Chapter 798

〈 Chapter 798: Part 2, Chapter 7 – New World, Opening Act 〉

One day…

Seok Harang and Yuinah were two-on-one “rap-battling” with Phoenix early in the morning.

Shin-ra adjusted her outfit neatly and stepped out of her house.

“The sun is shining brightly. The sand glistens.”

Flap.

“The weather’s great, and perfect for covert maneuvers.”

She spread her wings of flame on the balcony.

“Besides, nobody’s gonna notice anyway—it’ll be a quick trip.”

As long as the sun was up, no one would detect her, and there’d be no reaction from any flight sensors either.

As a Spirit of Flame and Sun Goddess, to Shin-ra, daytime was practically a period of constant invisibility where she could conceal herself.

Flap.

Shin-ra soared into the sky.

And immediately flapped her wings toward the location sent via smartphone.

To Seoul.

A place far too familiar to her: Yeouido’s C Hotel.

The sunlight reflected off the glass windows, showing a man in a yellow suit waving toward Shin-ra. She folded her wings and glided downward before—

“KABOOM!”

Transforming into an etheric body, she shattered the window effortlessly.

Landing gracefully on the floor, she retracted her wings. Since she’d turned her body ethereal at the last second, the glass remained intact.

With a dramatic “wang-chang” sound effect, she entered the penthouse.

“Hello? It’s been a while. Mr. Chairman.”

“It’s been a while, Miss Shin-ra.”

Inside the penthouse, Shin-ra was greeted by none other than Ha Sun-tae, dressed head-to-toe in yellow.

Technically father and daughter on paper—but they definitely didn’t think of each other as such, maintaining an odd relationship.

“Let’s get straight to business. The reason I’ve called you here today is this.”

Ha Sun-tae got right to the point.

“What is it now? Who’s invading?”

“Not invasion but… emigration, you could say.”

This straightforward approach suited Shin-ra, who disliked unnecessary small talk. She took the envelope Ha Sun-tae handed her and examined its contents.

“Project M.”

“It’s a mobile game based on Tera. A gacha-style collectible RPG.”

Ha Sun-tae turned on the TV mounted on the wall.

As if prepared beforehand, the TV screen displayed the promotional video for Project M.

“Tsk.”

Seeing shadows fall over Tera made Shin-ra frown deeply.

Given how the visuals stirred unpleasant memories, Shin-ra’s expression darkened.

“Just tell me the conclusion already.”

“Miss Shin-ra… or rather, Lady Phoenix, we’d like you to beta-test this game.”

“I decline.”

Shin-ra refused without hesitation.

Even though the offer wasn’t directly aimed at her but at Phoenix, she dismissed it outright.

“Do you think I’m that naive? You’re trying to kidnap my husband, aren’t you!”

She ignited blue flames in her eyes, pointing to the traces of magic power lingering on the contract.

“This is an interdimensional contract, isn’t it? I distinctly remember being told: ‘Be careful when agreeing to terms.’ Otherwise, you might end up kidnapped to some strange world.”

“But wouldn’t forming a harem change things?”

“A harem sounds fine—except for MY HUSBAND being part of it!”

“Don’t worry. This won’t turn out like last time.”

Ha Sun-tae grinned smugly, tapping his chest.

“This time, I’m personally overseeing the project, so there won’t be any weird interference! Moreover, after reviewing the proposal, even ‘Mr. K’ has agreed to help, so you can rest assured!”

“That just makes me trust it less. And saying ‘this won’t happen again’ implies it WILL happen again… right?”

“Yes. Your soul will transfer to that world.”

At Ha Sun-tae’s words, Shin-ra frowned.

“You’re suggesting sending my pregnant self’s husband on some interdimensional business trip? With TWO other women waiting over there?”

“I understand. Please hear me out till the end. He’ll only go while sleeping.”

“While sleeping?”

“Yes. From 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday. Just five days of connection.”

“Is he a civil servant now?”

“Even heroes saving the world need rest sometimes, don’t they? Besides, since only the soul travels, there’ll be no physical strain on the body here. To be precise, his physical form will remain in a capsule here, resting, while the soul journeys to the other side.”

“Ah, like an avatar. Commuting to another dimension, huh?”

Shin-ra tilted her head thoughtfully—

WHOOSH.

“No thanks.”

She tore up the contract.

Ha Sun-tae calmly pulled out another envelope as if expecting this.

“Would you like to take another look?”

“Nope. Whatever place you’re planning to send him to, it’s probably Earth 20 years from now, right? Why send him somewhere dangerous… wait…”

Shin-ra inspected the new contract carefully, perplexed.

“Not a destroyed world… but a world BEFORE destruction?”

