NOVEL NEXT Chapter 173
Every year, Lunar New Year comes around.
It’s about a month after the new year starts, but since all the holidays are based on the lunar calendar, it feels a bit off.
Still, it’s clearly marked in red on the calendar, so no big deal.
…Wait, that’s not the issue right now.
There’s something more important than Lunar New Year.
Of course, it’s not about the New Year’s money.
Money’s overflowing anyway, so giving out New Year’s money to kids is like dusting—barely noticeable.
So, what’s the problem, you ask…
“Big sis… um… he’s my future husband!”
“…Future husband? What kind of nonsense is that?”
“…Hello. I’m Choi Jeongyeong, Yura’s boyfriend.”
…My younger sister brought home her future husband.
I have no idea how they even got to the point of planning marriage, but it’s a huge shock.
And to make matters worse, the Fairy Queen is lounging in my room, playing games on her day off.
“So… you’re Yura’s boyfriend? I’m pretty strict when it comes to relationships… you sure you’re okay with that?”
“Just trust me!”
“Guys who say that usually end up causing trouble later.”
“……”
Even though my sister drives me crazy, if he’s not someone who’ll truly love Yura for life, I’m not giving her away.
Well, it’s Yura we’re talking about, so it’s not like she’ll easily find someone compatible. Maybe I should just accept it…
No, I need to be sure.
“You’ll have to swear you won’t cheat, won’t be abusive, won’t gamble, and… that you’ll truly love Yura. Should we write a contract?”
“I’ll write it!!”
“…Really? If you break it and cause trouble later… no, do you even know who I am? Do you know what’ll happen if you break it?”
“…I know very well!”
“Alright… if your passion and love are real, I guess I can trust you once. Go ahead, write it.”
“Big sis…”
“You stay quiet.”
Marriage is a serious matter, regardless of gender.
You have to make sure the other person is human, not some beast.
Of course, it’s usually the guy who gets hurt, but I can’t even imagine Yura being the one causing trouble…
Honestly, Yura could live comfortably just on the money I give her, so I doubt she’d cause issues in that regard.
Plus, her personality is such that she’d never cling to another guy.
She’s the type who’d never actively go looking for a guy, even with her personality.
She’s the kind who’d cry about wanting a boyfriend but never make the first move, waiting for the guy to come to her…
“…Yura’s basically an idiot. You know that, right?”
“Ah, haha…”
“Wait?! Why are you casually agreeing to me insulting her?! Jeongyeong! Why aren’t you defending her?!”
“Well… I actually find that kind of foolishness really cute…”
“What?!”
“Her intelligence isn’t low, as you know, but she basically lives without thinking. Can you really take responsibility for someone like that…?”
“Of course, I’ll take responsibility!”
Huh…? That look in his eyes, he seems pretty serious.
He didn’t hesitate to write the contract, knowing who I am… Hmm, I guess I can trust him a bit.
Where on earth did Yura find someone like this…
“The rice cakes are done!”
“Wow, looks delicious. Alright, that’s the end of this story. It’d be rude to doubt any further, so eat up and enjoy the holiday.”
“Thank you!”
“Yay~! Let’s eat the rice cakes… Oh! There’s squid in it!”
By the way, the rice cakes are already done…
Chubby’s cooking speed is insane.
Hmm, just the right amount of saltiness, and the squid gives it a slight seafood flavor with a nice umami kick.
“Oh my~ We have a guest~.”
“Melphis. Don’t come out looking so flirty.”
“…Um, sis. Is that the Fairy Queen?”
“Yeah. Hard to believe, but it’s true. She’s the complete opposite in work mode and daily life—a total slacker queen.”
“That’s so mean~.”
“Tch.”
You brat, don’t hug me and bury your face in my chest like that.
I’ll hit you so hard your collarbone breaks.
“…By the way, Rampage? I need to talk to you about something. Want to hear it now?”
“What? Hmm… Lunch is still a bit away, so go ahead.”
“Got it~.”
Something to talk about between the two of us… It’s probably about Pandora’s records.
It’s likely about Shandra or Pandora… What are they planning to say?
“…Rampage.”
“What?”
“Pandora’s records are so vast that it took a while to organize them.”
“Really?”
“Pandora… She committed unforgivable, massive sins, but it seems she had no other choice.”
“Why does it sound like a washing machine is running already…”
“It’s not a washing machine. Because… she chose to immerse herself in evil, and her goal wasn’t to save humanity but to destroy the Demon Realm and kill the Transcendents. And halfway through… she went mad and started enjoying it. She’s an irredeemable villain, through and through.”
“…I see.”
She went mad, huh… Well, from the moment I met her, that smile of hers… It wasn’t the kind of smile a human could make.
A chilling smile that made you feel like you’d be consumed by madness just by looking at it…
Anyone could tell at a glance that she was insane.
