Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

On a peaceful day where the clear blue sky was over everyone, there was an explosion in the Blue Guild house. To be specific, there was an explosion in a lab inside the Blue Guild house.

"Cough, cough!"

'Shit! That hurts! What happen?!'

There was smoke everywhere with a small figure coughing. As the smoke slowly cleared out of the hole in the room, you can see that everything was a mess. You can see furniture that was burned and pushed away from the center of the blast.
As the small figure looked around, he suddenly realized something.

'Where am I? Or more like who am I?'

The figure realized that they have no memory.

As the figure started to panic, he started to hear noise coming from outside of the room.

"Kiyoung!! Are you okay?!!!!"

"O-oppa!!"

"Vice Guild Master what happen?!!"

Before the small figure could figure out what happened, the door to the room opened. Beyond the door, he could see a handsome hyung and pretty noonas.

When the handsome hyung and pretty noonas saw the small figure, there were a multitude of expressions. First they were wide-eyed or shocked. Then they started to get pale and some became frantic.

"Ki-Kiyoung? What happen? Are you okay?"

The handsome hyung was the first to break the silence. The figure didn't recognize the hyung and noonas that came in, but figured that they knew him. The figure also assumed that his name was Kiyoung. The figure blink at the hyung while trying to think of what to say.

'Do I know these people or are they pretending to know me? Should I just tell the truth and say I don't remember?'

"Um, can I ask who you are?"

The small figure or boy ask timidly, but the reaction from the hyung and noonas were different from what the boy expected.

'why do they look like the world ended?'

"Ki-Kiyoung...Y-you don't know who I am?"

"O-oppa?"

"V-vice Guild Master, T-this isn't funny. Y-you've done this joke before. It's not funny"

"Y-yeah, it's not funny"

The handsome hyung's eyes were shaking. The cute noona that keeps saying "Oppa" was shaking. A pretty noona was about to cry. Others were frowning or having looks of horror.

'What the hell? Should I not say that?'

The boy was hesitant, but still nod his head.

"Perhaps, do I know you?"

"KIYOUNG!!!!"

"O-OPPA!! WAAAAHHHH"

"VICE GUILD MASTER!!!"

"HYUNG!!!"

'What the hell?! Shit! What's wrong with these people?!'

The boy was shock by the cries and reactions from the hyungs and noonas.

The boy started to panic and wanted to run away, but he had no idea where he currently was. After hearing the hyungs and noonas cries for a few minutes, the boy figure that the situation probably won't change anytime soon if he doesn't say anything.

"Um, I'm sorry, but I seem to have lost my memories. I don't even know who I am or where I am. Do..."

"KIYOUNG!!!!"

" WAAAAHHHH O-OPPA!!"

"VICE GUILD MASTER!!!"

"HYUNG!!!"

'Shit! Really?'

Suddenly one of the other hyungs started to shout.

"W-wait! Maybe this is one of Vice Guild Master's potions?"

"..."

"..."

"Ah..."

"Heeyoung!! Elena!! Please check on Kiyoung!"

After the handsome hyung's order, the 2 pretty noonas started to get closer and the boy flinched. When the 2 noonas hands were reaching out to the boy, the boy closed his eyes and slightly cowered.

"..."

"..."

"Kiyoung?"

"Vice Guild Master?"

The boy slowly open his eyes and saw that everyone had a concern look.

'Ah, I did that by reflex, but they generally look worried about me. They don't seem like bad people.'

"Lee Kiyoung...We aren't going to hurt you."

"Kiyoung, it's okay. Heeyoung and Elena is just going to do a health checkup."

"O-oppa, ev-everthing is o-okay"

"Hyung, Heeyoung noona and Elena are good people."

The boy nodded and Heeyoung held the boy's hand first. Then Elena held the boy's hand after.

"I don't see anything wrong."

"Me too"

Both Heeyoung and Elena were frowning.

"Maybe we should ask some alchemist?"

"Hwang Jeongyeon, Han Sora, do you two know anything?"

"No, but we can look around the lab. We might find something."

The hyungs and noonas started to talk among themselves. This give time for the boy to understand the situation.
The boy started to tap his thigh while thinking about what happen so far.

'My name seems to be Lee Kiyoung. I'm probably in a high position since so many people came in to check on me. This place is apparently a lab? From the looks of the room, my experiment failed and made me lose my memory. I also feel strange, so it might not just be lost of memory.'

Kiyoung continued to think while looking around the room. He then saw a flask that was shining and was instantly drawn to it. As Kiyoung started to walk to the shining flask, the others noticed it.

"Ki-Kiyoung?"

"Hyung? Is that the antidote?

'What? How would I know? I was just curious.'

Kiyoung flinched again when the muscular hyung approached and grabbed the flask. Then the muscular hyung forced the flask into Kiyoung's hands.

"Hyung, this is the antidote right? You were try to drink it right?"

'Is this bastard crazy? I have no idea what this is and you want me to drink it? What if it's not a fucking antidote?'

Kiyoung was staring at the flask. Then he gave a troubled smile to the muscular hyung.

"I'm not sure if it will work."

"Don't worry Hyung! I believe you!"

'That's not it bastard. I don't know what's in this fucking flask.'

"Kiyoung should quickly drink it. It might help you remember."

'No, you handsome bastard. You don't look like someone that knows what this is even made from! Fuck!'

"Yes, Vice Guild Master! Maybe it will help?!"

'Help? I made something that probably fucking exploded! I might die from this!'

"O-oppa, you s-should drink."

'You too?! Shit! Do I have to drink this?'

With everyone staring at Kiyoung with anticipation, he gulped and opened the flask. He hoped nothing bad would happen as he drank what was in the flask.

'This taste kinda weird. It doesn't taste good or bad, but it kinda makes me feel warm.'

"Kiyoung, how is it? Do you remember?"

Kiyoung thought for a second before shaking his head no to the handsome hyung.

"I'm sor...cough! Cough!"

Kiyoung covered his mouth because he didn't stop coughing. When the coughing stopped, he could taste iron in his mouth.

"Ki-Kiyoung?!"

"O-Oppa!"

"Hyung?!"

"V-vice Guild Master?"

'Why is everything red?'

Kiyoung felt something wet flowing down his eyes and mouth. He started to feel light headed and dizzy. Without realizing it, Kiyoung's body started to fall.

"KIYOUNG!!!!"

"O-OPPA!!"

"VICE GUILD MASTER!!!"

"HYUNG!!!"

The handsome hyung caught Kiyoung before he fell to the floor. Kiyoung became unconscious after hearing the hyungs' and noonas' screams.

Chapter Text

After hearing the explosion, I realized that it happen in Kiyoung's lab. I rushed as fast as I could. When I broke open the door, I saw a child. That child was Kiyoung. One of Kiyoung's potions made him younger, but it also made him forget who I am. That's why I thought the potion Kiyoung was looking at could reverse Kiyoung's condition. I didn't expect Kiyoung to cough up blood or cry tears of blood. I'm regretting the fact that we didn't try to verify the potion first. Heeyoung and Elena did their best to heal Kiyoung, but Kiyoung has been unconscious for over 2 days. He still has a body of a child and we couldn't find a clue to curing Kiyoung's condition. We asked other alchemists, but they were completely useless.

I then sense someone coming. I got up and opened the door.

"Ah! G-Guild Master, Vice Guild Master is up!"

"Okay, thanks for the report."

I immediately went to Kiyoung's room. I saw the door open with the others standing around, but everyone didn't look happy. I started to get a bad feeling. I whisper to someone about what's wrong.

