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Chapter 83

“It’s an item with various functions. Since it’s what you requested, I believe you’re well aware of it, but if you want, I can write a user manual for you.”

That was all Riley said as we left the library. Yeon-woo couldn’t help but nod, trying to hide his mixed feelings.

“What exactly does he think I know?”

All he wanted was an interdimensional warehouse. It was a hassle to carry around his stuff.

But it was indeed easy to misunderstand. Asking for a specific artifact as a gift from the archive wasn’t exactly normal.

Sometimes, even casual remarks can imply something much deeper for the other party.

But it was okay to say he wasn’t responsible for this case. He thought it was simply an artifact supporting the interdimensional warehouse, never realizing it was such an incredible item…

“Now I finally get it.”

Why Riley from before his regression handed this artifact to him. Current Riley was the same. This wasn’t something you just casually handed over.

Although Yeon-woo had no intention or reason to do so, transferring control of the Gate meant it wouldn’t be strange if everything inside it was sold off immediately. It probably implied that the authority over Relin’s Archive had also passed into Yeon-woo’s hands.

Books that could communicate to some degree but couldn’t really have a conversation had surrounded Riley for decades, so he probably didn’t like this archive very much. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said such things to him before the regression.

Even so, he couldn’t have watched countless magical books burn without any feelings.

Fate is also a connection, so he might have hated the books that were the cause of him being bound to such a place, but for over a decade, they were the only thing that could comfort him.

In that situation, the implication of transferring control of the Gate into the hands of unwelcome intruders wasn’t hard to imagine. It meant that the books fluttering around the cramped archive like butterflies would lose even their free will and become slaves to the invaders.

While Riley held complicated feelings towards the numerous books and the creator Relin, there must have been one thing he didn’t want to accept. He entrusted the ring to a child who had no power and just listened to his story.

He wanted to end this not as the boss, the ‘armed librarian’ of Relin’s Archive, but as Riley, the long-time nemesis of the books.

He must have gifted this artifact to Yeon-woo to throw off the duty of being a manager, lowering his own priorities.

“Though the end turned out that way…”

However, even before the regression, Relin’s Archive remained a targeted Gate. Magical books continued to resist against Hunters. Not all magical books had lost their free will.

Ultimately, it meant that Riley hadn’t fundamentally changed despite any subtle differences, and that reassured Yeon-woo. This gift wasn’t a burden.

It was now clear to him that receiving this gift gratefully could be a form of salvation he could offer.

“…But why the left ring finger, of all places?”

Would Shar go crazy over it…?

“Ugh, ugh, ugh…!”

These days, it dawned on him that awakeners, too, get sore from studying. Yeon-woo thought this as he stretched. Looking out the window, he noticed the sky darkening with the setting sun.

“I guess it’s about time to pick up the kids. Master must have things to do too.”

Even if Yuri took good care of them, his eyes were tired, and he didn’t think he could be efficient doing any more.

“I miss Shar and Tae-oh…!”

It wasn’t about difficult, complicated text he had to memorize but seeing the two children who would run to him with bright smiles and wrap their arms around him when he got home.

The warm, slightly comforting body heat of children hugging him provided a sense of security, even with summer approaching. It’s a joy only parents can experience.

When he said he missed them, the chubby faces brushing against his own didn’t lose out even compared to rice cakes.

When Tae-oh shyly waddled over to hug him.

When Shar charged in with her usual energy.

Only he, their father, could feel that thrill of receiving such affection.

“Our kids are gods.”

Sorry, but he had already decided not to sign a contract with the gods at that moment.

Of course, if a real god offered a contract, he would think about it again. Whether or not he could use Divine Art was indeed an important matter.

“Okay, let’s stop. That’s enough studying for today. I can’t push it anymore.”

Immediately, Yeon-woo organized the open notes and shoved them into Relin’s Warehouse as he stood up.

He had forgotten the past where being alone wasn’t so bad. He had become someone who wouldn’t be able to do without Shar and Tae-oh.

*

“Daddy’s home!!”

“Daddy!!”

“Ah, you’re here.”

As he burst into the Department Head’s Office and bent down, Shar came rushing in as if sucked into Yeon-woo’s arms. Shar barreled in headfirst like a Pachycephalosaurus.

Yeon-woo released Aura throughout his body in response. He shouldn’t underestimate the force of an excited Shar. In fact, she could be even more powerful than when facing an enemy, as she was more relaxed and thus capable of greater power. She was practically a projectile.

