Chapter Text
Kim Suho slowly opened his eyes with a white noise ringing on his ears, then a cracking sound replacing it.
With as much energy as he could muster in his exhausted form got up to examine his surroundings.
“Ah.”
The exhale escaped his mouth subconsciously at the sight that meet him, his surroundings were a pandemonium conformed by burned ground and oppressing fog in the air that alluded dead.
Countless of his companions were laying there, it was hard to tell whether they were unconscious or gone, his heart ache at the possibility.
All of this as the result of a single breath of Baal’s fully materialized form, as he continued to see the disaster laid in front of him a detestable voice enter his ears.
“You woke up”
The voice of the detestable overgrown lizard made itself known and Kim Suho looked up at the true body of the powerful demon in front of him while the black dragon looked down on him.
Fitting, truly.
After all, dragons are often called harbingers of destruction in the myths and legends that conform this and other worlds.
That’s when the reptiles mouth started to move and speak in an almost mocking tone.
“I’ve received your memories”
There was a pause and then he continued.
“How painful”
“You must have received mine too, no?”
Kim Suho fell silent. Just like Baal said, a few pieces of memories had flowed into this brain and taken place naturally.
“Transmigrator Hero.”
Hearing that word made something in his soul curl in fear and his shoulders flinch by instinct, he knew what those words meant, wished to forget what they mean.
“For what purpose was that title created?”
The demonic presence then decided to shrink in size to that of a puppy and come towards the swordsman, if Suho didn’t knew that the creature was a world destroying demon he would find it cute.
“Main Character, if you know the answer, I want to ask you.”
Main character, main character, he has heard those words directed at him so many times, at first they hurt, then he learned to ignore them, but now, now…
The reptile tone was wicked and nauseating.
“Are you disappointed? Are you angry? Or are you confused?”
Kim Suho refused to reply, for he knew what those memories meant.
“Main Character, you should already know that there is an author of this world.”
“That you and me are nothing more that mear characters created for the sole purpose of entertainment”
Kim Suho found that reality hard to understand, but then again his life has always been hard to understand even to himself.
Memories of an average man pour into his consciousness, his creator an a heavy fog protecting his identity.
He saw how the mysterious man mapped out his character, his life and fate, even his highs and lows in excruciating detail for the sake to entertaining and satisfying strangers.
“Don’t tell me you think this is okay? That you can continue to live in this world even if it is a mere novel.”
“Such foolishness will not be tolerated.”
But he also saw the love and care that the man put into him, friends and allies, even his opponents and worlds, the sincere wish of someone like himself to exist in the other’s boring world that even without magic could destroy someone in ways no world destroying demon can.
But it seams like the overgrown lizards has taken offense in that love and care.
“Why? Because if I die, the task of the author will come to an end.”
Kim Suho continued to stare at Baal as the demon continued his pointless generic speech.
“This is the final arc, Kim Suho, the final arc!”
The tone of the dragon would incite anyone else but Suho remained neutral.
“When the curtain closes to the final arc, this world will come to an end.”
“Everything will stop for eternity.”
That is something that Suho can’t deny, this is the final arc, were everything is decided, the awaited climax.
But that also came with the weigh of knowing that if this mysterious man were to leave this world, the world would end, no, the entire universe would end, no matter how curious the readers were, there would be no continuation.
Baal spoke with a grin.
“But Main Character, I know how to save this world. A method to let this world continue living….”
“You should know it now too.”
“….”
When Kim Suho didn’t answer, Ball pointed at Kim Suho’s hip anyway.
“That method lies in your sword.”
“The god-slaying sword, Misteltein.”
Baal suggested that Kim Suho point this sword at him, at the higher existence that created him.
“Help me find him”
“Entrap the author’s soul in this world forever.”
“This world will stop if the author leaves, but it will be a different story if his soul stays.”
“I will split his soul into pieces and scatter them throughout the world.”
“That way, a natural world full of life will continue to exist.”
“The world will not stop and move eternally.”
The core forming the world.
Baal thought that this was the author’s soul.