" The Vice Guild Master doesn't remember anyone, so he's on guard against everyone. When he was given food, he question what it was for or why."

I suddenly remember Kiyoung cowering when Heeyoung was going to check Kiyoung's condtion. He flinch and took a step back every time someone got close. Even Hayan kept her distance from Kiyoung because of it.

-I'm telling you I'm FULL!!!

All of a sudden, I thought I heard Kiyoung yelling. However, no one was reacting.

'What did he mean by "full"?'

As I enter the room, I see Deokgu with a tray of food with Heeyoung and Hayan trying to spoon feed Kiyoung.

"O-oppa, Ahhh!"

"Lee Kiyoung, you need to eat."

"Yes! Heeyoung noona is right! You need to eat more to grow big again!"

"No, really, I'm full."

-Are they actually antagonistic towards me?! Why is no one listening to me?! Ugh, I feel like throwing up.

I saw Kiyoung smiling, but I could tell that he was feeling troubled. I heard Kiyoung saying that he might throw up, but no one noticed and Kiyoung's lips didn't move. Am I the only one that heard that?

"Ki-Kiyoung? How are you feeling?"

"Ah! Um..."

"Hyung, that's Kim Hyunsung! Do you remember what I told you?"

"Yes, Deokgu hyung. He's the Guild Master of Blue and...my soulmate?"

"That's it Hyung! You two are the pillars of the Blue Guild! Without the two of you, we won't be here today! The two of you are invincible together on the battlefield! No one can stop the two of you!"

"I see...I'm feeling fine. Um... Should I call you Guild Master...or Hyunsung hyung?"

"..."

For a few seconds, I was saddened by the fact that Kiyoung didn't remember me. However, I felt slightly excited at being called hyung. Would it be okay to be the hyung till Kiyoung turns back? I can act like a hyung and protect him till he's back to normal. It should be fine right?

"Ah, you can call me hyung!"

"Okay, Hyunsung hyung."

"Ah Guild Master, can you convince Vice Guild Master to eat more?"

"Yeah, Hyung only ate a few bites before saying he's full!"

I could see Kiyoung's smile turn into a frown.

"Maybe Kiyoung should eat later?"

"But Guild Master, Lee Kiyoung only had a few spoonfuls of soup and hasn't had anything for the past 2 days! He should at least finish the bowl of soup!"

-I just have a small stomach!

"Kiyoung can finish it later. He just woke up, so give him some time."

"But....Okay, however he must finish a bowl before the day ends."

"Thank you Heeyoung."

"We are all worried about Lee Kiyoung, so you must have your reason."

I should really make Kiyoung eat some more, but he said that he can't eat anymore. Is it because he got younger or is it because of the potion? I think I can hear Kiyoung's thoughts because he got younger and has less control of his skill. Should I tell Kiyoung that I can hear? From how defensive he is, it might be better to tell later.

"Kiyoung, how much do you remember and are you sure you're fine?"

"..."

-Should I tell...

I see Kiyoung tapping his thigh while hearing some of his thoughts. As the voice trailed off, I probably can't hear all his thoughts?

"I don't have any memories before I was found in the room that exploded."

"I see..."

"It's okay Hyung! We will find a way to turn you back to normal!"

"O-Oppa, I w-will help with S-Sora!"

-...hope...

'Hope? Hope what?'

I could only hear the word "hope" from Kiyoung's thoughts, but it sounded sad or concerning? Maybe Kiyoung is also anxious about his current state.

"Kiyoung, don't worry. Hayan is the best mage in the continent."

"Y-yeah!"

"The Blue Guild also has many allies."

I give Kiyoung a bright smile.

Chapter Text

'Shit! Fuck! Are these bastards fucking idiots?!'

I appreciate the handsome hyung for stopping everyone from forcing me to eat, but that and my current situation are 2 different things. I will be grateful for not making my situation worse than it already is.

'I sincerely hope these fucking bastards won't make it worse.'

"Kiyoung, don't worry. Hayan is the best mage in the continent."

'Didn't I change from a potion I made? Being the best mage doesn't mean shit if it's out of her expertise.'

"Y-yeah!"

"The Blue Guild also has many allies."

'You are just going to pass the work to someone else?!'

I know the handsome hyung means well, but it doesn't inspire any confidence that they can fix this situation.

'Wow, I think you can sell that smile.'

It's almost been 3 days since I lost my memories and became a child? From the looks of how frantic the odd eye noona and glasses noona are when talking to the handsome hyung, they probably haven't made any progress in fixing my condition. Maybe the explosion destroyed any clues on what I was trying to make. The first thing I should probably do is to check my so-called lab. Even without my memories, there might be something I'll notice that they didn't.

'Should I ask to check the lab?'

These hyungs and noonas seem nice, but it could be an act. I don't think I can sneak past them though. I don't think any of them want to harm me and there's a high chance it might be a failed experiment, but...

'What if it was an assassin?'

If there's such a thing as magic, then anything is possible. I don't know how high my position is, but I probably step on at least one toe. While I was tapping my thigh, I suddenly noticed that the handsome hyung looked pale and shaken.

"Ki-Kiyoung!"

"Yes?"

"Do...Do you want to take a look at the lab?"

'Did he read my mind or something?'

"Is that okay? I thought about asking if I could check it. Maybe I can find something that others can't."

"Ohhhh, that's a good idea! If anyone can find something, then it's Hyung!"

As I was trying to get out of bed, a pair of hands picked me up.

"Whoa!"

"Kiyoung just hold on tight. It's better if I carry you."

"Okay..."

'This is kinda nice.'

The handsome hyung carried me from the bedroom to the lab. The ride was very comfortable and it allowed me to look around.

The place had a clean and classy feeling. I could see employees smiling and chatting.

"Oh my god! The Vice Guild Master!"

"The Guild Master with the Vice Guild Master!"

"Priest! We need a Priest!"

"Picture! Picture!"

"Someone got a nosebleed!"

"Someone fainted!"

'What's wrong with these bastards?'

When we arrived at the lab, I almost didn't recognize it. The hole in the wall was fixed and it was so clean that it looked like the room was shining. I could see different flasks and vials lined up. Various materials were in crates. All the burnt furniture was replaced with classy high quality furniture.

'Am I fucking rich?'

I noticed my bedroom filled with luxury products, but they were barely used.

As I observed the area, I started to wonder when I would be put down.

"....Hyungsung hyung?"

"Yes Kiyoung?"

"You can put me down."

"Oh..."

'What is he hesitating for?'

After this handsome hyung looked around for a while, he finally put me down. However, he kept a close distance to me.

'Is he watching me?'

All of a sudden, the handsome hyung had a surprise look and started to back away.

'What? Why did he suddenly move back?'

The handsome hyung started to panic.

'What's wrong with this bastard? Is something wrong?'

I started to look around, but didn't see anything abnormal. I look at the handsome hyung again.

'He looks like he wants to say something.'

"Kiyoung!"

"Ah! Yes?"

"..."

"..."

"It's nothing..."

"Okay..."

'What was that for?'

I could see the handsome hyung looking depressed.

'If you're going to regret not telling me, then just tell me.'

As the handsome hyung had an internal battle about whether to confess or not, I looked around the lab. Everything was neatly organized, so I did a quick glance. I found notes and reports, but I don't think they are what I'm looking for.

I then noticed a stack of burnt papers. The people that clean up the lab probably collected them in case they were important. Out of all the burnt papers, 3 felt like it might be related to my situation.

'Soul and my blood? Is my blood special? Did I use my body to experiment?'

I can understand why they couldn't make any progress. If one of the ingredients is my blood, they either took some while I was unconscious or haven't yet.

