Successor

Successor

“Regressor.” Even to Jewan, who was living his second life, that word felt distant. What kind of sensation could it be to have regressed over 200,000 times?

Her relentlessly rational behavior suddenly made a little more sense.

“Well, that aside, the real problem is what lies ahead…”

The hero flinched as if stung. Her ominous premonition was immediately confirmed.

“The barrier created by the Demon King held off the explorers’ invasion for several years… but at this rate, it won’t last even a few months.”

The hero bowed her head deeply, and the Archmage smiled with satisfaction at the sight.

“Still… it’s the first time, so it can’t be helped. And we’re at the point where repeating this again isn’t an option.”

“At least it means we can hold out a few months, right?”

“If you think positively, yes. Now, it’s time I explain why I wanted to call Keron.”

A massive hologram appeared behind the Archmage, showing mostly familiar things to Jewan.

“Ego Weapons?”

“Yes! Keron must gather the Ego Weapons before the explorers invade.”

Thirteen masterpieces, starting with Mukyeon and ending with Baekya. But would it really take months to find them all?

“However, there is a slight problem.”

A wave of unease swept over them.

“Because the Demon King turned the concept of gates into a barrier, all Ego Weapons will manifest in reality.”

It was good that they didn’t have to enter the gates. Staying within one world would make searching easier.

“But… some Ego Weapons have been neglected for so long that their consciousness has become unstable.”

As expected, things wouldn’t be easy. Jewan realized his intuition had been correct.

“So Keron must stabilize the Ego Weapons’ consciousness before collecting them!”

“…But is it really necessary to collect them all?”

“How heartless…”

Jewan chuckled at the Archmage’s reaction.

“Each power contained in the Ego Weapons, if judged by potential alone, is enough to rival the explorers.”

Jewan doubted her assertion. While the Ego Weapons were indeed remarkable, they weren’t powerful enough for the Archmage to boast so loudly. After all, no single Ego Weapon had been able to face the explorers alone.

“You look doubtful. Well, you’ll understand once you reclaim the Ego Weapons. You’ll see why I said that.”

“Fine. I was planning to find them anyway.”

Jewan only questioned the Archmage’s intention; he had no intention of giving up his masterpieces. They were weapons and comrades he had spent half his life with.

“Is that so? Then what are you waiting for?”

“…How am I supposed to get out?”

“Ah!”

The Archmage suddenly rummaged around herself.

“Have you met all the Successors?”

Successors. Except for Han Seyun, the swordsman’s successor, they were all people pursuing their own selfish desires.

“You haven’t met the hero’s successor yet, right?”

“…No, I haven’t.”

It was hard to imagine someone appearing to follow in the footsteps of the towering hero.

“Of course not. The hero’s successor is right here!”

Jewan tilted his head, unable to intuitively understand the Archmage’s words. Weren’t the Successors those who gained power as the hero party’s strength crossed over to Earth?

“The hero’s power is so overwhelming that no suitable candidate could be found on Earth.”

It was hard to imagine someone else inheriting her power.

“But! Fortunately, we found that successor in our world.”

That was a relief. It saved them the trouble of searching.

Clap! At the Archmage’s applause, a girl descended from the sky.

Her shining blonde hair fluttered like the hero’s, and with closed eyes, she resembled a delicate doll.

Dressed in a flowing dress, she lightly touched down and then opened her crimson eyes.

‘…She’s a spitting image of the hero as a child.’

Though details differed, the overall impression was identical to the hero’s youth. Yet it was clear she was not the hero.

Because she casually uttered words the hero would never say.

“You want me to save the world with these?”

The girl’s expression turned sour, like a boss reviewing a problematic report.

“…Is she really capable? Seriously?”

The Archmage laughed awkwardly, perhaps surprised by the reaction.

“Haha… Finding someone who matches the power is already a challenge…”

In short, ability mattered more than personality.

“That’s not something you should say…”

“That’s your problem, not mine. So weak…”

The girl’s complaints made Jewan sigh. Though her goal seemed aligned with his, whether they could work together was uncertain.

“For now, she agreed to cooperate to some extent…”

“Hmph.”

The girl’s mana was certainly greater than Jewan’s current level. Her confidence was understandable, but the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

The road ahead already felt long.

==

After the one-sided squabble, Jewan received a rough briefing and began preparing to leave.

Unfortunately, the parallel world’s hero who existed inside the gate could not leave with them. But they promised to meet again.

The hero’s successor, Rear, looked displeased but seemed willing to cooperate.

‘Still not convinced… but maybe it’ll work out somehow.’

“Ah, before that.”

While preparing and organizing, the Archmage spoke up.

“Is your power still insufficient?”

She meant Jewan’s mana. Though he had barely surpassed his past life’s level, he still felt lacking.

“Keron’s power is only a temporary awakening through the system. It’s a bit unstable.”

Jewan had just learned that his current power was not a permanent awakening but a temporary measure granted by the system.

“Wait, so what am I supposed to do if the system disappears?”

“Well… that’s why you need to grow stronger! To awaken the Stigma with your own true power!”

Easier said than done… it seemed growth was the only option.

“Don’t look so gloomy. Why would I bring it up for no reason?”

The playful Archmage pulled out a radiant gem from her robes. It radiated immense mana.

“You know what this is, right?”

“Looks like a mana stone… but where did it come from?”

Such a large mana stone could only be naturally formed. The Archmage’s answer surprised Jewan.

“Ta-da! It’s part of my mana.”

“…Is it okay to give that away?”

Mana was the source of power and proof of existence. Yet she was willing to share it so freely…

“Consider it a token of gratitude for saving the world.”

That was quite an extravagant gift. Jewan’s suspicious look made the Archmage blush and hastily explain.

“Keron’s condition can’t handle my full mana anyway. This is just a tiny fraction. So… it’s not poisonous or anything.”

Her explanation only raised more suspicion.

“Alright, alright.”

Seeing her about to cry, Jewan stopped teasing. Taking the mana stone, he felt pure and immense mana, as if it were the essence that composed the world itself. The Archmage’s power, honed through countless regressions, was truly incredible.

Grasping the stone, a torrent of mana was drawn in like a magnet. He nearly lost consciousness but managed to guide the mana while holding on.

This power was not granted by the system but pure innate strength. Jewan sensed the difference and absorbed it.

He could use it when activating the Stigma, but having a resource that operated independently of the system was reassuring.

After all, the system might disappear suddenly someday.

“So with this, am I part of Keron now?”

Though the tone was provocative enough to make the hero and Rear flinch, Jewan ignored the playful scene.

She was the type who only escalated when he responded. The Archmage had never truly been sincere.

‘No, have I ever seen her sincere?’

Having never witnessed sincerity, Jewan couldn’t tell if what he saw was genuine. But it didn’t matter—she was clearly teasing him.

“Enough nonsense. How about letting us out?”

“So heartless! Fine.”

The Archmage’s mana enveloped Jewan and Rear.

“Say hi to me later, okay?”

Jewan frowned at the strange words, then his vision darkened as a comforting warmth spread.