episode_0010

(In a dark space where no light enters.)

(There stands Inyeong, appearing as a female figure.)

(A faint, whispering voice echoes in the unseen space.)

– Did you kill him?

Yeah, I did.

(The voice, as if gently melting the listener’s ears, asks once more.)

– Did you just let him die?

Yes. I did nothing until he died.

– Why are you still alive?

Why am I alive? I wonder too.

– What would he think when he remembers your incompetence?

He might hate me. What am I, after all?

– Do you know that everything you have comes from him?

I know, I do.

– But why does he keep dying?

Because of my incompetence. Because of my weakness. Because of my arrogance. Because I was too preoccupied with myself.

– Your strength seems to suit him best. Wouldn’t he resent you?

He will surely resent me. He dreamed of saving everyone with this power.

(He always exerted his strength for others without caring for himself.)

– Yet, even with the power he desired, why couldn’t anyone be saved?

…

(Different from the self-centered girl.)

– The head of the Seondo, the school principal.

Shut up.

– Friends who were connected to him, professors.

Shut up…

– The heroes he admired, the citizens he wanted to protect.

Shut up…

– The academy he attended, the city he loved.

Shut up…!

– And he, whom you couldn’t save.

Shut up!!!!!

– Even with such power, you couldn’t save anyone? Tsk.

…But still, you can start over. Start again and save him.

(A conversation hinting at a restart.)

– Is the story coming back to the beginning? I told you, why. Does he. Keep. Dying.

…

– All his deaths are related to you. Understand?

…

– If you die now, will he forgive you?

If I die… will he forgive me? But isn’t that too easy a thought?

– Besides death, what else could you seek forgiveness for? After killing him multiple times.

…Is that so.

– Yes, that’s right. You. I am.

-Dying is the right choice.

Dying is the right choice.

(She begins to tighten her hands around her neck.)

(Even as she strangles herself, she doesn’t make a sound. She just silently tightens her grip on her neck.)

(Even as her strength wanes, preventing her prayer from being blocked, she applies more force as if her neck might snap.)

(Just a little more, and her neck will break, and her breath will cease.)

[“It’s okay.”]

…? Who… are you…?

[“It’s okay~ It’s okay~.”]

H…ow…?

[“You don’t have to push yourself. You don’t have to overdo it. Leave it to me.”]

No. I… I’ll do it. Let me do it. Even if you’re not here, I’ll do it.

[“Rest here. Trust me? I may not be as strong as you, but I’m quite resilient.”]

Please, please don’t leave. Stay here. Please… don’t go…!!

[“You don’t have to bear the burden alone. I’ll help you carry it.”]

I wasn’t carrying it… This… This was originally yours… So, please…

You know how badly I treated you.

I did things I shouldn’t have done.

I caused you so much trouble.

I know I’m useless and can’t help you at all.

Please… at least hate me. Resent me.

Why are you smiling?

Why are you doing this to me?

[“It’s okay.”]

[“It’s not your fault.”]

[“You don’t have to bear the responsibility that should not be yours.”]

Don’t say that!!!

How many times did I hear that sound from you!!!

In the beginning, and then. And then again and again!!!!

You were always smiling!!!!!

Back then, even back then, at that time!!!!

Gyeol, are you not afraid of death…?

What did I say to you? Why do you always come to my rescue?

I never did anything for you.

At that time, I was always curious. Why are you so devoted to me?

[Yes. I’m afraid too. Who in this world wouldn’t fear death.]

[And is there a reason for saving people?]

····So you always said that.

[How should we comfort a child who is afraid.]

[Smile. Widely.]

[That’s enough. To calm the fear.]

I’m sorry.

[It’s okay.]

I was wrong.

[It’s not your fault.]

It’s all my responsibility…

[It’s not solely your responsibility.]

[Live on.]

···.

[I love you.]

···.

[May my death be more valuable than people’s lives.]

·····

···No.

I will save you.

I will try to save you.

That’s why I’ve become much stronger than back then.

I remember everything.

Now, I won’t fail.

So please. Wait for me.

-Zap!! Chaengkang!!!!!

·····

“Ugh!! Cough… Hack!! Keuh… Kehk!!”

Current time: 2 AM.

Most people are turning off all lights and going to bed.

Someone woke up from sleep, groaning in pain.

“Cough!! Hack!! Kehk!!”

Their body was covered in cold sweat, trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Unconsciously, they had been clutching their own throat, breathing rapidly with handprints on their neck.

“Cough――Cough―, Hoo…”

A dream… perhaps.-

“Hoo… Ha…, cough!! Sleeping… was a mistake today…”

They got up from bed, opened the window, brought a chair in front of it, and gazed at the sky.

