#186
Earthlings of Another World (3)
“Let me introduce myself once again. I am Isea. Nice to meet you.”
Inside the hospital room, now just the two of them.
She greeted him again with her usual cold expression.
“Oh, I’m Hesperon…”
“Wait a moment. Can you please use your real name instead of that pseudonym?”
“Real name… you mean?”
“Honestly, it’s funny to care about such things in this other world. However, since this is my first time meeting someone from my homeland, I wanted to ‘properly’ introduce myself. You can think of it as a kind of formality.”
Once she plainly stated that, Hesperon quickly understood her intention and nodded in agreement.
“So, you really are that Earthling introduced by Riley. To be honest, I was a bit doubtful when I heard your name.”
Hmm, “So you are also Korean?”
“Ah! I’m Ha Seung-hoon. I came here just under two months ago from Seoul. Haha!”
For reference, this name wasn’t just a made-up pseudonym.
It was one of the identities obtained through Heterosis, who had become a major player in Seoul’s underworld, and it even existed in official government records.
With enough power and influence, taking care of such minor details wasn’t too difficult.
“I’ve already been here for over 8 years. So much has happened during that time… Ah, again, thank you. To be honest, it was the hardest time for me when Riley was kidnapped.”
“Not at all! I’ve received a lot of help too! Without Riley, I would have been locked up there for my whole life without knowing anything!”
After exchanging greetings again, they began to open up more and engage in lively conversation.
Isea, who initially seemed a bit distant, soon showed no signs of it.
After all, she had survived for 8 years in another world after falling into it at such a young age.
Even if she felt less lonely being with Princess Riley, the yearning for her hometown, which she had suddenly left, couldn’t be helped.
In such a situation, it was only natural for her to be happy meeting someone from her homeland, especially someone from Korea, and particularly when she had received significant help.
“By the way, so you’re saying you’re twenty now?”
From there, the conversation naturally transitioned to the topic of age.
In fact, Isea had intended to investigate Hesperon’s background from the beginning, but the problem arose with his next question.
“That’s right. So, how old is Isea? You seem really young, but since Riley calls you ‘sister,’ you must be at least twenty… Oh wait? But you said you’ve been here for 8 years…”
As he tilted his head and blinked, Isea momentarily paused.
For a moment, she became confused about what age to say she was.
Since she had come to this world at 18, that meant she would undoubtedly be 26 now after 8 years.
Clearly, she could say she was older than him.
But if she were to return to Earth, she would still be 18, just approaching 19.
And if she were to meet him again in the future, could she still say she is the older one then?
“Tw… ”
“Tw?”
“I’m twenty-six.”
However, after a moment of frowning and contemplating, she realized that it didn’t really matter, so she confidently continued.
After all, she couldn’t introduce herself as “18 years old (9 years in)”!
Moreover, age is a measure of ‘living time,’ so thinking about the future aspects later was a sufficient matter.
She would be his teacher from now on, and she didn’t want to complicate things with this.
“Haha! This is funny! I thought you looked a bit overly young, but it’s because you were a high schooler for 9 years!”
His assumption, based on her response, left Hesperon blissfully unaware and laughing heartily.
Hehehe,
…Having spoken like that, Isea had clearly become quite comfortable and loosened up.
“Cough! Hesperon?”
Finally, Isea lightly cleared her throat and signaled him with her eyes.
Although he seemed to maintain respect by laughing out loud while still addressing her politely, it was difficult for her to shake off the feeling of discomfort.
“Oh, I’m sorry! I was just intrigued. I thought Riley was cute and lovely as an older sister, but it seems she was right!”
“Hesperon…?”
However, Hesperon’s unexpected closeness towards her became evident.
Despite being given hints twice, he continued to chuckle as if making a cheerful joke.
“But honestly, looking at your appearance, you seem more like a middle schooler than a high schooler…”
“…Please shut up!”
Isea firmly added a thick line to the notes she had recorded about Hesperon’s investigation.
This guy, he has absolutely no tact.
*
As always, in a dark corner of the Undying Castle.
