Chapter 799

〈 Chapter 799: Part 3, Chapter 1, Episode 01 – Phoenix Rising 〉

I once saved the world.

Well, if you can call it a reward for saving the world, but as compensation, I got to save the woman I love.

And I also formed a great relationship with the woman who loved me in that world and the woman who came to love me.

All that’s left for me is to share love in this world, raise kids, and help the country develop.

Why helping the country develop? Because in this era where the average birth rate has dropped below 0.7, I alone will have three children—maybe more.

-Oh, congratulations on your large family! What’s the age gap?

-The three women each had one child, so they’re all the same age.

-Bastard…

While some envied me or drew aggro and mocked me, it wasn’t entirely bad.

That just means people envy my relationship with Shin-ra and the ones I love.

Just as I was enjoying this peaceful time…

“You want me to become the savior of another dimension?”

“Yes. That’s what they said.”

Shin-ra told me everything she’d heard.

“So, the employee who sent me there didn’t die and revived Tera, creating monsters in Tera to invade Earth again?”

“Yes. It has nothing to do with this world, but it does concern Earth 20 years from now.”

“Damn, with the three strongest humans gone, this isn’t a normal situation.”

By Earth standards 20 years from now, who are the strongest?

There’s Blazing Phoenix.

There’s Seok Harang.

There’s Yuinah.

With all three having crossed over to this world, humanity has no chance of survival.

At best, Yun Yuhwa synced with Karna?

But since it wasn’t Gaecheonkwang himself syncing with Karna, it makes them vulnerable to Tera’s mental pollution.

Next, there’s Hwanryong synced with Xiao Lin, and Light Blade synced with Rusalka, and Penril synced with Aruel. Even though there’s Anggur synced with Baek Hee-a, well…as far as full strength goes…

There are four spirits still remaining in that world, but there are many uncertainties.

And we have our own concerns too.

“What happens if the Xroid you left behind gets destroyed? What then? You lined up your clones in a row… blacked out.”

“That won’t work.”

“I may have messed around chasing love, but seeing my parents-in-law get violated like this…”

“Even if Guangjian doesn’t mind, Mother-in-law certainly wouldn’t.”

Shin-ra joked while Seok Harang spoke seriously, but the moment I heard the story, I made up my mind.

“I’ll be back.”

“…You don’t necessarily have to go.”

“No, I must.”

There’s a reason I need to go.

“If I don’t step in, Tera will surely fall under their control.”

“Yes. History will repeat itself, and it will naturally connect with Earth 20 years from now. Even if they try not to cross over from Tera… humanity will try to invade Tera through the Dimensional Gate.”

“If things go wrong, it could reverse. Earth 20 years from now… it’ll be a total mess.”

“Sigh. I didn’t want to deal with aftercare either.”

Honestly,

Earth 20 years from now does concern me.

But if it threatens my ‘peace’ and ‘love,’ I’ll unhesitatingly abandon Earth 20 years from now.

‘Still, I have to go.’

This isn’t because Shin-ra asked; it’s my own decision.

“The pregnant wife should stay quiet and focus on prenatal care.”

In place of my pregnant wife,

“I’ll save both the mother-in-law from Tera and the mother-in-law from Earth 20 years from now.”

As for the father-in-law? Let him fend for himself.

“One last thing…”

I signed my name on the contract.

“Don’t we also need to save someone before they corrupt into an officer or spirit?”

If Tera falls, it means past Shin-ra will endure the same pain again.

Through this mission, I’ll erase that history.

“So, what do we do?”

“It’s simple.”

Ha Sun-tae handed me a new package for the virtual reality device after receiving the contract.

It looked plain, containing just a single pack inside.

“A dedicated device. It operates without external interference, allowing thorough covert operations. Rest assured. If you get trapped in that world, I’ll bring you back even if it costs me my position.”

Click.

I climbed into the capsule.

Unlike a headset, this full-dive-style contraption gave a hyper-realistic sensation.

“Hmm.”

To be honest, I’m filled with anxiety.

But I must overcome it.

Because only then can I protect the past of the woman I love.

“Preparation’s done.”

Though it won’t help much, Shin-ra’s memories of Tera, akin to an online game’s lore introduction, provided some assistance.

A world covered by seven elements: fire, water, wind, earth, light, darkness, and spirit.

Residents living off elemental powers.

And the gods representing each element.

In short, it’s a medieval fantasy world.

So, all that’s left is to dive in.

“I’ll be back. Both of you.”

“…”

Shin-ra tightly gripped both my hands.

Then, closing her eyes, she extended one hand toward Seok Harang.

“You hold my hand too. It’s encouragement.”

“Well… I trust he knows what he’s doing.”

