Chapter 3
The World Is in Chaos (2)
3.
It wasn’t until I arrived at the house my brother had just moved into that one memory came back to me.
My sister-in-law—well, my brother’s wife—was someone who cried easily.
“Eat… eat a lot!”
“Thanks, sister.”
“Ugh… you really are…”
That’s how it used to be.
She was usually a very composed person, but any sad event would make her burst into tears.
Earlier, when we arrived at the house, it was quite a sight. She hugged me the moment she saw me and cried for about ten minutes.
Maybe that’s why today, I wanted to call her “sister” like the old days, rather than “sister-in-law.”
“I’ll eat well.”
I silently put the feast on the table into my mouth.
Food kept going in endlessly: soft tofu stew, fried eggs, and pork bulgogi.
What a nostalgic taste.
In the past, it was just my brother, Binna (my sister-in-law), and me, eating together in a small house.
The same taste I remembered from those times.
My spoon kept moving.
Was it because I was hungry, or were these people hungry?
Ah, but there’s one difference from the past.
“Samchon! Samchon! Eat!”
Now, there are four of us at the table, not three.
Yian—my brother and Binna’s son.
My nephew.
Seeing him in person, I could immediately tell: no photo could ever capture Yian’s cuteness.
“Yian usually gets shy around strangers. But wow? He’s not shy around you.”
Binna’s eyes welled up again as she spoke.
So many tears…
“Maybe it’s because he takes after me?”
“Don’t curse around the kids.”
“When did I ever curse?”
“If saying you resemble me isn’t a curse, then what is it?”
“Wow. Is this supposed to offend me?”
“Appa! Samchon! Hehe.”
“Oh my, Yian. Want some meat? Eat this all. Samchon’s already full.”
Could there really be such a lovable being?
I put down my spoon, gazing at my nephew’s innocent smile directed at me.
I’m so glad I came back.
Had I known my nephew would be this adorable, I would have returned sooner.
“I’m so glad Yian takes after his mother. If he took after you, brother, that would’ve been a real problem.”
I joked, and my brother let out a quiet sigh.
“Everyone knows Yian is cute. Now, isn’t it time we talk about you?”
“Oh, is that so? Then where should I start… hmm.”
“Hey. Isn’t it a bit cold to treat your sibling returning after seven years like this? I still… ugh…”
“…Right. Let’s clean up and talk over some coffee. Sit down.”
My brother sighed and got up from his seat.
Hmm.
Since my sibling returned from another world, shouldn’t I show them something?
Luckily, my Skill Archive had some useful skills for this exact situation.
“Brother, I’ll clean up.”
“If you clean, Binna won’t leave me alone. So you wait on the sofa…”
“Cleansing.”
[Unique Trait <Skill Archive – Belua> Activated.]
[This skill is a 1st-circle spell of <Tower of Madness Master – Belua>. Usable now.]
[Using <Cleansing>.]
Whoooosh!
Light extended from my hand, cleaning the dishes on the table spotless.
And that’s not all—once cleaned, the dishes flew back to the shelf on their own.
One of Belua’s countless spells, the utility of our adventuring party, cleansing.
In real life, this is incredibly useful.
Although the original owner of this magic used it differently…
…like erasing the blood of living beings.
“Zwoosh! Zwoosh! Zwoosh!”
Flying dishes had Yian laughing and flapping his hands.
So cute.
Of course, seeing this absurd scene froze his parents for a moment.
I snickered at their stiff expressions.
“You….”
“…Magic? Seongwoo, did you….”
“Why are you so surprised? I haven’t even started my story yet.”
“Samchon! Zwoosh!”
“Oh, Yian. Uncle still can’t control it fully! But I’ll give you a ride.”
I gently picked up Yian.
Being a child, he was incredibly light.
As I lifted him, my brother and Binna followed me like they were in a trance.
We sat on the sofa, and I gently put Yian down beside me.
Where should I start this long story?
Ah, from the beginning seems best.
“I know this may sound insane… but I’ve been in a world called Avalon.”
“Avalon?”
“Simply put, another world. Monsters, Demon Lords, foreign enemies, that sort of thing.”
Both their faces twisted at my words.
A sibling returning suddenly from another world, claiming to have been there—it’s natural to be bewildered.
Expected reaction. Even I wouldn’t believe it all at once.
Still, I decided to tell the truth. It’s the least I could do for those who had been looking for me all this time.
“Really… really hard to believe…”
I spoke with a bitter expression, and my brother sighed.
“No matter how outrageous your story, we’ll believe you. So speak freely.”
“That’s right, Seongwoo. Don’t worry at all!”
“…Okay. Got it.”
Their support eased my tension a bit.
“So, I ended up falling into this world called Avalon…”
I continued telling my story for a long while, until Yian had fallen asleep comfortably.
Very, very late into the night.
4.
In Avalon, I sometimes had nightmares.
I don’t know if it was because of the Queen of Nightmares or the pain I created myself, but in those dreams, I never returned to Earth.
I either died fighting enemies or became mad and wandered Avalon forever.
In any form, I couldn’t leave that world.
Even just before returning to Earth, the nightmares continued.
“Haaam.”
But tonight, I slept peacefully without dreams.
Though I didn’t sleep long because I stayed up talking, my body felt lighter than ever.
Looking around, I noticed the neatly arranged bookshelves.
