Chapter 126: Remake Version

“It hurts to admit, but it’s not a complete defeat. Wendy Lowell’s team members are still here, and all the research records remain. They can continue based on that.”

Ppuru.

Ppuru rubbed its soft body against Jin Seong-ha’s hand and wrapped its tail around his wrist, as if agreeing.

Jin Seong-ha stroked Ppuru and asked Ji Pyeong-seop,

“What about Lee Do-jin now?”

“Still here. No one allowed within 3 meters.”

“Still not talking?”

Sa-on asked. He didn’t use honorifics with Ji Pyeong-seop.

“Yeah. Not a word.”

“Jin Seong-ha, why don’t you talk to him directly? In the novel, Do-jin was moved by you.”

“I’m not confident persuading someone as rigid as bamboo. I’d get frustrated and snap. Let’s leave Do-jin’s persuasion to Aide Dam when she returns.”

“To Dam Da-on?”

“Yes. You always praised her highly.”

Huh?

Ion’s eyes widened; Jin Seong-ha smiled at him.

“While you were in Idea, I talked a lot with Guild Master Ason. He praised Aide Dam a ton.”

“Hunter Jin Seong-ha, you know what ‘praise’ means, right?”

“I know exactly. The orphans don’t get along with each other, but all of them are on good terms with Dam Da-on. Even under Breeder’s abuse and brainwashing, her kindness opened their closed hearts.”

“That guy… said that?”

“Yes. And he also talked a lot about you—”

“Hey. Stop. We were talking about Do-jin?”

Sa-on grinned and changed the subject.

Ion wondered what Da-on’s reaction would be if he told her.

She’d probably be flustered… and touched.

Both. Da-on had never thought she was on good terms with Sa-on (unlike with Ion, Se-on, Il-on, Yeo-on).

Anyway, Do-jin’s matter was tabled until Dam Da-on returned and more interrogation-skill users were consulted.

“Welcome!”

The next day, Jin Seong-ha and Ion entered the appointed café together.

A franchise café in the middle of Gangnam.

Crowded, so Jin Seong-ha used disguise items; Ppuru played doll and stayed still. Many carried Ppuru-lookalike keychains or toys, so no one noticed it was real.

“Leader, what do you want? Guild master gave me the corporate card—order freely.”

“…”

Ion glared at the menu.

“…Coffee.”

“Which coffee?”

“Just something warm.”

“Americano? Be specific. You sound like you’ve never been to a café.”

“…”

“…!”

Realization struck Jin Seong-ha like lightning; he patted Ion’s shoulder.

“I’ll order. Go sit. The four-seat sofa in the corner looks good.”

“Yes.”

Ion hugged Sanse tighter and trotted off. Jin Seong-ha frowned at the menu, then relaxed and ordered.

“Two caramel macchiatos and an Earl Grey cake, please.”

“Yes, 13,000 won. For here?”

“For here.”

He paid with the corporate card and waited.

Never been to a café at his age…

He kept a calm face, but inside he was shocked.

Ion had been so focused on the fate Teacher gave him that he never even had time for a cup of coffee.

Now I understand why the orphans rage at the mention of Breeder…

Still, thanks to the baby dragon he met in Idea, Ion now somewhat acknowledged the abuse.

“A-14, two drinks and cake ready.”

“Thank you.”

Jin Seong-ha took the tray and strode across the café—then paused.

Ion was fiddling with Sanse’s leaves while staring at his terminal. The one for contacting Ryu.

A twenty-year-old—maybe younger—boy with a pretty, serious face, racking his brain on how to fulfill his master’s wish.

Jin Seong-ha sat beside him. Ion didn’t even glance at what he brought.

Ppuru.

Ppuru, pretending to be a doll, crept toward the Earl Grey cake.

Jin Seong-ha blocked it with his large hand.

“Not yours. You ate snacks before coming.”

Ppuru!

“No means no. Want jerky?”

Ppuru, ppurut.

“No.”

Ppuru tried squeezing through his fingers but failed.

Ppuru…

Ears drooping, Ppuru gave up. Jin Seong-ha clicked his tongue and pulled out jerky.

“Does your grass clump ever want human food? Like asking for Earl Grey cake as fertilizer?”

“Sanse is too dignified for that.”

“What about Baba?”

“Baba would ask, but if told no, it would listen. My kids are obedient and kind.”

“I see.”

Jin Seong-ha smiled.

Ion didn’t touch the caramel macchiato or cake. Jin Seong-ha watched, then raised his phone.

“They’re late. Does Ade Tuna not keep time?”

They were here to meet Ade Tuna—for information exchange with Butterfly Mask.

Ade Tuna was coming with another Butterfly Mask member.

“He’ll be on time. It’s not time yet—don’t pick fights. He’s righteous and good.”

“High praise. You snapped when Aide Dam said I was righteous and good.”

