“That will be 49 dollars in total please.”
Stopping her hands that were about to take the money out, Yeorum asked.
“Sorry?”
“Yes? Ahh, 49 dollars please. Would you like to pay with cash?”
“What?”
“Yes?”
The employee was nervous.
In front was an extremely pretty woman. She was pretty but her eyes were crimson red unlike normal people, and her gaze caused him to shrink. The piercings and the sharp look on her face made her look like someone that harassed weaker people.
“Why?”
Why was she asking, ‘why’? Although he wasn’t sure, the employee still calmly explained it.
“Each of the tankoubon novels are $4.90, and you wanted 10 of them, yes? So that brings it up to 49 dollars.”
“…”
Since she had only been using a credit card till now, she hadn’t been that interested in the actual prices.
Yeorum blankly looked at the note in her hand.
[$10]
Episode 59: Fireworks (3)
Yu Jitae went to a nearby cafe with Gyeoul and while the child was indulging in her favourite bingsu, he pondered. Vintage Clock alerted him of the creation of a new ‘room’ in its workshop, and also alerted him of some new ‘possibility of growth’.
This was an extremely bizarre turn of events. Through the repetitive iterations, he had spent a very long time with Vintage Clock, and it was the first time he was seeing such a message. To be honest, he didn’t even know that a new room could appear inside the workshop until now.
A new room? It’s not like the workshop was an apartment or anything.
Another strange thing was that he had already gained all the power an existence had access to. If he could become stronger – if there was a sliver of chance that he could, he instead would have decided to fight the dragons on the day of the Apocalypse. He simply had to fight dozens of dragons that escaped the large fissure that went on for hundreds of kilometres right?
However, his growth stopped at a certain point in time and the Vintage Clock reaffirmed it.
What did you say back then?
<The Authority, [Vintage Clock (EX)] alerts you that the number of blessings that are on your body have reached the [Limit] of an [Existence]!>
<[Vintage Clock (EX)]: …was the announcement.>
Right.
Providence was not the destined flow of the world. It was the principle and regulations that allowed the world to flow. Therefore, under the given principles and fundamental rules, there was definitely a limit to the amount of power an existence could gain.
Isn’t that what you said? That I couldn’t become stronger? Then what did the new possibility of growth mean.
<[Vintage Clock (EX)]: (ﾟДﾟ )…?>
What a mess.
Here, Yu Jitae decided to reflect on what Vintage Clock was. Vintage Clock’s ability could be categorised into 3 main elements.
Regression. Copy. Analysis.
1. When the Earth was destroyed, or when Yu Jitae died, the time regressed back to when he was 27.
2. A death that was linked to Yu Jitae (A deviation from Providence) allowed the clock to copy and gather both the data and power.
3. Identify elements that are not included in Providence, and analyse them.
Number 1 was the reason Yu Jitae was the Regressor.
Number 2 was the reason Yu Jitae could become stronger by repeating the iterations.
And although it was used differently in previous iterations, Number 3 helped them identify and analyse the Hostility coming from the other side of Providence.
How was the analysis looking like currently?
<[Hostility]’s Trace Fragment gathered: 37.2%…>
The fragments gathered from Ha Saetbyul, Wei Yan and the 30-man special force team had stopped for a long time at 37.2%. It was because there weren’t any objects or people that had been affected by the Hostility.
But thanks to the 37.2% of information, Vintage Clock was able to lay the foundation for the analysis into the other side of the Horizon and the Hostility. These days, it was using that information as the basis for the following investigation.
<Identifying [Great Hostility]: 9%…>
It had gone up from 5% to 9%.
These days, the Vintage Clock had its hands full because of this. An army of Hostility flying in from a distant dimension with the objective of pushing the Earth into chaos. Vintage Clock referred to it as the [Long Night].
The clones were also busy because of that. They needed more manpower to the point that he had to move himself before long.
In any case, a possibility of new growth should be related to one of these 3 elements.
<[Vintage Clock (EX)]:( ﾟДﾟ)…?>
Are you serious?
<[Vintage Clock (EX)]:…>
<The Authority, [Vintage Clock (EX)] is confused.>
<The Authority, [Vintage Clock (EX)] alerts that it has no idea what this phenomenon is related to.>
<The Authority, [Vintage Clock (EX)] alerts that such a situation should not exist in Providence.>
<The Authority, [Vintage Clock (EX)] is slightly uncomfortable with the uncertain element that does not exist in Providence.>
So what if you’re uncomfortable. Go look for something if you have the time to sulk.
