“That’s strange. I should have been able to go back to the scenario clear point.”

“What?”

Lu-a tilted her head in confusion.

I definitely set the return point to the maximum, but this seems to be the limit.

It’s better than floating around in space, but several things I wanted to test have become useless now.

“I get it. You got the Cloaker’s Switch? So this is the past from Ui-seok’s perspective?”

“Smart girl.”

“Wow, really? So if I do anything now, only you will remember it?”

“That’s right.”

Lu-a understood quickly. She had seen Kang Yerin use her ability during the Eridanus battle, but her adaptability was impressive.

“Great!”

Lu-a stood up from her seat.

“What are you planning?”

“Since we’re in this situation, it would be a waste of time to just go fishing. Ui-seok, want to try destroying the world together?”

“That’s quite an intense test.”

“It doesn’t matter since it won’t affect reality, right? Just tell me all the details when you go back.”

Lu-a grinned. Whatever made her so happy, she took the lead and headed outside.

“Let’s go back to the hideout. I need to run some tests.”

“It’s our date day. It’s the weekend. Or are you treating me differently because I’m not really me?”

“You’re not fake. This is still reality, just a different timeline. I’m not sure if it will branch off after I return.”

I don’t have the energy to worry about that much.

“You should take proper care of me here too, right? It’s our special date.”

“Alright, alright.”

“Hmm, in that case, Ui-seok.”

Lu-a wrapped her arms around my waist and pressed her body lightly against mine.

“You can do anything you want with me, and keep it a secret from the me in your timeline.”

Lu-a gave me a sly smile.

I’ve never seen this expression before.

“Should we… go to a hotel?”

“You know that if you do this, the me in my timeline will find out you have the same thoughts, right?”

“I don’t think so. You’ve stumbled into a strange version of me.”

“One. Don’t be impatient. Wait a month and you’ll have your first experience.”

“…Eh? Huh?”

Lu-a blushed in embarrassment at my words.

“What, really? You’re lying.”

“Yes. I’m lying.”

Thwack. Lu-a hit me on the chest.

“Y-you scared me! I had all kinds of thoughts. I was seriously wondering if Illusion unnie was disguising herself as me.”

“Haha.”

She has quite the imagination.

“Then when are you actually going to embrace me?”

“Well, I haven’t made such plans yet.”

“That’s too much. Look, Ui-seok. From a woman’s perspective, if you keep doing this, it feels more disappointing than cherishing.”

“I got it. Soon.”

“Set a date. Your birthday is coming up soon, so let’s do it then.”

“Sure, why not.”

“You promise? You can’t pretend it never happened just because I won’t remember when you go back, okay?”

“I got it.”

“We could also do it now if you want.”

“Like you said, I’m still cherishing you.”

I patted Lu-a’s head. She seemed to enjoy the warmth, not minding it.

“It’s so like you to be consistent with me here too. Well. It’s disappointing, but I feel loved. Let’s go to the hideout then. But let’s take public transportation. I want to spend more time together.”

“Sure.”

I started following Lu-a as she took the lead. On the way, I called out to her.

“Lu-a, by the way.”

“Yes?”

“How did you know my birthday is coming up soon? I haven’t told you what time period I’m from yet.”

Lu-a stopped walking.

She didn’t answer.

“Did you hide nearby and come along when I activated the Switch?”

“…Tch.”

Lu-a started running without even looking back. I immediately chased after her.

She was quite fast.

***

After confirming a few rules of the Yellow Dragon, I ended its use.

Lu-a had been hiding well behind the wall of the test room. She must have used the quantum realm to get in there. As soon as we returned to the original time, she fled like lightning again.

Thanks to that, I learned the position range of team members who could move together, which was helpful.

Two months later, after completing our preparations, we time-jumped and began training.

We developed a special belt to designate the time to move to, and gathered as many high-ranking monsters and Vengeance villains as possible in one place before disbanding a month ago.

We went back to that point a month ago and continued repeating training for a month until the present time.

There were no special issues in the world during that period, so it was an appropriate time. Sulphur hadn’t appeared during that time either.

“It’s like the Hyperbolic Time Chamber!”

That was Boksil’s impression. The kid must have read a lot of comics while waiting.

Lu-a, Lena, Boksil, Somi, and I.

The five of us repeated training, and our ability levels rose steadily.

At first, I thought Lena would get bored, but she was quite enthusiastic.

Probably because she could finally achieve her goal after this training.

After eight repetitions, 8 months, I finally felt the Yellow Dragon reaching its limit.

During that time, we not only trained but also had many conversations and grew closer.

Especially Lu-a and Lena seemed to have become friendlier than before.

Somi also seemed to have sorted out her thoughts somewhat after repeatedly clearing her mind and using her body, and began to accept herself and her current situation.

She showed signs of accepting her existence as both a monster and a hero, and seeking a new sense of justice. Just like when I first became a villain.

