Upon clicking with his finger, Kang Sihyun immediately filled the narrow phone screen with a white paper. Rolling his blue eyes to read the material sent by Ruth, Kang Sihyun got up from his seat after confirming that it contained detailed information on top of what he already knew from school.
When reading, it was easier to organize separately. Like a habit, he sat at his desk and took out a notebook he had been writing in since last year, clicking his pen. His reading speed quickened as Kang Sihyun took his pen and organized information about Adam and Eve in his notebook.
Adam and Eve.
The first awakened individuals, who are considered to be of S-class rank or higher in current terms.
They appeared during the outbreak, assisting humanity where Adam mainly dealt with the elimination of Irregulars, and Eve developed awakening tester devices, registration devices, mana potions, and more, helping the world escape from chaos.
They provided basic information about existing awakened individuals, how to use skills, and constructed a combat system. After solving the outbreak situations around the world, they suddenly disappeared.
Leaving only their disciples behind, so people wouldn’t panic in their absence.
No one knew whose children Adam and Eve were, what their real names were, or what jobs they had.
No one knew their past, and no one knew their faces. They always wore their robes up to their noses and seldom spoke.
Intelligence agencies are still tracking their whereabouts, but their locations have been vague since that day 10 years ago.
"Hmm…"
After reading the background information and summarizing it into a few short sentences in his notebook, Kang Sihyun recalled a dream where he met a god. According to the report, Adam and Eve did not stay in one place but traveled around the world for three months, helping each country. This meant that traces of Adam and Eve were scattered all over the world. The statues of Adam and Eve visible in any country were proof of this.
"Do I have to travel the world too…?"
Muttering softly, Kang Sihyun shivered with goosebumps. The world was vast; how could he visit so many countries? He was certain that even by the age of 30, a world tour wouldn't be complete.
There must be more information.
Logically, searching every country because Adam and Eve had been there and their immense achievements were too vast to cover quickly. Speed reading through the pages, Kang Sihyun found something unique apart from the common achievements seen in every country.
Disciples.
The disciples to whom Adam and Eve had left their techniques and information.
Despite having traveled to dozens of countries, there were only seven countries where they had nurtured disciples.
Could this be a trace?
Moaning as he rolled his pen, Kang Sihyun then transferred the names of the seven countries to his notebook.
"Egypt, Russia, China, the USA, Germany, Japan, Rome."
Those were the seven countries. With no other information to specify any country, Kang Sihyun checked his notes again to ensure nothing was missed, then tore the paper he had noted down, folded it twice, and put it in his pocket.
Turning his head, he saw the children sleeping soundly. He thought his movement might have woken at least one of them, but they all seemed relaxed, perhaps more comfortable than usual, which unknowingly made him smile as he was about to leave the room.
Step by step.
Carefully moving his steps to avoid making noise, he reached for the doorknob when a soft voice called out from behind him.
"Where are you going?"
"...You're awake?"
"How could I not wake up with you moving around like that…"
The drowsiness in his voice was slightly more drawn out than usual. Recognizing who it was by that distinctive tone, Kang Sihyun turned slightly to see the boy who had woken up. Yoo Seowoo was sitting up in bed, looking at him.
"Go back to sleep. It's still night."
"Where are you going?"
"Just something I need to check out."
"At this hour?"
"Yeah."
Considering it wasn't that late if he had gone out to support in a rift, he checked the time on his phone, nodded, and Seowoo, who had been grumbling in a gruff voice, glanced at the sleeping children before completely getting up from the bed.
"Let's go out and talk if the kids are awake."
"No need to go out, it's nothing, just go back to sleep."
"I'm curious, that's why."
"……"
"Let's go."
Having walked to the front, stepping off the mattress, he reached out to grab the doorknob. Kang Sihyun flinched at the warmth of Seowoo's hand over his, cautious not to wake the others, and quietly left the dormitory.
"What's the problem?"
As soon as the door clicked shut, Seowoo's gaze shifted towards the paper in Kang Sihyun's hand.
"What's that?"
"Just something I've sorted out."
"What is it?"
"You're awfully curious. It's personal, so don't worry about it."
"Is it nothing?"
"Yeah."
Seowoo's gaze narrowed slightly at the nonchalant response.
"But why does it look like you're heading into danger…?"
"……"
"Suddenly waking up in the middle of the night, writing something down, and now leaving at this hour if it's not for a rift support. Is it really nothing?"
Considering his words, the situation indeed seemed suspicious. However, it wasn't something Kang Sihyun could easily discuss. If it was a simple secret, purely a personal matter, he might have spoken, but this was a bit more significant and heavier.
A secret related to a sudden disaster that befell Earth.
He didn't intend to keep it hidden forever, but if he were to tell the children, he wanted to do so when something was definitively confirmed and their safety was assured. Maintaining silence, Seowoo let out a low sigh.
