Chapter 198. Not That

A U.S. military transport plane landed at an airport in South Korea. It carried American Hunters, Kim Do-Joon, and Siwelin. There was no commotion, likely because everything had been arranged in advance.

Kim Do-Joon stepped out of the transport plane, Siwelin by his side. Waiting at the airport were familiar faces including Son Chang-Il, Jecheon Seong, and holding tightly to his hand—Kim So-Eun.

“So-Eun!”

“Daddy!”

Kim Do-Joon’s face lit up with a wide smile. Kim So-Eun looked unharmed and perfectly fine. Her expression was nothing but radiant.

Thank goodness. She’s safe.

Though Kim Do-Joon knew she would be safe with JeCheon Seong near her, it did not stop him from worrying. Even the updates he received during the flight could not fully ease his concern.

Hugging his daughter tightly, Kim Do-Joon gratefully bowed his head to Jecheon Seong.

Jecheon Seong waved it off casually and said, “Everything went well?”

“Yes, I made sure to finish things without any loose ends.”

Ushas was torn into dozens of pieces and imprisoned in separate hells. While the entity wasn’t completely dead, there was no chance of revival. Each hell was so abhorrent, even the old man would shun them.

Clenching his fist, Kim Do-Joon felt the faint trace of energy within it—a fragment of Ushas’ soul.

With this in my possession, revival is utterly impossible.

Even if someone tried to gather all the fragments, they would eventually have to face Kim Do-Joon for the last one.

Ultimately, Ushas would remain in endless torment across those hells for eternity—or at least, until the hells themselves dissolved with the passage of countless eons.

“I heard the story. You’ve been through a lot,” Son Chang-Il said, extending a hand toward Kim Do-Joon.

Kim Do-Joon shook it firmly, replying, “I heard there was some trouble here as well.”

“It’s been handled, thanks to the elder.”

Son Chang-Il gestured toward Jecheon Seong, who shrugged as if it had been nothing.

“You should head home. What would you like to do? Transportation has been arranged.”

“One moment, please.”

If it were just him and Jecheon Seong, there would be no need for a car. He could summon his Shadow Dragon and ride home. However, he was worried Kim So-Eun would be scared of the dragon.

To test it out, Kim Do-Joon summoned the dragon a short distance away.

“Wow!”

Fortunately, Kim So-Eun bounced with excitement as she sat on the dragon’s back. While Kim Do-Joon kept a firm hold on her to ensure her safety, her delight was palpable.

It seemed there was no need for a car.

“We’ll head back on this. Would you like a ride, President?” Kim Do-Joon asked, glancing at Son Chang-Il.

The man hurriedly waved his hands.

“No, no, I’ll take the car. Besides, I need to take care of the American Hunters.”

“Understood.”

Then, Kim Do-Joon also bowed slightly toward the American Hunters. He had expressed his thanks during the flight, but proper etiquette required a parting gesture. The Hunters, caught off guard, awkwardly returned the nod.

With that, the Shadow Dragon rose into the air from the airport.

“Unni! Daddy’s work is all done now, right?” Kim So-Eun asked.

“Yes, for now. There won’t be any busy days for a while,” Siwelin replied.

As they soared through the sky, the family finally had a chance to chat. Most of the conversation revolved around future plans—specifically, where to go on their next trip.

Since their time in China, Kim So-Eun’s interest in travel had grown considerably. That was good, as early exposure to different cultures could only aid her development.

Kim So-Eun and Siwelin chatted away, bubbling with excitement.

Meanwhile, Kim Do-Joon was having a more serious talk with Jecheon Seong.

“There’s still one more thing I need to take care of,” Kim Do-Joon said, his tone more serious.

“What is it?”

𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

“I need to deliver something to the Holy Spirit Lord. It won’t take long.”

Kim Do-Joon’s expression was tinged with bitterness. It wasn’t exactly a happy errand.

Jecheon Seong seemed to understand and didn’t press for details. “Tell me about it when you’re back.”

A short while later, the dragon landed at their home. That evening, Kim Do-Joon set out alone toward the Branch of Caldera.

***

—Stop being lazy and help out!

―I’m a guest. Are you implying your people are so rude they make guests work?

—What kind of guest makes themselves this comfortable!

As Kim Do-Joon entered the familiar village, the sound of bickering greeted him. He immediately recognized both voices.

Smiling faintly, Kim Do-Joon approached the two women.

“Ashunaga, it seems you’ve taken quite a liking to this place.”

“Human!”

“Mister!”

Ashunaga flinched slightly at the sight of Kim Do-Joon, while Shura lit up with a wide smile.

“How’s the gate? It hasn’t become unstable, has it?” Kim Do-Joon asked.

“Not at all. If anything, it’s been pulsing with even more energy lately.”

When he had sent Ashunaga back to her original world, he had deliberately left the gate open, allowing her to come and go freely if she wished.

“Mister, can’t you do something about her? All she does is lie in the sun all day, eating our food supplies!” Shura complained.

“I’m a guest, so I have the right to be taken care of,” Ashunaga replied, lounging without a care.

“A right? Are you being serious right now?” Shura glared at Ashunaga.

As their argument heated up, Kim Do-Joon chuckled and tapped both of them lightly on the head.

“Sorry, I’ve got somewhere to be. Let’s talk later.”

“Ah, Mister!”

“Farewell, Human!”

Kim Do-Joon made his way toward where Laoha was waiting. He entered the forest in the direction of the tribal state of Mahal. However, he did not need to go far because she appeared first.