'They probably haven't tried yet, but I could be wrong.'

"Ki-Kiyoung!"

"Yes?!"

'That surprised me. Why is this bastard yelling? Is he going to confess?'

I could see the handsome hyung with a determined face and clench fists. I was expecting a confession, but I got something else instead.

"Kiyoung, don't worry! Someone will guard you at all times. No one suspicious will come close to you or harm you."

"....okay."

'Am I under surveillance?'

Chapter Text

*Few days later....*

'I'm fucking under house arrest!'

After checking the lab, that handsome hyung, no..that bastard carried me back to the bedroom and had guards watch me 24/7. I couldn't even go to the bathroom without having someone nearby.

'Am I fucking grounded or something?'

I was only allowed anywhere inside the guild house. Anytime I tried to go outside, I was stopped, so I went exploring the guild house.

'I think I found all the hidden passageways.'

Since I had a guard watching me, I learned which passageways led outside because they stop me before I go too far.

While I was walking around the lounge, a pretty noona I didn't recognize came up to me.

"It's just like what I've heard. Oppa became young again"

Since she was allowed to meet me, she should be safe. If she was suspicious, one of my watchers would have stopped her.

"Hello pretty noona. May I ask who you are?"

"Aww, Oppa became really cute! This Jihye noona is here to talk with you."

"Really? I would love to talk with a pretty noona."

We both gave bright smiles, but I could tell they were fake.

'She's similar to me.'

I'm not sure how I can tell, but this noona is the same type as me. Maybe a part of me remembers while I have no memories. We walked into one of the empty rooms. Seeing that my watchers left us alone, Jihye noona must be really trusted in the guild. Even though she's probably from another guild from the looks of her uniform.

"Okay now that we're alone, Oppa, do you really not remember or are you pretending?"

'She showed her true colors quick!'

No, maybe this is how we usually interact. We probably already know the other's personality. The question here is to act innocent or let it out.

"Sorry Jihye noona, I don't remember."

"Hmmm..."

I showed a sad face, but I think this noona ignored it.

"Judging on how you're acting, you really lost your memories. Maybe it really was a failed experiment? This might make it harder."

'What is harder?'

I watched Jihye noona ponder for a while before she got up.

"Since you looked bored, I'll send you a playmate"

'Playmate?'

After seeing Jihye noona's smile, I suddenly got bad feelings. Then she left. A day later, I met my so-called "playmate".

'What an arrogant bastard!'

Chapter Text

When I first saw my so-called "playmate", I noticed his purple eyes and white with black hair. My first thought was..

'An old man? His hair is turning white.'

"Ha! You got turned into a kid again!"

After seeing his smug face, my thoughts instantly changed.

"Don't even think about planning anything! I made sure to put a soundproof barrier up, so no one can listen this time!"

'What the hell does he think I can do? Scream that he's a kidnapper or something?'

"Okay hyung."

"..."

"?"

"What did you just call me?"

"Hyung?"

"..."

I could see the bastard making weird faces like he doesn't know what to do.

'What's wrong with him?'

"Should I not call you hyung?"

"..."

"..."

'Really, what's wrong with this bastard?'

"What should I call you then?"

"...Hyungnim?"

"Okay Hyungnim"

"..."

'Really! What's the hell wrong with this bastard?!'

Since this bastard was sent by Jihye noona, I thought it might be someone who knows me or is competent. However, I can only see an arrogant bastard with a stupid face.

"Hyungnim?"

"Cough! Cough!"

'Is there something wrong with this bastard's head?'

"Don't....call..."

"Huh?"

"Nevermind..."

"Okay Hyungnim."

"Cough!"

'This is starting to become fun.'

"Are you okay Hyungnim?"

"COUGH! Cough! Yes, I'm okay."

"You sure Hyungnim?"

"...Yes."

Every time I said hyungnim, it looked like this bastard took some damage.

"...Should we play a game?"

"What game Hyungnim?"

"...Chess?"

"Okay Hyungnim!"

“E2, E4.”

'Eh? Here?'

“C7, C5.”

"Knight F3"

We started walking to a room while continuing the game.

Chapter Text

"I surrender"

"Hahahaha, it seems that not only have your body regressed, but your mind as well."

"Can we play again, Hyungnim?"

"...I have time for another game."

◇◇◇

"I surrender again"

"Hahaha, you are getting better, Lee Kiyoung. In a few more games you might regain your intelligence."

"Then can we play again, Hyungnim?"

"...I still have time."

◇◇◇

"...I lost"

"Y-you were close! If you move your knight earlier, I would have needed to defend."

'Shit, what am I saying?'

"Really Hyungnim?"

"...Yeah."

"Then do you have time for another game?"

"...There's still time."

◇◇◇

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...C-check"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Y-you almost won. If you move your bishop here and knight there, then it might of been check."

"It's okay Hyungnim, you don't need to cheer me up."

Seeing Lee Kiyoung's depressed smile made me feel like I was bullying a kid.

'Why is this getting harder? Did Lee Kiyoung do something to me while playing? He shouldn't have done anything, but why is it getting harder to play chess?'

After we got into a room, we setup a chess board and continued where we left off. We have been playing for hours, so we missed lunch.

'He's probably hungry'

"How about we take a break and get something to eat?"

"Okay Hyungnim!"

Seeing Lee Kiyoung smile brightly made me realize that he's probably been holding back.

'He really did lose his memories.'

Based on the conversation we had while playing and how he played, Lee Kiyoung subconscious knows, but have no memories. The first game was like playing against a child that didn't know what to do, but not the games after. It was getting harder to understand Lee Kiyoung's moves the more we play.

Once we finished putting away the chess board and cleaning the area, we went to the door. After I opened the door, there was a person standing with a tray of food.

"Ah...I brought food. I heard....I mean I thought Kiyoung might want something to eat."

'What is this jellyfish bastard doing?'

Seeing the plates of cold ribs, he was probably outside for awhile.

'If he had food, why did he wait to give it now? The food is cold and looks unappetizing. Is that bastard really planning to give that to a kid?'

I don't understand Lee Kiyoung's fascination with this ignorant bastard.

"Hyunsung hyung?"

"Ah, Kiyoung do you want some ribs?"

"Ah...um, okay."

I could see this bastard is forcing himself to eat for another bastard.

"Where's the kitchen?"

"Huh?"

"Just tell me where's the kitchen."

"Wait, what?"

"Do I keep needing to repeat myself or are you really planning to give cold food?"

"Oh! Ah...this way."

"Hyungsung hung, Hyungnim, it's okay, I can eat it."

"Eh? Hyungnim?"

"Just shut up and follow."

"Ah, okay..."

While following the jellyfish bastard, he kept looking back and around the area. He had his hand on his sword. Even Lee Kiyoung is getting nervous. I quickly looked around, but didn't notice anything suspicious.

Chapter Text

'Ah, he looks like he wants to say something again.'

Hyunsung hyung kept sneaking peeks at me like a person that wants to ask a favor, but is too scared to ask.

'This bastard is acting cute...'

Now that I know our relationship, it makes sense why everyone is overprotective of me.

'He probably wants to ask about my condition or if I remember anything.'

I started to think about my time with my playmate.

After setting the chess board, I was able to ask questions and get information from my new playmate.

From what I gathered, my position isn't just high, I'm taking care of the continent. The fucking continent! I'm a freaking god! How did I manage that?! And these 2 hyungs can be considered gods too.

My playmate said I was somehow connected to Hyunsung hyung because he was a regressor, but I didn't understand how. I have an attribute called regressor instruction manual, but not sure how to use it. From my playmate's expression, he didn't really like Hyunsung hyung, so it was harder to continue asking without hearing insults.