He planted his feet firmly on the floor of the Department Head’s Office and prepared to catch her at chest level with both arms. The automatically created gap aided Yeon-woo’s actions.

At the moment of impact, Yeon-woo’s body lifted slightly into the air. He converted the inertia into potential energy.

Yu-wun Sword, First Technique, Lucky Current.

Clouds flow like the current of a river, unable to be grasped by hand.

The technique of proficient reinforcement filled Yeon-woo, allowing him to catch Shar right on the spot.

Finally, he completed the catch and spun around. This wasn’t to mitigate the shock; it was because Shar loved to be spun around like this.

“Oh, our Shar, did you have a good day? Did you listen well to Master?”

“I did! But I missed you a little…!!”

“I see, I see!”

When he rubbed cheeks with Shar, he felt a warm object slam against his right leg. Yeon-woo suppressed a smile and turned his gaze that way.

“…Did you get home safely…?”

“I did, yes, I came back just fine!!”

Lifting Shar onto his left shoulder, he hoisted Tae-oh with his right arm. He used to get flustered by this lift, but now Tae-oh seemed to have adapted, grinning.

“Did you behave well, Tae-oh? You didn’t fight with your sister, did you?”

“…Yeah. Shar gave me jelly. I thanked her.”

“I see, I see! How can our kids be so sweet!!”

He rubbed the cheeks of both kids with his, and they laughed and squealed, making the scene utterly delightful.

“Maybe there should have been kids even before the regression…”

He truly felt like he’d missed out on half his life. Murmuring to himself while hoisting the kids on his shoulders, Yeon-woo turned to Yuri with a bright expression.

“Thank you for taking care of the kids again today, Master!”

“Just open the door quietly when you come in. What kind of place do you think this is that you’re about to wreck everything?”

“But as soon as I stand at the door, I can’t help but want to see the kids!”

“Sigh, I’ll forgive you because they’re cute… So, how’s exam prep going?”

“Kind of alright, I guess?”

“Well, as long as you barely pass, it’s fine. What’s important is practical experience… Hm? What’s that ring? I haven’t seen that before?”

Yuri’s eyes shifted towards Yeon-woo’s left hand. The ring from Relin’s Warehouse sparkled.

He thought about taking it off and putting it somewhere else, but decided to keep it as a sign of ownership.

“Why, it’s that ring I was supposed to get from Riley. He handed it over today. That matter is progressing smoothly, right?”

“It should be. The head of the Magic Tower is greedy, but since it benefits me, he won’t interfere. The president wouldn’t have any particular thoughts about it either. The librarian wouldn’t refuse either, considering it adds to the collection.”

“In that case, it should go off without a hitch.”

“Yeah, unless some accident happens unexpectedly. How likely do you think that is?”

Yeon-woo pondered for a moment. To be honest, security wasn’t great.

The librarians had known but had been too lazy to do anything about it. If someone looked closely, they might find footage of Riley.

“…There’s no way it won’t happen.”

Yeon-woo thought that way. Managing the CCTV was up to the Hunters. Once they discovered that footage, there was no way they wouldn’t sniff out the scent of money.

“Still, it’s not to prevent accidents. Our disciple.”

“…Yes.”

“Alright, let’s hear your reasoning. I know how much effort you’ve put into that Gate this past month. You told the guardians that citizenship should be guaranteed and the freedom of magical books respected, even if they’re classified as monsters.”

“That’s right.”

“Then why should it be that way?”

Yeon-woo looked down at the ring on his finger. He thought it was surely a necessary process. However, can it really be done that way? He couldn’t substitute the morality and ethics that would link to that answer.

Was it really acceptable? If even one magical book got harmed, or if even one innocent person were to suffer, everything would have been for nothing.

In that moment, warmth enveloped Yeon-woo’s head, as if being embraced by a sandwich. It was Shar and Tae-oh. Both understood what he was saying. They could have voiced an opinion, but instead, they chose to hug him.

Thinking that what was right… might not be so, Yeon-woo opened his mouth.

“We need to attract the remnants of the Dark Guild that are still hiding, and for their autonomy.”

Since the Gate opened, humans had to prove their own strength. If they couldn’t prove their strength, they’d either die or be eliminated. It was due to the strong and noble that the world could sustain society.

Visitors from another dimension must prove their strength. They needed to show that they could coexist with this realm alongside the three dimensions that had settled here, rather than being protected.

“…Well, I guess I have to let them know.”

In the end, it was no different than using them as bait, but now he had a reason he couldn’t avoid sharing.

(Continued in the next episode)

 

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