Chapter 275

Chapter 275. Palao’s Arrangement (1)

After Hyunwoo left, Kim Yul and Yang Taeho put behind their affairs on Earth and crossed over to Bihar. It was to move their party’s base from Habon.

They had received a signal that the retreat from Earth would commence soon, and thus, needed to arrange their belongings.

It had been a while since they’d used a gate instead of the mission land to travel to Bihar.

It didn’t take them long to arrive at their base building, which they hadn’t visited for nearly a month.

As soon as they unlocked the familiar door and pushed it open, both shivered instinctively.

Tiny fairies, unlike anything they’d ever seen, fluttered around, spilling sparkling dust everywhere.

Surprised, they only stood frozen momentarily before Kim Yul and Yang Taeho hurried inside and shut the door. Thanks to the prior warning from Hyunwoo, they swiftly overcame their bewilderment.

– Ah, there might be things flying around the base.”

– No need to worry too much. They’re not dangerous… they’re not the kind you’d discuss danger about.”

After a brief adjustment, they accepted the odd situation inside the base without any major fuss. However, the surprise entrance startled the fairies, preventing them from settling down easily.

“Humans!”

“There are drawings on their heads!”

“What should we do? What should we do?”

“Let’s inform the king!”

With high-pitched chattering barely audible to the ear, the fairies in the living room swarmed up to the second floor.

Yang Taeho, staring at the stairs they vanished into, murmured, “As lively as ever.”

“Sorry?”

Kim Yul asked, not understanding his meaning.

Yang Taeho sighed as he turned away from the stairs, his expression somewhat complicated.

“You know, Hyunwoo…”

It was well-known among those who needed to know why his return was delayed after the first act of the main scenario’s second chapter ended. Few, however, knew the true reason for his tardiness. Yang Taeho and Kim Yul were among those few.

“Why bother bringing them all the way here if nobody’s going to scold him for leaving them to die?”

Regardless of the circumstances, fairies were a race that had forsaken the traitor and demi-human alliance. How many would have delayed their return to Earth by days just to save them by sweeping the corrupted area?

“Even though he gave excuses about mages and materials, he probably just couldn’t stand by and watch them die.”

Yang Taeho ended on a slightly bitter note, exhaling a shallow sigh. It wasn’t that he didn’t know Hyunwoo’s nature; on the contrary, he realized it much sooner than others.

The reason Yang Taeho followed Hyunwoo’s words, despite the significant age gap, was simple: Hyunwoo couldn’t ignore those he could save through his own strength. Thanks to him, Yang Taeho’s wife was saved.

‘He’s someone who would always lend a hand as long as his abilities and influence reached.’

Though Hyunwoo seemed overly harsh in his self-assessment, appearing rigid and strict, Yang Taeho had a high regard for his character. He offered him respect, whether implicitly or explicitly.

However, as Hyunwoo’s abilities and influence grew, an unexpected problem became apparent.

‘No matter how amazing, an individual saving the world is impossible.’

That’s a matter for national-level discussions, where societal systems could be established. The very idea of entrusting a group’s survival to one person was dangerous. Ninety-nine out of a hundred would suffocate from the burden.

From what Yang Taeho observed, Hyunwoo also felt considerable pressure.

‘If he fails to break those chains…’

Could Hyunwoo withstand it? Or resist self-reproach and not spiral into despair? Despite his accumulating daily worries, there was no way to help Hyunwoo.

Sighing, Yang Taeho settled on the sofa, “Looks like they’re going to fetch the person in charge, so let’s wait.”

He had to meet the person in charge to convey Hyunwoo’s words. “Yep.”

Agreeing, Kim Yul walked over to Rice Cake, lounging leisurely beside the sofa. “Rice Cake, we’re here. How is Hyung? Are we connected?”

Rice Cake nodded as if understanding those words, and Kim Yul, relieved, handed over the mana from the mana accumulation tool gifted by Hyunwoo. Rice Cake quickly absorbed it.

Moments later, a presence was felt on the stairs leading to the second floor. Looking over, a fairy who led the others down appeared—a familiar face named Dennis.

“I apologize for the delay. I was with the injured…”

“It’s okay, don’t worry too much. By the way, you’ve heard we were coming, right? I’m Yang Taeho, and this one here is Kim Yul.”

“Nice to meet you. Just call me Yul.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Dennis. However… isn’t that human, K, coming?”

Kim Yul shrugged, responding casually, “It’s hard for him to come immediately. He’s quite busy.”

Following that, Yang Taeho quickly conveyed the situation. They were going to retreat soon, and the base would be vacated. The fairies only needed to hold out in the basement until K came to fetch them.

“Hold out here…”

Dennis clenched his teeth, holding back a question he desperately wanted to ask. What if no one comes while they were holding out here?

In such a case, the fairies only had two possible outcomes. To wither and die locked in or to be hunted by the Order forces upon going outside.

‘We’ve already been branded as traitors by the Demi-human alliance.’

They couldn’t return to the monsters either. Fairies were treated as mere materials for research and experiments by mages, only leading to death if they returned. To make matters worse, the only mage among the fairies had died.

Thus, the fairies were nothing but wanderers with no place to rely on—or to go—anymore.

Dennis couldn’t help but shiver with fear and anxiety every day, all too aware of his situation.

The strangers who arrived after so much waiting left them with a heartless message: Despite their retreat, they just had to wait there.

Dennis, clenching his fist, lowered his head.

‘They’re not obliged to help us.’

Knowing this didn’t make the bitter feelings go away, leaving him feeling pathetic. Such was the plight of those unable to stand independently, needing someone else’s aid.

As Dennis trembled in helplessness, Yang Taeho spoke up.

