Chapter 277. Side Story - Change Pt. 2

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

The sound of snoring made the entire house shake.

“He really is impressive,” Lee Jun-Kyeong said as he looked at Heracles and shook his head softly.

If he hadn’t erected a soundproofing spell in the house, it really would have been a nightmare. Maybe from the apartment above and the apartment below—no, someone might have opened their balcony door from the building across the street and shouted at them. Heracles' snoring was that serious.

However, everyone still seemed to be sleeping with peaceful expressions.

“Just what...”

It seemed as though they all must have blocked their ears with mana or used a soundproofing spell. Lee Jun-Kyeong looked at everyone with a blank expression. Everyone had gathered together at his home.

The master bedroom was occupied by the women of the group, while the rest of the guests were sprawled throughout the living room and the other two bedrooms.

“This was something I couldn’t have imagined in the past,” Lee Jun-Kyeong mused to himself as he smiled slightly.

Every day had been a continuous battle. It was a life where he never knew where an enemy would appear. There hadn’t been a single place where he had peace. However, things were different now.

All of them were able to truly let their tension go and sleep. Whether it was worries about gate breaks or fears that someone would attempt to assassinate them, everything had disappeared. It was a true peace.

“Whew.”

Lee Jun-Kyeong looked at the sprawled group once more before heading toward the balcony. Jeong In-Chang had asked why they were living in such a small apartment when they had so much money.

“It’s pretty.”

It was because Lee Jun-Kyeong had wanted it. There was a clear view of the Han River and its lights from the balcony. He could see it in its entirety from this apartment.

‘I also don’t want to have to try to grasp any and everything just yet.’

The reason Lee Jun-Kyeong hadn’t wanted to move to a better house or even buy a big house, car, or amass great wealth, was simple.

‘I just want to live with the flow.’

He wanted to stay away from all of that for now. Lee Jun-Kyeong stepped onto the balcony and exhaled

‘How long do you think I’ll have to live?’

Even at this moment of stillness, the powers of the source and mana within him were growing. Most likely, as Jupiter had said, his body would continue to grow on its own. Something like lifespan was meaningless to someone who held such great power.

Lee Jun-Kyeong didn’t know how long his life would be, and he felt as though if he went through everything in a rush and enjoyed all that life would have to offer, he wouldn’t have anything to feel in the future.

So, he would take his time and let life flow to him.

“It really has changed,” he said to himself as he looked down at the Han River.

He had regressed, and the entire world had changed. Although the cause of the change in the world started with him, he himself wasn’t the only driving factor behind the new world. It was all thanks to his companions, who were currently sleeping behind him.

‘Everyone worked hard.’

They had all regained their memories before he had regressed and had worked tirelessly from the moment they remembered. They had honed their strength all for the world that Lee Jun-Kyeong had wanted, to bring about a peaceful world.

Lee Jun-Kyeong may have regressed with all of his powers intact, but they were different. They had only regained their memories.

‘There weren't even any Andlangrs anymore.’

How much effort had it taken for them to regain all of their strength? Of course, they had their memories from the future, so their growth would have progressed at a rapid pace as they all already knew what it felt like to be at the apex. Nevertheless, it wasn’t an easy task.

“The world...you all changed it.”

With the power they had obtained with such hardship, they had changed the world. Olympus, Merlin and Arthur’s Round Table had joined hands, handling any large-scale events that had occurred in Europe.

Unlike before, no one feared or avoided Olympus anymore. They were true Heroes. The same was true for the Round Table. They, who had hidden themselves from view and only focused on plights that arose in England, revealed themselves and became active.

‘They had a connection to the British Royal Family, too, didn’t they.’

Although Lee Jun-Kyeong didn’t know it, it was said that Merlin was the heir to the British Royal Family, which was why and how the Round Table had joined together with the royal family. Their influence, combined with that of Olympus, covered all of Europe. Under their care, Europe remained at peace.

