Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Yoojin never thought he would meet another version of himself, nor would that version be a woman.

“I’m sorry…” Yoojin muttered, still in shock. “What?”

The female Yoojin sighed. “Come on, there’s little time left. I’m trying to save my universe.”

Yoojin just blinked at her. He had trouble remembering anything before he arrived in this universe. He had just recently stopped feeling dizzy and nauseous.

He hoped his brother hadn’t witness him disappearing. Han Yoohyun could over react so much when he vanished in front of him. Like the time in the dungeon when the system summoned him out of the blue. Han Yoohyun had burned everything down.

“Hey! Send me back! My kids are going to freak out if I’m missing.”

Female Yoojin’s eyebrow ticked. “You… you haven’t listened to a single thing I said.”

“I was just yanked out of my universe. Do you think anyone would pay attention after something like that happened to them?”

Female Yoojin rubbed her temples, straight black hair falling over her shoulders. “Clearly, you’re from a primitive universe to have such a reaction to portal travel.”

Now it was Yoojin’s turn to become annoyed. “How would you feel if someone suddenly dragged you away like that?”

She smirked, looking far too arrogant with nearly an identical face. “I am a high skilled apothecary and an apprentice mage, little boy. Portal travel is no grievance to me.”

Apothecary? Was that what they called hunters in this world—wait!! ‘Little boy?’ Did she really just call him that? Wait—?

“Are you taller than me?” Yoojin asked, aghast.

She jut her chin up with a mocking smile. “I can't believe someone who could be mistaken for me is such an imbecile. Listen, I’ll simplify this for you. There can only be one of us in a universe at a time, and I am switching places with you so I can find an ingredient that can save my world. If you have questions, address them to my apprentice Yerim. And stay in the shop.”

Yoojin’s fist clenched at the onslaught of insults. “You drag me away from my kids and expect me to just wait for you to return—”

“Heed my warning.” She stuck her finger in his face and moved so close he could smell the faint herbs fragrance from her hand. “Do. Not. Leave. The. Shop.”

Light burst around her, and the familiar feeling of a portal filled the room. Yoojin had to turn his head away and cover his eyes from the blinding light. When he looked back, she was gone, and he was alone.

“Yerim?” Did she say Yerim earlier?

Yerim poked her head out of the doorway. “Mister, you called?”

Yoojin jumped and squeaked from the surprise but he dashed toward her. “Yerim! Did you get dragged here too?”

Yerim tilted her head. “Dragged where?”

“To this universe!” As Yoojin looked Yerim over, he frowned. Was this some kind of new fashion? She wore a beige tunic and strange looking trousers. She didn’t have the same muscles or aura of the S-rank huntress he had gotten used to over the past few months. Her hair was a much brighter shade of blue and… was she shorter?

Yoojin used his skill [Promising Scout (S)].

Bar Yerim~ This person is under your influence […]

Yoojin stared at the […]. That wasn’t how it read back home. He looked down at Yerim. Was this not the same Yerim? If there was a female version of himself here, could this be this universe’s version of Yerim?

“Oh.” Yerim looked at Yoojin in fascination. “You look so much like my Unnie… but so different at the same time. Are you shorter?”

Yoojin tried to brush the comment off and asked, “Are you from this universe?”

“Yes. I work for Unnie in her shop.”

“Shop?” Yoojin finally looked around. Yerim excitedly showed Yoojin the shop. Wood walls like a cabin and lots of shelves filled with health potions. There was even a round table with a fortune teller’s crystal ball.

“Welcome to the love shop!” Yerim said in delight. “Unnie is the best crafter of love potions within the Five Kingdoms!”

Yoojin stopped in his tracks. Did she say love potions? Were those legal? Did they actually work? They didn’t exist in his world.

Yerim explained that none of the bottles on the wall were healing potions. They were all love potions.

Fury overflowed inside him. How dare that female doppelgänger try to act so smug. She was nothing more than a hack! What did she mean she was trying to save her universe? Yoojin was going to give her a lecture when she got back.

In fact, he would not wait for her at all! He was going to go home now! He just needed to figure out how.

“Mister?”

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.”

“Did Unnie not explain why she switched places with you?”

“No. She just left!” Yoojin left out the fact he hadn’t been listening. But if it was really important, she wouldn’t have just left without clarifying.

“Huh? That’s not like Unnie. She explains her instructions and love potions very carefully.” Yerim touched a hand to her lips and her brow furrowed in deep thought. Yoojin thought she might be younger in this universe, like thirteen or fourteen. She looked much smaller. “Did Unnie say anything?”

Do. Not. Leave. The. Shop.

Yoojin glanced at the front door. Why would she give such an order unless it would mess up her twisted plan to keep him here? Maybe if he got far enough away from the shop, he could break the connection to her and get back to his kids before they noticed he was gone.

“She did,” Yoojin said to Yerim with a friendly smile. “She told me to go into town.”

Love Curse

Yerim said Yoojin’s clothes looked strange, and he would stick out unless he changed. But all of Yerim’s clothes were too small and Unnie only wore dresses. He ended up wearing a large cloak and pulled it over his head.

The town was a half day’s walk and left Yoojin exhausted and sweating.

After they entered the little town, Yoojin notice something strange about the atmosphere. It felt like he entered a cutesy cake store that was filled with the toughest looking bikers on the planet.

Each building was built with colorful bricks and beautiful architect designes. Bright banners connected between roofs, and the sun’s ray against the stain glass windows left the street festive with lights. But all the people dressed in dowdy colors and either glared or scowled as they walked past. On second glance, Yoojin noticed the colorful buildings were dingy and in need of a cleaning, and every banner was torn or tattered.

Yerim bought them meat-on-a-stick from a vender and they ate while they walked. The meat was hard to bite through and had no flavor.

A few ladies stuck their nose up at them and turned in the opposite direction.

“What’s up with everyone here?” Yoojin nearly spat the meat out of his mouth after ripping a bite off. It was like chewing on cardboard.

“What do you mean?” Yerim asked as she gnawed at the meat stick. “This is the nearest village.”

“Yeah, but what’s with the cold shoulder everyone is giving us?”

“Oh, that’s probably the love curse you’re noticing.”

He looked at her. “Love curse?”

She nodded, almost biting through the stick. Yoojin took it from her and pealed the meat off so she could eat without choking.

“Yes, it’s probably the love curse,” Yerim said. “I’m not sure when the curse started, but it blanketed the world. The Five Kingdoms called it a drought of love.”

“How can there be a ‘drought of love?’ Love doesn’t come from the sky like rain.”

Yerim shrugged. “That’s just what they called it. No one had any love in their hearts anymore. No one cared about their partners, families, or friends. Couples broke up and abandoned their children…”

A looked crossed Yerim’s face, and Yoojin stopped in his tracks. No. Surely not. No one would abandon Yerim.

“Yerim…?”

She shook her head and smiled. She looked adorable. “I was taken in by Unnie, er… um, I mean… I guess you took me in. This universe’s version of you. And I got to experience love. Do you know if there is a Yerim in your universe? I bet she would like you.”

Yoojin nodded. Yerim was Yerim. No matter what universe she was from. No matter if she was smaller, younger, or had different colored hair.

“I’m your legal guardian in my universe. It makes me happy to know you’re being taken care of. I love Yerim no matter what.”

Yerim laughed. “Unnie—er, I mean, mister—You shouldn’t confess like that. People here will think you’re weird. But...” She looked up at him, smiling wide. “I appreciate that deeply. It’s nice to know I’m loved no matter what.”

A system window flashed in front of Yoojin’s eyes.

Huh?

Bar Yerim~ This person is under your influence [<3]

Huh?

What did ‘<3’ mean?

“Anyway,” Yerim continued. “The love drought began effecting the economy too. No one was getting married or having kids. No one opened any new businesses or followed their passions anymore. You would think entire kingdoms were uninhabited even if hundreds of people lived there.”

“It’s hard to believe the lack of love can destroy cities like that,” Yoojin murmured. He never thought love was so important, even with his keyword skill. Maybe his skill wouldn’t work here because of the drought. He pulled up his skill window and…

[HOLD PLEASE]

HUH!?!

It flickered for a moment before appearing.

[Perfect Caregiver… KEY WORD UNABIVLABLE]

Yoojin expected this but still… unbelievable. NEWBIE, YOU BETTER BE WORKING TO FIX THIS!!! DO YOU HEAR ME YOU DAMN VOLLEYBALL!?!

He sighed. It wasn’t like he planned on saying “I love you” to anyone anyway. He checked his other skills and the only one that looked different was Terrifying Hatchling Teacher.

[Terrifying Hatchling Teacher: Limited]

Limited? Limited to what? Uses or number of people he could use it on at once? Come on, Newbie! Can’t they put more effort into something that might save his life?

Yoojin looked around the crowd and tried the skill, to no avail. Then he looked at Yerim and found a connection. Was it because this was Yerim, even if it was in a different universe? Or because of the ‘<3’?

He checked his other skills, and they all showed up correctly.

“After the economy took a hit, the crops started drying up,” Yerim said.

“What? How does love affect crops?” But Yoojin remembered reading an article that said plants grew better when talked to and cared for. How much did love really affect?

Yoojin finished stripping the meat for Yerim. He had given her his as well, because she looked a little scrawny.

“With no crops or livestock, there came a water drought as well. One of the Five Kingdoms fell during a war. Now the kings are all fighting each other and rarely protect the land anymore. Now you can’t travel outside the city because of all the crime, bandits, and monsters.”

Yoojin was deep in thought when Yerim added, “And everyone in this town hates Unnie.”

He had noticed the sharp, intolerable looks the villagers gave them. So, it was like this no matter where he went. Before he regressed, people hated him. And now people either tried to kidnap or kill him. He asked Yerim why people hated him here.

“Because of her failing love potions.”

“Do love potions actually work? Wouldn’t they just be like a drug to force someone to fall in love unwillingly? Isn’t that bad no matter how you look at it?”

Yerim shook her head. “Unnie’s potions do so much more! Even though she’s only an apprentice mage, she’s an amazing apothecary.” There was genuine merriment in Yerim’s eyes as she talked about her, and it warmed Yoojin’s heart.

“Her potions could give people back their passions and joys for their hobbies! Fewer children were abandoned and people started cleaning up the town. People loved their work again. There were weddings! Crops were growing. Not many could do what Unnie could.”

Yerim looked down, dejected, as her eyes filled with shame.

“But something happened recently and all her potions failed. She’s scared the drought is spreading. I wish I could help her.”

Yoojin knew nothing about love potions. This world was too different from his own. He wondered if he could ask the system for help—

“Hey, why doesn’t she ask for help from one of the Kingdoms you mentioned? If she’s the only one who can make potions that effective, then they should try to help her.”

Yerim thought about it. “No, she can’t reveal herself. She always said it would be bad if people discovered her real identity. She goes by ‘The witch of the forest.’ If anyone asks your name, don’t give it. And keep that hood up. No one else in this region has black hair and black eyes.”

He couldn’t even say his name? What kind of trouble had female Yoojin gotten into?

SQUUUUUEEEECH

Yoojin whirled around. “What was that?”

No one else reacted, but Yerim pressed closer to Yoojin. “Oh, the town’s scouts probably caught some meat.”

Yoojin looked at her. Hadn’t she said there was no livestocks? What did they use for meat then? And what could make that monstrous sound? Or… wait… meat? What exactly had he just eaten???

Blue

Yoojin ran down the dirt street and rounded a corner, coming face to face with the sight of—

“BLUE!” Yoojin shouted. The mistreatment of his precious monster set his blood boiling. Two scouts in leather armor held down the angry griffin with a wired net while others stabbed her with spears.

They pinned down Blue’s blood matted wings and she could barely lift her head. Her bright blue eyes clouded with rage as she tried to bite and claw at the scouts.

“Blue!” Yoojin sprinted toward his precious monster when Yerim snatched him back.

“Are you crazy, Mister? What do you think you’re doing?”

Yoojin looked back at Blue. “That’s… I have to help that monster!”

He turned on [Promising Scout (A)].

Blue~ This monster is under your influence […]

The same thing with Yerim. Yoojin looked around the crowd, but the message didn’t come up for anyone else.

Yerim shook her head furiously. “Mister, stay away from monsters. They’re dangerous. Since the love drought, monsters have been growing humongous and attacking villages. This is a good thing.”

A good thing? That was his kid they were hurting!

“Yerim! Um, that’s not a dangerous monster… that monster came with me from my universe!”

Her eyes widened. “Are monsters good in your universe?”

“Umm, some of them… Well, Blue is! And I have to save her.”

Yerim glanced at the scouts. “But how? They’ll never let her go. They won’t believe you.”

Yoojin looked back at the scouts. He wouldn’t stand anyone treating one of his kids like this.

He couldn’t fight them and no one would believe him that Blue was good. What could he do? He looked around for something to use.

His eyes settled on Yerim. “Hey, how loud can you shout?”

“HELP! DRAGONS! DRAGONS! DRAGONS ARE ATTACKING!”

The scouts lifted their heads as the villagers started running in chaos, screaming and shoving people out of the way. One scout drew his sword and call the other scouts to charge.

Yoojin waited until they left and sprinted over to Blue.

Good job, Yerim!

Blue opened her bright eyes and lifted her head as Yoojin approached. He lifted the heavy net off her—

SQUUUUACK!

“Ahhha!”

Blue struck out with a sharp talon and swiped Yoojin across the chest. He fell backward. Already blood was dripping down his clothes. He gritted his teeth. It hurt, but it wasn’t a fatal wound. Blue squabbled when the heavy net trapped her again. She tried to stretch her large wings but only ended up scratching up the ground.

Yoojin rose to his knees and crawled forward. Blue’s eyes widened, and she tried to shrink away.

“Hey, why did you do that suddenly? Don’t you recognize a little F-rank? You could’ve really hurt me.”

Blue tried backing away, enormous eyes staring up at Yoojin. His poor kid was shivering in fear.

“It’s okay, Blue. I’m going to set you free, but don’t hurt me this time.”

Yoojin intentionally didn’t use a health potion. He only had four. But he wanted to show Blue how hurt he was and how little of a threat he posed. Yoojin lifted the net with bloody hands. He heaved it over Blue’s head and called the large flying mount out. Slowly, Blue stepped out of the confines of the net. When she stood to her full height, Yoojin had to raise his head up to see her. She inclined her head and stared down at him curiously.

“Mister!” Yerim came running around the corner but froze at the sight of blood.

Yoojin quickly raised his hand, telling her to stay back. “I’m okay, Yerim—”

Blue lowered her head to Yoojin’s neck and sniffed. The warm air rushed across his whole body and caused him to shiver. He reached up and wrapped her head in his arm, almost reflectively holding his little monster like a kid again. “There you go, girl. You’re safe now.”

Koowww

“Mister?”

Yerim inched closer and raised her hand. Yoojin warned her to be careful. Blue cocked her head at Yerim, and let her touch him. She petted his feathers and smiled. “So soft.”

“Hey! It’s the witch of the forest! She’s releasing the beast!” The scouts returned.

“She has gone mad! Stop them!”

“Kill the beast!”

“Kill the witch!”

Yoojin pulled out a health potion. He was glad his inventory still worked. It was the first time he checked and it would have been bad if he couldn’t get to a potion. He used half of it on the wound and drank the rest.

“Blue, fly away—Whoa!”

“Mister! Ahhhh!”

Blue bit Yoojin’s cloak, trapping it in her beak. She flapped her wings and raised into the air. Yerim held on to her back and Yoojin was almost strangled by his cloak!

They both screamed while Blue took off with them. The scouts shouted, and drew their bows, but Blue was already too far gone.

Four to Five Little Setbacks in a Row

Yoojin was on all fours, heaving and trying not to throw up again. He touched his bruised neck and tried to swallow. He wanted to use another potion but decided to save them. He only had three left. The impromptu flight was more bumpy than Yoojin imagine. Looked like Blue had no rider’s experience.

Yerim squealed in joy and hugged Blue. “Ahh, Blue-ya, I’m sorry I ever doubted you! I never met a monster as beautiful and marvelous as you! That flight was incredible!”

Kawww!

Blue let Yerim nuzzle her while Yoojin slowly regained himself.

Blue~ This monster is under your influence [<3]

There was that little ‘<3’ again. Yoojin wiped his mouth on his sleeve and looked around. They were in the woods now and far away from the town. Hadn’t Yerim mentioned monsters?

He looked around and didn’t see any and his fear resistance warning didn’t pop up either.

When he turned back to them, Blue was raising her wing over Yerim’s head and petted the young girl like a dog. Blue was just curious, and Yerim didn’t seem to mind. He was glad he could rescue Blue, but he touched his chest. The potion healed the wound, but there was still a cut in his blood-stained shirt. He would have to be more careful. Just because he recognized the doppelgängers in this world didn’t mean they recognized him.

Yerim giggled and hugged the griffin’s soft underbelly. “Mister, I was so worried when your griffin attacked you. What happened?”

“Umm, yeah… well, I… I came at her too fast when she was hurt. I must have startled her.” Even as Yoojin spoke, he pulled Yerim away from Blue. “Be careful, she could still be spooked. Don’t get too close.”

“But she looks fine now.”

Yoojin examined Blue closely.

Kawww?

The griffin tilted her head from side to side and seemed to smile. Blue was in need of a bath. The blood had stiffened her feathers together and mud coated her legs. Yoojin hadn’t given her a bath since she was a juvenile so it would be hard now that she was the size of a truck.

Maybe they should go back to the witch’s cabin.

Kaawwwww!

Blue lifted her head, and Yoojin followed her gaze. “Oh, a deer.”

“A deer?” Yerim echoed. “I’ve never seen fresh game. I bet it’s tasty.”

The deer grazed in a clearing. Yoojin wasn’t an expert with earthly animals, but it was much larger than he imagined a deer to be. It didn’t look like it noticed them.

“Yerim, are you sure it’s not a monster?”

“No, monsters are big.”

“That deer is bigger than me.”

“But you’re smaller than Unnie.”

He glared at her. He wanted to make it perfectly clear he wasn’t smaller than her. She was just big.

Blue lowered her head like she was going to charge at the deer.

Yoojin put his hand on the monster to stop her. “Hold on, you’re a flying monster. You’re too big to sneak up on that thing, and you can’t win in a footrace.”

Blue just looked at him with big, clueless eyes.

“Hmm, maybe I should ride her and catch it with her,” Yoojin wondered out loud.

“Do you know how to ride monsters?” Yerim asked.

“A little.” He had ridden a lot of mounts as of late, but it wasn’t his strength. He put up with it to teach Noah to fly or help the monsters grow faster.

“I’ve always dreamed about being able to fly in the clouds. Will you teach me, Mister?”

“I can—”

Yoojin quickly stopped when the deer lifted its head. Shoot, had they been too loud?

[Activating {Fear resistance} !]

What? Now? Why?

GRUAANNNCCCCHHHHHHH

The deer screeched a horrible sound as the ground shook with tremors and nearly knocked Yoojin and Yerim off their feet.

The deer pivoted and took off in a sprint but not before a colossal beast shot up through the ground, swallowing it whole.

Yoojin and Yerim clutched each other, screaming as the monster erupted above the trees. It was taller than the Eiffel tower and wider than the three of them, standing arms’ width apart.

Its pale skin glistened under the sun. Like the shine of a snake’s skin. It wiggled like a worm, but instead of a pointed face, it was just an inner void of spiraling teeth.

GRUANHHDHHHHHHDHHH

“What is that?” Yoojin screamed as Yerim gripped his arm.

The large worm shifted and rushed down at them. Yoojin and Yerim ran, Blue holding up the rear. If that worm got near them, it would swallow them in one go!

“Yerim! Hold on!” Yoojin grabbed her around the waist and heaved her on top of Blue. “Blue, don’t let her fall!”

GAGGUUHHHHHHHHHHHH

Before Yoojin could jump on, he tripped while avoiding the worm as it dived behind him. The worm smashed into the ground and buried into the earth quicker than a drill only to shoot back up in front of him in seconds. The worm headed for Blue.

Yoojin lifted his face out of the dirt and ignored his aching bones. He waved his arm in front of Blue and ordered her to take off.

“Mister!” Yerim’s and Blues cries faded in the sky and the worm crashed down once again. The worm screeched as its prey evaded him. After a few heartbeats, the worm finally turned its teeth filled face towards Yoojin.

GAGGUUHHHHHHHHHHHH

“Are you kidding me?” Yoojin took off in a dead run, and the worm chased after him. It shook the earth each time it dived into the dirt and shot back up in front of Yoojin.

He was going to get eaten unless he did something!

There! Off to his left was a cliff. Yoojin couldn’t outrun it, so he headed to the cliff. The worm shot up again, too close for his liking. Dirt and rocks rained down on him.

“Hey! That hurts!”

Yoojin ran with all his might toward the cliff. What he wouldn’t give for Yerim’s flying skill, Yoohyun’s Willow Leaves, or even to have Noah with him right now so they could fly away.

GAGGUUHHHHHHHHHHHH

“AHHHH!” Yoojin leaped off the cliff and turned his damage nullifying bracelet—Yoo Eunhye (L)—to a much higher setting. He prayed for a soft landing, but didn’t get his hopes up.

He fell into a river. Water filled his mouth, and he struggled against the strong rapids. Lungs burning and head spinning, Yoojin struggled to keep his head above the surface. Because of the bracelet Yoo Eunhye, the damage was much less than it could have been. But it did nothing for the slow feeling of drowning.

The rushing water slammed him into the jagged rocks and tossed him around until he was dizzy. After a long struggle, he crawled onto the riverbank.

Heaving with exhaustion, he rolled onto his back. He really should have just stayed at the witch’s cabin.

He sat up, soaking wet and covered in bruises. Should he take a health potion or ration them? He still had three but what if this world didn’t have potions? Not that he had any money to buy them with.

SNAP

Yoojin froze. His heart leaped at the approaching footsteps. He quickly threw on the hood from the cloak.

“Well, well, well,” a deep, familiar voice said.

[Activating {Fear resistance} !]

Yoojin looked up, and his eyes widened. He was in the middle of a bandit’s camp. Surrounded by bonfires, tents, and misshaped cooking stands.

Was this universe out to get him or something?

The bandits circled around him. There were about twenty of them and he could see more in the camp. Yoojin’s eyes locked on the man in front.

“Choi Sukwon?” Yoojin gasped at him like seeing a ghost. He couldn’t breath. He stepped back and nearly stumbled back into the rapids. Choi Sukwon was dead! But… was that just in his universe? Seeing him still boiled his blood and sent his heart into a panic.

Choi Sukwon grinned. “It looks like my reputation is more vast than suspected. By the looks of your dark hair and eyes, you must be a member of the Haeyeon empire.”

Yoojin’s rapid heart rate settled a bit. It wasn’t the same Choi Sukwon so he wouldn’t know Yoojin. But was black hair and dark eyes really that rare in this world to only live in a single empire? One glance around the crowd proved that to be true.

Choi Sukwon looked back at the other bandits. “Looks like a wealthy bounty just stumbled into our camp.”

A loud cheer came from the men, and the jeering laughter sent chills down Yoojin’s back. What were the odds they were good guys in this universe?

“Umm, I know I might look like I’m from Haeyeon, or whatever you called it, but my eyes aren’t black, they’re actually—”

Choi Sukwon pulled the sword off his hip and raised it to Yoojin’s neck. Yoojin swallowed, staring at the sharp blade. Damn it—He was just an F-rank. Was this necessary?

“Someone grab a magic sealing bracelet,” Choi Sukwon said. “Haeyeon pays well for their citizens to be returned.”

“Of at least the pieces of them,” the bandits snickered.

Yoojin’s eyes widened as he looked around the laughing crowd.

“They can’t use magic without their hands,” one said to another. “We don’t have to waste a bracelet if we cut them off.”

“The Haeyeon negotiators get nervous the more body parts they receive. It’ll double our earnings.”

“Or if we threaten to sell him to one of the other Five Kingdoms.”

Yoojin tried clearing his throat and put on a friendly smile. Surely ransom wasn’t the only thing he was good for. Maybe he could find out more about this universe through them.

“H-how about you let me leave unharmed and we can start a friendship with mutual trust and respect?” Yoojin said. “That could raise your reputation with Haeyeon and I promise to give you a big reward—ugh!“ He sucked in a breath when Choi Sukwon slid the blade against Yoojin’s neck. He felt blood drip down his skin. His stomach dropped and knees felt weak. The bandits burst out laughing.

“Reward? He doesn’t even have a weapon on him!”

“Did you lose your coin purse in the river?”

The men laughed at Yoojin’s poor appearance and he swallowed down his agitation. Then he noticed something. Did these men not have an inventory? Everyone wore their weapons, satchels, and carried their other items.

Choi Sukwon calmed down his unruly men. “That’s kind of funny. I didn’t think Haeyeon’s people had a sense of humor. I could keep you around as a jester.”

Yoojin glared at him. Ha. Looks like Choi Sukwon was an asshole in this world, too.

“Well, I try to leave a good impression on everyone.” Yoojin forced himself to smile, but couldn’t stop staring down the edge of the blade. There wasn’t anywhere he could move while it was at his neck.

One bandit laughed and handed a bracelet to Choi Sukwon. But it was a shackle. Not a bracelet. “Be careful of his magic, Leader Choi Sukwon. Haeyeon is known for powerful magic users ever since their new king took the throne.”

Yoojin frowned and studied the shackles. “Did you say magic? Not skill? Like hocus pocus, spells, and brewing potions?”

Choi Sukwon paused. “Did you hit your head in the rapids?”

Yoojin felt dumb. Like really dumb.

These weren’t hunters like in his world. They didn’t even have an inventory! That could mean Choi Sukwon wasn’t a S-ranked hunter.

Yoojin risked it and used [Hidden Puzzle (A)]

A collective gasp went up as Yoojin’s invisibility skill took effect.

“He vanished!”

“What’s going on, Leader Choi Sukwon?”

Yoojin held his breath while Choi Sukwon stared at him with wide eyes. If it didn’t work on him, then he was never getting out of here. But suddenly Choi Sukwon blinked and his eyes moved rapidly across the riverbank, completely skimming over Yoojin.

Yoojin sighed, but Choi Sukwon’s eyes darted back to Yoojin. He raised his sword and if Yoojin hadn’t ducked, he would have been a pill of ash.

A heat resonated from Choi Sukwon’s sword and blasted across the river back, the clearing and the cliff on the other side, cutting a huge indent in both.

Yoojin trembled as water and dirt sprinkled down on him. Looks like Choi Sukwon was still a S-rank… or the equivalent of one here.

“Search the area!” Choi Sukwon shouted. “FIND HIM!”

“Yes, Leader!”

“Get the mages over here and searched the field! He couldn’t have gotten far, even with a powerful spell. Get the magic detecting items!”

Yoojin studied how the magic worked for a moment. It seemed like some people were swordsmen, like Choi Sukwon, or a magic user like a mage. Yoojin’s skills didn’t use magic, so they couldn’t detect him.

The two mages looked at Choi Sukwon with a panicked expression. “W-we can’t detect any magic here.”

Choi Sukwon raised his sword at them. “You have five minutes to find him.”

Yoojin cringed. Why would anyone work for a man like him? He felt bad for the mages, but he wasn’t willing to reveal himself for them. He moved around Choi Sukwon and headed into the camp.

They kept treasure chest, weapons, and various potions in the center of the camp and Yoojin almost drooled. So many valuable looking items.

He lifted a potion and frowned. What?

He shook it and held it up to the sun.

Um, hello, system window!? Tell me what this is!

But no information about the potion popped up. Was Newbie even working on fixing the…

Yoojin froze.

He glanced back at the mages who begged Choi Sukwon for mercy and realized exactly how dumb he was.

They couldn’t sense his skill… any more than he could sense magic. The system windows he relied on in his universe didn’t exist here.

It was like trying to mix oil and water. Eventually, they would separate. Yoojin was surrounded by piles of items, but without the system window, he didn’t know if he was holding a health potion, a stamina potion, or a love potion. Was this sword F-ranked or SS-ranked?

Ughhhhh! This was so frustrating!

But at least his inventory was cleared. He hadn’t been planning to go into a dungeon anytime soon, so he had it emptied. He grabbed everything he could and would figure it out later. That’s when he heard a scream.

“Knights! Knights are coming! Arm yourselves! Prepare the barrier!”

The mages threw their arms up and four points of the camp lit up like a square. Illuminating lights flickered in front of him like a magical barrier between the bandit’s camp and the charging knights on horseback.

One of the knights raised their hand to the sky and threw what looked like a fireball at one of the pillars before the barrier had time to close. The fire erupted around the pillar and knocked it out, causing the rest of the barrier to fade away.

Choi Sukwon started shouting orders, but not everyone was brave enough to stay and fight.

“Those are the Seseong knights! Run!”