“How did it go?” Laoha asked as she emerged from the quiet woods.

In response, Kim Do-Joon silently opened his hand. A formless, ominous energy swirled above his palm.

Laoha immediately recognized what it was—a fragment of Ushas’ soul. Although far smaller than its original form, the vile energy was unmistakable.

“You succeeded,” she muttered, relief washing over her.

Kim Do-Joon briefly explained Ushas’ aftermath. As he spoke, a flicker of concern crossed his mind. Despite their bad blood, Laoha and Ushas were still siblings, so the news could unsettle her.

“Thank goodness!” she exclaimed, full of relief.

His worries were unfounded. Laoha let out a long breath, as if shedding decades of burden. Her expression was light, almost free, as though a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Well, it makes sense. She’s been tormented by him for so long.

It was like being rid of an obsessive stalker—only worse, because it was her own brother. “There’s one more thing I need to give you...” Kim Do-Joon began.

“What is it?” Laoha tilted her head, her mood still buoyant.

What he was about to reveal would undoubtedly shatter that. Although he was not eager to do it, it could not be avoided.

Kim Do-Joon summoned his shadow, and from it emerged a single dead body.

Laoha froze, her eyes widening in shock. Her mouth fell open, but no sound came out. Her trembling gaze locked onto the body of an elderly man. Slowly and unsteadily, she took a step forward, her legs shaking.

“Ah... F-Father?” she whispered, her voice breaking.

“Ushas had him,” Kim Do-Joon said quietly.

He left it at that, knowing Laoha would piece it together on her own. Whatever Ushas had done with the body was too horrific to put into words, and the knowledge alone was devastating.

Grateful for his silence, Laoha knelt by the body and embraced it. She hadn’t been there when her father passed, and even knowing he was gone, she had never been able to recover his body. But now here he was, finally at peace.

Her shoulders shook as she wept silently, holding her father close. Kim Do-Joon turned away, giving her the privacy to mourn. For someone like her, showing such vulnerability in front of others would be unthinkable.

After some time passed, her soft sobs subsided, and she said through the tears, “...Thank you.”

Kim Do-Joon felt as though he had finally repaid the debt he owed to the old man in some small way.

***

"What will you do now?"

After a moment of collecting herself, Laoha finally broke the silence.

Kim Do-Joon was now an absolute being. Across the infinite expanse of the universe, no one could pose a threat to him. Therefore, Laoha could not help but wonder what would he do next.

“Not sure yet,” Kim Do-Joon replied, scratching his head.

He had a few ideas. For one, there were matters he still needed to wrap up on Earth.

“If you’re willing...” Laoha began hesitantly, studying his face.

Her voice carried the weight of the suggestion she was about to make.

“Are you asking me to deal with the other siblings?” Kim Do-Joon asked bluntly.

“Yes,” she admitted. “Ushas, Vango, and Mel Sior are dead, but they were not the only ones who betrayed Father. Three others are still out there.”

Those siblings, armed with the power bestowed upon them by their father—and the strength they had stolen—continued their rampage in their respective worlds. They were tyrants who wreaked havoc wherever they went.

Leaving them alive was not an option. They were not just enemies to be avenged; their power needed to be reclaimed and used to perfect Kim Do-Joon’s existence.

“Do you know where they are?”

“No... Not yet. We’ll have to find them first.”

“That means it’ll take some time to deal with them.”

Kim Do-Joon shook his head. He had already decided that he would not spend an extended period away from his daughter. He was a father before he was a savior of worlds or a hero of the multiverse. That resolution had never wavered.

“I see.” Laoha nodded.

She understood because she, too, had once been someone’s daughter.

“You’re right. Then I’ll find them myself.”

Her voice carried resolve, though she knew how daunting the task was. In her current state, managing her own world was already a struggle. Even so, she could not let her father’s murderers go unpunished. She could not rest until she saw those traitors annihilated.

“If I manage to locate them, could you help me take them down?” she asked, looking at Kim Do-Joon with hope.

To be honest, without Kim Do-Joon’s help, she could not handle them on her own. She looked at him with hopeful eyes. Surely, he’d agree to that much?

However, Kim Do-Joon shook his head.

Laoha’s eyes widened in disbelief. Did that mean he intended to just let them be?

They were not just the old man’s personal enemies. Even at this moment, those bastards were causing untold suffering to people across dimensions. Each one was no less wicked than Ushas himself. Letting them go would be an utterly disappointing decision.

“No. You don’t need to do that. I’ll take care of it myself,” Kim Do-Joon said calmly.

“What? But earlier, you said...”

Hadn’t he just refused because he didn’t want to be separated from his daughter?

Kim Do-Joon stroked his chin thoughtfully. To be fair, it was not something he could decide on the spot. He needed permission.

“I’ll go ask my daughter.”

“

Huh

?”

Then, Kim Do-Joon opened a door to Earth. Without another word, he stepped through, leaving the bewildered Laoha behind.

***

The sound of brushing one’s teeth filled the air. Fortunately, it was still early evening, and Kim So-Eun was awake. She was brushing her teeth with Siwelin in the bathroom.

Kim Do-Joon crouched down in front of the little girl, meeting her eye level.

“So-Eun, remember how we planned to go on a trip as a family?” he asked gently.

“

Mhm

,” she mumbled, her mouth full of toothpaste and her words muffled.

“How about... instead of traveling abroad, we go on a trip to another world?”

“

Hmm

?”

“

Huh

?”

Both Kim So-Eun and Siwelin tilted their heads in unison, utterly confused by his unexpected question.