-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter Title: The Butterfly Effect
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I did the right thing.
The Moonlight Church's terrorist attack had to be stopped, so I stopped it. It was only natural, considering that in the original story, this incident would have utterly devastated Seoul and plunged it into a full-blown dystopia.
My decision to broadcast it was also twofold: to keep the Moonlight Church in check, and to draw attention. To prevent the widespread fear of the Moonlight Church that permeated South Korea after the Seoul attack in the original story, making the atmosphere incredibly bleak, I aimed to convey that the Moonlight Church was nothing special. I intended this kind of portrayal, as if to say, "Even an A-class villain like me can stop the Moonlight Church—that's how insignificant they are!"
Then there's Baek Eun-wol, the Moon Priestess. Since I cried buckets when she died in the original story, I was absolutely determined to save her. And while I was at it, I also planned to recruit her into the villain alliance I founded. Even though the power she displayed this time was enhanced by a magic circle, recruiting her, with her inherent abilities in attack magic, illusion magic, and various other skills, was quite necessary. Especially since, apart from me, Electra and Death Knight are the only two with combat power in our Ego Stream.
And of course, petting Stardust there... Hmm, yes. Perhaps it wasn't strictly necessary. But I couldn't help myself. When I saw my favorite character collapsed and struggling with my own eyes, who wouldn't instinctively rush forward in that situation? It was an irresistible urge. Besides, I've already done similar things to her multiple times, so what's the big deal? It happened on the train, and on the plane too. She probably just got annoyed anyway. Plus, I hacked and deleted the few photos that were taken, so no evidence remains, problem solved!
Ultimately, I concluded that I had done nothing wrong. Who could possibly cast a stone at me? Although there's the slight problem of my public image improving a bit, that's something a few more terrorist attacks will easily fix. No problem at all.
—or something similar to that, but I still got scolded.
"Oppa, I'm worried about you. What if Stardust figures out your identity because of something like that? You said it yourself, Oppa. Stardust has to keep seeing you as an enemy, or else it'll all be for nothing. Given what you've been doing lately, it wouldn't be strange if Stardust became suspicious of you at any moment."
Seo-eun said this to me in a serious tone.
I chuckled at her and replied,
"Seo-eun... I understand what you're saying, but you don't need to worry about that."
"Why not?"
"Because Stardust's convictions are incredibly strong."
Given her personality, which cannot tolerate injustice, there's no way I, who have already committed every injustice imaginable, could possibly look good in her eyes.
...Of course, now that I think about it. She did show some strange signs last time.
'.....With this, the debt is paid, right?'
Her voice, speaking those words while she was in my arms, overlapped in my mind.
...But that's just her personality; she can't stand being in debt. There's no way it had any other meaning. Surely not.
"Anyway, enough of this! Let me rest a bit. Do you know how much I struggled to get through that storm...?"
She flinched.
As I mentioned the storm, I felt Baek Eun-wol, who was sitting beside me, flinch.
"S-Sorry...."
"No! It's nothing to apologize for, so don't worry about it."
I said that while looking at Baek Eun-wol beside me.
She had changed out of her original priestess robes into a soft, comfortable T-shirt.
With Seo-eun in front of her, their similar heights and their contrasting white and black hair made them look somewhat like twins. Though their appearances were completely opposite. Come to think of it, she's about the same age as Seo-eun, so they really do look like twins.
Incidentally, since Baek Eun-wol arrived at the house, she and Seo-eun quickly became close.
There had never been anyone close to Seo-eun's age in our house before, so it seems they quickly bonded, as Baek Eun-wol is the only one who's close in age.
Of course, Baek Eun-wol still uses polite language with everyone, including Seo-eun, and hasn't started speaking informally to her yet.
"....But why are you sticking so close to Oppa?"
"....Is it not allowed to stick close?"
"No, it's not that it's not allowed, but Oppa looks uncomfortable."
"Really? Is that true, Dain-ssi?"
"No. I'm fine with it."
"He says it's fine."
".....Hmph."
...They *are* getting along, right?
Anyway, Baek Eun-wol quickly adapted and settled into our home.
Having only ever lived in the cold Moonlight Church, there was even an incident where she burst into tears seeing everyone welcome her warmly. Anyway.
Since she had only ever lived in some dreary part of the Moonlight Church, she was easily moved by small things.
Take this mealtime, for example.
"What... is this?"
"It's just omurice. How does it taste? I made it, you know. It's delicious, right?"
"....*Sniff*."
"Hey, why are you crying? Don't cry!"
"Sehee Unnie. Did you really make her cry?"
"Sehee. I'm disappointed in you."
"No! Why are you all ganging up on me? Is it that bad? I thought it was edible?!"
"....*Sniffle*. No, it's not that. It's just... I've never had anything this delicious before."
...What on earth did the Moonlight Church feed her to make her cry over a simple omurice?
