What Happens When The Second Male Lead Powers Up [EN]: Chapter 640

Until the Day We Meet Again (2)

-Thud, shuffle…

One step, two men dragged along.

-Thud, shuffle…

One step again, two men dragged along.

-Thud, shuffle…

“Aish, goddamn it. This is hell. Pure hell…”

The phoenix flinched at the curse, shielding Tete’s ears with its wing.

Gain rolled her hollow eyes, looking at the divine creatures. And then…

“Ughhh. Leaving home is nothing but suffering, Gain!”

She suddenly shouted and collapsed onto the grass.

Her loud voice was thick with exhaustion, like grime.

At the same time, the body of the palace lord, who had been on her back, rolled to the ground.

Even in her exhaustion, Gain quickly propped up her partner’s head with her bag.

Her pink hair was a disheveled mess, covered in dirt, and extremely dry from not being able to wash, eat, or rest properly.

Under normal circumstances, she would have endured with the regenerative power of Changhai’s blessing, but even that had its limits now.

It felt similar to the time in college when she had pulled all-nighters, juggling part-time jobs and cramming for exams, chugging energy drinks for days.

No, it was at least twenty times harder than that.

Her body was dying, but her mind was forcibly awake.

“…Ah, Gain…”

The high priest opened his eyes with difficulty as she smoothed his bangs.

His eyes were red from crying so much, and his lips were chapped with two scabs.

He seemed to have lost some weight too. It broke her heart.

“It’s okay. I can still go on. You trust me, right?”

“I can walk…”

“No, you can’t. Your legs are too weak to even crawl.”

Guilt quickly filled his brown eyes.

Gain chuckled softly, reached out to close his eyelids, and then collapsed beside him.

Fortunately, it wasn’t cold here at all.

Rather, it felt closer to summer, and the blue sky had the sun high in the sky, making it a good day to synthesize vitamin D.

The divine creatures, who had been tying up the two men with vines and following behind, approached Gain and sniffed her.

They seemed worried that the water-handling human might be in trouble.

-Kieung?

“Uh, I’m just going to rest for 5 minutes. It’s quite a distance from the lake to the lord’s castle…”

-Kiwoo, grrr

-Kiee, kiee, kkurrrut

“…Is this a session of criticizing my terrible stamina?”

Surely not…? Lopi made a clucking sound beside her, but Gain couldn’t argue back and just spaced out.

She was so hungry and so, so sleepy.

In the distance, a castle stood tall, far too far away.

Here was a small hill in front of the lake, and there was a dreamlike castle with white, shining walls and a purple roof.

Inside would be the queen-size bed she used to use and a smooth marble bathtub. A familiar sight…

It was the castle of Marquis Serenite.

“That damn meteorite. Why does the meteorite have to make things so hard for us…? Old man Romero.”

[It’s a meteorite that fell from the sky, and iron is its main component. It’s no wonder it’s considered a great existence in this world.]

“…”

[It probably has special powers too.]

An unexpected answer came back. Gain rolled her half-closed eyes.

Their eyes met.

The phoenix, who was taking care of his sleeping brother, scratched the back of his head with his wing, looking embarrassed.

[I’m sorry. I’ll be quiet if it bothers you.]

“No… Then would it be better to stay in that black puddle from before than to go to the lord’s castle?”

[…Since we don’t know exactly what kind of world this is yet, I think it’s not a bad idea to go to the castle. The meteorite hasn’t reacted for over two hours.]

“That’s true… Then let’s rest for a bit and then go to the castle. Okay.”

Gain briefly agreed with the phoenix and then lay sprawled out, looking up at the sky.

Comfortably shaped cotton candy clouds were creating a decent shade.

The breeze blowing from the wide lake was particularly gentle, making her feel at ease for a moment.

The paladin quietly turned his gaze to the fallen men.

The palace lord had begun to breathe evenly, and the master had already fallen into a deep sleep. Occasionally, the crown prince’s black hair fluttered, revealing his white forehead.

“I really…”

[…]

“I would have abandoned them all if they were ugly. I’m only taking them because of their faces, right now.”

[Cough.]

Of course, it was a joke, but it wasn’t entirely wrong.

Gain munched on the strawberries that Demi was feeding her—some of them hit her eyelids and fell—and looked back at the phoenix.

“Hyung-nim [term of respect for an older brother or male friend]. Why do you use honorifics with me? I saw you talking informally to His Highness the Crown Prince in the basement.”

[…Well, it’s because we’re of similar age. And you’re a woman.]

“Ah.”

She nodded, understanding roughly.

After closing her eyes for a long time again, she suddenly remembered something and lifted her eyelids.

“Then did you possess someone too, hyung-nim? In the phoenix’s body?”

[No. I don’t think so… I’m definitely in my room. It’s just that I can see your appearances vividly.]

“You can see us vividly? Weren’t you just holed up in your room, hitting the keyboard day and night?”

[…That’s how it used to be. But after Yeseo crossed the rainbow bridge, it became like this.]

“…”

A serious bass voice returned. What was that? It wasn’t like some virtual reality game.

Gain glared at the phoenix with a sulky expression.

The mysterious crimson torso was breathing hard, rising and falling.

He clicked his tongue at his brother’s state and then made an effort to move his wings to cover him with his robe.

Then, he checked the condition of the crown prince and Johan Sam in turn. His purplish eyes moved back and forth without a moment’s rest.

His cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. Gain finally let out a sigh-like word.

“I’m sorry for what I said just now.”

[…]

“I was rude. I said it too meanly.”

[…It’s okay. I’m someone who shouldn’t get upset when I hear those words.]

“…”

The phoenix calmly turned to her and answered.

