I Became the Youngest Summoner in the Strongest Guild

73. The World

73. The World

As Yong-yong, empowered by the constellations, lunged at the Beginning, an enormous light enveloped the world and I opened my eyes in a pure white space.

As I looked around in this space where nothing existed, I heard a voice.

Could there be a voice this comforting in life?

It felt even closer than my mother's voice.

"Yuna. No, traveler. I wish to speak with you alone."

"Are you... the Beginning?"

"Yes. This is the form I often use."

A girl with flowing silver hair and red eyes.

At a glance, she looked like a member of the Night Clan. Her appearance was similar to Judge Nia.

"Don't you look too much like Nia?"

"Do you know how the Night Clan was born? I am their progenitor."

"Ah..."

The Beginning, who claimed to be the mother of not just the Night Clan, but countless living beings.

"My true identity is the Creator who created this world."

So this is why she was called the beginning and the end.

A table and chairs appeared, and the Beginning, no, the Creator, told me to sit comfortably.

"You are not a being from our world, traveler. A soul that was switched, drawn by a great power. And there aren't many beings who can do such a thing."

With those words, a new being revealed itself.

A pure white form that made it impossible to tell if it was human or monster.

"This is the being called a god who manages the celestial realm. My avatar."

"Avatar...?"

"I didn't expect it to pull such a stunt on its own, but it got me good."

The Creator chuckled and said it would be a very long story, asking if that was alright.

"It's fine. We have plenty of time, don't we?"

"That's right. Then where shall I begin the story?"

The Creator's story began.

At first, she said she was happy and proud just seeing the world maintain peace, and that she bestowed blessings on countless living beings.

However, before long, conflicts and wars between living beings never ceased, and she watched as things progressed in an increasingly evil direction.

But as the situation grew more serious day by day, she attempted to intervene several times to set the world right, yet the more she did so, the worse the situation became.

In the end, judging that this world could no longer be saved, she determined that destroying everything and starting over from the beginning was the best course of action.

The Creator said she carried out such an act.

"Or so I thought. Until I met you, traveler."

"......"

She said her perspective changed after meeting me. Although I wasn't from this world, I showed sincere effort for a world in crisis.

"I recalled a very old memory. The will and hope contained within living beings."

"Then... will you not destroy the world?"

The Creator looked at me without answering.

"I'll give you the final decision."

The Creator told me to say what I wanted.

I spoke without hesitation.

"I'd like a world where everyone can continue to live happily."

"That's a dream-like story. Before long, when interests don't align, war will break out and the world will walk the path of destruction."

"There's that possibility, but also the possibility it won't. I'm not smart enough to worry about things that haven't happened yet."

The Creator made a dumbfounded expression at my words.

Was that not the right thing to say in this situation?

And before long, a picture-perfect smile spread across her face.

"I almost made a grave mistake due to my wrongdoing. Thank you, traveler. No, Yuna."

The world began to crumble.

"When you wake up, everything will be changed. In a very good direction. Then, let's meet again next time. I'll prepare delicious tea and snacks."

With those final words, I lost consciousness.

I was curious about what the Creator's words meant, but soon feelings of fear and anticipation alternated at the thought of returning to the real world.

*

*

*

When I opened my eyes, I was in my room's bed.

As I was thinking for a long time about how this happened, I heard a voice.

"Kyuung."

"Yong-yong!? Are you okay!?"

"Kyuuung?"

Our Yong-yong asking what nonsense I'm spouting as soon as I wake up.

I was clearly just fighting the Beginning, no, the Creator until moments ago...

As I grabbed Yong-yong's face and examined it closely, I heard unfamiliar footsteps.

Then with a knock, the door opened and it was my older sister.

"Our pretty little sister! Are you up!? Time for breakfast!"

"Sis...?"

As I stared blankly at my sister, she told me to hurry down for breakfast before closing the door and leaving.

What is this, another illusion?

"Yong-yong, is this another illusion?"

"Kyuuung?"

Our Yong-yong tilting his head and asking what on earth I'm talking about.

I need an explanation for what this situation is, but there's no one to explain it.

Then perhaps...?

With hurried steps, I opened the door and ran down to the kitchen to find Mom preparing breakfast and Dad reading the newspaper.

