Breaking news reports followed one after another. News that the massive invasion of magical beasts, which had threatened to escalate into the so-called 'Second Cataclysm,' was being resolved with remarkable speed, spread quickly across the globe.
"Urgh! What an unsightly mess. Truly disgusting."
The remnants of the countless butterfly monsters displayed on the news screen were genuinely repulsive. Recalling The Apostle of Conquest's arrogant face, who had started with such bravado only to meet a pathetic defeat, Yuri Orlov tilted a bottle to his lips and took a hearty swig. His expression was filled not with disappointment that his own plans had gone awry, but rather with pure mockery for the Apostle of Conquest's demise.
It was understandable. For the past few years, Orlov had dealt with various apostles of the Outer Gods. It was possible because he, rare among humans, had noticed their existence and had consistently treated the suspicious power they used, called 'divine power,' merely as a means of transaction. Even after realizing their true objective was Earth itself, he hadn't cared in the slightest. Hadn't humans themselves been diligently destroying the Earth for the past few thousand years anyway? What difference would a few aliens joining in make now? This world was destined to end sooner or later.
'No, it would have been much better if it had ended sooner.'
Orlov, who had lived his entire life as a beggar, had always prayed thus. For all the humans in the world surrounding him to be ruined. For everyone in the world to live even more miserably than himself. But no matter how much he prayed, nothing in the world changed. He was still the only one who was trash. So he realized.
'There is no God.'
A god who would listen to his desperate prayers. Where could such a god exist in this world? But… there was! In another world, no, another universe!
'Outer Gods, The Itarim.'
To think gods from an outer universe, desiring the destruction of this world, actually existed! So Orlov dealt with the apostles of the Outer Gods without hesitation. The Outer Gods Cult? That didn't mean Orlov had become a cultist. His life had been too much like a beggar's to start worshipping anyone. He had no intention whatsoever of relying on any god. Thus, he decided to make deals. Not prayers, but deals! However, in that process, Orlov realized something. The apostles of the Outer Gods were invariably arrogant. They always looked down on humans. They regarded humanity from a great height, like looking at livestock on a farm. Ultimately, that arrogance had led to their defeat, so it was certainly something worthy of ridicule. After all, Orlov too was human, so even if his own plans failed, it was, in a way, satisfying.
Of course, the fall of the Apostle of Conquest wasn't entirely good news for Orlov either. They were in the same boat, after all. But regardless of the Apostle of Conquest's death, the large-scale trouble he had stirred up was quite helpful from Russia's perspective. Until now, Russia had left the suspicious monstrous trees, the Elvenwoods, untreated. A completely opposite response to other countries that were hastily sending Hunters to deal with those monstrous trees. That had become a political problem. Because of it, countries like the United States and the World Hunter Association had been pressuring Russia from all sides.
– Why is Russia not dealing with the Elvenwoods!
– Reveal the reason for that!
– If you continue to leave them as they are…
– What connection is there between Elvenwood and Russia…!
Such numerous suspicions and gossip were pressuring Russia from all directions. But thanks to the trouble caused by the Apostle of Conquest, all that attention had shifted elsewhere in one fell swoop. In a situation where the Second Cataclysm almost erupted due to the sudden butterfly swarm attack, who would have the luxury to care about a few trees growing in Russia? However, Orlov hadn't anticipated that those butterflies would perish so quickly.
"Tsk. Useless fool. Can't even buy time properly."
If this continued, the attention of other countries would soon return to Russia. Since the casualties from this worldwide incident weren't significant, the follow-up measures would also end quickly.
"...There's no time."
It will be soon.
"I have to hurry."
A meaningful smile appeared on Orlov's lips as he spoke those words. From a national perspective, the elimination of the Apostle of Conquest was actually a good thing.
Swish!
