To Hell With Being a Hero!

[In the past, you would have told me to know my place and stay holed up in Shalyh, but now, you give me important roles without hesitation.…]

Of course, he had said it as a joke, but he had also said that with the thought that his brother was finally acknowledging him; that was what he had thought, but that wasn’t actually the case. His brother’s reaction back then was…how should he describe it? Chi-Hyun hadn’t really said anything, but for some reason, his reaction caught Chi-Woo’s attention. Even after that, the image of his brother getting up from his seat without saying a word and leaving kept surfacing his mind randomly. Thus, Chi-Woo now needed to tell him the same thing properly.

“I know.” Chi-Woo cleared his throat. “I know what you’re worried about, but I have to go. Because I promised myself. To acknowledge and accept it, but never be swayed by it.”

Chi-Hyun looked bewildered at Chi-Woo’s sudden declaration.

Chi-Woo took a deep breath calmly and said, “The intuition that you’re talking about…no, it wasn’t simple intuition. You must know it too. What kind of life I have lived since I was born.” Chi-Woo wanted a normal life more than anyone else, but whatever he did, his daily life was fraught with bizarre and strange incidents.

“I kept wondering why. Why should I be the only one living like this? When I was on Earth, I didn’t know anything and blamed and despised my family and the world for no reason.” Was it because he had finally revealed a bit of his inner thoughts? Chi-Woo quietly opened his eyes and stared at Chi-Hyun. “Of course, I still don’t know everything, but…I got to learn a little bit about the truth after coming to Liber.” The next moment, white light surrounded Chi-Woo’s body. From both eyes as well as his limbs and body, dazzling light poured out. Chi-Hyun’s expression contorted as he saw Chi-Woo’s eyes shine through the brilliant light.

“You…!”

“Calm down, Chi-Hyun.”

Chi-Hyun was about to shout something, but his mouth shut close against his will. Surprised, he felt a contradictory sense of being ‘forced’ to calm down at the same time. What the hell was that? Chi-Hyun had encountered all kinds of strange and unbelievable things, but he struggled to understand what had just happened.

“This power…no, this fate. I know what you think of it, but look carefully.” Chi-Woo spread his arms wide and said, “How does it look?”

“…”

“Do you think it still looks dangerous?”

Chi-Hyun shook his head with a dazed expression. He had no choice but to agree; the light coming from Chi-Woo’s body didn’t look dangerous in the slightest. Rather, it flowed smoothly as if it was right at home and was not only coexisting with Chi-Woo, but also resonating stably. But above all, the force that Chi-Hyun felt just now was something he had never experienced before. Without even a bit of exaggeration, he would say that the voice seemed to have rung from the sky. Like Chi-Woo’s words were a verse in the Bible, Chi-Hyun calmed down after being told to calm down. That was all. Yes, that was all, but that was something that should have been impossible.

Chi-Hyun remembered seeing Chi-Woo use that power several times. However, from Chi-Hyun’s point of view, that was unlikely to be the power’s true form. Of course, although a small fragment of it was enough to demonstrate terrifying might, it was technically only a part of the unruly power inside Chi-Woo going berserk. However, just now, Chi-Woo had succeeded in using his power properly, albeit a very small amount. What the hell was going on here?

To describe what happened, the Core of Balance that La Bella had put inside Chi-Woo’s heart at Princess Sahee’s urging could be seen as the preparatory process. And to put it simply, Chi-Woo had basically submitted his application as a test-taker. There was nothing much to it, and the application only became meaningful after he took the test and passed it, thus receiving a certificate. On the other hand, despite this simple metaphor, Chi-Hyun knew how difficult and challenging this process was, as the test was the way of reaching the heavens. Chi-Hyun had no idea how Chi-Woo had succeeded in qualifying in such a short period of time.

‘Come to think of it—’ He had observed an unpredictable interference before; he had no idea what it was. It seemed that a lot had happened to his younger brother while he wasn’t able to pay attention to him. Soon, the light gradually faded from Chi-Woo’s body.