And most likely, this was painfully true.
“Kim Suho, you can become the sword that slays the god.”
The comment made his stomach turn.
“For the sake of this world, play the role of the protagonist and kill god.”
His disgust was palpable at the suggested cliche ending.
“If ‘he’ dies, we will become complete existences.”
Kim Suho could not bring himself to kill someone like the man he saw.
“I will gladly accept you as my equal and bring eternal richness and fertility to your world.”
This he knew for a fact to be a lie, you can’t trust demons for things like this.
“Wouldn’t that be the true method of protecting and saving this world?”
Baal’s words make sense in reason but not in practice, killing the author and trapping him here forever would only gain this god’s betrayal and subsequent hatred.
He could grow from a carrying and kind existence to an enemy worse that the lizard in front of him.
He would sought to destroy his painstakingly created world and people for hurting him in such a way.
The lizard finished his speech and took a few steps away from the swordsman.
The demon floated through the air that was around him but the man remained silent and expressionless.
“…And your answer?”
The demon awaited for his answer expectantly, but then again Baal didn’t particularly cared if the main character agreed with him, mainly because this so called god was within the barrier.
As long as he remain inside Baal was confident in killing him and shattering his soul so that he could exist forever as a true existence.
It’s just that convincing the blue hair swordsman in front of him was a quicker and more certain method.
But Kim Suho was currently undergoing an indescribable realization and the more the creature spoke the more he felt the desire to cut him into pieces for proposing such a horrifying notion.
To create a new enemy to himself by killing them is not a mistake he is willing to commit again.
“Haa….”
Kim Suho took a deep breath and shook off this sincere desire to cut the demon.
Because he has finally gained the chance to atone for his past sins in akatrina.
He didn’t want to fail again at protecting what he cherished.
He still remembered the day over 20 years ago when he was born on Earth as a baby. He didn’t have parents in his previous life, but the parents in his current life gave him the name ‘Suho’.
Suho, meaning, to protect.
The existence known as Kim Suho carried a clear, noble ‘will of the sword’.
He didn’t think he was ‘chosen’.
He didn’t think he had to become the savior either.
It was just that… he thought it was his duty… to protect.
The meaning behind protecting wasn’t so complex. Protecting someone’s family, protecting someone’s friends, and protecting oneself…. That was all.
Today, the intent he had carried from that day was ascertained by Baal.
From the very start the had been born to ‘protect everyone’.
This is the true wish of the world and his purpose in existence
“…Baal.”
The moment Kim Suho said his name, Baal realized what decision he made.
“How disappointing.”
Needless to say but that day Baal’s name remain as nothing more than a bad memory for humanity has killed the demon that sought to innailate them.
But Kim Suho wasn’t worried if this author is truly in this world somewhere, if he truly loves his creation as much as he saw, Suho was confident he would stay.
After all his gut feeling is never wrong.
***
Unaware that they were being watched in battle none of the heroes or present demons saw a figure dressed in a white coat on top of a building leaking powerful but subtle magic power.
“What a pain to see this again” The masculine figure’s voice was heavily filtered and was unidentifiable.
Then a black smoke appeared at their side.
“Oh come on Author, why did you changed that dialogue? I was pretty proud of my delivery of your identity”
“Your delivery was shit”
The black smoke curled on itself but the man in white knew better than to think that it was actually offended, and in the off chance it it was he couldn’t care less.
“So mean…”
“You know that was for the best ending possible”
The man dressed in white was done with the black smoke idiocracy and argued back.
“For your best ending, not the actual best ending for the story”
“This last few arcs in Africa were so bad you’re going to make me rewrite the whole thing”
“And the oldest dream fragments are all bitching about it”
The black smoke cracked a jiggle at the comment.
“Well I never claimed to be a good writer, I was under no obligation to make something of coherent quality with what you made before”
“But if we’re being honest, who is really to blame for the quality of the Africa arc?”
The masculine voice of the smoke was filled with an airy and unbothered aura, unlike the man wearing white who straightened his posture at the underhanded insult.