As Orlov pulled aside the wide curtain covering his office wall, a large world map was revealed behind it. An electronic display where Russia's vast territory was distinguished in gold. On it, there were particularly bright red dots. These were the 'fishbowls' that Orlov personally managed with special focus, not entrusting them to other politicians. But most of them were fakes. Mere dummies to deceive the eyes of the Outer Gods' apostles. The truly important fishbowl was just one.
"…Hehe. If the apostles knew, they would have killed me on the spot."
Orlov bared his teeth and laughed. Staring intently at one of the numerous red dots. The Apostle of Conquest had an unusually large number of clones even among other apostles. Thus it was extremely difficult to execute his 'plan' while avoiding his numerous gazes, which were everywhere. Even though all the necessary materials had already been gathered. But now that all his clones have been eradicated…
"The time has come."
If he missed this timing, he didn't know when or where other apostles might appear, so he had to hurry. Orlov returned to his desk and picked up the phone with a red button.
"It's me. Execute the operation. Now."
At his firm command, one of the red dots on the world map shone particularly brightly. Watching it, Prime Minister Yuri Orlov's order was given.
"The opportune time to execute Project 'Unwithering Spring' has finally arrived."
* * *
Meanwhile, in Suho's modest but comfortable home. A warm breeze blew through the rooms he had lived in since birth, especially today. As the front door opened and Suho stepped inside, a characteristic warm energy greeted him. The smell of rice cooking, the sound of side dishes being prepared. The entire house was filled with the long-missed scent of daily life. And then…
"Are you home?"
"…!"
A gentle voice. The moment he heard that greeting, Suho froze on the spot.
Cha Hae-In. Even now, the news was repeatedly broadcasting her heroic feats – how she, hailed as a national hero, had stopped the invasion of magical beasts using immensely powerful Lightning magic. And there she was, ladle in hand, smiling brightly at Suho. Though many things had happened, she looked just as she always did, as if nothing had occurred.
"You've been through a lot, my son."
"…"
Just like on any ordinary day when Suho returned from school. As if Cha Hae-In hadn't been missing for years. It was such a long-awaited return to normalcy that Suho suddenly felt a lump in his throat.
"I'm… home…"
He couldn't say more. It was a natural greeting, like any other, but the meaning it held was immense. His mother, back where she belonged after years of absence. Though they had reunited earlier, this was the first time they had gathered at home like this after dealing with the ceaseless incidents and accidents. Cha Hae-In read her son's heart and, smiling lightly, gestured towards the living room.
"The food is ready, so rest for a bit. It's not a holiday, but the whole family has gathered after a long time. Wash your hands before eating!"
Suho silently nodded at the usual nagging. No more words were needed. The anxiety and worry he had harbored for years melted away before his mother's smile.
"Oh my, Suho is here!"
His grandmother called out to him from the living room with a welcoming voice. Though advanced in age, she always looked healthy.
"Why does our grandson look so thin? Have you been eating properly?"
As always, his grandmother fussed, pinching Suho's cheeks.
"Indeed. Did you fight a war somewhere?"
Behind her, his grandfather, Sung Il-hwan, was also visible. Though he spoke jokingly, his warm gaze towards Suho held deep understanding. A war… The real war was only just beginning.
Just as much as Cha Hae-In, Sung Il-hwan too was currently being hailed on the news as an unparalleled hero who had suddenly appeared, and stories of his exploits were circulating online, riding the algorithms. But at this moment, Sung Il-hwan was just an ordinary grandfather. Next, his aunt and uncle-in-law greeted Suho.
"Suho! You're here?"