“If I catch anyone running,” Choi Sukwon shouted, “I will strike them down myself. Stand and fight. The king isn’t even with his knights!”

The knights bulldozed into the camp, swords came out, and more magic and fire shot all around. The knights wore a red and gold crescent moon insignia that looked kind of familiar.

Yoojin needed to run. He was still F-rank and some of the magic felt dangerous, even from a distance.

He took a step back, but tripped over a fallen weapon. His hood fell off his head, and he hurt his wrist. It broke Yoojin’s connection with his invisibility skill. He was revealed while he was surrounded by half a dozen knights.

The closest one jerked around at the noise and stared.

“Umm… h-hello, Knight-nim, I was just leaving. I’m not with them. I p-promise.”

The knight squinted at Yoojin but luckily lowered his sword. Yoojin let out a sigh of relief, but he heard the knight muttering to himself. “Black hair, black eyes, red earrings…”

Yoojin blinked at him. Wait… hadn’t Yerim warned him that people were looking for his female doppelgänger?

“HAN YOOJIN!”

Fuck.

The other knights turned and stared. It even caused the bandits to stop. Shit. What had the female Yoojin been doing to cause this much trouble?

Yoojin got up and ran, but the knights were quicker and dragged him off his feet. They swiftly captured him.

Choi Sukwon got away, and no one went after him. They all stared at Yoojin. What the hell was so interesting for them all to stare that much?

They kept glancing at him. A few whispered, “are you sure that’s Han Yoojin?”

He tried to convinced anyone that would listen that he wasn’t, but that just made them look even more confused. In the end he was locked in cover wagon with his hands tied in front of him.

Even though he was in a wagon, the ride was hellish. The wooden seats on the uneven road made every bump a nightmare. He would rather walk at this point. How far were they going?

All he could see was from a bit of tattered cloth. Every now and again, a shadow from above would fly over, but he couldn’t look up high enough to see what it was. He hoped Yerim and Blue were doing okay.

Yoojin wished the knights would stop during the night, but he heard them talking about a monstrous worm chasing their trail. That damn worm was still after him?

One of the knights was nice and shared his rations with Yoojin. It was dried, tasteless meat and bread. But it was the only thing he had all day, so he thanked the kind knight.

He watched through the tear as they left the forest and entered another town, except this one was huge. They passed a small city checkpoint. The dirt road turned into cobblestone and he could hear merchants and other people talking.

The carriage rocked over a drawbridge and Yoojin peered up at the large stone walls of a castle. A real castle. He wished he could show Yoohyun. It was his first time seeing something so magnificent. Even the royalty of his home world would be envious.

Yoojin sighed. He wished he could see his brother. He looked down at his tied hands. It wasn’t the first time he’s been treated like this but it just made him miss Yoohyun even more.

Don’t worry, Yoohyun-ie. I’ll be home soon.

He noticed one last thing. The four corners of the castle’s outer wall had the same markings as the barrier that the mages put up at Choi Sukwon’s camp. Of course, if Choi Sukwon could afford mages who could do that, then so could the ruler of this massive kingdom. The barrier must be used to keep out monsters or intruders.

Yoojin was excited to get out of the carriage and stretch his legs. Then one knight approached Yoojin with something like a collar. He glared at the knight, but that didn’t stop him from putting it on Yoojin. At first, he thought it was an inventory sealing collar, but since they didn’t have inventories, it was most likely a magic sealing collar.

Yoojin’s hood had long since fallen off, and he couldn’t get it back on with his hands tied. He kept getting weird looks and double takes from the knights.

What had his doppelgänger been doing to deserve those kinds of looks? He was used to getting looks back in his universe, but there was something eerie about the way they looked at him here. Like he was forgetting something.

They led him to a massive throne room, and a familiar voice stopped him in his tracks.

Yoojin lifted his gaze to the familiar golden eyes of Sung Hyunjae.

 “What took you so long?” Yoojin asked.

Chapter Text

Yoon Kyeongsoo looked at the tall demon in front of him. His cloak covered his body. No matter how hard Yoon Kyeongsoo tried to get a closer look, the thick shadows covered the man’s face. He was trying to stay hidden for a reason, and Yoon Kyeongsoo couldn’t understand why.

“All I need to do is kill Han Yoojin, and you’ll give me the power to defeat the remaining Five Kingdoms? Why would I believe you?”

“Even if I’m lying,” the dark shadowy figure said. “Han Yoojin’s death will tilt the balance of the kingdoms. I’m offering you an opportunity to get ahead. I cannot force you to complete this task, but you will still receive my help and powers. It’s entirely up to you if you use them correctly. Don’t you want to rule the Five Kingdoms?”

Yoon Kyeongsoo laughed. “King of the Five Kingdoms. I like the sound of that. No, wait. Should I be called an emperor? Or a god?”

Yoon Kyeongsoo continued to laugh long after the mysterious man left. The foolish demon had gotten the short end of the deal while he now had the immense power to be a king of kings. He called in his page. “Summon my assassins. I have a simple job for them.”

Yoojin looked up at Sung Hyunjae’s tall frame, dressed in a ridiculous black tunic with a golden sash and a crimson cloak. Why did he look so good, even in these clothes?

Now that Sung Hyunjae was here, Yoojin wanted to shout for him to hurry and get him out of here! He was worried about his brother and kids. Surely he had been gone long enough for them to notice he was missing. And they would worry. And he was sick of this medieval world!

Sung Hyunjae sat on a throne in front of a large stain glass window. Everything around him looked like it was made of gold.

He rose from the throne, and Yoojin noticed something was wrong. Sung Hyunjae’s eyes weren’t the same. They were the same piercing gold eyes that he remembered, but there was something different. He always looked a little bored with life as a man who had everything, but now it was worse. He practically looked lifeless.

Sung Hyunjae step forward, then stopped, more like froze. Yoojin didn’t know the arrogant guild leader could make such an awkward expression.

It wasn’t until then he noticed Song Taewon standing behind him. “Oh, Song Taewon-ssi! Hi!” He tried waving, but his hands were still tied.

The dark color tunic looked much better on Song Taewon and made his chest look bigger. But why was Song Taewon staring at him like that? It was similar to Sung Hyunjae. Everyone here had been giving him strange looks. Was there something on his face?

But also, why were Song Taewon and Sung Hyunjae dressed like this? Were they here messing around while Yoojin had been fighting for his life?

Sung Hyunjae looked back at Song Taewon. “Are you sure this is her?”

Her?!?

“What?” Yoojin’s cheeks flushed. Did they not recognize him? What kind of joke was—

Yoojin’s jaw dropped. Did they think he was a woman? Because of his female doppelgänger?! Was that why all the knights were looking at him funny? Just why did he have to be a woman in this universe? Why was everyone else the same—?

Oh no…

Yoojin snapped his jaw closed and nearly stepped back. This wasn’t Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon.

Yoojin had forgotten. Just like how this universe’s Yerim wasn’t the one he knew back home. Or how this universe’s Blue attacked him instead of recognizing him as his dad. This wasn’t the same Sung Hyunjae or Song Taewon. Embarrassment and loneliness weighed on Yoojin and he had trouble looking anyone in the eye. He had gotten too excited seeing Sung Hyunjae that he let his guard down.

Even though they looked exactly the same, he did not know these people.

“The knights reported that this is Han Yoojin, Your Majesty,” Song Taewon said.

And Sung Hyunjae was a king?!?

Didn’t he already have a big enough ego?

Sung Hyunjae looked back at Yoojin with such an amused expression. He was almost laughing.

“Han Yoojin, this is… really surprising. Did one of your love potions go wrong? Should I call the royal physician to check your condition?”

Yoojin’s hands balled into fist. He fought down calling this man—this king!—a bastard. This was humiliating, no matter how he looked at it. Them thinking the female Yoojin had lost control of her power and was now a man. Or them thinking Yoojin was a girl who just looked like a man.

What to do?

None of the knights believed him when he said he wasn’t Yoojin, even though he was a man. He didn’t think he could convince Sung Hyunjae he had the wrong person.

Would they believe he wasn’t from this universe? Or think he was crazy and lock him up? Considering how obsessed Sung Hyunjae was with him in his home universe, telling him the truth wouldn’t help him escape.

Okay. New Plan: play the part of female Yoojin, not draw Sung Hyunjae’s interest, and get out of here/get home quickly.

He took a deep breath. He could do this. He was a confident female mage. He could act, damnit.

“That is none of your business, Sung Hyunjae,” Yoojin said assuredly. “I’m a very busy mage. I hope you realize I charge by the hour to be here and shop gossip is an additional fee. Unless you want to lose your wealthy castle in bills, I suggest you untie me, so I can be on my way.”

Song Taewon’s jaw dropped, and one of the nearest knights drew his sword. “How dare you speak to His Majesty like that!”

[Activating {Fear resistance} ! ]

Before the knight could step forward, Sung Hyunjae raised his hand, laughing.

Yoojin blinked at the knight and the warning message from the system. Was he really going to kill Yoojin over some joke? He turned to the smug king. Yoojin hadn’t thought of how dangerous this bastard was now that he had complete control over an entire kingdom.

Chills prickled at his spine. Yoojin wanted to step back in a panic. Could his legendary fear resistance protect him against Sung Hyunjae? He didn’t want to think what this lunatic would do without Han Yoohyun or the Association to keep him in line. Yoojin had to get out of here quickly.

Sung Hyunjae finally stopped laughing and stared at Yoojin. “You won’t even share your gossip with the King?”

Yoojin had trouble swallowing. After the laughter faded from Sung Hyunjae’s eyes, the remnants of boredom returned. Was being a king really so tedious, Sung Hyunjae?

“How can I share anything with a king who treats his guest so rudely? Tying them up and putting weird things on their necks? No one even offered me a refreshment. Is your kingdom so poor you can’t even give me water? Maybe if you treated me better, I’d think of lowering my fee, but you’re still far from hearing gossip.”

Song Taewon looked nervous for Yoojin. It was another pang in his chest. He felt alone. What he would do to talk to the real Song Taewon right now.

He wished his female doppelgänger had given him a better warning about this universe.

Sung Hyunjae stared at Yoojin for a long moment. It felt like Song Taewon and the knights were holding their breath. Eventually, Sung Hyunjae tilted his head. “The first time we met, you bowed to me. Now you refuse my request? What’s changed?”

Well, for one, they had never actually met before, but why would female Yoojin ever meet a royal? And why would she bow to this jerk? And two… was he supposed to? Was it too late to bow now? Should he just bow anyway?

Sung Hyunjae waited for an answer.

Yoojin shrugged. “Like I said, shop gossip cost extra. And you can’t afford it.”

He wasn’t sure why, but Sung Hyunjae’s eyes seemed to light up with excitement. It was a dazzling richness that wasn’t there before. “Alright, Princess Yoojin. I like slowly unravelling secrets as well.”

Yoojin blinked. Did he just call him a princess?

He felt part of his brain stop working as he tried to work that out, and his legs almost collapsed.

He just thought his doppelgänger was a mage! Why was she a—a princess? Did he have to act like a princess, too? Should he curtsy? If she was a princess, why did she bow to Sung Hyunjae? Weren’t they equals? What were the rules here?

Did he need to curtsy to Song Taewon, too?

He didn't know how to curtsy.

Yoojin felt dizzy. For a few seconds, the room spun, and he feared he would pass out. It was… a lot to take in.

Yoojin’s eyes flicked to the stained-glass windows as a shadow shot across. The same shadow he saw while in the wagon. He didn’t have time to wonder what that was before Sung Hyunjae approached him.

He wanted to keep his distance, but Sung Hyunjae was too imposing and stepped closer. Yoojin had to raise his head to see him.

“You seem pale, Your Highness. Are you alright?”

“D-don’t… don’t call me that, Sung Hyunjae.”

Yoojin noticed Song Taewon flinched every time he called Sung Hyunjae by his name. Was there something else he was supposed to call him? In his home universe, he called him Guild Leader Sung Hyunjae… should he be calling him His Majesty like everyone else?

“Summon the royal dragon riders,” Sung Hyunjae ordered Song Taewon. “Send a message to the King of Haeyeon. Tell the young king I’ve found his…” He paused and looked at Yoojin. “Sister?”

Yoojin glared at him—wait. If Yoojin was the sister of the King of Haeyeon, then—

“Yoohyun-ie?” Yoojin perked up. Yoojin wasn’t falling for it again. This universe’s Yoohyun wasn’t his Yoohyun. However… “How is he? Is he doing well?”

Yoojin couldn’t help but beam with pride. Of course, his adorable little brother was a king. Probably had a way better castle than Sung Hyunjae. And was nicer to his guest.

Sung Hyunjae pursed his lips. “You seem rather enduring toward your brother. I wouldn’t have guessed your relationship stood on good terms. Especially after he enforced the heir presumptive law.”

Yoojin blinked. Not knowing what that was, but he had to pretend he did. “It’s not that bad.” He smiled. “I trust my brother with enforcing the law. As long as Yoohyun is happy. He is happy, right?”

“You seem to have adjusted well,” Sung Hyunjae said after a pause. He seemed hesitant to say, “Being removed from the line of succession wasn’t ‘that bad?’”

Line of succession? Did Yoohyun kick Yoojin out of his life in this universe, too? What was wrong with that kid? Yoojin’s hands balled up, but he tried to not let the irritation show. Where had he gone wrong raising his brother?

“Yes,” Yoojin said, a little annoyed this time, but it didn’t matter to him if he became king… queen or not. “Yoohyun-ah is doing well?”

Sung Hyunjae continued to look more confused. “You don’t seem aware of the news from your kingdom, Your Highness. Have you gone so far into hiding you haven’t heard of the recent war?”

“What?”

Sung Hyunjae nodded. “Terrible casualties. Fortunately, your brother survived the siege and defeated one of the Five Kings.”

“Is my brother okay?”

Sung Hyunjae studied Yoojin’s eyes. “For now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hmm,” Sung Hyunjae frowned. “Have you not seen any of the armies preparing? While Haeyeon is recovering, the other kingdoms are preparing for war. With the curse over the land spreading, the only way to end it is for one of the Five Kings to rule the empire. Since none will compromise and allow someone else to rule over them, war is the only option.”

“You’re—you’re going to fight my brother over some stupid curse?” Yoojin would have punched Sung Hyunjae if he wasn’t tied up.

Sung Hyunjae brushed Yoojin’s hair off his forehead. He flinched and stepped back.

“You seem to have bumped your head, Princess.”

“Don’t call me that,” Yoojin snapped, but his head stung. Did he hit his head when he jumped off the cliff, when that worm chased him and he fell, or when he tripped at Choi Sukwon’s camp?

“It’s interesting.” Sung Hyunjae frowned. His fingers brushed the welt on Yoojin’s forehead. “I’ve not seen you since the five kingdom’s courts conjured at the royal curia regis but you seem different. Is it more than just your appearance that changed?”

Damn, this asshole was perceptive. But it wasn’t like Yoojin knew what he was doing. What did ‘court’ mean? Tennis court or court of law? Yoojin could picture him and Sung Hyunjae getting into a lawsuit over mistreatment.

The injury over Yoojin’s forehead must have been worse than he thought, because it took up all of Sung Hyunjae’s attention. He told another man to summon the doctor. Sung Hyunjae looked at the knights who escorted Yoojin. “Where did you get such an injury? It wasn’t caused by one of my knights, was it? They seem to have forgotten how to treat royalty.”

The knights flinched and more than a few sank in on themselves.

“We…we found her as a prisoner in a bandit camp… none of us would hurt Her Highness, Your Majesty.”

Sung Hyunjae rested his hand on Yoojin’s shoulder and seemed to wait for an answer. When Yoojin offered none, Sung Hyunjae’s grin only grew.

“Another secret?” Sung Hyunjae said. “Seems like we will spend a lot of time reacquainting. I’m sure you will be a great leverage over your brother.”

“You want to run that by me again?” Yoojin jerked away and felt the first embers of fury boil in his stomach. Was Sung Hyunjae serious about going to war with his brother?

Sung Hyunjae grinned. Apparently, he found Yoojin amusing rather than threatening. “Considering how the love drought affected Haeyeon the worse, and your brother’s injuries. It shouldn’t be that hard to conquer Your Highness’s former kingdom. Especially with the perfect hostage.”

Yoojin stared at him. His. Brother. Was. Hurt?

Yoojin’s jaw clinched. Like hell he was going to be used against his brother. He knew this wasn’t his brother, but it didn’t matter. With female Yoojin failing her role as a caregiver, Yoohyun only had him. Yoojin would never let his brother down again. Not in any world, timeline, or universe.

“No,” was all Yoojin could say while his blood boiled.

Sung Hyunjae paused, then smiled, nearly laughing at Yoojin again. “Are you in any position to object?”

The faint shadow over the window caught Yoojin’s attention again. He struggled not to let Sung Hyunjae notice. This bastard might be just as observant as the Sung Hyunjae back home, but Yoojin couldn’t keep the massive grin off his face.

“As a matter of fact, I am.”

Yoojin reached up to yank the magical sealing collar off his neck, but Sung Hyunjae stopped him. His fingers entwining with one of Yoojin’s tied hands. The disappointment on Sung Hyunjae’s face wasn’t the reaction he expected.

“I heard you were only an apprentice mage,” Sung Hyunjae said, “but surely you know better than to remove the collar so recklessly. Do you want to lose your magic?”

Considering he didn’t have magic, he didn’t care. Yoojin tore his hand out of Sung Hyunjae’s and stepped back.

He smirked, feeling his expression darken. “Sung Hyunjae, tell me how my position looks now.”

Yoojin yanked on the collar.

Huh? He pulled at the collar again, expecting it to fall off, but he couldn’t rip the thin material. Not even with his Manticore Leather Gloves (A) that increased his stamina and strength. It felt like fabric, so he didn’t think it would be this sturdy.

While he tried with all his might, a knight snickered. He looked up to see Sung Hyunjae’s lips twitch upward.

His face started to burn. He briefly wondered why he even bothered to remove the collar when it didn’t affect his stats, but it felt personal now. Yoojin cursed and opened his inventory. He chose a knife he stole from Choi Sukwon’s camp and it appeared with a flash of light in Yoojin’s hand.

Instantly, Sung Hyunjae’s eyes widened, and a collective gasp filled the room. Sung Hyunjae stepped forward to stop him. Yoojin angled his body away and slid the knife under the collar. The fabric sliced.

Yoojin had spent enough time around Sung Hyunjae to know what lightning and thunder looked like. But what burst from the collar wasn’t lightning. Yoojin sucked in a breath as a bolt of blue and black electricity shot through him. It flung upward, slicing through the ceiling and stone.

Large sparks of black lightning struck through him. Yoojin braced for the pain, but nothing happened.

Sung Hyunjae covered his face and stepped back, but his wide eyes locked with Yoojin. That’s when Yoojin realized exactly how dangerous his actions were. If it stunned Sung Hyunjae… Yoojin would try to be more careful in the future.

Another bolt shot through Yoojin. The electric current banged, crackled, and exploded loud enough to make his ears ring. A single bolt stretched from one side of the throne room to the other, and another danced around him like a wild storm. It didn’t feel like anything.

Even the wind left a breeze against Yoojin’s skin, but this was nothing. It was a light-show at best. A light-show that tore up the marble floor, shattered the windows, and caused the knights to retreat in terror.

Like water mixing with oil. Eventually, one will rise to the surface. Yoojin didn’t belong in this universe, and this was proof. Magic didn’t work on him, and skills didn’t work in this world.

This was useful in this exact situation, Yoojin thought with a wicked grin. He quickly cut the rope around his wrist and threw the collar at the knights. The storm seemed to follow the collar.

They shouted and backed away from it, giving Yoojin a clear path to the exit.

Yoojin used [Hidden Puzzle (A)] and turned invisible before he ran. The knights shouted. “How does her magic still work?”

“Call the head mage to stop the magic surge!”

“Find Princess Yoojin!”

Yoojin nearly reached the door of the throne room when he heard something whistle through the air.

CHRASSHHHHHHHH

He ducked and covered his head. Stone rained down on him as the ceiling gave way. Yoojin lifted his head and saw the golden Refined Seeker’s Chain cut through the stone like butter. They even had the same weapon?!?

What was that ass doing? Destroying his own castle because he couldn’t get his way?

Yoojin scrambled to his feet, but stumbled over the broken stones. The smaller pieces crushed under his shoes, but the larger skirted away when he kicked them. It caused a lot of noise.

He made it through the open doors when one end of the Seeker Chain wrapped around his legs and yanked him back. Yoojin slammed against the floor. He lost concentration of his invisibility skill and dropped the knife.

Yoojin turned his head and glared at Sung Hyunjae as the chains dug into his leg and dragged him back.

That damn perceptive bastard! He knew Yoojin was invisible and destroyed the ceiling to track Yoojin’s movements through the debris! Judging by how skillful the Seeker Chain caught his leg, Sung Hyunjae was the equivalent of an S-rank here.

Yoojin caught a glimpse of Sung Hyunjae’s expression through the chaotic, black lightning. He did not look happy.

Yoojin ground his teeth and tried to grab onto something. He was so close to escaping! “That hurts, asshole!” Yoojin shouted as sharp stones cut into his arms and legs. “Are you trying to kill me?”

For a moment, the chains stopped and loosened around his leg. Not enough for him to pull out.

In a panic, Yoojin raked through his inventory and the things he stole from Choi Sukwon’s camp—potions, weapons, and unknown items—and threw them. One of them had to do something to help!

He threw an item that looked like a Rubik’s Cube, and a flock of blackbirds flew out. No one seemed to notice it over the screams and streaks of black lightning still destroying the throne room. And the birds did nothing.

Yoojin took a blue sword and hit the chains, but it shattered like thin ice on impact. Why did Choi Sukwon have this? He continued to throw items. One of them had to do something.

An amulet did nothing.

A silver bracelet rolled away.

A red crystal flickered like a dying candle and vanished like smoke.

A potion hissed and sizzled on the floor—wait, potions don’t sizzle—

KUBOOOOOOOMMMM

What the fuck was that?! An explosion?! He thought it was a potion! Imagine if he had tried to drink that! He hated this world! Who puts a bomb in a potion bottle?

His ears rang from the explosion and he couldn’t see through the thick smoke and dust. Luckily he had Yoo Eunhye, his damage nullifying bracelet, otherwise he would be a stain on Sung Hyunjae’s rich marble floor.

The floor cracked and gave out from under him. The floors, walls, and ceilings crumbled, swallowing Yoojin like quicksand. He dropped through the floor and the chain slipped off his leg.

Yoojin swore as he fell through several more floors of this crappy castle. Just because the damage was nullified didn’t mean it didn’t hurt to be crushed by stone!

Fuck this world. Yoojin hated it! He hated Sung Hyunjae and his stupid castle, too. He especially hated his female doppelgänger. Why didn’t she give him some kind of warning?

Yoojin banged into a basement and braced for the upper four floors to all crash down on him. Yoo Eunhye did not protect against suffocation or being buried alive. Hopefully, Sung Hyunjae would dig him out in time. But that wasn’t necessary. A large stone landed on the hole Yoojin fell through. It sealed the entrance.

He sighed in relief and fell limp. His body wanted to pass out. Every bone ached, and his body protested moving.

Lesson learned. Not to use items from this universe. But why would someone put an explosive in a potion bottle? Where the other potions also explosions too? Since the system didn’t work on them, he couldn’t verify.

That only left him with the ones he brought with him into this world. He took one of his potions and felt much better, but he only had two left. He had used half of them in a single day.

Yoojin stood and almost shouted in glee. It looked like he had fallen into some kind of weapon vault. Filled with many wonderful items, weapons, and bombs.

Bombs.

Yoojin thanked Sung Hyunjae for his generosity and started stuffing bombs into his inventory. He knew he just swore off using items from this world, but bombs were universal. Weren’t they?

His plan was now clear. He was getting out of here.

The castle was rushing with knights, servants, and mages. All of whom were looking for him. As long as he stayed away from Sung Hyunjae and maybe Song Taewon, he was confident no one else could detect him while invisible.

He walked right around mages using a magic detecting spell, but a lion made eye contact with him. Were guard dogs too weak for a king that he needed guard lions?

Yoojin saw a door open and sunlight shine in. He sprinted to it.

He faced a large fountain, maybe the size of a semi-truck, and a luscious garden surrounded by towering walls. How big was this castle to have a garden so huge he could barely see the other side?

Where was he? He had tried every door, hallway, and staircase. Sung Hyunjae was going to find him because he was too stupid to find the front door.

Yoojin racked his hands through his hair and wanted to shout his grievances with this world.

A shadow cast over him, and he looked up.

“Blue?” Yoojin whispered. He could barely make out the speck in the sky. He reached out with [Terrifying Hatchling Teacher: Limited]. He could feel Yerim’s hands gripping her feathers for stability, the air under her wings, and he could see the layout of the castle.

Yoojin smiled, spotting himself in Blue’s vision. He was in one of four gardens. The castle was a massive square shape with four magical barrier pillars. He remembered the pillars from Choi Sukwon’s camp and suspected Blue couldn’t get closer because of them.

He turned and rushed back into the castle. At least he knew where to go now. He kept the connection with Blue so he could track them. Plus, having the sky view of the castle wasn’t bad either.

There was a kind of balcony on the battlement of the upper walled part of the castle. It was the only part above the tower’s barrier where Blue could pick him up.

Yoojin headed to a corner and found the tower with the magical seal, and dropped all his bombs. He thought of it as a contingency plan… or a goodbye gift for Sung Hyunjae.

Don’t mess with other people’s precious little brother.

Yoojin was about to place the last bomb when he heard voices. He put it back in his inventory and hid until the three guards walk past. This pillar didn’t feel safe anymore, so he ran across the castle to the other end.

Why was this place so big? The run left him breathless and sweating. He looked up at the long…loooonnggg stairwell. Seven floors. Yoojin hated Sung Hyunjae. He was probably too important to walk on his own, so he didn’t understand what burning calves felt like.

Yoojin reached the top and a fresh breeze whisk by him. He rubbed his sore backside and had no more energy to—

CHRASSHHHHHHHH

Yoojin flinched, stepping back and covering his face from the flying debris. Golden chains destroyed the balcony. He jerked around and faced Sung Hyunjae.

Not even Blue had spotted him!

The Seeker’s Chain coiled around Sung Hyunjae’s arm. The shot had been a warning. He was a crack shot with those chains. Even if Blue could rescue Yoojin, none of them could hold off Sung Hyunjae.

Yoojin spread his arms to show he didn’t have any weapons and stepped back. Sung Hyunjae stepped forward.

“You’ve gotten much further than I would have imagined, Princess.”

Yoojin scowled. “Don’t call me that. Ever!” He took a step back and hit the edge of the walkway. He glanced down, and his stomach turned from the height.

“Princess?”

“Stop it.”

The arrogant king took a step forward, and Yoojin stepped on the raised railing. He threatened to jump if Sung Hyunjae came any closer. It worked. Sung Hyunjae stopped.

“You’re already covered in injuries,” Sung Hyunjae said calmly, but he lowered his arm and the chain slithered out. He was covering his ends, and Yoojin knew it. “Come to me. I will have someone heal you and give you a nice tower to lock you up in.”

Was that a tempting offer to anyone? Yoojin glared at him. He was a pompous bastard, for sure. He glanced back down at the long drop.

He didn’t think the damage nullifying bracelet could handle another fall. Yoo Eunhye didn’t last forever. After a while, the bracelet would run out of power.

Yoojin’s head lifted. Someone in Blue’s vision distracted him.

Was that thing still chasing him?

The Seeker Chain scrapped over the stones and Yoojin almost lost his balance.

“Am I boring you, Princess?”

Yoojin bared his teeth. “Call me that again, and I’ll—”

KUBOOOOOOOMMMM

Yoojin lost his balance as the bombs went off. His heart leapt into his throat as he almost tumbled off the edge. He fell forward, scraping his arms. When he lifted his head, he met Sung Hyunjae’s gaze as the rippling explosion took out one of his towers.

He had hoped to be miles away when they went off. Looks like he didn’t set them right…

Sung Hyunjae didn’t move or flinch as a corner of his castle went up in flames, then crumbled down into black smoke.

His face was perfectly blank and too intently focused on Yoojin. At least say something.

The magical barrier around the castle flickered, then vanished. Yoojin pushed himself back up to his feet and stood over the edge again. He threw his arm over the edge, waving as if to get something’s attention.

“Princess.”

“Ha ha. I don’t suppose you’d believe that was a coincidence?” Yoojin asked.

Sung Hyunjae stepped forward, and something shimmered in his eyes. He never looked away from Yoojin, and something dark and possessive shone over his face.

Hey, what was with that look? Yoojin couldn’t tell if he was angry or not. If anything, he should thank Yoojin for showing him that life wasn’t all boring.