It was easy to get information from my new playmate. I didn't really like losing, but it’s a chance to ask the questions I have and get the answer.

I continue to organize the information in my head while we walk.

When we got to the kitchen, my playmate looked around and started to get ingredients. He added water to a pot and put it on a stove. Then he started cutting some vegetables.

'It's like watching a food program.'

I saw Hyunsung hyung looking around frantically. Then he started to get near the stove.

"Just sit down and watch."

"Y-you sure?"

"Yes"

Hyunsung hyung was frowning, but then started smiling when he noticed me.

"Kiyoung, why don't you sit here?"

Hyunsung hyung got me a chair for me to sit down and move a table so that there's a place for me to eat.

"Thank you Hyunsung hyung"

"No problem! Um...Ki-Kiyoung, do you remember anything?"

I shook my head.

"No, but I will tell you when I do. Nothing has happened yet, so it's probably safe to assume that my condition is long-term or permanent-"

"Per-permanent?!"

"I'm not sure yet. If something cause my condition, then there's probably something that can reverse it. Besides my memories and my body, there isn't really any inconvenience. It's better to find a proper solution instead of rushing."

"..."

"There's a chance I might have missed something in my lab, so I want to check the place again."

"Oh! O-okay!"

'These bastards didn't teach me anything!'

I didn't know about looking at my status window till I asked about stats to my playmate, which he ended up giving me pitiful looks. I'm not sure how much of my status is known, but I probably hid a few trump cards. Maybe because I'm a kid, my stats are lower compared to others.

When I looked at Hyunsung hyung's stats...

'Wow, it's a cheat!'

Some people are really blessed. Hyunsung hyung status was the best. Compared to the random people that I took a sneak peek at, it was almost an insult to consider the 2 hyungs in front of me to be the same species. Maybe because they're gods, they aren't considered human anymore.

Then a bowl of rice porridge was put in front of me.

'It looks and smells delicious!'

It might be because I've been hungry. The food my playmate made was simple, but made me want to start eating.

"Thank you Hyungnim!"

"Eat it before it gets cold"

"Okay!"

I picked up the spoon and started eating.

'It's delicious!'

The bits of meat blends with the porridge giving a savory flavor and the green onions give it a slight fresh taste. The fried Chinese crouton was soften by the porridge, so it wasn't hard to eat.

I soon finished the porridge and looked at the 2 hyungs. One looked shocked while the other had a smug look.

'What's with those looks? All I did was eat the porridge.'

"Ah, Kiyoung, are you still hungry?"

"I can make more food if that wasn't enough."

"I-I can make it this time!"

"No, I'm full."

"Ah...okay."

'Why do you look disappointed? Were you hoping I would eat more?'

"Then...do you want to look at your lab again?"

"Yes, that's probably a good idea."

'Why is this bastard so handsome?'

After I saw Hyunsung hyung smile, he started to blush. While I was staring at him, he started to pick me up.

"Ah!"

"It's faster if I carry you."

"...okay."

It really was faster.

Chapter Text

Once at the lab, I carefully looked around. With my mind's eye and my new knowledge about alchemy, I noticed a lot more compared to before. There were magic and catalysts everywhere. They were all organized, but it was a lot to take in at once.

'This might take me a few days to look through.'

It would take more than an hour to examine each area and I can tell there are secret compartments everywhere.

"Kiyoung, if there's anything you need help with, you can always ask me or someone in the Blue Guild!"

'Whoa, that scared me'

Hyunsung hyung reminded me that I wasn't alone.

'I should probably check the secret compartments when I'm alone or after I get an idea of what's inside.'

With how overprotective everyone is of me, it might be hard to be alone. Especially with that floating eye that keeps watching me.

'Am I the only one that can see it?'

I thought of the possibility of everyone ignoring it, but I thought otherwise when someone asked me what I was looking at.

When I turned my head to avoid having eye contact with the creepy eye, I saw my playmate having fun looking around.

"Hoh, this is interesting"

My playmate touched one of the cabinets with magic. He started doing something and the magic on the cabinet disappeared. A smile appeared on my playmate's face and when he tried to open the cabinet, I saw a bright light.

"Kiyoung!"

"Shit! Damn you Lee Kiyoung!"

It all happened in a few seconds. Hyunsung hyung grabbed me and moved us as far away from the cabinet as possible, while my playmate put up a magic shield.

"Kaboom!!!!"

Hyunsung Hyung covered me, so I couldn't see what happened after hearing an explosion. Soon after, Hyunsung hyung slowly released me and we were surrounded by smoke.

"Cough cough"

"Damn it! Lee Kiyoung!"

"Cough cough"

"Ki-Kiyoung are you okay?"

"Yes Hyunsung-ssi"

"Yes Hyunsung hyung"

"...huh?"

"?"

"?"

"?"

When the smoke cleared up, I saw 3 hyungs. Hyunsung hyung, my playmate, and someone that looks like the adult version of me.

Chapter Text

'Shit! Fuck! Why are there 2 of us?'

Seeing the confused face of my supposed older self probably means he doesn't have a clue on what's happening.

'He called Hyunsung hyung as Hyunsung-ssi…'

He at least has memories of after meeting Hyunsung hyung.

'Does he remember right before the explosion?'

I started to tap my thigh while thinking of the situation. It isn't clear yet, but at least one of us is probably a fake or clone. It's too soon to assume, but there's a chance that Lee Kiyoung was trying to make a clone or some shit. Being an alchemist, there's a possibility of making a homunculus or golem that looks like Lee Kiyoung. The explosion was either part of the process or failure.

'I don't want to think about it, but I might be fake.'

We both could be real or fakes. Of course there's a higher chance that I'm the real one here. However, I can't kick the possibility that I might be a fake when I don't have any memories or information.

I really doubt that the Lee Kiyoung in front of me is real. After all, I was here first!

I remember reading some notes about splitting souls, but I hope my older self isn't crazy enough to risk their life testing that. It's better to assume that one of us, if not both, is created using blood or hair as a catalyst.

'Knowing myself, I might even try to use the fake for experiments.'

If I get labeled as the fake, I might get tortured and cut into pieces. To prevent that, I need to say I'm the real one before the fake can.

"Hyunsung hyung!"

"Hyunsung-ssi!"

"..."

"..."

Both me and the fake called for Hyunsung hyung at the same time. That is when I noticed the fake glaring at me.

'This fake bastard…'

I'm not the only one that figured out the situation.

Hyunsung hyung was frantically looking at both of us while my playmate had a scowl. I then noticed the fake bastard smirking before changing to a concerned face.

'Why did that bastard smirk?'

"Hyunsung-ssi, why is there a kid that looks like me?"

'Shit!'

The fake bastard asked first.

Chapter Text

After I felt a change in the air, I immediately went to grab Kiyoung. I wrapped him in my arms and tried to get as far away from the mana that was about to explode. I pulled out my wings for extra cover.

"Kaboom!!!!"

I felt an impact push me. I tightly held onto Kiyoung till I felt the mana slowly dissipate. When it seemed safe, I put back my wings and saw a wall of smoke.

"Cough cough"

"Damn it! Lee Kiyoung!"

"Cough cough"

After hearing the coughing in my arms, I instantly looked at Kiyoung.

"Ki-Kiyoung are you okay?"

'Did he inhaled some smoke? I should get him out of here!'

Right when I was about to move Kiyoung to a safe place, I heard two voices.

"Yes Hyunsung-ssi"

"Yes Hyunsung hyung"

"...huh?"

'Why did Kiyoung reply twice?'

