〈 Chapter 527 〉 IF Route, Normal Ending. 13-A
The IF Route is a hypothetical scenario derived from the main story and unrelated to it.
Readers may feel discomfort, so those interested in the main story can skip to the next chapter without issue.
There may be character deviations, please keep this in mind.
Just before summoning Chang-yeom who kept interrupting my thoughts, my smartwatch lit up and started buzzing annoyingly. Louder than the chirping in my head, I answered with an irritated voice.
“What is it at this hour of dawn?”
[Well, you weren’t answering, were you? Look, I always wear the hairpin you gave me while sleeping, but you’re not even wearing the badge I gave you.]
Keen eyes there. I clicked my tongue and picked up the badge from my desk, shoving it into my pocket.
“I just took it off to change clothes.”
[Lies. I’ve been calling for 30 minutes and got no response.]
Should I be impressed by the 30-minute persistent contact, or criticize the wasted time when you could’ve just called earlier? Either way, the answer is one.
“So, why did you call?”
[Missed you?]
“…….”
[…….]
We both stayed silent. I glanced at the time – 4:50 AM. The hour when sleep-deprived people tend to get sentimental. Suppressing the stirring magic power, I pressed on.
“Go to sleep.”
[…Nah, just kidding around.]
Seok Harang scratched their head. Then, rising from the bean bag chair, they spoke.
“Anyway, I’m coming down. My head’s all jumbled too, so let’s solve this the easiest way.”
“Easiest way?”
Seok Harang raised both fists with a grin.
“Let’s spar to celebrate my SS rank, fatty!”
“……Hmph, hmph, hmph.”
Looks like they still don’t see their own growth. As someone who received Guangjian’s mantle and is Seok Harang’s master, it seems it’s time to give this dense student another loving blow.
“Wait 10 minutes. I’ll fly over ri-”
I paused in thought. There’s no need to fly all the way to Seoul right now. Closing my eyes briefly, I moved my magic power to transfer.
To the mini Phoenix embedded in Seok Harang’s hairpin.
“Why?! Are you scared of meeeeee?!”
I stepped onto Seok Harang’s head to enter their room. Clothes and trash were scattered everywhere despite cleaning last time. Seok Harang was petting their scalp when they saw me and freaked out, pointing dramatically.
“You, y-you-you’re a ghost?!”
“It’s a spirit! Ugh…”
I picked up a bra that caught my foot. Thanks to Heaven knows who, I can now gauge sizes by touch alone.
“AA?”
“NNNOOOOOOOO!!!”
Seok Harang screamed incomprehensibly, snatching the underwear from my hand and huffing. Seeing this mess again, I created a tiny flame on my fingertip and flicked it at them.
“Please try living tidily-”
Kaaang! Just before hitting their forehead, the flame was blocked by a wall of ice and disappeared. Seok Harang crossed their arms proudly.
“Hmph! The world’s strongest hero handles this easily! Don’t underestimate me, I’m a Round Table member now!”
“Sure thing, World’s Strongest Hero. Before we duel…”
I kicked a pile of clothes in the corner. Unwashed yet unfolded shirts and undergarments scattered across the floor.
“Burn these before they multiply. Clean up first.”
“…Who are you, my wife?”
Pouting and muttering, Seok Harang had a panty thrown into their mouth. Unable to ruin their own belongings, they obediently began folding clothes. Or rather, roughly stacking them into the wardrobe.
“…Hold on. You’re organizing underwear like that?”
Eventually, I got annoyed and did it myself. While Seok Harang prepared for an outing after showering, I had to battle the never-ending chaos in their home.
About an hour later, we went out for an early morning stroll.
* * *
“YAAAAAHHHHHHH!”
Seok Harang roared and launched a full-body assault. Wrapped in ice, their reckless charge left Phoenix baffled.
“Crazy!”
“This’ll do!”
Phoenix quickly surrounded themselves in flames. The increased magic concentration from reaching SS rank made handling it difficult.
“If strength’s lacking-”
Seok Harang concentrated magic power forward. Ice spears fired with expelled magic easily pierced through Phoenix’s fiery barrier.
“Just add more power!”
“She’s become brutish.”
Phoenix taunted, but Seok Harang attacked as planned without hesitation. Ice spears rained from all directions, intercepting the satellite-like fireballs orbiting Phoenix. Amidst the gaps, ice butterflies flew toward Phoenix, slowing their movements.
Ice butterflies sticking to the armor were met with a flick from Phoenix’s fingers. Despite the warning, they showed no learning capability.
