After Story 6. Future Yu-seong
"Yes, Father! I came from the future!"
"..."
The man in his 20s who confidently answered Eun-ha's question, claiming he was from the future.
When he smiled playfully, his face resembling Eun-ha became even more prominent.
Only then did the people present instinctively realize.
The young man standing before them now must be Eun-ha's son, Noh Yu-seong.
"What? Is it really Yu-seong?"
"Yu-seong? That guy?"
"Looking again, he does resemble Eun-ha..."
"..."
People like Jin Pa-rang, Kang Si-hyeong, and Jo A-ra couldn't help but be surprised.
The same was true for Eun-ha.
'Is it really Yu-seong? No, more than that... What did he say? He came from the future?'
It's hard to believe that he traveled back in time to the past.
But for Eun-ha, who had experienced regression by turning back time, he couldn't completely deny it either.
Above all, as if blood couldn't lie, wasn't his intuition and instinct strongly confirming it?
In the end, Eun-ha quickly accepted it and decided to assess the situation.
'Why did he come here? Surely he didn't just come to chat with us over tea... Most likely...'
Something so serious must have happened that it couldn't be solved in the future, requiring him to cross over to the past.
For example, to change the future.
Having reached that thought, Eun-ha calmly spoke up.
"Alright... Yu-seong. Welcome. It's amazing and nice to see you as an adult. I welcome you. But... How many years in the future did you come from?"
"This is clearly Fairy Power Year 24, right? Then I'm from 20 years in the future!"
20 years in the future would be Fairy Power Year 44.
When Eun-ha is 49 and Yu-seong is 24.
Eun-ha, who counted the ages in his head, nodded as if in agreement.
Then he decided to ask about the main point.
"What brings you from 20 years in the future? Did something... bad happen in the future, so you came to change the past?"
"As expected of Father. Yes, that's right. I came to change the past, to change the future!"
"...What exactly happens? Precisely and specifically."
"I was about to tell you. Precisely and specifically, what happens is... Ah, but..."
"But?"
"Actually, I didn't eat anything before coming here. ■■ nagged that I should minimize what I bring from the future... Saying the price would be less that way?"
"Who did you just mention? I couldn't hear clearly..."
"■■■."
"Huh?"
"Hm? ■■■. Can't you hear?"
"There's noise mixed in, I can't hear."
"Ah... They said they put a filtering spell on me, I guess that's why. It's to minimize the influence I have here."
■■■, ■■■, ■■■.
Yu-seong, who mentioned something several times that sounded like someone's name in context but only came across as noise to Eun-ha, gave a sheepish smile.
Soon he cautiously spoke up.
"Anyway, Father. I'm hungry now, so could we eat first before continuing?"
"..."
Noh Yu-seong rubs his stomach.
Eun-ha, who seemed about to put on airs, couldn't help but deflate at his childlike appearance.
On the other hand, he felt a sense of familiarity.
He really is his son after all.
Realizing this fact once again, Eun-ha was about to accept it willingly.
Just then.
"You should eat before going anywhere."
"Ah..."
"I don't know if it was the future me or someone else, but how could they send a child on an empty stomach... And on a dangerous time travel at that. How cruel."
Just before Eun-ha opened his mouth.
Han Seo-hyeon, who had been quietly observing the situation, intercepted.
She walked forward with clicking heels.
Noh Yu-seong's face brightened.
"Mother!"
"Yes, Yu-seong. You've grown a lot. As expected of my son, you've grown up handsomely."
"..."
Regardless of people's sour expressions.
Han Seo-hyeon showed no concern and displayed her good mood.
She said.
"We were just about to have dinner together, this is perfect. Let's eat first."
"Yes, sounds good!"
* * *
In the cafeteria of the clan hall.
Those who knew about Eun-ha's regression had a dinner gathering in a separately prepared space.
They enjoyed food and drinks while chatting about what happened during their vacation.
In reality, they couldn't fully concentrate as they were conscious of Noh Yu-seong, but.
"..."
People kept glancing at him during their conversations.
He, however, didn't seem to mind and kept bringing food to his mouth.
"Wow, how can this be? The taste is almost unchanged? This is made by ■■ grandmother, right? It's so delicious! Home-cooked meals are really the best, truly."
"Mmm... There's more in the kitchen, so tell me if you want more."
"Thank you!"
Future Noh Yu-seong, sitting between Eun-ha and Han Seo-hyeon, filling his stomach as if possessed by a hungry ghost.
He kept moving his utensils without stopping.
People couldn't close their mouths in surprise at his appetite.
Because of this, questions about the "grandmother" title he used, referring to Ha Baek-yeon's mother Ha Ji-eun, passed by lightly.
