The Main Characters That Only I Know

It had been a year since the war ended.

Originally, this was a time they would never have been permitted to reach, a time they could never have attained in the previous universe.

The survivors, both people and Divine Spirits, now faced that unpermitted future.

Kwon Jia gazed out beyond the outskirts of Old Town, watching the view outside the window.

Old Town had been spared from damage in the recent war, as the fighting had taken place in the border area where Eden, Pandemonium, and the Thirty-Six Heavens overlapped.

If the fighting had dragged on any longer, the Foundation’s fortress would have moved, setting Old Town and every allied city ablaze, but fortunately, that never happened.

"Everyone’s doing their best to keep going."

The scars of the war weren’t small enough to be completely restored in just a year.

Though Old Town hadn’t been directly affected by the war, with so many casualties, it bore a heavy wound nonetheless.

A massive cemetery had been established outside the city, and even now, many people would visit, placing flowers and continuing their tributes.

“Jia-nim, it’s time to get ready.”

“Oh, Young-min, right. Yes, of course.”

Kwon Jia lightly packed her belongings and left her room.

Waiting for her were the former White Flower Management members.

Baek Seo-ryeon, Kang Hye-rim, Seo Sumin, and Yoo Young-min, who had been waiting for her, were all there.

In Baek Seo-ryeon’s arms was the small, curled-up Baek-hyo.

They exchanged greetings with smiles, loading their belongings into the vehicle.

“Well, then, let’s head out.”

Yoo Young-min took the wheel. Kwon Jia’s gaze turned to the scenery passing by outside the car window.

Kang Hye-rim, Seo Sumin, and Baek Seo-ryeon were all looking out similarly.

Their destination was the former territory of the Great Army of Olympus, a place known for the breathtaking coastal view of the Okeanos beach.

“So much has changed.”

Kang Hye-rim murmured without meaning to. Seo Sumin nodded in agreement.

The world had transformed.

After enduring the war and working through its wounds, they were moving toward a better future.

The factions once divided as Holy Army and Great Army were no more. They had now become a unified alliance of the mixed realm.

Even the Alliance of Lords that had separated humans and Divine Spirits was gone.

This world no longer erected barriers between Divine Spirits and humans.

“It’s been so long since we all got together like this, and you’re all just sitting there in silence? It’s been a month! You all are so harsh.”

Yoo Young-min, feeling uncomfortable with the subdued atmosphere, tried to liven up the mood.

Baek Seo-ryeon shared the sentiment and eagerly joined in.

“So, Young-min, what have you been up to?”

“Me? Still working as a mercenary.”

Over the past year, Yoo Young-min had traveled across the mixed realm, continuing his mercenary work.

But unlike before, he now focused on volunteering, providing resources to places in need due to the war, and helping with heavy labor rather than taking on paid assignments. ℞𝐀𝐍Ɵ𝐁ÈṨ

Though conflicts still remained in the world, there was no longer a need for mercenaries to handle the dirtiest work.

Yoo Young-min had gathered the abandoned mercenaries together, forming a united group that acted as a civilian organization, helping various places.

“The mercenary industry needs to change now, right? We can’t keep doing bloody work forever. So, Seo-ryeon, how have you been?”

“Me? Same as ever.”

Baek Seo-ryeon had worked tirelessly as a core member of the new alliance to create a better world.

Originally the small-time head of Collector Management, she had risen to represent not only the Alliance of Lords but had also become a key figure in the world alliance, thanks purely to her capabilities and talent.

“I’m busy enough as it is, but I made time for you all, you know? So, take care of me, alright?”

“Of course, of course. And Jia-nim over there, lost in thought—how have you been?”

“Lost in thought, huh.”

Kwon Jia shot a glare at Yoo Young-min, who shrugged with a mischievous grin.

Kwon Jia tossed her words nonchalantly.

“I’m just living an ordinary life.”

Unlike Yoo Young-min and Baek Seo-ryeon, who had gained considerable fame, Kwon Jia was enjoying the ordinary life she had always longed for.

It had been so long that she had nearly forgotten what ‘ordinary’ was, but she had always wanted this kind of life.

Reading books late into the night and accidentally dozing off, lazing around in bed in the morning, and happily deciding what to eat each day.

Finding joy and happiness in small things, feeling annoyance and frustration at little disappointments.

Living like this, day by day.

Someday, she would peacefully close her eyes for the last time.

“The world doesn’t need Divine Spirits or bookworms anymore.”

