Chapter 2: Actually… I can’t let you go.
Yang Soyu.
A martial artist from a lowly, unorthodox sect,
Yet through relentless honing of boundless talent, I defeated the Heavenly Demon who disrupted the world, rising to become the greatest under the heavens.
That is the existence I embody at this very moment…
Originally an ordinary 20-year-old college student from South Korea,
I was abruptly thrown into this unfamiliar martial world, rolling through hardships for a grueling ten years, until I finally succeeded in slaying the Heavenly Demon.
That was my current state, Kim Dohyun.
And at this very moment,
I stood face-to-face with a bizarre, basketball-sized orb of radiant blue light before my eyes.
A being calling itself the Supreme Emperor, though whether it was a god or my kidnapper, I couldn’t tell.
The culprit who dragged me into this martial world without warning, forcing me to endure a decade of torment.
Looking at it, I boldly made my demand, having fulfilled my part of our past agreement.
“Well then, I’ve defeated the Heavenly Demon as promised, so send me back to my original world. Don’t forget the promised sum.”
Ten years ago, on the day it suddenly whisked me away,
This Supreme Emperor had told me:
If I defeated the Heavenly Demon, who was disrupting the causality of this world, it would return me to my original timeline as closely as possible,
With 10 billion won deposited into my bank account in my original world.
Hearing that proposal, with no way to return on my own and tempted by the 10 billion—an amount a poor commoner like me could never earn in a lifetime—I accepted.
In the end, despite facing all sorts of prejudice and discrimination from the righteous sect bastards for being from an unorthodox sect, I managed to defeat the Heavenly Demon.
As a bonus, on my way out, I let loose a satisfying barrage of curses at those high-and-mighty righteous sect jerks who had tormented me, venting all my pent-up resentment.
And so,
Feeling joy and relief at the thought of finally returning home to my beloved family…
To my one and only little sister.
I waited for the Supreme Emperor before me to send me back quickly.
– “Hmm… You have indeed splendidly fulfilled the contract. The threat of the Heavenly Demon is no longer a concern. Though that doesn’t mean the source of this world’s calamities has completely vanished…” –
“I don’t care about that. Just send me back already. I’m done with this nonsense.”
I cut off the Supreme Emperor sharply as it started rambling on with unnecessary preamble.
I’d already killed the Heavenly Demon.
Whatever came next was for the others to handle.
Even if something beyond their ability emerged, whatever happened to those damned Martial Alliance jerks was no longer my business.
‘Well… There are a few decent ones among them, but I don’t have the luxury to care about that anymore. Despite how I look, I’ve got a family waiting for me, one I’ve been looking out for.’
Deciding not to bother with the Supreme Emperor’s attempt to drop more plot hooks, I pressed again for it to fulfill the contract.
But then…
– “Hmm… Well… There’s a bit of a problem with that.” –
“…A problem?”
The Supreme Emperor suddenly started saying something ominous.
Frowning instantly, I glared at the infuriating glowing orb and said coldly:
“What problem? Explain it clearly.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
– “I can’t send you back.” –
“…What did you just say?”
– “N-no, I mean, technically, it’s become impossible to send you back. I fully intended to honor the contract, but… the impact of your actions in this world has been too great, and your existence has become completely bound to this world… I’m sorry…” –
This bastard started spouting utter nonsense at this point.
Despite the internal injuries I’d sustained from my battle with the Heavenly Demon, I began to channel my energy, letting murderous intent flare up.
The realization that all my efforts, surviving countless near-death experiences over ten years, had been for nothing.
And, most crucially,
The fact that this meant my little sister, not even ten years old, would be left alone in that world, unprotected and living in misery.
That truth began to shatter the patience I’d been suppressing all this time.
“So… what you’re saying is, you’ve been scamming me this whole time?”
– “S-scam? No! I intended to fulfill the contract, but an unavoidable accident occurred…” –
“Hah, is that so? Fine then… I guess I’ll have to cause an ‘accident’ of my own. Since I’ve already killed the Heavenly Demon, how about I head back to the martial world and unleash a bloodbath, becoming the second Heavenly Demon?”
This bastard had destroyed the most precious thing in my life.
If that was the case, I’d repay it by destroying this world it cherished so much.
Since it had brought me here to stop the Heavenly Demon, it likely had little means to stop me now with its limited power.
At that moment…
– “W-wait! Don’t act rashly! T-there’s still a way! A way that will surely satisfy you, so just hear me out!” –
The Supreme Emperor raised its voice urgently, pleading.
Since I’d already decided to go all out if needed, I figured I’d hear what nonsense it had to say, and said coldly:
“…What is it? Go ahead and speak. If it doesn’t pique my interest, you’d better brace yourself for what comes next.”
– “W-well… The point is, it’s about being with your family… your sister, right?” –
“That’s true, but didn’t you just say it’s impossible to send me back…”
– “F-fine! How about this? Just as I brought you here from that world, this time I’ll bring your sister to this world. As per the contract, I’ll adjust the timeline to ten days after you disappeared.” –
“!”
The Supreme Emperor’s unexpected proposal.
Calming my earlier rage, I began to seriously consider this option.
‘Bring my sister… Dohwa… to this world?’
Honestly, it was a bit shocking, but it wasn’t a bad idea.
The best outcome for me would’ve been returning to my original, safer world with a fortune.
But if that wasn’t possible, bringing her here and raising her might be the best option for me now.
‘With the power I have now… in some ways, I might be able to do more for Dohwa here than in that world. It’ll be a hassle dealing with the martial world’s nonsense, but I can just hide my identity and live quietly.’
Though more mature than her peers, leaving her alone in a parentless home was unthinkable.
So, I decided to make the best choice available at this moment and said to the Supreme Emperor:
“Alright, let’s do it that way.”
– “Phew… Good thinking.” –
The Supreme Emperor’s voice sounded genuinely relieved.
Seeing this, I couldn’t help but think that this might mean I’d end up dealing with whatever future crises it wanted, but I decided to let that slide for now.
For me, the most important thing was ensuring my sister could grow up happily.
Compared to struggling to raise her in poverty in that world, this situation might actually be better.
‘At least here, I won’t have to worry about those struggles…’
With that, I chose to view the situation positively, knowing I’d see my sister again.
In front of me, the blue orb of light shifted to a golden hue and spoke.
– “Then I’ll proceed immediately. Unlike with you, this time I’ll make sure to confirm her intentions clearly.” –
“Do it.”
Though it was unlikely,
If my sister refused to come here for any reason—whether due to modern conveniences or something else—I’d have to respect her choice.
Even for her sake, I had no intention of forcibly dragging her into this harsh martial world like I was.
With a trace of unease, I watched the Supreme Emperor, now flashing golden light, and anxiously awaited the outcome.
And then…
“Ah!”
– “It’s done.” –
The next moment, the Supreme Emperor expanded as if opening a portal, radiating brilliant light.
From it emerged the figure of a girl, as if stepping through a passage.
The person I’d longed to see for the past ten years.
A girl with black hair and dark eyes, exuding a doll-like loveliness.
My one and only little sister, Kim Dohwa.
The moment I saw her,
Overwhelmed with emotion, I began to approach her carefully, trembling.
“Doh… Dohwa…”
Calling her name for the first time in ten years.
She looked straight at my face, her jewel-like eyes blinking in confusion.
And then…
“W-who… who are you, mister? Where’s my brother? W-where’s my brother?”
“…”
My little sister, looking at me, began to tremble in fear, tears streaming from her glassy eyes.