That's when I noticed another person in the room. I made sure Kiyoung was safely in my arms before looking at the intruder, but the intruder looked familiar.

When the smoke cleared, I saw Kiyoung with a bewildered face.

'Why is Kiyoung over there?'

I looked back and forth between the young Kiyoung in my arms and the Kiyoung that was on the floor.

'Why are there 2 Kiyoungs?'

-...Why are there 2 of us?

'That's what I want to know'

-...I might be fake.

'What?!'

I instantly looked at the young Kiyoung with a troubled face.

-Knowing myself, I might even try to use...for experiments.

My mind went blank from what I just heard. I pale at the thoughts that ran through my head.

'Did Kiyoung experiment on himself?'

While my head filled with thoughts that Kiyoung was hurting himself, I heard 2 voices again.

"Hyunsung hyung!"

"Hyunsung-ssi!"

I kept looking back and forth between the 2 Kiyoung, but then I noticed something. The more I look, the more I realize the difference.

'One is a fake.'

-...smirk?

'Huh?'

"Hyunsung-ssi, why is there a kid that looks like me?"

When I looked at the older Kiyoung, he looked worried about the young Kiyoung.

I slowly released the young Kiyoung in my arms. When I completely let go and was about to move away, I saw a shocked face on the young Kiyoung for a brief moment before turning back to a stoic face.

'Does he not trust me?'

I think it was subconsciously, but the young Kiyoung took a step back. I felt abit sad that he did that. I clench my fist before turning around to check on the older Kiyoung.

"Um, Kiyoung...ssi? Do you remember anything?"

The older Kiyoung gave a confused look, but still answered.

"Yes? Do you mean what I last remember before the explosion?"

"..."

"I was trying to make a new catalyst, but it wasn't going well. Then I accidentally cut myself and I think some of blood went into one of the failed experiments. Then it started to absorb my mana and before I could stop it, the mana went berserk. I'm actually amazed that I didn't get a single scratch or injury."

"Do you know who I am?"

The older Kiyoung gave a serious stare before signing.

"Whooo...I still remember who you are. You are Kim Hyunsung. You are the Blue Guild Master and my best friend. You are known as the Swordsman of Sunset light throughout the Continent. You like to take care of griffins. Should I say more?"

"N-no, that's right..."

"You don't sound convinced."

"It's not that..."

"Then what is it?"

"Umm...."

Before I could figure out an answer, Jin Qing started to ask questions.

"What did you do to the cabinet?"

"Huh? The cabinet? Nothing? Also why are you here, Soldier?"

"Just hurry and tell me why the cabinet exploded"

"What?! It exploded? How did that happen?"

"That's what I want to ask you, Lee Kiyoung"

"No really, why would my cabinets explode?"

"..."

"There are theft protection spells casted in the room, but they only put you to sleep, hallucinations, or something non lethal. If it was something lethal like an explosion, then someone could potentially hurt or kill me by pretending to steal something."

"..."

"I know my limits. If an explosion happened so close to me, I would probably die. No, I'll definitely die if someone doesn't save me. Wouldn't that be pretty stupid? Dying by my own anti theft mechanism."

"..."

"Maybe someone tampered with it? I guess it could explode if someone changed the magic placed in this room or force the magic to go berserk."

"..."

After hearing that, I took a look at Jin Qing, but he looked unfazed by the comment.

"Soldier, did you perhaps do something to my cabinet?"

"Bullshit!"

"I'm not saying that Soldier purposely made my cabinet explode, but maybe the Soldier thought of it as a puzzle-"

"Shut up Lee Kiyoung"

"..."

"..."

-He's pretending it's not his fault

'Eh?'

I turned my head and saw young Kiyoung flinch when our eyes met.

'When did he get there?'

Young Kiyoung was halfway to the door.

-...so close.

'Was he trying to run away?'

When I took a step towards young Kiyoung, he started to dash. Surprisingly it wasn't to the door, but to a nearby table with potions.

'Isn't that dangerous?'

In a panic, I rushed to young Kiyoung. Before I could grab him, young Kiyoung grabbed one of the potions.

"Hyunsung-ssi, wait!"

'Huh? Wait?'

At the time I didn't understand, so I realized it too late. The momentum of me rushing and grabbing young Kiyoung caused the potion in his hand to knock over some of the other potions on the table. The liquids were spilling out of the potion bottles and mixing on the floor.

"Shit! Soldier, shield!"

"Damn it, Lee Kiyoung!"

"Shield! Hurry!"

-...cursed....lab....

I didn't hear all of it, but I could guess what he was thinking.

'I should call a priest later to find any curses...'

I didn't know what those potions do, but it's probably not good. I made sure young Kiyoung was safely in my arms before moving away. I quickly glanced over and saw Jin Qing having a shield to protect himself and older Kiyoung. I took out my wings and positioned myself, so that I'll be the first to withstand the impact. Soon the mixed liquids started to bubble. What I heard next was something I didn't expect.

"Guild Master! Is everything okay?! We heard an explosion!"

What I saw past the doorway was Cho Hyejin and other Blue Guild members.

"Watch-"

"Boom!!!"

Chapter Text

"Cough cough cough"

'Shit! Fuck! What's wrong with this lab?'

"Cough cough"

"Cough cough cough"

"Cough G-Guild Master cough what happened?"

"Cough an explosion cough happened cough"

"Again?!"

"Yes, by the younger me."

"Younger me?"

"Yeah, youn.....wait, why do you sound..."

'Don't tell me...'

When the smoke cleared, what I saw was another Kiyoung.

'Fuck! What the hell did I do? Why did a third one show up?!'

In hopes that it was the other bastard, I looked towards Jin Qing and was disappointed to see two frowning faces.

"G-Guild Master, W-why are there 3 Vice Guild Masters?"

"We seem to get an explosive deal with every Kiyoung."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

'...was that supposed to be a joke?'

"Ahem, it's just a joke."

"..."

"..."

'...I don't get it.'

I'm not sure if it was thanks to Hyunsung hyung's joke, but everyone had expressionless faces instead of panic and confused ones now.

"Ahem! We should figure out what caused the explosion and…"

"Hyunsung-ssi, I think I know what happened. I'm not completely sure because I couldn't see all the potions that fell. I have a general idea of what potions were supposed to be on that table. If I examine the area, I will be able to know which potions are mixed together."

"R-really?! Kiyoung...ssi?"

"It is my lab, so I know where everything is."

"...my lab?" the third Kiyoung muttered.

Everyone instantly stares at the third Kiyoung.

'Does he not not have any memories too?'

I noticed the third Kiyoung having a confused expression.

'Did I look that stupid too?'

I don't have any proof, but I get the feeling that there is something different compared to the second bastard and me.

'I don't think I would act like that'

After everyone looked towards the third Kiyoung, he started to show a panicked expression then started to act shy. He might be pretending, but I feel like he wasn't that smart.

'Is it only Lee Kiyoung's appearance?'

I took a look at the second bastard and he had the same astonished face as me. I didn't understand why my playmate had a face that was looking at something disgusting, but I think he knows that the third Kiyoung is different.

When I looked up at Hyunsung hyung's face, I was shocked.

'S-scary!'

Hyunsung hyung suddenly became shocked and looked down at me.

"Ki-Kiyoung, are you okay?"

'Why are you suddenly asking me that now?'

I nodded my head and before I knew it, Hyunsung hyung was carrying me.

"Cho Hyejin, please take care of Kiyoung"

"Y-Yes!"

'Shit!'

It might be because I was close to running away or to prevent me from doing anything, I was given to Cho Hyejin to watch over. Before I figured out a way to escape, I saw the back of Hyunsung hyung and his hand on his sword.