“Useless-”
Chack. Upon touching the armor, the ice butterflies turned into water and clung to it. The water flowed down the armor, reaching Phoenix’s fiery body.
Ssssssss—!
“…Indeed. This hurts quite a bit.”
Phoenix cleanly severed their left wrist where the water touched. The gauntlet fell off, and the flaming hand greedily consumed Seok Harang’s ice butterflies.
Flare! Though the body regenerated, the lost armor didn’t return. Noticing this, Seok Harang’s eyes sparkled.
“Hey, that doesn’t regenerate?”
“The monster-type armor bears traces of corrupted Tera magic from another realm. Consider it cursed armor that corrupts the wearer’s mind.”
“What? So you were-”
As Seok Harang withdrew their magic power worriedly, I summoned magic power above the regenerated left hand to restore the armor.
“It’s other officers’ stories. Mine’s already purified of corruption and no longer affects my mind.”
“So you were corrupted before?”
“Meaningless talk ends here. Since I rarely lose, how about a game?”
Phoenix deliberately removed the left-hand gauntlet and raised their hand.
“When you destroy my entire body, I’ll grant you one wish. That should boost your motivation.”
“Huh? Motivation?!”
Seok Harang’s hair fluttered as they summoned a giant water vortex in the sky. Their intent to remove the armor in one strike became apparent, prompting Phoenix to gather magic power in both hands and bring them together.
“Motivation’s been maxed out since forever!”
“As always, too eager.”
The opposing magic powers collided, shattering the barrier Phoenix had set up.
* * *
Summer day of 2022, somewhere in Busan.
“Alright, punishment time. It’s cold brew today.”
“At least put some syrup in it…”
Harang collapsed their head on the table, utterly exhausted. I signaled to the cafe owner, Huan, pointing at a slice of cake. Thanks to our frequent visits boosting sales, Huan now understands our orders with just a glance and promptly serves us personally.
“Thanks. By the way, how’s the move to New Seoul going?”
“Thanks to our customers, I think I can continue business here.”
“Lucky break. Add today’s tab too.”
We created a ledger to avoid the hassle of calculating every visit. Whistling cheerfully, Huan pulled out a black notebook to record today’s orders.
I scooped a large spoonful of the parfait in front of me. Since becoming regulars, Huan often asks us to review new menu items.
“Haaa—-”
Just as I was about to take a bite of my parfait, Harang closed her eyes and opened her mouth. As usual, I gently placed the chocolate-syrup-covered ice cream into her mouth.
“Mmmph.”
Harang smiled cutely and wiped her lips along my spoon. A trace of her lips remained on the spoon where the leftover ice cream lingered.
“……”
“Wow, are you really not going to care about that kind of thing?”
Harang looked up at me with an innocent face. I shook my head and took a big bite of the parfait.
“It just reminded me of old times. Back then, you didn’t even want to share saliva, insisting on eating separately.”
“Why are you bringing up a story from over two years ago? How much have I changed since then?”
Harang sat up straight and took a deep breath. The chest that had grown noticeably over the two years subtly but confidently revealed its presence.
“Well, you’re still only a B-cup.”
“…Don’t you think it could grow bigger if someone touched it more often~?”
“That’s baseless nonsense. If touching made them grow, yours would already be bigger than Cheon Gaeul’s by now.”
“….No way, I don’t want to be that big. For me, the perfect size is…”
Seok Harang gave me a lecherous look as she stared at my chest. I flicked my finger while blowing a raspberry, causing my whole body to be enveloped in flames, raising my gaze higher. Seok Harang openly exuded discomfort.
“I told you not to transform recklessly in public places!”
“Is this really a public place? There’s only the owner and us here.”
I waved to Huan, who brought over an iced Americano and placed it in front of us. He seemed like he wanted to say something, so I slightly bowed my head.
“I apologize. It’s just that I felt a threat to chastity.”
“No, please feel free to do as you like. Since the two of you come, the place is exclusively yours anyway. By the way…”
Huan looked drowsily down at my left hand. That’s when I realized what he wanted to say.
“It turned out this way.”
“Congratulations, Lady Seok Harang. You’ve finally won.”
While chugging down the Americano, Harang made a V sign and smiled. On her left hand was a ring shaped like a bluebird.
“Hehe, after losing countless times, I’ve finally won.”
“…I never expected you’d make such a wish.”
I rested my chin on my left hand. In the glass, I saw the white butterfly-shaped ring on my left ring finger. Huan cleared away the empty dishes and asked.
