Chapter 277: Accepting(1)

"...Is it safe outside? I been here for a while, everyone must be worried."

The jellyfish guy said he managed to break in and create a hole. Although it was an intrusion through the dungeon, it could lead to unforeseen events. In response to my cautious inquiry, Changeling nodded and lowered itself in front of me.

- Time barely passes here since it's sort of a gap. It might have a slight impact on Dad's world, but it's fine.

"A slight impact?"

- Dad's living place is fine.

"...What about the other countries?"

The pink-tinted, silver-scaled dragon sat down like a person and gathered its front paws in front of its chest. Its large blinking eyes seemed to be trying to look cute.

- It's not easy to completely envelop the entire world, so I made Dad's country thicker. The rest are a bit thinner.

"Thinner... is that okay?"

- The original protective power is still intact. If that also disappears, will the dungeon difficulties increase even faster for other countries?

Even faster. They said it would accelerate due to the regression.

"When will the original power disappear?"

- I don't know either. It could disappear in a few days or last for several years. Since the hole is still here, Dad needs to be careful. Dad's country will be safe as long as it's there. I've strengthened it well.

Changeling swayed its tail, like asking me to trust him. Well, even if other countries collapse, ours won't be unscathed. It's not an isolated island; monsters can come from anywhere. Even if it's an island, flying monsters could still come.

But if it weren't for it, we would have been in trouble.

"You did well."

As I petted its head, it happily flattened its ears backward. Its slight whimpering made it seem like a kitten.

I stared blankly at Changeling, I felt hollow. Despite Chaining's power still being active, returning to F-grade felt even more draining than before. I tried not to dwell too deeply on it. This incident was over. It's done. It seemed all right, no major issues arose.

"Now... we should go back."

- The protective shield hasn't fully stabilized yet. Just a little longer.

"Yeah. Once the shield stabilizes, you won't be able to use that power, right?"

There weren't many expectations. The King of Harmlessness had an extraordinary ability. It would be a complete scam if it weren't one-time use. It's like a one-time use wish stone. But to my surprise, Changeling nodded its head affirmatively.

- I can only use my original ability.

"Your original ability?"

- The ability to materialize fantasies. I'm using it on Dad right now. But I can't do it perfectly like before.

Even if it's not perfect, it would be an incredibly useful ability for me.

"How much can you do?"

- Use someone else's ability for a short time? The strongest person, like Uncle's, would be tough. Dad wouldn't be able to handle it. Guarding would be possible, but it would still be burdensome for Dad. The strength of S-rank hunters around Dad is similar.

Hearing that, I remembered what Ruga Peya said. I've messed up my life with skills that my stats couldn't handle.

It wasn't surprisingly strange. I've heard similar stories before the regression. Like hunters who weakened themselves by overusing combat skills. Higher-ranked hunters, whose basic stats, or you could say, physical endurance, supported them, could sometimes endure reckless actions. But for intermediate and lower-ranked hunters, it was risky.

Still, since my skills were support-oriented and didn't have a physical impact on my body, I thought it would be okay. Healing skills were generally high in relation to stats, so I didn't think support skills would be an issue. But apparently, it wasn't the case. Fifty years seems short. Ishould live longer than Yuhyeon. Is it until I turn fifty or since I gained the L-rank titles? I don't know. If it's another 50 years, it's not a small amount since it would make me 75 years old.

Thankfully, Myeongwoo's stats are increasing. Maybe it was Shallos's consideration, he's hoping for a successor who wouldn't die early. He's a good person.

"Don't make unnecessary remarks when you go out. Don't mention anything you've seen here."

- I have to sleep for a while so I can't speak. But, Dad.

"Even if I neglect my body, if the world collapses, I won't live for more than five years. If we succeed in saving the world, well, maybe we can get an item to extend my lifespan. Other options might come up. In a world where dead people are brought back to life, a lifespan is nothing."

I don't plan to die early. At the same time, I don't just want protection from people who worry about me. Once they find out, there won't be just one person trying to hold me back.

- Don't overdo it.

"Of course, I won't. When I get back, I should take care of my body. And exercise."

Even if Stamina Potions were created, it would be better to refrain from working all night. And, um.

'How to recruit newcomers.'

Since our world was on the brink of destruction, we should try coercion and persuasion with that. Although the newcomers were willing to help us, I felt somewhat sorry, but it's not like we're in a position to be picky. If the Transcendents notice any suspicious signs after this incident, or if the Crescent Moon wakes up, we won't be able to handle it.

I honestly don't care about other worlds; they can do whatever they want without our help. I just want to save our world. Don't even think about helping us beyond that. Don't think about taking care of other neighborhoods, and don't use us and my children.

'If we meet the conditions to save our world, it might be over.'

Yoohyun before the regression was stronger than SS-rank guards. And the current Yoohyun is likely to become even stronger. Because I have my skills. Others were the same.

I don't know exactly how strong the dungeon will become, but in about two years, it should be able to withstand even SSS-rank, let alone SS-rank. Maybe even L-rank. Even though no L-rank monsters appeared in the world of the guards who had perished.

If the lack of information about L-rank monsters means that only SSS-rank appeared until the extinction, then it means that we can defend ourselves without the help of the Transcendents. As long as we have enough time.

'Why won't the damned Transcendents tell us exactly how much preparation is needed to protect our world?'

They could at least tell us that. Why hide it? Perhaps the real goal is to use us to save other worlds. Once they think we meet the conditions to save our world, they won't push us to work recklessly anymore.