"We just got back yesterday, Kang Sihyun. After dealing with a disaster-class Irregular yesterday."
"……"
"Every time, whether it was with Caris or Titan, you always stepped forward to handle it, so I'm suspecting it's something similar this time. Is my assumption too far-fetched?"
The way he asked was slightly skewed. It wasn't his usual low, soothing tone, which was only kind. His intention to provoke was unmistakably clear.
Unfortunately, the most challenging person to deal with had woken up.
Kang Sihyun raised a hand to his hair, sweeping it back as he placed his gaze on the ground, cutting the prolonged silence.
"It's not like that."
"Then tell me where you're going. If you're not back by morning, the kids will worry."
"I'll be back before morning."
"That's not the point."
He knew. He was fully aware. Yet, Kang Sihyun wanted to avoid the question, feeling as if Seowoo's hoarse voice was physically pulling him back by the ankle. Realizing avoiding it would only make things worse, he slightly crumpled the paper in his hand. As if reading Kang Sihyun's thoughts, Seowoo pressed again, asking where he was going, making it easier for him to respond.
"...I'm going to see Iha Hyuk."
"Why."
"I need to find something out."
"Is it important?"
"Yeah."
"So, it's not dangerous?"
"...At least not this time."
It was just about gathering some information; what danger could there be? Although it was uncertain what this event might trigger in the future, making it difficult to guarantee safety next time, he could confidently say there was no risk of harm this time.
Looking straight into his eyes, Seowoo sighed deeply upon meeting Kang Sihyun's gaze. He reached out, grabbing Kang Sihyun. It almost resembled a child holding onto a parent leaving for work.
"Can't you go in the morning? It's late, and he might not be in his office."
"If it's Iha Hyuk, he'll be there."
"It's about the time, Kang Sihyun."
"Am I like a woman sneaking into a man's house late at night? It's just between men, what's the..."
Ah.
Realizing what he had blurted out, Kang Sihyun immediately clamped his mouth shut, fearing he had misspoken. Seeing Seowoo's reaction before he could further misunderstand and get angry, Kang Sihyun quickly apologized.
"Sorry. ...I wasn't considering your feelings."
A scoff followed his words.
A sound that seemed caught between self-mockery and cynicism, Kang Sihyun looked at Seowoo. The boy appeared as if he had been personally offended.
"You didn't consider?"
"……"
"How many times have men confessed to you, and how many times have we talked to you about it, and you didn't consider?"
Realizing the mistake in his supposedly apologetic words, Kang Sihyun was about to explain when he saw Seowoo's eyes, usually leisurely or cool, now looking wounded, making it hard for him to speak.
After watching Kang Sihyun's flustered state for a moment, Seowoo let out another laugh.
"I told you, Kang Sihyun. You're harsh to those who like you."
"……"
"You don't care about risking your life, avoiding inconvenient situations, and postponing troublesome matters. I envy that."
"……"
"Putting everything off, sidelining everything else to have the leisure for other thoughts."
The last sentence sounded almost bitter. Kang Sihyun, not expecting such words, closed his mouth. He felt offended but couldn't argue, as it seemed like he was the offender and Seowoo the victim in this scenario. Every word he could add seemed only to increase his guilt.
"It looks like you're upset and feel wronged."
"……"
"What are you thinking, Kang Sihyun? Are you trying to justify the situation to yourself and making it out like I'm the one in the wrong?"
"What?"
"Are you going to keep it to yourself, solve everything, and then, only after I can't stand the suspense and pry it out of you, tell me what happened? That there was this incident and you had these thoughts?"
"...Hey."
Seowoo had crossed the line Kang Sihyun was willing to tolerate in silence. Lowering his voice finally, Seowoo didn't wait for a response, instead chuckling. Though Kang Sihyun was the one who felt scorned, Seowoo's expression made it seem as if he was the one being admonished.
"Why, does it hit too close to home? You think I always have to be kind to you? Always worrying by myself, suffering alone, and then just grateful for the scraps of affection you throw my way."
"……"
"You take it for granted, yet you ignore the confessions from me and the others, busy with other things, and sometimes I wonder."
"……"
"What are we to you?"
With those final words, Seowoo released Kang Sihyun's hand and took a step back.
"Go then."
To Iha Hyuk.
Thank you for reading this far! You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my Patreon community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a member of my Patreon community, here is what you'll get:
For $5
- Early access to 100s of chapters before they go public.
- You also get access to all the novels I'm translating, you can find them here HERE.
- Your name will be featured on the "Wall of Gratitude".
- The power to vote on which novel I translate next.
- You Get Ad-free Chapters.
For $10
- You get to suggest a Novel for me to translate.
- You get access to Digital art.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in gold).
For $20
- You get to recommend a Novel and I will immediately start translating it.
- Your name featured on the "Wall of Gratitude" (in blue).
Plus, you can Cancel your membership at any time.
Don't let this amazing opportunity slip through your fingers!
