······ Blergh!"
Bloodshot eyes pierced me. Was this the feeling of wanting to blame something? It was more than understandable. Unlike Yoo Yeonha, Chae Nayun was a true aristocrat. The type to get indigestion if it wasn't top-class cuisine, and remain in a foul mood all day upon seeing cockroaches or mice.
"······You."
"I'm heading back first."
Kim Suho tried to say something to me. For some reason, his face was rigid too, but I turned away. Right now, even I needed some deep contemplation.
The Maine's strength had exceeded my settings.
It was incomprehensible.
* * *
She had simply swung her sword in a straight line. The thin blade cut only through empty air. Yet from the tip of the sword, an unidentified white mana flickered, and the softly unleashed force whirled in all directions, annihilating the monsters ahead.
It was a clean process.
Yun Seungah sheathed her sword and glanced back. Her hair swayed in the gentle breeze. The dozens of citizens watching her from behind couldn't utter a single word. Their eyes harbored an unwavering light of respect and awe. Witnessing the battle of the world's most popular hero would serve as bragging rights for a long time to come.
"You may rest easy now······."
"Vice Captain!"
A rough shout cut off Yun Seungah's words of reassurance. Yun Seungah was slightly startled.
A man who had rushed over in a hurry poured out words to Yun Seungah.
"A Maine has appeared at the Weapons Museum!"
"······Excuse me?"
"You need to go right away······ What? What did you say?"
But soon he tilted his head, focusing his hearing on the communication device in his ear.
"······Ah. Yes."
"What's going on?"
"Well······ the incident has been resolved. It just so happened that three Cube cadets were there······."
"Aha. That's admirable. Who was it?"
"Kim Suho and Chae Nayun, and······ Ack!"
Before he could even finish his sentence, a fierce gale kicked up. In that fierce whirlwind, in the brief moment the man closed and opened his eyes, the hero who had cut down dozens of monsters in a single strike had already vanished without a trace.
Yun Seungah arrived at the museum in a flash of light. A man was just exiting the museum. A very ordinarily-looking man. The man flinched upon seeing Yun Seungah, then suddenly bowed his head deeply.
"Hello."
Do I know him? Well, there are people who know me all over the world.
Though there was a strange sense of incongruity, Yun Seungah accepted the greeting without much thought.
"Ah, yes. Did something happen inside?"
"Yes. A Maine appeared. It just died, though."
"Ah······ But you are?"
To Yun Seungah's question, the man smiled fleetingly and answered.
"I'm also a cadet."
At those words, Yun Seungah felt bewildered for a moment. Then she realized the source of the incongruity. Even if she was being modest, Yun Seungah was the most popular hero in the world. Therefore, most cadets would freeze up or at least be nervous in front of her.
"······Ah, yes."
"Well then. The person you're looking for is still inside."
However, the man who introduced himself as Kim Hajin left without showing any sign of tension, giving an awkward smile. Yun Seungah watched his retreating figure for a moment.
"What the heck is with him?"
If he's a cadet, he should be young, yet he's quite bold. But Kim Hajin······? I feel like I've heard that somewhere before. More importantly, how did he know the reason I came here?
Yun Seungah thought as she trudged into the museum.
As expected, the interior was horrific. The claw-mark-like things engraved on the tile floor were traces of battle, and the ominous energy of mana that had not yet fully dissipated was evidence of the Maine.
"Na-yoon-ah!"
Just then, an anguished cry came from the entrance. Yun Seungah turned to look. A middle-aged man who had appeared at some point was looking around the museum with bloodshot eyes. He was someone Yun Seungah knew as well.
Chae Nayun's father, Chae Shinhyeok.
"Mr. Chae Shinhyeok?"
"······Vice Captain Yun Seungah?"
"Ah······ You must be incredibly busy these days. It's been a while. Shall we go together?"
Yun Seungah pointed deeper into the museum and smiled stiffly.