And she also asked me more questions than before.

It was a happy development.

Finally, we decided to go back to a certain point to test our skills.

There was an optimal opponent.

Sulphur.

The test was whether each of us could defeat him one-on-one when he invaded the UVC finals.

“So, Gerogius. You don’t mind if I fight you now, right? Ah, of course, I don’t expect an answer.”

I slipped away from the complacent guy and switched with Lu-a who teleported in.

“If it’s unlimited rules, you shouldn’t have complaints about our intervention.”

“…I suppose.”

Surprisingly, Sulphur readily engaged in battle with Lu-a.

Perhaps he judged that he couldn’t touch me if he couldn’t exclude Lu-a.

“Divarion, Funf!”

The Vengeance team members fought against Sulphur.

Everyone was fighting on par with Sulphur using their greatly enhanced abilities.

Considering that when we first encountered Sulphur, he was almost equal to me without using my Armaggedon form, everyone had grown admirably.

One concerning point was that Sulphur didn’t seem to be using his full power.

Was he only planning to scout me at first?

In particular, he seemed weakest when facing Somi. Perhaps he was shaken because she was also a monster.

Lu-a had the best compatibility with him.

Sulphur’s ability was based on the Galaxy Empire’s space energy. Specifically, he was using black holes and galaxies.

Lu-a’s dark matter is energy that cannot be observed in space. If Sulphur is the positive energy of space, Lu-a is the negative energy.

Their powers have a relationship of consuming each other. And Lu-a, after completing her training, seemed to have the upper hand.

After each team member finished their battle with Sulphur, I was to face him last.

The Apocalypse level was 38. It had risen significantly from 30 when I had unleashed Armaggedon.

I felt like I could subdue him with just the Red War’s strength.

While exchanging blows with Sulphur, I tried talking to him.

“Are you Recter’s son?”

“Huh, truly a devil. Arrogant and presumptuous.”

“Answer the question.”

Boom!

I delivered a powerful blow to his solar plexus.

Sulphur, judging that he couldn’t continue the fight this time, immediately prepared to escape using a black hole.

Sulphur pointed at me with his index finger.

“Don’t misunderstand, Gerogius. I am a hero in name and reality.”

“What nonsense.”

He disappeared into the black hole.

At the same time.

Hiss—

The Yellow Dragon that had been watching over me finally lost its light and faded away.

It was time to return.

***

“Everyone, thank you for your hard work over this long period.”

Somi encouraged everyone.

“It was nice not having to pay for food… we could have eaten anything delicious.”

Boksil lamented. Despite everyone likely being mentally exhausted, Lu-a also seemed regretful.

“Good work. Let’s disband for today. Get some rest.”

“See you later. Lu-a, won’t you spend tonight with me?”

“Ah, yes. Are we still doing it tomorrow as planned?”

“Yes. I’ve already made all the preparations.”

The two seemed to be talking about Elli.

After training, Lena’s language level was 32. It was sufficient to revive and maintain Elli in her mind.

“You need to prepare?”

“It’s such an important language command. I may not be religious, but it can’t hurt to purify my body and mind for the ritual.”

I could hear Lena’s breath trembling slightly.

After all, it was the day her long-cherished wish would finally come true.

Hmm.

I said “long-cherished,” but exactly how many years has it been?

“Lena, how old are you?”

Lena turned to me and glared.

“Thank you for providing a perfect example of how to disrupt one’s focus. Ui-seok, don’t even think about showing your face to me tomorrow.”

“Got it.”

“Ui-seok is sorry. Let’s go.”

Somi pulled me by the wrist. Lu-a waved lightly and disappeared into the quantum realm with Lena.

***

“Lu-a, come here.”

“…Does your mind really get purified in a place like this?”

Dressed in comfortable pajamas, Lu-a entered Lena’s bedroom and was horrified by the interior.

The entire room, too spacious for one person, was overwhelmingly decorated with lace that looked like it belonged to a medieval princess.

Not only that, but the rose petals scattered on the bed and the silky touch of the blanket were so soft that Lu-a, who preferred firm beds, thought she might not be able to sleep.

“It’s all the same when the lights are off. ‘Lights off.'”

The room darkened. Lu-a cautiously lay down on Lena’s bed in a formal position. Lena naturally pulled Lu-a’s body into an embrace.

By now, Lu-a had somewhat gotten used to Lena’s skinship.

“It’s tomorrow.”

“So it is.”

“You must feel anxious.”

“Hehe. It would be a lie to say otherwise.”

“Is it really okay with just me there? What about Ui-seok—”

Lena gently placed her index finger on Lu-a’s lips to stop her.

“Let’s not talk about that man. I want to focus my mind right now.”

“Okay.”

Lena closed her eyes.

Lu-a observed her long eyelashes for a moment before gently embracing her back.