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Chapter 277: “How Have You Been, Sister?”

“How have you been, Sister Claire?”

“You came late this vacation, didn’t you? I thought my neck would stretch waiting!”

Seeing Claire sulking with her lips puffed out, Yeon-woo broke into a cold sweat.

Although Claire appeared to be in her twenties with her youthful fairy-like features, face to face with someone who roughly knew her age, Yeon-woo couldn’t help but feel a bit sheepish.

“Did you just think something you can’t say out loud?”

As if reading Yeon-woo’s thoughts, Claire immediately shot back with a warning. Her sharp emerald eyes seemed ready to pierce right through him.

Of course, Claire wouldn’t actually try to kill him, but the tension was definitely palpable.

…Right?

Yeon-woo narrowed his eyes at Claire, who was grinning mischievously like a princess watching a scheming villain. With a questioning gaze, he waited for her response, but she said nothing.

“Come on in! I missed you tons! The kids are waiting too!”

As Claire flung open the orphanage door, a wave of children flooded out from behind it.

“Brother!!”

“Hyung!!”

“Hahaha, you little rascals, hahaha!”

“Where are Shar and Tae-oh!? No gifts today!?”

“Hahaha.”

It was only natural. While they eagerly greeted their pretty and handsome peers, they wouldn’t treat a brother nearly ten years older than them without expecting something in return.

Someone must have taught them well. Yeon-woo, who emphasized manners and trust, recognized that being straightforward when needed was also essential.

“Kids, go play now.”

“Okay!!”

“Roar! I’m a tiger!”

Like a human-shaped robot launching from a hangar, Shar bravely stepped out, while Tae-oh, dressed as a tiger controlling shadows, jumped in among the kids. Since ancient times, wise men have said, “Children can only be defeated by other children.”

Seeing Shar and Tae-oh dancing among the kids like legendary warriors devouring the battlefield, Yeon-woo wore a satisfied smile.

“They are such free-spirited children.”

“I’m glad if they seem that way.”

“Hehe. This proves that Yeon-woo works hard as a father. I’m happy to see the seeds I sowed bear fruit.”

“Well, they did bear a fruit that looks a bit unusual.”

“Only someone as wonderful as Yeon-woo can produce such pretty fruits. Don’t you think so?”

Amid the cheerful exchange, a familiar voice chimed in.

Yeon-woo quickly turned to see shimmering golden hair shining beautifully like the radiant sun.

“Nea! When did you get here!?”

“I came down early to see Sister… um, Sister Claire.”

When Yeon-woo asked, Nea answered. What was she trying to say at first? As Yeon-woo looked at her with curiosity, Claire smiled brightly.

“It’s a humble place, but please make yourself comfortable.”

I remodeled it myself… it stings a bit to hear humble…

*

“Ah! Hello, Yeon-woo! It’s been a while!”

The reason for coming to the orphanage was not only to rest but also to take care of a few things. Like asking Claire for tips on using a great sword.

“Hi, Kesh. How have you been?”

It was also to meet Kesh, the tree of life’s friend. Yeon-woo gave a cheerful wave to the palm-sized fairy greeting him excitedly.

After all, the tree sap from the tree of life was something Yeon-woo absolutely couldn’t skip in his plans.

“I heard the tree is doing well today?”

“It’s feeling good! It’s happy to see you, Yeon-woo!”

“Me?”

“Yeah! It’s grateful too! Because you brought it to such a nice place!”

Yeon-woo awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. Though he didn’t do it specifically for them, receiving thanks made things feel a bit embarrassing.

Feeling a bit out of place, Yeon-woo sat down nearby. Since he was already here, he thought he might as well have a chat.

“Is Sister Claire treating you well?”

“Sister Claire is amazing! She visits regularly to purify and takes the kids to play! Both the tree and I love the children!”

Kesh flapped her arms and legs excitedly. Seems like she really loves those kids.

Feeling a bit uneasy hearing that coming from a fairy, Yeon-woo couldn’t help but worry. You know, changelings are pretty famous, right? Kids who’ve been swapped by fairies and whatnot.

Noticing Yeon-woo’s concern, Kesh burst into laughter.

“Hahaha, don’t worry! I wouldn’t kidnap anyone! I think kids are cute, but honestly, I don’t want to raise them. Besides, if I tried to kidnap someone, Sister Claire would slice me in half!”

“That’s true.”

If she even tried something similar, she’d probably end up cut into two pieces. Claire was not one to be trifled with.

“So I won’t! I don’t want to ruin the good relationship between you and Sister Claire!”

The sincerity in Kesh’s smile convinced Yeon-woo. Even if Kesh did go through with a kidnapping, there’d probably be no place to take them apart from here anyway.

“Well, no problem then. Sorry for jumping to conclusions.”

“It’s fine! When I was in the woods, I was tormented by monsters, so this is nothing!”

With that surprisingly arduous declaration, Yeon-woo chuckled as he fiddled with his ring.

“Here’s a gift instead.”

“Whoa!”