After the war, Kwon Jia had lost both the power of Fenrir and her beast’s strength.

Even so, the power and stature she possessed were undeniable, and adjusting to an ordinary life wasn’t without its difficulties, but that, too, would eventually settle with time.

“Hye-rim, don’t you agree?”

“Yes, well.”

Kang Hye-rim was the same. Having lived as a Sword Master, she returned to daily life after the war, but the guilt of her past as the Black Thunder Lord didn’t disappear. So, she continued to volunteer, dedicating herself to humanitarian work.

Doing good deeds doesn’t erase sins. Good deeds and sins are separate things.

Even knowing that, she cared for and helped others, not only because it was what any human should do but also in hopes that people like her would never appear again.

“Hmm, seems like everyone’s leading fulfilling lives.”

“So, Sumin, what have you been up to?”

“Oh, I’ve just been running a martial arts dojo.”

Seo Sumin had opened a martial arts school.

She found volunteering alone insufficient to stave off the monotony of life, so she opened a dojo to train children with a talent for martial arts.

“I named it the Heavenly Demon Dojo.”

“Ugh.”

Yoo Young-min unintentionally let out a noise. What a name. He held back his thoughts, but he couldn’t stop Seo Sumin’s eyebrow from twitching upward.

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Oh, uh, nothing.”

Perhaps due to their compatibility as human counterparts, Yoo Young-min immediately backed down. But Seo Sumin’s gaze remained unyielding, and Yoo Young-min quickly looked for a change of topic.

“Oh! Look, we’ve arrived.”

They had reached the Okeanos coast, the destination they had set out for today.

The group disembarked, each person captivated by the beauty of the sea.

“It’s beautiful.”

The dazzling white sand stretched out, and beyond it lay the vast, endless ocean. The sky was clear and blue, with fluffy clouds scattered across it. The sunlight was pleasantly warm, and the sound of the waves brought a sense of peace.

Perhaps because it was the sea once graced by gods, there was no salty scent from the seawater.

Just looking at it brought a sense of calm and clarity to their minds.

The reason they had all come here today was because they had made a promise.

“We once said we’d come to the beach together.”

Before the war, Yu-hyun had suggested they all go out like in the old days.

And the war had ended in the alliance’s victory. But Yu-hyun hadn’t returned.

In this place, where everyone else was present, only Yu-hyun was absent.

For the past year, no one had known what had happened to Yu-hyun, whether he was alive or dead.

He might have perished, dying together with Logos.

Even thinking that might be true, they all still made time to come to the beach.

To the place they had promised, even though he wasn’t there.

“It’s only been a year anyway. We waited five years before; one year is nothing.”

“Yes, that’s right. We made a promise, didn’t we? So Yu-hyun will definitely come back.”

No matter how much time it took, he would certainly return.

He had made a promise himself.

He was a man who kept his promises without fail.

Everyone believed that.

Or maybe they just wanted to believe it.

As they stood there, lined up and admiring the stunning ocean, a voice called out to them.

A familiar voice echoed.

A voice that should not be heard—his voice.

Everyone present flinched, and simultaneously turned around.

There was no way they could have forgotten. Not this voice, not in just a single year.

“May I join you?”

There he was.

The man they had longed to see, Kang Yu-hyun, stood smiling softly as he looked at them.

“Yu-hyun… sir?”

Kang Hye-rim called his name with a dazed look.

Kang Yu-hyun nodded.

“Yes.”

“Are you really… really Yu-hyun?”

“Yes. I’m truly Kang Yu-hyun.”

The moment she heard those words, Kang Hye-rim burst into tears. Kwon Jia and Seo Sumin widened their eyes in shock, while Yoo Young-min and Baek Seo-ryeon looked as if they had seen a ghost.

“Sorry for being late.”

“Where on earth have you been all this time?”

“There were many things I needed to handle.”

“Things to handle?”

At Kwon Jia’s question, Yu-hyun nodded and asked them all,

“Would you all like to come with me?”

“Come… where?”

“There is something I want to show you.”

Yu-hyun created a door in the air. As he opened a passageway to another place, he waited for their responses.

He wouldn’t force them; if they refused, he wouldn’t take them.

But no one here could bring themselves to refuse.

“I’ll go.”

“I’ll come along.”

“Good. Follow me.”

Yu-hyun entered the door, and the White Flower Management group followed behind.