'Why does he look like he's about to fight?'

"Hyunsung-ssi?"

"Yes, Kiyoung-ssi?"

"Is something wrong?"

"Lee Kiyoung, what did you do?"

"Huh? What-"

"That's not human."

"What?!"

"Eh?"

My playmate's remark made everyone look at the stupid third. Apparently only Hyunsung hyung and my playmate noticed something about stupid third.

'How could they tell?'

When I tried to use my mind's eyes on both Kiyoungs, I was blocked from seeing their information. I didn't want to think I was a fake, but I saw the second bastard's face.

'The second bastard also couldn't tell.'

I was slightly relieved that both of our mind's eye couldn't see the stupid third's information, but that could mean we were both fakes. There's the possibility of us both being real and part of the original, but then we need to figure out a way to fuse back together.

'Will that mean I'll die?'

I don't want to do any scary shit experiments or tests that will make me disappear or die.

'I don't think the second bastard wants to disappear either.'

"W-wait! W-what do you mean I'm not human?"

'I want to ask that too.'

The stupid third had a really pale face.

'I really don't want to fuse with that idiot…'

If both me and the second bastard are parts of the original, then the stupid third might be a part too.

"Your mana is flowing in a way that's not normal for a human."

"Maybe I'm just abnormal?"

"It's not a case of abnormal or not. You don't have certain organs that a human should have."

'No organs?! How are you alive?'

"Then what am I?"

"How would I know what Lee Kiyoung makes in his spare time?"

"Could I have made a homunculus?"

Chapter Text

'Homunculus?'

I do have some knowledge about homunculus because of my alchemy class. However, I didn't think it would be possible to suddenly create such an advanced homunculus as the stupid third. The lab is filled with potions, catalysts, and materials, but there wasn't much on homunculus or tools for creating one. There's a chance that I've hidden the research on homunculus, but then I probably wouldn't want to announce that I was researching homunculus if I did hide the research. That made me question the second bastard.

'Why was it a question?'

After the second bastard's question I realized that he didn't remember everything. He doesn't know if stupid third was really a homunculus, let alone know how to create such an advanced homunculus. The second bastard wouldn't be surprised about stupid third not being human if he knew how to make a homunculus.

"I-I'm a hom-homunculus?"

'Wow, tears'

With how easily you can read stupid third's thoughts, I thought of the possibility of him doing it on purpose. He does look like me, so he could have been acting since the beginning. He should get an Oscar award for best actor if that was the case.

'I can't tell...'

Though the real problem is that he looks like me. With how overprotective these hyungs and noonas are, they might try to confine him or actually all 3 of us till they figure out what happened. Actually, aren't I already in confinement?

'Avoiding stricter confinement is top priority'

It's not like I'm being treated badly. I just don't like being restricted.

'Should I ask if I'm a homunculus too?'

If I act pitiful enough, they might go easy on the restrictions and maybe even lift some.

"Does...that mean I'm a h-homun-"

"No!"

"Eh?"

'That shocked me. Why did you suddenly shout?'

I was about to act like a lab experiment that has never known the outside world, but was stopped short by Hyunsung hyung shout.

'Why are you panicking? The one who should be worried is me.'

Hyunsung hyung had a pale face while opening and closing his mouth.

"I-I mean you're human and..."

"And?"

"And..."

Hyunsung hyung's eyes kept darting around like he was looking for an answer. Then I noticed both my playmate and the second bastard with serious faces.

"And....You're special!"

After Hyunsung hyung made that declaration, he made a happy face and started to act proud of himself. The second bastard started to tap his fingers. My playmate had a scowl. I felt a headache.

'I love you too handsome bastard, but this isn't the time to confess!'

Luckily the stupid third didn't understand, seeing that he was still crying while having a confused look. However, my playmate and the second bastard did.

With the way Hyunsung hyung was acting, there was a high chance of me being the real one or something similar.

If both the second bastard and I were real, Hyunsung hyung would have said both of us. Sadly for the second bastard, Hyunsung hyung only said I was special.

The reason why Hyunsung hyung didn't outright say I'm real might be because he didn't want the second bastard to hear that he might be a fake. It could be that Hyunsung hyung felt sentimental or maybe it's the information that the second bastard has.

The second bastard currently has the most memories, so he should have some clues. He at least knows more about alchemy than my basic knowledge, so it's understandable why Hyunsung hyung didn't want to offend the second bastard.

Knowing myself, the second bastard wouldn't like this.

'No, he would hate it.'

It would be like a fiancée that you love all your life is cheating on your young siblings.

And he just confesses right in your face...

There's a high chance that the second bastard is planning to kill me or make it so it doesn't matter if he's fake. Lee Kiyoung is known to be a good Samaritan, so he probably won't outright kill me. That doesn't mean he won't secretly try to kill me.

All of a sudden, I felt a chill. When I turned my head, I saw the stupid third glaring at me with wide eyes.

'...creepy.'

Then the stupid third had a wide grin and opened his mouth.

"why…"

Without me realizing it, Hyunsung hyung had his sword out and my playmate started to cast a spell. Even Cho Hyejin had her spear out.

"why…"

"..."

"why…why…"

"..."

"why…why…why…whywhywhy"

'Why are you so creepy?!'

Stupid third kept saying why like a broken record. Everyone was tense. Even the second bastard was focused on the creepy bastard.

'Black tears?'

Suddenly the creepy bastard stopped talking and something black came down his eyes. His smiling face turned into a frown.

"Hyejin! Get Kiyoung out of here!"

"Huh?! Y-"

"WHY HIM?!"

It felt like time stopped. After the creepy bastard's shout, everyone stopped moving. No, it was more like they couldn't move. My playmate was gritting his teeth and Cho Hyejin was biting her lips. The second bastard looked scared. I couldn't see Hyunsung hyung's face, but I could see some sweat.

'What's happening?'

When I looked back at the creepy bastard, we made eye contact. Then he started to smile again.

'What the fuck?!'

The creepy bastard's hair started to wiggle and turn white.

'Are those supposed to be snakes?'

The hair looked something like a snake.

[£@/<Ə ¡§ €0₩!N£]

Chapter Text

'Why is everyone closing their eyes?'

After seeing that weird message, I noticed everyone had their eyes closed beside the creepy bastard and second bastard. The second bastard looked like he would run away any second now.

"Kiyoung! Don't look!"

'Look at what?'

Before I could understand anything, I was grabbed and was out of my lab. I was now moving through the hallway while dodging people. In less than a few seconds, I could no longer see the entrance to my lab. When I looked at the person that was carrying me, she was sweating and still had her eyes closed.

'How can she see with her eyes closed?'

“Everyone! Evacuate! Tell the others to follow the manual for evacuation!

While Cho Hyejin was telling people to evacuate, she was maneuvering around the hallways and using the walls as a platform to jump past people.

'Wow! She's so cool!'

"Bang!"

'What was that?!'

I think I heard something coming in the direction of my lab…

'Don't tell me another explosion…"

Seeing how cursed my lab is with a record of 3 explosions, I wouldn't be surprised if there's another one.

'Please not a fourth…'

What I was most concerned about is a fourth Lee Kiyoung joining us. I'm sad about the cost of repairs for my lab, but what's more pressing is a situation happening without me being there. Having another Lee Kiyoung will just add more to this chaotic situation.

"rumble rumble…BANG!"

'More? Are they fighting?'

Noise kept coming from the directions of my lab. We were quite a distance away, so it's amazing how I can still hear noise from my lab.

'Was the creepy bastard actually strong?'

