Ch.212212. The One Who Leaves

From the moment Mahanaga swept through, peace was no longer peace.

Whenever a Breach occurred, the whole world fell into fear, wondering if it was Mahanaga again.

[But we must fight! For our families, our villages, our countries, our world!]

The Jaegers issued a statement, reaffirming their resolve to fight.

People worldwide retreated into bunkers and shelters, preparing for war.

They were even recruiting and training children if they had the ability.

Humanity was doing its best.

And the adult Junho was no different. He had arrived in the world of monsters, just as he had in his previous life.

[There are already multiple Ancient Species.]

The enemies were preparing a large-scale army, ready to invade at any moment.

Adult Junho saw Mahanaga, whom he had been pursuing.

About ten times the size of a normal Mahana.

He couldn’t even begin to estimate its power.

‘If it were to fight against Jonghyun’s new form…’

With power of this magnitude, even the strength of that powerful golden card might not be enough.

Adult Junho detached himself from Mahanaga.

And he traced his old memories.

To the place where the voice had called him and he had responded.

This continent of monsters was larger than Earth.

Trees over 30-40 meters tall and massive volcanoes stretching thousands of kilometers.

Everything Junho had come to find was etched into his eyes once again.

[It’s really different from just hearing the voice before.]

His body was trembling.

This time the risk was higher because there were tangible things he needed to take back.

Could he make it out safely?

[No, I have to. For the future. And for my sister.]

He recalled his sister from the past. How she grew darker and thinner day by day at the Jaeger Academy.

How she struggled to take care of her siblings.

By the end, Seol Yuhwa had become like a doll, repeatedly staring blankly into space.

‘But now she’s happy.’

This happiness couldn’t be temporary. It had to continue.

Adult Junho came here precisely for that reason. This would be his final mission.

If he succeeded, it would be a great help to humanity.

After passing through numerous zones and ice fields, adult Junho finally encountered structures that were somewhere between fossils and fragments.

The form of a monster, or what used to be a monster.

[It’s been a while.]

Adult Junho headed toward where the sealed ones had been.

[Hermes. I need your help here.]

He called his summoned spirit and began scanning the sealed monsters.

[Sorry, everyone. I’ll just take ‘a little bit’ for now. I need both sides.]

Junho’s ability was activating. The DNA of the sealed species he scanned began flowing into his hands.

Fragments, skin, various parts.

But this work was, of course, dangerous. Before his regression, he had only conversed with them, but this was a tangible act.

There was a high chance the other side would notice.

Adult Junho scanned his surroundings nervously while gradually collecting their fossils.

He needed to escape with these.

[Done. This should be enough…]

Now Junho had to flee with the DNA and ‘that.’

Adult Junho flew up and used his tracking ability.

The exact coordinates from which he had come.

‘Once I’ve been here, I can return anytime.’

That was the greatest advantage provided by his summoned spirit, Hermes.

Information, tracking, searching. It was especially helpful for supportive abilities.

Just as adult Junho was about to escape according to the coordinates,

A massive lightning bolt suddenly struck in front of him.

A chilling emotion disturbed Junho’s heart.

He fearfully turned his head.

There was Mahanaga above him, its beard fluttering as if in solemn judgment.

[A flea has sneaked in. Something that exists but cannot be seen. A spy?]

Instead of answering, Junho tried to escape. But once caught in Mahanaga’s sight, there was no easy escape.

Mahanaga’s lightning was about to engulf Junho.

*

Seol Yuhwa was waiting calmly at the White Dragon Guild.

After classes and practice, she always had to return to the children.

But today, Junho was unusually quiet.

“Junho, what’s wrong?”

For unknown reasons, Junho seemed lost in thought.

“…”

Seol Yuhwa didn’t disturb him.

Usually, it was best to leave her brother alone when he was like this.

Seol Yuhwa went to her room.

“…”

Her chest felt strange.

An omen of misfortune? Or something else? Seol Yuhwa clutched her trembling chest and took a deep breath.

‘Am I just suddenly nervous?’

She felt anxious.

Why?

Seol Yuhwa lay on her bed, staring blankly at the sky, lost in thought.

At that moment, her vision began to turn pure white.

In this scene where she couldn’t tell dream from reality, Seol Yuhwa sat up.

Before her eyes stood a blood-covered man.

“!”

It was a startling scene, like something from a horror movie.

“Ah…”

Seol Yuhwa touched her Brisingamen, but the figure didn’t react. It had no physical form.

“What is this?”

Seol Yuhwa was confused, but she felt something strange.

It wasn’t fear, but a sense of familiarity.

A face she had seen somewhere.

Yet Seol Yuhwa didn’t know such a man. But the feeling was familiar.

This contradictory emotion overwhelmed her.

At the same time, this blood-covered ghost-like man began to smile brightly.

“Jun… ho?”

Seol Yuhwa was startled by her own voice.