Beyond the door was a long hallway. A red carpet lay on the floor, and the corridor was lined with white glass display cases on either side, though it was neither wide nor large.

Walking ahead, Yu-hyun spoke up.

“The reason I couldn’t return for a year was because I was busy cleaning up the mess that Logos left behind. Lifting all the oppressions and restrictions placed on the world took far more time than I anticipated. Normally, it would have taken ten years, but I did my best to cut it short, keeping in mind my promise to you all. That took half a year.”

“Half a year? Then, what about the other half?”

“I spent it preparing a gift for those who fought for the world.”

Yu-hyun raised a finger, pointing to one of the glass cases.

“Look.”

Inside it was a radiant city. Kang Hye-rim’s eyes widened as she recognized the familiar sight.

Constantinople. The city from the Mental Realm where she had first earned the title of Sword Queen and fought alongside Yu-hyun.

Inside the glass, a peaceful scene of Constantinople was displayed.

A bell rang from within, and the Emperor rode out on horseback for an inspection. As the final emperor, Dragases, appeared, the people smiled, waving their hands or offering bouquets.

Perhaps, another possibility of what could have been was now unfolding before their eyes.

“And this isn’t the only one.”

Another scene emerged in a different glass case.

It was a quiet village by the sea. A large ship was anchored at the village dock.

A well-built middle-aged man stepped off the ship. It was Captain Ahab.

Behind Ahab, familiar faces like Ishmael appeared here and there.

“Old man, we’re here to visit!” Ahab called out.

Hearing his shout, the door of an old hut by the dock opened, and the captain named Nemo appeared.

No, now he was Geppetto, and he stood with his adorable grandchild in his arms.

“Tsk. Still shouting like a barbarian, I see.”

“Ha! That’s rich, coming from you!”

They exchanged playful insults, but their eyes showed the joy of reuniting with an old friend.

“They’re not illusions. Each one is a real world.”

A lush green field came into view. In the middle of a beautiful flower garden sat a lovely, golden-haired woman.

On her lap lay an older, yet still vigorous, knight who rested his head there.

Don Quixote. He said something, and the woman smiled softly. Don Quixote sprang up, waving his arms around comically, and the woman clutched her sides, laughing.

Rosinante, grazing in the distance, rolled her eyes as if to say, “Here we go again,” and continued eating grass.

The warm, gentle breeze blew.

The brave knight enjoyed his cherished time with his beloved lady.

Kwon Jia, looking as if she couldn’t believe it, asked,

“Did you… make all of these?”

Yu-hyun nodded.

“Yes. It took me another six months to prepare all this.”

“Why… why would you do this?”

“Because people need rewards for their efforts.”

Everyone had fought for the world. Some sacrificed precious things to do what was right, while others fought to protect what was dear to them.

But no one had compensated them for what they had lost.

The world was harsh.

Reality was unforgiving.

And so, Yu-hyun had decided to give them a gift.

Beyond another glass case, Wi Muhyuk could be seen.

Once the number one collector in South Korea, he was now living alone in solitude.

Hardly anyone visited him anymore, and Wi Muhyuk, too, had withdrawn from the world, choosing to live in isolation in a house he had set up deep in a remote forest.

Naturally, there were no expected visitors.

Knock, knock.

Someone knocked on his door.

“Who is it?”

Wi Muhyuk asked politely, but there was no answer. Perhaps it was a passing traveler or a forest spirit playing a prank.

Slowly, Wi Muhyuk rose from his seat and opened the door.

“Who in the world…?”

And then he saw a woman and a young girl standing there, their faces unmistakable.

How could he ever forget them?

His wife and daughter, whom he thought long dead, stood before him now.

With trembling lips, Wi Muhyuk barely managed to speak.

“This… this isn’t a dream, is it?”

“No, it’s not a dream, dear.”

His wife extended her hand, gently brushing his cheek. The warmth of her touch, the softness of her hand—everything was real.

Wi Muhyuk pulled his wife and daughter into an embrace.

Tears streamed down his cheeks.

Wi Muhyuk wept, crying and crying.

“I wanted to see you… so much. In dreams, in reality, I missed you so terribly… I thought I’d forgotten, that I’d moved on…”

“It’s alright now, dear. We’re not going anywhere.”

“Daddy, don’t cry. We’ll stay together from now on.”

The family reunited in an embrace, shedding tears of joy.

Lightly touching the glass wall displaying this scene, Yu-hyun continued to walk without stopping.