“Hmm… To start from the beginning, Pandora wasn’t always like that. She fought harder than anyone as a magical girl against the Demon Realm. But somewhere along the way, she saw something resembling the truth. Whether by chance or not… that was the start of Pandora’s tragedy.”
“The truth? Hmm… Could it be related to the Akashic Records?”
“Maybe. Anyway, after that, Pandora changed. The timing matches perfectly with the records. From then on, Pandora chose to become the ruler of the Demon Realm, deciding to reign over it as the vessel of Freya.”
“So it’s recorded in such detail…”
“It’s written as if someone intended to read it from the start. Maybe she wanted someone to see it. Since Shandra, the Transcendent, is still around…”
“Ah~ That one. I skipped it last time.”
“Yeah. Anyway… she found it after that.”
“The Child of Heo?”
“Yes, the Child of Heo. The probability of two or more being born in the same place within 100 years is practically zero. Even Freya said scattering the Child of Heo across dimensions was almost like a gamble.”
The Child of Heo… That’s what she called me when she saw me.
Come to think of it, I’m also a Child of Heo, and so is my senior…
…Could it be?
“The Child of Heo is a very special existence. Their vessel expands infinitely, and if two Children of Heo merge, they can transcend the 「Concept」 and directly access the Ether itself. Well, that’s assuming Pandora’s records are true.”
“I see. So my 「Chaos」 isn’t just me governing 「Chaos」, but I’ve become a higher existence that controls 「Chaos」? So theoretically, I can handle other 「Concepts」 to some extent? From being swayed by Ether to controlling it… Well, compared to the Third Ability, after 「Chaos」, it feels like I’m using it as naturally as my own limbs.”
“That seems like a reasonable interpretation. But… the Children of Heo must share the same origin of life and have a soul of sufficient quality.”
“Ugh, why such strict conditions? And by ‘same origin’, do you mean they have to handle the same kind of energy?”
“Exactly. The reason you, Rampage, were able to surpass Freya and become a Transcendent is because you handle Ether as your source energy, which is completely different from Freya.”
“…So, what’s the probability of such a miracle?”
“The probability of finding something like that in one dimension within 1000 years… Honestly, I don’t know. It’s a miracle-level probability, to the point where even Pandora gave up calculating.”
“I see.”
“Ah, I might forget, so here are the records on Shandra.”
Ah… So that’s why she had that insane smile.
She found it way too quickly, to the point where her face looked like it would shatter…
“…So when I resisted merging until the end and collapsed… she looked so disappointed.”
“Maybe. But thanks to Lunatic’s foresight, she sealed her soul in a Crystal Stone and handed it to you, Rampage, allowing you to successfully become a Transcendent. Maybe it was destined to happen, even without Pandora…”
“True. That’s probably why my senior was so fixated on me.”
“Really, you’re a miracle child, Rampage.”
…Stop looking at me like that, it’s embarrassing.
Anyway, it’s almost lunchtime.
Let’s go eat.
The rice cakes turned out great, and there’s galbi and japchae too…
“Ah, you’re back, sis.”
“Yeah.”
“By the way, where’s Nari? She’s usually always clinging to you on holidays like this.”
“It’s a holiday. Even if I don’t mind, do you think she’d understand?”
“Ah, right.”
“By the way, aren’t you going to meet relatives?”
“…No, it’s all the same.”
“…I see.”
Alright, everyone’s seated… Let’s start with the japchae.
Wait, Fairy Queen, you brat…!! Who takes the whole thing like that?!
“Hey, Melphis. Take only what you can eat.”
“Ah, really~?”
“…Put it down before I say something harsh, and take some on your plate.”
“Okay~.”
Fairy Queen… The fact that she tried to take it all so casually shows she’s a big eater.
…Well, she is a fairy, so it makes sense.
Ah, the japchae turned out really delicious.
“By the way, did you go to meet the parents?”
“Yeah! They’re really nice~.”
“Ah, good… As long as you didn’t cause any trouble there.”
“Huh?! You don’t trust me?!”
“It’s because it’s you that I don’t trust.”
“Ah, come on~! What do you take me for?!”
“A dumbass.”
“What?!”
Well, what else is there?
The stuff you usually do to me is nothing but dumbassery…
So, huh? How can I not worry?
“…Well, I’ll admit you’ve got some skill in snagging a decent guy.”
“Snagging… Jeongyeong was the one who made the first move?!”
“……You’re still the same, Yura unnie.”
“What, what?! Are you all saying I’m the only one not aging?!”
“Who’d like to end up like this…”
“Every girl’s No.1 wish is to stay young forever!”
“So, can you fight demons or monsters with your life on the line?”
“No.”
“Then shut up.”
“Hmph…”
…Jeongyeong, huh? The way he looks at Yura, it seems like he really loves her.
That loving expression on his face—if that’s not love, then what is?
Of course, I don’t know how far that love will go… but I hope it lasts long.