"Oh Suho, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Yoo Jinho was, as always, a doting uncle-in-law. He meticulously checked Suho's body for even the slightest scratch. And Suho's aunt… Sung Jinah. Sung Jinwoo's younger sister, also looked much brighter than when he last saw her. In fact, looking back over the past years, if one had to pick who had suffered the most emotionally, it would undoubtedly be Sung Jinah. When she was very young, her older brother suddenly ran away from home. Then even after becoming an adult, her brother and sister-in-law suddenly disappeared. After that, her father, Sung Il-hwan. And then, even her mother, Park Kyung-hye, had been in danger. In all those situations, there was nothing Sung Jinah, an ordinary person, could do. She was simply powerless. All Sung Jinah could do was wait for her family with an anxious and fretful heart. Perhaps that was why. She had matured very quickly. Amidst those various situations, Sung Jinah made a decision at a very young age. To live her daily life diligently. That was the only thing… the best she could do…
– Jinah. Don't you worry about anything and go to school. The adults will take care of it.
At her mother's single sentence, Sung Jinah, as always, put on her uniform and went to school. Forcibly suppressing her troubled heart. Very diligently.
'Yes, I'm a student, so let's study.'
Desperately. So that she, at least, wouldn't cause worry, unlike her older brother who had selfishly run away when he was young. She had decided to simply live her daily life with an endlessly bright demeanor. It was the same when her brother and sister-in-law disappeared, this time too, Sung Jinah had to live her daily life very diligently. If only for their son, Sung Suho. If she, an adult, showed anxiety, Suho would only become more anxious. So Sung Jinah once again forced a bright smile and said.
– Suho. Don't you worry and go to school. The adults will take care of the adult matters.
Exactly as she had been taught.
– Your parents often go on spontaneous trips, don't they? Your aunt will find out where they went off to play this time.
Thus, Sung Jinah tried to reassure Suho. Desperately.
"Phew. Our Suho… You're looking more and more like my older brother, aren't you? Relax your eyes, you rascal."
Seeing Suho standing awkwardly stiff in front of the living room, Sung Jinah spoke playfully.
"The whole family is gathered after such a long time, right? Your dad is busy again and couldn't make it, though."
Sung Jinah knew now too.
What kind of person her older brother was.
What kind of existence he was.
Because… She too had been to the Tower of Trials that Yoo Jinho created.
"Suho, did you know? Your aunt has become so famous lately, it's exhausting. All Because of that damned tower."
Sung Jinah grumbled, glancing sideways at her husband.
"These days, people from all over the world are endlessly sending DMs to your aunt. Saying I'm their younger sister. Asking if I'm doing well, I've already got way over 10 million followers on social media."
"…Ahem. Perhaps I should have altered that memory a bit."
Yoo Jinho suddenly feigned ignorance and retreated to the kitchen, saying he would help with the cooking. Then, pausing in front of the door, he turned back and met Suho's eyes.
"…Anyway, you've worked hard, Suho."
With a gaze full of affection.
"Your uncle, and your dad too, would definitely want to tell you that… That you're doing well."
"…Yes."
At that single sentence, Suho finally let out the breath he had been holding. A smile spread across his face. And Beru, who had been watching the entire scene, holding his breath from beneath the shadows, covered his mouth and burst into tears.
[Kieeeeeeeeeeeek! Thou speakest true! The King would surely deem the Young Master praiseworthy!]
The other Shadow Soldiers also couldn't hold back their tears of emotion. In such a heartwarming atmosphere, a truly harmonious meal began after a very long time.
Ding-dong!
"Oh my, sister-in-law! It's already plenty, did you order delivery too? I'll get it!"
Yoo Jinho, who was sitting closest to the front door, stood up, blocking Suho who was about to get up first.
Then…
"…Hm?"
Instantly, Yoo Jinho's doting uncle mode vanished, his eyes changing. A cool voice flowed from his lips.
"It wasn't a delivery."
Beyond the front door. There were uninvited guests who had come to Suho's house. Yoo Jinho looked back at him with serious eyes and asked.
"Suho, do you speak any English?"
Foreigners who had crossed the ocean to meet Suho stood at the door. One of them was so famous it was impossible not to know his face. And the other was even more famous, but a celebrity who rarely showed her face to the public.
"Adam White. Mrs. Norma Selner."
These individuals, who would absolutely never leave America for trivial matters, had come to find Suho.