Kesh caught a cake box that fell from midair with her entire body.

Yeon-woo hurriedly helped it sink to the ground. Guess it might be a little heavy for the fairy.

“Thanks! Is it sweet?!”

“Yep. Enjoy it. I’m giving it to you as a gesture of goodwill, so you don’t have to feel burdened.”

“Got it! Thanks, Yeon-woo!!”

As Kesh wiped the whipped cream off her palm while thanking him, Yeon-woo excused himself.

*

Time flies incredibly fast. Especially from the end of the first grade to just before the second grade winter vacation, it felt that way since there hadn’t been any notable incidents.

Of course, numerous events that hadn’t happened before his regression took place, so he didn’t let his guard down when gathering information.

Now, with a solid sense of information gathering, Yeon-woo, along with Je-gal, Nam-goong, and Tang-ga’s intelligence, ignored the thought that nothing was happening.

Thus, for nearly a year, Yeon-woo focused on preparation. Collaborating with Sullivan, he organized the lineup of throwable potions and was ready for the magical power enhancement’s release. He refined his swordsmanship and diligently practiced magic.

He seemed to be getting somewhat skilled at crafting magical tools, but it was still a challenging field for him. It kept getting harder…

Though he had yet to succeed with dragon transformation, he managed to grasp some clues. This was due to Nea’s special dragon lessons conducted over the first-grade winter break.

Because of that, for a period, Shar spoke peculiarly, but it was quite adorable.

Anyway, the key point was the upcoming incident planned for the second-grade winter break. It was the so-called “Destruction Incident of Hoiyeon City,” where one of the most elusive Demon Kings, the Thursday Demon King, was set to make an appearance.

Naturally, given the scale of a Demon King physically manifesting, it was more than Yeon-woo alone could handle.

To repel it, he summoned all strong individuals he could. Delain, Yuri, and the Martial King Hyuk Mu-ryeon.

As for Richard, who couldn’t make it due to circumstances, and Claire, who needed to protect the Tree of Life, there was no way Yeon-woo could force them into this predicament.

However, it was a relief that the Crescent Moon Order’s knights were willing to provide support, as he managed to meet the minimum personnel requirement, which was crucial for guiding the evacuation of Hoiyeon City.

“Alright, I’ve packed plenty of recovery potions and ample weaponry…”

“Is there anything else to prepare?”

“I don’t know much about the Thursday Demon King. I can’t devise strategies for the matchups since I just don’t know how…”

“Hmm, for sure. They say it’s a Demon King related to time…”

In about two weeks, the Clock Tower of Hoiyeon City would fall into the hands of the Thursday Demon King.

Saying “fall into the hands” feels awkward. Essentially, one could think of an entire city transforming into a Demon King’s gate.

When time splits, space also shatters to follow. In each fragmented space, people trapped in that moment appear along with parasites that consume time.

Before his regression, the destruction of Hoiyeon City unfolded in this manner. It could easily be dubbed the second “Stalled Thursday” incident, where countless people suffered deaths that weren’t quite deaths.

In a fixed moment stuck in time, unable to move on their own and repetitively performing the same actions—what else could one call that but death?

“Feeling pretty heavy, honestly.”

“Should we repel it before it shows up and starts messing around, or wait until we’re completely swallowed by its power and then confront it…”

“Right. The latter seems tough since we’d need to weaken its power first.”

“If the former fails, we’ll get swept away.”

“True…”

To be honest, this wasn’t a place to bring a bunch of second years.

Of course, given that they’ve practically reached the expert level in Aura since first grade, it’s not like they’d be unable to handle it, but even so, suggesting they go fight a Demon King before graduation feels like crossing a line.

Yet, it would be odd to refuse when they’re eager to go. At sixteen, being late-stage Aura Expert means it’s time for them to follow the path they’ve chosen.

Caught in a complex mix of feelings, Yeon-woo rubbed his chin.

“…Hmm, maybe I should train a bit more.”

If he had it his way, he wouldn’t want to even glance at the Demon King’s face until he became an Aura Master, but what could he do? If the entire population of Hoiyeon City were to die…

After all, there was no guarantee he’d become an Aura Master, so he had no choice but to challenge it.

“Baek In-hwa, Kim Yoo-min, and Darius…”

To be honest, Darius joining this group caught him completely off guard.

He thought he’d have zero interest in gathering people, but when Yeon-woo gazed at him with puzzled eyes, he retorted why he was staring so intensely.

Could it be that before he was an assassin, he was a hunter?

Darius didn’t become an expert in Aura until summer of second grade, yet his skills were extraordinary.

With his trickster-like attributes, Yeon-woo couldn’t help but believe he’d be useful.

“…Ugh, so worrisome.”

He’d just saved Baek In-hwa, and now he worried what trouble might arise, and if Kim Yoo-min faced an incident here, he was afraid of how Kim Hyun-soo would react—his worries wouldn’t stop coming.

Battling a Demon King stirred up feelings of immense pressure. His lips felt parched, and the skin on his body tingled.

(Continued in the next chapter)

 

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