“Co author, that’s bullshit and you know it, just say you also ran out of ideas and pulled this together out of duck tape, a cigarette and suicidal thoughts”
The man in white put his hand on his face and massaged his forehead as he sighed.
“…. At least I had the decency to call for a hiatus and spare my readers this mess”
The author stared at the horizon and snapped his fingers, a portal appeared behind the pair and he started to walk into it.
“Are you coming or not, we’re done fixing the mess you’ve made here”
“Coming~”
The smoke followed the man in white looking quite pleased at themselves.
“Ew, never speak to me like that again”
“Why?~”
“Does it bothers you?~”
“Your entire existence does”
The pair disappeared into the white portal without saying another word.
***
After the battle a new beeping sound welcome Kim Suho’s ears and he opens his eyes.
The sight that meet him was a sterile white ceiling.
“So you’re finally awake”
Turning to his left he saw someone familiar, Yoo Yeonha, the business genius and current queen of soul.
“Hey…”
As he relaxed on the hospital mattress the image of the battlefield flashed through his mind, the swordsman quickly shot up and asked to his friend desperately.
“Yeonha-sii, what happens with-“
But just as quickly she replied.
“Baal have been defeated and we suffered no casualties on our end, other counties have managed, somehow”
“But that’s besides the point, how are you feeling? You did take a very harsh hit on the head after all”
“Fine I suppose”
“And the others?”
“Well…”
“Nayun is already up and running, Jonghak is much the same…”
There is a hint of bitterness at her tone that quickly changes when she continues.
“Rachel is still resting, Yun Seung-Ah-ssi as well and Yi Yeonghan somehow is still making jokes even on bed rest”
The woman lets a sigh the shows her exhaustion and cracks her neck.
“Seriously how do you handle him?”
But after a short silence she replied.
“No scratch that, you’re both the same”
At that comment he could only laugh at loud.
“I suppose so…”
“By the way, and Hajin? The last I heard of him he needed help.”
At the mention of the name Yoo Yeonha frame relaxed and her eyes gained a complicit stare.
“He’s fine, resting really”
“Really can I go see him?”
“I’m afraid that is not possible”
Suho pouted at the response.
“Why?”
“Well, let’s just leave it at he’s not here”
“Then were is he?”
Yoo Yeonha’s stare change to something more bittersweet as she looked at the swordsman.
“He’s in the safest place in the world, don’t worry”
After that she got up and shake inexistent dust from her elegant clothes and adjusted the collar.
“Well seeing how your doing fine I’ll leave you to rest a little, considering how much the press loves you, you’ll definitely need it”
“Yeonha-ssi”
“Yes?”
“Thank you”
At the sincere gratitude the woman paused and slowly returned the man’s gaze.
“…your welcome”
After that she left without any other consideration, leaving the swordsman alone in the sterile environment.
As he stared into the ceiling he found himself relaxing a little, somehow this world has managed to survive the demon realm transformation and the last arc of the storyline, at least for the time being.
His home will not be destroyed this time, earth will survive, he and his comrades are strong enough to achieve so.
The relief was a potent drug, lately he has been on edge since he discovered what would happen after he killed the demon lord in the tower of wish.
He did everything he could and it paid off, mostly…
There had to be casualties at some points, after all demon did materialize to some extent on civilian areas, even just being near a demon can be fatal to an untrained human.
But the point is that they manage to survive and for that possibility Kim Suho will always be grateful, he can’t control the smile on his face or the tears swelling on his eyes.
They made it, they truly made it and can live without the constant treat of demons breathing down their necks or a storyline about to end.
If Suho could he would choose to live in this high forever, hopefully this time things actually stay like this.
He knew that was unrealistic but a man can hope, can’t he?
He whipped his tears and stared at the ceiling again and closed his eyes, he does have to prepare for the press after all.
***
The subsequent two weeks Suho was subjected to test on the hospital to confirm that his head was indeed okay, physical therapy and interviews, lots and lots of interviews, dreadfully long ones at that and the ushering of nurses and doctors fawning over him.
