The Prophecy of Betrayal

Naturally, I couldn’t care less whether she struck me or not. In fact, if Pyo Yu-jeong hit me and made it impossible to stay in the party, that wouldn’t have been such a bad outcome.

“Let’s maintain some basic courtesy. I’m not exactly thrilled to be in a party with someone like you, either.”

“Wh-what? What did you just say…?”

“You probably think I’m some low-ranker hitching a ride on a famous party, but to be precise, I’m only here because Yu Se-rim asked me to join. It wasn’t my choice. So, watch yourself. If I tell Yu Se-rim I can’t stay because of you, who do you think is going to be the one in trouble?”

“You…!”

True to her hot-tempered nature, Pyo Yu-jeong looked ready to boil over, glaring at me with a terrifying intensity. But even as I felt her fury, I just let out a dry smirk.

After all, Pyo Yu-jeong didn’t have a single offensive skill. She was a Healer. And besides, she was hopelessly in love with Yu Se-rim.

“I have no interest in Yu Se-rim. You seem to sharpen your blade against anything he shows interest in… but I wonder if that’s just making him tired of you.”

“….!”

“If you want Yu Se-rim to pay more attention to me, keep acting like this. He’ll get stressed by the team friction, feel pity for me as the one-sided victim, and eventually… find you a nuisance, won’t he?”

And that was exactly what happened. In the previous timeline, Pyo Yu-jeong was actually the first member to be discarded by Yu Se-rim. She didn’t realize she was being abandoned at the time, though.

The moment Yu Se-rim recruited a new Healer, he left Pyo Yu-jeong—who had been critically injured in a dungeon—in a passing village with nothing but a cold departure. Her injury had cost her a leg, and at the time, I had felt a secret, petty sense of satisfaction.

But I still remembered the confusion I felt back then, realizing he intended to leave her while she hadn’t even woken up yet.

‘Um, excuse me. What about Yu-jeong ssi…?’ ‘I’ve left enough travel funds and consolation money. She can return to the original world once she’s able.’ ‘Ah…’

I had felt a strange sense of dissonance at his resolute attitude, but back then, I didn’t understand what it meant.

Thinking about it now, Yu Se-rim was a true piece of trash. Everyone knew how much Pyo Yu-jeong cherished and loved him, yet he handed over a bit of cash and left without even waiting to see her open her eyes.

Knowing all this, I didn’t hate her anymore; she just looked pathetic. Does this young woman have any idea what fate awaits her?

“…”

Perhaps reading something in my expression, Pyo Yu-jeong faltered. She eventually scowled, let out a sharp “Hmph!”, and turned on her heel to vanish.

“Sigh…”

I looked down gloomily at the clean party uniform in my arms. I never imagined I’d end up wearing this thing again after coming back. But I resolved not to view this as an omen of misfortune.

Yu Se-rim. You think every human is just a pawn for you to use and discard, don’t you? This time, it’s your turn. I’ll make sure you learn what it feels like to be the one thrown away.

This wasn’t an omen of misfortune—it was a prelude to revenge.

My goal was to abandon him or push him into a deeper abyss when he was at his most vulnerable. And this time, I would definitely find the truth about my brother.

That must be the reason I was sent back. I steeled my heart and pulled the white robe over my shoulders.

“It suits you well.”

‘It suits you well.’

Watching Yu Se-rim say the exact same words as before, I merely gave a slight nod. Men usually don’t shower each other with such extravagant compliments, after all.

In the past, I would have blushed at such praise, but now that I knew how easily he could spout words he didn’t mean, I let it slide right past me.

Perhaps because he didn’t get the reaction he expected, Yu Se-rim’s perfect smile twitched with a hint of awkwardness. Behind him, Pyo Yu-jeong’s displeased gaze followed.

However, my warning from yesterday seemed to have worked; she didn’t make any overt snide remarks. When our eyes met, she simply snorted “Hmph!” and whipped her head away, just as she had when delivering the clothes.

