Chapter 7: Different From His Memories (2)
The mansion where Lee Rin lived was enormous.
It was so large that she sometimes felt like a doll inside a dollhouse.
At first, she had loved the huge mansion.
She thought she would never have to stay inside a small room again.
But this mansion wasn’t really different from the tiny room she used to live in.
It had simply grown bigger, just as she had grown older.
It was still nothing more than a prison.
The only people who ever came and went were her older brother, Lee Shin, and the housekeeper who looked after her.
She couldn’t even see her parents anymore like she used to.
She was lonely.
She ate, slept, read books, played alone with an old game console, and watched cartoons and movies from nearly a hundred years ago on DVDs, which had become relics.
She wanted to see a bigger world.
She wanted to go outside.
She wanted to meet more people.
Or… even if she couldn’t meet many people, she wished she could see her brother every single day.
Maybe that wish had finally come true.
She was able to spend so much time with him now.
That alone made her happy.
She knew he was always busy with training, school, and family matters.
So she never complained or asked him not to leave.
Besides, she believed he was so busy because of her.
She couldn’t bring herself to complain.
She always forced herself to wake up just before he left so she could see him off.
She stayed awake until he came home.
That was all she could do.
But now…
She could stay with him all day.
Was it because he had graduated?
Ban Jung-hoon kept visiting, so he still seemed busy.
He’s a bad person.
He keeps interrupting my time with Big Brother.
Lee Rin hid behind the sofa and glared at Ban Jung-hoon.
Ban Jung-hoon simply smiled and waved.
Lee Rin puffed out her cheeks.
“Why are you still here?”
“Agh, fine.”
“I’m leaving.”
“So unfair.”
Lee Shin came out of the room and chased Ban Jung-hoon away.
Lee Rin happily ran toward her brother as if he were a hero who had defeated a villain.
She hid behind Lee Shin and stuck out her tongue at Ban Jung-hoon.
“Ah…”
“She’s so cute.”
Ban Jung-hoon clutched his chest and staggered backward.
Lee Shin’s eyes immediately turned fierce.
“Get out.”
Like chasing away a criminal, Lee Shin mercilessly kicked Ban Jung-hoon out.
The mansion became quiet again.
Lee Rin looked around before asking,
“What should we play?”
“You’re going to play with me?”
Her eyes grew wide.
“We played yesterday too.”
“Why are you surprised?”
“But…”
“I’m not busy.”
“…Really?”
“Really.”
“Ban Jung-hoon will handle everything.”
He’s actually a good person!
Lee Rin smiled brightly toward the door Ban Jung-hoon had just left through.
If Ban Jung-hoon had seen that smile, he probably would have clutched his heart again.
In front of the Normal-Rank Gate leading to the Spirit Realm…
The area was crowded with newly graduated superhumans and their families.
“Wow…”
“So this is the Spirit Realm Gate…”
“It’s my first time seeing it this close.”
“It looked huge from far away, but up close…”
The gigantic gate resembled the entrance to a castle.
Streams of fire, water, wind, earth, light, and darkness intertwined together, creating a mysterious sight.
Everyone stared at it in amazement.
But as they waited longer…
Their nervousness grew.
South Korea had only two Otherworld Gates.
A Normal-Rank Gate leading to the Spirit Realm.
And an Advanced-Rank Gate leading to the Immortal Realm.
Most Korean superhumans learned martial arts when they were young.
After becoming adults, they entered the Spirit Realm to make their first spirit contract.
Using their own country’s gate was much better for future growth than using a foreign one.
The first spirit they contracted with was commonly called the Beginning Spirit.
Since people believed that first choices were extremely important, this day was one of the biggest moments in a superhuman’s life.
It was like the college entrance exam for ordinary people.
Actually…
It was even more important.
“Don’t be too nervous.”
“Just show the results of your training.”
“The spirit’s rank isn’t what matters.”