*
In a place that could never be called normal, with utility poles bent and cars embedded in building windows, I claimed one of the few intact benches. The vicinity was noisy with the dispatched heroes cleaning up the aftermath, but I too was gravely serious in my own way.
The story had changed. If this world were my novel, that would be impossible. Of course, a foreign element called 'Kim Hajin' had intervened, but his weight was extremely minor. Hadn't everything so far progressed perfectly normally?
I was never someone who could influence the story······
Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind with chilling clarity.
"······Ah, right."
I had forgotten until now.
I am not the sole original author of this story.
To be precise, this world is not the novel I wrote.
To be even more precise, it is a remake version of my novel.
"There is a co-author······."
The moment my thoughts reached that point, a sense of ineffable blankness surged from within. What had been the source of my peace of mind all this time? That I could just live normally? No, that was never possible from the start. Just as when I was blocked from modifying the immutability stat, that 'someone' would never have allowed it.
Just then, my laptop suddenly went ding— like a phone.
When I opened the laptop, a message had arrived.
[Criticism one. There is no danger worth speaking of to the protagonist and the characters around him. If this kind of development continues, there is a risk of instilling a vague sense of boredom that 'the protagonist will obviously win anyway.']
"······But this crazy bastard."
Of course there's no danger. Readers hate extreme danger. This bastard who knows nothing······ But then there was one more thing following it.
[Stopgap measure one. Even if it becomes a mess, I will first try raising the intensity of hostile entities.]
────────────────────────────────────
────────────────────────────────────
Deviation (3)
[Today around 1 PM, a swarm of monsters appeared in the heart of Seoul. The sudden monster incident has resulted in casualties, with over 500 citizens injured and 7 dead.]
The news anchor was reporting today's situation as breaking news. Chae Shinhyeok let out a deep sigh and stroked the patient on the hospital bed. Her pale complexion pierced the father's heart with agony. Though she was someone who would soon become an adult and even a hero, to Chae Shinhyeok, Chae Nayun was still merely a child.
[······Investigations have revealed the monster to be a mid-grade, first-rank 'Beast Instigator.' This Beast Instigator, resembling a human-sized badger, is a monster unprecedented in South Korea, and the Association has determined there is a mastermind behind the monster's appearance and has launched a pursuit.]
"······Ngh."
Just then, Chae Nayun opened her eyes. Chae Shinhyeok made a fuss and called for the doctor waiting nearby.
"O-oh, you're awake? How are you feeling?"
"······I'm fine."
Chae Nayun weakly raised her upper body. The doctor rushed over to check her pulse or something, but Chae Nayun waved him away with a smile.
"It's fine. I'm okay now."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I wasn't hurt badly anywhere. Didn't the doctor tell you?"
"H-he did."
The doctor had answered without realizing it. Chae Shinhyeok was a titan who controlled the nation's economy. It was obvious that falling out of his good graces would make one's future life unpleasant in every way.
"...She seems fine, so you may leave now."
"Y-yes."
The doctor hurriedly left the hospital room. Chae Nayun looked at the closed door and spoke briefly.
"······Dad."
"Yes?"
Chae Shinhyeok answered kindly.
"I mean, my brother."
That soft voice was enough to resurrect a dark past. The existence of her son, who lived on in a corner of her heart, was a pain that made her whole body throb whenever she recalled it. However, the father soon smiled kindly and took his daughter's hand.
"······Why?"
"Can I go see my brother when I'm discharged? You would've taken sick leave anyway."
"Go ahead."
Chae Shinhyeok consented lightly.
Chae Nayun rested her head on her father's shoulder for a moment and recalled today's events once more.
The Maine at the museum, the jet-black hand gripping her neck, and the one who had mentioned my brother······ From there, Chae Nayun's rage was rekindled.
"Dad, and you know."
Chae Nayun's tone as she spoke was dark. Heavy, dense emotions colored her voice. Chae Shinhyeok asked worriedly.
"Why?"
"······Nothing. It's nothing."