He franticly waved his arm over the ledge, all but jumping and shouting, ‘here I am.’ If you had followed me all this way, then this was your chance to get me! What was taking it so long? The chain moved closer.

Sung Hyunjae raised his hand. Yoojin paused, staring at it.

“What is it?”

“Your position. It isn’t too promising, Princess. Take my hand or I’ll have to carry you.”

“My position is fine,” Yoojin shouted. He waved his hand over the edge. Come on! Take the bait.

“It won’t look good if I have to carry you in my arms.”

Like that’s stopped you before.

The chains inched closer, and Yoojin had to step to the side. Damn it. “If you so much as touch me, I will destroy your precious castle. Be the king of nothing.”

Sung Hyunjae stepped closer, and Yoojin had nowhere else to go.

“My sweet princess. Haven’t I been nice? You can trust me.”

“This is you being nice?” Yoojin shouted in surprise. His words broke off in a gasp as the chains flew at him.

GRUANHHDHHHHHHDHHH

The castle shook again, and Yoojin swung his arms to keep him from falling backward. The walls trembled, but it wasn’t from an explosion.

The damn worm that had chased Yoojin off a cliff erupted into the air. Yoojin barely made it out of its trajectory before it fell on the castle. It landed between him and Sung Hyunjae, causing the king to take several steps back. Yoojin had to run to keep up with the landslide of the crumbling wall.

GAGGUUHHHHHHHHHHHH

The worm burrowed deeper into the castle and took out more walls and another tower in its mindless pursuit of Yoojin. It also took out Sung Hyunjae’s chain and left a deep trench between them. Perfect!

“Hey, Sung Hyunjae!” His voice was weak and tired. His body hurt and his lungs burn from exhaustion. But he forced himself to stand and backed up to the edge of the wall.

Sung Hyunjae looked away from the destruction of his home and his bewildered gaze landed on Yoojin.

Yoojin spread his arms wide like a cross.

“Tell me what my position looks like now,” he hissed through a clenched jaw.

Then he pushed back.

The air of the fall was the first thing he felt.

Yoojin would have given a fortune for a camera at this moment. He had surprised Sung Hyunjae not once, not twice, but three times since meeting him and this expression was the best.

While Yoojin fell off the high wall, Sung Hyunjae’s eyes widened and his mouth opened as if to protest. It only made Yoojin’s smile widen. There was nothing Sung Hyunjae could do with the distance between them.

The look vanished as Yoojin descended below the wall. Air rush by but it felt like time had stopped.

“MISTER!” Yerim screeched.

KAWWW

Blue snatched him. Talons securing him in his clutches before taking off into the sky.

“AHHH!” Yoojin shouted. “Blue, Not so rough! Yerim, please fly more gently. I’m about to throw up!” Yoojin grabbed onto Blue’s legs. He didn’t realize how badly he was shaking until he tried to hold on to something. Maybe that was too close of a call. He would try to be more careful from now on.

“Mister, are you mad?” Yerim shouted. “What were you thinking? If Blue hadn’t changed course at the last second, you would be smashed in the ground!”

Of course Blue caught him. He was still sharing the Teacher Skill with her. But if Blue would have tried to rescue him too soon Sung Hyunjae would have easily defeated the young monster. Then they would all have been captured. Yoojin wiped his sweaty palms on his pants and climbed behind Yerim. He settled against her and took over, holding the heckles of Blue’s feathers to steer.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t rescue you sooner, Mister. The knights were always watching you. Then we couldn’t get in the castle because of the barrier.”

Yoojin patted her on the head. “You did amazing, Yerim. This is why I love you so much.”

She smiled widely and looked so adorable, but then her eyes darted away and the smile vanished. “Oh, no! Mister! The Seseong kingdom’s royal riders!”

“Eh?” Yoojin looked where Yerim pointed. Seven black dragons took off from a large stable balcony. They quickly rose into the air with riders dressed in matching dark armor.

“Mister, the Seseong kingdom is known for their air dominance! They have the best riders in the world.”

Of course they did.

Yoojin groaned. He had no doubt it was Kang Soyoung. Oh, this was bad. Yoojin had raised several flying mounts, but he wasn’t as experienced flying as Kang Soyoung.

If they captured Yoojin after everything he had done… He didn’t think Sung Hyunjae would be nice anymore. He hoped Sung Hyunjae found him interesting enough to not kill him right away.

Yoojin could spot Kang Soyoung from her long, flowing blonde hair and the way she rushed ahead of the other riders.

“Blue!” Yoojin shouted, barely avoiding the charged dive Kang Soyoung took at them. Yoojin got a very close look at the dragon’s claws as it swiped at Blue.

Yoojin wrapped an arm around Yerim as the griffin whirled out of control. His grip on Blue’s scruff was the only thing keeping them from a long fall.

Yoojin and Yerim screamed as the griffin rolled sideways and another dragon came at her. Yoojin turned, but already there was another rider blocking their path.

Yoojin barely got a glimpse at Kang Soyoung’s dragon when it bit a handful of feathers off Blue’s wings. Was that Comet?

Yoojin couldn’t check as another dragon nearly collided with them and they had to whirl around.

“Mister, look out!”

“Blue, dodge!”

Yoojin hadn’t noticed until the riders surrounded them, but they had trapped him. Blocking their every direction and slowly closing in on them so one of them could grab Blue and force them to land. Their formation was too precise to be a coincidence. They were well trained in air battles.

Blue rolled again and barely missed two riders. She lost a little blood and more feathers. Yoojin’s stomach launched from all the swift twist and turns, and Yerim clutched his arm.

At the end of the spin dodge, two more dragons waited on the other side of the formation. Blue had to roll again, and that boxed them in tightly.

Fuck! Yoojin had let himself get captured.

“Mister! What do we do?”

Yoojin bit his lip, and Blue heaved. His baby monster was getting tired while the other riders looked sharp. Yoojin had never seen such coordinated maneuvers before and had little experience flying back home.

He had only had one dragon on dragon air battle before, and it was nothing like this. He only had experience raising monsters who could fly, not actually flying.

He tried using [Terrifying hatchling teacher (S)] on Kang Soyoung but it didn’t work. Crap, he never used the keyword on her, so it didn’t work in this world.

But he had said it to Comet. He used [Promising Scout (S)].

Comet~ This monster is under your influence […]

Yes! Yoojin turned on his Teacher Skill. Comet skimmed the air slightly, fighting off Yoojin’s skill.

[Dragon Slayer (L)]

[Launchitas Natural Enemy (SS)]

Double the effectiveness of all skills against a Launchitas. Yoojin felt an ache in his head, but Comet wasn’t able to shake off Yoojin’s ability. Kang Soyoung’s soft words filled his ears. “What’s wrong, baby? You’re not flying straight.”

Aww, even in the middle of a battle and a love drought, Kang Soyoung loved her dragon so much. He was so glad he trusted her with Comet.

But along with hearing and seeing what Comet experienced, he also knew her next plan. He linked Comet with Blue and they dodged the next flyby.

Yoojin smiled. Thank you, Comet. You’re a good little monster.

“Blue! Up!”

Blue pulled her wings back. With a forceful wave, she shot straight up.

Yoojin could hear the confusion in Kang Soyoung’s voice as she shouted coded orders at the other riders. Yoojin recognized the codes with Comet’s knowledge.

They began their chase and Yoojin realize he had already won.

Blue swung her wings again, and they took off even higher. Icy wind hit them and Yerim shuddered. He tried pulling her tighter, providing her with warmth, but the further Blue raised in the atmosphere, the colder it became. The dense air was harder to breathe, and his fingers became stiff.

Blue struggled to fight her way higher, the straight angle working against her natural ability to create wind currents and glide on them. Beneath them, the other riders pursued, creating a tight ring under Yoojin’s position.

Yoojin could feel the response from Comet. As soon as Blue swayed in any direction, the riders would overtake them. It wasn’t possible to maintain a high altitude for long, so they spread out. Ready for Yoojin in any direction. They were truly amazing riders.

They were too close for Yoojin to sling shot over them. He was technically faster at a higher altitude, but Blue was already exhausted.

Yerim and Yoojin were shivering now. He had to take a deep breath to fill his lungs with dense, icy air. He was even feeling light-headed.

Blue’s wings flap helplessly, but it was almost useless against the heavy air.

Through chattering teeth, Yoojin said, “Just a little more, Blue.”

KAWWW

She took another powerful thrust with her wings, but she trembled from the force. He checked back in on Comet. They had perfectly surrounded them, a perfect position for Yoojin. Now!

“Blue! Halt!”

Blue Spread her wings out, stilling in the air a moment before she naturally swept down by gravity. One second of weightlessness. One second of peace.

“Blue, use [Wind Master]!”

KAWWW!

Blue snapped her wings close in front of her. A large gust of wind formed like a cannon. Slightly different in this world than in his home universe, but it punched through the sky and flung them backward.

The rush of air slammed Yerim and him forward, causing them to bang their heads together. They zipped past the riders, slipping right past them because of their widespread formation. Strategically speaking, it was worse to be below them. They had the high ground and the extra altitude gave them better speed for dives and helped them conserve energy.

But Yoojin wasn’t done yet.

“Blue, Again! [Wind Master]!”

KAWWW

Another burst of wind shot forward. The sudden gust of wind sent all the dragons and their riders into an out-of-control spiral, disturbing the air current they rode on. The riders shrieked as they tried to get their mounts under control.

Using Blue’s ability hurled them backward. Sending them back toward the earth at a gut-wrenching speed. Yoojin struggled to hold on to Blue’s scruff and turn her around so they didn’t die on impact.

KAWWW

Blue cried out and tried to extend her wings to slow down. The crushing rush on her feathers made moving hard. The sharp wind cut Yoojin’s face and stung his eyes. “No, Blue! Hold it in.”

“Mister! What are you doing?”

“Hold on, Yerim!”

The ground was getting closer at a rapid speed. The air was lifting Yoojin and Yerim off of Blue. Yoojin’s fingers bled as he struggled to hold on. One hand clutching a handful of feathers, the other arm holding onto Yerim.

KAWWW

“Not yet, Blue!”

Not even the fear resistance window showed up as the prickle of terror tickled his spine and made it hard to swallow.

“Mister!” Yerim shrieked as they dropped lower than the walls of the castle.

“Now, Blue! Fly!”

KAWWW

Blue spread her wings and the air current caught under her feathers. With a slight tilt of her wings, the air lifted Blue so naturally into the air with no work at all. The current shot Blue up. She glided on the wind as graceful and beautiful as any bird. Blue was a true master of the sky.

The inertia they had gained from the fall fired them so fast they launched above the other riders in altitude miles away. Yerim’s terrified yells turned into screams of excitement. Yoojin guess this was the equivalent of a rollercoaster for her. It’s probably why he felt sick.

“WOOO-HOOOO!” Yerim cheered! The wind in their faces definitely felt like victory.

He looked over his shoulder. The only rider who had recovered was Kang Soyoung. But she was so far back, and Comet was drained and disoriented. Yoojin knew from the Teacher Skill that they couldn’t make up this distance.

Blue was exhausted, but she needed to hold out a little longer for them to get away.

Yoojin looked back at Kang Soyoung one last time. He cupped the side of his face and shouted. “Hey, Kang Soyoung! You’re still the best dragon rider in the world! And you too, Comet. I love you, girl!”

Comet~ This monster is under your influence [<3]

That was interesting. He thought he figured out how his skills worked in this world, but he would need to test it out more.

Yoojin took one last look at Seseong kingdom and thought he still saw a tiny figure in red next to one of the destroyed walls.

He flipped Sung Hyunjae off and it felt good.

Yoojin readjusted his hold on Blue and said to Yerim, “Now, how do I get to my brother’s kingdom?”

“Your Majesty?” Song Taewon was nervous approaching Sung Hyunjae. But the king hadn’t moved since Yoojin jumped. A sight Song Taewon had only seen from a distance and still couldn’t get over.

Han Yoojin had smiled when he fell. Like all of this had been planned, and nothing anyone could have done would have stopped him. But how was that possible? Never had he seen a warrior or mage able to stand against Sung Hyunjae, let alone an apprentice mage.

Song Taewon still couldn’t believe everything he saw the princess do today.

“Song Taewon. Did the princess, a twelve-year-old, and an untrained griffin out maneuver the best riders on the continent?”

Taewon hesitated. A wrong word could have the squad executed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty!” A knight ran up a tower, out of breath. “T-The armory has been robbed! We’re still checking, but we’re missing fifteen bombs. We think they’re what was used to destroy the eastern tower, but we’re not sure who took them.”

“Oh, I know who took them,” Sung Hyunjae said.

“…” Taewon wasn’t sure what to say. “What should I tell the riders when they land?”

Sung Hyunjae finally turned.

“Tell them to ready themselves for travel. My little princess needs to be brought back.”

“… bring her back?”

Sung Hyunjae smiled and if Song Taewon hadn’t had known him for years, he would have mistaken the look for happiness. But something darker resided in his eyes.

“Why have I never realized Princess Han Yoojin was so interesting?”

“It may be better to leave Her Highness alone.”

Sung Hyunjae clicked his tongue like Song Taewon was being ridiculous. “Now. How could I ignore such an explicit invitation?”

“Invitation?”

Sung Hyunjae spoke as he walked down the crumbled walls of his castle. The monster worm had burrowed into the earth and chase after Yoojin as soon as he disappeared, but the damage was substantial. The magical barrier was down, a tower was destroyed, the weaponry was robbed, and the throne room was demolished.

“Han Yoojin invited me to see her position. I’ll gladly witness what she has to show me, and if she can’t prove her position I’ll have no choice but to bring her back. Isn’t that the case?”

“I don’t think…”

Sung Hyunjae touched his shoulder, the smile only growing. “Ready my carriage. I know exactly where she is headed.”

Choi Sukwon laughed as he spotted the griffin in the sky. “Found you, you little gold mine.” Choi Sukwon wouldn’t let that bounty of the Haeyeon’s missing princess get away.

He shouted at his remaining men. “Let’s go, that griffin is riding low and we can catch up in two days! We’re going to be living the high life after this, boys!”

The bandits cheered, grabbing their gear for the long journey.

Poor Haeyeon kingdom. Choi Sukwon smirked to himself. He had heard of how protected the King was over his dear sister. Even if their relationship had ended in forcefully breaking the succession and Han Yoojin running away.

He doubted the king would simply pay a ransom for his sister and let Choi Sukwon get away with it. No. That wasn’t like the king of fire at all. The only sensible option was to capture the princess, claim the reward, and kill Han Yoojin.

No witnesses.

Chapter Text

Yoojin, Yerim, and Blue laid sprawled in a field, overtaken by exhaustion and hunger. The midday sun felt good after the chilly air nearly froze his limbs. It was tiring to ride a beast mound that long. Poor Blue was in worse shape.

It wasn’t until Yerim’s stomach growled loud enough to startle Blue that Yoojin finally sat up. Ugh, why didn’t he rob Sung Hyunjae’s pantry instead of his weaponry? He was starving.

Yerim groaned. “Mister, I’m so hungry. I could eat your griffin.”

Blue replied with a squawk.

Yoojin sighed. “Don’t try to eat each other. We landed near a city.” Yoojin helped Yerim up. She was much lighter in this universe, but she acted like dead weight while he hauled her up. He had to hold her like a sack of potatoes under his arm. “Come on. We can get some food there and bring something back for Blue.”

“Do you have any money, Mister?”

“…No,” Yoojin answered. Not unless the little medieval village took credit cards. “Do you?”

“I used all my allowance in the last village.”

So they were broke. Yoojin had two kids to feed and not a dollar to his name. “What kind of currency do they take?”

“I’ve only ever seen Seseong currency. Not every nation will accept it, but everyone takes gold.”

“I don’t have any gold,” Yoojin mutter and opened up his inventory. Two potions, one bomb from Sung Hyunjae’s castle, and twenty unknown items from Choi Sukwon’s camp. “Do they have stores where I can sell my items?”

“Larger villages do. However, your best chance would have been at the capital.”

Too bad he was probably labeled a wanted criminal there. Blowing up a castle wasn’t a light crime. He doubted he would be welcomed back there. Yoojin looked at Yerim. She blinked her large blue eyes at him. “Did you know Unnie was a princess?” He asked her.

Yerim lowered her head. “Unnie… never told me.” The dejection was thick in her voice. “I thought we were close, but I guess it was just me who thought she loved me.”

The words startled Yoojin, and he quickly consoled Yerim. “Of course she loves you. After talking to Sung Hyunjae, it sounded like she was in hiding. She must have been trying to protect you.”

Yerim thought about it and finally nodded. “Hiding? That would explain why she never talked about her home or family. Or why she never let people see her hair or know her name. Wow, Unnie is the missing princess.”

“Missing princess? Is she well known?”

Yerim nodded. “Her story is famous even all the way here in Seseong. It’s said she lost her throne and ran away from a monster.”

“Monster?”

She nodded. “The Haeyeon’s famous monster. The mad king.” Yerim didn’t know who the mad king referred to, and it confused Yoojin even more.

Sung Hyunjae had said Yoohyun removed the princess from the line of succession. Not that Yoojin believed for one second Yoohyun was mad or would do such a thing. No matter the universe. Sung Hyunjae was just a liar. Why else would he try using him as a hostage? He was just a rotten person. Yoojin was happy to never see this universe’s Sung Hyunjae again.

Yoojin looked at the sky. What had his crappy doppelgänger gotten him into? His head hurt and his stomach growled. Mad kings, run away princesses, and crazy kings that tried to kidnap him weren’t any of his business. He would make it to his brother, and warn him about the armies coming for him, then escape back to his world.

The plan was simple. “Come on, Yerim.” He lifted his hood over his head to cover his hair. “Let’s see what these items can get us.”

Blue followed them, and Yoojin had to stop. “No, Blue. You can’t come into town. Remember what happened in the last one?”

Blue cocked her head, not understanding.

Yoojin scrubbed a hand over his face. Blue wasn’t trained in this universe and if he left her alone, she would probably wonder off and get into trouble. He could leave Yerim with Blue, but then he would be unfamiliar with the town setting. And he couldn’t give the items too Yerim to sell, because she didn’t have an inventory.

The only thing they could do was train Blue with a few basic commands to get her to say and come when called. Yoojin looked down at Yerim as she rubbed her belly. He was already feeling the hunger, but there was no other option.

This Universe Sucks!

“I hate this universe!”

Yoojin shouted and didn’t care who heard him. Why didn’t he rob Sung Hyunjae’s kitchen before he left? When he got back to his universe, he was going to keep an emergency meal in his inventory at all times!

Yerim patted Yoojin’s arm. “It’s okay, Mister. We made some coins.”

Yoojin shook in frustration, but instead of swearing in front of Yerim, he fell against a stone house and slid to the ground. Hunger pains curled up his limbs as he rested his head on his knees.

He hadn’t thought that a lack of love would turn everyone into a dick. They sold all of Choi Sukwon’s items and made a handful of bronze coins. Everyone in this town was a swindler and didn’t care that Yoojin was traveling with a child. No one had offered a good price for any of the items. And neither Yoojin nor Yerim had the knowledge of the items to know their real values.

Every shop had tried to make it sound like they were doing him a favor by even buying the items. Yoojin had done some math conversion with Yerim to find out they sold twenty items for nearly ₩51,000 (about $40 USD). That was absurd. Even one F-ranked item in his home world would be worth double that.

“Yerim, how many days would it take to get to my brother’s kingdom?”

She thought about it. “On foot…maybe two weeks.”

Yoojin buried his head in his knees. That was IF they could find something to feed Blue. They had nothing else but Yoojin’s potions and Sung Hyunjae’s bomb to sell. He felt like he would need the potions and he didn’t feel comfortable selling a bomb. Not that they would get anything for it anyway.

“Mister, everything will be all right.”

Yoojin looked at Yerim and sat up. He didn’t want to show how helpless he felt in front of her. So he forced himself to smile. “You’re right, everything will be easy-peasy. Let’s get something to—” Yoojin’s gaze locked on a worn-down stranger who passed them.

“Something to what? Eat? Mister?” Yerim asked.

Yoojin sucked in a breath and shouted, “Yoo Myeongwoo!?!”

Let’s Rob Yoo Myeongwoo!

Yoojin and Yerim sat in front of Yoo Myeongwoo as he served them a clear water soup. Yoojin stomach growled as he devoured the few pieces of mushrooms and onions. It was the best soup he ever had.

The whole situation looked awkward. This wasn’t the Yoo Myeongwoo from Yoojin’s home universe. He realized that. This Yoo Myeongwoo looked slightly scared and far too skinny. But Yoojin had seen his friend, and his homesickness kicked in. He wanted to be with a familiar person. But once he saw how poor and downcast Yoo Myeongwoo was, Yoojin couldn’t leave him. Yoo Myeongwoo deserved so much better. He needed to join them. Surely, if Yoojin asked his brother, the king, he would help Yoo Myeongwoo.

But Yerim glared at Yoojin the whole time.

“Umm, p-please en-enjoy the…the soup,” Yoo Myeongwoo said. “I swear I have nothing else. But you can take what you want.”

Yoojin blinked. Yoo Myeongwoo kept his eyes down and trembled. Huh?

Yerim pinched his side. Her glare intensifying. “Mister. How do you know this man?”

Yoo Myeongwoo looked at them. “I’ve never seen you before. I swear I won’t remember your faces when you leave, and I won’t tell the local knights.”

Seriously, what was going on with Yoo Myeongwoo?

Yoojin smiled at both of them and shook his hands. “You don’t remember me? I’m Han Yoojin! We were friends a long time ago! You must not remember me.” To Yerim, he whispered, from my universe.

Yoo Myeongwoo’s brow creased as he tried to remember. It had worked once, it might work again. But he still looked uneasy.

Yerim scowled. “Friends?” Her voice lowered to a hiss. “Because it feels like we just committed a home invasion.”

“What?” Yoojin shouted in surprise and glanced at Yoo Myeongwoo’s cowering posture. “No. He invited us.”

“After you said you wanted to come over and told him you had a bomb.”

“I was just making conversation!” Oh god! Did he make Yoo Myeongwoo think they came to rob him? Is that why he was so scared? Yoojin froze. Not realizing the extent of his excitement had now caused his friend so much panic.

“I won’t tell the local knights. I swear. I don’t mind if you take my food.”

Yoojin wished Yoo Myeongwoo would slap him. It would have hurt less. “No…no.” Yoojin tried to soothe the situation. “I meant it… we really are friends.”

Yoo Myeongwoo raised his eyes. “R-really? You know me?”

Before Yoojin could answer, Yerim pinched his side. OW! That hurt.

“I don’t think you know him, Mister. I think you’re confusing him with someone from your world.”

Yoo Myeongwoo’s head tilted. “You’re world?”

“Umm,” Yoojin scratched the back of his neck. “She means my home village. I’m not from around here. That’s why you haven’t seen me in so—”

Yerim stood, knocking her chair back. Because of her young age, she was shorter than Yoojin, but she grabbed his shirt with strength beyond her years. “Blue isn’t from your world either? She’s just a doppelgänger, and you risked your life and my Unnie’s reputation with your recklessness.”

Whoa, for someone so small she sure acted like a S-rank. “Yerim—”

“No! You’re disturbing my Unnie’s world! Just because you look like her, I won’t let you ruin things here! You already caused so much trouble.”

Yoojin’s eyes widened, and Yoo Myeongwoo scooted back. “Yerim, I promise I wasn’t—”

“Stop it! You did…did… This is your fault!” Tears swelled in her eyes.

“Yerim?” Even though she wasn’t done yelling, Yoojin was quick to hold her.

“You did this!” Yerim cried. “My Unnie never lied to me before you came here! This is your fault! I—I miss her!”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Yoojin tried his hardest to comfort her over her loud sobs.

“Why didn’t she tell me? I’m powerful. I could have helped her! Now I don’t know where she is and you keep ruining her life.”

Yoojin patted her back. Yoo Myeongwoo offered them a handkerchief, and Yerim blew her nose.

“Unnie trusted me to watch you. She trusted me and I already messed up.”

“You haven’t messed anything up, Yerim. You’re doing a great job. You can’t control things you didn’t know about and she knows that. I promise to be more careful.”

“You promise?” Yerim gazed up at him with her tearful eyes.

He smiled. “Yes. I’ll even find out why she ran away from her brother and make them friends again. My brother and I did the same. I should be able to do it twice. And I won’t lie to you anymore.”

“Really?”

“Yes! When your Unnie gets back, everything will be so much better. You have nothing to worry about.”

Yerim tried to smile and wiped the last of the tears away. “T-Thank you.”

Yoojin couldn’t help but beam with pride. Yerim was such a good kid. He would make sure this universe version of him took great care of her. Yerim was a treasure.

Sniffle.

They turned to find Yoo Myeongwoo crying. “I’m sorry,” Yoo Myeongwoo muttered. “I didn’t mean to listen, but you two are so close. I haven’t seen an act of love in so long that I couldn’t help but cry.”

Yoojin blushed. “Oh, that’s…that’s okay.” It was a little awkward for someone to call it love like that. He just really cared for Yerim. The word ‘love’ was a little intense.

Yerim gasped and stood straighter. “Oh no, was I that obvious?”

Yoo Myeongwoo shook his head. “No. It wasn’t like that. But I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen any emotions that strong, so it was noticeable to me.”

Yoojin looked between them. “What are you talking about? What was noticeable?”

“You must be a love witch,” Yoo Myeongwoo commented. “I’ve never seen a heart melt before. I’ve never had the money to buy a love potion, but I’ve always dreamed of being able to see love.”

“…melt?”

Yerim touched her lips. “My heart melted. Wait…” She eyed Yoojin suspiciously. “You’re not a love witch, and because of Unnie I never lost my capability to love.” She looked down. “Did the curse affect me as soon as Unnie left?”

“I’m very confused,” Yoojin stated.

She turned to him. “When someone’s affected by the love drought, it’s called their heart turning to stone or ice, and their strong emotions are sealed away. When their heart melts, their emotions come flooding in. I’ve seen it happened many times at Unnie’s love shop.”

Yoojin blinked. “Strong emotions? They cry every time?”

She shook her head. “Not always. I’ve seen people cry, break out into dance, and even spontaneously kiss their partner.”

Just hearing Yerim say that made him feel exposed. He didn’t mean to break her love curse. He hadn’t even noticed she was under a curse. Was this something he did because of his curse resistance, or did he have some of his doppelganger’s skills? He definitely wasn’t a love witch.

“But you’re not in love with me,” Yoojin said.

“There are many different kinds of love. Parental, friendship, first love, love for hobbies or passions, and lovers.”

“Yerim, you shouldn’t know about a few of those.”

“Why not?” she pouted. “I work in a love shop.”

Yoo Myeongwoo held out his hand suddenly. “Oh! Do me next!”

Yoojin looked at the hand. “Huh?”

“I…” Yoo Myeongwoo lowered his head. “I don’t have much to pay. But please help me. I’ve…I’ve lost my passion for work.”

“Oh no,” Yerim mused. “You must have lost your job then.”

He nodded, keeping his head down. “I used to be a blacksmith apprentice, but I could no longer put any effort into my creations. I lost my love for work and no one would hire me. If you could help me, I would pay you back. I swear.”

Yoojin looked at his outstretched hand and back at his eager face. Yoojin almost didn’t have the heart to tell him he couldn’t help. He scratched the back of his neck. “Well, you see…I’m not a love witch.”

“Oh” was all Yoo Myeongwoo said. The dismay returning to his face.

“Wait, Yerim,” Yoojin turned to her. “Can’t you help? You’ve studied under your Unnie.”

“I only know how to make love potions.”

“Can’t you make one?”

“Not without an alchemy station.”

Slowly, they both turned to Yoo Myeongwoo. Couldn’t a blacksmith make an alchemy station?

Yoo Myeongwoo only looked more heartbroken. “I can’t make one. I’ve lost my passion for work. I couldn’t make anyth—”

Yoojin slammed his fist on the table and rattled all the bowls. “You don’t need love to make anything,” he shouted. He knew Yoo Myeongwoo in a different universe, and while he made Yoojin a lot of cool items out of friendship. He didn’t need to rely on love to make anything.

“I might not be a love witch but I’m your friend from a long time ago who you don’t remember, and I can say with certainty you are a talented blacksmith! Love or not, the skill is in your bones! Reach deep inside yourself and find what makes you a skilled blacksmith. Is it love that gives your hands callous? Is it love that gives you the ability to measure metals? Why do you think the only way you can work is with love? You are amazing and sometimes you just need to tell yourself that. Yoo Myeongwoo, you are amazing and I love you!”

Yoo Myeongwoo and Yerim stared at him with mouths wide. The house became awkwardly quiet.

Yoo Myeongwoo blinked once, twice… tears swelled in his eyes and he broke down in tears, making Yoojin stand up and reach for him.