“You need one you can actually control.”
“Don’t be greedy.”
“You can increase its rank later.”
“The spirit you contract with today will shape your future.”
“Only contract with the one you planned for.”
“Don’t let the spirits trick you.”
“Choose only one.”
Elemental compatibility had a huge impact on future growth.
If someone’s Beginning Spirit was fire, it would become difficult to contract with water spirits later.
If it was darkness, they couldn’t contract with light spirits.
Likewise, spirits with conflicting personalities or poor relationships couldn’t easily coexist.
That was why the Beginning Spirit was so important.
The same was true for Eugene.
“Are you nervous?”
Eugene turned around after looking around the area.
“Grandma!”
“What are you doing here?”
“My grandson is going to make his first contract.”
“Of course I came to see you off.”
“You really didn’t have to…”
Eugene smiled awkwardly.
He knew how busy Yoo Sung-hee was.
He felt both grateful and guilty that she had come.
Seeing through his thoughts, Yoo Sung-hee smiled gently.
“More importantly…”
“Are you nervous?”
“Nervous?”
“Not really.”
“Then why do you keep looking around?”
“Oh.”
“I couldn’t find Shin.”
“…Shin?”
“You mean Lee Shin?”
“Are you two close?”
Yoo Sung-hee’s expression stiffened.
She hadn’t expected that answer.
“We’re not close…”
“But I’d like to become friends.”
“It’s just harder than I thought.”
“You wanted to be friends with him?”
“Even back at the academy?”
“Yeah.”
“…”
He’s still such a pure child.
Spirit Contractors served as the eyes and ears of spirits.
Through them, spirits observed the human world.
The Water Spirit King, Varunadias, was also watching through Yoo Sung-hee.
That included watching Eugene.
Lord Varunadias.
Such an adorable child.
Don’t you think?
He is.
But I’m worried.
Can someone like him really survive such a harsh world?
Why worry?
I’ll always be with him.
The Water Spirit King was extremely good at sensing evil because of his own pure nature.
As long as he protected Eugene, avoiding malicious people wouldn’t be difficult.
“Jin.”
“Why do you want to be friends with Lee Shin?”
“He’s just…”
“Amazing.”
“Watching him motivates me.”
Many people felt discouraged when they met someone more talented than themselves.
Eugene wasn’t like that.
He simply admired them.
Then worked harder to catch up.
“You’ve been compared to him countless times.”
“Doesn’t it bother you?”
“It does.”
“I’d be lying if I said it didn’t.”
“But Shin really is incredible.”
From the day Lee Shin transferred from America, people had constantly compared the two of them.
And it wasn’t just simple comparisons.
Their families had been rivals for generations.
Everyone knew that.
“Who should demonstrate this?”
“Lee Shin and Eugene?”
“It’s those two again.”
“They’re already beyond student level.”
“Especially Lee Shin.”
People always grouped them together.
Every time Eugene fought Lee Shin, he lost.
But he never gave up.
As long as he kept trying, he believed he hadn’t truly lost.
He believed every defeat would eventually lead to victory.
Just like the tortoise had defeated the hare.
So this time too…
“Please wait for me!”
“I’ll definitely succeed!”
Eugene’s eyes shone with determination.
He wanted to make a contract with the Spirit King before Lee Shin and set a new record.
“The Spirit King is also looking forward to meeting you.”
“You don’t need to worry.”
Yoo Sung-hee gently patted his shoulder.
“I’m not worried.”
“For some reason…”
“I just feel like everything will work out.”
“Is that so?”
Watching through Yoo Sung-hee’s eyes, the Water Spirit King felt his expectations growing.
I’m looking forward to this.
Really?
His soul is so clear and pure.
I almost wish it would stay that way forever.
Sorry.
I’ve become worn down by life.
I’m not blaming you.
Humans naturally change quickly.
You’ve actually changed very little.
The Water Spirit King continued watching Eugene.
