Chapter 379. Future Worker

He felt the World flinching. Flustered, she looked over her shoulder at Chi-Woo.

“It’s all right, so please go ahead and repeat after me. Fuck off.” At Chi-Woo’s urging, the World stared ahead, at a loss of words.

“…Don’t joke with me,” Chi-Hyun said with a long sigh. “Anyway, if what you say is really true—” At the next moment, he stopped talking and waved his hand fast like a thunderbolt.

Chi-Woo had been on his guard, and he widened his eyes when Bael, who had just managed to lift her body, fell again without even being able to scream. It didn’t seem like Bael was dead, but had merely lost consciousness.

“I joined hands with her this time because I didn’t have much of a choice, but demons are an untrustworthy race by nature.”

Chi-Woo understood his brother’s intention after hearing this explanation. They were about to start a very important conversation, but they had no idea what would happen in the future if Bael had heard it. Boboris and the Last Dragon were trustworthy to a certain extent, while this was the very first time Chi-Hyun had worked with a demon. Therefore, he knocked Bael unconscious.

Chi-Woo clicked his tongue at his brother’s thoroughness. Chi-Hyun dusted his hands and exhaled the breath he had been holding. “So, you’re saying that the choice I made at this point of time had a negative effect on Liber’s future, and that’s why you went back in time to change my choice.”

Chi-Woo nodded silently.

“Then let me tell you my conclusion first. I don’t think I made the wrong choice.” Chi-Hyun cleared his throat. “If a problem arose, it must have been due to an unavoidable outside event rather than something internal, is it not?”

As expected of his brother; Chi-Hyun seemed to have grasped the basic situation from the few words Chi-Woo had said about it.

“Then you don’t have to worry,” Chi-Hyun continued in a low voice. “Now we already know a problem would arise in the event of the World’s disappearance. Thus, we can respond sufficiently according to the situation with appropriate policies.” He spoke clearly and continued, “I’ll erase the World, and you’ll tell me the future you know. If your purpose is to change the present and the future by modifying the past, doing as I say would have a higher probability of success.”

Doing as his brother said could be a solution, but Chi-Woo retorted, “The appropriate response you’re talking about,” he continued with a smile, “Even if I didn’t interfere at this point and the situation went as you wanted—wouldn’t you have implemented those policies?”

Chi-Hyun’s face stiffened.

“You would have definitely done it. I know the kind of person you are. You would have made thorough preparations to address an expected problem to the extent that you would consider every possibility and not tolerate a single variable.”

Chi-Hyun was about to respond, but had to shut his mouth at Chi-Woo’s following words, “Even though Liber would be designated as a special case under the Celestial Realm’s supervision, things fell through.” Chi-Woo quietly repeated himself once more, “Despite all your efforts, it fell through.”

Chi-Hyun looked shocked, but it didn’t seem like he was ever going to back down. “It’s different preparing for problems that can be predicted and those beyond expectations. If I know what’ll happen in the future, I can better prepare—”

“Is that enough to change a definite future?”

Chi-Hyun faltered for a bit when Chi-Woo mentioned a definite future, but he insisted, “…I won’t know until then. However, I think it's possible.”

“Wow…look at you lying without even blinking an eye.” Of course, Chi-Woo didn’t believe his brother’s words in the least.

“Why do you think I’m lying?”

“Someone once told me that it’s basically impossible to change a definite future.”

Chi-Hyun seemed to have guessed who had told Chi-Woo that. Chi-Woo continued, “A similar thing happened in my timeline. During that time, I had to revise the present for the upcoming future, and I had a total of three chances.” Chi-Woo smiled bitterly, recalling what had happened. “The result? It wasn’t bad. As you said, I’ve got important information from the future and was able to properly prepare. So—” As Chi-Woo said, thanks to that event, he was able to make a critical blow against the Demon Empire that invaded Shalyh. “Do you think the future changed?”

However, if anyone asked him if the future had changed dramatically, he’d answer no. He wouldn’t say that there was no positive effect, but technically, the negative effect was greater. In fact, it was from that point on that the three factions except the League stopped their constant wars against each other and began secretly working together to target humanity.

“No, it didn’t change at all.” The only thing he earned was a brief respite. “On the contrary, the problem came back bigger, in a more dangerous form.”

Now that he looked back on it, his brother must have already known everything. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have jumped into the gambling table as soon as an incident broke out. As if he had known this would happen, his brother had jumped straight in without any hesitation. Chi-Woo even thought that his brother might be trying to sacrifice not only himself but humanity and the League to prevent Chi-Woo’s death, which Boboris had prophesied. Although this was only a guess, Chi-Woo was most infuriated about that.