“Wow,” Yerim muttered. She looked up at Yoojin in awe. “Mister, are you a love witch?”

Yoojin opened his mouth to say no, but a message window popped in front of his eyes.

Yoo Myeongwoo~ This person is under your influence [<3]

One Love Potion Please!

“Here!”

Yoojin looked at the ‘love potion’ Yerim made with growing disgust. Yoo Myeongwoo had rekindled his passion for blacksmithing and made a beautiful alchemy station. And Yerim said love potions were valuable. They could sell a few and fund their trip to his brother. But…

It looked like sludge and smelled like gasoline.

“…people drink this?” Yoojin asked.

Yerim shrugged. “You can rub it on your skin or smell it for similar effects.”

Yoojin held it away from his face. Last thing he needed was to be forced to be in love with someone.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” Yerim asked. “Activate it.”

Yoojin looked at her. “Me?”

“Yes.” Yerim beamed. “You must have the powers of a love witch. You melted two hearts. Three if you count Blue. You should be able to activate this.”

“Oh, so it’s not activated. That’s why it looks like this?” Yoojin held it away from him. “Can’t you do it?”

“I’m still learning. Can’t you?”

Yoojin opened his skills, and a message popped up.

[Your skill doubles the effect of all similar abilities]

But that didn’t tell him how to activate it. Yoojin apologized, but he couldn’t figure it out. Yerim sighed. “It was worth a try.”

Yoojin put it in his empty inventory to dispose of later. Looks like they still didn’t have money.

“I’ll sell the alchemy station if you need money,” Yoo Myeongwoo said. “It’s because of you I can craft again! Let me repay you.”

Yoojin smiled fondly at his friend. “You’ve made it. You should keep any profits.”

Yerim scoffed. “Why would you turn down something like that? If he offered—”

“Yerim, we already took his food.”

“He’s a blacksmith with his passion returned. He’ll be rich soon and we’ll starve on our way to Haeyeon.”

“You’re going to Haeyeon?” Yoo Myeongwoo asked. “Then I’ll come with you.”

“You will? My brother lives there. I’ll make sure he gives you a nice place to live and an amazing smithery to work in so you can follow your passion for work!”

“You don’t have to go out of your way,” but Yoo Myeongwoo was laughing.

Yoojin locked his arms around Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo. “Come on! Let me introduce you to Blue.”

Hello, Assassin!

Yoojin hated this universe, but at least he had Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo again. Oh, and Blue. He hoped his little monster hadn’t moved. The training wasn’t the most reliable, and Blue was a rebellious child to begin with.

[Activating {Fear resistance} ! ]

[Dragon Slayer (L)]

[Launchitas Natural Enemy (SS)]

[Double the effectiveness of all skills against a Launchitas]

Yoojin stopped in his tracks, staring as the messages popped up one after another in a rush, almost in a warning manner.

“Huh,” Yoojin muttered. What could that mean, there was only them out here. There was no dragon—

The wind rushed by Yoojin. Cold, chilling air. Yerim shouted and Yoo Myeongwoo fell. It tripped Yoojin, and he fell back as a blade sliced through the space where his neck used to be.

His eyes widened as a hooded figure rushed past him. A mask covered everything except his icy gray eyes.

“Noah?” Yoojin gasped in awe as he fell on his back. The figure disappeared as quickly as he came.

“Mister, are you all right?”

“What was that?” Yoo Myeongwoo shouted.

“Don’t—” Yoojin’s words were cut off.

[Activating {Fear resistance} ! ]

[Dragon Slayer (L)]

[Launchitas Natural Enemy (SS)]

[Double the effectiveness of all skills against a Launchitas]

It was a warning? Shit. “Get down!” Yoojin roughly shoved Yerim down and rolled out of the way.

“OW!” He shouted. Not seeing Noah this time, but feeling a long trail of blood soak down his chest. Damn it! Even with the warning, he couldn’t face off against Noah.

His foot slipped out from under him. Slick and cold. He looked down. Poison covered his cloak and had dripped down along with a streak of blood.

“Mister!”

“Yerim, stay back!” He held out his hand and shouted his order at her, freezing the young girl in her tracks.

[Activating {Fear resistance} ! ]

[Dragon Slayer (L)]

[Launchitas Natural Enemy (SS)]

[Double the effectiveness of all skills against a Launchitas]

Yoojin glared at the words and turned to his left. There was only a moment's warning when gray eyes met his.

“NOAH!” Yoojin’s fury burned through his words. “Are you crazy!” He stormed over to the stilled man.

Noah halted. Shoulders constricting with tension. “H-How did you know…”

He shoved his finger into Noah’s astonished face. “Do you know how dangerous this poison is? What if Yerim or Yoo Myeongwoo touched it? What has gotten into you? You could have seriously hurt them!”

Yoojin never paused, his inner parent taking over and adding punches as he continued to scold Noah. They weren’t hard punches. Even with a double effectiveness skill, there was no way he could actually hurt him.

“And what are you doing sneaking around? Are you trying to give me a heart attack? I’m too old for you kids to be playing these kinds of games on me!”

Noah coward back a step. “How are you surviving the poison?”

“Are you kidding me with this again?” Another hit. “I can’t believe you! After everything we’ve been through together!”

“Mister! That’s not—” Yerim tried to shout something, but Yoojin couldn’t hear her over his boiling blood.

“Did your promise mean nothing to me?” Yoojin shouted, still hitting Noah. “You asked me to help against your sister and keep you by my side, and you treat us like this! You were my friend! I really cared about you!”

It was true Noah was the newest member of his group. But Yoojin had really cherished him. Had Noah ever cared about him, or was he waiting to kill him this whole time?

Yoojin’s hands shook. “I trusted you!”

Noah stiffened. Body ridged and eyes wide. Wide and…wet?

“Noah?” Surprise lit Yoojin’s voice and regret filled him. Oh no. How could he say those things about Noah? Mad or not. “A-Are you all right? I didn’t mean it like that—”

Tears fell down Noah’s mask as he trembled. He fell to his knees and cried. Full sobs and deep whines as the tears fell freely now.

“Noah! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it!” Yoojin rushed over to him, but a rock hit his side. “Ouch! Damn, that hurt!” He lifted his eyes at his assaulter and met Yerim’s worried expression.

She urgently shook her head, mouthing, “Not. Your. Universe.”

“Huh?” He stared dumbly at her. Not your universe? Oh…he did it again. This wasn’t his Noah. But…he looked back at the wailing man and thought it was still Noah.

“Hey, hey,” he touched Noah’s shoulders. “I didn’t mean it. I swear. I was just mad at the thought of you hurting Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo.”

“Mister,” Yerim inched closer, trying to stay out of the poison. “That’s not why he’s upset. You broke the love curse on him. You melted another heart.”

Yoojin paused. Oh.

A Date with a King!

“Are you better now?” Yoojin asked Noah as he dried the last of his tears. While he waited for Noah to calm down, they sat down and Yoojin drank one of his potions to stop the bleeding. He now only had one potion left.

Noah nodded. “I-I don’t know what happened just now. I’ve tried love potions before, but they never worked.” He looked up at Yoojin. “Are you a love witch?”

Before Yoojin could say no, Yerim piped up. “Yes, he is.”

He shot her a glare, and she stuck out her tongue.

“Oh,” Noah muttered. “Even if I would have known you were a love witch, I would still have accepted the contract. I didn’t think there was anyone who could fix me or my sister.”

Yoojin’s jaw ticked. So Reitte was in this world too. Considering he had nothing she wanted in this world—she was dangerous.

“You mentioned a contract,” Yoojin said. “What contract?”

Noah glanced at Yoojin, then away. “King Yoon Kyeongsoo hired my sister and me to kill Han Yoojin…”

The group was quiet.

Oh, so Yoon Kyeongsoo was here too. For every ally Yoojin made, two enemies popped up.

Yoojin broke the silence with an awkward laugh. “Sorry to mess up your pay day plans. Could you let us go and tell the king that you couldn’t find me?”

Noah’s eyes widened. “Oh no, I could never hurt you after you broke my curse. I’m indebted to you.”

“Indebted? For what?”

“For breaking my love curse. I could pay you a fortune and it still wouldn’t be enough.”

Yoojin perked up at that. Money? Enough to get to his brother’s kingdom without starving? “Really? We’re traveling to Haeyeon. All I ask is enough funds to reach there.”

Noah smiled sadly. “But I don’t carry money when I’m working.”

Dejected, Yoojin sighed. Could one thing in this lousy world go his way?

“I could…” Noah cleared his throat. “If you don’t mind… I could follow you to Haeyeon.”

Yoojin looked back at Noah in time to see his shy blush.

Noah averted his eyes. “I-I have a few lines of credit in some cities and I can help with lodging and meals until I pay you back. I can even protect you. Once the King discovers I have failed to kill you, he will send another assassin.”

Yoojin wondered why every king wanted him captured or dead, but he asked, “You want to come with us?”

Noah perked up. “If you would let me. I promise not to be a bother.”

Yerim bared her teeth. “How do we know you wouldn’t try to hurt us again?”

“I…” Noah looked down. “I swear, under my assassin guild honor, to never do something like that again. I am truly sorry.”

Yerim crossed her arms. “I don’t like it, Mister.”

Yoojin shouldn’t have either. But… He couldn’t help but smile when Noah lifted his gaze. He still looked like a lost puppy. They would be much safer with Noah. And this way, Yoojin could make sure Noah was taken care of as well. Wouldn’t Noah be punished for failing his assassination? Especially if it was ordered by a king. This way Yoojin could make sure Noah was protected and had a safer life in Haeyeon.

“Mister,” Yerim warned, already sensing what he was thinking. “Not. Your. Universe.”

Yoojin smiled widely at her. “Yerim, traveling with more people is safer.”

“Mister.”

“And you heard he has credits to help us.”

“Ugh.” She rubbed her temple, giving up.

Yoojin stood up. “Now that we settled all that.” He held out his hand to Noah triumphantly. “Welcome to the group.”

Noah smiled in return, but as he reached for Yoojin’s hand, his lips quivered. “Umm, I don’t mean to intrude, but are you sure you’re okay with that poison on you?”

“Oh!” Yoojin had forgotten. The thick, blotchy poison still covered him. “I probably need to wash up.”

Noah nodded and pointed off. “There was a stream a little that way. If you dilute the poison in that much water, it won’t hurt the surrounding area. But if another person touches it directly, they’ll fall ill within seconds and die.”

Yoojin stepped back from the group. Worried about how close he had been sitting to Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo. “Right,” Yoojin laughed, embarrassed. “I’ll be right back.”

Yoojin headed to the river and touched the thick poison on his cloak. He grimaced. It was so thick and cold, he didn’t think he’d be able to get it out. Sighing, he put his cloak into his inventory. He didn’t want to get it on anyone or leave it behind for a small animal to walk on and die.

But now all he had was his torn shirt. It reminded Yoojin how dangers all his kids were in this world. He would really have to be careful. He was lucky that Noah and Yoo Myeongwoo were sweethearts, but if he ran into anyone else, they might not be kind. Yoojin made a promise to not confuse anyone else in this universe with one of his kids back home.

He found the river and stepped into the water to wash the poison off his shoes while he scrubbed his hands. Noah was right. The poison diluted quickly.

Overhead thunder crackled, and he looked up in time to see lightning. That was strange. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

Worry prickled down Yoojin’s spine, and he whirled around to face Sung Hyunjae. He gasped, stepping deeper into the river, but Sung Hyunjae held his hand up and a blot of lightning shot across the clear sky.

Yoojin froze, realizing he picked the worst spot to be while facing someone with the power of electricity.

He shook, but smiled brightly. “Um, hello, Your M-Majesty.”

Sung Hyunjae smiled back, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Why so formal now, Princess?”

Another daunting bolt shot through the sky and Yoojin had trouble swallowing. “Please don’t call me a princess.”

“Why not? Being removed from the line of succession doesn’t remove your title.”

Sung Hyunjae stepped closer, and Yoojin panicked. He opened his inventory and pulled out the bomb he stole. “Stop! Don’t take another step.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes narrowed on the bomb. “That won’t stop me.”

Yoojin met his gaze with his own determination. “I know it won’t hurt you. But It’ll kill me.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes lift to his. The calculated expression brimmed with annoyance. Yoojin was very careful with his threat. If he used Yoo Eunhye again, Sung Hyunjae would realize his threat was meaningless, but if he played this right, he could walk away.

The lightning in the sky faded, and Sung Hyunjae lowered his hand. Yoojin breathed a sigh of relief, but the murderous intent he felt sent chills down his spine.

Oh, if looks could kill, Yoo Eunhye wouldn’t stand a chance.

“Now what?” Sung Hyunjae asked abrasively.

Crap. Now Yoojin was trapped with him. “What are you doing here?” Yoojin asked. Was Sung Hyunjae here to arrest him or give him a bill for his destroyed castle? “Isn’t this far from your fancy castle?”

Sung Hyunjae shook his head, his smile turning eerie. “My little princess has wondered very far on her own. I’m here to bring her back.”

Yoojin choked on his own spit. Did he mean to say that? He held the bomb up higher. Maybe that would stop the bullshit. “Your princess is in another castle. Please go away and look elsewhere. If you have nothing else of value to say…”

Yoojin craned his neck as Sung Hyunjae rustled around his pocket and pulled out a crystal ball. He tilted his head, wondering if the king would read his future.

“Are you willing to make a deal?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s an orb of deceit. It detects lies. See?” Sung Hyunjae held it so the light flickered through the clear crystal. “I haven’t thought about strangling Princess Yoojin.”

The crystal’s clear color darkened as smoke filled it and left it a black.

Sung Hyunjae continued, “If the princess comes with me peacefully, I’ll be lenient.”

The crystal became translucent once again.

“Whoa,” Yoojin said in surprise. “It’s a lie detector?”

“A what?”

Yoojin cleared his throat. Right, medieval crappy fantasy world. “Never mind. What do you what? It looks like it activates when someone speaks? But how do I know you haven’t rigged it?”

Sung Hyunjae looked him over. “Are you questioning my word?”

Yoojin covered his mouth to stifle his scoff. “Considering how you treated me in the past, I’m going to need more convincing than that.”

An annoyed sigh answered him as Sung Hyunjae held up the orb, waiting.

“Oh, okay,” Yoojin said and thought about it. Just in case the orb changed colors in order, he told his truth first. “The sky is blue.” When nothing happened, he told his lie. “The water is red.”

The smoke filled the orb. Wow. Yoojin wondered if he could get that away from Sung Hyunjae and take it home with him when he left this universe. It had so many uses. This universe may suck, but there were some cool items.

“I want you to answer my questions.”

Yoojin frowned. “Why would I answer anything for you? You threatened my brother, tried to use me as a hostage, and treated me rudely. I don’t owe you anything.”

“You’re very guarded of your secrets. Are you sure there’s nothing to entice you to change your mind?”

He was about to say no, but then thought of something. “Money.”

Sung Hyunjae’s brow rose. “Money?”

Yoojin set a hand on his hip. “I have many people and a griffin to take care of. Don’t tell me you’re actually broke. I’ve seen your castle.”

“A large quantity of Seseong’s funds will be allocated to rebuilding the towers and walls you destroyed.”

“You can’t prove that was me! And if it was, you should think twice before kidnapping someone again.”

Sung Hyunjae was quiet for a moment while he thought about that and finally nodded. “All right. For every question you answer, I can reimburse you.”

Yoojin actually smiled. “I knew you had it in you to be a good ruler. All right, ask your first question.”

Sung Hyunjae paused before he asked, “Are you really Han Yoojin?”

Perceptive bastard. Yoojin internally winced. If anyone in this universe could uncover his secret, it was Sung Hyunjae. That was probably why he brought the orb.

Sighing, he answered, “Yes. I’m Han Yoojin. I have an adorable little brother, Han Yoohyun. I’m the legal guardian of Yerim, and I love all my cute little monsters. Now…” Yoojin held out his hand. Money. Give. Now.

Sung Hyunjae stared at the orb and even jostled it. The clear orb illuminated Yoojin’s truth, and no matter how much Sung Hyunjae shook it, the orb never changed.

Those golden eyes turned back to Yoojin and his raised hand. “Are you not going to keep up your end of the deal?” Yoojin asked.

“It’s not that,” Sung Hyunjae answered. “But do you think I carry my own funds?”

Yoojin blinked. A frustrating annoyance filled him. How rich did someone have to be to not carry their own money? Yoojin snarled in frustration and was about to yell at the scheming king when Sung Hyunjae reached into his tunic and pulled out a golden plaque. Gems lined the edge, and it sparkled under the sun.

Yoojin almost dropped the bomb when Sung Hyunjae tossed it toward him. On closer inspection, there was writing all around a coat of arms.

“My royal seal.”

“A royal seal…?” Yoojin looked it over. It was made of gold, so it would be valuable, but it was still small. “This isn’t going to get me far.”

Sung Hyunjae raised a brow. “As long as you’re in the Seseong nation, every shop will accept it as credit no matter the amount you spend. The exchange rate for that coat of arms could feed a village for ten years. And the gold itself is worth a duke’s annual income. What are you doing to need more than that?”

“Oh,” Yoojin struggled to keep his voice even and had to swallow. Apparently, royal seals were indeed valuable, and he was holding a king’s ransom in his hand. “N-no…I—I mean, it will do for now.”

Still stammering, Yoojin told him to ask his next question. His hand shook as he carefully put the very valuable seal in his pocket.

Sung Hyunjae tilted his head. “How…” Yoojin waited, but couldn’t believe Sung Hyunjae was struggling to ask something. “How did you turn into a man?”

Yoojin looked at him, then at the orb. “Not of my own will.”

The answer displeased Sung Hyunjae, but Yoojin didn’t (couldn’t) go into more details. “Will you turn back?”

“That’s two questions!”

Scowling now, Sung Hyunjae told him to answer both.

“Fine, but in exchange, you can’t press charges against me for destroying your castle. Or force me or my brother to pay for the repairs.” It wasn’t like Sung Hyunjae needed the money anyway.

“Answer.”

Yoojin glanced at the orb again. “I…My woman form will return…I can’t control when.” Yoojin looked at Sung Hyunjae’s face, expecting him to be mad at the vague answer again.

“Someone turned you into a man against your will?”

Looking away shyly, Yoojin said, “Someone definitely put me in this situation against my will.”

“I like it.”

“Like what?”

Sung Hyunjae tilted his head and stepped into the river. “You.”

Yoojin panicked and raised the bomb. “Hold it! Don’t get closer! Or I’ll—”

Sung Hyunjae touched Yoojin’s face. A soft touch that caused his whole body to freeze.

“What are you doing?”

Sung Hyunjae brushed Yoojin’s hair back and showed him a leaf that was stuck in his hair. “An unfitting look for a princess.”

Yoojin’s cheeks warmed, and he almost tripped to step back. “I-I don’t care if you don’t like how I look.”

“I never said I didn’t.”

Yoojin stared at him. “You know I’m holding a bomb, right?”

“One you stole from my armory.”

“I only have one left, but I’ll give it back if you agree to leave.”

His hand settled on Yoojin’s shoulder with a grip that reminded him of how powerful Sung Hyunjae was. “I found something more interesting.”

“What?” Yoojin asked.

Sung Hyunjae smiled. “We will have plenty of time to discuss everything later.”

Yoojin jerked his arm away and stepped back. “I am not returning to your kingdom, and I refuse to be used against my brother.”

Sung Hyunjae matched his step. “I don’t remember you being this devoted to him before.”

“Of course I was,” Yoojin shouted. What the hell was female Yoojin doing? If she was traveling across the universe to save this world. Didn’t that mean she loved her brother too? He couldn’t imagine never loving his brother. “It just proves how little you know if you think I wouldn’t care about him.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes narrowed. “Shame you feel so strongly about this. I hadn’t thought you would miss him so much.”

This heartless bastard. “Why? Are you planning to drag me back and use me as a hostage again?” Sung Hyunjae didn’t answer, and it just pissed Yoojin off even more. This cocky jerk. “If you so much as try, I swear I will not make this easy on you.”

“I hoped you wouldn’t.”

Yoojin’s eyes widened. Why was Sung Hyunjae looking forward to this?

“I was invited to witness your position, Princess. I would be disappointed if you didn’t give me a show.”

“Stop calling me that!” Yoojin snapped, stepping back, but the king grabbed him. He yanked Yoojin hard enough he lost his balance and had to brace himself on Sung Hyunjae’s chest with his free hand.

“Did you think I would let you walk away?”

Yoojin’s heart sped up. Worry tickled his throat as the grip on his arm tightened. He winced, but didn’t look away from the king’s gaze. “Then let me show you how much of a choice you have in the matter,” Yoojin answered.

BOOMMM!!!!

The bomb burst, leaving his ears ringing and slightly blind. He turned on his invisibility skill and ran. Bits of debris and water rained down on him from the explosion. His wet shoes made his footsteps heavy and harder to run. His breath burned in his lungs as he tried to reach the forest.

Sung Hyunjae grabbed him, and the sudden grip caused his heart to leap.

Sung Hyunjae threw him to the ground, hard enough to slam the air out of him. Yoojin wrestled against the king, who easily held him down. Sung Hyunjae’s hand slid up Yoojin’s torso and down his side, causing a gasp.

“Where are you touching?” Yoojin shouted, trying to kick him off. He pushed at Sung Hyunjae, but the king grabbed his arm and pinned it to his side. His other hand cupped Yoojin’s neck, turning his head from side to side.

“Stronger than I remember. And with damage nullifying magic. Or is it an object that protects you?” He asked as he continued to search Yoojin.

“What nonsense are you sprouting now?” He tensed when Sung Hyunjae nearly brushed the bracelet, and his knee pressed against Yoojin’s thigh. But Sung Hyunjae stilled when he touched Yoojin’s bare stomach. His fingers skimmed through the holes in his shirt.

Yoojin swore at him in a fury. This universe sucked! It was so unfair! Why was Sung Hyunjae stronger than him in every world?

“What happened here?” Sung Hyunjae asked. His finger traced the two tears on his shirt from where Blue and Noah attacked him. Yoojin shivered. One finger ran along the long cut from the edge of his ribs down to his abdomen.

Yoojin jerked his upper body away, contorting his chest out of the king’s sight. “I don’t owe a pervert like you answers. Don’t touch me like that and expect me to be friendly.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes raked over Yoojin. “The more familiar we become, the more interesting I find you. It doesn’t matter if I used my thunder spell in that water or not. You would have survived.”

“You idiot, it doesn’t work like that. Are you trying to kill me for real?”

“The damage would have been nullified.”

“I can’t keep doing that! I really will die!”

Sung Hyunjae's hands held Yoojin down and all Yoojin could see were his gold eyes. “Lets find out how much you can handle.”

“You’re crazy!?”

“We can find out all kinds of things back at the Seseong castle. And we can take our time.”

This man was completely mad. Was this how the Sung Hyunjae back in his universe would be if his brother wasn’t protecting him? Or was it an effect from the love drought? Yoojin fought against the grip that held him down, squirming pathetically. Damn this insane king.

Yoojin didn’t want to really hurt him, but now he didn’t care anymore.

He turned his poison resistance off and pulled his poison covered cloak out of his inventory. The dark molasses hit the king and caused his grip to slip. For a moment, Yoojin felt like throwing up, sickness flooded him. He turned his poison resistance back on and jumped out of Sung Hyunjae’s hold.

His feet slid on the grass, but he took off running.

His heart raced with every step he took, waiting for Sung Hyunjae to grab him and slam him back down. Knowing Yoojin didn’t take damage, would the crazy king even try to hold back this time, or would Yoojin end up with broken bones?

Cough, cough.

Yoojin glanced over his shoulder and his footsteps slowed to a walk until he stopped all together. Sung Hyunjae huddled in on himself. The poison was thick on his arms and torso. Already the coloring of his skin and veins looked painfully distorted.

Yoojin glanced at the forest and back at Sung Hyunjae.

He was already in trouble for destroying a castle. How much worse was it going to be if he killed a king?

He looked at Sung Hyunjae, only to be greeted with hostile gold eyes.

Swallowing thickly, he stepped closer. “If I help you, swear you will stop trying to capture me.”

Sung Hyunjae glared back. His jaw locking. After a second, he nodded, and Yoojin rushed back to him.

Yoojin kept his head up and his gaze straight ahead. But he couldn’t help but blush. He sat on his calves while Sung Hyunjae lay with his head in his lap. The spoiled king used Yoojin like a pillow and looked relaxed. His long lashes swept down against his cheek like in some fairy tale story. The sun glimmered off his gold hair. Even the poison couldn’t make him look ugly.

Couldn’t he hit him just once? Yoojin had been struggling every moment since he got here. Meanwhile, Sung Hyunjae didn’t even have to bat an eye as Yoojin’s skills saved his life.

It took longer than normal for the poison to clear. Slowly the dark coloring on his neck vanished, but the poison seemed more affective in this world. Or maybe Yoojin’s skill was less effective?

Like water mixing with oil. Eventually, one will rise to the surface. Yoojin didn’t belong in this universe. So he was happy he could help at all. But why was the poison so effective? Yoojin wondered if Noah gained his dragon form from external means, like he had in his universe.

This was actually nice, Yoojin thought. Since he arrived in this universe, he had been moving nonstop or fighting for his life. He could finally catch his breath. Yoojin risked a glance at Sung Hyunjae and felt a pang of loneliness. While his face was perfect, it wasn’t the same.

For the first time in Yoojin’s life, he missed the Sung Hyunjae from his universe.

“Why do you look sad?” Sung Hyunjae asked. “Were you thinking of someone?”

Yoojin turned away. Blushing hard after being called out. How long had he been staring? “N…not anyone you would know.”

The corner of Sung Hyunjae’s lips pulled down. “Someone you’re close to?”

Yoojin’s eyes lift to the sky as he thought. “I’m sure they would think so.”

“A friend?” The way Sung Hyunjae spoke next made Yoojin glance back at him. “Perhaps a lover?”

Yoojin would have gagged if he hadn’t focused on his posture while supporting Sung Hyunjae.

“I keep all my relationships professional,” Yoojin said, defending himself. He had a business relationship with the Sung Hyunjae from his universe. A cold and calculating materialistic relationship focused around profiting from the other.

“Then this partner of yours wishes for something else. Maybe something more.”

Yoojin shrugged. That was a better definition. “I think that’s accurate.” Sung Hyunjae was possessive and greedy. He called Yoojin his item and threatened to take him away from his brother. If Sung Hyunjae could find a way to have Yoojin all to himself, he would.

“You don’t seem interested in their intentions,” Sung Hyunjae remarked snidely.

Intentions seemed like a strange way to define it. If this was just how they talked here, then Yoojin wouldn’t correct it.

“He stated his intention many times,” Yoojin said. “He’s not stopping, but as long as he’s profitable, I don’t see why I should avoid him.”

“He?” the king’s voice was strained. “And you turned him…down?”

Yoojin couldn’t help but laugh. No one could actually turn down the S-rank guild leader. “I’ve tried. But…” He shook his head. “At least he’s useful.” He should produce the Japanese dungeon soon.

“I feel sorry for anyone who admires you,” Sung Hyunjae remarked. “If you destroyed my castle, what damages have you done to others who have shown interest in you?”

 Yoojin shrugged. “He can afford it.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you think you speak too fondly for someone you have no interest in?”

“I have some interest in him,” Yoojin answered honestly. It was impossible not to admire the number one guild leader in Korea who would one day become the number one ranked hunter in the world. He might have been a bastard, but there was no denying his accomplishments.

“Because he’s rich? Is he wealthier than a king?”

Yoojin glanced down at him. “Possible.” Considering his resources and connections, it might be a close comparison.

“You find that attractive about him?”

“No. Him being attractive is what makes him attractive.” For some reason, the king’s brow ticked. Say what you want about Sung Hyunjae, but his looks were perfect.

“Isn’t it vain to be attractive to a person for such a reason?”

Yoojin poked Sung Hyunjae’s cheek. “You should talk. With your personality, you should be lucky to have a face like that.”

Sung Hyunjae took Yoojin’s hand in his own and lowered it to his chest. “You like my face?”

Well, yeah. “No.”

His smile was more charming than before. “I remember you as a princess. You were a little taller, but you were beautiful. I was surprised something so delicate could be related to the Han family.” Sung Hyunjae’s thumb brushed the side of his hand, and Yoojin shivered. “Even now, you’re remarkably cute.”

Was he trying to insult him? “Don’t call another man cute or delicate. You can call me handsome.”

“Beautiful?”

“Say ‘striking’ instead.”

“Ravishing?”

“Never.”

Sung Hyunjae laughed, and it did something strange to Yoojin’s chest. It wasn’t a cruel laugh he had heard countless times. It was light and whimsical, more like the Sung Hyunjae from back home.

But still… Yoojin didn’t like it. He opened his mouth to tell him to stop when a hand grabbed him around the back of his neck.