“So, when will the two of you give us your invitations?”
“…….”
Harang’s face turned red. Seeing her fidgeting awkwardly, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I pointed at the ground to answer Huan’s question.
“We’re planning a small wedding, but we haven’t decided on the venue yet. So there’s one favor I’d like to ask…”
* * *
“So why did you tell me not to transform in public places?”
I asked while lying on top of Harang and looking at the ceiling projector. Harang, who was hugging me like a doll while lying on the bean bag, hesitated for a moment before trying to dodge the question.
“Because you’re ugly and should only show your face outside.”
“That’s quite hurtful. Then why does someone like you turn so red when they see you as a male form?”
“……Shut up.”
Harang stuck her finger into my mouth. While licking her finger as she wanted, I pointed at the projection on the ceiling.
“Tch. Isn’t Miss Gaeul amazing? She eventually achieved SS rank and managed to get rid of all the tentacles despite being back on screen.”
“I’m terrified of that sister. After achieving SS rank, she kept challenging me to fights, demanding to let you go.”
“There’s no way I’d lose. Tsk.”
“Am I crazy enough to lose? I’m Seok Harang, the world’s strongest hero, whether it’s heroes, villains, or spirits.”
Harang removed her finger from my mouth and wrapped her arms around my stomach. Our naked bodies pressed against each other, and the coldness of her fingers brushing against my stomach sent a chill through me.
“…Isn’t it satisfying? To achieve synchronization before me.”
“Hahaha, you’ll never beat me in this lifetime.”
I couldn’t resist the tickling sensation from Harang’s fingers on my stomach. She had already reached the realm of myth, attaining godhood, and her 100% affinity level was somewhere I hadn’t reached yet.
“Hmph. Still three years until Seongju comes, right?”
“Even now, I feel like I could defeat him alone.”
“As I’ve said many times, fighting alone is dangerous. Your situation is different. If you were brainwashed by Seongju-”
“At that point, you’d kill me. And vice versa.”
Our hearts resonated like synchronized beats. I had embedded Chang-yeom into her heart, and she had implanted her Bing-jing (Ice Spirit) into my core. Even though just a flicker of our fingers could kill each other, Harang stubbornly insisted.
“You never know when that gas inside you might explode, huh? Is Gold still acting up and refusing to come out?”
“I don’t know. Ever since it started sulking, it doesn’t even talk to me anymore.”
If the spirit Chang-yeom helped, I could reach mythic status and fight the gods of another realm, but ever since Harang reached mythic first, Chang-yeom had completely shut up and refused to speak. Harang seemed to know something but wouldn’t divulge any information.
“Be honest. Did you two talk about something?”
“…It’s none of your business. If you’re curious, try defeating me in battle. Then I’ll tell you.”
“Wow, you’re really bad. Now you’re spouting nonsense about always winning.”
“Why don’t you reincarnate as durability if you’re upset?”
I flipped over to meet Harang’s eyes. With my sleepy gaze, Harang realized what I was thinking and shook her head.
“No! Fighting on the bed is out of the question! That’s cheating!”
“Tsk.”
I buried my face between Harang’s breasts and blew out a breath. Laughing, Harang grabbed my head and shook it.
“Stop it, stop it. That’s something I can never tell you… Absolutely. Even if I die, I can’t reveal it.”
Harang’s eyes were dead serious. Originally, she wasn’t this type of heroine, but from some point onward, her stubbornness became unparalleled. Irritated, I summoned magic power and changed my gender.
“Hey… hasn’t Miss Gaeul’s drama ended yet?”
“It’s fine. We can watch the rest later and discuss it.”
The overly enlarged lower jaw slightly parted Harang’s lower lip. Sighing deeply, Harang raised her arm and embraced my neck.
“You used to say you’d rather die than do this.”
“You were the one who said you wanted to first.”
I pointed at the screen. Harang had already turned off the projector. Pouting, she lifted her head.
“When those moments come, just pretend not to notice, idiot.”
“You’re still challenging hopeless battles. Alright, since you reminded me of old times, if you win this fight, I’ll grant you one wish.”
“Haha, do you remember how I once had you on a leash? This is a fight that lasts a lifetime, you know?”
“Don’t worry. You can never win… especially in bed.”
I pulled Harang’s neck close and kissed her.
“I will absolutely never lose to you.”
* * *
October 13, 2026. Huan’s Cafe, Seomyeon, Busan.
We defeated Seongju.
