Chapter 107 – Monster Wave
Monster waves.
They’re a must in any fantasy story, right?
Seven years later, in this world, four island-like “dens” will rise along the coastlines of the continent. These dens give birth to monsters based on specific elements or types.
Each den has a “Master” who creates monsters during the day. Sometimes, these Masters leave their dens and cause massive destruction across the land.
You might wonder, “Why can’t Winter defeat these Masters? After all, she even killed gods.” But the reason is simple.
Whenever a Master feels threatened, it runs back to the shore. The moment it touches seawater, it turns into water and disappears into its den. Also, when these Masters attack, they don’t come out one by one—they appear all at once, like they planned it together.
Even if Winter is fighting one of them somewhere, others show up in different places and kill many people.
What’s worse is that even if you defeat a Master, a strong regular monster can take its place and become a new Master—just like how another ant becomes queen if the original queen ant dies.
So, the only real way to end this is by sealing or killing Avilisk, the evil god known as Huérion.
***
Facing the Fourth Den Master: Nen
“The best person to fight Nen, the Master of the Fourth Den, is Joseph. Only someone who feels no fear can ignore Nen’s illusions.”
Nen appears in the strait between the Southern and Western Empires. He’s the complete opposite of Winter.
Everyone hides emotional wounds deep inside, and Nen can dig them up and use them against you.
Because people who return from the future (like Winter) carry even more pain, Winter described Nen as extremely annoying and unpleasant.
The first time Nen appeared, an entire village wiped itself out. The villagers killed each other, thinking they were seeing their worst enemies, but it was just Nen’s illusions.
That’s when Winter realized something: to defeat Nen, you shouldn’t bring an army. You need one person—someone very strong and alone. With more people, the chances of them attacking each other under Nen’s spell get higher.
Winter could handle Nen, but only after many years when she had mentally become very strong.
Still, while she fought Nen, she couldn’t stop the other Masters from attacking elsewhere.
Winter admitted that there was only one other person, besides herself, who was strong enough—physically and mentally—to face Nen alone.
That person is Joseph Lohia, who is lying behind the door I’m standing in front of.
Winter’s Trust
“You don’t have to try so hard to convince me, Izana,” Winter said, shaking her head.
“I don’t hold a grudge against Joseph anymore. Your actions are already changing the future I thought I knew, and that gives me hope. As I’ve said, the more unexpected the results are, the better. If everything happens exactly as I remember, then it means we’re just repeating the same mistakes.”
Winter picked me up again. (My old sweet potato spirit) quickly cuddled into me and started chewing my hair.
“Joseph is a good student who values learning. If we teach him faith, he will learn well—he’s like a blank slate,” Winter said, her eyes staring into the air like she was remembering the past.
“But if he learns betrayal… he’ll learn that just as deeply.”
“…I know you’ve thought a lot about what to do with Joseph.”
I couldn’t even imagine how long Winter had thought about all of this.
“But things have changed a lot this time. Maybe this time will be different. Of course, I won’t let my guard down. I’ll stay alert.”
I looked up at Winter, hoping she’d agree.
Her calm blue eyes turned to me, and she spoke kindly.
“Yes, it might be different this time.”
I smiled faintly.
“You’ve become a real regressor now, Izana. It’s like looking in a mirror.”
I didn’t fully understand what she meant until much later.
But for now, I nodded firmly, full of determination.
***
Later: At the Emperor’s Palace
“What a headache,” the Emperor sighed, clicking his tongue.
“All this mess happened because Count Bluebell blamed the First Prince for something the Second Prince actually did. And now the Second Prince is dead—today, of all days.”
I stood next to the Emperor, nodding along.
“They say it was just a fight between children, but breaking a puppy’s legs? That’s beyond normal. It seems the Second Prince is… different than we thought. I’m glad I found out now.”
I told the Emperor the truth about the “Love Incident” for two reasons.
First, what Oscar and Boris did during the duel was completely unacceptable in front of the Emperor. He was bound to find out, so I decided to explain it first to protect myself.
Second, in the original story, the Emperor is supposed to become fond of Joseph. I wanted to show him Joseph’s true nature ahead of time.
Seeing the Emperor’s disappointed face, I knew I made the right choice.
Then I pointed respectfully to Winter, who stood quietly nearby.
“And the one who helped me reveal the truth was not the Duke, but Baron Illin over there!”
The Emperor tapped his armrest, looking unconvinced.
“How strange. Everything around you is strange. The way you dig up old secrets is strange. Your passion is strange. And… Baron Illin getting involved is also strange…”
“To change the subject, Your Majesty! You look very tired today. May I suggest you rest early tonight for your health?”
I was trying to distract him, but I meant it too. His face looked worse than ever, with dark circles reaching his chin. He looked like he hadn’t slept for days.
“You’re right. I am tired today. I’ve been fixing everyone’s messes and working all night. I didn’t stay up for fun.”
He patted my head while gently scolding me.
“And you too. I thought your friend was a pig, but now I think it’s a raccoon. Don’t stay up too late.”
I had also pulled an all-nighter, so I didn’t even have the energy to protest the raccoon comment.
The Emperor sighed again, then straightened his back and said seriously,
“But you still have to eat. And I must enjoy the right I’ve earned. Show me. Show me that you’re better than a hamster.”
Even though I was exhausted, I sat up straight.
“If you’re trying to get me to eat more than the four rolls I promised by using a hamster competition… you’re underestimating me.”
“Hmm, at least I don’t have to worry about you being tricked by anyone. That’s a relief.”
On the plate in front of me were four round dinner rolls—all exactly the same in size and shape. I examined them, then began eating them one by one.
With each roll I popped into my mouth, the Emperor’s eyes sparkled more and more.
He always looks so calm and wise, but right now, he looks like a cheerful child.
‘Why does he enjoy this so much?’
Fine. I’ll give him a little extra.
I added two blueberries on top of the four rolls, and the Emperor looked absolutely delighted, like his smile might reach the ceiling.
“Om nom…”
He even started clapping.
Winter clapped too.
Even my old sweet potato spirit stretched out its root-like arms to clap along.
‘Why are you all like this over just four pieces of bread?’
I knew I could fit six rolls in my mouth if I wanted. That meant I could use this ‘bread show’ to get two more favors from the Emperor.
“…Just watching you eat makes me full.”
After clapping for a while, the Emperor smiled and patted my head again.
He looked very tired and didn’t even touch his own food. He just watched me eat.
Once I finished, he stood up.
“Tonight, I’ll read you a bedtime story.”
Oh no. Please, no.
Why is the universe always testing me?