Suddenly, she had come to hate someone enough to wish them dead. However, Chae Nayun couldn't bring herself to say that to her father.
She recalled again. When she was poisoned by the Maine's mana, when she suffered as if her insides were boiling.
Even in that agony, the man's voice had rung clearly in her ears.
—Your brother will come and comfort you.
That man had mentioned her brother. Five years ago, on the day her sky collapsed, everyone in the world had known of it. Therefore, she hadn't even had the chance to grieve alone. Since that day, her brother's name had been engraved deep in her heart and had become a massive reverse scale.
Naturally, as a hero cadet, that man must have known her brother's condition as well. And despite knowing that, he had mentioned her brother.
Chae Nayun coldly suppressed the surging fury once more and muttered the man's name.
Kim Hajin, Kim Hajin.
Now, Chae Nayun would never again mistake or forget that name.
***
Seoul, with the entire world dyed in the light of the sunset. The sun's movement was no different than usual, yet the heart of the city basking in its rays was an Asura field as if capsized in crimson flames.
Asphalt fragments littered the roadside, and a young child cried beneath a utility pole snapped like a wooden chopstick. Ambulances busily went back and forth to the hospital, carrying injured people, or bodies.
Though the dispatched heroes had already settled the situation, the lingering chaos remained as it was.
"Kim Suho. Kim Hajin. I've heard the gist."
In the meantime, it was almost time to assemble, so we gathered at the Portal Checkpoint. Kim Suhyeok was waiting in front of the portal connected to Cube.
"I'll ask for the detailed circumstances later, so go back now. The agents will take care of the rest."
For reference, agents (要員) and heroes are distinct. Usually, agents refer to those who graduated from the Agent Officer Academy but did not enter Cube, that is, 'non-combat agents.' They have often mastered abilities very useful in daily life. For example, like that man over there who restores broken asphalt with just a wave of his hand.
"Um, Instructor. Then what about Chae Nayun······?"
Kim Suho asked Kim Suhyeok. Kim Suhyeok answered briefly.
"She took sick leave. She's with her family now."
"Ah, I understand."
No further questions were asked.
"Go back."
Having lent their strength during the sudden emergency, the cadets all looked exhausted, even Yoo Yeonha.
We trudged into the portal. The bizarre sensation enveloping our bodies was no longer a source of interest either. With a single sigh, we reached Cube.
The group walked toward the dormitory building without a word.
"······Hey."
It was around the time the girls and boys split off.
On the way back to Dormitory No. 1, Kim Suho called out to me in a low voice.
"What."
"What were you thinking, saying something like that?"
"······What do you mean?"
"To Chae Nayun."
What's with him suddenly spouting weird stuff. When I frowned as if I didn't know, Kim Suho suddenly revealed hostility.
"Why did you mention her brother?"
"What. I just said it without thinking······."
For a moment, I swallowed my words.
There is a co-author in this world. This is not a place where only my settings exist.
Something must have changed.
"······What's with her brother?"
At my question, Kim Suho stopped walking. And then he glared at me, grinding his teeth.
"There's no way a cadet wouldn't know. Are you pretending not to know?"
"What? No, I really—"
"Forget it. We'll talk later. Right now..."
Kim Suho quickly passed by and boarded the elevator. Dark circles hung heavily beneath his eyes as they glared at me. Since he had used his ability, he would probably crash and sleep like that today.
Unlike Kim Suho, I was on the first floor, so there was no need to take the elevator.
*
The moment I sat on the sofa in my room, I turned on my smartwatch. An internet window floated in the air. This world's main search engine was Naver (Neighbor). The interface was not much different from modern times, so I could handle it skillfully.
First, I searched for Chae Nayun.
The words Kim Suho had said to me, and the reaction Chae Nayun had shown, were definitely strange.
===
[Chae Nayun] (Hero Cadet)
Family—Father Chae Shinhyeok, Older Brother Chae Jinyun
Education
—Formerly 4th place overall at the Agent Military Academy.