“…Refreshing.”

Had entering the academy and dreaming again about Gyeol caused this?

They almost got trapped in the dream while being complacent.

Trembling-

Their hands couldn’t calm down, shaking continuously.

Suddenly, symptoms akin to separation anxiety appeared. They were aware of it themselves.

Gyeol didn’t die. He’s still alive. You saw him escort you home.

So stop.

The severe symptoms, visible even from afar by the trembling hands, gradually diminished, and the shaking eventually stopped.

“Hoo…”

Hangyeol. There was a time when I thought you were a strange kid. Not now, though.

Incredibly pure, always with a bright smile.

“Hello? I’m Hangyeol. Nice to meet you! Hey, Hwayoung!”

“Don’t just call me by my name, why act so familiar?”

Damn it. Why did I act like that?

Should I call that the first episode? I was truly the worst in terms of personality back then.

“Hwayoung, take this. It’s a gift!”

“What’s this? A scarf? I don’t need it, so keep it.”

Even though Gyeol gave it as a gift. I should have kept it, even if I had to cast a permanent preservation spell.

Why did I discard it?

“Hwayoung, this is…” “Hwayoung…” “Hwayoung…”

In the first episode, despite tormenting and pushing away, he still talked to me without despair…

“I admire heroes. So, you see, I’ll grow up to be a hero! A hero worthy of a novel!”

“What? A hero? Stop talking nonsense. What kind of hero would you be in your subject?”

A hero. The dream Gyeol has cherished from the beginning until now. I denied that.

…Should I die? Why did I ignore Gyeol’s dream? Should I be ashamed…?

When was it… when I fell for Gyeol.

…Phew. Damn it. I completely messed up in the first episode, and in the next, and the next after that.

“Why… Why are you treating me like this!!!”

“What right do you have to look at me like that!!!”

“I don’t need your help!! Why bother with someone weaker than me!!!”

I feel like killing myself…

But still, I have to keep recalling it.

I have to remember. It’s the only atonement I can make now.

What wrongs I have committed.

My arrogant judgment led to certain consequences.

How the situation unfolded, putting Gyeol in danger.

My judgment, my jealousy, my arrogance.

What were the circumstances and reasons that led to Gyeol’s death?

I remember it all. I won’t forget.

“And then, everything changes.”

But if I do that, Gyeol won’t be able to grow.

Seeing Gyeol get hurt feels like my heart is being torn apart, but it’s the path Gyeol wants. I have to endure.

“Hehehe. Who am I worrying about? I’ve repeated it many times, watched over it.”

Gyeol was always strong. Everything was different from me, who was only strong in power.

He always fought against the impossible. And he emerged victorious.

Even when Gyeol didn’t need me to protect him. He always won.

So when Gyeol goes into battle, I trust him with it.

Even if I see Gyeol getting hurt and struggling, I’ll endure it.

The ‘me’ from the first chapter was always arrogant.

Knowing from a young age that I had a unique body.

Perhaps that’s why I disliked receiving help from others.

That arrogance, stemming from pride, led to flawed judgments that ultimately led Gyeol to his death.

Trying to protect me. Trying to fight in my place.

Against countless enemies.

Against the colossal foes known as raid bosses.

Against the human called the Overlord.

Against the bosses known as Hell’s losers.

Whenever I was in danger, he always came to me and stood in front of me.

He dedicated himself to me in every chapter.

What did he see in me that made him go to such lengths?

This curiosity still lingers.

“He does so much for me, he should’ve been better. You fool.”

How can I not fall for someone like Gyeol?

Swoosh-

I lightly touch my cheek with my right hand.

[I love you.]

The best skinship Gyeol ever gave me. A cheek kiss.

But it always ended with Gyeol’s death.

Perhaps that’s why, anything beyond touching my cheek and hand brings back those memories, causing my body to react negatively.

“Not yet, not yet. Until everything ends.”

Did I think about Gyeol for a long time?

Suddenly, the darkness dissipates, and light streams into the once dark sky.

Is it already morning?

“Heheh, now I can go meet Gyeol.”

I’ve made up my mind.

I’ll swear on my heart countless times.

I’ll follow Gyeol’s dream.

I’ll hold Gyeol’s hand and stay by his side always.

And.

I will never let go.

·

·

·

·

·

Hwayoung, dressed in a school uniform, exits her room and heads outside.

In Hwayoung’s empty room, a slightly open desk drawer reveals its contents.

Inside the drawer lies only a small rock fragment.

A single word is written on the rock fragment.

‘Wish’