It’s been ten months since the battle with Seongju. Although we couldn’t summon and defeat the interdimensional deity, with me and Harang leading the spirits, we barely managed to overcome Seongju and restore peace to the world.
And now, I am ready for another battle.
“If it’s too much, just say so. I’ll wear it instead.”
“It’s fine. You said I’m ugly and shouldn’t show my face outside, remember? Hmph.”
“No, that was a joke! If you appeared in a tuxedo, the sisters would go wild, how could I possibly stand by quietly?!”
“I want to see you in a wedding dress.”
At my words, Harang blushed and adjusted her hairpin. Since the incident when she fell while trying to summon Chang-yeom, the new hairpin I made for her has never left her hair.
“W-well, there is something…”
Harang whispered into my ear while wearing a tuxedo.
“In Hawaii, you wear the tuxedo. I’ll wear the dress.”
“…..Call.”
If that’s the case, I’d gladly do it. I pulled Harang’s tie and kissed her. Just as Harang closed her eyes to insert her tongue, a rough hand suddenly appeared from behind, and we were chased out of the bride’s waiting room.
“Mom?! Let me stay a little longer!”
“Brides aren’t supposed to see the groom in the waiting room. Kids, take him away.”
Anastasha
Transferred by force, Harang was escorted away by Yuha and Gaeul. As I waved goodbye to Harang being dragged away, I flashed an awkward smile at the piercing gaze coming from beside me.
“……Sorry?”
“Who the heck thought they could snatch my daughter? Seriously. …I kinda get it so I can’t say much, but…”
“Isn’t it the same for you? You too… And me.”
“Does Heo Yoon-hwan have some spirit-summoning gene in his blood? This is ridiculous.”
Dad took the water spirit, and his daughter inherited the fire spirit. Anastasha continued with a look of exasperation.
“…They say fights end in love, but I didn’t think it’d actually happen. If you ever have kids, hope for a girl. Who knows what kind of aunts might be lurking around if you have a boy.”
“It’s sad that we can’t avoid this fate.”
Anastasha and I chuckled as we waited for time to pass. With only a select few invited, there were no unnecessary visitors in the waiting room for Juan’s café wedding.
“But seriously, can I ask something?”
As Anastasha fixed my makeup, she asked. I closed my eyes in response. Anastasha straightened the veil on my head and asked again.
“Why are you wearing the wedding dress while Harang’s in a tuxedo? …You two do look good together, but didn’t you successfully alter your gender to male before?”
“……Harang made me keep it a secret.”
Since I’m the mom, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to tell her. I beckoned Anastasha closer and whispered into her ear.
“The truth is…”
“……Seok Harang, you gasbag?!”
Upon hearing my words, Anastasha immediately found Seok Harang, grabbed him by the collar, and shook him. I giggled at the commotion as we awaited the start of the wedding.
* * *
“So why did you call me as the father of the bride?”
Deokbae fidgeted uncomfortably in his ill-fitting suit. I smirked beneath my veil and replied.
“It’s fun, isn’t it? Besides, the bride can’t walk alone anyway.”
“Man, leaving aside whether you’re the bride or not… Geez, really.”
Deokbae scratched his nonexistent hair as he awkwardly fretted. Ryu Cheonseong, our experienced officiant, would lead the ceremony, but surprisingly, I insisted Deokbae walk me down the aisle to give me away to Harang. Deokbae pointed out two women glaring daggers at him from the bridesmaids’ side.
“Hey, look over there. They’re trying to kill me with their eyes.”
“Die already. We’ll resurrect you.”
I casually waved at Cheon Gaeul and Yun Yuhwa. Despite their forced smiles, their trembling lips betrayed their irritation. I extended my left hand to Deokbae.
“On that day, if you hadn’t become a monster, I doubt we’d be here today. Thank you for everything until now.”
“Don’t make me feel weird. …Anyway, congratulations.”
With that, we stopped talking. Under Ryu Cheonseong’s guidance, I walked along the carpeted aisle and stood next to Seok Harang.
Both of us were overwhelmed. Just holding hands tightly filled us with happiness.
“Then the bride and groom, let’s proceed with the…kiss…”
Ryu Cheonseong trailed off, clearly uncomfortable as he alternated glances between us. Saladin covered his eyes dramatically with his fingers.
“……Why don’t we just skip it? It’s not like it’s the first time.”
Harang urged Ryu Cheonseong, who nervously licked his lips and glanced at someone. The self-appointed cameraman Ji Hwa hesitated to snap photos, apparently dissatisfied with the composition.
“…….”
