[Lullaby]

  [X3 Rank?]

  [Special ability: Lullaby?]

  *Lullaby?: Puts everything to sleep.

  “It’s like there’s no explanation at all.”


  Kang Shin-hyuk laughed at the system message that appeared before him. After returning to Earth and the realm of the Gaia system, he tried to display the status of the Lullaby but saw only that. Besides, what was with the question marks? He’d rather it would just say it was impossible to interpret.

  ‘It’s not because of my lack of ability. No matter my skill, it’s the Gaia system that eventually translates it into text to show me. Of course, there’s no way to know if the system’s capabilities are insufficient.’


  Originally, for items that exceeded the X-rank, the explanation given tended to be much cruder than the one he directly perceived through his skill. This made it clear. Now, to him, the Gaia system didn’t make much sense.

  “Huh, when you become transcendent, this is something everyone experiences. Rather than rely on Gaia, it would be more accurate for you to just feel it.”


  “That’s right, as I tried using the bracelet I got from grandpa, my rank went up at will. Gaia’s not very reliable.”


  Tsukuyo and Shu were chewing into Gaia as if they were used to it. Only then did it sound like Gaia was a real person, not just a system that controlled the entire universe. No, wasn’t that new? The administrator used to talk like that.

  “By the way, why are you guys here?”


  Claire spoke up in displeasure. In any case, the work in Merba had come to an end, and they returned to My Room safely before Merba disappeared (as the artifacts keeping it alive were recovered, it was only natural). Claire, who judged that he was exhausted physically and mentally, immediately declared a dissolution and returned with him to their room in Shinyoung.

  “Of course, I’m worried about Anvil. Have you forgotten that’s why the administrator called for us?”


  “I also want to do something with grandpa……”


  “I can’t believe it. I admit it was helpful, but you guys, now-“


  When Claire tried to say something more, Kang Shin-hyuk grabbed her hand to calm her down and looked at Tsukuyo and Shu.

  “Thank you both for thinking of me, but first of all, I want to have some time alone with Claire. Let’s talk later.”


  “Okay, Anvil. Where can I stay?”


  Kang Shin-hyuk paused at Tsukuyo’s response. She was thinking of staying here for a while, and the administrator didn’t even try to touch it. No, it would be correct to see it as Kang Shin-hyuk had become a full VIP member, and his authority had increased. If Tsukuyo and Shu wanted to, it was probably okay to have them stay on Earth for a while. If so, Kang Shin-hyuk turned on his phone.

  “Wait a minute; I’ll get a room for you two.”


  “Wait for a second, you mean I have to stay in the same room as this black fox?”


  “Please be patient.”


  “Yes, if grandpa asks this of me, I can’t help it……”


  “No matter how that’s a little pitiful.”


  “.……You’ll leave me alone but talk quite freely to everyone else?”


  Kang Shin-hyuk contacted the principal, and less than five minutes later, he had permission to use another room in the Royal class.

  “There aren’t many students who’ve obtained the right to move into the Royal class yet, so you’ll be free for the time being.”


  “I’ve gotten better at using this power myself.”


  “What power is that? This is just promoting my friend’s convenience.”


  When Claire left the room for a while, and the three went out into the hallway, by coincidence, Baek In-ha, having just left his own room, opened his eyes wide at the sight of them.

  “Shinyuk, you, such beauties……!”


  “Much later, if you qualify, I’ll tell you then.”


  “What about introductions? Shouldn’t I introduce myself?”


  “He’s a cute kid, but I’ve always been into Anvil.”


  Tsukuyo smiled alluringly and pressed her chest against Kang Shin-hyuk’s arm. Even through her clothes, her contours were clear. Baek was quick to grasp how far away she was with that and carefully turned his gaze away.

  “Hey, you, that, Claire noona.”


  “I already know. Don’t worry about it; let’s talk later.”


  “Okay. Let’s also listen to what Anvil is then.”


  He had nothing to lose having a good friend. Kang Shin-hyuk felt a little guilty for not being able to explain everything to Baek and promised to talk later.

  “Then, you can stay here. Do you need an explanation of the facility?”


  Tsukuyo looked inside the room assigned to them and shook her head.

  “No, I can see it roughly.”


  “Because you have spiritual power.”


  “.……Grandfather.”


  Unlike the imposing Tsukuyo, Shu, who often showed a wandering expression all the time, turned to Kang Shin-hyuk with an expression of great determination.

  “Huh?”


  “Cheer up.”


  As Kang Shin-hyuk turned to face her, she uttered that and then approached quickly, raising up on her toes slightly to kiss his cheek.

  “Thanks to you, I can kiss even if I don’t run. Heh.”
……

  Kang Shin-hyuk was at a loss for words, so he settled for gently brushing Shu’s hair.