Seok Harang, with reddened eyes, firmly clasped my hand.

“Our mom… please save her.”

“Of course.”

I kissed both of them.

Having already burned the midnight oil thinking this might be our final intimacy, I’m fully prepared to leave.

Releasing their hands,

I entrusted myself to the machine.

“Link, start.”

Based on my preparation, I took my first step into Tera.

And when I arrived,

I was mesmerized by the stunning scenery.

“Wow…”

A breathtaking view.

The kind you see in healing travel videos, a forest rarely touched by human presence.

Birds chirping, flowers blooming, such a bright and sunny woodland…

‘Someday, it’ll all burn to ashes.’

The very guardians of the world will destroy it.

Corrupted gods will become harbingers of destruction, turning residents into monsters and slaughtering them.

Such a future must be stopped.

For Shin-ra.

For Seok Harang and her mother-in-law.

Thus, the first action I need to take now is…

“Log out.”

I returned.

* * *

“Eh? Why are you crying?”

“Bro, you went in all serious-like and came back less than a minute later. What are we supposed to be now?”

“Well, confirming I can come back out is important. I don’t want to be trapped in another dimension forever.”

“But why did you log out right after arriving?”

“Shouldn’t you check the status window first?”

“Isn’t this about saving the world, not playing a game? There’s no status window here.”

“…”

“Gimme back my tears!!”

Again, Link Start.

* * *

I’ve returned, Tera.

‘In five minutes.’

I reconnected to Tera.

‘My decision to log out immediately was perfect.’

I don’t know why everyone lost their minds.

‘Checking if I can return home should be the priority.’

I clearly made the right judgment, yet I got scolded by Shin-ra and Seok Harang.

Even Yuna, monitoring the situation, gave me a piece of her mind.

“…Ah. Can you hear me?”

No response.

But by speaking, I ensure that the ‘path’ connecting us allows them to see and hear my situation.

“Let’s gather data for at least two hours as instructed, so I’ll log out then?”

Since there’s no communication, what can I even know?

I’ll just monologue here, but I’m definitely talking to those watching over me.

“Forest.”

“Trees.”

“Mushrooms.”

“Water.”

“Monster.”

“…Hey, there’s a monster.”

Right before me, a monster appeared.

A beast resembling a rabbit being devoured by the monster—it looked disturbingly familiar.

Terasite.

The vanguard of Seongju, parasitizing animals and transforming them into monstrous creatures.

Thankfully, I didn’t encounter a human-parasitized Terralist right away, but the problem is that this monster has spotted me.

Grrr….

The beast growled menacingly, baring its fangs.

I casually glanced at my reflection in the water.

Wearing a coat styled to fit the Tera aesthetic, reminiscent of a high-ranking cleric—a celestial robe-like appearance—but undeniably stylish.

A blend of Seok Harang’s white, Yuinah’s gold, and Shin-ra’s blue in my attire made it something I’d actually wear in real life despite its flamboyance.

How did I end up wearing this upon crossing over?

‘Because they wear it too.’

This is the default outfit.

And since it’s infused with the power of the three, even a creature possessed by Terasites wouldn’t dare challenge me—

Kyaah!!

It lunged at me.

I reached inside my coat to prepare a counterattack—

“Ha-aaa!”

With a shout, a golden streak flashed.

Swoosh!

The abomination split in half instantly.

Behind it, I saw a blonde, red-eyed priestess.

“Are you alright?!”

Fortunately, the language is understandable.

“…I’m fine.”

Relaxed.

‘There’s no “relaxed guy” tone anymore.’

Now I can walk around as I appear.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I survived.”

Though this is Shin-ra’s spell, I decided to act somewhat imperiously.

To prevent my husband from being disrespected by subordinates, Shin-ra requested I let them jump to conclusions from the start.

“You…who exactly are you?”

“Me?”

There’s only one set answer.

“My name is Phoenix.”

Phoenix.

What better way to describe me?

“You…why are you here?”

“Hmm…”

Following the manual.

There’s only one answer.

“I don’t know. I only remember two things.”

“Two things?”

“My name. And…what I must do.”

I placed my hand on my chest.

“I must find my beloved wife.”

Shin-ra.

Seok Harang.

Yuinah.

The common condition they all agreed on?

That’s right: revealing my marital status.

“Wife…?”

“Yes. The one I love more than anyone…my wife. Though I can’t recall her name or face…I’m certain. When I see her, I’ll definitely recover my memories.”

The Goddess of Flame.

I’ve come to save the past Shin-ra.

* * *

“…Staring at his face like he fell in love at first sight?”

“Note down the name. How can someone claiming to be married make you swoon like that?”

[Got it. Look at those dreamy eyes…]

The three observe Tera through Phoenix’s vision.