“Exactly. Project M is essentially a game set in Tera. The player, as the protagonist, strives to prevent Tera’s impending doom. Naturally, the player will resolve the crisis, ensuring a guaranteed happy ending. However, there’s one condition: Phoenix must step in once more to save Tera.”

“Why so complicated? Are you asking my husband to save the world AGAIN?”

“That’s the primary task, yes. Secondarily, we’d appreciate it if Phoenix could gather data.”

“Data collection?”

“Do you remember all the residents of Tera, Miss Shin-ra?”

Shin-ra hesitated at Ha Sun-tae’s question.

“Knowing your past self better than anyone else, surely you understand… what happened in Tera…”

“Excuse me, but isn’t a woman’s past something not meant to be dug up?”

“Hehe, understood. Let’s proceed under the assumption you don’t recall much about Tera’s inhabitants. The key figures Phoenix knows are… the six spirits and the ‘comrades’ who stood with her until the end, correct?”

“…”

Shin-ra quietly sipped her strawberry ade.

“So?”

“Their information can be obtained through you, Miss Shin-ra. Of course, viewing them from a different perspective—other than looking down from a higher existence—is necessary too. Hence…”

“You want to send my husband to Tera to check out who lives there?”

“Yes. And then we’ll…”

FLAP.

Ha Sun-tae revealed a blank card as if unveiling a treasure.

Then he fanned it out into multiple cards.

Each card, graded from E to SS, made Shin-ra smirk wryly.

“We plan to feature them as characters in a gacha game. Tera will be introduced to Earthlings in a brand-new light.”

“Do you really think I’d allow that? Even if it’s a fallen world, it was once… OURS. Do you expect me to let the people and spirits of that world become playthings in a game?”

“They won’t be mere playthings. This is about recreating the world, erasing the history that Tera fell.”

“Hmph?”

Shin-ra’s ears perked up.

“Erase the history that Tera fell?”

“Yes. Through the original Tera observed at its earliest stages, we aim to ‘recreate’ it.”

“Reconstruct the world AND all life within it…?”

Shin-ra’s voice cracked slightly.

“Yes. Which means…”

“No way.”

“Pardon?”

“I’d also be recreated. There’s no way I’m showing my husband my darkest moments. He’ll undoubtedly prefer the younger version of me… or worse, THAT WOMAN will flirt with HIM!”

“…You’re focusing on the wrong detail here. I expected you to raise concerns about the dignity of recreating the world or accuse us of deceit.”

“That stuff doesn’t matter.”

Shin-ra crossed her legs and mocked him.

“In the end, everyone except me failed and fell into ruin, right? Apparently, we were all destined to perish regardless of Seongju. Hmph.”

“Yes. That’s why we’re saving the world again. Due to our oversight, Tera fell, so we’re trying to restore it. But there’s been a problem—an unexpected one, even to the chairman…”

Ha Sun-tae grimaced.

“One of those demoted after causing trouble has gone rogue, restoring the fallen Tera contrary to our plans. More specifically, his followers have caused chaos.”

“Followers? Aren’t they weaker than Seongju? How could they manage that?”

“Yes. The culprit…”

Ha Sun-tae shook his head irritably.

“Sacrificed his own body and heart to create a ‘stage,’ linking that world to Earth 20 years later.”

“…Ah, I see. So THAT’S what happened. They connected the original Tera from the story to a fake version.”

“We’ll refer to it as ‘Black Tera.'”

Shin-ra sighed deeply.

“Alright, let me summarize. Someone who abducted my husband restored Tera to its pre-destruction state and linked it to Earth 20 years later?”

“Yes. As you know, after 20 years, the people of Earth seek out new worlds following the ending. Once peace is restored by commanders, they discover paths to Tera, opening dimensional gates and invading in reverse.”

“Terraforming.”

Earth 20 years later.

After achieving world peace, they planned to invade the two-dimensional realm.

“Initially, I intended to propose this to you, Miss Shin-ra. But considering… well, your pregnancy… we decided to ask Phoenix instead. Upon arrival there, you’ll…”

After hearing Ha Sun-tae’s full explanation,

Shin-ra remained silent for quite some time.

She had already finished three glasses of strawberry ade, while Ha Sun-tae patiently waited for her response.

“…Consultation.”

Shin-ra leaned forward, supporting her forehead with one hand.

“I’ll consult with my husband.”

“An excellent decision. If your husband chooses this mission and purifies Black Tera, rebuilding Tera…”

Ha Sun-tae continued in a persuasive tone.

“Wouldn’t it be fitting to honor him as a deity of the new world? Perhaps even as the chief god revered by countless goddesses?”

“…Legal harem?”

“Indeed. If this country and world refuse polygamy…”

Ha Sun-tae sweetened the deal further.

“How about becoming the god of a NEW world where polygamy IS allowed?”