“Dam Da-on must’ve lost her mind in front of her bias and said all sorts of things.”

“Now you admit I’m different from the novel character too?”

Since reuniting, Jin Seong-ha had subtly kept emphasizing he wasn’t like the novel.

“Yes, fine. I’ll admit. Difference between old kimchi and stir-fried kimchi.”

“Not exactly refreshing praise.”

“To be called different, you’d need to be Hong In-soo level.”

Ion tapped his phone.

“Ah, true. The three-person chat was chaos this morning.”

He meant the Jin Seong-ha–Ion–Hong In-soo private chat.

Hong In-soo had created it.

He had wanted to come today but got a sudden special mission—so he couldn’t.

A mission Ion had made up…

“I can’t lose either. If I talk as much as Hong In-soo, will you praise me more?”

“Fix your speech first. You sound like a fantasy novel protagonist set to 26, not an actual 26-year-old.”

“Got it. I’ll try.”

Jin Seong-ha grinned. His friendly smile made Ion choose silence.

Ding— the café door opened.

A striking tall black man entered.

Beside him, a short-haired girl.

“Jin Seong-ha, Ion. Hi. I’m Shin Sae-mi. Didn’t trust sending this guy alone, so I came too. I may look it, but I’m twenty-six—don’t treat me like a kid.”

The Butterfly Mask member with Ade Tuna looked mid-teens at most. Jet-black bob, sharp cat-like eyes, plump lips.

Ade Tuna wore a translator; Sae-mi didn’t.

Ion—completely unprepared for this character—pointed.

“Shin Sae-mi… Shin Sam-ja?”

“ARRGH! f*ck, f*ck! Starting a fight the moment I arrive? You know me and still call me that—wanna go? Draw your weapon!”

“Calm down, Sae-mi. Probably a mistake.”

Ade Tuna restrained Sae-mi and signaled Ion. Ion quickly said,

“Ah, sorry. I hate that name, right. Never expected Shin Sae-mi to be Butterfly Mask…”

Shin Sae-mi was born to a Korean father and Vietnamese mother.

Her legal name was indeed “Shin Sam-ja.”

“What father names his daughter Sam-ja? That bastard who did nothing but beat me and Mom gave me that name—I don’t use it. Mom gave me a new name: Sae-mi. So I’m Shin Sae-mi, not Shin Sam-ja!”

She had lived as Sae-mi since before the Cataclysm.

In the novel, anyway. In reality she was taken by Breeder young, so her life was unknown.

But she clearly hated the name Shin Sam-ja.

“You caused a scene the moment you arrived.”

Jin Seong-ha placed a prepared item on the table. A round soundproof barrier formed. Outside noise came in, but inside noise didn’t leak out.

The conversation from now was not for ordinary people.

What future Breeder’s second soul had implanted in Butterfly Mask.

The <Hunter and Hero> remake version.

That was today’s topic.

“We came because we need to, but I’m still pissed about you killing Park Yu-jik. Watch your mouth. One more name slip and no cooperation between Butterfly Mask and the orphans.”

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

Ion bowed his head. But Jin Seong-ha beside him muttered low,

“You… killed D-NATE’s Park Yu-jik…?”

Ah, he didn’t know that yet.

Ion decided to be shameless.

“Yes. What, did you have a personal connection with Park Yu-jik?”

“No. But…”

“…”

“No. Not the time.”

He’s curious how I broke <Sanctuary>.

That question definitely wasn’t for Butterfly Mask’s ears.

Ion was willing to explain to Jin Seong-ha later—and show how amazing plants could be.

“Anyway, let’s start. Listen carefully—”

“Sae-mi, I’m supposed to explain. Did you forget?”

“Who cares who does it?”

“Leader’s orders.”

“…Ugh, fine. You do it.”

Sae-mi slurped her iced chocolate through a straw.

“Seems you must obey the leader’s orders.”

“Yes, the leader’s orders have always been right, so I try my best to follow.”

Jin Seong-ha narrowed his eyes; Sae-mi continued,

“It’s not what you think. Not forced obedience like Breeder or System Age—we respect the leader and follow willingly. No misunderstanding.”

“I see. Got it.”

Jin Seong-ha cleared the misunderstanding cleanly.

“First, understand we escaped midway.”

Ade Tuna began.

The <Hunter and Hero> injected by Breeder’s second soul into Butterfly Mask:

Earth and Idea fight demons, giants, then demons again; finally the Demon King revives, Jin Seong-ha and Harundas form a subjugation party and defeat him. Then regression.

No D-NATE, no demon alliance, no Idea human–giant war.

Same ending and story as the fake <Hunter and Hero>.

“That’s it.”

“So much has changed it’s almost embarrassing to say we know the future.”

Sae-mi added bitterly.

Ion felt the most bitter.

Butterfly Mask escaped midway and didn’t learn the full remake. So I still have to meet Butterfly Mask after all…