“Dessert is dumplings!”
“Oh, right, we made dumplings too?”
“Yes!”
Ah~ Dumplings are a must for holidays.
Alright, since we’ve finished eating, let’s have some dumplings…
“…Um, sis. There’s something stuck to the window… What is that?”
“What? …Ah.”
I thought something was stuck to the window, but why is Gravity clinging to it…
Wait, why is she even here?!
“Huh? It’s Ame unnie.”
“…Ayun. Open the window.”
“Okay~.”
Diamond Dust opens the window, and Gravity flies in, smiling brightly.
She’s hugging a big rabbit doll and sniffing the food smell as she flies in.
“…? Who’s that?”
“Yura’s boyfriend.”
“…Hi.”
“Ah, ah… Hi…”
“…By the way, dumplings…”
“Here, say ‘ah~’.”
“Ah~.”
Seriously… Why did she suddenly come here?
Did she know it’s the Lunar New Year holiday?
“Why did you come?”
“Umm… It’s Lunar New Year, so…”
“Ah, I see…”
“Ame unnie, come here.”
“Ame is so cute~.”
So she knew that holidays mean special food…
Ah~ That’s why Chubby made so much food.
Surprisingly quick judgment, Chubby.
Well, if she weren’t, she’d have been dead by now.
“Ah, sis!”
“What?”
“……”
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“…Yeah!”
“…Why? Wait, don’t tell me…”
“New Year’s money!”
“……You want New Year’s money at your age?”
“Hehe…”
“Sigh… Here, take it.”
“Thank you~!”
“…Sorry, sis.”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
Sigh~… When will Yura ever grow up~…
In contrast, Diamond Dust has a job and doesn’t ask for New Year’s money… Wait, what’s she doing now?
“……”
“Ayun… Why are you like this?”
“…Me too, New Year’s money…”
“…Here, take it.”
“Thank you.”
…Yura’s influence is rubbing off on Diamond Dust.
Don’t learn that from her, you brat.
I just praised you, and now you’re doing this…
“……”
“…Ame, what’s wrong with you?”
“…Choco, no?”
“You’re asking for chocolate now…? Here, eat this first. Chocolate is for dessert.”
“Waaah~…”
“Here, try the japchae.”
“Nom…”
Sigh… Now I have to feed Gravity too.
Ah~ Why are these brats still acting like kids even though they’re grown up?!
“Done…”
“There’s galbi too, so eat that with rice.”
“…Okay.”
“Ame unnie, come here.”
“Wah~…”
By the way, with this atmosphere, Jeongyeong can’t really join in.
Even though he came to meet the family, he’s just sitting there eating quietly.
“Bro-in-law. Don’t feel awkward, just play some games if you’re done eating. There’s nothing for you to help with anyway.”
“Ah, okay.”
“…Melphis. Leave some food for others.”
“It’s so tasty~. What can I do~?”
“Sigh…”
Hmm… I’ve eaten enough dumplings, and Gravity’s taken care of… I’ll just have some drinks on the sofa.
“By the way, did you drive here?”
“Huh? No, I didn’t drive. It’s close by, so…”
“So you’re not planning to drive today?”
“No, not really.”
“Then I was thinking of having some bourbon whiskey. Want to join?”
“Ah, whiskey?!”
“…Why are you reacting first?”
“Jeongyeong! Let’s drink!”
“Uh, uh… Sure…”
Whatever, in this atmosphere, I have to take the lead.
Otherwise, he’ll just sit there awkwardly until it’s time to leave…
“Here, drink up.”
“One bottle each?”
“Yeah. If you get too drunk, I’ll sober you up before you leave, so don’t worry and drink.”
“Wow…!”
Ah~… Whiskey after a meal is the best.
I thought about having soju or makgeolli since it’s the holiday, but drinking what you want right away is the best.
“Ah, I need to take a call… Ah, yes. Mom, why? …Pfft?!”
“…?”
“…Ah, got it… Mom…”
“…What’s wrong?”
“Well… she said I can stay over, and then she made a dirty joke…”
What’s going on? It seems Yura’s mom really likes him.
She wouldn’t make a suggestive comment about staying over and having sex if she didn’t.
By the way, that mom is living quite young~.
“Ah~… Well, you’re not kids anymore, and the family meeting’s over, so it’s fine.”
“Somehow, sis, you’re really straightforward.”
“I already said I trust him, and with Yura acting like that, it’s hard to be wary.”
“Huh?”
“Despite how she looks, she’s very picky about people. She’s also lazy about building relationships. It’s just not obvious on the surface, so unless you’re close, you wouldn’t know.”
“I see…”
“Well, anyway, you’re together now, so drink up. You can stay over if you get drunk.”
“Thank you.”
“If you’re not planning to have kids right away, always use a condom.”
“Pfft?!”
That guy, almost spitting out his whiskey…
Well, I kind of intended that, but I