With both Hyunsung hyung and my playmate there, the battle shouldn't take too long unless it wasn’t about who is stronger. I’m not sure about me or the second bastard, but those 2 are considered 2 of the strongest on the Continent from the stories I’ve heard and from the looks of their stats. My playmate and the second bastard aren’t stupid, so I doubt they will fall for any obvious traps. But that doesn’t mean Hyunsung hyung won’t…

‘Will Hyunsung hyung be okay?’

He should be okay since my playmate and the second bastard are with him. My playmate doesn’t like Hyunsung hyung, so there’s a chance of them not cooperating. It won’t be at the point of sabotaging…right? Hyunsung hyung is a nice person, so he probably won’t start the fight. And even if the second bastard is a fake, he won’t try to purposefully do anything detrimental to Hyunsung hyung…right? He won’t hold a grudge from Hyunsung hyung’s confession…right?

“Bang! Bang! RUMBLE….BANG!”

‘Why does it seem louder even though I’m getting farther away?’

Even though Cho Hyejin couldn’t go in a straight path, we should be quite far from my lab. Her speed didn’t decrease even when she yelled at people to evacuate or jumped past them. It even seems like she was moving faster.

“Jung Hayan!”

“H-Huh? H-Hyejin?”

From a distance I could see both Jung Hayan and Han Sora standing with shocked expressions. When I meet eyes with Jung Hayan, her expression changes from a shocked to a happy face.

“Protect the Vice Guild Master”

“O-Oppa?!”

Cho Hyejin changed the way she was holding me and stopped running. She lifted me up with 2 hands and positioned herself.

“?”

“O-Oppa?”

“Catch him”

Cho Hyejin then threw me…

Chapter Text

I felt the air pushing me as I flew through the hallway.

The shock from being thrown made me forget to scream.

'Shit! I'll remember this!'

As I cursed in my head, I could see a happy Jung Hayan with her arms open wide to catch me.

"O-oppa!"

Jung Hayan caught me perfectly with her small frame. I don't know how she did it, but I felt no impact as my face landed in her chest. Jung Hayan is an Archmage, so she might have used a spell to catch me. While I marveled at the smooth process of being thrown and caught, Jung Hayan was hugging me and rubbing her face on my head.

"O-Oppa! O-Oppa! Li-little Oppa came straight to me! hehehehehe"

"..."

"Li-little O-Oppa hehehehe"

'Hyejin! You sure this is the right person?!'

Being an archmage, Jung Hayan should be really strong. She's also infatuated with Lee Kiyoung, so she won't do anything that will intentionally harm me…

"O-oppa, hehehe Little O-oppa…"

'It hurts…I can't breathe!'

Jung Hayan was squeezing me tighter and tighter to the point where I felt pain. My face was covered by Jung Hayan's chest, so I couldn't breathe, let alone scream for help. All I could do was flail around in hopes that she will release me.

"Ha-Hayan! I think the Vice Guild Master is suffocating!"

"Ah?!"

"Cough cough cough cough….haa haa haa…"

'I almost died'

If it wasn't for the Han Sora, I might have died by Jung Hayan's hands.

"O-oppa? Ar-are you o-okay?"

'Do I look okay?!'

I wanted to refute, but I felt like there was no point in doing so.

"I'm o-"

"Vice Guild Master!"

"O-oppa!"

'Again?!'

Before I could say anything, I was once again suffocating by this bitch's hug.

'Let go!'

"Li-little O-oppa! It-it's okay!"

'How is it okay?! I'm dying!'

"I-I will pro-protect y-you!"

'I need protection from you!'

Curses kept flowing in my head while struggling to get out of this bitch's embrace. When her grasp of me loosened a bit, I took that chance to change my position.

"Cough co-"

"O-Oppa?!"

"BANG!"

'That hurts!'

My head wasn't working properly thanks to the sudden pain, but I think I was sent flying again and hit something that felt like a wall. When I opened my eyes to see what was going on, I saw a disaster.

'What the hell?!'

The hallway filled with hundreds of white snakes and blood splashed around. Magic spells were sent flying to kill the snakes, but more kept coming. There was a barrier blocking snakes from coming closer, but there's no telling how long it will last seeing as more cracks keep appearing then disappearing.

"Li-little O-oppa, ar-are you o-okay?!"

Jung Hayan was sweating with a pale face while looking at me and Han Sora was continuously casting spells to kill white snakes. From a distance away, Cho Hyejin was killing snakes with her spear. It was probably Jung Hayan keeping the barrier up since she kept looking back whenever there was a new crack in the barrier.

"Li-little O-Oppa?!"

"Don't…worry"

'Focus on the barrier! Not me!'

Maybe because I didn't answer perfectly or because I was late in replying, Jung Hayan was crying. Soon more cracks appeared on the barrier as more snakes came rushing at us.

'Shit! It's breaking!'

"Ha-Hayan noona! I'm fine!"

"O-okay?!"

After my shout, Hayan was hesitant, but still focused on repairing the barrier.

'That should buy some time.'

It was only a matter of time before Hayan gets exhausted and the barrier broke. Even with Cho Hyejin and Han Sora killing snakes, more snakes replace the dead ones.

'Where are they coming from?'

I instantly thought of stupid third and the white snake-like hair.

'What the hell did I make?!'

There's a high chance that these snakes were caused by stupid third. With so many, it would be difficult even for Hyunsung hyung and my playmate to stop them all.

'Can we do something to block them?'

The white snakes are probably all coming from the direction of the lab. If we block the immediate pathway, it will give us time to rest and calmly analyze the situation.

"Hayan noona, can you block the path?"

'Like an earth wall or ice wall or something?'

"Ah?! I-I-I can!"

Soon a semi transparent dark wall appeared in front of me.

'What the fuck?! ...Why didn't you do that sooner?!'

I don't know what Hayan did, but any snake that touched the wall suddenly disappeared. Even the snakes that were rushing before slowly stopped in front of the wall.

"Li-little O-Oppa, I m-made a wall!"

"...Good job."

"Hehehe"

As if given permission, Hayan started hugging me again. This time I was hugged from the side, so I could breathe.

When I looked at the wall, I saw a snake get pushed too close by the other snakes and was instantly pulled to the wall. I couldn't hear it, but it looked like it was struggling and screaming for help. The other snakes that were watching, slowly backed away.

'Let's keep hugging…'

While I was still shocked by the ominous wall, Cho Hyejin and Han Sora were finishing off the snakes that were already past the wall.

When all the snakes were killed, Cho Hyejin walked up to me.

"Vice Guild Master, are you okay?"

"I'm okay, but what happened?"

"...I'm not sure"

Cho Hyejin and Han Sora kept looking at each other as if they were waiting for the other to say it first.

'Is it some kind of secret?'

Han Sora was shaking her head when she noticed something and started to frown.

"...Where are the snakes?"

"?"

"!"

Chapter Text

'Shit! They were smarter than I thought'

Han Sora's question made everyone look at the hallway filled with only dead snakes.

'They are going around'

I was hoping they were as stupid as their master and give us more time to think. It might be because Hayan's wall was so scary that they thought of using a different path.

'Either way, we need to move'

"That way!"

"Vice Guild Master?"

"Li-little O-oppa?"

Because I was hugged by Hayan, I couldn't move, so I had to point in the direction we needed to go.

It didn't take long for them to understand as Hayan picked me up and went to the direction I pointed.

"Over there"

"..."

"There"

"..."

"Press there"

"...Vice Guild Master?"

"Yes? Ah, you need to turn that and go left"

"...Do you have your memories back?"

"Huh?"