He had watched him ever since he was a baby.
He had never seen someone remain this pure for so long.
Of course Eugene had changed.
His body and mind had matured.
But the purity of his soul had remained untouched.
With a soul like that…
I may finally be able to fully manifest myself on Earth.
Spirit Contractors acted as windows through which spirits appeared.
The better the compatibility, the more of a spirit’s true power could be revealed.
Varunadias, the Water Spirit King, represented purity and nobility.
A soul as pure as Eugene’s was the perfect vessel.
“Eugene entered the Spirit Realm.”
“Is that so?”
Lee Shin answered without much interest as he turned another page of the report.
It contained information about Canada’s superhuman community.
Although there hadn’t been enough time to gather detailed intelligence, it was enough to understand the general situation.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“Whether he’ll succeed?”
“He will.”
“…Really?”
“That’s unexpected.”
“Why?”
In the webtoon…
Normal Mode…
And Hard Mode…
Eugene had never failed to make a contract with the Water Spirit King.
There was no reason to think this time would be different.
The only question was how quickly he would return.
Since this isn’t Normal Mode…
He’ll probably return at the same speed as in the webtoon.
In Normal Mode, the timing affected whether a Hidden Dungeon appeared.
In the webtoon and Hard Mode, nothing changed.
The audience couldn’t interfere with Eugene’s actions.
Reality might be slightly different.
But there was no reason for anything to change.
“You think more highly of Eugene than I expected.”
“You never acted that way before.”
Lee Shin looked away from the Hidden Dungeon in his thoughts and replied calmly.
“He’s still foolish.”
“Then why?”
“Because that’s exactly what the Water Spirit King wants.”
“What?”
“Then…”
“Wait.”
“How do you know that?”
Everyone knew spirits preferred certain types of contractors.
Many people even bought information to increase their chances of making contracts.
But information about Spirit Kings was almost impossible to obtain.
Only a handful of people within the Spirit King families knew it.
“If that weren’t true…”
“Why would his family raise Eugene that way?”
“He’s supposed to become their next leader.”
“They wouldn’t let him stay that naive without a reason.”
“I suppose that’s true…”
“But still…”
Ban Jung-hoon was surprised.
He had always thought Eugene was naturally like that.
“Then what does the Fire Spirit King want?”
“You know the answer already.”
“Just look at how my family has raised me.”
“Uh…”
“A sharp tongue?”
“Rude?”
“A cruel person?”
Do you want to die?
Lee Shin slowly looked up from the report.
Ban Jung-hoon immediately lowered his eyes.
His life was precious.
“Agnatius prefers those who are aggressive, powerful, and always striving to become stronger.”
Agnatius.
The name of the Fire Spirit King who protected Lee Shin’s family.
“Oh…”
“So that’s why…”
Ban Jung-hoon finally understood.
He remembered how harshly Lee Shin’s family had pushed him.
He had always thought they were simply bullying him.
But they had only been shaping him into the type of person the Fire Spirit King preferred.
“But…”
“You’re not aggressive.”
“You don’t really care about becoming stronger either.”
“You’re strong…”
“But that’s different.”
How do you know that?
That question was written all over Lee Shin’s face.
Ban Jung-hoon grinned.
“Come on.”
“I’ve stayed by your side for five years.”
“Do you think I wouldn’t notice?”
From the outside, Lee Shin looked like a ruthless tyrant.
Someone who despised the weak.
Someone obsessed with strength and victory.
Someone who never backed down from a fight.
Someone with a terrible personality.
Well…
His personality is pretty bad.
Still…
Ban Jung-hoon believed those behaviors were only ways Lee Shin had chosen to survive.
They weren’t his true nature.
Especially after remembering the first time they met in America.
“It was only five years.”
“Only?”
Ban Jung-hoon became indignant.
He had suffered plenty while serving Lee Shin.
How could he call it “only” five years?