There was no mockery or sarcasm in his words.

Gain thought she could see very well where some of her partner’s personality came from.

The warm air embraced them and flowed to the other side.

The conversation flowed again.

[Rather, I’m sorry. For making you suffer.]

“…I’ve suffered a lot. I’ve lived really hard. I’ve seen kids who have it easy sometimes…”

[…]

“I just lived thinking I was terribly unlucky. But it turns out that wasn’t the problem.”

[I sincerely apologize.]

“Why are you apologizing, hyung-nim? It’s my life. You didn’t know it would turn out like this. It’s definitely not your or the palace lord’s fault.”

Gain said, wiping her eyes bravely.

“But thank you for apologizing.”

[…]

The moon-like round lake was watching them.

The phoenix couldn’t find the words to answer for a while, and after quite a long time had passed, he said this.

[…Please take care of Yeseo. He’s lacking in many ways.]

“Keuheong.”

Gain finally made a sniffling sound and laughed.

Suddenly, what was that supposed to mean? Even while thinking that, she found herself nodding, which was truly ridiculous.

In the end, she didn’t even get to fill the 5-minute nap she had aimed for, but she somehow felt energized and staggered to her feet.

The strawberries that Demi had fed her were sweet and delicious, so her blood sugar had risen a bit.

“I’m all rested. Let’s go back to the lord’s castle now.”

[Then…]

The phoenix, who had been awkwardly bending his spine backward as if his joints were aching, paused and froze.

Gain’s expression froze over. She instinctively sensed someone’s approach.

Damn it, I was so tired that I didn’t even notice this and was just spacing out!

“Who—!”

Just as she hastily pulled out a dagger from her inner pocket and turned to face the threat, her path was blocked by a pure white stick.

It was the handle of a familiar whip. Gain brightened up without thinking.

Even if it were other weapons, there was no way she wouldn’t recognize this.

‘Cursed Coral Whip’!

“Mother!”

“Sorry! I inherited it now.”

Uh?

“Uh… ?”

As if possessed by something, her head slowly rose, and after confirming the person who came into view, her jaw dropped.

The newly appeared person was a face she also knew well.

No, to be exact, it was a face she ‘felt like she would soon know’.

Gain couldn’t easily accept the situation unfolding before her eyes and just pointed her finger at the air with a poisoned needle—yes, her dagger had been exchanged for a poisoned needle.

What is this? Is this real?

“Uh… ?”

Her voice, her voice is almost exactly like mine…

“Wow, I was really young back then. Well, I guess I was young, so I caused such a ruckus while wandering around the continent.”

‘I wouldn’t do it now even if I got paid.’ The woman’s eyes, adding that, were as clear as glacial water, a blue-gray color.

Her short, round-cut pink hair fluttered wildly in the breeze.

Maybe she was in her mid to late thirties?

She was wearing an incredibly flashy coat, and not only were the luxurious embroidery and decorations impressive, but the number of medals on her shoulder strap was enormous!

“You, what, you…”

“What do you mean? I’m you and you’re me, can’t you tell just by looking? I guess my memory was right. Hyung-nim is here too. Your Majesty! It’s here!”

[Good heavens. Did we accidentally fall into the future timeline?]

“No… No…”

[Romero’s condition must have been too bad.]

Your Majesty…? The Your Majesty I know? Gain looked around with a blank face.

The phoenix’s muttering wasn’t even heard.

Meanwhile, the palace lord, who had opened his eyes, got up, touching the ground with his hands.

His voice, searching for his partner, was somewhat hoarse.

“Gain, I think I’m really okay now… Heok!”

The eyes that had been tired were instantly filled with spirit, and his white, chapped hands trembled like those of a scientist at the end of the century who had made an amazing discovery.

He was once again on the verge of fainting. Gain hurriedly followed his gaze. And—

“Wow…”

“Oh, shit…”

They were paying respects to the future Liester Emperor, who had tied up his ebony-like, long hair into a single updo.

Cedric Mercedes was truly the most despicable bastard in the world.

The man was walking over with a mottled piece of meteorite in one hand, and this guy also had a big change in his personal affairs, so his appearance was very luxurious.

His cloak was unnecessarily large and long.

He must have been getting skin care and massages like crazy day and night. No, I guarantee he’s just eating and exercising.

The phoenix was desperately trying to close his brother’s jaw, but he kept failing.

The divine creatures stuck out their tongues in a row and admired the man.

-Awoo…

“…Weak.”

“What?”

“No, not you. I’m just saying that the past you doesn’t meet my standards right now.”

Still, as expected, Christel, who was much cooler and better than the emperor, added.

She immediately snatched the meteorite fragment from the emperor’s grasp, wrapped it in Gain’s robe, and handed it to her.

Wait, is that a ring on your finger? You’re wearing a ring too?

“It’s almost out of effect now, but they said it’ll work if you help a little. Just hold it like this for now.”

“Okay…”

“Take good care of it and don’t lose it. Take good care of the palace lord too.”

‘Never forget.’ Her expression, urging her like that, seemed somehow heavy, so Gain reflexively nodded her head.

All of this was so shocking, embarrassing, and incredibly amazing that her language wasn’t working properly.

Meanwhile, the approaching emperor silently glanced at the group and finally looked down at the young high priest.

“…”

[Wow…]

“Hello…”

As the palace lord barely greeted him, his expression changed subtly. Gain flinched.

Wait, just now…

-Sreung!

“I’ll send you back to your original timeline.”

“Ack! Durendal!”

It’s that damn sword again!

-Kwakwakwakwang—!

Almost at the same time as Gain burst into anger and covered the palace lord, a terrifying sword energy struck them.