"Our daughter is up? Hmm? What time do you think it is, still in your pajamas? Aren't you going to the library? You need to pass this year."

"The child will take care of it. Come on, sit down quickly."

"Is this not a dream...?"

As I stood blankly shedding tears, my family asked what was wrong.

They comforted me, asking if I had a nightmare, but I didn't know what was going on.

After spending such a confusing time, Dad left for work and my sister went to college.

As I was watching Mom do housework, I went to my room to change clothes and found a letter on the bed.

It definitely wasn't there before I woke up this morning...?

I opened the envelope and checked the contents, and I could tell at a glance who sent it.

To. Yuna.

I'm sending a very small gift, so I hope you like it.
I'm not such a stingy god, you know.
There will be big and small events in your future life, but after they pass, everything will become memories.
I'll continue watching over you and cheering you on.

From. Delicious tea and snacks are prepared, so come visit sometime.

Droplets fell on the letter.

Tears flowing from my eyes fell one by one.

She said it was a very small gift, but it's the biggest gift in my life.

Our Yong-yong comforting me as I sobbed for a long time.

At that moment, a thought crossed my mind.

Then what happened to the others?

I changed clothes and went next door to ring the doorbell, but a different person came out.

It was the auntie who originally lived next door.

"Oh my, it's Yuna. What's the matter?"

"Ah, hello auntie. I just came to say hello."

"Oh my, how thoughtful. It must be hard studying these days? Wait just a moment."

I received a bunch of fruit from the auntie and returned home.

Then what happened to Rea unni and the others?

I opened my phone to check and Rea unni's contact had disappeared.

The contacts for all of Frey Guild were gone too.

C-could it be I've returned to the original world? With Yong-yong?

As I was sitting blankly on the sofa, I heard a familiar voice from the TV.

I unconsciously looked at the TV and it was Nia.

Why is Nia, who was a member of the Night Clan and a judge, being interviewed there?

"This newly created virtual reality..."

"We were able to create it through everyone's efforts. A new world. Arcana..."

I don't understand what that means at all.

More than that, the reporter is Elf Mellin unni.

As I stared blankly at the TV, various races starting with dwarves appeared, and videos introducing the ecosystems where numerous monsters live came on.

What in the world is going on? I was confused about how to deal with the chaotically unfolding situation.

A week passed after that, and I learned the full story of this other world.

That it's a world where two parallel worlds merged, and numerous different races and monsters live together with humans.

And I finished adapting to this other world and repeated the same day every day.

I wake up in the morning, have breakfast with my family, and go to the library to study.

To think I'm a student retaking the college entrance exam.

No, where did the record of me proudly being accepted to Korea University go, and why am I randomly a retaker!?

Since I erased everything from my head after the college entrance exam ended, it seems I'll need to make a bloody effort to get back in.

As I was about to open the door to enter the library with Yong-yong, I bumped into someone coming out.

"Kyaak!"

"Are you okay!?"

The hat I was wearing flew off as I fell, and as I picked up the hat and turned around.

"Ow, my butt hurts."

"Rea unni?"

As I stared blankly, Rea unni tilted her head and asked what was wrong.

"Um... Can I have my hat back please?"

"Oh, here you go."

As I handed over the hat and grabbed both her hands, Rea unni looked at me with surprised eyes.

"Have we... met before...?"

"Huh? Oh, no. I must have been mistaken."

I hurriedly let go of her hands and apologized.

It seems the Rea unni of this world doesn't recognize me.

Rea unni, who received her hat, gave a slight bow and quickly left the library.

I stood dumbfounded at the library entrance, blankly staring at Rea unni's retreating figure.

This feeling of familiarity yet unfamiliarity.

"Yong-yong, what should we do from now on?"

"Kyuuung?"

He says to stop talking nonsense and just study.

I strode into the library with Yong-yong.

The new life unfolding before me - unfamiliar and scary, but also exciting.

I sat at a desk and opened a book, determined not to miss this chance given to me again and to live diligently.

As the Creator said, now everything has changed for the better.

Although there are still many things I'm not used to, I believe I'll get accustomed to everything as time passes.

This strange situation where the world of illusions has become reality now feels natural.

Looking out the window, warm sunlight shines through the fluttering leaves.

Like the fresh spring breeze signaling a new beginning.