The murderous intent radiating from Heo Yoon-hwan seated among the groom’s family made Ryu Cheonseong take a deep breath.
“Groom and bride, then-”
“I can’t wait anymore.”
Harang leaned forward, grabbing my face. As the guests applauded uneasily, I gently pushed him away. His pupils began to tremble with anxiety.
“……Don’t you want to?”
“No, that’s not it…”
Snap! I flicked my finger. Flames engulfed my wedding dress, and as my vision elevated, I looked down at Harang in his tuxedo.
“This is how.”
I placed my hand on Harang’s shoulder. Reacting to my magic power, Harang’s tuxedo emitted a white light and transformed into a pristine wedding gown.
The sudden reversal of roles shocked the guests. Especially Cheon Gaeul and Yun Yuhwa seemed visibly shaken upon seeing me. The intense glare from behind was undoubtedly from a drunkard.
“Hey…!”
Confused, Harang looked up at me. I smiled widely as I cupped his face.
“We’re having a small wedding, but the kiss photo has to go viral. Everyone needs to know you’re my bride.”
“…What nonsense. You’re my bride. Don’t forget, we agreed the winner becomes the groom.”
Harang grabbed my tie and pulled me closer. I bent down, and Harang kissed me, gripping my tie and nape.
Looking back at the recording later, sticking my tongue out during a wedding was probably a bit excessive.
* * *
After a 7-night, 8-day honeymoon in Hawaii, we finally prepared for the ultimate battle ahead.
“If it’s too much, just say so. I’ll cover everything.”
“…No, it’s my responsibility.”
My hands trembled with evident anxiety. Harang grabbed my hand.
“It’ll turn out fine. They’ll understand.”
“No way. I won’t understand.”
Heo Yoon-hwan stormed in, breathing heavily as he sat down. Anastasha remained silent, caught between her glaring husband and daughter.
“I’ll stay neutral since I understand both sides. Figure it out yourselves.”
“Mom?! You’re supposed to take my side!”
“Why should Rusalka be on your side? She’s mine. Hey, trash, speak up if you have a mouth!”
“……Sorry, Dad?”
The Light Blade quivered violently, and I pursed my lips. Speechless. Seok Harang slammed the table and spoke up.
“So, what do you want to say, Dad? Surely not what I think, right?! Come on!! If you dare, I’ll crush you!!!”
“Harang, actually-”
“Let me handle it.”
I stopped Harang and faced the Light Blade directly. Though created by me, it had grown into a formidable master rivaling my own level.
“By the way, if you fight, I’m taking Yun-hwan’s side, so deal with it.”
…With Rusalka backing them, we’re clearly at a disadvantage due to the elementals. But I have no intention of losing.
I took a deep breath and shouted at the Light Blade.
“Dad, give me your daughter!”
“I knew you’d say that! My ultimate move is already activated!!”
There’s no parent who can beat their child when they’ve reached divine levels.
In the end, the godlike Harang triumphed after an intense battle against his parents.
I merely cheered from the sidelines.
Why?
Pregnant women shouldn’t fight—it’s bad for prenatal care, and Harang and Rusalka scolded me relentlessly.
…Not to mention, Harang got pregnant almost immediately.
Despite that, they still wanted kids.
So after several attempts during the honeymoon, it worked.
Now, the next 10 months worry me immensely.
* * *
The god of another realm opened its eyes.
The servant who summoned me had vanished without a trace.
But the last remnants of that presence can be felt far away, in a distant star system.
Earth.
The god of another realm quietly closed its eyes.
A golden storm drifted through interstellar space, wandering the cosmos.
* * *
Under the moonlight, a man and a woman walked along a snow-covered beach.
The woman spoke first.
“How beautiful the moon is.”
The man responded in agreement.
“Yes, the moon is indeed beautiful.”
The woman spread her arms wide and questioned the man.
“Aren’t you curious about my wish?”
The man nodded and asked.
“I wonder what kind of wish would drive you to challenge so much.”
The woman pointed upward at the night sky with her finger.
“To be honest, I don’t know what battles lie ahead. You’ve experienced it, so you must know how terrifying it is—the monsters coming from beyond those stars. But listen…”
She grasped the man’s hands and looked up at him, her eyes brimming with confidence akin to a snowy landscape.
“Trust me. I’ll be here to help you stay on the right path, to protect this world I love and the people I cherish.”
“Is that your wish?”
“Of course. What greater wish could a hero have than world peace?”
That snowy night,
The man realized he had fallen for the woman standing before him.