Junho was a child. The young man before her appeared to be at least her age or older.

But soon, Seol Yuhwa thought that the blood-covered face resembled Junho.

“Junho… is that you?”

Though she herself thought it made no sense, she spoke according to her feelings.

The blood-covered man said nothing. He just smiled.

[…last time]

“What?”

[I’m glad I got to see my sister happy one last time.]

Adult Junho’s voice was barely audible. Seol Yuhwa sat up abruptly.

“It is you, isn’t it? Junho.”

[I’ve never seen you this healthy before, sis.]

“Me…?”

His body becoming increasingly blurry, Seol Yuhwa was certain it was Junho.

[Seeing you like this makes me really happy. That alone makes me happy.]

Adult Junho felt his body gradually disappearing.

“Why are you like this?”

[We can win, sis. I’m sorry I can’t see it through to the end, but I have to go. I’m already a dead man anyway.]

“Junho!”

Seol Yuhwa desperately reached out and tried to grab Junho’s hands.

But her hands passed through empty air, unable to stop anything.

“I don’t care what form you take. You know your sister will always love you, right?”

[Thank you… sis. Always…]

And with that, adult Junho disappeared. Though they couldn’t exchange many words, Seol Yuhwa felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks.

An extreme emptiness followed the disappearance of her brother.

Knock knock.

Someone was knocking on her door.

Seol Yuhwa hurriedly opened it, and there stood young Junho.

“Junho.”

Seol Yuhwa embraced young Junho, crying.

“He said goodbye… I can’t hear… the voice anymore…”

Junho’s voice was trembling. Yes, the voice that had always guided Junho was now gone.

“I see…”

Seol Yuhwa nodded as if she understood the truth.

*

Junho had succeeded. He had sacrificed his life to connect with the monsters’ minds.

What Junho had delivered would surely be of great help.

Thank you. Even though I can’t see the end, I’ll protect this world, so don’t worry.

I silently remembered Junho’s heart and strengthened my resolve.

Junho had passed on to me the location they had gone to and information about the “sealed ancient species.”

Eun Serin approached me.

“So, did you get the DNA I mentioned before?”

“No. ‘That’ failed.”

“That’s too bad. But judging by your expression, you have another plan?”

“Yes. But it’s literally a last resort.”

I carefully handled the Awakening Card. Though it was unlocked, this card still wouldn’t activate without a special reason.

Honestly, other cards were sufficient, so there was no need to use it, but now it’s different.

If necessary, I’ll have to use this card against the enemy too.

Especially since it’s been unlocked.

[Synchronizing with the Awakening Card and consciousness.]

As I felt before, I can sense the consciousness of the culprit(?) who transformed me in this card.

If my thinking is correct, it will be a great help. Above all, the Primitive Species told me this:

[It contains data from many of us. You can temporarily harness that power.]

The Awakening Card doesn’t just enhance myself.

It can revive the minds of numerous monsters this summoned spirit has obtained.

Though temporary, it will be a great help.

[Awakening]

-Unevolved power of evolution

-Summon Ancient Primitive Species

-Cannot transform when summoning Ancient Primitive Species

However, there’s a risk.

Using this means I can’t transform, so it must be used as a last resort.

In other words, I should basically transform and fight, only using this when I judge that we’ve finally overcome the enemy’s offensive.

“How can I use this effectively?”

At that moment, alarms began to sound.

I thought it was the enemy’s usual strategy, but this time was different.

My phone was rapidly sending alerts.

“Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Gangwon-do, Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do, Gyeongsang-do, Jeju-do…?”

Isn’t that our entire country?

Wait, if so?

It wasn’t just me. The whole world was in chaos, as shown on TV.

“My God! They’re appearing all over the world!”

“Impossible. This is a scale we’ve never seen before!”

Breaches were occurring not just in Korea but worldwide.

Everything from F-class to beyond SS-class species had arrived.

“Haha, it’s finally starting.”

I drew my card. The enemy is going all out, and so are we.

[Do Jonghyun, you’re our most important person. You need to go where Jiho or Mahanaga appears.]

Countermeasures for the enemy’s all-out war were already prepared.

As was everything I needed to do.

“I’ll take care of the nearest Ancient Species first. Sis, tell me where Jiho is.”

“Alright.”

Today, even Eun Serin wouldn’t stay here. She’s going to Jiho to end it all.

After transforming, I charged at the nearest Ancient Species and began fighting.

No, this time it’s not just Ancient Species.

Countless enemies like a pack of dogs. A veritable “legion” was approaching.

“Everyone, fall back!”

I cleared the vanguard of the pack with my lengthened sword.

And just as I was charging toward the Ancient Species, wasn’t that a massive force of destruction approaching?

Powerful magic and my cluster bomb fired from my shoulder.

The two forces collided, creating a huge crater before my eyes.

“You’re not even hiding? Jiho.”

[I’ll kill you!]

An even larger Eun Jiho was charging toward me.