“Liu Bei...”

They had only been able to speak for a moment, but it had turned out that Liu Bei had become the General Secretary. Although Lee Jun-Kyeong hadn’t been told in detail what had led to that appointment, in the end, it seemed as though China had essentially become a dictatorship.

‘He was probably dissatisfied with the current situation in China.’

Liu Bei hadn’t been happy with the current situation in his country. It was difficult to protect their citizens in the structure they had been in. This had led him to his ultimate decisions.

He had inherited the position of General Secretary while simultaneously serving as the president of the Chinese Association. Although the world had been shocked by the young General Secretary, no one was able to look down upon him.

‘I will step down as soon as China stabilizes.’

Before the regression, China had become a frozen land due to the influence of the Gates. Now, without the Sponsors or any gate that could emit such influence, the Chinese citizens were able to lead their normal lives. If there was one thing that he hadn’t expected, it was that Thjazi and Thrymr had also returned to China.

“I miss them, haha.”

History had been changed, so he had been concerned about the giants of Utgard. If the Sponsors had disappeared and the Disaster-Grade Gates never appeared, wouldn’t they also disappear?

He thought that he might not be able to see them again after the regression. However, things were different from what he had expected. Utgard had still appeared—this time in the form of a Gate.

Lee Jun-Kyeong tapped the balcony window as he mused. An S-Grade Gate had appeared in China. However, while everyone was shaking with fear, Liu Bei happily entered it. There, he had been able to meet Thjazi and Thrymr, who had regained their memories.

“They said they had emerged in China.”

They had left the Gate and settled in China, prospering. The two giants had also wanted to come to the meeting but hadn’t been able to do so due to various circumstances.

“I’ll have to go see them later,” Lee Jun-Kyeong said before turning around.

RUMBLE! RUMBLE!

Heracles was still snoring while the others were still sleeping. Lee Jun-Kyeong smiled before lying down on the sofa and closing his eyes. Now, it was time for him to go to sleep, too.

***

Dawn arose on the next day as Arthur spoke, his face gaunt.

“Well, unfortunately, this is where we go,” he said, hungover.

Although it was impossible for alcohol to actually take any effect on him, it was clear that the alcohol hadn’t been detoxified on purpose.

“Merlin and I have urgent business to go to. Let’s meet again next time.”

Everyone had promised to come together and enjoy themselves once a month. Arthur and Merlin, who had kept their promise, were going to leave now.

“Hmm.”

Heimdall sighed with regret as Lee Jun-Kyeong looked at Arthur.

“We’re going to have to spend an unfathomable amount of time together from this point anyway. Put aside your regrets,” the knight said.

“I look forward to the next time,” Merlin also said, bowing their goodbyes with Arthur.

Ssss.

Lee Jun-Kyeong could already feel a presence outside. They hadn't come alone.

“Next time, Gawain...” Lee Jun-Kyeong said. “I hope he and Lancelot join us, too.”

Even the previously dead Lancelot had come back. Neither of the Knights had any memory of Lee Jun-Kyeong, thinking that he was just special enough for the world’s most powerful people to pay attention to.

“Hmm. Come to England,” Arthur said while shrugging.

They passed through the front door and left the apartment. It was a luxury apartment that boasted one of the best security levels in Korea, but it hadn’t seemed to stop the Knights of the Round Table.

As they left, Zeus also said, “I guess we should go now, too.”

Odysseus lifted Heracles.

“Ugk.”

‘Just how much did he drink?’

Heracles was still snoring away. Although Athena asked Zeus if she should

handle

it, Zeus threw up his hands and said no.

“Heracles has a hard time, too. He’s the busiest person in Olympus,” he said as if that served as an excuse for the colossal man.

“Would you like to stay for a few more days?” Heimdall asked.

“Pfft.”

However, Zeus just laughed, and at the same time, his eyes turned to Athena. Athena's cheeks turned red.

"No! It’s not like that!” Heimdall said urgently.