“Whoa—”

Sung Hyunjae pulled him down, and their lips met.

Chapter Text

Yoon Kyeongsoo glared at the tall demon in front of him. The shadowy figure dared to suggest that Yoon Kyeongsoo's assassins had failed. It had barely been a day, and the twin assassins hadn't sent word back yet. How could he know they had failed already?

"You dare question me?" Yoon Kyeongsoo demanded.

"There is no question to it. Han Yoojin is still alive."

"My assassins have never failed a task. The disgraced princess doesn't have the power or protection to defeat my assassins. You are just too impatient. Give it time. Three days, and she will be dead."

"Three days will be too late!" The cloaked demon shouted, and the edge of his hood lifted to reveal a scar on his face. "If you want me to keep my end of the bargain and make you the King of the Five Kingdoms, Han Yoojin must die now."

Yoon Kyeongsoo snarled. He didn't understand the rush with the demon. Han Yoojin had been living in banishment for years now. What was the rush to kill someone who wasn't even in line for the thrown?

While there was no chance for Han Yoojin to be queen, there was a chance for Yoon Kyeongsoo to rule the five kingdoms. He still had grudges he needed to repay to the mad king. His first act as emperor would be to burn the Haeyeon kingdom to the ground. Perhaps he would gift the new king his sister’s head wrapped in silk.

Yoon Kyeongsoo stood. "Fine. Within the day, Han Yoojin will die." He called his page and ordered him to summon the fastest riders in the nation. Yoon Kyeongsoo would slice Han Yoojin's throat with his own sword.

I Watched His Wildest Dreams Come True!

Yoojin's mind stopped processing. Firm lips locked against his, and his eyes shut. It felt hot everywhere he was touched, and a rich scent overwhelmed him.

Sung Hyunjae kept the hold of Yoojin's neck and lifted his head off his lap, pressing closer. It was hard to breathe as the kiss deepened. Yoojin felt a terrifying strength in those arms. He placed his hand against Sung Hyunjae, but he trembled, unable to push him back.

"Nmgh," Yoojin groaned as something soft and wonderful licked his lips. He lost his grip, and instead of pushing him away, his hand slipped up his torso, gliding against those delicate fabrics and the hardness of his chest.

Sung Hyunjae half sat up, turning into Yoojin and causing him to lose his balance. Yoojin was dizzy. He couldn't breathe, and he fell backward. The king's weight pressed down on him and a shiver shot through him.

Sung Hyunjae wrapped his arm around Yoojin, lifting him closer and pillowing him from the ground.

“Mm…ugh…” Yoojin's fingers raked down Sung Hyunjae's chest. He changed his grip and clenched the expensive fabrics.

Pain snapped Yoojin out of his trance. Sung Hyunjae bit his lip—hard. It hurt. Sung Hyunjae had not been gentle. In the same way, he hadn't been gentle with the hand around Yoojin's neck or when he chased him through his castle. The indecent king had acted feral and hadn’t show Yoojin—who he thought was a princess—with an ounce of respect!

Yoojin jerked his head away and reeled his arm back.

Smack!

Yoojin rushed through the woods. He had lost his way and didn't remember where he left his kids. Everything looked the same. He couldn't catch his breath, making running difficult. His heart raced, and his lip stung.

He stopped, leaning against a tree to catch his breath and to calm down. His hands shook. He squeezed them, steadying himself and trying to think about anything else.

The woods were surreal, filled with little creatures. Slim rays of sunlight reached through the thick treetops. The moss under his feet was squishy and heavily fragranced. Besides a dungeon, he had never been to a place like this.

Yoojin touched his lips and flinched. The bite was still fresh, and now his lips were swollen. He covered his mouth and closed his eyes.

Sung Hyunjae was crazy. More so than in his universe. The jackass probably did that all the time—Harassing young maidens for fun. The bastard probably never heard of sexual assault in this shitty universe and got away with it because he was so handsome.

Jerk.

Yoojin wanted to call him more names, but it didn't make him feel better. Everyone from this universe acted imprudent because of the love drought. That meant he needed to hurry, reach his brother, and return home. He didn't want something like this to happen again.

He opened his eyes and touched his lips. Prepared for the pain this time. What was he going to tell the kids? Was it noticeable? He thought about using his last potion to hide it.

Sighing, he slumped against the tree.

Would this count as his first kiss if it was done in a different universe?

He sighed again and stood. There was no time to sulk. He had to get to his brother before anything else happened.

"Oh? Your Highness?"

Yoojin froze. A chill gripped his spine. Slowly, he turned his head and met Kang Soyoung's gaze. Wasn't she one of Sung Hyunjae's knights?

"Uhh…"

She smiled. "It is you! You look almost identical as you did before."

She bowed low but quickly stood and stepped forward. Yoojin stepped back and hit the tree.

She looked innocent as she tilted her head, long blonde hair cascading down her shoulder. "Perhaps you don't recognize me, Your Highness. I was the knight escorting His Majesty Hyunjae to the royal curia regis."

Yoojin stared at her. She didn't attack him, tie him up, or threaten him. She might have been the nicest person he ran into in this world. But she was still Sung Hyunjae's loyal knight, which meant he couldn't trust her.

She looked around. "That's strange. I could have sworn His Majesty had gone to see you. Did he leave?"

Her eyes settled back on Yoojin, and his heart leaped. "I-I don't know."

"You don't? Then, while we wait for him…" Her lips pursed together, and her eyes welled. She dropped to her knee, crossing her arm over her chest. "Please help me, Your Highness."

"What are you doing?” His voice pitched with surprise. “Please stand up."

"But I need your help. Please, I have money and land I could give you in exchange. But I beg for your help."

His mouth opened, but he didn't know what to say. Why was everyone in this world so crazy? How could Yoojin help her with anything? He touched her shoulders, making her look at him. "Just stand. I'll help if possible, but you don't have to do this."

She drew his hand into hers and smiled, but her eyes teared up. "Oh, thank you. I always knew you were a generous person."

What had gotten into her to cause such a reaction?

"The other knights have said after you left Haeyeon you became a love witch. Would…would you make a love potion for me?"

Yoojin blinked, not expecting Kang Soyoung to be the kind of person to drug someone to make them love her. The longer Yoojin went without answering, the worse Kang Soyoung looked. She anticipated the rejection, and it devastated her.

"I-I know it's impertinent of me to ask a princess for something like this, but I ran out of options."

"You…" Yoojin sighed. "Please stand up. I can't talk to you like this."

She stood. Still a little tearful, but one step at a time.

"Why do you need a potion? You shouldn't rely on magic for love. You're a wonderful woman and should have no trouble finding love."

That made her laugh. She wiped her eyes. "It's not for that. It's for my riding mount, Comet."

"Come again."

She lowered her head. "Your Highness, my little dragon, Comet, is the best dragon in the world, and I still remember the day she was left in my care. I loved her so much and swore to take care of her for the rest of my life."

She lifted her head, smiling. But now her eyes looked empty. "But… that's just a memory. I've paid love witches and court mages nearly all my fortune for years, and I can feel the effects less and less."

"You've been taking love potions for that long?" Yoojin was shocked. He still didn't think they worked. Were they really worth a fortune?

She nodded, wringing her hands together. "I don't remember what it's like to love anything anymore. Comet is still such a good girl. She doesn't deserve to be used as a knight's beast mount and nothing else for the rest of her life. She should be loved and cherished."

Her lips were sealed in a tight line. "Just a month ago, my squire said he missed one of her meals because of a mistake with her food. And I didn't care. What is one meal missed? It wasn't until I saw the shock on my squire's face that I realized what I said was strange. I still have a hard time understanding."

She looked up at the treetops. "But I have memories of us bunkering during war sieges and giving her my rations. I don't feel any different from how I used to be, but I realize I act differently."

She met Yoojin's eyes, looking ashamed and tired. "Comet deserves better. The love drought has affected her, and she no longer sees me as anything but a rider, but I don't care. She deserves to feel loved. I swear, on my honor, she is still the best beast mount in the world. She had never once disobeyed my order or eaten a squire. She's the fastest dragon on the continent and has been awarded several honors. If you would like, you can ride her back to Seseong."

Yoojin flinched at the last part. Her story touched him so much that he almost forgot they were enemies in this universe. But his heart hurt from how terrible this world's love drought had effected them.

In Yoojin's universe, he would do anything for one of his monsters. It was amazing that even without the ability to feel love, Kang Soyoung still cared for Comet so much.

But Yoojin didn't know how to make love potions. He had the one he and Yerim made, but it was a dud. No matter how much Yoojin wanted to help her, he couldn't.

Kang Soyoung held her hands up, pleading. "Please, Your Highness. I don't know who else to ask."

"I…" He didn't know what to tell her. He wasn't a love witch, and he wasn't this princess everyone thought he was either. "I don't…" Her eyes swelled with tears. He felt weak, and he couldn't break his future sister-in-law's heart anymore. "I can't make love potions at this time."

She blinked at him, not expecting his response. "Does it have something to do with you no longer being a woman?"

 He bit his lip and flinched at the sharp pain, forgetting about how swollen they were.

"Umm… yes? I mean. Until I turn back into a woman, I can't use my skills—er—I mean magic."

Her eyes widened. "Is your change because of a curse or misused magic?"

"…yes?" He considered his female doppelgänger a curse to his life.

Kang Soyoung clapped her hands. "Oh, perfect!"

"Huh?" Who would think anything about this was perfect?

She grasped Yoojin's arm, dragging him away from the tree. "The court mages at Seseong can fix that."

"Wait!" He dug his heels in the ground and pried her hand off, but her strength was terrifying. "Wait! Wait! I can't go back to Seseong! I have to get to Haeyeon."

"Haeyeon?" She glanced over her shoulder. "Why would you ever want to go back there? Seseong is much safer."

Safer for who? Definitely not after what he did to Sung Hyunjae's castle. And now he had to add slapping him to his list of crimes.

"Your Highness, be careful, or you might twist your ankle."

"No, seriously, stop! I can't go back to Seseong! Stop!"

Kwwww!!

His head snapped up, hearing the monster's cry. Blue burst through the thick forest and blocked Kang Soyoung from her path, snarling and digging her talons into the dirt.

"Your Highness, look out!" She let go of Yoojin's arm to draw her sword and whistled. "Stay behind me!"

"Hey, don't," Yoojin shouted and shook her arm. He couldn't imagine her hurting Blue. But the monster lowered her head in preparation to strike. "Blue, stop!"

RAWWWWW

Surprising Yoojin from behind, Comet leaped through the forest, racing to place herself between Kang Soyoung and Blue.

KAWWWW

Blue stepped back, spreading her wings to appear bigger while standing on her back legs.

Comet growled, slashing out with claws and showing off rows of teeth. Poison dripped from her sharp spikes and singed the ground.

Yoojin wanted to scream. This was some kind of nightmare where his kids were fighting. He couldn't let them get hurt. He tried rushing around Comet to grab Blue because she was always the more hasty one.

"Princess, no!" Kang Soyoung grabbed him and yanked him back. He barely avoided Comet's flailing tail.

Blue saw Kang Soyoung's act as aggression and charged at her. Comet barreled into her to protect her rider. The impact was so strong Blue flung back and knocked into a tree. The tree shifted, and some roots snapped. Blue got back up and ran at Comet.

"Blue, stop!" Yoojin cried. Blue wasn't trained to take commands nor prepared for fighting with siblings. She didn't hold back her punches like she did when they played fought in his universe. Comet didn't hold back either.

How could he fix this? What could he do? Kang Soyoung wouldn't let him go. She must have been just as scared for Comet, but she thought she was protecting Yoojin.

Comet rolled over Blue, causing her to flip on her back, twisting one of her wings and exposing her belly. Blue screeched and raised her talons to strike her off but stopped. Her body sagged.

Tears moistened Yoojin's eyes and he couldn’t breath. Was his monster hurt?

Blue lowered her front paw onto Comet's face. Weak and slow enough, even Yoojin could have dodged it. Comet's growling ceased, but she shook her head to knock the paw off. Comet glared down at Yoojin's helpless monster.

Blue extended her neck and sniffed Comet. Her other paw lifted to bat at Comet's throat.

Comet jumped backward, putting distance between them.

Blue struggled like a flipped turtle to get up, kicking her feet out until she rolled over. Her eyes darted to Comet, and she lowered her head. Cooing softly. She strutted around Comet, but the dragon wouldn't give up her defense and arched her back.

Yoojin sighed in relief. Blue wasn't hurt. But both their movements had slowed.

Comet growled and swiped out. Blue made a strange purr sound. Lowering onto her belly and stretching.

Huh?

What kind of combat stance was this? Yoojin didn't want to see his kids fighting, but that didn't mean he wanted Blue to give up without running away either.

Comet approached Blue and sniffed her neck, huffing like it was a scent she didn't like and nudging her head away. Blue nipped at her, teeth snapping. She rolled onto her side and kicked out with her back legs. Comet nibbled at the leg and circled Blue.

"Oh, my," Kang Soyoung murmured. She touched her hand to her lips, eyes wide. "Your Highness is a much more powerful love witch than I expected. I can't believe Comet is acting like this after just meeting you."

"…acting like what?"

Blue had her belly up, and Comet sniffed her feathers and fur. The griffin curled her paws and retracted her wings so Comet could rest beside her. Their faces were close as they looked at each other. Blue snapped up, and the quick movement didn't frighten Comet. Blue spread her wings and withdrew them a few times. Mocking some kind of bird dance. Comet crossed her paw and watched, seeming not to care that Blue could attack her at any moment. Not even Kang Soyoung seemed to care.

The dance involved hopping, head-turning, and bending her wings at strange angles. It lasted a while. Yoojin was sure they wouldn't hurt each other, but he was confused about what they would do next.

Comet yawned, stretching her neck and lowering her shoulders.

Blue took this as an invitation and moved behind her.

"Huh—H-Hey!" Yoojin shouted, face burning with shock. "W-What are you doing? Get off her!"

Blue didn't listen, and Comet didn't seem to mind.

"I never thought I would see the day my little girl found love," Kang Soyoung said, smiling with tears in her eyes. "I feel like I could dance right now. Would the princess be my partner?"

Yoojin looked at her like she was crazy, but there was something different about her now. Some kind of icy fog had cleared up from her expression, leaving her more cheerful. She reminded him more of the Kang Soyoung from his universe.

What had Yerim said about melting hearts? Spontaneous crying, dancing, and even kissing?

Kawwww

Yoojin and Kang Soyoung's eyes darted back to the monsters.

He wished he hadn't looked. The two engaged in acts so graphic that neither he nor any possible author could ever describe them in a thousand years. It felt worse than accidentally stepping in on someone in the middle of an intimate kiss. Because it was his kids.

Uncomfortable was how he would describe it. Was this the power of him interfering in this universe? What a chilling thought. Sure, without love, everyone was rude, mean, and an asshole. It also stole people's passion for work, made them not care about their own children, and caused the nation to break into wars. But wasn't that better than forcing two monsters to fall in love?

He shook his head, wishing to leave and not think about this anymore. He stepped back. He did it again because the noises were getting to him. Kang Soyoung never said anything or stopped him. In fact, she hadn't even noticed Yoojin was no longer at her side.

He looked at her. She wasn't paying any attention.

He took the opportunity and ran.

Silently apologizing to Blue for abandoning her, but Kang Soyoung would take care of her. He couldn't stop wondering if his monster had found love. What they were doing was technically love. But was this real love, or just two young teens giving in to hormones? He had never given them ‘the talk’ in his Universe…should he?

Mind still whirling, he made it back to his other kids.

Almost stepping out into the field, he stopped when he heard Yerim shout. He searched for her, and his face paled when he saw the Seseong knights surround his kids. Swords were drawn, and Noah protected Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo.

Fuck.

He didn't have blue to fly them away anymore. Not unless he went back, but then Kang Soyoung would capture him. He couldn't face a single knight in a fight, let alone that many.

Crap! Why was all this happening? Why didn't this universe give him a single break?

He couldn't just leave his kids. Not when he didn’t know what that insane king would do to them. This Universe was really unfair! At every turn, there was an obstacle. Why couldn't just one good thing happen to him?

Impatience to run out filled Yoojin. He shifted on his feet. What could he do? Not even with Noah's skills, could they—

…Damn it. He forgot again that he wasn't the Noah from Yoojin's universe and thought about his skills.

But wait. When they were fighting, Yoojin remembered seeing his Dragon Slayer and Launchitas skills pop up. Why would they pop up if Noah wasn't a dragon in this universe too?

Staring at the young blond man, Yoojin turned on his invisibility skill and rushed into the field.

 Nothing Compares To A Quiet Evening Alone!

Noah stood before the Seseong knights, holding back the young Yerim and protecting Yoo Myeongwoo. The Seseong royal knights were the nation's most loyal and skilled swordsmen. They would've been difficult, not impossible, to assassinate. But that was a one-on-one fight and not a direct fight against this many.

He could use his invisibility skill and escape, but his once cold heart beat furiously at the thought. He owed Princess Yoojin. Abandoning the two behind him felt impossible now that his heart had melted. He cared for someone other than himself. He felt more emotions than just fear of his sister. Even now, the emotions he forgot existed swelled inside him.

He cared about what happened to these people.

"Under the direct order of His Majesty, King of Seseong, you are to stand down and reveal the location of Princess Han Yoojin," the head of the knights said. Ranked adored his armor, and his reputation was widely known throughout the nation. Song Taewon, a foe almost as dangerous as the king himself.

Noah kept a firm hand on Yerim's collar. She wanted to fight the soldiers, not caring they outnumbered them five to one. She was young, and Yoo Myeongwoo looked innocent. The knights might spare them.

Noah ground his teeth. "I won't let you get to—Oof!"

Noah fell forward. Something rushed into him hard enough to knock the three of them to the ground. The pain was so minimal he felt shameful for letting his guard down.

He expected blood from the sneak attack, but nothing. Normally, no one could ambush him.

The attack surprised the Seseong knights as well. It looked like the three had just tripped while standing still. A few flinched, clenching their swords for an attack. Surely, a trained assassin wouldn't just have fallen. There had to be another force attacking them. They scanned the area for the new threat.

Noah grunted, feeling an elbow in his ribs and Yoo Myeongwoo trapping his legs. He needed to get up quickly if he wanted to defend them.

"Noah!"

Noah froze. "Y-Yoojin?"

The Knights turned back and gasped as Yoojin dropped his invisibility magic. Noah had never seen someone accomplish an invisibility spell that well. Even he and his sister only developed their magic so well because—

"Dragon! Now!" Yoojin shouted his order.

Noah's eyes widened. How did he know?

"That's the princess!" A knight shouted.

"Did she say dragons in the area?"

"Where did she come from?"

"Noah! Now!" Yoojin shouted, pupils thin, as the knights rushed toward them.

The plan wouldn't work. The knights were trained to fight dragons. They would never get away. Carrying three bodies would slow Noah down. Invisibility would only work when the enemy didn't know the user had that power. Once they knew, it was easy to track.

It wouldn't work.

"Noah, trust me!" Yoojin pleaded.

Panic filled Yoojin's eyes, but he risked his safety by returning for them. Noah wouldn't have even tried if it was just panic that led to Yoojin's actions, but his voice held so much confidence. Not a single ounce of fear.

The ground shook as Noah turned into his dragon form. Golden scales shimmered under the sun. The knights stepped back, regaining their formation for a better attack.

Yoo Myeongwoo screamed, still holding on to Noah. Yerim almost slipped off if Yoojin hadn't grabbed her. Noah couldn't spread his wings before the Knights surrounded him.

"Noah, use your poison."

"P-poison?" Noah turned his neck as much as he could. The princess didn't seem to understand what he was asking. Only Yoojin could withstand the poison's effects. The others would die. "But Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo…"

"Noah!"

He listened. The black, inky poison spread from his claws and coated the surrounding earth. It stretched around him. Seeking a victim as if destruction was his only purpose. The knights recognized it and stepped back, but Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo were too close to avoid an agonizing death.

"Ahhh! It's cold!" Yerim shouted. Yoo Myeongwoo tried flinging it off his arms, but Yoojin told him to hold on to him.

The knights tried to stop Noah, but he spread the poison further. He had to protect the princess. The poison worked swifter than normal, extending faster than ever before like someone had doubled his powers.

Yoojin hugged Yerim in front of him and told Noah to take off.

With the poison spreading out in front of them like a barrier, Noah had plenty of space to spread his wings and leap into the air. He looked back with a heavy heart. Scared at the fate of Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo.

"Ick! What is this?" Yerim shouted. "It won't come off!"

"Ahh! Yoo Myeongwoo!" Yoojin shouted. "Don't hold me so tight I can't breathe!"

"Are we flying?" Yoo Myeongwoo shouted, face buried in Yoojin's back. "AHHH! I don't like this! I don't want to fall!"

The three screamed in different ways, their voices barely carrying over the rush of wind, but they were alive. Noah's poison didn't kill them?

"Mr. Noah," Yoojin shouted. "Do you know the way to Haeyeon?"

"Ummm…yes?"

"I need to get there as soon as possible."

"I can get there in a few days."

Yoojin smiled. A rare sight in a loveless world. A bright star in a bleak void. It made Noah smile too. "Great! Thank you, Mr. Noah!"

"The Breaker Kingdom is directly on the way. We can stop for supplies in one of their settlements. It'll be much safer than restocking in Seseong."

Yoojin's smile fell. "Breaker?"

Noah nodded. He glanced back at the sky ahead. Judging by the sun's direction, he needed to pivot west for the quickest route out of the Seseong nation.

"Yoojin…" Noah asked. "How did you know I could turn into a dragon?"

 "Oh…umm… didn't you tell me already? Haha? How else would I know?"

Song Taewon directed the knights away from the poison. It destroyed the grass and trees around them. If one of his knights were to touch it, there was no telling how bad the effects would be. Most poison spells were enough to make a knight sick, but the poison from a dragon of that size could do much worse.

He lifted his head for one last look before the dragon flew out of view. It was the second time Song Taewon had witnessed the princess face death and not seem bothered. Han Yoojin didn't bat an eye while facing the knights, encountering a dragon, or being covered in poison. Several feats that would make a war-trained knight hesitate.

Had the princess always been this brave, or were her skills developed over years of living with the mad king?

Song Taewon sighed. They had failed their mission to capture the princess. The king would…

He turned and surveyed the field. Han Yoojin had returned before the king. Sung Hyunjae had left with guards to meet with the princess alone. What could've delayed him this much?

Song Taewon pointed to the nearest group of knights and ordered them to find the king. They would need to set up a search. He told the mages to be ready with their healing spells and the dragon riders to prepare for a quick departure if the king was injured.

But a knight shouted. "Your Majesty! You returned."

Song Taewon turned. The king loitered out of the forest. His poison-soaked tunic stunned the knights. Their breaths ceased. They had never seen their king this disheveled.

More than the ruined clothes, Song Taewon noticed a coldness in his eyes that seemed to drag down his movements. The stiffness of his expression made the knights more terrified than when they faced the dragon.

The faint red mark on the king's face resembled a slap, if that were possible.

No one would dare touch a member of the imperial family.

Now they needed to tell him they had failed their mission. Song Taewon sighed. None of the other knights could face Sung Hyunjae while his powers slammed around them like an unsettled storm in the middle of the sea.

He approached the king, feeling the power beat against him. He planted his feet firmly, resisting to fall under the immense pressure. The king's wild magic was dangerous, but Song Taewon did not know what had caused such a reaction. The king didn't even know the princess had escaped yet.

The king's golden eyes examined the field, settling on the patch of growing poison that had now taken a chunk out of the forest's terrain. The king wore the same poison but seemed immune to the effects. The king was more talented than the court mages. If anyone could survive such a poison, it was him.

"Has the princess escaped?"

Song Taewon's lips grimaced. The knights stiffened. He apologized and informs the king that Han Yoojin has passed all of them and escaped.

Sung Hyunjae closed his eyes and sighed. "Figures."

 It's so Beautiful it Makes You Want to Cry!

Yoojin slid off Noah's back. Yoo Myeongwoo's and Yerim's grip kept him from plummeting to his death from hundreds of feet in the sky.

"Mister, wake up!"

"Yoojin, you almost fell off!"

"Oh…" Yoojin yawned, wondering when he last slept. The sun had set, and the cold air felt good while centered between the warm bodies. And Noah was really comfy.

His eyes widened. "I'm sorry, Noah! I didn't realize we had been flying for so long! Are you alright?"

Noah's response was slow. "I'm fine. If we need, I can reach the Breaker border by morning."

Yoojin bit his lip and flinched. They were still sore, and the cold air didn't help. He needed to reach his brother. Sooner was better than later, but not at Noah's expense. Yoojin had spent enough time with him in his own universe to know the signs of fatigue when Noah pushed himself too far.

But his brother was in danger…

Yoojin shook his head. No. Noah, in this universe, owed nothing to Yoojin. He was doing this out of the goodness of his heart. Plus, if he strained himself, they would never reach Haeyeon.

"We should land and…make camp…" That sounded like the right thing to say. But Yoojin had never camped in his life. Would they make a shelter out of leaves? What about fire? And they still didn't have any food.

Noah descended, took a low approach, and landed near a river where they could wash the poison off.

Yoojin was good at fishing. He could do that. How hard was it to craft a homemade fishing rod? He glanced at Yoo Myeongwoo, wondering if he knew how.

He helped Yerim jump down, and once everyone was off, Noah turned back into a man. Noah exhaled deeply, his eyes closing in drowsiness, but he quickly shook it off and looked good as new.

Yeah, taking a break was the best move.

"Thank you for your hard work, Noah."

Noah smiled at the compliment, blushing slightly. Then he seemed surprised at his own reaction. The blush worsened until it took over his entire face. "AH! It was n-nothing…I mean—of course I would—ugh!" He tried hiding his face, but it didn't work, and the blush spread down his neck. "I need to get something!" Noah turned and ran away, leaving Yoojin stunned.

Yerim tugged on his sleeve, forcing Yoojin to lean down so she could whisper to him. "Be careful what you say to people who have lived with a frozen heart for so long. Fresh emotions overwhelm them."

"I just thanked him."

"Expressions of any kind might have been rare for him. People living without love might never have heard something like that."

Not even a 'thank you?' How could no one have ever treated his dear Noah with affection?

"Should I act disdainful around him?" Yoojin asked. He wanted to show Noah the affection he had missed out on his whole life but didn't want to overwhelm him.

Yerim shook her head like that was the worst thing she ever heard. "A frozen heart had made them naïve to emotions. If you're too foul with him, those emotions can send him into a spiral."

This was a lot to remember. Yoojin had to be very careful with the people he interacted with.

Yerim continued. "For the first few days, try to be neutral. State facts instead of hostility or admiration. For example, after Unnie unfroze someone's heart, sometimes they hugged her and even tried to kiss her."

"Were they perverted?"

"No." She looked at him incredulously. "That's just how their heart melted. They said Unnie was so beautiful and caring they couldn't hold back. The flood of emotions leads them, not their rational mind."

"What did Unnie do?"

"She would turn out of their hug and hold their hands instead. She's not that kind of woman."

Right. Yoojin touched his lips, still stinging from a bite.

"But if she would have pushed them away or scolded them, they would have spiraled."

“Spiraled into what?”

Yerim shrugged. "I don't know. I've never seen it, just heard about it. Like Noah being overwhelmed with positive emotions. The same could happen with a negative response. Depending on the person, it could come back as hurting their newly awakened heart, leading to destruction or revenge. Love doesn't always have positive attributes."

Yoojin didn't plan on getting near anyone else to melt their hearts, so he didn't consider her words too deeply. He had to keep the small group safe until he reached his brother.

He stepped away from her and checked on Yoo Myeongwoo.

His stomach growled, hunger screaming at him. All he had in the past two days was clear soup, a piece of bread, and three potions.

"Alright, while we wait on Noah to return, why don't we start a fire and—"

SHINNNNNGGG

A chill went down his spine, his eyes drifting to the dark forest around them.

"W-What was that?" Yoo Myeongwoo asked, head swiveling around.

Mocking, menacing laughter echoed around them.

Yoojin grabbed Yerim and pushed her behind. The laughter grew louder until an unwelcome face stepped out of the tree line, crowding them against the river's edge.

"Well, well, well, it's a pleasure to see you again, Princess," Choi Sukwon grinned, sword drawn. "What luck we ran into each other so soon."

Yoojin and Yoo Myeongwoo stepped back. More bandits emerged from the forest and surrounded them. They looked too happy, their eyes lingering on Yoojin in an uncomfortable way.

"I wouldn't have guessed you were the Haeyeon's missing princess with a figure like that," Choi Sukwon said. "But it's a clever disguise. And to think how much ransom I would have received with just a Haeyeon citizen. How much would the king pay for his beloved sister? Hahaha. Or at least parts of her."

