No matter how many times I checked, there was no mistake.
The “1st Playthrough” written on Gang Hanbyeol’s status window had changed to “2nd Playthrough.”
He had regressed.
‘So this is… the 2nd playthrough?’
I, no… we of the 1st playthrough had failed to prevent the world’s destruction, didn’t that mean?
It was hard to believe, but I had to acknowledge and accept reality.
I reined in my emotions.
‘In the game, when you regressed to the 2nd playthrough, you started over from the beginning of enrollment. The fact that didn’t happen must be because the Chairwoman listened to my advice. I asked her to update the regression point from time to time, so that the me of the next playthrough could take measures if something went wrong.’
In that sense, the fact that Gang Hanbyeol’s regression activated at this point meant that a future in which we would have to abandon this world was approaching soon. In other words, one I could do nothing about.
And judging from the current situation where he was wary of Yeon Haneul, the trigger was most likely related to her in some way.
‘What on earth…’
There wasn’t enough information.
But I couldn’t grab Gang Hanbyeol and interrogate him about the details in front of my friends, especially not in front of Yeon Haneul.
I didn’t want to make them worry more when they were already grieving after learning Nam Yuri’s secret.
I came to a conclusion.
“You don’t look well; you’d better go back and rest. Hanbyeol, let’s go. I’ll take you. Haneul, you stay with the kids. I’ll contact you later.”
“….”
My friends’ suspicions were inevitable.
Even so, my friends who had been through things with me until now tactfully understood.
Expressing my gratitude to them, I took the now-docile Gang Hanbyeol and headed toward the Chairwoman’s office.
‘The Chairwoman must have realized the regression happened too. So I need to discuss this with her.’
As expected.
So Hyeyul, as if she had foreseen this, was sitting on the sofa waiting for us.
“Welcome, Hanbyeol, Gyeonu. This will likely be a long story, so please have a seat.”
With serious eyes unlike her usual self.
So Hyeyul spoke.
* * *
Actually, the regression Gang Hanbyeol experienced could not be called a complete regression.
Strictly speaking, it was merely the transfer of memories and emotions from the future to the past.
Only a small fragment.
Even so, the sense of reality given by those fragmentary memories was immensely vivid.
“This place is…”
Turning back time, just moments ago.
When he was caught up in the memories of the 1st playthrough forcing their way into his head.
When Gang Hanbyeol came to his senses, he was standing on the Academy grounds.
Engulfed in flames, blood everywhere.
“….”
All around, he saw students and instructors collapsed and bleeding.
Among them were his friends.
Go Eunbi, Nam Yuri, Bak Sagun, Yong Haerang, Min Arin…
Finding them all dead in such miserable states, Gang Hanbyeol’s anger surged.
“Who on earth would do such a thing…”
The question lasted only a moment.
He felt presences approaching, brazenly revealing their killing intent.
Glancing at Yu Gaeul, who looked as though she’d been beaten with a blunt object, Gang Hanbyeol clenched his teeth and raised his head.
He manifested the mana within his body, preparing for battle at any moment.
‘There’s more than one.’
There were countless presences, swarming from all directions.
Gang Hanbyeol tensed up.
Before long.
Fwoosh!
A figure seemed to flicker within the endlessly burning flames.
Finally, the enemies walked out.
Upon confirming them, Gang Hanbyeol couldn’t help but doubt his eyes.
Because.
“…Yeon Haneul?”
The beings who appeared in the flames were none other than his friend, Yeon Haneul—many of her.
As if using the Gift of Fission, countless versions of her flickered with red eyes.
“Haneul, why are you…”
The Yeon Haneuls all had murderous eyes, practically drenched in blood.
She couldn’t be the enemy.
Gang Hanbyeol wanted to deny it, yet couldn’t readily do so.
Because his instincts and all the circumstances pointed to her.
Right then.
“So you’re Gang Hanbyeol, the young Demon Hunter. I was wondering where you were, and here you are.”
“….”
“Hello? Nice to meet you.”
One Yeon Haneul, walking out scattering embers, acted as their representative and addressed him.
Assuming she was the main body, Gang Hanbyeol immediately turned his head.
Then his gaze stopped on a person being dragged along by her.
“…Instructor Hong Yena?”
“….”
Yeon Haneul’s master.
The Seven-Colored Witch, Hong Yena.
Burned over nearly half her body, her skin melted away, she was already dead.
Yeon Haneul shrugged her shoulders lightly.