“He escaped? A rookie… here? And took the princess with him?”
Andrew Weaver, another Earthling from Auterica, mumbled in a daze.
Today, after being buried in work as usual, he had heard the news a bit late, and what he discovered was quite shocking.
“How?”
He had an inkling of how it might have happened.
It was likely that there was no other way but through a Unique Skill.
But to think that a mere rookie, who had not even been here for two months, could achieve that was incomprehensible.
“…Was he more impressive than I thought?”
Due to several complications, he hadn’t had a chance to face him directly since he was captured for the first time, but he never imagined he could be that capable.
Even more so, given that the curiosity he had used for his “Trail Observation” didn’t clearly detect him, it seemed he had something else up his sleeve during that time.
‘Moreover, for some reason, it seems the army of the undead is not even hinting at tracking him.’
Maybe it was because they didn’t care since there was a crown prince?
Perhaps the Undead King saw this whole incident as just part of his amusement.
“Hu— That kid really has incredible luck. At first, I thought he was pitiful.”
Having successfully escaped, the princess was no longer just a simple prisoner.
She had become a golden link as the most promising candidate for the emperor of the empire.
Moreover, just causing her escape was secondary; the hardships they overcame together were a common trope that could spark some kind of feelings between a man and a woman, wasn’t it?
In many ways, it was something to be envied.
‘Tsk, some people are dealing with lunatics and undead…’
However, Andrew only clicked his tongue and shook his head lightly.
Had it been before, he might have been writhing in rising jealousy.
When he was withering day by day due to his taxing work, it was no different from hearing that they had gone off to have a romantic relationship in a cozy place.
But no longer did he need to envy them.
After waiting and waiting— the day he had been longing for had finally arrived!
『Karma Shop』
『Return (1,000,000) (Available)』
『Unique Skill Enhancement (700,000)』
『Status Enhancement – View Details』
『Available Karma – 1,000,028』
Hehe… Hahaha!
As a member of the Oath of Reversal, the interventions he had taken part in were far from few.
Among them, the most prominent and large-scale event was contributing to spreading ‘Madness’ across the continent by opening the gate to the Abyss.
At that time, he had gotten fewer points than expected and had only managed to carry out the fourth enhancement of his Unique Skill, but as time passed, the resulting damage had gradually accumulated, and the karma coming his way began to increase.
Besides, the minor settlements happening in the events he was involved in over the years had been steadily processed, and recently, he was also exploited by Olivia due to harsh labor…
‘Nine years… it’s been long.’
Thus, it wasn’t surprising that the results finally appeared.
After chuckling for a while, he scanned his surroundings with a much more relaxed mind.
Thinking he now had an exit plan whenever he wanted, the suffocating atmosphere of the Undying Castle felt more like a haunted house tour.
He then leisurely roamed the castle, performing his own farewell ritual.
From the first residence area filled with crazies to the high spires.
He peeked into every place he could go, leaving behind little traces of himself.
– Andrew Weaver was here.
Hoo, seems like that’s about it.
He looked at a crooked English inscription scrawled on a wall and smiled satisfactorily.
Even though it was an unbearably horrifying place, now that he thought he would never have to see it again…
[Andrew…? Your time for work has passed, and yet what are you doing here…? You are well aware that there is no free time until the quota is fulfilled… ]
At that moment, Olivia appeared before him like a ghost, shocking him back to reality.
“Gak!”
gulp.
The sudden appearance made Andrew instinctively lower his eyes.
Even though he was now fearless, facing someone like the Grim Reaper could not help but make him feel intimidated.
‘Wait, it’s the last time after all? Whatever I’m going to do, I can’t be stopped now!’
More than anything, as it was his time to leave, he didn’t want to show that he was still struggling at the last moment.
He had so much pent-up resentment against her!
It would be the best conclusion if he could pour out everything and leave this world feeling free.
Resolved, he straightened his back, raised his head, and looked directly at her…
Then he met her shadowy gaze and immediately lowered his eyes again.