Yoojin winced. Eyes darting to the surrounding bandits. Yoojin had to get the kids out of here, but without Noah, there was no quick escape, and none of them had attack skills—or magic.

Choi Sukwon raised his hand, and the bandits on either side of him armed their bows. "If the princess moves or disappears like before, shoot. She doesn't have to be alive to get a ransom."

Yerim's fingers dug into Yoojin's back. Was Choi Sukwon serious about hurting a child and an innocent man just for money? Was Choi Sukwon always this evil, or was it just this stupid universe version of him?

Someone approached them with rope. Others muttered about needing to leave quickly before the dragon returned. Someone commented on needing to check whether the princess was really a man or a woman.

Yoojin searched the faces of the bandits. Was there nothing he could do? Was he going to be used as a hostage? He checked his inventory out of habit but only had a single health potion and a non-functioning love potion.

"Y-Yoojin…" Yoo Myeongwoo stepped closer to him as the bandits approached, shivering as he stared at their weapons and disgusting faces.

Yoojin gripped his arm tighter, wishing he never put them in danger. This was all his fault. There had to be a way to get them out of danger.

"Let these two go," Yoojin shouted. "They're not from Haeyeon and won't earn you an additional ransom."

Choi Sukwon squinted, lips pressing together as he tried to hold back his laughter, but he burst out snickering. The other bandits joined in. "You think that's all people can be used for? Don't worry, we'll find good use for them."

Yoojin muttered, "You bastard. I'm telling you to let them go, and I'll go peacefully." Not that he had another plan to get away. He just hoped the threat worked.

The bandit leader chuckled. "I lost my camp, my treasure, and my bounty. Do you think I'll—"

SWOOOOOOOOO

Choi Sukwon stepped back, tilting his head at an angle. The same reaction speed of an S-rank. The other bandits froze. A second later, they turned toward the new threat. Half still facing Yoojin, the other half turned toward the forest.

Yoojin didn't have the eyes of an S-Rank to see what Choi Sukwon had dodged, but he had the experience of a seasoned hunter to track the trajectory. An arrow with a strange coloring struck a tree right in the path Choi Sukwon stood.

"Hmmm," a masculine and older voice commented. "No one has ever dodged my attack before. Let alone a dirty bandit."

Choi Sukwon sneered. "What pathetic bastard couldn't dodge that? A deaf man could hear you coming a mile away."

Yoojin's eyes widened. No. This couldn't be happening. They were both here?

Yoon Kyeongsoo stepped out of the forest's shadows. Yoon—fucking—Kyeongsoo. Like seeing a ghost, Yoojin paled. Despite his L-ranked fear resistance, he shivered. Was there a chance that he wasn't an ass in this universe?

Yoon Kyeongsoo pointed at Yoojin. "That princess is coming with me."

"Ugh," Yoojin groaned, exasperated. This damn universe had it out for him. What had his crappy doppelgänger done to have this shitty of a life? When she returned, and if Yoojin was still alive, he would give her a piece of his mind.

Yoon Kyeongsoo was dressed in polished armor covered in rich silk. A cape was tied around his neck and thrown over his shoulder. Around him, knights fanned out, not in a protective circle, but in an attack formation countering Choi Sukwon's men.

"You must be delirious. Who do you think you are to take my bounty?"

A knight dressed in heavy armor stepped forward. "You will show the future emperor of the five kingdoms, His Majesty King Yoon Kyeongsoo, with respect, you worthless trash. Unless you want us to carve you open, starting from your disrespectful tongue!"

Choi Sukwon was quiet for a moment, but he and his men burst into laughter. The knights tensed in annoyance, and Yoon Kyeongsoo's eyes ticked.

"I might have heard of a king like that," Choi Sukwon said. "But an emperor? Aren't you a little far from home to be playing make-believe?"

"How dare you speak to His Majesty like—"

Yoon Kyeongsoo held his hand up, stopping his knight. His eyes narrowed at Choi Sukwon. "I don't have time to enlighten a poorly educated bandit. I came for the princess, and you are in my way."

"I would rather be poorly educated instead of poorly raised. You seem to miss the part where the princess is already mine. I have a rather large payment to arrange with another king, but I can give you what's left since I'm so considerate. For a generous price, that is."

Yoojin tried to hold in a shudder.

Yoon Kyeongsoo stepped closer, making bandits and knights uneasy, but Choi Sukwon stood unwavering. "Step down," Yoon Kyeongsoo ordered. "Your little ambitions are nowhere close to what I will accomplish. Besides, I need a dead princess. You can have her after I'm done."

"No can do," Choi Sukwon stepped toward him. "Dead bodies rot too quickly, and the king of Haeyeon won't pay for a lifeless sister. So you can have her after I'm done."

They glared at each other, mere feet away. Close enough that a tilt of either sword would cause a fight.

Yoojin swallowed. Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo pressed into him. No matter who won Yoojin was going to lose. There were no good options, and they were so caught up in each other that Yoojin couldn't even butt in to try to talk them out of their decision.

Arrows were still pointed at him and his kids. The rushing river behind him had too many rapids and sharp boulders. The last river had almost drowned him, and he didn't even know if Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo could swim.

Choi Sukwon and Yoon Kyeongsoo shouted at each other. The knights and bandits looked like they were about to tear into each other, wanting to protect their leaders.

"If you don't give me the princess, I will rip her out of your bloody hands," Yoon Kyeongsoo stepped around Choi Sukwon, heading toward Yoojin.

"Bullshit. I would rather shred her limb from limb than let a puppet king like you have her. I wouldn't even accept a ransom from you." Choi Sukwon turned, heading to Yoojin as well.

Yoojin tensed and stepped back. Yerim gasped. He had pushed her into the river, and the rapids nearly snatched her away. Yoo Myeongwoo and Yoojin grabbed her before they lost her. There was nowhere else to go.

The two sets of men stepped closer, yelling, the chaos spreading.

Yoojin could barely breathe, but he had to do something. His kids were in peril, his life was in danger, and he would never reach his brother. Helpless, Yoojin searched his inventory. And the same two items mocked him.

He grabbed the inactive love potion. The disgusting smell would distract anyone.

He threw it at the closest set of men, Yoon Kyeongsoo and Choi Sukwon. Without looking back, he grabbed Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo, ready to run, even if it meant trying to dodge a barrage of arrows. He still had Yoo Eunhye, his damage-nullifying bracelet, and one potion. It wouldn't be able to protect them from everything. But it was his only chance. Either this or a long death by torture.

A system message window appeared in front of him.

[Your skill doubles the effect of all similar abilities]

Before the potion hit the ground, the slimy, tar-like green color shimmered under the moonlight. A bright, captivating, glittering pink color swirled in the center until it filled the whole bottle.

Yoojin watched the bottle tumble through the air before shattering at Choi Sukwon and Yoon Kyeongsoo's feet. A large cloud of white smoke and sparkles emitted into the air, covering them both. An almost overpowering odor of rose petals and champagne drifted from the cloud.

The men shouted in concern. "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"Leader Choi Sukwon!"

"What is that?"

"Someone save them!"

"Bring the mages for healing!"

As the smoke settled, Choi Sukwon and Yoon Kyeongsoo's loud and laborious coughing was all anyone heard. The knights and bandits seemed to hold their breath as they waited to see their leader's condition.

Yoon Kyeongsoo wiped his face. A shimmer of sparkles gleamed on his skin like he had just spent the last twelve hours at a day spa. Making him look less worn down and more youthful.

Choi Sukwon spit like some had gotten in his mouth, but he somehow looked more rugged. The sun damage from being outside all the time turned to a nice tan, and his long, unkept hair looked brushed and styled.

They lifted their heads and turned to Yoojin. Hostility and rage boiled in their eyes. The Choi Sukwon and Yoon Kyeongsoo from Yoojin's universe were a shadow compared to the fury and malice he felt from these two.

The wrathful abhorrence these two men showed at that moment promised a very slow death. Every second Yoojin still breathed seemed to anger them more until their fury reddened their faces and caused their eyes to burn in loathing vengeance.

Their breath hissed through their lips and they snarled in disgust. Wrath seeped from their very pores and a dark cloud of ire surrounded them.

Choi Sukwon stepped forward first. His fist clenched the sword's handle, but Yoon Kyeongsoo put his hand on his shoulder, stopping him. Choi Sukwon turned his glare to him. "If you think you're killing the princess first…"

"I…" Yoon Kyeongsoo closed his mouth, leaning closer to Choi Sukwon as if inspecting something strange. "I don't think I ever noticed how beautiful your eyes were."

…

The knights and bandits stopped. Their movements froze so suddenly that Yoojin lost track of where some of them were. They didn't even breathe, as if those words had knocked their soul from their bodies.

Yoojin's stomach dropped. If they realized he poisoned their bosses, a slow death would be merciful at that point.

"My eyes?" Choi Sukwon stammered, pushing the king away. "Get out of here with…"

Choi Sukwon looked down at the hand he used to push Yoon Kyeongsoo away. The king held it to his chest, keeping them connected.

They looked at each other.

The guards and other bandits looked.

Yoojin and his kids looked.

"I mean it," Yoon Kyeongsoo said. "I must have been blind not to see you before."

Choi Sukwon had trouble meeting the king's gaze. "I…there just normal eyes. Nothing compared to a king."

"I think you are more worthy than a king."

"Don't… don't say such things unless you mean it."

Yoojin stared. Unable to look away from the train wreck in front of him. Nausea flooded him with every word spoken. How were the other men not mocking them for their ridiculous words? How were they not killing Yoojin for starting this situation?

He looked at the other men.

Huh?

Some held their hands pressed to their mouths like schoolgirls watching a romance drama. Some had tears in their eyes. Some even hugged others for support. It didn't matter if it was a bandit and a knight. They turned to each other for comfort.

One wiped a tear from his cheek. "I never thought I would see the day our leader found love."

“Shh,” a knight hiss but handed him a handkerchief. The bandit took it, looking longingly at the knight for the gift and muttering a shy thank you.

What was happening? Yoojin would have welcomed a beating instead of this. Were they all mad? He had just drugged their leaders! And they were happy?

What the hell was wrong with this world?

Choi Sukwon whispered. "You shouldn't say things so hastily. I just met you."

"But it feels like I've known you my whole life."

The surrounding men were awed.

Yoojin turned to Yerim for answers.

She was as wide-eyed as him. She whispered, "Unnie has never made a love potion this powerful. And you got it to work on two people at once?"

Yoojin hissed between clenched teeth. "Don't say it with such praise."

"But how did you do that if you're not a love witch?"

"I—"

The men awed again, and Yoojin turned without thinking, wishing he hadn't.

Yoon Kyeongsoo cupped Choi Sukwon's cheek, standing closer together. The blush over Choi Sukwon started at the back of his neck and raised to the tips of his ears.

Yoon Kyeongsoo was a little taller, and the age difference made him look more experienced than the rough Choi Sukwon. Yoon Kyeongsoo gazed deeply into the other man's eyes. Choi Sukwon stared back, shaking like a fawn's first attempt to walk.

"These eyes are like stars," Yoon Kyeongsoo said, his voice drawn to a low hilt. "I used to stargaze as a child. After the love drought took over my land, I found nothing beautiful anymore, but I would still think of those stars in the empty sky. Their splendor was only stopped by the force of the sun itself. I yearned to see the night sky every time I looked up. Maybe it was you I was looking for my whole life."

Choi Sukwon took a weak breath. "But… the night sky is right above you."

"Why would I ever look at something inferior?"

Yoo Myeongwoo sniffled and wiped away a stray tear from his eyes. He whispered about one day finding happiness like this. Yoojin stared at him in disbelief. Yoo Myeongwoo wanted to be drugged?

He turned to Yerim, but she couldn't look away. Wonder filled her eyes.

How could everyone around him be falling for this? He actually felt bad for Yoon Kyeongsoo and Choi Sukwon. Even if they were assholes and tried to kill him, this was too much of a punishment to force anyone through. Yoojin’s skin felt dirty.

"I want to say more," Yoon Kyeongsoo said, "but I just don't know how to express myself. I'm… I'm not very good with this since the love drought."

Choi Sukwon shook his head. "You think that about me? You? A king? Someone as magnificent as you shouldn't lower yourself to a mere man like me."

"Choi Sukwon…I can't measure my title as king to you."

Choi Sukwon looked away, biting his lip. The men surrounding them gasped in shock as if a plot twist had just happened before a TV drama's commercial break.

"Is it because you have more important matters to handle as a king?"

"It's because I would give up my crown for you."

Choi Sukwon looked back at him, gasping as Yoon Kyeongsoo leaned in.

Yoojin grabbed Yerim, covering her eyes from the scene.

"Ah! Hey, let go," she complained. Yoojin wished someone would cover his eyes. The image burned into his mind and would forever haunt him.

The men around them burst out cheering. "Whooa! Good for you, Leader!" "You deserve love!" "We're so happy for you!" "You better treat him well, or you'll have to deal with us!" "I never thought His Majesty would find someone." "I'm so happy! I swear I can feel my heart melting."

The men laughed and cheered until Choi Sukwon pulled away from the kiss. The blush reddening over his cheeks.

Suddenly, a few men turned to Yoojin, and he stiffened. Oh no. They were going to kill him now? He had to watch all of that and still die? Wasn't one or the other punishment enough?

"Princess, thank you!"

"Huh?"

"Yes, thank you!"

The bandits and knights gathered around Yoojin and the kids, patting them on the back.

"Love potions have never worked on the leader."

"Same with His Majesty. We worried he would never find love."

"Thanks to you, they could find each other."

"Thank you, Princess."

Yoojin looked from one to the other as they offered their gratitude. This felt wrong. Did they not understand that Yoojin tricked them with magic to fall in love? Even if it was a curse that stole their ability to love, Yoojin was no better.

Too many men gathered around Yoojin and the kids for them to escape anymore. Yoojin had been too shocked to leave when he had the chance.

"Move aside," Yoon Kyeongsoo's roaring voice ordered.

The knights and bandits cleared a path so Yoon Kyeongsoo and Choi Sukwon could see them. Yoojin swallowed. But their murderous intent towards him seemed to have lessened, but what punishment would he face for drugging the two of them?

"Princess, I owe you a great thanks."

"I do too, Han Yoojin," Choi Sukwon said. "Without you, I would have passed by the greatest treasure of my life without realizing it."

Treasure? Was he referring to Yoon Kyeongsoo? Yoojin guessed that was what the saying "one man's trash is another's treasure" was for. He held down his nausea and tried to hide the repulsion from his expression.

"Princess, thank you," Yoon Kyeongsoo bowed before Yoojin, and Choi Sukwon lowered his head. The bandits followed Choi Sukwon's lead, and the knights dropped to their knees. "Even though you were removed from Haeyeon's line of secession, there is no other royalty I see as more worthy. You may call my kingdom your home and never feel less than a queen. I owe you beyond words. You may ask me for anything."

Yerim grabbed Yoojin's hand and forced it off her face so she could see. She kicked him, reminding him to act like his doppelgänger.

Yoojin nodded. "Thanks…?"

She kicked him again, but he didn't know what to do! He wasn’t a real princess and he was too busy holding his vomit down.

"I…appreciate your gratitude, but please, don't think of me too much." Especially when you realize I drugged you and you need someone to blame.

Yoon Kyeongsoo lifted his head and smiled. "How about some information as a show of my sincerity? You are in danger, Princess. I was sent here to kill you in exchange for the chance to be emperor of the five nations. I thought the task would be easy."

Did he call killing Yoojin easy?

"Who wants me dead?" Seriously, what was his doppelgänger doing to have so many people hate her?!?

Yoon Kyeongsoo averted his eyes, embarrassed. "I can't say. I know him only as a powerful demon who covers his body and face in a thick cloak. He will be angry with me, but I will no longer work with him. And I guarantee my nation will always be a sanctuary for you."

"And I will always use my sword to protect you," Choi Sukwon said, and his eyes returned to Yoon Kyeongsoo. They turned to each other, and the shy smile was the last straw for Yoojin.

"Then…" Yoojin looked at the men surrounding him and stepped toward the forest. "Then we shall be leaving." He looked back at Yoon Kyeongsoo and Choi Sukwon to see how they would react.

They nodded, still not taking their eyes off each other. "Travel fast, Princess. Stay safe."

He took another step, and the surrounding men turned their attention back to their leaders. They had no sense of PDA.

Yerim neither. He had to grab her and Yoo Myeongwoo to get them moving. When Choi Sukwon and Yoon Kyeongsoo leaned closer for another kiss, Yoojin ran.

Chapter Text

Yoojin ran through the forest, dragging Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo behind him. They struggled to keep up while sweat dripped down their brows, but Yoojin didn’t feel safe enough to stop.

“Mister!” Yerim yelled. “Why are you running? They let us go!”

“Please,” Yoo Myeongwoo gasped between breaths. “At least slow down!”

Yoojin would have kept running, but Yerim straightened her legs, digging them in the dirt and tripping him. They fell to the ground, toppling over Yoojin.

His mind was still running a mile a minute. But now that he couldn’t focus on running, his mind focused on the horrible scene he just caused. The vivid image of two men kissing replayed in his mind, and he covered his eyes.

Yoo Myeongwoo was the first to speak. “Yoojin, is it true you’re the missing princess?!”

“Huh?” Yoojin looked over his shoulder at him.

“He is!” Yerim exclaimed. “But you can’t say anything to anyone.”

“But I don’t understand…I thought… isn’t the princess of Haeyeon a…you know…a woman,” Yoo Myeongwoo said carefully, his face slowly growing crimson.

Yoojin scrubbed his tired eyes. “Don’t refer to me like that.”

“As a princess?”

“As a… as a woman,” Yoojin had run out of patience. He didn’t care if he revealed his true identity anymore. The things he had seen in this world would haunt him for the rest of his life. And he had only been here for two days! What else could happen if he stayed longer?

Yoo Myeongwoo’s face fell. Worry overtook him, as he feared he offended Yoojin.

“He only means that he wants to keep his identity secret,” Yerim comforted him while glaring at Yoojin. “If anyone finds out about this, it could be dangerous.”

“Oh…” Yoo Myeongwoo said, looking down at his calloused hands. “I didn’t realize you were dealing with so much...” He rubbed his fingers together. “After losing your kingdom, and being forced into hiding...It all must be very hard.”

Yoojin rolled his eyes. He really didn’t care about his doppelgänger’s misfortunes. Because of her, he had been ripped away from his universe and kids. He had been chased, kidnapped, threatened, had his first kissed stolen by an asshole, and witnessed Yoon Kyeongsoo and Choi Sukwon confess their love.

I’m trying to save my universe

Her voice echoed in his mind. What was that doppelgänger doing in his universe that was so important?

Yoojin unclenched his fist and sighed. He poked Yerim. “I need to speak with you alone.”

Such a Beautiful Day for Rain!

Yoojin waited until they were alone and turned to Yerim, demanding answers. Why was Yoon Kyeongsoo and Choi Sukwon okay with him poisoning them? How long would it last before it wore off, and would they come back for revenge?

He didn’t realize he was shouting until he had to stop to catch his breath. Yerim, with wide eyes, had trouble keeping up with his rant.

“It’s not poison,” she said. “You helped them regained their ability to love. They just happened to fall in love with each other. Why is that so bad?”

“Because I basically forced two people against their will. There’s a word for that in my world. I’m not going to say it here, but it’s a serious crime.”

Her face scrounged up. “You didn’t force them to do anything. If they wanted, they could’ve killed us. Why do you think you have the power to force people to fall in love when you couldn’t even convince them to spare your life?”

“Because…because…” Yoojin threw his arms up in frustration. “Isn’t the potion magic? How strong is the spell?”

She shook her head. “That potion amplifies a love witch’s powers. Remember how Yoo Myeongwoo regained his love of work? And Noah could feel like someone cared about him, and I no longer felt like my Unnie abandoned me. Just because you hit them with the potion doesn’t mean a love of attraction had to be the response. They chose to fall in love on their own.”

That was a convenient story, Yoojin thought. “How is that considered love?” he sneered.

Yerim looked at Yoojin closely, her eyes squinting as she studied him. “Mister? Is it possible your heart is frozen?”

“What?” he gasped. Wasn’t he the only one here not affected by the love curse? He felt love for his brother and kids. He cared and felt emotions. His passion for his job kept him up working most nights and busy all the time. He cared deeply for all his little monsters. Plus, he was working to save the world. “Of course not.”

“Then…” Yerim touched his arm. “Have you never been around people who loved you?”

Yoojin’s lip twitched. His life was filled with people who loved him. But there was a lead weight in the pit of his stomach when he tried to answer.

Yerim’s eyes filled with sorrow. “Oh…Mister…”

Yoojin shook her hand off and stepped back. “It’s not like that. People show love differently in my world. No one goes around kissing or dancing or crying. It’s abnormal.”

“So no one has ever held you when you were sad? Or praised you when you did something well? What about your parents and brother?”

He stared at her. A strong need to defend himself made him feel foolish. It made him defensive.

“I’m an adult. I don’t need someone to hold me.” Yerim’s eyes only sadden at his response. It hurt to see her look at him like that. “Listen. Your universe is way too touchy-feely. No one from my world would feel comfortable here.”

Just thinking about the expressions of love he had seen here made him shudder. They were the weird ones. Not him.

A hand touched his arm, and he flinched. Yerim’s wide blue eyes met his, and she hugged him. “Mister, I love you.”

Her little arms wrapped around him and Yoojin just stood there unmoving.

There was something odd about what she said that he couldn’t understand at first. After a moment of thought, he realized what it was.

When was the last time anyone had said that to him?

He couldn’t remember.

He stared straight ahead. He tried pushing the thought out of his head and focused on his surroundings. He tried not to think about how lonely her confession made him feel.

Slowly his vision tunneled down to a pinpoint, and his eyes felt hot. His chest hurt. After a long moment, he released the breath he was holding and hugged her tightly.

No! Not My Softy!

“AH! I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to help you!” Noah shouted, bowing his head.

While Yoojin and Yerim were gone, Yoo Myeongwoo told Noah everything he had missed. Tears swelled in his gray eyes, and he apologized a hundred times.

“You must have been so scared, Yoojin-nim,” Noah said, gripping his arms. “Your hands are still shaking.”

Yoojin glanced at Yerim. When he saw her staring at him, he averted his gaze and took his hands away from Noah. “I’m fine,” he said, clearing his throat. “We should get some rest.”

He stepped away from them, avoiding Yerim’s eyes, and struggled to keep his head up. Suddenly, a message window popped up.

[Activating {Fear resistance} ! ]

[Dragon Slayer (L)]

[Launchitas Natural Enemy (SS)]

[Double the effectiveness of all skills against a Launchitas]

The system message window blocked his path, and he had to step around it. Yeah, I get it. Noah’s right there.

“Well, there’s a village not far away from here,” Noah said. “I saw it while flying overhead.”

[Activating {Fear resistance} ! ]

[Dragon Slayer (L)]

[Launchitas Natural Enemy (SS)]

[Double the effectiveness of all skills against a Launchitas]

The same message appeared. “Is it safe to stay in a village in Seseong?” Yoojin asked, ignoring the message. “They could report us to the police—I mean knights.”

“No, no, Yoojin-nim. We’re in the Breaker nation now. The Seseong guards would never cross the border.”

“Really?” Finally some good news. Yoojin touched his chin in thought. “It would be nice if we can find a place to sleep and get some food.”

He looked at his torn, poison-stained clothes. Maybe they could find some supplies as well.

!!!!!!!!!

[Activating {Fear resistance} !!!!!!!!!!! ]

[Dragon Slayer (L)] !!!!!

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

[Launchitas Natural Enemy (SS)]

⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧ ⇧

[Double the effectiveness of all skills against a Launchitas]

!!!!!!!!!!!!

The message came up again, so close to his face he had to step back. The new symbols drew his eyes down before he glanced at Noah.

Noah smiled. Yoojin couldn’t understand why the system was warning him about Noah. Sunshine and adorable Noah. Unless…

“Mr. Noah, did you always have the ability to transform into a dragon?”

“Oh…” Looking embarrassed, Noah turned his head away. “No, actually it happened recently.”

“Recently?” Yoojin couldn’t explain the chill that spread over his arms. He had to tilt his head to see Noah through another system message window.

“Yes. Me and my sister gained a rune stone that contained a transformation spell.”

“So… it’s magic that makes you like that?”

“What else would it be?”

Yoojin nodded. He couldn’t think with the system window in his face, so he turned. “I’ll be back soon. I need some air.”

Noah’s smile vanished, and his eyes widened. “Yoojin-nim!” he shrieked. He reached out like he could grab Yoojin. Dread locked his features and froze Yoojin in his tracks.

“What’s…” Yoojin stiffened. The words froze on his tongue. Water trickle down his neck. He reached up to wipe it away, wondering if it was sweat. When he held his hand out, Yerim’s face paled.

Blood. His hand was covered in blood.

“Well, well, well,” a smooth voice whispered into his ear.

The hairs on the back of his arms stood on end, and his vision trembled. The warm breath on the back of his neck stopped his heart. He felt it then; the blade held at his throat, the unyielding metal made his blood run cold.

He couldn’t move. All he could do was turn his eyes, but there was no one behind him. Just the frightened faces of his kids.

“So this is the little princess who stole my brother.”

Yoojin choked, unable to take a proper breath. His voice came out quiet and taut. The name spilling out of him like a confession. “Riette.”

Her invisibility vanished, and she appeared behind him. One arm holding a knife to his neck, the other hand holding a dagger against his back. She wore an outfit similar to Noah. A black cloak and hood that covered most of her body.

“I didn’t know the little princess knew me.” She smiled, her eyes crinkling in delight. “I’m much more famous than I realized.”

“Riette, please stop!” Noah shouted, stepping closer.

Yoojin sucked in a breath. The knife pressed closer, raising his chin and causing more blood to drip down his throat.

Noah stopped in his tracks.

“Tsk tsk,” Riette murmured. “My softy. I thought I trained you better than this. Was killing one little princess too hard for a softy like you?”

Yoojin chuckled, and it sounded cold. Well…at least Riette was the same here as she was in his universe. But unlike the Riette he knew, Yoojin had nothing to leverage over her.

“Sister, stop. You can’t—”

“I can’t?” Riette twisted the blade and forced Yoojin’s head back. “Can a softy like you tell me what I can’t do?”

“Wait,” Noah shouted, voice even more desperate. “The king revoked his order. Princess Han Yoojin broke the love curse over him and he gave us his protection.”

“Oh, I know,” she cackled. “I witnessed it all.”

“You…You did? Then why are you…?”

“Because.” Riette’s eyes shifted to Yoojin. The haunting glare pierced through him. “This little princess broke the love curse over my dear softy.”

“What?” Noah looked bewildered. “That’s a good thing. I’ve been trying to find someone to break it for years.”

“And I’ve been telling you for years to stop. It will only make you softer. You’ll be weaker than you already are. Filled with remorse and guilt. Why would you lose the curse that’s given you so much?”

Wow, Yoojin thought. In a world where everyone suffered from a lack of love, Riette was thriving. Who would’ve guessed?

“I…” Noah ground his teeth and lowered his head. His hands balled into fist. “I never wanted this curse,” he mumbled. Yoojin almost didn’t hear him.

“Ha!” Riette laughed, rolling her eyes. “I know, softy. You complained all the time. But how many times have you nearly been killed because of your hesitation? What good has love ever gotten you?”

Noah kept his head down. His hands shaking.

“See,” Riette seethed. “You can’t even look at me now that your emotions are flourishing. What if you were attacked while you were in this unstable state? Then what? You would’ve fluttered your eyelashes at the first set of kind words and been stabbed in the heart. You are weak.”

“I—”

“Weak!” she shouted over him. “You want to protect this princess, but you couldn’t even handle a thank you from him. And where were you when they needed you? Your bleeding heart is as feeble as your combat skills.”

“And you…” She looked down at Yoojin, her fingers twisting over the blade’s handle. “You made him this way.”

Yoojin took his last breath as the dagger slid closer. The finest cut burned like acid. His heart lurched in panic as his eyes met Riette.

“Stop!” Noah shouted, stepping closer. “You cannot kill the princess just because I am happy!”

Riette flinched. Her head turned toward Noah, and her lips pulled back in a beastly snarl. “Happy? You’re happy? And you think I care?”

Noah took a startled breath, his jaw dropped, and he looked…lost. Like a puppy who had been kicked too many times. He opened his mouth but said nothing. The distraught stabbed through Yoojin. The misery Noah felt was too much for him to witness.

“You were nowhere near perfect before the curse was removed, but now all my efforts with you have been wasted. While I never expected much from you, I had hoped you would at least stop disappointing me. Maybe one day you would do something right on your own. That—”

“Riette!” Yoojin shouted. “For the love of god, shut up!”