His memories of first meeting Lee Shin in America quickly disappeared.
His years of hardship took their place.
“Do you know what it’s like?”
“I’ve practically stayed beside you every waking hour.”
“Most people would feel uncomfortable.”
“But you just acted like it was normal and kept making me work.”
Lee Shin ignored the complaints and continued reading the report.
Finding out why Canada’s superhuman society differed from Jinwoo’s memories was far more important.
“Hmm…”
“Maybe it’s just the timing.”
He quietly muttered to himself.
Seeing that Lee Shin wasn’t listening anymore, Ban Jung-hoon asked,
“What do you mean?”
“Right now they’re called Canada’s Five Great Guilds.”
“But after some time…”
“There might only be Four Great Guilds.”
“…Wait.”
“You’re not planning to drive them apart, are you?”
Lee Shin frowned slightly.
“Not at all.”
“I’m saying one of them already looks ready to collapse on its own.”
“Oh…”
“The Ines Guild and the Brassier Guild?”
Ban Jung-hoon finally understood.
The Ines Guild and the Brassier Guild were both guilds made entirely of Fire Mages.
Unlike the other major guilds, their territories and businesses overlapped.
Because of that, they had never gotten along.
Their annual guild wars had practically become a tradition.
“I thought it was something serious.”
“They’re just like rival sports teams.”
“Like your guild and Eugene’s guild.”
“No.”
“Ihwa and Hyeonmu operate in different fields.”
Lee Shin’s family led the Ihwa Guild.
Eugene’s family led the Hyeonmu Guild.
Although they were rivals, their main areas of activity barely overlapped.
“Fire and water.”
“Business and dungeon raids.”
“We compete.”
“But we cooperate even more.”
Ihwa focused on businesses using resources from other worlds.
Hyeonmu focused on clearing dungeons and fighting monsters.
They competed in guild rankings.
Rarely in actual business.
“That’s true.”
“Ines and Brassier fight all the time.”
“But they’re evenly matched.”
“I don’t think either one is close to collapsing.”
“I haven’t seen any signs.”
He wasn’t wrong.
At least according to the information he had gathered.
“It’s difficult to build something.”
“But destroying it only takes a moment.”
The Otherworld Covenant was a game with tremendous freedom.
Depending on the player’s choices, completely new stories could appear.
Stories from the webtoon could disappear.
Unlike the webtoon, perhaps the Ines Guild wouldn’t collapse.
But that only happened if the player interfered.
Without intervention…
The original story followed the webtoon.
If Lee Shin did nothing…
The Ines Guild would definitely fall.
“Companies and guilds disappear every year.”
“So what?”
“But a guild ranked among the Top Five?”
“It won’t disappear that easily.”
Lee Shin couldn’t help smiling.
Even the world’s fourth-largest investment bank could collapse overnight.
How impressive could the Ines Guild really be?
Besides…
The largest company in this country is about to change owners too.
Lee Shin confidently raised one hand.
Ban Jung-hoon tilted his head.
“Five years.”
“What?”
“It’ll collapse within five years.”
“What are you talking about?”
“There weren’t any warning signs.”
Ban Jung-hoon himself had investigated Canada’s guilds.
If one of the Five Great Guilds was going to collapse within five years, there should have been clues.
He hadn’t found any.
“Unless someone interferes.”
“What?”
Ban Jung-hoon blinked in confusion.
What does that mean?
Someone interferes?
Does he mean someone causes the collapse?
Or someone could stop it from happening?
Questions flooded his mind.
After thinking for a while, he looked at Lee Shin suspiciously.
“What exactly are you planning?”
Tap. Tap.
Lee Shin lightly tapped the report.
Under his fingertip was someone’s photograph.
“Investigate this person.”
“If we tell them who the traitor is…”
“They’ll be grateful.”
“And in return…”
“We might get permission to use the gate.”
“Or perhaps something even more valuable.”