Yu Se-rim let out a small chuckle at her behavior before beginning to introduce his party members to me one by one.

“This is our Healer, Pyo Yu-jeong ssi. She’s A-Rank and a bit… shy with strangers.”

“I see.”

It was a bit more “rude” than “shy,” but I didn’t pay it much mind. Knowing that both Pyo Yu-jeong and I were merely disposable pawns to him, I couldn’t bring myself to feel genuine hostility toward her for something so trivial.

“And this is the S-Rank Summoner, Ahn Hwa-young kun. He prefers to communicate through his summon, ‘Haetae,’ rather than speaking directly.”

[I didn’t expect us to end up on the same team-yoi. Nice to meet you-yoi!]

Haetae looked like a floating pink balloon, but despite its harmless appearance, it was an incredibly powerful summon. Ahn Hwa-young was high-ranked and had excellent judgment, making him one of the teammates Yu Se-rim actually valued.

I bowed my head to Ahn Hwa-young while mentally revisiting what I remembered to be his weakness. It was something that happened back when we entered a dungeon called [Noah’s Coffin]…

He panics in dark, cramped spaces. Yu Se-rim had to step in personally to restrain him.

At the time, Yu Se-rim had acted as if he knew exactly when Hwa-young would snap. I didn’t know the full story behind their relationship, but since I knew his weakness now, a moment might come where I could use it—for instance, if I needed to separate him from Yu Se-rim.

“And this is Seong Gyu-rim ssi. She’s an AA-Rank Mage. Her primary weapon is a fan.”

“Nice to meet you!”

The girl who greeted me with a bright smile, Seong Gyu-rim, was the only person in this cutthroat party who had actually cared for me and looked out for me.

And so… she ended up dying in the second dungeon while trying to save me, even though she could have easily escaped on her own.

After that, Yu Se-rim became noticeably colder toward me. I suspect he was venting his fury over losing a high-level asset like Gyu-rim because of me. That was likely why he eventually discarded me the way he did.

“…”

Looking at the brightly smiling Seong Gyu-rim, I felt a wave of profound guilt. This time, she would undoubtedly look after me again, saying I ‘reminded her of her younger brother back home.’

The only person in this godforsaken party I truly owe a debt to.

I firmly grasped the small hand she offered and gave my first sincere greeting.

“Hello. I’m Han Sol. My rank is low, but I look forward to working with you.”

“That’s fine!”

As expected, she nodded with a laugh. Yu Se-rim watched me, a glint of curiosity in his eyes at my changed demeanor.

“…Lastly, this man with the axe is our AA-Rank Warrior, Kim Jae-ho. He’s a man of few words, but his skills are undeniable.”

“…”

Kim Jae-ho gave a short nod and immediately averted his gaze. He seemed to have zero interest in me, just like before. I didn’t know much about him either. He tended to get quite violent once combat started, but that was directed at monsters, never at his teammates.

Still, he seemed close enough whenever he talked to Yu Se-rim. He might be the same breed as that bastard…

I decided to categorize Kim Jae-ho as someone to be wary of.

Once the introductions were finished, Yu Se-rim began to explain the party’s true purpose.

“The reason I formed this party is to clear the ‘Fortress of Prophecy,’ also known as the Final Dungeon.”

…This is also exactly the same as before.

I listened silently, keeping my thoughts to myself. Then, Yu Se-rim asked me with a hint of curiosity.

“By the way, Han Sol-ssi, have you ever heard of the Fortress of Prophecy?”

Ah, that was a mistake. I should have pretended not to know.

Since I had only returned to the past a few days ago, everything felt so familiar that even Yu Se-rim’s dialogue felt like a script I’d already read. I had missed the timing to ask a proper question.

If I know too much, it’ll naturally raise suspicion… I have to stop Yu Se-rim from becoming wary of me.

I shook my head and replied.

“I’ve heard of it. From my… brother. But I don’t know the details.”