"...Nevermind."

'Why are you asking?'

Both Cho Hyejin and Han Sora were giving me weird stares.

'Is it because I know the secret passageway?'

I didn't expect I would use the secret passageways to escape from snakes. I did think I would later need to know in case I needed to run away, so I made sure I memorized the blueprint.

The farther we went through the passageways, the darker and harder it was to see.

'Do they have night vision?!'

If it wasn't for the fact that I was being carried by Hayan, I probably would have hurt myself. I started to squint my eyes to see if that would help me see, but then I heard a voice coming from behind me.

"V-vice Guild Master, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm fine, Hyejin noona!"

"Didn't a snake attack you?"

"Huh?"

'When was that?'

Before I could question it, I heard a voice right next to me.

"Li-little O-Oppa…S-snake t-took y-you from m-me! I-I was so m-mad! I ki-killed it!"

'Was that why I hit the wall?'

What probably happened was that there were too many snakes. Hyejin was probably blocking the snakes while running to us, so some might have passed her. Those few snakes should have been stopped by Hayan and Sora, but…

'Maybe they didn't want to kill?'

There's a possibility that they saw the snakes as part of Lee Kiyoung, so they probably didn't want to kill the snakes. That's probably how the snake was able to get close to me. With the other snakes distracting Hayan, at least one of the snakes was able to separate me from Hayan.

'...doesn't that mean the snake actually saved me?'

If Hayan continued to hug me, I might have suffocated. Hitting the wall did hurt, but it was better than being suffocated.

As I silently thanked the snake in my head, I had to keep saying I was okay to reassure the noonas.

"Vice Guild Master…do you know why there were 2 more of you?"

"Huh?"

'Was that Hyejin noona?'

It was too dark to see, but it sounded like it was Hyejin.

"Ex-ex-explosion! And-and another O-oppa!"

'How can anyone understand that?'

"Ah, I see…"

'You understood that?!'

I couldn't tell if Hyejin actually understood or just saying that she did.

"Hayan noona, do you know what's happening in the lab now?"

Based on the fact that Hayan knew what Hyejin was talking about means that she has some way of knowing what happened.

'It's probably that creepy eye…"

The eye disappeared soon after meeting Hayan even though it was following me wherever I went. Putting two and two together, Hayan can see through that eye…

"N-Now? Ummm, Hyunsung is-is c-cutting snakes. Ev-everyone is-is watching."

'What?'

I looked in the general direction where I heard Sora's voice.

"Is the Guild Master blocking the doorway to prevent more snakes from coming out? But everyone is just watching or defending themselves?"

"Y-Yes!"

'They're just watching?!'

I was wondering what the second bastard would do, but I was surprised he's just watching.

If he had a grudge, he could have distracted Hyunsung hyung with words or pretended to be in danger. Although he will probably never kill or hurt Hyunsung, there's other ways to get back.

If the second bastard doesn't have a grudge, he would have helped Hyunsung hyung.

'Does he know something?'

There might be a reason why the second bastard is just watching.

It was frustrating to know that he might have figured something that I don't know about.

As I tapped my fingers, I started to see light from a distance.

'Ugh, bright'

The closer we got to the light, the more I wanted to close my eyes.

"...O-oppa? Li-little O-Oppa?!"

"Vice Guild Master?"

'Ugh, so loud.'

"...yes?"

I felt sleepy, but was still able to respond.

"Are you okay?"

'Stop asking that!'

"...yes, just a bit tired."

"Then rest for now…"

Soon after I heard that, my consciousness faded away.

Chapter Text

"You're special!"

'This idiotic jellyfish!'

When I took a quick look at the bastard next to me, he was tapping his thigh with a serious face.

'That bastard is definitely planning something'

I don't know how that jellyfish can tell, but this blatant favoritism points to the younger Kiyoung being real and the other 2 are fakes. I'm not sure about the third one, but the bastard right next to me will cause some kind of chaos.

"why…"

All of a sudden I felt something ominous and looked at the third. He had a crazed look.

'Shit! Damn you Lee Kiyoung!'

I started preparing while I continued to hear "why" from the third.

It was like a ticking time bomb that's about to explode. If we can calm him down, there's a chance to prevent a disaster. Soon black tears started to fall, but we can still prevent it. Before I could open my mouth, the stupid jellyfish yelled first.

"Hyejin! Get Kiyoung out of here!"

'You idiotic Jellyfish!'

"Huh?! Y-"

"WHY HIM?!"

'Shit!'

After the third's shout, I felt a headache. It was like my body was being tied down. As I tried to shake off the effects of the shout, I saw the third's hair turning into white snakes.

'Damn you Lee Kiyoung!'

[£@/<Ə ¡§ €0₩!N£]

I instantly closed my eyes and put up a barrier once I saw that ominous message.

"Kiyoung! Don't look!"

'Idiot!'

That jellyfish was adding oil to the fire.

'It will be a disaster if that idiot gets controlled.'

Before I could do anything, I felt something tugging at my sleeve.

"Soldier, it's okay. You can open your eyes."

'What bullshit are you saying now?!'

"It's not real"

The moment I heard that, I opened my eyes. What I saw was white snakes coming out of the third Lee Kiyoung's body and the jellyfish knocking out snakes that tried to get out the door.

'That idiot is doing something stupid.'

Maybe because that jellyfish thought those snakes were a part of Lee Kiyoung, but when I looked at the third Kiyoung…

'It's not the same.'

"Hiss…Hiss…Kiii…W-Why him?!"

"What did you make?!"

I questioned and looked towards the one that knows what's going on.

"How would I know?!"

"Hiss…"

"Bullshit"

"I seriously don't know."

"Hiss…Kiii…w-why? ...rumble…Bang!"

"Are you telling the truth?"

"Can you stop questioning me? I don't even know if I'm real or fake, let alone why there are 3 of me."

"Hiss…Hiss…."

"Are you a fake?"

"I really don't know and can you make the barrier sound proof?"

"Hiss…Hiss…Kiii…."

"Why do I have to do it?"

"I'm unable to use any skills or divinity. Plus, isn't it loud?"

"Hiss...rumble…BANG!"

"..."

"..."

"Hiss…Kiii….rumble…"

Once I set up a soundproof barrier, we stop hearing the noise from the battle and snakes.

"Doesn't that mean you're a fake?"

"Did you really need to say that? Well, even I thought I wasn't real at first, but maybe I am?"

"Is it because of that?"

When I mentioned the third Kiyoung, I saw the Kiyoung right next to me smiling.

"I only have hypotheses, but doesn't it look like the lord of lust and sleep?"

"..."

"I'm pretty lost on the matter, but it looks like we are parts of Lee Kiyoung."

"Are there more parts?"

"How would I know?"

I kept scowling the more I listened.

"That thing has divinity, while I have most if not all of the memories. It seems the younger me has all my skills. That's why Hyunsung-ssi is so attached to it. Judging from everyone's reactions, it appeared first? Did you get attached too?"

"..."

"Puhahaha! You got attached?! Hahaha!"

"Shut up! Lee Kiyoung!"

"Hahaha! How did the little me seduce you?"

"Bullshit!"

"Did you play games, like chess, all day?"

"Just get to the point!"

It was obvious that I was trying to change the subject, but that bastard Lee Kiyoung just smirked and looked at where the jellyfish and snakes were fighting.

"It looks like it will die soon."

"You're just going to let it die?"

Seeing how the unstable mana is slowly decreasing, the fight should be ending soon.

"Of course not!"

Lee Kiyoung was grinning.

'This crazy bastard is up to something'

"We need to save it and get it indebted to me!"