His words echoed through the dark forest. His kids froze, staring at him in wide eye surprise.

Yoojin did his best to meet Riette’s gaze. A familiar rage building inside him and boiling over until he couldn’t hold it in. If Riette didn’t want Noah anymore, Yoojin was more than happy to take him and raise him the way he deserved.

“Stop talking about your brother like he’s you! Have you not seen him? He’s amazing. If you’ve been watching us like you said, then you should have seen him escape the Seseong knights while protecting three people. How is that not remarkable to you? Why do you brush off his accomplishments just to nitpick his flaws?”

Riette had trouble controlling her expression. First an utter confusion about why someone was talking to her like this, then an unholy rage that someone was talking to her like this, then confound confusion that someone had talked to her like that.

“He’s my brother. I need to make him stronger.”

“He is strong! In fact, he’s stronger than you! He’s not scared to have emotions.”

Her eyes widened, and Yoojin could feel her take a breath. “I am scared of nothing,” she hissed.

“Then maybe you should work on your own flaws before criticizing someone else,” Yoojin snapped. “Do you know what will happen if you keep treating him like this and he becomes as strong and heartless as you want? Do you know what will happen then?”

She glared at him. Bitterness swirled around her, but she said nothing.

Yoojin bit out each word. “You’ll be alone because he won’t need you anymore.”

The icy wind accentuated his harsh words. The memory of his own brother leaving came rushing back to him. A cruel fate he wouldn’t wish on anyone.

His next words came out as a whisper. Like his voice had broken from yelling. “Will you be happy when you have nothing?”

Her lips pursed together, and her shoulders tensed. The dagger was still at his throat, but he could take a deep breath without it rubbing against his skin.

He turned his head and shouted. “Noah, she is your sister. You are not responsible for her. Do not let her decisions rule you or your chances of happiness, because you deserve so much more.” He sighed, speaking softer. “She wants you to be happy, but she might not know how to show it properly. So do your best to live your own life the way you want. If you want to be free from this love curse, then do that. If you want to be stronger than that’s great. But you are perfect the way you are. Don’t let anyone else make you believe otherwise.”

Noah stared at him. It looked like he wasn’t sure how to move anymore.

The pressure on his back shifted, causing him to yelp when the blade to once again pull his head back. Riette’s lips touched his ear. The hood covered her face completely. Yoojin shivered, his heart raced as all he could feel was the cold steal.

“What do I do to keep him?”

The words were so soft he wasn’t sure he heard her right. It was barely louder than a gust of wind. He strained to see her eyes, but they were lowered, hidden by her hood.

“I want him to be stronger, but I don’t want to lose him. How do I keep him by my side?”

He licked his dry lips. He remembered his brother walking out on him. His chest tightened until he didn’t know if he could breathe. “Ask him, not me. He loves you and now he can even show it to you.”

She didn’t move for so long he shook from the awkward stance, but she lowered the knife. He quickly stepped away, turning to face her and cupping his bleeding throat.

“Mister!” Yerim sprinted to his side, protecting him from Riette.

“Well,” Riette mumbled. She looked up, gazing at the moon as her eyes shimmered. “My brother finally stands up for himself, but he picks a princess over his own family. Who would have guessed a fairy tale ending would leave me so empty.” Riette laughed bitterly.

“Sister,” Noah said, stepping closer. He raised his hand like he was going to touch her arm, but lowered it instead. “I haven’t chosen anyone over you, but I have done something for myself. Something that I desperately wanted for so long. I feel emotions that I have only read about, and I want to share it with you.”

She laughed. “Softy.”

Noah flinched, and Yoojin’s heart ached for him. But Riette shook her head. “I’ll be no help to you, softy. I can’t help you with your emotions…but I was impressed with your escape from the Seseong knights. Maybe your time with the princess has strengthened you.”

She looked at Yoojin and Yerim. “Will you help him? Help him overcome his new emotions until he can control them? Strengthen him so he’s not subservient to his newly melted heart?”

Yoojin wanted to yell that Noah didn’t need help. That he was strong without help. But when he looked at Noah, his chest stung. Noah still looked like a lost kid.

Yoojin nodded.

Riette took a deep breath and smiled, pulling her cloak over her eyes. Did he see a tear? “Well, Softy. You and the princess are lucky. Maybe next time I won’t go easy on either of you.”

“Sister…”

Riette turned away. “I hope you’re much stronger when we meet again. Maybe tell me about your new heart or whatever.”

Whistling, Riette paced away, disappearing into the forest until no one could see her. Yoojin sighed, feeling numb. His back slumped, and he leaned heavily on Yerim.

“I’m going to sit down,” Yoojin said, wobbling.

“Let me help you, Yoojin-nim.”

“Mister, be careful!”

“Hold on, Yoojin,” Yoo Myeongwoo said.

His kids grabbed him and helped him sit. Noah used healing magic to fix the cut on his neck. More bloody patches covered his clothes. Yoo Myeongwoo fetched water for him and he drank deeply. Still feeling parched, but he wasn’t as dizzy anymore. At least with Noah here, he didn’t have to use his last potion.

Noah finished healing the cut. Yoojin opened his eyes to find Noah leaning close to his face. “I didn’t see her hurt you here.”

“Yeah,” Yerim said, looking closely. “When did that happen?”

“That looks painful,” Yoo Myeongwoo said.

“Huh?” Yoojin asked, unsure where else he had been hurt.

“Your lip is swollen,” Noah said. “Did you bite it?”

Yoojin blinked at them as they stared at him with large, curious eyes. Then he remembered the harsh kiss from a dimwitted king and a bright blush swept across his cheeks. That arrogant, asshole bastard…

He absolutely hated this universe.

The Beautiful Power of Rumors and a Large Bed!

Yoojin was so tired, but his kids refused to let him sleep on the cold forest ground. Noah assured him they would be safer if they moved to the village. Every minute, Yoojin would ask how much further and they would always answer with, “just up ahead.”

His legs were heavy and his chest hurt. He kept thinking about what Yerim had said to him, the horrible insults Riette had said, and now the memory of his brother leaving him was stuck in his head. It all made him feel heavy, like the burdens were dragging him down.

When the dim torch lights finally came into view, Yoojin felt rejuvenated, the urgency returning to his steps. The thought of not having to sleep on the ground pushed the troubled thoughts to the back of his mind.

Noah took off his cloak and placed it over Yoojin. Yerim made sure his hair was tucked out of sight. He was confused until the kids reminded him that black hair and dark eyes were a Haeyeon trait.

“Breaker nation is just as unfriendly with Haeyeon. Try to keep it a secret.”

Yoojin touched the fabric over his head and nodded. Seemed like everyone had a problem with his brother. Looks like Yoojin wasn’t making allies in Breaker either.

The village was massive. Stretching into the distance and even having some multi-story buildings. Lights shimmered in every direction and he could smell roasting food. Being near civilization filled Yoojin with some basic sense of security.

But just like the last village, no one even shared a glance with them. Defensive and standoffish personalities denied even answering when they asked where the town inn was. The love curse must have hit this town hard. They passed traders with barely anything to sell. Many people slept in the streets and glared at them. And the few places that served meals were so withered and dried that the kids wouldn’t even spare them a glance.

The inn had cracking walls. Half of the windows in the three-story building didn’t have shutters. And the door creaked when opened, causing everyone to turn and scowled at them. They stepped into what looked like a tavern. Yerim explained this would be the most likely place to rent a room for the night.

A few round tables. Wooden stairs led up to the rooms, and a barmaid filled large beer pitches.

Yoojin and his kids walked up to the bartender, and before they could ask for a room, he looked them up and down. “Inn’s full,” he said.

Yoojin blinked at him. “There’s nothing left?”

“We don’t allow outsiders to stay here,” as he spoke, Yoojin could feel the eyes of the other guest scanning them over.

Yerim groaned. “I’m starving.”

“Sir,” Noah said. “We can pay and won’t cause trouble.”

Yoojin’s stomach growled. His face reddened as the barmaid shot him a questionable look, but the bartender stood firm. “Rules are rules.”

“But we are from the Breaker guild—er—empire,” Yoojin said. “We’re traveling from Seseong on our way home.”

He frowned, eyes narrowing. “Then what were you doing coming from Seseong?”

That seemed to cause the rest of the patrons to whisper, and Yoojin felt an ominous chill. If they thought they were working with Sung Hyunjae, then they would be reported and Yoojin might be kidnapped by another asshole and used as a hostage again.

“We…were…” Yoojin glanced at Yerim, but she shook her head. But looking at her, he thought of an idea. He stepped closer to the bar. He leaned over and acted like he was lowering his voice.

“Don’t repeat what you hear from me, but I’m a love witch.”

Noah and Yoo Myeongwoo froze. Yerim’s eyes narrowed and her lips parted like she wanted to yell at him. The other people leaned closer to listen in.

Yoojin looked around, acting like he was checking to make sure no one was eavesdropping. “And we’re coming back from a very high-paying job, so if it’s money you need, we got plenty.”

The bartender glanced at the barmaid and back at Yoojin.

Yoojin smirked and continued talking like he was gossiping to an old friend. “You see. My client has tried every love witch in the Seseong empire to no luck. He finally reached out to me. I would have said no, but I flew there as soon as I heard how much they were offering. The richest man I’ve ever met.”

Most of the people in the bar were leaning closer, finding Yoojin’s telltale intriguing. The bartender finally asked, “who was it?”

Yoojin tried to hide his smile. “None other than the king of Seseong himself. His Majesty Sung Hyunjae.”

Someone sitting at the small table gasped, but quickly covered his mouth. Members at another table started indignantly gossiping. Yoojin’s kids looked rather pale, scared they would be reported to either Seseong for lying or Breaker for being traitors.

The bartender’s eyes widened. He looked at Yoojin more closely this time. He lowered his voice. Like he was scared talking out loud would accidentally summon Sung Hyunjae like some kind of devil. “He needed a love witch? The Seseong king?”

He smiled. “And he paid handsomely. Of course he did,” Yoojin added, sounding tickled. “Considering how bad the love curse had affected him…”

The bartender’s eyes widened. “It has?”

Nodding eagerly, Yoojin continued. “You wouldn’t believe how cold that guy is,” Yoojin laughed. “He’s seriously messed up. No sense of humor or personal boundaries. He couldn’t smile for a damn. The whole time, he looked constipated. And you wouldn’t believe how much of an absolute ass he is.”

The whole time he was talking, the barmaid listened intently, spilling the drink she was pouring. The man sitting closest was leaning so far over, he almost fell out of his seat. One of the occupied tables snickered.

Yoojin spread his hands wide. “The whole time we were there, we had to listen to him complain and moan about every single problem he had. And trust me, his problems did not stop at just emotional intimacy. If you know what I mean...” Yoojin’s eyes lingered downward suggestively.

The bartender blinked, caught completely off guard. Slowly a grin spread over his lips, and he struggled to hold back laughter.

Yoojin chuckled. “We could tell right away why this man has such an ego problem. But you know how men with large egos compensate for small personalities.” He winked, and the barmaid snorted a laugh. Yoojin shrugged. “But that’s none of my business. I’m just a love witch, but even I have limits to what I can do. Though, I do feel sad for his future wife. But considering his lack ofpotential, I wouldn’t count on receiving a wedding invitation.”

Finally, one man in the back cracked up laughing. A rich belly laugh. He raised his mug. “Fuck the Seseong empire and their limp dick ruler. ‘Oi, pour these poor men a drink on me. They’ve suffered enough from that nasty king.”

If only they knew.

“Nah, that’s alright.” Yoojin reached into his jacket and pulled out the coat of arms Sung Hyunjae had given him. How much was this thing worth? The gold and gems reflected off the light like a beacon of wealth. “Drinks are on the king of Seseong tonight. Tell your friends. I don’t want to see a single dry mug.”

The bartender’s eyes glowed when he saw the golden crest.

“In fact…” Yoojin leaned in, meeting his eyes. “For as long as we’re here, the gracious king, Sung Hyunjae, can cover every expense in the bar!”

Dance You Crazy Disco Ball! Dance!

Drinks were served. Food was brought to them. Music started. People came out of their homes to join them for free drinks. More stories were told about the king of Seseong. After a while, men and women started dancing together. Within an hour, the entire village was awake, and the tavern was packed. The liveliness brought a smile to Yoojin and each of his kids.

Yoojin ate his fill and for the first time here, the food didn’t look like moldy jerky. He tried roasted duck with fried vegetables and fresh bread. It was seasoned well with spices he wasn’t familiar with. A little fatty and cooked like a western dish, but the kids like it. After they finished, more food appeared. When even more food showed up, he started sharing it with whoever wanted it. He kept his poison resistance on, but still drank for the fun of it. The taste paired well with the fresh meats.

He had to, on more than one occasion, slap a mug of beer out of Yerim’s hands.

He was asked to dance. He turned them down, but so many more people asked him that he wondered if he had a sign on his back. He told more stories, the crowd laughed and smiled more and more. Someone challenged him to a dice game. He didn’t know the rules but kept betting, placing the losses on Seseong. Cheering and laughter filled the room.

People seemed really happy. Maybe the love curse wasn’t so bad in this town after all.

A line of shop keepers approached Yoojin and his kids. He was confused at first, but they showed him their supplies like a personal market. Some had vibrant colored clothes, others had exotic smelling powders, and one had rare spices.

Yerim said shop owners normally horded items crafted with love. So it was a great honor that so many owners offered to sell to him.

He bought everything. He put Noah and Yoo Myeongwoo in charge of sorting what would be donated back to the town and what they would need for their journey.

The villagers started telling their own stories, and their joyous voices blared over the music. More and more couples were dancing, some even kissed, and even a few people seemed to cry in joy.

More than once, he saw a shop owner give a gift for free to someone just for the hell of it. Music spilled into the streets until people were dancing out there. More people showed up with instruments and began playing. Someone pulled out a torch and started doing magic tricks. A woman said she used to be a performing artist and demonstrated her act for the kids. Another man told jokes until their sides hurt from laughing.

He and the kids watched every performance in awe.

Other people joined them, throwing small coins once the acts finished and someone else took their place. More and more people performed feats and entertainment.

The only scary moment was when the tavern owner announced they had run out of alcohol. Luckily, a trader revealed he would bring over his cargo. Everyone cheered. People rushed to his warehouse to help carry the barrels, and they eagerly poured Yoojin a glass. It was spiced and pleasant on his tongue. He could’ve drunk a whole barrel by himself.

Yoojin caught Yerim trying to drink again and took it away from her. She pouted, but someone brought her candy. She soon forgot about drinking and was pampered by several people.

He and the kids were dressed in new clothes, treated to rich wines, and offered creams and love potions to help ease the stress of traveling.

After a few hours, they got rooms and baths.

Yoojin followed Noah and Yoo Myeongwoo to their room, but Yerim grabbed him by his arm, stopping him. She reminded him that he was supposed to be a woman. Thus, he should room with her. He wanted to argue, but she said it would be terrible for Unnie’s reputation to room with two men.

He relented. In their room were two bath tubs and five people to help them bathe. Soaking next to Yerim wasn’t so awkward once he fell into the heated water. It was very hard to care about anything while someone scrubbed his feet, massaged his back, and washed his hair. Being a princess couldn’t be better than mooching off of Sung Hyunjae’s funds.

More food and wine was brought up. More clothes. Blankets. Treats. Jewels and magical items appeared. People cramped into the bar and there wasn’t enough room for all their new stuff. By the time he made it to bed, the festival downstairs was dying down.

Yerim snuggled up to him and he was too tired to force her to go to her own bed. Yoojin slept like a rock. For the first time since being in this universe, he was thankful for Sung Hyunjae and his ‘little’ problems.

It’s not a little problem anymore!

“Yoojin, you need to come downstairs.”

Groggy and unable to open his eyes, he wasn’t sure why Noah was standing over him. Yoojin blinked, focusing on Noah’s somber expression. Had something happened last night with Yoo Myeongwoo? Last time he saw them, they were both smiling.

Yoojin yawned, pushed Yerim’s arm off his chest, and changed clothes. His new outfit was odd. Not all of it was comfortable. He kept his old shoes and belt. Then he put his jacket on. He was still dressed head to toe in dark clothes. He had re-gifted all the jewelry that the town sold to him or given it to Yerim as a gift or Yoo Myeongwoo to hold on to.

Once he dressed, Noah said nothing and led him down the hall to the stairs where—

Yoojin’s eyes snapped wide, and he jumped back behind the barrier of the corridor walls. The brief image of gold eyes burned into his mind like a sudden slap. Already his chest was racing.

Was there a chance he didn’t see me?

Not meeting Noah’s eyes, he asked, “How long has he been here?”

“I wish I could be more accurate with my guess, but I only recently sensed them.”

Yoojin’s head jerked around. “Them?”

Noah’s lips sealed together in a thin line and he nodded, inclining his head at the window on the other side of the corridor. A thin curtain with faded edges faintly blocked the morning sun.

Every step he took toward it felt rushed. He wasn’t sure what he would see once he pulled back the curtain, but at first everything looked okay. The streets were full and everyone seemed to go about their business…wait.

Wait.

No…

Yoojin leaned closer to the glass. “Are those all Seseong knights?” Disbelief hung in the air. What had happened to the people from last night? Why were there so many knights?

“The Seseong army garrisoned the village while we slept,” Noah responded, remorseful. “I’m sorry, Yoojin. I didn’t realize what was happening. It feels like there’s some kind of magic on the inn.”

“THE WHOLE VILLAGE?!?”

Pressing his face to the glass, all he could see were knights clad in red.

They moved in units, or stood guard on every road. They lined the roofs. Beyond his field of vision, he could see more armies marching in. He squinted against the sunlight and spotted the enormous tower of a magical barrier.

Yoojin shoved away from the window and stormed down the hall.

“Yoojin…”

He didn’t listen to Noah. Instead, he stomped down the stairs, his gaze meeting eyes that seemed to be made of pure gold. Carved into a perfect face with rosy lips and fine blond hair. A sharp jawline and proud cheekbones that made Yoojin want to slap him.

Leaning lazily on his arm on the table, he regarded Yoojin in silence.

Fuming, Yoojin stopped in front of the table and shouted, “You swore! What kind of king doesn’t keep his word?”

Sung Hyunjae hadn’t moved from his isolated spot in the center of the tavern. No one else was here. And as Yoojin realized, there weren’t even other tables anymore. Even the items, the merchants had left were gone. The whole place had been emptied. The feeling chilled him. This maniac had been so close while he slept.

He never heard a single noise from a scared villager, a marching soldier, or even someone removing the tables.

He fought back a shiver. Thinking about how Sung Hyunjae had been sitting mere feet away from his room made his fear resistance activate.

Sung Hyunjae slowly straightened, holding himself with more authority. Somehow he made Yoojin feel small, even though he was the one standing. Golden eyes never flinched away from Yoojin’s gaze. He seemed different. Something stiff replaced the quick-witted response Yoojin had grown accustomed to. Without it, he was left waiting. And in the wait, he became nervous.

Yoojin was the first to look away.

“You question my word?” Sung Hyunjae asked.

His nails dug into his palm. How he wished he could hit his stupid perfect face just once. “You swore if I saved your life, you would stop trying to capture me.”

The smile that lifted Sung Hyunjae’s lips didn’t reach his eyes. “A conceded princess will only grow into a selfish queen.”

“…What?”

“You’re so concerned with yourself that you didn’t stop to think that I’m not here for you.”

A moment passed as Yoojin tried to process that. Sung Hyunjae baffled him so catastrophically that he briefly couldn’t form words. His anger briefly faded in the confusion.

“Wha…?” he asked again, unable to compose his thoughts into full sentences.

Sung Hyunjae tapped the table, and in a very neutral voice, said. “Sit, Your Highness.”

The seat between them seemed like a trap. Does a mouse grab the cheese because there is no other food available? Or because it doesn’t know any better? If Yoojin didn’t take the seat, what would Sung Hyunjae do to the villagers? Or his kids?

Gazing at the king’s face, Yoojin took the seat. Considering his circumstances, he felt his impending capture like a rope tightening around his neck.

Being the first to speak, he was surprised his voice carried. “What are you doing here if not to capture me?”

“I should ask you the same thing.”

“Huh?”

“As a princess of Haeyeon, has Your Highness send word to the Queen of Breaker of your passage through her nation? Failure to do so could cause a national incident. Or were those your intensions?”

Yoojin’s fist tightened. What kind of crappy rule said that he had to announce where he went just because they thought he was a princess? “What does it matter to you if I did?”

Sung Hyunjae rested his chin on his hand again. His long finger curved along his cheek. “Missing a triumphal entry is one thing, but continuing with your royal progress back to Haeyeon is unexpected. Have you not thought about your dued tribut?”

The terms he used were somewhat understandable under their pretext. His doppelgänger would’ve understood them if she were here, but Yoojin didn’t. In response, he refused to answer. And that only made Sung Hyunjae smile wider.

“However, the land is now annexed and no longer belonging to Her Majesty of Breaker, so whose land have you trespassed on?”

“That…?” Yoojin shook his head. “How can you accuse me of trespassing when I was here first?”

“Then, would it be more accurate to say I conquered your land, Princess? And now you’re a war trophy of that bounty?”

Yoojin slammed his fist on the table. “Stop calling me that. And I have been living in your nation for years, so you can’t call it trespassing.”

Something glinted in his dark eyes. “You admit to living illegally in my nation?”

Yoojin froze, realizing he messed up. He wanted to curse his doppelgänger for picking to live in this crazy man’s empire. She knew him. Did she not realize how dangerous he was? Why did she pick to live near him?!?

Sung Hyunjae stood. Yoojin’s stomach dropped, feeling tiny next to him. He swallowed as Sung Hyunjae circled him and stood out of sight behind him. But the gaze piercing into Yoojin felt hot and made it hard to sit still.

“Do you really intend on returning?”

Yoojin’s eyes widened. He knew? How did Sung Hyunjae know about his universe?

“H-How? How did you know?”

“Isn’t it obvious? The direction your heading is straight toward your brother’s nation and your determination has been high since I mentioned his injury.”

The tension eased from him. He almost revealed his universe just because of a misunderstanding.

What leverage would Sung Hyunjae have over him once he found out Yoojin knew nothing about this world? If he ever found out Yoojin was just bluffing, he could do anything to him at that point. There would be no title of princess or threat of his brother to keep Sung Hyunjae civil.

Yoojin stood, already feeling a crick in his neck from having to look up at this bastard.

“There is no one in this cursed world who can stop me from seeing my brother. I will return home whether you like it or not.”

Sung Hyunjae took Yoojin’s declaration without a retort. It was so out of character for him that Yoojin question if his outburst was too much.

“After years of hiding in exile, one mention of your brother’s condition is all it takes for you to return home?”

The cautiousness in Sung Hyunjae’s words made Yoojin answer with much more wariness. He swallowed. “…Yes.”

There was a long silence. The air grew stiff. Not that Sung Hyunjae was angry or surprised. Just puzzled. The tension prickled at Yoojin until he realized that Sung Hyunjae's perception was picking up something unsaid. The clever jerk was too smart for his own good and noticed something Yoojin didn’t realize sooner.

The Han Yoojin of this world would never return home under any circumstances.

There was a point in Yoojin’s life, before he regressed with the wishing stone, that he said he was done with his brother. He had blocked his number, never accepted the money he sent, and denied their relationship to others.

To everyone else, it had really seemed like he disowned his brother, but deep down he never stopped loving him. He had never felt happier than that first moment after he used the wishing stone and saw his brother alive again.

But, perhaps, maybe…was there a chance in this universe they had an unsalvageable relationship?

How… How miserable, Yoojin thought to himself. What had happened with his doppelgänger to cause their rift? For her to have to go into hiding and never mention her brother…

Yerim didn’t know. And if he asked Sung Hyunjae, his secret would be revealed. He would have to go to Haeyeon and find the answer himself.

Sung Hyunjae finally spoke. “If that’s your genuine desire, I’m sorry for impeding your destination.”

“Bullshit.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes widened at his crude language. Yoojin felt a phantom kick to his shins as if Yerim was reminding him to ack like a princess.

“You swore to me and you don’t even have the decency to wait a day before breaking your word,” Yoojin said.

“I have not broken my word,” the authority in his voice was staggering. “I am simply not here for you. However…” He stepped closer and Yoojin stepped back. “It seems I have come across the displeasing dilemma of what to do with the criminals who now inhabit my territory.”

“Criminals?”

“Yes. Remind me, princess, what is the penalty for association with a wanted criminal? The three companions with you are not as innocent as they look.”

“What are you talking about? They’re…” No. Surely he wasn’t serious. “That’s…that’s cheating… You can’t…”

“Under the oath I made, I can no longer capture a runaway princess, but I can arrest dangerous outlaws.”

“So you’re arresting us?” Yoojin shouted.

Sung Hyunjae smirked. “They’ll have a trial, but disobeying the laws of a king is a death sentence. Not to mention the wanted assassin you’re traveling with. Or the little girl who harbored a foreign princess. And the blacksmith who resisted my knights’ orders while you escaped.”

“They’re not a part of your kingdom!” Yerim and Yoo Myeongwoo were, and Noah probably was, but Sung Hyunjae didn’t know that. “You’re not their king any more than I’m a princess.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes narrowed. “They’re in Seseong territory, making them my people.”

“But this isn’t…” The gears in Yoojin’s head snapped in place, finally realizing Sung Hyunjae’s plan. He shouted, unable to form his words properly. “You… You! YOU!!!”

Sung Hyunjae shrugged, seeming disinterested. “I’ll speak well at their trial. I’m not opposed to rewarding you for acting the part.”

Yoojin’s hands tighten into fist. “What part do you expect me to play?” he hissed, but Sung Hyunjae turned away and was already heading to the door.

“An obedient princess.” He called over his shoulder.

“Let me guess!” Yoojin shouted after him. “The price for their freedom is me coming to your nation with you.”

Sung Hyunjae glanced back. “You’re already in my nation. But I might be lenient in exchange for a few secrets. However, bring them to me quickly. The price for their safety seems to be rising rapidly.”

Yoojin ground his teeth. “What makes you think I’ll just sit here and let you take them?”

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to escape like last time, princess. Not in your position.” Sung Hyunjae reached for the door.

“YOOJIN!” Yoojin screamed. He smacked his chest. His face redden in unadulterated rage. “My name is Han Yoojin. Not ‘princess!’”

Sung Hyunjae’s hand stilled for a moment before lowering. The tall man turned and walked back to Yoojin with an unreadable expression. Yoojin had been so angry he hadn’t thought about what it meant to speak to Sung Hyunjae like this.

But each step Sung Hyunjae took toward him caused a system window to pop up, warning him about his fear resistance. He stumbled back, wanting to keep away from this monster, but his back hit the wall.

He took a gasping breath as Sung Hyunjae stood over him.

His gold eyes seemed to glow and make the room feel dark. When he raised his hand, Yoojin flinched. But he stroked Yoojin’s hair out of his face and stared down at him with a piercing gaze.

“Han Yoojin.”

Sung Hyunjae whispered his name. Testing how it sounded on his lips while speaking in such a deep voice. Yoojin had only ever heard lovers talk to each other like that.

The hand tightened around his neck, cupping the back of his head. Nearly pulling him onto his toes and closer to Sung Hyunjae. A movement he followed without resistance.

He couldn’t explain the buzz of static that surrounded him, but he wanted to clutch his chest to calm his racing heart. His legs felt weak. Words were left unsaid. Sung Hyunjae didn’t say anything either—an uncharacteristic reaction from him.

Yoojin wet his lips, regretting ever telling Sung Hyunjae to use his name. It felt so personal and intimate. Like they crossed a boundary that should’ve never been broken. An untamed act of rebellion from both of them.

Sung Hyunjae was leaning so close to him he could feel the warmth from his chest. Sung Hyunjae opened his mouth, and Yoojin pushed back into the wall. He hadn’t recovered from Sung Hyunjae using his name.

But Sung Hyunjae closed his lips and released Yoojin. His departure was quick and left Yoojin staring at the empty room.

 Outlaws, Rebels, Fugitives, and a Smooth Criminal!

“I’m too young to be a wanted criminal,” Yerim whined.

“You’re not a criminal,” Yoojin corrected. “None of you are. We’re just being held by a son of a—”

“Be careful what you say out loud,” Kang Soyoung said, holding a finger over her mouth. “Such words are punishable even if said by a princess.”

Yoojin had come outside to see exactly how screwed they were, and Kang Soyoung greeted him with a cheerful smile. Happy to see him again like an old friend. After introducing her to the kids, she acted as their escort.

He looked up at the magical barrier that surrounded the village and sighed. Yeah…they were screwed.

KAWWW!

“Oh~ Look who’s come to greet you, Your highness.” Kang Soyoung said merrily.