Of course, the person in question couldn't ignore it and had to react sensitively.
"Gr-grandmother? Not aunt? Me? In 20 years, my age will be... Well, I guess I could be called grandmother. Still, it's complicated... Wait, could it be...?"
Ha Ji-eun fell into shock.
Muttering in a daze, she soon reached "a certain assumption".
A sigh escaped from her.
Ha Baek-yeon worried about her like that.
"Mom? What's wrong?"
"...It's nothing. Baek-yeon, you eat a lot too."
"Huh? O-okay..."
Maybe Eun-ha and Ha Baek-yeon are married in the future.
With so many people present, and to avoid unnecessary confusion, she couldn't bring up such words.
Moreover, his wives Han Seo-hyeon, Jeong Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jeong, and Ryu Yeon-hwa were also present.
It would be troublesome if Ha Baek-yeon upset them and got scolded.
Ha Ji-eun, who quickly composed her emotions, soothed Ha Baek-yeon who was expressing concern.
'Still, it's surprising. To think Baek-yeon and the Clan Lord might...'
As Ha Baek-yeon's mother.
Ha Ji-eun had complex feelings.
However, just because she was a parent, she shouldn't force her child's life.
Ha Baek-yeon's life is her own.
Hadn't she already noticed her feelings long ago?
"Sigh..."
After much deliberation.
Lest she influence the future, Ha Ji-eun decided never to reveal the speculation she had come up with.
She would take it to her grave.
No, until it was okay to speak about it.
She resolved.
Meanwhile, some people were already chatting comfortably with Noh Yu-seong.
"Wow, hyung! You eat so well, gulp gulp! I want to do that too!"
"Eat slowly. You'll get indigestion that way. Yu-seong, don't copy him unnecessarily."
"Kyaa! To think the day I'd drink with you would come so soon! It feels good? Hey, drink more!"
"Pa-rang oppa, drink just a little... And don't make Yu-seong eat too much... Seo-hyeon unnie is now..."
"Big Yu-seong! You should drink with me too! Here, cheers! Small Yu-seong, want to cheers too? With juice of course!"
"Riel, you know you should drink moderately, right? Kaede and I are watching?"
Four-year-old Noh Yu-seong, sitting next to future Noh Yu-seong, showing interest in the one who shares his name.
Han Seo-hyeon constantly taking care of her two sons.
Jin Pa-rang repeatedly clinking glasses with future Yu-seong, ignoring her gaze.
Kim Mary trying to stop Jin Pa-rang with an anxious face, looking uncomfortable.
Ariel giving nicknames to the two Noh Yu-seongs and boldly offering drinks.
Jo A-ra admonishing her with a stern gaze.
And so on.
People gradually started treating future Yu-seong without reserve.
Time passed from then...
"So, Yu-seong."
Around the time Noh Yu-seong had filled his stomach.
Eun-ha spoke up as the representative.
"Won't you tell us now? What happened."
* * *
After Korea's conquest of the <Dungeon of the Abyss>, led by Eun-ha and Pandora Clan.
The flow of the world changed greatly.
People, regardless of their country, began to advocate for conquering black dungeons.
This was because it was revealed that not only did black dungeons contain mysterious spoils not found before, but the will of the black dungeon grants any wish to the person who contributed most to its conquest.
Above all, it was also revealed that when a black dungeon is conquered, the danger from ubiquity decreases in the long term, limited to areas under the dungeon's influence.
Therefore.
"The world, excited by the enormous benefits gained from conquering black dungeons, actively attempted conquests. Although there were many sacrifices in the process..."
As a result.
The world, conquering black dungeons, brought prosperity to human civilization.
Especially as the danger from ubiquity decreased, exchanges between countries became more active...
"And friction between countries became more active too, I suppose."
"Yes, Mother is right. A hegemony competition began."
"...What?"
"A hegemony competition."
"Ah... Uh... Yes..."
At Hoshimiya Kaede's remark.
Future Yu-seong nodded.
Although she and a few others showed a startled reaction at that moment, he didn't notice.
He continued speaking.
"The light arguments at first soon developed into armed conflicts, and eventually led to wars between countries, and further to wars between alliances. No country could escape this flow. A world war broke out, so to speak."
"Then did big Yu-seong come to prevent the world war that will happen in the future? That's cool! How admirable!"
"Haha... As Mother said, I did come for that purpose. But there are other purposes too."
"Hm?"
"Huh? Why are you like that?"
"Umm, it's nothing! Don't mind it and continue talking!"
Ariel tilted her head in the middle.
Soon she shook her head as if it wasn't a big deal.
The blue scales on both sides of her head fluttered.