‘Wait a minute, this monster could tear me apart just from sensing what I am trying to do, right? Is acting recklessly in front of her really wise?’
Initially, he intended to hurl insults and mock her, but if he did, he would probably find himself torn apart before he could even escape.
Given that he had demonstrated his usefulness in many ways, she wouldn’t kill him, so he could escape later…
‘…I just want to go back safe.’
However, it was still too unjust to just retreat in silence.
This was the last chance he would ever have, and if he let it pass, he would live with a knot in his heart forever.
‘Right, just say a few words and bolt afterward. Just keep it vague enough. That should be fine, right?’
With a deep breath, he licked his lips.
Preparing to flee promptly, he looked up at Olivia once again.
[Andrew…? Do you not hear what I am saying…? Am I going to have to tear off those useless ears and project thoughts directly into your brain…?]
She whispered to him, looking at him as if feeling pity.
His instinct was to shrink away, but Andrew grit his teeth and held firm, shouting defiantly.
“Th…!”
[…Th?]
“I’ve found it dirty being with you, and let’s never see each other again! I enjoyed working with Siana much more. You can’t even come close to her level besides work! Oh, and I hate listening to you ramble on!”
Due to excessive tension, he slightly faltered, but he finally poured out the words he had wanted to say.
While his attempt to keep within the lines had toned down what he really wanted to convey, that unexpected rebellion was enough to surprise Olivia.
Moreover, bringing Siana into it, with whom he didn’t exactly have a pleasant relationship, was a nice touch…
Shshshsh—!
Instantly, the temperature dropped below zero, and energy frosted around them.
[Have you, perhaps, lost your mind due to black magic…?]
As Olivia’s expression turned chilling, cutting her off as she tried to speak.
“Haha! Well, I’ll take my leave now! Good luck trying to find me!”
Having caught onto the mood, Andrew threw out a triumphant laugh with his final farewell.
And right after that,
He vanished without a trace from the Undying Castle.
[Ah…?]
Left alone with no one to unleash her fury upon, Olivia found herself in a dazed silence.
After regaining her composure, she immediately unleashed ghosts to begin her search for Andrew…
But of course, his traces, having already crossed dimensions and gone to Earth, were nowhere to be found.
*
Los Angeles, United States.
“Ha! Hahaha! Ah— How refreshing! It’s a bit regrettable, but still, this isn’t bad! Hahaha!”
Emerging from the basement of the house he was first sent to, Andrew was overjoyed at finding himself back on Earth, laughing uncontrollably.
He could vividly picture Olivia’s flustered face, which had always given off intimidation, and he simply couldn’t hold back his laughter.
Moreover, thinking about how she had searched for him for so long only to eventually give up added to his satisfaction.
She knew he was from another world, so she would eventually accept reality, but she couldn’t easily stop searching due to potential possibilities.
“Haha… Ha… Hah?”
Yet, his seemingly endless laughter didn’t last long.
There was one small detail weighing on his mind.
“Hmm… What’s going on? Is the seal always like this?”
It was precisely the seal implanted by the Undead King that remained active in his mind.
No, it strangely felt more connected now than it had when he was in Auterica.
‘No way…’
He wiped away the cold sweat that had started to trickle down with an awkward smile.
Perhaps this seal was indeed something of the sort.
It felt a bit uncomfortable, but since there was no one to issue commands, it wasn’t a major issue…
[Hoo— So you’ve crossed over to Earth, Andrew Weaver?]
In that moment.
A voice he thought he would never hear again shook through his consciousness.
“Ah?”
His heart plummeted, and his awkwardly smiling expression froze solid.
Fear began to flood his face.
“Wait, wait, wait, wait…! This can’t be! This is, uh, that’s different…!”
[Andrew Weaver.]
“Ah—.”
His words caught in his throat at the single command imbued with his ‘master’s’ absolute will.
It was the undeniable manifestation of the seal.
[Hehe— Just as luck would have it, I’ve been in need of some help. Welcome to Earth.]
Thus, Andrew Weaver had successfully escaped from hell.
But the peace he had yearned for was nowhere to be found.