“While we’re on this topic, let me say one more thing. I couldn’t say this in my original timeline, but at this point of time, I’m older than you, right? As your senior, I’ll give you a word of advice.”

“…What?”

“Can’t you fix that rotten temper of yours?” Chi-Woo raised his chin at Chi-Hyun, who looked bewildered. “I’m talking about that fucking annoying superiority complex of yours, always thinking you’re the only one who can get the job done.”

The Last Dragon, who had been listening seriously, let out a ‘pfff’ without intending to and quickly covered her mouth.

“Please stop trying to carry every burden on your own. You’re not even doing a good job. You think I called you a shithead for no reason?”

Boboris turned away; judging by her flushed face, she must have also found his words funny.

Chi-Hyun’s eyes narrowed, “How dare you say that to me?” He spoke in a growling voice and continued, “If you know the circumstances somewhat and that’s why you’re here, then—” Chi-Hyun, who was gritting his teeth, couldn’t finish his sentence. The words, ‘then you shouldn’t act like that to me’ came up right to his throat, but he couldn’t say it out loud. Chi-Woo had never asked him to do any of this; he had told him to quit instead. However, Chi-Hyun couldn’t back down.

“I’ll say it again. There’s no reason for you to go this far.” Chi-Hyun’s tone changed. “Just once. Just trust me this once. Even if we can’t avoid a definite future, we’ll be able to improve the situation a bit.” His voice was earnest and desperate, unlike his usual self.

Chi-Woo closed his eyes. Maybe the future his brother spoke of could become reality. A future where they didn’t have to send heroes from the Celestial Realm in droves to Liber. However…

Chi-Hyun said, “You don’t have to enter Liber—”

“No.” Even if it was a future where only his brother had to enter, Chi-Woo’s will did not change. Since the very beginning, Chi-Woo had entered Liber with one firm determination—for his brother and him to survive and return to Earth together. Moreover, his relationship with Liber had deepened too much for him to just abandon ship.

Chi-Woo reaffirmed, “Don’t make me repeat myself again. No.”

Chi-Hyun’s expression noticeably hardened at Chi-Woo’s clear refusal. “In the end…you’re going to really have it your way?” He asked again in a slightly tired voice, “Do you really think you’re doing the right thing?”

“Well…we don’t know yet.” In the past, Chi-Woo might have wavered after hearing what his brother said. However, what his brother was after differed too much from Chi-Woo’s wish; The discrepancy was too great for them to come to an agreement. His brother’s mind hadn’t changed even a bit from when he first entered Liber. Since they were at odds, they couldn’t go the same way. There was no changing that. Although Chi-Woo tried to be a younger brother who listened well to his older brother, he wasn’t going to do that anymore.

“Don’t worry too much,” Chi-Woo continued with a smile on his face. “Whether it’s right or wrong, I’ll make it the answer.” He wasn’t going to borrow anyone’s power, and his brother was no exception. He was going to accomplish his goal with his own hands. Yunael looked at him with a coy knowing look.

And Chi-Hyun, who realized that there was no point conversing further, clenched his fist. “…Laguel.” He called out to Laguel and said, “Call forth the 37th WI5H.” Although he spoke in a solemn voice with determination—Laguel didn’t respond. “Laguel?”

Laguel had been staring at Chi-Woo the whole time since the Legend’s Second-Coming ended.

—The fact that you’re here right now.

Her calm voice continued.

—Means that you and I must have met at least once in the distant future.

Chi-Woo answered, “Yes.”

—Did I try to stop you?

“You didn’t just try to stop me. You tried to deport me as soon as you saw me.”

—But seeing that you’re here…

Although Chi-Woo didn’t say anything else, Laguel seemed to know the answer.

—…I see.

She inhaled deeply with a wry smile.

—That future is also a definite future for me…so that’s how it is.

“Laguel!”

—I’ll ask you one last question.

Although Chi-Hyun kept shouting her name, Laguel didn’t answer and only stared at Chi-Woo.

—What is your goal?

“It’s simple,” Chi-Woo said calmly. “To fulfill what you asked of me.”

—?

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

“Before I entered Liber, you asked me to bring back a down-right mean bastard who always does what he wants.”

Laguel’s eyes widened slightly, and soon, a faint smile tugged at her lips.

—I understand.