Athena belonged to Olympus, and that was why he mainly lived in Europe.

“Well...we’re off, then.”

Despite Heimdall’s pleas, Zeus left the house. They could feel it from the outside. There was already a group of people who had come to accompany the Olympians home.

“I’m going to go get some more sleep,” Jeong In-Chang said after the guests left.

“Yeah, yeah, why don’t you just move in then,” Heimdall grumbled as Jeong In-Chang fell right to sleep on the sofa.

“...”

Now, the only person left was Ungnyeo, who looked at him with her hair still wet as if she had just washed it.

“Ahem.” Heimdall cleared his throat and turned around.

“Go out and separate the recyclables,” he said as he pointed toward the massive pile of trash.

In the aftermath of their party, an incredible amount of trash had been produced and shoved into a corner of the apartment.

“I’ll help,” Ungnyeo said as she started to gather the trash.

***

Originally, North Korea had collapsed from the influence of the Disaster-Grade Gate created in China, becoming a barren and isolated land. Ungnyeo had been the head of Heaven Lake Village, where all the survivors had been gathered.

In this timeline, everything changed when Lee Jun-Kyeong regressed. China was fine, and North Korea had completely changed.

“I was surprised.”

It wasn’t a barren land anymore but a place full of life.

“You’re the new representative of North Korea?”

It had become a pristine symbol of nature.

“Yeah.”

In the original timeline, North Korea’s destruction had already occurred by this point. The actual collapse of North Korea hadn’t only been from the side effects of the Disaster-Grade Gate but because of their own circumstances as well.

However, now that they had regressed, things were different. Ungnyeo had come forth as a leader because the people in power were already all gone.

Due to the nuclear weapons that had been dropped on North Korea, all of their leadership had disappeared. So, as soon as Ungnyeo had awakened her memories, she took action. She began to lead everyone in place of the disappeared ruling class.

The land had become uninhabitable due to radiation, but Sangun and Ungnyeo were purifying it through their powers as they grew stronger and stronger.

“That was why Sangun hadn’t been able to come. He asked me to send my apologies. Of course, he also asked for you to come visit at least once.”

Thus, the North Korean citizens were able to remain in their homeland. Unlike in the past, when they were faced with bitter despair, they were able to find a path to life.

“We’re in the middle of unification talks with South Korea.”

“Unification talks...wait,

you’re

in the middle of them?”

Ungnyeo was the representative in those talks as well.

"Yes. It’s taking some time to coordinate the details.”

“O...oh.”

“I mean, it is the integration of two countries. As the representative of North Korea, I can’t let us unify while only taking losses. I feel as though I still need to create an environment in which the North Koreans can thrive at the very least.”

Lee Jun-Kyeong silently separated the plastics after hearing that.

“Where are Hyeon-Mu and Hel?” Ungnyeo asked.

The two Familiars weren’t at yesterday’s party, either. Nor were they seen today.

“There’s a mission I entrusted to them. They’ll be back soon,” Lee Jun-Kyeong said as he continued to separate out the recyclables.

There was a moment of silence before the two heard a voice.

“Oh dear. Is that a young couple sorting the plastics?”[1]

“Did you say the representative of North Korea? Are you talking about that Iron Blood Witch or something?”

"There’s no way. Her face is completely different.”

“I mean, before that. Do you really think that someone like that would be sorting trash in a place like this?”

The neighborhood aunties had come over and started gossiping as if they had heard their conversation. Ungnyeo lowered her head as if she was embarrassed, while Lee Jun-Kyeong nonchalantly responded to the aunties with a mischievous smile, “But she really is the Iron Blood Witch.”

“Hohoho, this young man is quite entertaining.”

Of course, Lee Jun-Kyeong was also left lowering his head in embarrassment at the words that soon followed.

“Are you newlyweds?”

1. One of the stereotypes in Korea is that the younger generation doesn’t care enough about recycling. ?