Does it make sense that the fickle Transcendents give more information than the loyalists? "Just gather fifty S-ranks, and we'll take care of the rest!" What a load of crap. You have to behave credibly to be believed.

But I can't capture those bastards as easily as Ruga Peya.. In the end, the only way seems to be to target newcomers, as Ruga said. Maybe I should buy them gifts. What do they like?

As I was contemplating the stifling future, my mind oddly calmed down. Being busy not thinking about useless things is the best. So.

- Beep!

"...Hm?"

Suddenly, nonsense was heard. Chirpie wouldn't be here...

- Beep beep.

"Chirpie?!"

It was indeed chirpie. The white, round baby bird had suddenly appeared and was eagerly trying to swallow a marble, oh!

"Chirpie! No!"

It was Ruca Peya's marble. Chirpie had somehow managed to shove the marble, which had been lying around, into its beak. It had nearly swallowed it whole, with only a small portion sticking out. I quickly got up and grabbed Chirpie, but...

- Plop.

"Beep!"

It was already too late. What could I do if it swallowed it! Normally, Beep would find it difficult to swallow a marble whole, even if it were A-rank, but Rca Peya's marble, being unusually small, was easy for it to eat on its own. I tried shaking Chirpie upside down, but it just flapped around, showing no signs of spitting out the marble.

- Beep beep!

"Are you hurt anywhere? How did you even get here? I told you to wait quietly!"

- It's difficult to come here.

Changeling climbed onto my shoulder and said.

- The spatial teleportation skill is very, uh, Dad!

Changeling was surprised, and I felt it too. My vision momentarily darkened, and a strong pressure seemed to crush me from all sides. It felt like being squeezed by the pressure of the deep sea.

- Beep.

My vision brightened. A white snowflake brushed past my nose.

- Dad, look!

It was snowing. Continuously. In the midst of it, Beep was bobbing up and down. It was a scenery I had seen somewhere before.

A white bird flew amidst the white snow. Beyond that, a giant tree could be seen. A white tree with countless branches.

Before understanding the situation, my heart began to ache. Could it be...?

- With Dad's current stats, you can endure it, but still, bringing you here...

I don't have much time left to maintain my ability. I have to go back before then. As soon as I heard Changeling's words, I started walking. Chirpie was flying ahead. Snow piled up on my feet. Even though I hadn't walked far, my breath reached my chin.

And then it appeared.

"..."

My mouth opened, but even though my brother's name was on the tip of my tongue, no sound came out.

He was lying there quietly. As if asleep. With a slightly pale face.

I...

"...Ugh."

Honestly, I... It didn't feel completely real. It might have been due to the resistance of fear. Blurring the sense of reality. Even the moment I held my breath, hugging my brother, it was only for a moment. And soon, I faced my perfectly alive brother.

"...Ugh..."

Yoohyun cried, laughed, got angry, and stood by my side the whole time. His hand was warm in mine. His gaze, his voice, his breath, everything felt clear.

With him right in front of me, could it all just be my imagination? Could I be wrong? Maybe it's all just a dream or delusion, and I'm going crazy, and nothing happened to us.

"...Ah..."

All those escape routes crumbled. The reality in front of my eyes pierced through my defenses. The moments of time that had passed reasonably well suddenly flooded my entire being.

I knelt on the snow. I reached out my hand. The tips of my fingers felt freezing cold. Despite being so cold, he didn't feel like a corpse at all. His cheeks were soft, without a single flaw, too perfect, too clean, but...

My heart sank.

"...Really."

He's dead. He's really dead.

...I don't remember what I said last. It couldn't have been resentment. It couldn't have been anything unpleasant. If only I could have said the kindest words to you.

But at that moment, I, to you... You smiled for the last time, but I...

"I should have told you it's okay..."

Yoohyun, you saved me, so I'll be okay. Thank you. I'm sorry. I love you.

I love you, even how many times.

- Dad. We need to go back before you become F-rank again.

Changeling said I couldn't endure it with my body. But I hugged my brother's body.

"How could I... leave Yoohyun behind...?"

- You can't take him with you. He won't last as a mere corpse. Or maybe, Dad wans stay here for now.

"No."

We could end it here. We could use Yoohyun's skills to send him off. But my brother...

"We have to... take him home."

I remembered Yoohyun being happy to come back to 'home'. How much he must have wanted to come back. For all those long years. For years, he had to live alone, feeling lonely, not even thinking of it as his home. Until the end.

So we have to go home. We have to go now. Even if Yoohyun doesn't feel anything, doesn't even know... If I can't even do that...

"Let's go home, Yoohyun. I'll somehow take you home."

If we wait just a little longer, then.

- Beep.

- Dad.

"Just a little longer, just a little longer..."

Since there's still a way to bring you back safely. So I'll do whatever it takes to take you home.

Chirpie flew up onto my head. Changeling tapped my shoulder with its front paw. We shouldn't get injured in spatial teleportation. So I let it go, his will be the last time, I'll let go of my brother.

"I'll come back, again."

We'll definitely let's go together next time.

My vision blurred. My brother's figure disappeared.

The white snow fluttered down. The desolate snowfield, where even the sudden visitor disappeared, was just silent. The branches covering the sky were barren, without a single leaf. It had been a long time since the white wings glided through. Only the occasional wind blew, swirling snowflakes danced around. In the gust of wind, a small bead landed. It was halfway buried in the snow, but with a gentle breath, it slipped out. Rolling around here and there, it finally reached my fingertips.

The sparkling little bead soon disappeared.