“I just thought that…the source of my intuition that you mentioned might also be derived from this fate…” Chi-Woo looked down at his hand before looking back up. “That’s why I have to go further.”

“Why did you—”

“If I’m right,” Chi-Woo cut him off, “If I just follow my intuition as I’ve been doing so far…in the end, I’ll just be conforming to my fate.”

Chi-Hyun closed his mouth again.

“But that’s not supposed to be the case. Then I’ll be unable to keep the promise that I’ll acknowledge and accept it, but not be swayed by it.”

“…”

“That’s why I’m going to go even though my intuition is shouting at me that it’s not safe. And even if this anxiety materializes in reality—” He was going to overcome it. This was what Chi-Woo thought was the true meaning of pioneering his own fate.

Chi-Hyun closed his eyes. He felt proud of his brother; this was his first thought as soon as he heard what Chi-Woo said. He was really proud and impressed by Chi-Woo. In most cases, Chi-Hyun would have sent Chi-Woo off and told him to give it a try… Yeah, if it was like most cases. However, Chi-Hyun could not do that this time because he knew what the fate Chi-Woo was talking about was.

The intuition worked in simple logic. If Chi-Woo did as his intuition said, he at least wouldn’t suffer any losses. On the contrary, if he went against his intuition, he would lose something no matter what. This meant only one thing. In the latter case, it was already a fixed future that something bad would happen to Chi-Woo, and without a single exception, that had been the case so far. As such, Chi-Woo was essentially declaring that he would change a fixed future. In other words, he was going to change the laws of causality according to his desires and needs and literally exercise ‘absolute causality’. What an insanely unbelievable feat that would be. Chi-Hyun raised his hand and pointed up with his index finger. Following the gesture, Chi-Woo looked up at the vast sky with no end in sight.

“There’s more than meets the eye,” Chi-Hyun said. “What you proposed to do is no different from putting the rules governing the universe—no, the entire universe under your feet.” It should be obvious that the present universe wouldn’t just stand by while this happened. “An enormous chaos will arise.” Chi-Hyun’s voice sounded a little shaky. “And the center of that chaos will aim at you with absolute certainty because you’re the cause of the chaos.”

“…”

“Don’t think of it as a light matter. The Abyss? Sernitas? I’m not exaggerating when I say that they’re merely dusts compared to the chaos that will arise from you.” Chi-Hyun quickly continued, “Powerful gods that look down at not only La Bella but also Princess Sahee—and even further, war gods that lead those ridiculous gods as their pawns.”

“…”

“As the chaos grows stronger, an Asura who can calm that chaos will be created. Then the universe will create another being to deal with that Asura, and the process will repeat forever and ever until someone breaks that endless cycle.

“…”

“…”

“If that happens…the ordinary daily life that you’ve been wishing for will….”

Chi-Woo fell into thought as Chi-Hyun trailed off, unable to continue. Gods who could look down on Princess Sahee—that must mean gods at the ninth or higher celestial rank. And Chi-Hyun spoke of a war god that could command even these gods, and the cosmic chaos that would break out as a result. Chi-Woo, who had borrowed the power of Indra, a ninth celestial rank god, from a talisman given by his mentor, was aware of the seriousness of Chi-Hyun’s warning. However…

“It’s all right.” Chi-Woo smirked. “That won’t happen.”

“Chi-Woo.”

“Even if I’m the cause, I don’t want that result.”

“Chi-Woo!”

“Hyung.”

The two called out to each other and closed their mouths at the same time. They stared at each other with an indescribable gaze. In fact, no more words were needed. Chi-Hyun was telling his brother that he shouldn’t cross the line that couldn’t be undone while he was still able to turn back, and Chi-Woo was telling Chi-Hyun to trust him this once. They had been making the same point to the other this whole time. Since they hadn’t been listening to each other, their argument had been going in circles. A brief silence fell between them, and then they heard someone clear his throat.