<[Vintage Clock (EX)]: (•̥̥̥́ω•̥̥̥́) >
Go.
<The Authority, [Vintage Clock (EX)] is on the way… >
<[Vintage Clock (EX)]: (•̥̥̥́ω•̥̥̥́) >
<[Vintage Clock (EX)]: (•̥̥̥́ω•̥̥̥́) >
Then, putting aside what that thing was, he decided to think about why such a thing happened.
What happened just then? Gyeoul was happy, and that was it.
He looked back on the previous ‘authentic feelings of life’.
The first one was from Bom. When she was cooking the nutritious soup for Yeorum, she fed him the soup for a taste check and he didn’t turn her down. After sitting on his lap, she laid out bizarre compliments, about how he looked cute when he was eating and the likes.
The second one was from Yeorum. When they were on the way back after an easy victory in her first fight of the ranked competition, she smoked in the alleyway and demanded him for a compliment. He diligently complimented her and she chuckled after whispering, ‘That’s good’.
Third one was with Kaeul. Back when she first started sharing the video messages with the special force squad. After listening to them praise her like a goddess and share their stories for 20 minutes, she emotionally hugged his waist in tears.
And now, he had felt the fourth one.
As for the similarities? It was that he was always alone with the kids and that they felt joy.
Yu Jitae lifted his head and stared at Gyeoul.
Zealously, she consumed the bingsu and whenever it was too cold, she frowned and squinted her eyes. She shivered as if the world was rotating and soon looked at Yu Jitae with one of her eyes half-closed as a smile appeared on her lips.
He didn’t know why she was so happy, but the child always smiled when looking at him.
“Gyeoul.”
“…Yes.”
“When I was doing that thing just then.”
“…Ohh.”
“How was it.”
“…It was funny.”
“Funny?”
“…Nn. Because it was weird.”
“And?”
“…And, I liked it.”
“You liked it? Why.”
“…It was, your first time, right?”
“It was.”
“…I was, the only one, that saw it.”
“It’s nothing special though.”
“…I won’t, tell anyone.”
He wished for the hatchlings to be happy without getting hurt, but also knew that happiness wasn’t something that could be turned on and off with a gesture like a button. That was also why he wanted the daily lives to continue.
However, after hearing of the new possibility of growth, he started feeling slightly greedy for it. What should he do to make the child happier.
Did he have to do the same thing again?
“Gyeoul.”
“…Yes?”
“Is there something you perhaps want to see.”
“…?”
“If there’s something, tell me. Ask me for anything you need.”
“…Nothing.”
“You have nothing? Even little things are fine.”
Shake, shake. She shook her head.
Well, looking back, this wasn’t the only time she felt sincerely happy and it’s not like he felt the authentic feeling every single time so… it was unclear how it would be beneficial even if he were to forcibly make her happy.
Even then, he continued his contemplation, until Gyeoul finished the bingsu by herself – until Yeorum appeared with a disheartened look on her face.
“What’s wrong with your face.”
“…”
Yeorum reached forward a fist without saying a word. When he placed his hand below hers, she dropped a 20 cent coin onto his hand.
“That’s the change…”
“What did you buy.”
“I didn’t buy it.”
“What?”
“I couldn’t buy it. So give me more money.”
“How much.”
“40 bucks…”
She appeared extremely crestfallen, so he didn’t feel like teasing her. He took a 50 dollar note and gave it to her.
“Ehng? You’re just giving it to me?
“Thought you wanted it.”
“Give me 100 dollars then. No, a 1000.”
“Don’t want to.”
“Tch. As always, doing whatever you want.”
Despite the complaint, she stealthily took the 50 dollar note.
“I’m gonna go again then.”
“Yeah.”
Yeorum left the cafe and by the time she came back, it was already night time and she had an extremely satisfied look on her face. She probably bought another sword or adult toys but he couldn’t care less about it.
The sky was dark and it was about time for the fireworks to start. At the same time, the highlight of the festival – the Masked Singing Contest will begin alongside the fireworks.
“Oh. Mister Jitae. Been a while.”
