“Uncle!” Sesha’s footsteps were loud as she ran into Yeon-woo’s arms. She seemed to have grown taller since the last time he saw her. Was it because time seemed to fly past at her age? Yeon-woo felt a surge of affection and also apology. The pocket watch didn’t react—it had been a long time since it had.

He was going to pat her on the back when she suddenly pinched Yeon-woo’s cheeks and stretched them out. “Sesha?”

“You mean uncle. Why didn’t you show up for such a long time? I hate you!”

“Things happened.”

“You said you would visit soon! But it still took you a long time! I heard that you returned to the Tower so quickly, too!” Sesha stretched his cheeks out even further.

Yeon-woo ruefully smiled. She hadn’t only grown physically. She was so clever that she probably guessed what Yeon-woo had been up to. He had to face the music and not make any excuses.

“So how did it go?”

“What?”

“What you were doing. How did it go?”

“It went well.”

“Then I forgive you.” Sesha removed her hands from his cheeks and placed them on her hips with an air of importance. She looked so cute that Yeon-woo just hugged her tighter. “Why is Mr. Phante’s face like that?” When she saw Phante behind him, she cocked her head.

Phante’s eyes were black and blue, and he was rubbing an egg over them as he glowered at Yeon-woo. Yeon-woo could hear him mutter something that sounded like, “That damned temper. They say students become like their teachers; he’s exactly like Father.”

“It’s because he fell.”

“Hm? Why are his eyes like that if he fell?”

“I wonder. He was probably being careless.’

“Aw. He should be more careful.”

“Yeah. He does.”

Phante was astounded by their conversation, but Yeon-woo pretended not to notice and changed the subject. “What about your mother?”

“Mom and I were reading together! I was reading it to her. I’m doing good, right?”

“Sesha’s all grown up now! You’re even reading your mom books in case she’s bored.”

“Yeah! I’m all grown up now! It’s fun learning with mom!” Sesha jumped down from Yeon-woo’s arms and led him to a room where Ananta sat quietly in a rocking chair. There was a blanket over her knees and a book at her feet.

“Hehe! Mom! Uncle’s here! He gave me a present too!” Sesha beamed as she skipped around Ananta, showing off the gift that Yeon-woo had given her along the way. Ananta’s eyes were still unfocused and blurry, but Sesha continued to chatter as though Ananta were smiling at her.

Yeon-woo wordlessly watched Ananta. Urrrng. The pocket watch finally trembled, and he knelt down to look Ananta in the eyes. “Ananta.”

There was no response.

“I don’t know what dream you’re having, but you’re probably happy there with Jeong-woo and Sesha, right?”

Brahm had once mentioned that Ananta was showing progress, but the reason she wasn’t responding mentally was that she was trapped in a dream. She was probably avoiding the trauma and stress of the outside world by immersing herself in the happy scenes she longed for. Perhaps that was why she refused to come back to the real world. She was afraid of the shock she’d get.

The only way for her to awaken was to break through. Her fears. It wasn’t something her father Brahm or daughter Sesha could do.

She needed someone else who could hug her, comfort her, and lead her out. That was why Yeon-woo placed the pocket watch on Ananta’s palm. With a click, the case opened. Tick. Tock.

“I don’t know how Jeong-woo’s doing in there, but in the future, he’ll protect you. So don’t be too worried.”

Ananta was still silent, but Yeon-woo believed that she heard him somehow. He left the pocket watch in her hand and slowly stood. Sesha grabbed onto his sleeves. “Uncle, Uncle! Is Dad coming?”

“Yes. He’ll come soon.”

“Whoa! Really? When?”

“Just wait a little longer. He’s so far away that he says it’ll take a while to get here.” Yeon-woo rubbed her head, looking at her sparkling eyes and thinking about his brother’s wish to hug Ananta and Sesha.

* * *

“It’s so precious to you. Are you sure it’s all right to just give it away?” On the way to the cottage to play with Sesha, Brahm looked at Yeon-woo with a slightly concerned face. He knew how important the pocket watch was to Yeon-woo. It was the only thing he had from his brother.

“I didn’t give it to her.” Yeon-woo just grinned and shook his head. “I only made sure that those two had some time together.” His brother had wanted to see Ananta and Sesha. It was a bit late, but he was trying to grant that wish. Yeon-woo paused and looked at the cottage.

* * *

After Yeon-woo left, the pocket watch was the only thing that made a sound in Ananta’s room. Tick. Tock. Just then, Ananta’s unfocused eyes fell on the pocket watch. However, she wasn’t really looking at it as the sound of the second hand made past events flash through her mind.

“Ananta, right? Nice to meet you.”

“Ananta?”

“Ananta…”

“Thank you.”

“Go.”

“Don’t show yourself again. Ever.”

She remembered the first time she met Jeong-woo, how flustered he’d been when she confessed her feelings, and his anxiety when she rebelled against her father. Then other memories followed: realizing that he didn’t have the heart to open up to her, her decision to move on, and the laugh that made her take back that decision. She remembered the way he’d raised his voice to tell her to leave after she’d told him that she would take care of Sesha.