Future Yu-seong was puzzled but decided to let it go.
It was Ariel after all!
"Big Yu-seong! So? So?"
"Ah... Fortunately, Korea fought well. We minimized damage to the Korean Peninsula by using North Korea as the northern front and ■pan ■■ as the southern front. It's all thanks to Father and everyone. However, in the process, Father and Yeon-hwa Mother, Uncle Eun-hyeok, Uncle Min-ho, and many others... frequently manifested myths, so their souls were damaged... But everyone is safe for now at least."
"You're saying not only Eun-ha Eun-ha and Yeon-hwa unnie, but others manifested myths too? Is that really true?"
"Yes, because so much happened, and there were urgent situations that required manifesting myths."
"Oho, I see. Then in the future, can I manifest myths too?"
"Yes. Mother's myth is really amazing. Even Father highly praises it."
"Oh, really? Hearing that makes me really curious? But Eun-ha Eun-ha highly praises it? Somehow the nuance seems strange? Eun-ha Eun-ha! What exactly do you think of me!?"
Ariel suddenly stands up and points at Eun-ha.
Eun-ha sighed.
"Ara, cover her mouth. She keeps making the conversation go off track."
"What? Eun-ha Eun-ha! How can you do this to mmmph...!?"
"Okay, okay. Riel, let's keep our mouths shut for a moment?"
"La la la♬"
Jo A-ra quickly covers Ariel's mouth before she can say more.
Ra-ra also playfully adds her hand.
Only then did Eun-ha find peace of mind and ask future Yu-seong.
"Sorry. Can you continue talking?"
"It's okay. I'm used to it. So to continue the story... The world war was a problem, but an even bigger problem occurred."
"An even bigger problem?"
"Yes."
Future Yu-seong paused.
Then, after taking a breath, he spoke in a heavy tone.
"A mana disaster comparable to the <End of Century Destruction> occurred. The ubiquity that arose due to the world war acted as a catalyst."
"..."
"The type of ubiquity was... ■ ■■ awakened... Ah, it seems I can't talk about this part because of the filtering."
"You can't say it at all?"
"Not now. I'll be able to talk about it gradually when the important time comes."
"...I see."
"Yes. Anyway, the reason I came here is because of those things. To prevent the calamity that will happen in the future."
So Father, Mother, everyone.
I'll be in your care for a while.
Future Yu-seong bowed his head politely.
At this, Eun-ha, Han Seo-hyeon, and everyone who heard the story couldn't help but become solemn.
'I thought I had obtained the life I wanted, that I could live comfortably now... But it means there's still hardship left to endure.'
Really...
It seems life doesn't go as planned.
Eun-ha couldn't help but give a bitter smile at the thought that suddenly came to mind.
The same was true for others.
But no one wanted to despair because of that.
They, who had overcome numerous adversities until now, quickly steeled their hearts and decided to respond to future Yu-seong's request.
"Alright, I understand. Make yourself at home. It is your home after all. And from now on, we'll help as much as we can too."
"Yes, thank you so much!"
At Eun-ha's declaration.
Not only future Yu-seong who raised his head, but everyone smiled brightly.
They were about to clink glasses to strengthen their resolve when...
"Wait a moment!"
"..."
Kim Min-ji suddenly put on the brakes.
Receiving everyone's attention, she confronted future Yu-seong.
"I've been curious about this, Yu-seong."
"Yes, Aunt. Please speak."
"Hmm, you call me aunt? But why did you call some of the kids 'mother'?"
"...Huh? M-me?"
"Yes, you did earlier."
"..."
Suddenly the atmosphere became awkward.
As Kaede's face turned red and Ariel grinned foolishly.
People looked at future Yu-seong and Eun-ha with suspicious eyes.
Among them, the gazes of Han Seo-hyeon, Jeong Ha-yang, Lee Yu-jeong, Ryu Yeon-hwa, and Ha Baek-yeon were particularly fierce.
"Haha... Well..."
At this, future Yu-seong was at a loss.
'No, why am I...'
Eun-ha just felt wronged.
He couldn't understand at all why he was receiving such glares from people.
At that moment, future Yu-seong hurriedly answered glibly.
"I-it's a habit from when I was young! Because there were so many mothers, when I was little I couldn't distinguish well and sometimes called aunts 'mother' too... They seemed close to Father, so... Haha... It just stuck and I still get confused sometimes. I'm sorry if it offended you."
"..."
In fact, Eun-ha's children sometimes did use the title "mother" for women close to Eun-ha.
Even so...
'It's suspicious...'
People couldn't fully believe it.
And.
'What did I do wrong...'
The more he thought about it.
Eun-ha felt incredibly wronged.