Blue trotted past the saddled dragons toward Yoojin, bouncing gleefully with every step. All the dragons lay near each other, some eating and others being brushed by the knight’s squires. Blue seemed out of place with the matching black dragons, but the other knights seemed to take good care of her.

Blue trilled at Yoojin, tilting her head for pets.

But Yoojin just glared at her.

“Traitor,” he scorned.

KAWW!?!

Blue jerked back. Unable to hide her dismay and tears.

Behind her, Comet lifted her head and narrowed her dark eyes at Yoojin.

He sighed and petted Blue. He didn’t like seeing her sad. Even if she betrayed him with the love curse nonsense.

It wasn’t until Blue was purring that Comet lowered her head and went back to resting.

“Aww, Blue, did you find a mate? Is that why you couldn’t come with us?” Yerim asked, rubbing her neck. She praised her for finding love.

“Yes~ They look like a fated pair,” Kang Soyoung told Yerim. She talked about how cute the new couple was and how the other riders were taking good care of Blue. They even talked about having a wedding. Yerim loved the idea and even offered her services if they needed an apprentice love witch to officiate the ceremony.

Yoojin shot her a glare. He didn’t want to spread this love curse any further.

Blue purred, seeming to want to greet everyone before going back to Comet and the rest of the sleeping dragons. Comet made room for Blue next to her, curling up with her wings over her head. And Blue plopped down on top of her, cooing and rubbing her cheek over the sleepy dragon.

Once she settled down and they were snuggled tight together, Comet raised her wings to cover Blue. They turned their heads, so they slept with their cheeks touching.

Yoojin’s heart pang.

Did they realize they were cursed because of him? Or was Yerim right, and they just happened to choose to fall in love with each other? They looked happy. And that’s all he wanted for his kids. But he felt guilty that he had caused this.

He sighed. He wished to leave this universe without causing anymore love anomalies.

One of the nearby knights briefly caught Yoojin’s gaze and glanced away. It wasn’t the first person to do that. In fact, most of the knights were staring at him.

“We should get back inside,” Yoojin sighed. “I don’t want to cause a commotion with this level of hostility.”

“Hostility?” Kang Soyoung asked, looking around. “I apologize if my companions are being rude, but none of them have bad intentions.”

“The way they’re staring says otherwise.”

“Oh…that,” Kang Soyoung was gracious enough not to lie. “No. They’re ordered not to bother you.”

He looked at her. “So this is Sung Hyunjae’s doing?”

She ducked her head. “In a way... His Majesty doesn’t want them asking for your help.”

“My help? What can I do?”

Yerim elbowed him. He hissed, clutching his side. She wasn’t holding back her punches anymore.

“Wait, you don’t mean they want my help as a love witch?” What crazy absurdity is that?

“Many of the knights suffer from the curse,” Soyoung said. “After seeing Comet and Blue together, they’re hopeful about finding love as well.”

“But why won’t Sung Hyunjae let them talk to me?”

“Oh…n-no reason.”

He could tell she was hiding something. He just didn’t have a clue what it could be.

Noah leaned closer and said, “If someone has gone without affection long enough, they could be desperate to do anything for your help.”

Yoojin raised an eyebrow. “Desperate enough to help us escape?”

Before Noah could reply, Kang Soyoung yelped. “No! No! Don’t even think about it. They’re under strick rules and would be punished on the spot if seen talking with Your Highness.”

Yoojin glanced at the knights nearby, only to have them all avoid his gaze. None of them would even look at him. Why did Sung Hyunjae think so highly of Yoojin’s powers?

Thinking about that man only raised his blood pressure. How dare he keep treating him like this? First he threatened his brother, and then tried to use him as a hostage. And now he captured an entire village? Not to mention that horrible kiss! That king deserved to get some payback.

“I don’t care if none of the knights here help me. I’m leaving.” Yoojin shouted and pointed toward the village’s heavily guarded entrance road. “And I’m going out that gate!”

His kids and the nearby knights stared at him. Out of curiosity, Kang Soyoung asked, “How are you going to do that?”

“We will—wait...why am I talking to you?” Remembering that she worked for that bastard, he shut up. He grabbed his kids and headed back to the inn to make plans.

You Can’t Dance Without a Partner!

Back in the inn, they gathered around a table while Noah listed every reason they couldn’t escape. His insight was amazing. But did he have to be so discouraging? Yoojin’s hope was slowly being shattered.

He banged his head on the table in despair.

BANG

“We can’t run,” Noah said. “There are too many knights stationed at every entrance. Their armor is upgraded too. I noticed their poison resistance.”

Yoojin banged his head again.

BANG

“Even by myself, I can’t get past the magical barrier.”

BANG

“If we somehow got it down, there are archers stationed on every rooftop and would eliminate me before we could even think about flying.”

BANG

“Then there’s the dragon riders,” Noah said. “I can’t outmaneuver them if I’m carrying three people.”

BANG

“Can’t we just bribe the knights?” Yerim asked. “Like how Yoojin distracted King Yoon Kyeongsoo and Choi Sukwon with a love potion? They could help us.”

Noah shook his head. “Even if we could find someone willing to talk to us. It would be impossible to meet them in a setting where no one else would see. But even if we did, the Seseong mages are scattered on the outskirts of the village. They have spells to detect any sort of movement. Not even invisibility would allow us to walk past them.”

BANG

“Then there’s the king and his knight Song Taewon. They’re both sword masters and highly skilled mages. I can hold off one of them for a short time, but their skills are known in every nation. Running from them would be impossible.”

BANG BANG BANG

Yoo Myeongwoo placed his hand under Yoojin’s head to protect him from the impact. “Yoojin, it will be okay. Even if we face criminal charges, we will find a way through this.”

His shoulders slumped. That only made him feel worse. He was the one who dragged them into this mess.

“Come on, Mister. You escaped once. Can’t you do it again?” Yerim asked.

Was she really asking for lightning in a bottle twice? Looking back, he had to have been crazy lucky to escape the first time. Even a second time. But now, Sung Hyunjae had time to plan and set up his ridiculous precautions to counter anything he could think of. Why was this universe so cruel?

“That’s something I was wondering about…” Noah said.

Yoojin lifted his head and looked at him. Yoo Myeongwoo’s hand felt nice on his bruised head.

“How were you able to escape without a single scratch? Not even my sister could infiltrate Seseong’s castle, but you escaped? How?”

Yoojin lifted his arm. “Help from this.”

“A bracelet?” Noah asked, looking closer.

“It nullifies damage. But…” Yoojin sighed. “I’m not sure how much more it can take.”

He sat up and touched Yoo Eunhye, his damage nullifying bracelet. Light shimmered around his arm, growing in intensity before turning into a beautiful blue song bird.

Everyone gasped, leaning in to see the pretty bird.

“Everyone, meet Yoo Eunhye.”

TWEET

Yoo Eunhye flew into the air. The delicate details shimmered like diamonds. Then it turned and attacked Yoojin.

“Agh! Hey! Stop that!”

TWEET!!!!!!!

Yerim mused, “It seems mad.”

“What does it have to be mad about?” Yoojin shouted, while trying to protect his face from tiny talons.

TWEET TWEET!!!!

The furious little bird pecked and pulled at Yoojin’s hair. Probably upset that Yoojin had almost used up all its power in a single day. The bird landed on the table and fell over dramatically, faking its death. It looked exhausted.

“Come on. I didn’t know I would take that much damage. Can you stop? I promise I’ll be more careful.”

The bird didn’t respond.

Yoojin scrubbed a hand over his face. He didn’t have any mana stones to feed it. Once it ran out of power, Yoojin would be in big trouble.

He poked the little bird. “Once we reach my brother’s kingdom, we’ll be okay. So you have nothing to worry about from here on out.” The little bird lifted its head and chirped softly. Yoojin smiled sweetly. “So if you just help me out until then…”

TWEET!

The bird’s eyes narrowed in a fiery rage, and it flew up in a flurry, light shimmering until it changed back into its bracelet form in a burst of splendor.

Yoojin didn’t intend to upset Yoo Eunhye like this, but he still had a long way to go to see his brother. He meant it when he said he would be more careful. He reached for Yoo Eunhye to give it a reassuring tap…

Huh? Yoojin checked his wrists, but they were empty. Where did it go?

“Oh, my…” Yerim covered her mouth, her eyes widening and sparkling with something he didn’t have words for.

“Umm…Wow.” Noah said, staring at him as if he sprouted a second head.

Yoo Myeongwoo’s jaw fell.

Yoojin patted himself down, searching for Yoo Eunhye. Not on his arms or around his neck. There weren’t any rings on his fingers. Where did it go? He bent over to touch his ankles. Did Yoo Eunhye disappear?

“Mister…”

Yoojin looked at Yerim. She tapped the side of her head, signaling something. He reached up, flinching when his fingers touched something smooth next to his ear. Metal wrapped around his temple like a baseball cap, but didn’t connect in the back. Little bumps covered the front and came to a modest peak.

Realizing what Yoo Eunhye had done, he shouted. “$%&#!!! Are you kidding me!?! $&%#! &%7$!”

He grabbed Yoo Eunhye on each side of his head and tried ripping it off, but the high-ranking item didn’t want to move. Was this getting back at Yoojin? This wouldn’t help at all!

Yoojin grunted and pulled, twisting in his chair until he almost fell off.

“I feel so uncomfortable sitting,” Yoo Myeongwoo whispered.

“I know,” Noah said. “I feel like I should be kneeling.”

Yoojin shot both of them hostile glares, and they stiffened.

Yerim grabbed his arm, standing from her seat and leaning closer to inspect the new shape Yoo Eunhye had taken. There were stars in her eyes. “It’s so beautiful, Mister. You look so pretty.”

His mouth fell open. Pretty? He didn’t feel pretty. It gave him a sickling feeling. There hadn’t been a single good thing to happen to him in this world, and this was just the cherry on top of a fucking terrible experience.

“How does it make all those little gems?” Yerim asked. “You look just like how I imagine a princess to look.”

Yoojin regarded her with abhorrence, but it was impossible to burst her bubble. His arms dropped in defeat, and he sighed. This universe sucked. Couldn’t Yoo Eunhye help him instead of embarrass him?

Yoo Myeongwoo brought him a mirror, and it was even worse than he thought.

Yoo Eunhye sat on top of his head in the dainty shape of a tiara. The semi-circular crown had an intricate design that was stunning. Looking like white gold that had been polished for centuries to a high shine, it radiated light even in the dim room. Multiple pearls aligned the front in differencing sizes but with perfect luster and shape.

It contrasted his dark hair and eyes. Its humble size and color drew everyone’s attention. None of his kids could look away. Come on, Yoojin groaned. Why did it have to be so noticeable?

Yerim beamed. “I love it. You make a beautiful princess.”

He raised his hand and plopped it over her face.

“OOF!”

Leaning closer, he gently shook her. “Don’t call me that.”

“But it’s true!” She shouted, unable to pry his hand off her face. “Princess! Princess!”

“…it’s true.”

Yoojin’s head snapped around, eyes narrowing at Noah and Yoo Myeongwoo as he tried to figure out who said that. But they averted their eyes, their cheeks rosy.

“Stop focusing on the crown,” Yoojin shouted, giving Yerim one last shake. “If we don’t find a way out of this town, we will be imprisoned for life.”

“But what can we do against an army?” Yoo Myeongwoo asked, his voice filling with defeat.

Yoojin looked at him and felt a tinge of heartbreak. He couldn’t let anything happen to his kids. Maybe he should make a deal with Sung Hyunjae so they could go free.

He touched the crown on his head and wondered how he would ever get home if he were trapped in a dungeon.

Yoojin closed his eyes. “I think I know what to do… but…” he looked at everyone. “I can’t force any of you to bear the risk if I fail. If any of you want to go free right now, tell me and I will make sure the Seseong king lets you go.”

“But…” Yoo Myeongwoo asked, “What will happen to you?”

“Mister, you can’t.”

Yoojin silenced her. “I won’t let anything happen to any of you. If that means facing Sung Hyunjae, I will deal with that.”

The three of them exchanged a look, and Yoojin waited for their response.

“So tell us, Yoojin-nim, what the plan is,” Noah said.

“Huh?”

“To escape this village,” Noah added. “Whatever you need, we will fight by your side.”

“Yes, Mister. You can’t just sacrifice yourself. I can help.”

“Are you sure? Sung Hyunjae is legitimately crazy. I don’t know what will happen to us if we can’t escape.”

Noah smiled. “Luckily, we won’t stick around to find out.”

Yoojin breathed a sigh of relief. Their confidence in him was an amazing light in this horrible world. It didn’t matter what it would take, he would get his kids out of here safely.

He nodded. “Right. Mr. Noah, can you reach Riette?”

“Her?” his eyes widened, and he looked nervous. “I—I don’t think she will help us…”

“Tell her I…” Yoojin almost choked and bit his tongue. He cleared his throat and held a hand over his heart. “That I, Princess Han Yoojin, will owe her a favor.”

Noah paled.

Yerim tugged at his arm. Already looking furious that Yoojin would use her Unnie to pay a debt. He winked at her, saying it will be fine.

“Even if she comes, she won’t be able to face the entire army. Especially with the king and his knight here.”

Shaking his head, Yoojin said, “I don’t need her to fight.”

“Then…why?” Noah asked, not understanding Yoojin’s motivations.

Yoojin waved the comment away. “I’ll explain later. Does anyone have anything to write with?” After scrounging the tavern, they found a thin linen and a piece of sharp charcoal. Yoojin sketched the best he could, the kids leaning over his shoulder the whole time. He held the drawing up to Yoo Myeongwoo. “Can you make something like this?”

He scrutinized the picture. “What is that?”

“A weather balloon.”

 The Sound of a Beating Heart Deafens us like Hurricanes!

Sung Hyunjae could feel Song Taewon’s gaze burning with curiosity, but he didn’t acknowledge him. After speaking with Han Yoojin, they procured the mayor’s residence for their stay. The damp building held countless documents of the Breaker’s secret routes and hidden military post, but none of them interested him.

Song Taewon cleared his throat and asked. “Is it safe to leave the princess unattended?”

“Han Yoojin.”

Song Taewon’s shoulders jerked. He looked more closely at Sung Hyunjae.

“The princess doesn’t wish to be referred to as her title any longer,” Sung Hyunjae added.

“… if that’s how she wishes to be addressed—”

“He also becomes agitated when referred to as a woman.” The other man stared dumbly at him. The annoying reminder of Han Yoojin bothered him in ways he couldn’t understand.

On the one hand, he wanted to strangle the princess with his bare hands. The satisfaction of squeezing that smooth neck was almost pleasurable in his cold veins.

But the other side of him wished to follow this curiosity to the very end. Watching Han Yoojin was entertaining, if nothing else, but there was something more. To see someone risk so much for something completely unlogical. Speaking to him, Sung Hyunjae could hear his hidden intelligence, but nothing about his motivation made sense to him.

Sung Hyunjae sighed and leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers rhythmically on the table. “I don’t remember the Haeyeon princess being so willful. And he’s insisting on returning home.”

A line formed between Song Taewon’s brows and a deeply distressed look crossed his face. “After fleeing from the mad king? How could he ever want to go back?”

Before he could reply, the door opened. Kang Soyoung lowered her head and bowed. “Your Majesty, I’m here to report about the princess and her companions.”

 “Is Han Yoojin doing anything suspicious?”

“Han Yooj—Oh—the princess! No. He…” She glanced out the open door. “…seems to be relaxing.”

Song Taewon and Sung Hyunjae turn towards her. “Relaxing?” Song Taewon asked, skeptical. “Anything else?”

Gradually, Kang Soyoung raised her gaze. Nearly staring at the sky. “Sightseeing? He said he wanted to see the sunset before joining us on the journey back.”

Song Taewon shifted in his seat and glanced at Sung Hyunjae. He suspected to see relief in the king’s expression, but was surprised to see disappointment.

“He’s agreed to return to Seseong?” Sung Hyunjae asked.

Kang Soyoung nodded and pressed her knuckle to her lip. “Yes, he seemed upset at first, but now he likes the idea. He even asked where you were staying. I think he might speak with you soon.”

Sung Hyunjae’s frown deepened. After the long chase, this sudden surrender felt disappointing. A dull victory won by forfeit was hollowed of glory. The bit of excitement Sung Hyunjae felt faded like a facade and everything felt listless.

The small joy of emotions he had been feeling vanished. Even his cold heart seemed to beat less.

He couldn’t understand why Han Yoojin would give up so quickly. The little interest he had in the Haeyeon princess disappeared, leaving the dismal boredom in its place. Where his heart once beat with passion, he found the let down much worse than before. He had tasted the sweet flavor of life and enthusiasm, only to be left with bitterness in its place.

A crushing cold and emptiness.

Kang Soyoung added, “The princess also mentioned something about his… position.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes shifted to her, narrowing at the familiar phrase. “What?”

“Hmm, what was it? He said, ‘I hope His Majesty witnesses my position.’ I wasn’t sure what he meant, but he seemed happy, so I didn’t want to ruin his mood.”

The room was quiet. Kang Soyoung lowered her gaze from the sky to her king, wondering what caused the spike in tension.

Song Taewon stood, and Sung Hyunjae was already moving toward the door.

When the first explosion sounded, the building rattled. Knights were already shouting orders. A second explosion followed, and a building crumbled to dust.

Sung Hyunjae stepped outside and his eyes scanned the village. The glare of the setting sun obscured his vision as his eyes adjusted, but didn’t delay his search.

Han Yoojin stood nearly in front of him. Time seemed to stop.

On the opposite side of the wide road, on top of a tall building; a sight that was so astounding it froze him in his tracks. Centered against the blue and golden sky, Han Yoojin’s silhouette was the focal point of his vision. With his back facing Sung Hyunjae, he slowly turned, as if he could feel the king’s gaze on him.

Sung Hyunjae audibly gasped. The air locking in his throat.

The darkness from Han Yoojin’s cloak and hair absorbed the radiant colors from the setting sun. But something on top of his head glinted—a tiara. A refined piece of jewelry fit for a queen. He had never seen another royal wear it so well.

Its snow-white contrast against his dark features was devastating to witness.

Han Yoojin's face was impossible to make out, but his smile was unmistakable. A simple lift of lips on a beautiful face. A theatrical moment that felt like a lifetime had passed in the blink of an eye. All the while, Sung Hyunjae couldn’t take his eyes off the dark figure crowned in gold. Hypnotized by a sight so stunning that he was left breathless.

Sung Hyunjae’s heart beat.

An unfamiliar sensation that he wasn’t prepared for, but it made him ache. It was painful at first, like his body wasn’t used to it. How could passion feel so much like fear? The thudding of his heart could've been mistaken for panic.

Another explosion went off very close to them, lighting the backdrop in flames as one of the magical barrier towers crumbled to the ground. Giving Han Yoojin the appearance of standing on fire.

GRUANHHDHHHHHHDHHH

The ground shook as a screech filled the sky.

GAGGUUHHHHHHHHHHHH

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes widened. The massive monster that resembled a giant worm sprung from the ground, roaring in an ear-piercing wail. It dove straight toward the princess.

The ground rumbled, and the worm blocked the sun, casting the village in darkness. Unexperienced soldiers trembled at the sight of it. Considering how much of Seseong it destroyed, they had every right to be cautious. Yet, Han Yoojin stood still.

Sung Hyunjae rushed forward, grasping his seeker chains to catch the princess. As he raced forward, he couldn’t look away from Han Yoojin. He looked peaceful. Like he had no fear. It was the same expression he had when he jumped off the castle balcony.

The worm screeched, widening its mouth and showing an inner layer of spiraling teeth. Its shadow covered Han Yoojin, those jagged teeth closing around him. Sung Hyunjae was fast, but his awareness knew he wouldn’t get there in time. Not before a silver dragon swooped down and grabbed him.

Queen Yoojin’s Rise to Power! (Chaos version)

“I got him!” Yoo Myeongwoo shouted over the rush of wind.

Yoojin clutch to him as they pulled him on top of Noah’s back, his heart still racing. Not even fear resistance could keep his hands from shaking.

The worm screamed in fury, devouring the building he was just on and turning to chase after Yoojin. Its grimy white skin was heated with rage.

GAGGUUHHHHHHHHHHHH

“Mister, that was too close! What if it ate you?!”

“Don’t worry about me,” Yoojin shouted. “Did you get everything done that I said to do?”

“We—”

“Hold on!” Noah shouted.

The worm curved back, arching and striking after them. Noah barrel rolled, avoiding its gaping mouth and its thousands of teeth. Noah maneuvered flawlessly while tossing Yoojin, Yoo Myeongwoo, and Yerim.

“AIM!”

Yoojin’s head turned at the archer’s shout, but couldn’t spot them while Noah twisted to avoid the worm once again. Just trying to focus on a spot for too long made him feel like throwing up.

“Noah go!” Yoojin shouted before the first arrow left its quiver. The sound of hundreds of arrows slicing through the air was shockingly loud.

GAGGUUHHHHHHHHHHHH

The worm dove into the earth, only to shoot back up and chomp at Noah. Yoojin wished he could use his teacher's skill on the worm. It would make this next step so much easier, but Noah assured him he could handle it on his own.

Noah swung in front of the worm before the arrows hit and—

GAHWWKK!!!

The arrows struck the worm. It had come out right between them and the archers and blocked all their shots.

“Reload!”

Noah dived low, following the wide street and staying below the line of buildings. Antagonizing the worm by staying just out of its reach.

“Hold on!” Noah shouted. Yoojin gripped his kids tighter and fought to hold down his nausea. Yoo Myeongwoo already looked green.

The worm dove in and out of the ground, chasing after them, only for Noah to use it as cover from the archers that lined every building. Swinging back and forth under the arching curves of the worm, he masterfully dodged aerial attacks.

The soldiers shouted in frustration, chasing after Noah, but couldn’t keep up. The worm screamed every time he blocked the attack, unwittingly covering them and leading them out of the village.

GAHWWWKKK!!!

Noah cleared the last building of the archers and soared up, away from the arrows and out of the worm’s range. They cleared the city and fled the armies. The monster roared in frustration, and Yoojin apologized for using it as a shield. The worm sunk into the earth and disappeared as it continued to chase after them. Creepy, but hopefully they could get far enough away from it to never see it again. Yoojin couldn’t believe it had chased him this far.

Noah rose higher. Dark clouds formed around them. The sun was dipping into the horizon as a storm picked up. Yoojin took a deep breath to prepare for the next obstacle.

Thunder crackled in the air, raising the hairs on his arms. The force from the powerful magic caused the sky to change colors. “Yoo Myeongwoo, were you able to set it up?” Yoojin asked, but the blacksmith looked too ill to answer. “Yoo Myeongwoo? Yoo Myeongwoo!”

Lightning skirted across the now dark sky, electricity blaring brighter than the sun. Static and electric discharge deafened him, and the loud explosion of thunder caused them to flinch. A dangerous threat he had seen many times while dealing with Sung Hyunjae.

His skin tingled as a bolt of lightning shot from the sky, darting straight at them.

Yoojin instinctively flinched, holding Yerim protectively, but there was no way Yoo Eunhye could shield them all. But the bolt of lightning zipped across the sky—away from them.

Another bolt followed it only to change course last second. The crashing explosion sent up fire and debris into the large arch that missed them.

More bolts shot out but missed them. The final one stuck the structure and destroyed the metal locks Yoo Myeongwoo had made, releasing the blacksmith’s creation into the air.

Yoojin breathed a sigh of relief seeing the weather balloons float into the air.

After explaining what he needed Yoo Myeongwoo to create, the blacksmith had added a few things to the design. A creation that could protect them against the worst lightning magic. He had borrowed metals from the villagers, and worked tirelessly all day with Yerim to sew the fabric. The final creation looked great. Something only a master blacksmith could’ve created.

While they had worked, Noah sent a message to Riette. Yoojin needed her to track down the worm to destroy the magical barrier.

“Yoojin,” Noah called, “The Seseong dragon riders are behind us!”

“Right,” Yoojin muttered, glancing over his shoulder. Their formation looked perfect. Watching them like this it was obvious why everyone called them the best.

Yoojin bit his glove off and stuffed it into his pocket. He brought his fingers to his lips and whistled, the stiff wind nearly silencing the sound.

He tried again, but a missed bolt of lightning overpowered the noise.

Nervously and with a rushing heart, he tried again. Noah was fast, but he was carrying three people. Compared to the best dragon riders in the nation, they would be captured quickly.

Yoojin whistled, and this time the noise echoed in the dark sky.

KWAA!

Blue broke away from her handler and headed for them, ascending past the dragons. Yoojin connected Blue and Noah with the teacher's skill so they could coordinate their movements.

“Be careful, Mister!” Yerim shouted.

He patted her shoulder and threw his leg over Noah’s side.

KWAA

Blue smiled, flying next to them. Yoojin was very grateful he had spent the time to train Blue with a few basic commands. This world’s Blue was more willing to learn than the Blue from back home.

Yoojin jumped and barely made it onto Blue’s back. The fear resistance protected from the threat of falling, but his arms still shook as he pulled himself up. Breathing was also hard, and he knew Yoo Eunhye was going to be mad at him for performing the risky stunt.

“Okay!” Yoojin shouted to his kids. “Now go!”

Noah drew away, soaring in the opposite direction.

“Good luck, Mister!” Yerim’s voice cut off as the distance widened. The dragon riders wouldn’t bother them. They were after Yoojin.

Yoojin gripped Blue’s feathers and jerked her back, directing her up. “Come on, Blue. Just like last time.”

KAWW

Just like when Yoojin escaped from Sung Hyunjae’s castle, he flew Blue straight up. Prioritizing altitude over speed. The familiar cold air chilled his lungs and cut through his clothes.

The little pain would be worth it.

The dragon riders chased him, spreading out their formation but circling him similar to the last time, but different. They predicted Yoojin’s escape and prepared for him to perform the same maneuver.

Yoojin smiled. Half in pride. Kang Soyoung and the other riders were very smart and had a perfect aliment to capture Yoojin as soon as he order Blue to dive. They only needed to see him do it once to know how to counter him.

The other half was satisfaction. Yoojin’s escape would be twice as easy this time.

“Come on, Blue. A little higher.”

The wind whipped around, pressing him backward as he gripped Blue. The force blowing back on him was incredible and his muscles protested the strain.

“Just a little longer,” he muttered.

The riders broke off into three groups, the first staying low but spread out. The second rising high but keeping their distance without directly chasing after him. The last followed him closely. They were ready for any move he was about to make.

The air was incredibly dense, and he struggled to breathe. Shaking his head to fight the lighthead feeling.

“Blue, you got this,” he shouted over the rushing wind. “Stay this path as long as you can.”

Kwaa!

He fought against the strong wind to brush her hair.

“And I’m sorry I was rude to you earlier. I’m happy you found someone to be with.”

Kawwwww

“So after this, go with Kang Soyoung and live a happy life. And give my best to Comet.”

Kwww

It was almost like Blue understood what he was saying and looked back at him.

“Goodbye, Blue.”

Yoojin turned on his invisibility skill, and then he released Blue.

KAWWW

Yoojin fell backwards. For a moment, it felt like he was stuck in place and everyone else was moving around him. Like floating in water.

The feeling was dizzying. His stomach dropped and his fear resistance window popped up. He took a deep breath, and the world rushed past him. The riders zipped ahead of him, chasing after Blue.

Yoojin struggled to keep his body level, tightening his arms and abs to avoid spiraling out of control. His stomach couldn’t handle anymore of that after riding on Noah. And he needed to get this last part just right. There was no way Yoo Eunhye would protect him from a fall of this height.

Breathing was difficult the faster he fell. Blue became a distance speck in the sky and the icy air cut through him. So painfully cold. He felt his heart beat like a stabbing pain. Falling without being able to see the ground, but the fear resistance trapped in him a prison of false calmness.

Thump

Thump

Thump

He could barely see Blue anymore, but he could see the ground in the corner of his vision.

Noah whistled by.

“GOT HIM!” Yoo Myeongwoo shouted, him and Yerim snagging him out of the air.

“Mister, that was too dangerous! Mister Noah, you said you could see him!”

“I’m sorry, Yerim!” Noah cried. “It was much harder with his invisibility.”

His kids dragged him back on Noah while all the Seseong dragon hunters focused on Blue. Now Noah could get away without them following him. Yoojin tried twice to speak, but he couldn’t get enough air in his lungs.

That was too close. Yoojin meant it this time. He was going to be much more careful in the future. No more dangerous situations.

“Hold on to Yoojin,” Noah shouted, taking off in a burst of speed.

Blue lost her trajectory and one of the riders caught her, only to find Yoojin missing.

It took Yoojin a moment to swallow past his dry throat and look back at the village. He squinted, thinking he saw a single figure dressed in red watching them.

Smiling, Yoojin waved goodbye to Sung Hyunjae. Let this be the last they see each other. Next stop, the Breaker Kingdom.