On the way to the venue, Yu Jitae met Mihailov and next to him were cadets from RIL who were wearing animal makeups, including Sophia with her cat makeup.
Yeorum giggled as she walked towards Sophia.
“What’s with those ears?”
“Aren’t they nice?”
“Looks nice. Unlike you.”
“Don’t touch it. It’s a headband.”
“What’s with that tail under your jacket? How did you put it on? That’s super interesting.”
“Dude. Dude! Ah, just stop touching it.”
“Did you stick it in your asshole?”
“It’s a belt you crazy retard. Oh my…”
During her speech, Sophia found Gyeoul and widened her eyes. She had seen her a few times before on the weekends.
“When did she grow up so much? I heard that kids grow up in the blink of an eye but… she’s so pretty now. Hello?”
“…Hello.”
“What the hell. She’s a damn angel… She’s so cute, and adorable.”
Yeorum clicked her tongue.
“Come here girlie. Let me hug you.”
Gyeoul shook her head with a gentle smile.
“Oh come on. I’ll hug you.”
“…I’m fine.”
“Don’t you want to try touching my ears?”
“…It’s a, headband.”
Gyeoul avoided the outstretched hand.
Meanwhile, the other cadets of RIL were throwing glances at Yu Yeorum, which was a common occurrence thanks to her conspicuous appearance and her rank at the competition. From them, Gyeoul looked the most intrigued by the cadet wearing a bear costume, and tilted her head with interest.
In the meantime, Mihailov asked Yu Jitae.
“Are you headed somewhere?”
“I was thinking of watching the singing contest.”
“Ah, is someone from your household going on? Cadet Yu Bom? Or is it Cadet Yu Kaeul?”
“No. Just to have a look.”
“Hmm, I see. In that case, it would be better for you to go early. I saw it on the way here but it was already starting to get crowded.”
That was the end of the small encounter with RIL.
Mihailov was right. Despite there being over 1000 available seats, the good spots were already taken. Yu Jitae found 4 seats including Bom’s but at this rate, it would be hard for him to go pick her up so he sent her a message.
[Me: Bom]
[Yu Bom: Yes]
[Me: There’s a lot of people here so I’ll save you a seat]
[Yu Bom: Ahh]
[Yu Bom: Are there a lot of people? Haha]
[Me: Ye]
[Yu Bom: I see…]
[Yu Bom: In that case, I’ll go there. Don’t let anyone take my seat haha]
[Me: Ye]
He sat there waiting and soon, the surroundings started turning darker. When it was pitch dark, an announcement marked the beginning of the fireworks which was scheduled to start right before the start of the singing contest.
[Please count down together with me!]
““10!””
A loud cluster of voices was heard from the entirety of the grandiose academy district. There were people throughout the large area since they had spreaded in search of a good place to watch the fireworks from.
This place was the same. The crowd that had gathered to watch the singing contest all raised their voices and counted down from 10.
““8!””
From now onwards, fireworks should be colouring the sky for about an hour.
““6!””
Soothing her thumping heart, Gyeoul fidgeted with her hands before eventually making them into fists. However, someone suddenly stood up in front of her. He was a tall man and blocked half of the sky, so Gyeoul couldn’t see the sky even after standing up from her chair.
““5!””
That was when someone raised her up.
Thinking it was Yu Jitae, she looked back and found out that it was Yeorum instead. “You can’t see ‘cuz you’re tiny as heck, right?” she said.
“…Let me down.” Gyeoul struggled in the air with a frown so Yeorum placed her on her shoulders.
““3!””
She then whispered something to Yu Jitae.
““2!””
Yu Jitae lowered his body and Yeorum immediately jumped up, sitting down on his shoulders. As a result, Gyeoul was sitting on Yeorum’s shoulders, while Yeorum was on Yu Jitae’s shoulders.
Everyone was under her. Finding herself at an unfamiliar height, Gyeoul brightly smiled while looking at the sky. Her cap was about to fall so she tightly held onto it with one of her hands.
““1!””
[Fire–!]
Finally, dozens of balls of flame wriggled their tails and soared into the sky, leaving behind a sharp trail of sound. They then exploded in the air and blossomed into beautiful flowers.
The Regressor, who was at the bottom, listened to the kids going “Ohh,” and “…Uwah,” above his head.
Flowers of fire filled the black canvas.
Beneath that wondrous sky,
The Masked Singing Contest finally began.