—Uh…I’m a third party…and I don’t want to intervene in another person’s family matter, but…

It was Philip. He glanced at Chi-Woo and stepped forward.

—But I probably know this guy better than you, at least when it comes to his time on Liber. I’ve been hanging out with him since I got out of Salem. As a person who has been watching him every second from the time he knew nothing, I dare say…

Philip continued with an air of dignity.

—I think you can stop worrying about him now.

Chi-Hyun’s eyes narrowed.

—From what I’ve seen, he’s not a hero or anything. A noble and lofty sacrifice? He has no interest in that in the first place. There’s only one thing this guy wants. He wants to grab your hand and return to Earth even a second faster. That’s what I’m saying.

—It’s only for this that he’s been trying to survive and going through all kinds of hardships. I’ve never seen him turn his eyes toward another goal besides that.

Chi-Hyun unconsciously nodded at Philip’s words.

“It’s not Liber that I’m worried about—”

—I know what you’re worried about.

Philip shook his head and interrupted Chi-Hyun.

—Then let me ask you one question.

Philip suddenly asked.

—Do you think your brother will seriously turn out the way you’re worried about?

Chi-Hyun smacked his lips; rather than being rendered speechless, it seemed more like he was carefully choosing his words.

—Let’s not bring other matters into this conversation.

Philip waved his hand.

—Please just answer yes or no.

When Chi-Hyun closed his mouth, Philip gave him a sly smile.

—You can’t answer because if you say yes, you’ll be a shithead, right? Since it’s obviously thanks to this guy that Liber got to this state. That alone should be proof for you. Don’t you think so?

Chi-Hyun remained silent, but Philip continued as if he didn’t expect an answer in the first place.

—Isn’t that right? You, as his older brother, know the kind of person he is better than anyone else. He didn’t just talk big, but has actually shown you this much result… Isn’t it about time to trust him? Nothing more, nothing less.

—Just once.

“…”

—Can’t you just trust him this once?

Philip let the moment stretch. Though he had so much more he wanted to say, pushing further would be rude not only to Chi-Hyun, but also to Chi-Woo. Philip looked at Chi-Hyun and suddenly smiled.

—…But it’s not like I don’t understand you at all.

Chi-Hyun’s concerns were reasonable. Despite what Chi-Woo wanted, his intuition was telling him that it was unsafe. It was bound to be difficult for a blood relative to send him off on his own. Nevertheless, Chi-Woo wouldn’t be alone. Philip put his arm around Chi-Woo’s shoulder.

—Well, hold tight to your worries. You said it was the Astral World, right? That means that I can play a role as a spirit. And…

There was a bark. Wallie, who was sitting next to Chi-Woo, stood up and barked at Chi-Hyun as if he was saying he’d also follow along as well. Philip grinned.

—This guy is saying the same thing.

Chi-Woo would not be alone. Philip and Wallie would join him. Therefore, Chi-Hyun should try putting his trust in Chi-Woo as his younger brother painted a happy future where no one would have to cry or be sad and everyone could laugh. Chi-Hyun stayed silent. Without a word, he closed his eyes and seemed lost in thought. As time went by, Chi-Woo stared at Chi-Hyun with slightly nervous eyes. How long had it been?

“I…” Chi-Hyun slowly opened his eyes as if he had made up his mind. “I have no intention of taking back my words.”

Chi-Woo scowled, but Chi-Hyun then continued, “If I had to choose between you and the Shalyh’s expeditionary force, I will choose you no matter what.”

Philip smacked his lips as if he was fed up with Chi-Hyun\'s stubbornness, and Wallie also growled while revealing his Mad Moon fangs.

“So—” Chi-Hyun suddenly extended an arm. “You better do a good job.”

Crack— With the sound of air splitting, cracks began to form where Chi-Hyun’s palm was. “If you don’t want me to make that decision.”

Chi-Woo stared at the space that had been forced open, and his eyes widened with joy. His brother, who had never backed down on this matter, finally took a step back for the first time.