It used to be my brother’s study, right?
A study with a bed is unusual, but he did that last night.
-
“I thought if there was a place to lie down, maybe you’d come back.”
It was awkward hearing such words from someone who rarely drank alcohol.
I had tormented my brother and Binna for seven years.
So now I must treat them—and Yian—well.
At least a person should have a conscience, right?
With that thought, I opened the door and went to the living room.
It was 8 a.m.
In Avalon, I would have lingered and slept longer, but my brother’s family’s morning was much more diligent than I expected.
“Seongwoo, you awake?”
“Oh, sister.”
“You said you’d call me ‘sister’ like before, right? Honestly, I dislike ‘sister-in-law.’ It feels distant.”
First to greet me was Binna.
“Samchon! Hehe.”
And our adorable Yian, more charming than ever.
“Did you sleep well, Yian?”
“Yay! Samchon! Food! Table!”
“Uncle can’t decipher your code. What could that mean?”
I patted Yian’s head, and Binna laughed aloud.
“I made some sandwiches for you. Today’s Yian’s vaccination day. I thought I couldn’t focus in the morning… Let’s have lunch together later. Okay, Seongwoo?”
My brother truly married well.
Ha, such a good match.
“Time is all I’ve got anyway.”
“Samchon! Value!”
“Hmm, maybe.”
As I pondered seriously, my brother came out from the master bedroom wearing a suit.
Pristine suit and tie, faint scent of cologne.
A complete change from yesterday’s police station appearance.
“Your identity restoration process will be completed soon.”
“Having a lawyer brother is convenient. Nothing I need to do?”
“Some other matters must be handled to enter the Abyss, but they’re not urgent. I’ll schedule them.”
“There’s a trial today, right?”
“Yes. Ideally… never mind.”
He lightly kissed Yian’s forehead and spoke quietly.
“I need to take Binna and Yian to the hospital and go straight to court.”
“I’m an expert at being unemployed, so I’ll pass the time slowly.”
“Here. My work phone. Once your identity is restored, you’ll get a new phone. Use this until then.”
I gratefully took the phone. Civilization at last.
“Do you remember Inseop?”
“Inseop… did my brother and I know an Inseop?”
“You streamed before you were taken to another world. He was a streamer you hung out with.”
“Ah! Of course I remember!”
I remembered. A tanned, friendly guy. I knew he would succeed at anything.
Ah, before I went to another world, he was still minor.
Hearing Inseop’s name from my brother felt refreshing.
“How do you know Inseop?”
“I searched everyone around you. That’s when we connected. He’s an Abyss streamer now, and I help him with legal issues.”
“…Hmm. Is he doing well?”
“His number’s in that phone. Call him later. You don’t have anything urgent, right?”
My brother hasn’t changed. He helped me with my streams even when I had fewer than twenty viewers, and even now, seven years later.
“Yesterday you said I was crazy for streaming.”
“You killed the Demon Lord and foreign enemies in Avalon. Earth’s players are nothing to you.”
“Wow, they really believe that.”
I joked, and my brother and Binna responded simultaneously:
“If we didn’t believe you…”
“Who would believe you?”
The saying “husband and wife are one” is true.
Both glared at me, and Yian copied them, putting his hands on his waist.
So cute.
“Go. Make sure to contact Inseop.”
“Seongwoo, think about what you want for dinner!”
“Samchon. See you later!”
“Have a good day, everyone.”
My family waved as they left.
I memorized their backs in my mind.
“They’re always consistent.”
I’ve returned from another world having accomplished much, but I can’t always rely on them.
Now it’s time I become helpful to them.
And with Yian in mind…
“I need to do my best.”
Responsibility surged.
Originally, I planned to relax for a while after returning, but thinking of Yian, I can’t.
From what I heard from my brother last night, Earth isn’t exactly safe.
Abyss. Players.
Since these two appeared, things have only gotten more dangerous.
[Unique Trait <Interest Disorder> Sealing Release Rate: 10%]
I thought 10% was enough for now, but I changed my mind.
I need to regain my strength quickly.
Luckily, my responsibilities and desires align perfectly.
I need to start streaming quickly.
I’m done being minor characters.
Time to escape the sidelines.
Druuu-ruu-
I found Inseop’s number on the phone and called.
After a brief ringtone, a familiar voice answered.
“-Oh, Jinsung? What’s up this early?”
“Hey, it’s your brother. Inseop, where are you?”
“-I’m preparing for filming. Today’s a big content shoot…”
My voice does sound a bit like my brother’s.
And he naturally wouldn’t think I was alive, so he’s mistaken.
I could clear it up, but I felt mischievous.
Shall I try a prank?
Seeing someone you thought was dead come back—few can witness that.
“Are you busy? I’ll come if needed.”
“-Urgent?”
“A little.”
“-Ah… could you come to the West Seoul Abyss Gate? Usually I’d go to you, but time is tight today. Sorry.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
“-Okay, see you then!”
They must have gotten along while I was gone.
His voice is very friendly.
Even matching my brother’s personality isn’t easy, but he’s personable.
I hung up and quietly checked Inseop’s channel on Mitube.
“Woah.”
[InTube]
Cheerful Abyss broadcasts! Newbie expert instructor!
Subscribers: 790,000
Inseop… you succeeded while I was gone!
Sorry in advance, love you in advance!
I’ll come straw-sucking right now!