So it was obvious that he couldn’t be informed on everything at the time so maybe that’s why he missed some information about the outside world, apparently Hajin has been missing if his coworkers are to be believed.
At first they didn’t worry because Hajin has a tendency to work alone often without informing them first, which is a nasty habit but anyone that know him would be used to after some time.
But at the start of the second is when the worry actually hit, if he takes so long he did have the courtesy of reporting himself in some way or another but they’ve received nothing.
No texts, no lost calls, no notes, no nothing.
They did try to search for him in places he might be on their own, but were unsuccessful in that endeavor by themselves.
So that’s why Jeronimo mercenaries are organizing a search effort of all the company and some hero and merc volunteers to search for the enigmatic fenrir.
And that’s why Suho is here instead of making the paperwork for becoming one of the Nine Stars, He might be going through an existential crisis due to the revelation of being born a character over human and literally being a protagonist of a novel but in some level he can’t help but still care.
So, what if his just a character? That does not make his life any less real as such as others, and as such as the author that created him and everyone else.
Kim Suho is still Kim Suho the sword saint, the sword man of wish, the transmigrator hero, the friend, the son, the boyfriend, the human .
And as all those things he will help find his friend, no matter were he might be.
A familiar face enters his field of vision as he wait the plaza and is pleasantly surprised by her appearance.
“Hey Suho! Over here!”
She flings her arms in the air in a repetitive motion side to side in all of her energetic glory for she is the one and only emperor of the battlefield, Chae Nayun.
“Why hello, What are you doing here?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to join the search efforts, just like everyone else, including yourself!”
Nayun hits him teasingly at his shoulder with a bit too much strength, enough for the punch to sting and Suho to hold his arm in reflect with his free hand.
“Ouch, hold the punches”
“What I’m I? Your personal punching bag?”
“Shit! I-I mean sorry, didn’t mean to punch you so hard”
After that small incident the two heroes continued their chat for a few minutes until Suho decided that it’s the appropriate time to ask her a question.
“So judging that you’re here, does that mean that you and Hajin finally made up? Or do you still hate each other’s guts?”
“No we haven’t truly, I mean we did saw each other and didn’t attempted to murder each other but he still owes me answers… to many answers”
Nayun’s face feel into a pout as she spoke and Suho mentally curse at himself and at his friends, at himself for hoping for the pair of idiots to forgive each other or forget whatever happened between them, and it’s depressing that Nayun and his friend to not speak and solve their problems so his ship gets with the program.
Yes he ships his friends since they were in CUBE, is that a problem?
“I see, when we find him I’m sure he would be willing to talk”
Nayun lifted her head and looked him in the eye with a sad expression but forced a smile and let out a breathless laugh.
“Suho, thanks…”
“No problem”
The interviews continued for the search effort all day and they were instructed to wait tomorrow to be contacted by email for further detail.
So tomorrow morning Suho found on his email the following in his computer.
[Thank you so much for volunteering at the…. ]
Suho skipped the pleasantries and directed his attention at the bottom of the text.
[We would like to accept your help in this collaborative effort Sword Saint Kim Suho at the Jeronimos headquarters. Korea. Seoul. At the following time…]
Suho let out a sigh of relief and relaxed against the chair.
Suho would be a liar if he said that the storyline ending didn’t worry him at all and that Hajin disappearing didn’t contribute to his stress.
Mainly because if there was a scrip to be followed, what would happen without it?
Does that mean that he has been relaying on said script for his newfound and constant success?
How much was storyline and how much was himself?
Are his friends and allies truly his friends and allies if they were written to be as such? Were his enemies as well?
Is Hajin disappearance a new plot line in which he’s suppose to contribute? Or is it real?
What is the purpose or message of all of this?
Is his story just entertainment for strangers? Or is it meant to have an underlying message or lesson?
For all his questions Suho regrettably does not have his answers, no matter how much he begged, cried or screamed those answers won’t magically appear before him.
All he can do is hope for the best and give it his all.
As he always had.