“Ah, this? She wasn’t qualified to be a master, so I burned her to death. But surprisingly, she didn’t burn well, you know? Thanks to that, I gained a new enlightenment. People don’t burn easily.”
Yeon Haneul giggled mockingly.
As if indicating she was no longer needed, she let go of Hong Yena’s nape with a snap.
Hong Yena, losing her support, collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
Gang Hanbyeol couldn’t hold back his anger.
“Are you saying you really did this? Have you lost your mind!? Why on earth…”
“Yes, I’m crazy.”
“Are you trying to play word games with me…!”
“And I killed them all. The so-called master here, Go Eunbi who begged me to return to how I was, Nam Yuri who charged at me saying she’d never let me go, Yong Haerang who said she couldn’t lay a hand on a friend, the stupid triplets who were disgusting to look at, Lisa Grace who apologized until the end even though she’d done nothing wrong. Also… Yu Gaeul, who kept provoking my temper. I killed all the rest too.”
“….”
“Now… you’re the only one alive among Gyeonu’s friends.”
“Why. What’s the reason.”
“Reason? There isn’t particularly any reason. I just… hated you all. Enough to want to kill you. Ah, except Gyeonu.”
It was absurd.
Gang Hanbyeol let out a hollow laugh, flabbergasted.
Conversation was meaningless any longer.
He would punish Yeon Haneul to avenge his friends.
Even so, all the while, he was calmly assessing the situation.
‘Can I… do this?’
Could he really win against Yeon Haneul, who was still endlessly splitting apart?
Also, if he eliminated the main body, would the remaining clones naturally perish?
Gang Hanbyeol couldn’t be sure.
Rather, the word “certain defeat” came to mind.
‘No, don’t think about that.’
His master, Seo Jeongjin, had taught him.
Even a fight where you charged in assuming victory wasn’t easy, so one mustn’t assume defeat.
Gang Hanbyeol decided to discard distracting thoughts.
Just as he was about to engage in battle like that.
Boom!
A blue lightning bolt split the night sky out of nowhere.
Do Gyeonu revealed himself from there.
“Gyeonu!”
“I’ll take care of things here.”
Regardless of whether Gang Hanbyeol welcomed it or not.
Do Gyeonu stepped forward as if to protect him and urged without looking back.
“There’s no time to explain in detail. Hanbyeol, go to the Chairwoman quickly. When you entered the Temple of Time, you know that place? The Chairwoman will be waiting there. Follow the Chairwoman’s instructions. And… tell me when you get back. This isn’t Haneul’s fau—”
With the sight of Do Gyeonu’s back like that.
Gang Hanbyeol’s memories cut off.
* * *
Gang Hanbyeol finished his story.
None of us opened our mouths.
Because we needed to organize our thoughts.
‘A future where Haneul, infinitely split through her Gift, kills everyone in sight…’
It was stifling, as if my chest were blocked by such an unbelievable story.
But the fact that Gang Hanbyeol had regressed was undeniable truth.
He wouldn’t spout lies either.
The more I thought about it…
My head throbbed.
I tilted my head back and rubbed the corners of my eyes.
‘Without a doubt. It’s the Yeon Haneul Ending.’
The Infinite Fission Ending of Yeon Haneul, where she becomes the Calamity Witch and infinitely splits to destroy the world.
Gang Hanbyeol’s story was very similar to that ending.
The timing was impeccable too.
Because in the game, the Yeon Haneul episode occurred around this time.
Even so…
‘Why does it occur? Because of what? How? For what reason? What motivation could Haneul possibly have to transform into the Calamity Witch…’
Maybe in the game.
There was no way Yeon Haneul, who lived in this world with me, would become a mid-boss.
Because I had worked hard to prevent that.
Having invested nearly six years of time.
And yet for her to despair of the world and become the Calamity Witch…
‘Ridiculous.’
I couldn’t understand it.
Could there be a predetermined, unchangeable fate?
Or had the game’s compulsion acted upon this?
I didn’t want to accept either.
I would defy it without fail.
Grind.
My teeth ground together on their own.
I had to devise countermeasures somehow.
It was then that So Hyeyul broke the silence.
She sighed.
“Having experienced the destruction of the world… Hanbyeol must have been greatly shocked. How is your mental state? Are you alright? You might have developed an abnormality, so please get a detailed examination later. I’ll introduce you to someone.”
“Ah… I’m fine, Chairwoman. It was confusing at first, but I’m better now.”