“Not every story in the world ends happily. While someone rejoices, another grieves. And there are very few who reach out to those who are grieving.”

In this cruel reality, people’s efforts often went unrecognized.

“So, I decided to be the one who extends a hand.”

Those who strived needed rewards that were worthy of their efforts.

No matter how many times they stumbled or failed, the determination they held to keep running forward must never be undervalued.

That noble will.

The desire to run toward something.

Even if the end was in vain, in that moment, it shone brilliantly.

And even if that light faded, it should never be left to disappear without a trace.

“Because believing that the world will improve is not enough.”

Yu-hyun’s steps stopped in front of a glass wall showing a young girl.

There, a young girl walked across a new world, holding her parents’ hands.

Kang Seo-ha, a girl murdered by the world's malice without ever knowing her parents, was now smiling happily, holding their hands.

And she headed to Old Town, where the dead were returning one by one.

A new life, entering a new world.

A meeting that should never have happened. A story that should have been forgotten and slowly faded.

That miracle beyond was now taking place in reality.

It wasn’t just Kang Seo-ha.

Across the mixed realm, people thought to be dead were returning to life.

A year after the war.

A day that should have been one of sorrow became filled with joyful tears that colored the world.

Yu-hyun looked down upon the world with a gentle smile.

“Sometimes, more than just belief is needed.”

Oello and Praytion, bickering yet living together.

Mephisto, smiling cheerfully at the changed world.

Celestina, Celine, and Alisha, faithfully carrying out their duties as problem solvers.

Romulaxis, setting off in search of a new life.

Kang Yura, living happily with her parents.

Sun Wukong, embarking on an adventure on the Nimbus Cloud.

Buddha, sitting with his disciples, discussing enlightenment, with Chulaphantaka nodding in understanding before him.

Yu-hyun resumed his halted steps and began to walk again.

The long corridor finally came to an end.

Looking back at the path they had traveled, the group realized that the hallway itself was one large gallery.

Above the corridor, an inscription read:

[Hall of Honor]

The place where every story in this world exists.

And the vast hall they reached at the end was a space filled with books.

“Do you know this? Beyond this universe, there are other universes.”

The ceiling of the hall was open, revealing the vastness of outer space.

A place almost completely shrouded in darkness, with barely any starlight visible.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Yet Yu-hyun’s gaze looked beyond that universe.

“Worlds where gods and humans make direct contracts. Worlds where a set lifespan forces the ruler to draw power from other worlds, becoming a demon king. Worlds not made of endless books like ours, but of a massive tree. Worlds where true masters are oppressed by usurpers. And countless other universes.”

Beyond this universe were stories they had yet to witness.

All were captivated by the majestic, beautiful scene.

“As you can see, the world is full of darkness. We all fear it. But humanity, by facing that darkness, has been able to create and spread light.”

Stories are no different.

The universe beyond is undoubtedly vast and dark.

Yet beyond it, there are stories.

The vast universe is a black canvas, and the stars inscribed upon it are the letters of history. Each twinkling star becomes a story of its own.

So, surely, the worlds beyond are no different.

Moving forward, they would find light and stories within that darkness.

“So, will you all come with me? To seek new stories?”

At Yu-hyun’s proposal, the group exchanged glances, reading the desire in each other’s eyes.

They smiled simultaneously.

It was a foolish question.

Having come this far, the answer had already been decided, hadn’t it?

Yu-hyun read their response and nodded, laughing aloud.

“Perfect.”

Yu-hyun gazed into the infinite abyss. The sight filled him with wonder and even fear, as he did not know what awaited within.

But surely, something was there.

A story, like a star.

“Let’s go.”

Moving forward and upward was an instinct of humanity.

Since ancient times, people have found light in the darkness, spreading it and establishing new settlements.

It was humanity’s instinct, an endless journey to find the meaning of life.

Logos, who had written this world as a single book and controlled it at his whim, was dead. Yet, the book he had written still remained.

Even if the god of the world, the author of stories, or the writer of books dies.

The story of this world does not end here.

Beyond this point.

And beyond that further point.

The story continues like a path.

And outside of this world, there are still countless unseen stories.

“To the place beyond the universe, where new stories await.”

Now, they head toward a new world.

Beyond the unknown darkness, where mysteries abound.

It would surely be difficult and painful.

At times, they might want to sit and rest.

But certainly, they would continue.

They would never stop.

──They would endlessly press forward.

– End –