“I’ll do anything I can to protect her.” The words she had said to him became her chains. Sesha was the only thing that Jeong-woo left behind, and she did everything she could to protect the child born from her heart. Even if her body were destroyed in the process, she would care for this precious daughter. The scenes flashed past as though she were watching a film.

Brahm and Yeon-woo were mistaken. Ananta wasn’t having a dream imagining a time when she, Jeong-woo, and Sesha could be happy. She was reliving the pain of her past. Each day had been exhausting, but she had loved Jeong-woo passionately. She was willing to give her life up for him, and there were moments she could smile at Sesha because of her love.

And yet, those were also her happiest memories. The pocket watch didn’t feel cold in her hand, but instead, it was warm. The feeling made the scenes whirling in her mind crack like grass. Light poured through to create new scenes, fitting together like a puzzle until the image of a pocket watch appeared.

There was something familiar about it, and it seemed as though Jeong-woo were speaking softly in her ear.

“This? Oh, it’s a present my brother gave me. A birthday present from home. Pretty, isn’t it?”

He was lying on his back in a field, rubbing the pocket watch in his hand. He’d answered with a bright smile that she hadn’t ever forgotten. Drip. Drip.

Tears fell on the pocket watch, drop by drop. Her eyes were still unfocused, but they quivered for the first time. “Jeong…woo…”

The pocket watch shook at the trembling voice, as if reassuring her that it would always be there. Urrrng.

* * *

“Did we leave anything out?”

“Nope. Although there’s something I want to do.”

“What is it?”

“Can I punch your face just once?”

“Sure.”

“Really!? I can?”

“Of course. We can exchange punches. How’s that?”

“Never mind. It’s fine.” Phante sulked, no longer in the mood to talk. After Yeon-woo had given him a few blows, he realized that his monstrous hyung-nim had become even more of a monster.

Still, he had to admit it was fun. Although Yeon-woo had lost to the Martial King, his father was an outlier anyway.

Edora stood at the edge of the village path, holding Divine Evil in her hand. Although she looked the same, Phante felt something was strange about her. Yeon-woo must’ve felt the same thing because he watched her for a while and asked “Your business?”

Edora nodded. “It went well.”

“Good to hear.”

“I thought it would take longer, but it’s a relief it ended quickly.”

When Edora beamed, Phante finally realized what the unfamiliar energy around her was. His eyes widened. “Hey, did you…”

“Be quiet. Don’t say anything.”

“Mmkay.” Phante nodded at Edora’s sharp look. Before, he would have acted up, but he could tell she wasn't in the mood. If his hunch was correct, Edora had probably experienced something beyond imagination.

‘Spirit Connection…Is Edora now confirmed to be the next Psychic Medium? Mother seems to have made her decision sooner than expected. What did she see?’ She would take care of it anyway since she was always a few steps ahead, but now, he became sure. Just as he’d gained Blood Lightning, Edora had gained something similar that would be a great help to Yeon-woo and Arthia.

Phante suddenly grew curious. According to Yeon-woo, Arthia was already on the move. Soon, their members would gather, and they were so strong that they would become a significant presence in the Tower.

What was Yeon-woo’s standard for strength? And where was Phante on that scale? He suddenly wanted to know. How many of them would be qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with him? Even though he lost to Yeon-woo, as the Martial King’s son, he should at least be second only to Yeon-woo, even if he didn’t have the brains.

He thought it wouldn’t be a bad thing to organize the hierarchy first. He could also test out his Blood Lightning while they were at it. It seemed like his wishes would be fulfilled soon enough. Normally, he would have been preoccupied by the floating castle that cast a shadow over nearly the entire Outer District, but instead, he was distracted by a fight that was brewing right in front of his eyes.

The bustling business district had grown silent. Two groups of people stood facing each other, their swords pulled out. The atmosphere was tense.

It was hard to tell what had happened, but one thing was for sure: one group were their allies, and the other group were their foes. It seemed that their enemies had sent soldiers to prevent those who wanted to ally with Arthia in check. Another possibility that their allies had gathered to prevent their enemies from raiding Laputa.

Phante’s fingers felt itchy. Then, he noticed a player hanging back on the enemy’s side. His hood made it hard to see his features, but he had a menacing air. At first glance, he didn’t seem particularly strong, but Phante’s trained senses told him that the guy was dangerous.

“Bayluk.” Just then, Yeon-woo muttered to himself and spread his Fire Wings to break up the standoff. Although he looked as cold as usual, Phante could tell that he was holding back his rage. His skin prickled from the aura that Yeon-woo left behind.

“I have no idea what’s what.” Phante smiled mischievously and followed Yeon-woo. “But it looks like things are going to be fun from the beginning.”

Boom! Sparks exploded along his skin and blood-red lightning bolts began to descend.