—Currently enrolled at the Hero Completion Institution (Cube).
===
"She has one, so what's the problem?"
Chae Jinyoon. He was definitely alive and well, not dead. Just what had caused such a commotion?
Tilting my head, this time I searched for Chae Jinyun.
At the same time, my mouth fell half-open.
"...Huh?"
[Chae Shinhyeok's son, Chae Jinyun, shot by a Mine, in critical condition.]
[Mine suppression operation 'Wildfire' a success... However, rookie hero Chae Jinyun is in a coma.]
There were articles like that—which I could not understand.
"What the hell."
The Mine suppression operation, 'Wildfire.' I knew about this. It was the first turning point where Chae Jinyun would gain honor.
He successfully led this operation and was appointed a mid-grade hero for his meritorious deeds in rescuing three comrades. At that time, the thirteen-year-old Chae Nayun had gone around bragging about her older brother, who had gained tremendous popularity in an instant.
No, that was the fate that should have been.
"What the hell is this..."
Unable to accept any of it, I took out my laptop. If there were any hints, they would be inside it.
[Thanks to high luck, the white light bullet deals a fatal blow to the Mine, 'Hound of Lucius'.]
[Luck takes effect, increasing your understanding of the light attribute!]
[By extreme good fortune, a portion of the mana generated from the light bullet's explosion has been absorbed into your body! Mana increases by 0.03.]
[You have dealt a fatal blow to an opponent much stronger than yourself. The sub-entry 'Reversal (逆轉) Archer' has been added to the Talent [Sharpshooter].]
[SP increases by 131.]
There were many pleasant notifications, but I put them all aside for now.
I looked for my setting collection. No, there was no need. My setting collection consisted of settings I had written. Since this was not something I had written, there was no point looking through what I had written.
However, a message had arrived on the laptop.
[Chae Jinyoon—In the original work, he was a reliable older brother to Chae Nayun and a righteous person who styled himself as Kim Suho's assistant, but it was judged that the protagonist had too many assistants. The setting has been changed.]
[Modified Setting—Four years ago, following his employment as a hero, Chae Jinyoon received a demon's fire brand during his first dispatch accident and fell into a coma; currently, he has become a demon seed.]
[*Note*: Modified settings are provided as messages after the target 'Kim Hajin' personally recognizes them.]
I stared blankly without even realizing my mouth had opened.
Only when drool was about to fall onto the laptop could I barely let out a voice.
"Bullshit..."
My throat was so choked that no more words came out.
If this message was true, it was a very serious problem.
The demon seed was a setting that only appeared in the middle-to-late parts. If it sprouted, the current Kim Suho would be unable to stop it. If a highest-grade hero appeared, they might be able to endure, but most of them had left the secular world.
Even if high-grade heroes currently on active duty were dispatched, some among them would inevitably be sacrificed.
That must not happen. They all had to become strength in the later parts.
Therefore, if this demon seed sprouted, everything would get tangled up. Of course, it was already tangled, but it would become tangled beyond imagination.
Then what had to be done?
There was only one answer, so my deliberation was brief.
"...He has to die."
He had to die.
Fortunately, the demon seed had an incubation period. I had probably set it at five or six years.
Four years had already passed. As soon as possible, before the demon inside Chae Jinyoon awoke, he had to be killed.
However, the 'agent' was the problem.
Who would kill him?
I could not hire people. Even if I offered a fortune, there was no mercenary alive who would accept the insane request to kill a fourth-generation chaebol heir.
Moreover, the demon seed showed no precursors, so reporting it was impossible too. No matter how much I ranted that a demon would manifest if that man was not killed, it was obvious I would be the only one treated like a lunatic.
He had to die.
Before that vague answer, I had to add one word.
"I have to kill him."
Letting out a long breath, I quietly closed my eyes.
The devoted younger-sister fool and Kim Suho's stalwart assistant, Chae Jinyun, had been changed into a character who had to die for the stability of this world. Surprised