“Should you question or ask for something, there’s something I was told to say…”

Dennis quickly looked up, eyes flickering with hope. “Whether you believe it or not, it’s your choice.”

The words that came out of Yang Taeho’s mouth were familiar, “That’s your choice.”

Dennis would be responsible for whatever the outcome of that choice would be.

He recalled the moments in the thick, smelly sack, feeling as though each second was agonizing hell. What if the outsider doesn’t return and save him and his kin?

Moments when he blamed himself for not waking his people to flee before; moments when he, as a cowardly weakling, waited for the strong to save him; these endless times filled with fear were long and terrifying.

But at the end of his waiting, when that sack was finally opened…

– Are you alright?

When that familiar face appeared… Dennis buried this past image deep within his mind as he spoke shyly, bowing his head even more, “About us… though it’s impertinent… could we get some food while we stay here?”

“Ah.”

Luckily, Kim Yul picked that up and let out a cry of realization. Whatever Dennis interpreted from that reaction, his face started to redden more and more.

“We don’t eat much because we’re small. Even with just one loaf of bread, we can all share it…”

“Don’t worry about that. K-hyung already prepared not just food but potions in case of emergencies.”

“… Really, thank you.”

Dennis left those words of gratitude as he flew away quickly with a flushed face, embarrassed and grateful.

After Dennis’s retreating figured faded out, Kim Yul mumbled, “Would Hyunwoo-hyung really come to take those fairies?”

Yang Taeho’s mind drifted back to the past upon hearing Kim Yul’s question, recalling the underground shelter they found on their first meeting, filled with bodies and how Hyunwoo lingered to build a grave.

He remembered it clearly, “He’s not someone who’d abandon them here.”

Yes, Hyunwoo was not that kind of person.

“Just trust in him. He’ll find a way to save someone again.”

Yang Taeho had already believed it from the depths of his heart.

Hyunwoo would work miracles where others couldn’t and save countless lives—whether such thoughts would weigh on Hyunwoo or not.

But his deeply ingrained faith wouldn’t waiver.

* * *

For the third time, as those seemingly endless numbers halted at 99%, I resumed my training.

‘Mana Domination proficiency: 40%.’

I gained enough skills to disrupt nearly any magic a mage could manifest. Now was time to fortify my magic lineup, focusing on high-grade lightning-type magics.

‘Fortunately, my attribute mana has increased considerably.’

And it would soon rise significantly once more. No need to worry over lacking attribute mana with Kerak’s assistance, useless as it seemed.

To add new magic, I even brought a high-rank mana guide, making sure to bring it in a paper bag, wary the subspace pouch might not open. Thanks to this, I concentrated on learning mana arrays using time shifts granted by divinity.

「Magic Lightning Whip has formed.」

「Magic Thunder Spear has formed.」

「Magic Lightning Storm has formed.」

Most major lightning magic registered in my status window. I didn’t stop there; I looked into high-grade magics of other elements, even though I couldn’t supply all the mana needed alone yet.

But I knew those who could supply the mana needed to implement these magics…

If I could use high-rank mana accumulation tools from the VIP shop well, I could create an enormous area magic, even if the tools were limited.

‘Combining forces with those possessing the needed mana for magic execution would work.’

In a realm where I didn’t need food or sleep, there was no time to waste. For months, I dedicated myself to array books.

And with ongoing magic pursuits, on the day Rice Cake connected for the tenth time, 「The third trial begins.」

「The Inheritance Candidate must choose.」

「The Inheritance Candidate’s stats are limited.」

“Huff!”

With newfound courage from facing such an imposing, boundless power, I realized I was dealing with a more colossal divinity than any I’d absorbed before.

Just standing in its presence felt like my existence was being dwarfed; I let out a bemused snicker.

‘Haha… I expected something strange all along.’

The divinity I’d absorbed from before felt oddly modest. None were astounding. I hadn’t executed any monumental changes with it.

‘I’d only caused slight modifications to the game’s framework and a few additional selections at most.’

However, this time was different; evidently, the preceding trials had merely been preparations for realizing this moment.

Once I realized this, I knew instinctively that this was the final trial.

‘No matter what she’s planning to do, I’m going to absorb this divinity and leave this place.’

While resolving this with determination, the scenery started twisting and painting itself with vibrant hues before my eyes.

Like mixing various paints sketched in abstract artistry, I blinked, trying to adapt to this chaotic view.

Various colors began taking definite forms, as muddy silhouettes rapidly became clear in mere moments.

After that brief wait, I found myself clenching my teeth unconsciously.

Bright tones on the ground and walls illuminated by soft lighting; neatly arranged furniture and decorations devoid of any patterns; familiar paintings, photos, and those dearly missed.

The scenes I’d often revisited in dreams for a long time unfolded before me.

The times when, early each morning, my family gathered to enjoy meals together while our parents were alive.

Despite the passage of time, vivid memories resurrected pristinely right before me.

“Hyunwoo, son? Why so startled in the middle of breakfast?”

The moment my father’s voice reached me, warmer than in my memories…

“Ha…”

Though I wasn’t taught by anyone, I instinctively knew the purpose of this situation, as it penetrated into my brain instantly.

This situation was unmistakably a past memory and simultaneously reality.

To put it precisely, it was as though I’d traveled to the past.

Major events occurring here could neglect the laws of causality, distinguishing space and time with Palao’s divine backing.

The immense divinity felt earlier would make the impossible a reality. Ultimately, palao posed this dilemma to me: Could I use that vast divinity to twist the past and save my parents?

Or should I carry the divinity to save countless lives I’ve never seen?

「The Inheritance Candidate must choose.」

“Damn it…”

The options were so cruel it almost made me curse out loud.

Damned System