Then she finally looked back at Chi-Hyun.

—I’ll use my authority to forcibly repatriate Sir Chi-Hyun. Please take care of the rest.

Although Chi-Hyun shouted fiercely in protest, Laguel didn’t listen to him. She bowed and carried out forced repatriation as she had said. Chi-Hyun resisted the best he could with terrifying intensity till the very end, but eventually, light enveloped his entire body, and he went up into the sky. The area where the sky and earth shook and trembled to the point that the whole world would self-destruct calmed immediately, as if everything had been a dream.

“Well…I think the matter’s settled for now.” The Last Dragon looked around with bewilderment, but her expression soon grew solemn. “…But it’s still scary that an inevitable and enormous crisis will come in the future.” She smacked her lips and glanced at Chi-Woo. “Will we…meet again?”

“I’ll only know once we go back but…probably.”

“It’ll be soon for you, but it’ll be a long time for us.”

When the Last Dragon shrugged, Chi-Woo nodded and said, “Yes, I suppose so.” Then he stretched his arms as hard as he could. Like this, his interference of past events ended. Looking back, it wasn’t all that easy. He had to make a series of choices, and there was a time when he wavered. However, he was able to stay true to his will in the end.

Chi-Woo said to Boboris, “Now I understand.”

When Chi-Woo suddenly talked to her, Boboris asked in surprise, “What?”

“Why you told me such a thing, Ms. Boboris.”

Boboris tilted her head. It was impossible for her to understand what he meant by this in the current timeline.

“If Ms. Yunael hadn’t been here, I’m not sure what kind of choice I would have made.”

“No…I haven’t done much…” Yunael turned away and scratched her cheek, embarrassed by his sudden compliment. However, Yunael had played her part. She had helped Chi-Woo strengthen his resolve when he was wavering, risked her life to take the World away from his brother’s surprise attack, and did it again when she shielded the convulsing World and protected her.

They wouldn’t have gotten here if any of those three things hadn’t been true. Moreover, Chi-Woo was most impressed by how she acted after they were transported together. Although she was dragged into this mess with no warning, she quickly adapted to the situation and trusted him and followed his decision, even in life-threatening situations.

Although Chi-Woo had not considered this possibility, he suddenly thought it wouldn’t be bad to accept her as his third star.

“Could you perhaps tell us about the upcoming threat?” the Last Dragon asked.

Chi-Woo, who had been smiling brightly at Yunael, turned to the Last Dragon.

The Last Dragon continued, “A little is fine. Since you said it was a definite future, making preparations would hardly work, but it’s still better than not knowing.”

“Yes, that’s true but…” Chi-Woo glanced down and lifted his shoulders. “But I don’t think I can.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m out of time.” As he said, dots of dim lights were gathering beneath Chi-Woo and Yunael’s feet. He could feel it in his gut; the time the World’s Milestone allowed them here was over the moment his brother was forced to return. Time will soon begin to flow again. But right before he went back, Chi-Woo looked back at one being. “But even then…” He stared at the girl who was still looking up at him blankly from the ground, “It’s going to be very hard. As Liber’s World, extremely difficult and despairing days will arrive.” Even so, he continued, “I know it’s hard…but I beg of you, please hang in there.”

“If you don’t let go of the string of hope—” Chi-Woo smiled brightly and said, “I’ll come save you again.”

At that moment, the girl’s eyes, which had hardened like stone, gradually widened. All the anxiety and worry twisting her face disappeared like it had all been washed away. The World looked at Chi-Woo with indescribable fervor—and then jumped up. When she was about to run towards Chi-Woo with her arms outstretched—

Light enveloped Chi-Woo and Yunael. And then…

* * *

At the same time, the Celestial Realm was in a frenzy because a significant change had been confirmed on Liber, which was being closely monitored. The cause was soon discovered. “Past interference has been confirmed!”

Modifying the past was by no means a trivial event. Just like how the wings of a butterfly could cause a storm, it didn’t influence only the present. The angels gathered in haste and watched the prophecy. Soon after, the transparent crystal shone. The angels, who were murmuring amongst themselves while staring at the shaking light, fell silent instantly, gaping at the crystal without a word. After a long silence…

“The fut…” One blond angel managed to speak in a quivering, trembling voice, “Future…” Their reaction was only natural because no matter how hard they tried, all they had seen was the same outcome. The future had never changed no matter what they did, but now—

“The future has…!” It has divided and split. The path to the future of salvation that everyone wanted was finally open.