So Hyeyul was worried enough that it showed, despite seemingly restraining herself.
Gang Hanbyeol gave a bitter smile.
Soon she got to the main point.
“However, this is a problem. For Haneul to commit such acts… The fact that Instructor Hong Yena fell victim means her strength can’t be ignored, right? Indeed, they say she recently reached the 5th rank… Moreover, she possesses the Gift of Fission….”
“….”
“If Haneul sets her mind to it, theoretically it wouldn’t be difficult for her to proliferate enough to cover the world. Even while possessing the exact same capabilities as the main body. If we were to face her, and her fission speed surpasses our processing speed….”
“It would truly become a terrible calamity.”
So Hyeyul furrowed her brow.
“For what reason on earth would Haneul make such an extreme choice? Gyeonu, is there anything that comes to mind regarding this matter?”
“…No, not at all. Why would Haneul do that.”
“I see… There’s no way to know at all. This has truly become troublesome. Hanbyeol, I’m sorry, but do you not remember anything else?”
“Yes… what I just told you is all I remember.”
“It’s regrettable, but it can’t be helped. In the end, it means we have to prepare without knowing anything….”
Why the Yeon Haneul Ending occurs.
I wanted to know too.
Desperately so.
I shook my head at So Hyeyul’s question and continued to be lost in thought.
Then.
“To be honest.”
So Hyeyul began.
“There is one simplest solution to prevent future calamity. That is….”
Killing Yeon Haneul.
Knowing that all too well, I immediately warned So Hyeyul.
“Please stop right there.”
“….”
I had not even the slightest intention of giving up on Yeon Haneul, even if the world were destroyed.
I glared at So Hyeyul, revealing such will.
She narrowed her yellow eyes.
We exchanged gazes quietly as if locked in a staring contest.
Then, Gang Hanbyeol intervened.
“I don’t want that either. Haneul is my friend. And… thinking back now, somehow she didn’t seem like the Haneul I knew. It might sound strange… but that’s what I felt. She was Haneul, but she wasn’t Haneul.”
“….”
Gang Hanbyeol lent me strength.
Suddenly finding herself at odds with him, So Hyeyul twitched her eyebrows.
Soon she backed down with a sigh, as if she had no choice.
But she didn’t concede entirely.
“I don’t want to do anything to Haneul either. But in the worst-case scenario where it can’t be reversed, we would have no choice but to do so in order to stop destruction.”
“I won’t let it come to that. Just try laying a hand on Haneul. I definitely won’t stay still.”
“So we have to find a solution somehow before it comes to that.”
She was right.
I vowed to definitely stop the ominous future.
I firmly resolved.
* * *
“Good.”
Obtaining a uniform wasn’t difficult.
Checking her attire in front of the school gate, she stepped onto the Academy grounds.
“Wow, so this is Geumgang Academy.”
Compared to when she had seen it in a pamphlet before.
Compared to the academy she was attending.
Geumgang Academy, which she was visiting for the first time, boasted vast grounds.
She marveled with pure admiration.
At the same time, her mood sank.
“So this is where Gyeonu goes to school…”
Even though they had promised to go together.
Recalling a past that had once been brilliant but had now faded, she muttered bitterly.
Then she steeled herself.
“It’s okay. Memories can be built again from now on, from the beginning.”
She couldn’t fall into despair like this.
She was well used to disappointment.
Changing her mood, she strode forward vigorously.
Humming a tune as cheerfully as possible, she advanced while sightseeing around the Academy grounds.
Then, where she stopped, a huge lake stretched out.
“Beautiful…”
A lake tinged with a deep blue color, as if paint had been dropped into it.
She found a nearby sign and checked the lake’s name.
“So this place is called Azure Lake.”
While the summer wind was humid, looking at Azure Lake made her feel refreshed.
That must be why there were many people spending time by the lakeside even though it was the finals preparation period.
In other words, if she caused trouble here.
“Rumors would spread quickly.”
Having judged it that far, she gave a sly smile.
Then she snapped her fingers with a sharp sound.
Immediately after, magic manifested.
Fwoosh!
Over Azure Lake.
A massive fireball appeared.
The fireball, as if a sun had been miniaturized, fell straight into the lake under her control.
The heat touching the water surface rapidly turned to steam and billowed up, and the fountain gushing up from the impact splashed onto the students around.
Amid the uproar caused by this, she created another fireball as if boasting that she was the culprit.
Cackling with exhilaration.
She had become the childhood friend of the mid-boss.