Free Web Novel“Right. It is a bit far. So from now on, since I’ll be staying at the guild headquarters, it will be difficult for me to come home often for a while.”
In truth, once he revealed that he was a purifier and started chasing after the movements of the Great Rift, it would be hard even to come back into Korea, but that was something Yohan decided not to mention here. At his words, Kim Yeju spoke in anxious haste.
“Then I won’t be able to take care of you. You’re so picky about food, you always get hurt so easily, you catch colds every time the seasons change.... And if something troublesome happens, you won’t even be able to rely on your brother for help.”
“But will there really be many things where I need my brother’s help?”
“Your brother, I mean....”
At Yohan’s words about whether he would ever need Yosep’s help, both Kim Yeju and Yang Hwapyeong were struck speechless. They realized only then that from now on it would be Yosep who might need Yohan’s help, not the other way around. Calmly, Yohan continued speaking.
...Truthfully, a little sadness welled up and he felt as if he might cry. But he held back. He didn’t want to deliver what he had thought over for so long while bawling like a child.
“While living in the Abyss, I kept thinking this: no matter what happens in the world, nothing will ever be harder than staying in that place. So I’ll be fine.”
Though his parents cherished Yang Yosep more and always doubted Yohan, perhaps it was just another kind of love. A form of attention given to a particularly frail and bothersome finger. As Yohan spoke, Yang Yosep opened his mouth.
“Yohan is right.”
Startled, Yohan turned to him. Since when had Yosep been backing him up like this?
“We didn’t say it before because we didn’t want you to worry, but raiding rifts is no easy task. And yet, he came back alive from somewhere far worse. From that place where even Lee Hyunmook said his life was constantly at risk. That kind of experience can’t be dismissed.”
Even after hearing such words from her most trusted eldest son, Kim Yeju bit her lip, still trying to persuade Yohan.
“But you’re still... too young to live on your own.... You’re only twenty-three, and you can’t even properly do anything yet....”
Listening quietly to her stammering words, Yohan answered with a bitter smile.
“I’m twenty-four now.”
A year in the Abyss.
Time, which until now had been no more than words or a short phrase, suddenly struck home for them. Yang Hwapyeong and Kim Yeju looked at their son anew.
To parents, a child looks young whether they are thirty or forty. If Yosep looked young in their eyes, then Yohan, the younger one, looked even younger. So small, still so boyish... it felt like he would always need their care. In such a dangerous world, all the more so, they thought they should keep him close, scold him when needed, and at least leave him near his older brother. That’s what they had believed until just recently.
And yet now, why did their second son suddenly seem so grown?
Yang Hwapyeong, who had remained quiet all along, gave a low sigh. Kim Yeju’s throat caught. Both felt a strange emptiness, a pang of loneliness, and guilt. In the chaos of life they had overlooked too many things. They had been disappointed when Yohan became a low-tier Awakener and dismissed it lightly. Even when he became high-tier, they had naturally assumed he would always work beneath Yosep.
And suddenly came the memory of the quarrel just before Yohan ran away from home.
He had come back safe, thank heaven, but what if he hadn’t? Then their last words to him would have been the cruel scolding to at least be half as good as his brother. The thought alone ripped their hearts apart.
“Our Yohan has grown up....”
The alcohol fully worn off, Yang Hwapyeong muttered and reached to pat his son’s back. He had always hoped Yohan would finally mature, but seeing him so calm and dignified now only made him feel sorrow and guilt. Kim Yeju sighed two or three times before speaking in a trembling voice.
“Yes, you’re right, Yohan. ...Thank you, and I’m sorry.”
Hearing his parents’ heartfelt words eased some of the knot that had long been tangled in Yohan’s heart. While the awkward but gentle mood lingered, Yang Yosep rose from his seat.
“If we’re done talking, I’ll go wash up. It’s been so long since I’ve had a warm bath.”
Though he had been purified, he still hadn’t felt water on his body for a long time, and the unease lingered. Humming a tune, Yosep left for the bathroom. In his absence, Yang Hwapyeong let out a long, heavy sigh, adjusted his posture, and asked.
“So, when do you plan ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) to start staying at that guild headquarters?”
“In a week. That’s when the construction finishes.”
“You can’t stay a bit longer before going....”
Kim Yeju’s voice was filled with regret. Yohan wanted to rest for a month or two, but the desire to act with Lee Hyunmook and the others was stronger.
‘Besides, by then the news articles about me will probably be released....’
According to Lee Chanha, the reporters were desperate to uncover the identity of the other returnee—Yohan himself. If so, his family would inevitably be dragged into the chaos. That left him no choice but to commute from the guild building. And more than anything, he needed to be there to respond immediately to rifts or the Great Rift.
“I’ll stop by home when I get the chance.”
“Should we buy some furniture for you?”
“Oh, no. They’ll provide all that. I just need to bring a few clothes....”
As Yohan spoke with his parents, ding-dong! The doorbell rang. Startled, Yang Hwapyeong looked to Kim Yeju.
“Dear, are we expecting anyone?”
“No, and Yosep wouldn’t invite guests in this condition.”
Again, ding-dong! Ding-dong! The bell rang nonstop. Worried that it might be Park Seungmin returning to spew venom, Yohan stood up.
“I’ll go check!”
Out of habit, Yang Hwapyeong almost stopped him, then remembered his son was no longer just a civilian, and flinched. As Yohan went to the door, he frowned. There were too many presences outside—definitely not civilians. All of them felt like Awakeners.
What is this? Could it really be Park Seungmin again? Doubting, Yohan asked through the intercom. freēwebnovel.com
“Who is it?”
—We are from the Rift Management Agency, responding to a contamination report. Open the door.
“......!”
A contamination report! Judging by the timing, this could only be Park Seungmin’s doing. Adding one more grudge to his list, Yohan answered calmly.
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
The Rift Management Agency’s suppression forces were known for being harsh and violent. After all, those they subdued were dangerous, and families often resisted. Since they would force entry anyway, Yohan decided to open the door himself to spare the door from being broken.
“The Rift Management Agency, you say?”
Yang Hwapyeong’s face twisted in anger. Kim Yeju’s expression hardened as well. Both immediately guessed who had reported them.
Gesturing for his parents to stay back, Yohan opened the door. A squad of suppression agents stormed in, all clad in black suits and helmets that concealed their faces. Some carried guns, putting Yohan instantly on edge. One of them barked in a harsh voice.
“Is Yang Hwapyeong here?”
“I’m Yang Hwapyeong. What is this about?”
His tone was rigid. The agent scanned the home, gaze lingering on Yohan. He measured the young Awakener’s potential threat, then, judging him not too dangerous, spoke bluntly.
“We received a tip that Awakener Yang Yosep, heavily contaminated by Agency standards, fled to this house. We require your cooperation for a search.” freewebnovёl.ƈom
Yang Hwapyeong’s face turned red with fury. To make matters worse, they had barged in without removing their shoes in the early morning.
“Hey, wait a second. How can you just storm in and demand a search like this—”
“Refusal to cooperate may result in arrest. Be advised.”
This was the infamous power of the Agency’s Special Suppression Division. They had authority to search homes without warrants, based solely on a report. If resisted, they could arrest, detain, and even press charges. Even false reports left households ruined without compensation. Yang Hwapyeong was about to argue fearlessly despite facing Awakeners when—
“Father? What’s going on?”
Of course, even while bathing, Yang Yosep couldn’t miss the ominous presences. At once, he understood why the suppression unit had come. Boldly, and wearing nothing but underwear, he stepped out. Yohan scowled, deeply displeased for another reason.
Great, now I need my eyes purified...