  “Thank you, Shu.”


  “Grandpa is my benefactor, so that I can do anything for you.”


  “Kid…… Well, let’s take a look.”


  Tsukuyo laughed at Shu’s humble behavior and approached Kang Shin-hyuk.

  “Anvil, do you remember what I said earlier about your abilities and Jormungand?”


  “You mean that the members of the Hero Universe are doing something similar to Jormungand?”


  Thinking about it, Tsukuyo was the one who gave him almost all the explanations. Since he joined the Hero Universe, many of the weapons he created had spread to many worlds by the hands of its members and played a role in balancing the world. He hated to admit it, but Jormungand was similar. If there was a difference, was it that Jormungand was large and out of control?

  “In fact, even the weapons made then weren’t perfect. After all, it is nothing more than a weapon that has meaning only when held in human hands. As a result, some weapons have destroyed worlds different from the original intention. Fundamentally, it wasn’t that different from when I created Jormungand.”


  “But Anvil, you keep going. So next time, you’ll definitely be able to complete it.”


  “.……Yes, I know that too.”


  But could it be called perfection in a true sense? Now Kang Shin-hyuk had the illusion he was walking on a fixed path to a future he already knew the results of. Even when it was completed, the result would be what he saw now.

  ‘It’s terrible to deal with causality. What’s really annoying is that I have no way or plan to avoid it.’


  The moment he realized he had become a transcendent; ironically, he realized his helplessness. Then, as he tried to turn around……

  “Yes, I can’t stand it……!”


  “Ah, boooo!”


  “Hm?!”


  Tsukuyo closed the distance between them at an unrecognizable speed and pressed her lips against his as hard as she could. The castle quickly collapsed in an irresistible onslaught as a tongue slipped through. It was the first time he had such an aggressive and ignorant kiss in his life. After struggling to gather his senses, he barely managed to push Tsukuyo away and shout, his eyes wide open.

  “I really can’t be relieved! Do you have to satisfy your needs in this situation now?”


  “But all the mishaps are gone, right?”


  Tsukuyo asked as if she licked her lips. Her absurd actions and words made all his thoughts fly away. He wondered if that was her intent, but it was helpful to him.

  “Ah…… I won’t say thank you, Tsukuyo.”


  “There’s no reason to. I’m Anvil’s woman; it’s only natural for me to kiss you.”


  “You, you fox!”


  Instead of the calm Kang Shin-hyuk, Shu was the one to shout.

  “I put up with it! I limited myself to the cheek!”


  “Who told you to be patient?”


  If he left it alone, a monstrous war would take place here. As Kang Shin-hyuk hurried to calm them down, Tsukuyo smiled at him.

  “Anvil, you’re still mistaken about one thing.”


  “What?”


  “Obviously, you know the finished product. But that’s only one outcome. You still don’t know what will happen to yourself after that?”


  “You don’t even know.”


  “Of course, I don’t know. I didn’t even accept your reincarnation at first. I couldn’t even imagine that you in the past life wouldn’t have been finished yet……”


  Since Tsukuyo already knew the result, she couldn’t convince herself that Anvil had gone through the cumbersome process of reincarnation. However, she realized that the order was opposite, that the result and process were reversed, and was able to accept him as Anvil. Perhaps she had reached the truth faster than anyone else. Kang Shin-hyuk nodded without a word, and she smiled again.

  “So think about it, Anvil, who completely dominates causality and creates the system on which the world is based. Who would dare predict the behavior of such a person?”


  With that said, Kang Shin-hyuk felt his hazy mind clearing. Tsukuyo, noticing the change, seemed happy.

  “Now, may this not solve some of your worries?”


  “.……After all, you are a fox.”


  “Sure. Not just a fox, but one with nine tails.”


  Nine black tails grew behind her and fluttered. That was the sum of her power. Had it been the Kang Shin-hyuk of before, he would’ve fainted just by looking at it.

  “Yes, I knew that.”


  “Then you also know that I will never miss my target.”


  “That’s my first time hearing about it.”


  “You’ll have to be prepared. For a time beyond human senses, I only missed you……”


  Tsukuyo licked her lips and tried to close the distance again. Kang Shin-hyuk rushed out of the room quickly, fearing for his life.

  “Ha, grandfather, give me a separate room too!”


  “Sorry!”


  Shu was sacrificed. The sacrifice that followed…… With that sacrifice……

  ***

  The new year was bright, though there was no progress in finding Shin Eunah yet. Kang Shin-hyuk’s ability to break through limits was developing at an astonishing pace after visiting Merba. Claire had achieved her goal as well.

  The next day, Halo got in touch.