Anyway, after that, a strange campaign began where everyone kept feeding Eun-wol food. From plain rice to soda, or chocolate... seeing her eyes sparkle every time we gave her something just made us want to keep feeding her. Is this what a grandmother's heart feels like?
Of course, Eun-wol wasn't just cute.
"Eun-wol, you said you can use attack magic like you showed us before, and also illusion magic, right?"
"Yes. For example... something like this."
Having said that much, she waved her hand, creating a magic circle in the air and immediately summoning a deer.
It looked and moved exactly like a real deer; its realism was indescribable. Though, of course, if you touched it, it would immediately dissipate into purple dust.
"That's amazing."
Eun-wol beamed happily when I praised her.
Attack magic, illusion magic... anyway, magic clearly seems useful. Basically, I'm just happy that someone with combat power has finally been added to our party.
And so, I returned to my daily life.
Yes, after shattering a major event, I deserved a moment of peace like this.
".....Now, what's going to happen?"
"Dain Oppa? What are you doing?"
"Oh, Eun-wol."
And that night.
Eun-wol approached me as I stood on the balcony, leaning against the railing, gazing at the moonlight illuminating the rainy night sky.
"Just looking at the view for a bit. Want to join me?"
"Yes."
I gently stroked Eun-wol, who had immediately snuggled up beside me to look outside with me, and then I fell back into thought.
...What's going to happen from now on?
I had prevented the Moonlight Church's main event from the original story: the collapse of Seoul.
As a result, unlike the original story, Seoul would not collapse in this world. Not ever again.
And because of this, the future I knew would likely change as well.
"..."
The original story.
In the original story, Baek Eun-wol died only after Seoul was destroyed.
To escape the ruined Seoul, the capital was temporarily designated as Busan.
This became a golden opportunity for Lee Seol-ah, the true power behind the Yoo-sung Group based in Busan, who harbored ambitions to swallow up South Korea.
While the capital was temporarily designated as Busan, she took advantage of the opportunity as major government offices and corporations, including the president, moved down to Busan, and brought them all under her influence. Politicians were persuaded, and companies were acquired.
By the time Seoul's reconstruction was complete and the capital was ready to move back to New Seoul, more than half of South Korea would have fallen into Lee Seol-ah's hands.
And this future was erased because I protected Seoul. In other words, Lee Seol-ah's shadowy plan for South Korea would be delayed compared to the original story.
Actually, that's not the problem.
If I were to pick the biggest difference from the original story, it would be that people who were supposed to die didn't.
Originally, many people died in Seoul due to the Moon Priestess Baek Eun-wol's dozens of terrorist attacks. Especially from the fourth attack onwards, when she gave up control, the death toll soared even higher.
But this time, no one died.
Therefore, they are the biggest butterfly effect.
Who knows if there might be future terrorists among them?
"Hoo..."
I sighed.
Right. From now on, I have to be prepared for things to deviate somewhat from the original story. Most of the events from the original story will probably still happen, but now I also have to be ready for things that didn't happen to occur.
Then there's the Moonlight Church.
I also need to pay some attention to the movements of the Pontiff. Since I've drawn so much attention.
...Of course, in my estimation, it's most likely that he won't particularly care. His primary ambition, after all, is to create a portal connected to that other world and summon a god, so he treats everything else as secondary.
Still, just in case, I should be prepared for whatever actions he might take.
"Lee Seol-ah, the future, and the Moonlight Church. I just need to be wary of these three."
"Huh?"
"There are such things, dear."
I stroked Baek Eun-wol's head once more, who was looking at me curiously from beside me, and then recalled something else.
Lee Seol-ah, the future, and the Moonlight Church, huh.
...Wait a minute.
Lee Seol-ah.
Did I contact Lee Seol-ah?
A sudden chill ran down my spine, and I turned on my phone to check the call history.
***
[Missed Calls]
Lee Seol-ah (67)
***
"....Ah. I'm screwed."
"Why, Oppa?"
"....Eun-wol, how do you think someone would feel if you ignored their calls 67 times?"
"Hmm... they'd probably be angry, right?"
"Right?"
Yeah, I'm definitely screwed.
I quickly made the call.
It was late, but I had to try.
She probably wouldn't still be waiting, though.
***
As if the sky had ripped open, rain poured down.
Busan at night.
Yoo-sung Group's top floor, the CEO's office.
Rumble. Crash.
In that darkened room, where only the sound of thunder echoed, a phone rang loudly, cutting through the sound of the rain.
Ring-ring. Ring-ring.
Flash.
And at that moment, lightning struck, momentarily illuminating the dark office.
The figure of a woman, sitting quietly alone, was revealed.
Her hands were clasped together, resting on the desk.
It was Lee Seol-ah, sitting silently and staring at the phone.
".....You're late, Dain-ssi."