episode_0020

After Kyle disappeared.

“Oh my… I’m going to die, I’m going to die…”

Shivering, I lay sprawled on the ground.

As the hidden event of the Easter egg ended, I returned from the strongest Han Gyeol to the strongest (laughs) Han Gyeol.

Th-this! Why was I born with such a weak body!

Groaning, I got up from my spot and looked at where Kyle had disappeared.

A small pendant lying in the place where Kyle was.

Is it a dropped item that appeared after the boss disappeared?

I picked up the pendant and examined it closely.

Click-

“Ah.”

This is a Rocket Pendant.

I didn’t know that before.

A picture was enclosed in the open space of the pendant.

Probably a photo of Kyle with his comrades from his knight days in the past.

Next to them was a woman who seemed to be their leader.

So, the person standing in the center must be Kyle.

“…Incredibly handsome.”

With a cold expression, sharp eyes that matched, and a golden ratio physique.

In a world where there are at least ten powerhouses within reach, there’s a very handsome and beautiful leader?

Such a deceiver?

…Should I have just taken care of him in one shot?

“Well, anyway, I received rewards beyond what I deserve.”

I closed the pendant and approached Kyle’s resting place in front of the tomb.

“So, please keep this with you, the lord who sacrifices for his knights. It’s quite predictable.”

I don’t know what Kyle’s thoughts are, but he probably feels similarly.

“Your knight is someone who deserves great respect. I will entrust the teacher who went to the afterlife to you.”

Nodding, I paid my respects towards the tomb and began to retrace my steps back.

…Should I go home now?

For some reason, this room feels a bit warmer.

Tap.

“Phew, the air is nice…”

The fresh sunlight warmly greets me…

“…Huh?”

The sun? Daytime? Wait a moment.

What time is it now?

Click. I turn on my smartwatch to check the date and time.

Sunday. 2:18 PM.

Ha, ha, hahaha

The refreshing expression from earlier disappears, and I nervously check the notifications with shaking hands and eyes.

Missed calls 99+

Unread messages 300+

Hehe…

Missed calls

Lee Hwayoung (100)

Unread messages

Lee Hwayoung (364)

Baek Chaerin (2)

Han Seyoung (7)

Ring, ring.

Lee Hwayoung (365)

Seeing the number increase in real-time, I raise my head and gaze at the sky.

Master Geomseong, was this why you were looking at the sky?

Even if not, please say it was.

Master, shall we start over from the beginning and not fight again?

Let’s start with one character. Just one hit, please.

Argh! Are you guys fighting because of me?! Is it because of me?!

If I really become Han Gyeol this time due to breaking the promise, what should I do? Tell me the answer…

…Ah.

Did the master predict this situation and inform me about it?

If so, I won’t run away.

I take a deep breath and call Hwayoung.

Ring… Click.

No, Hwayoung, were you just staring at your watch all this time?

Take a deep breath, let’s prepare.

{…Fight-}

“I love you, Hwayoung.”

A technique learned from fighting with Kyle.

Direct breakthrough.

Fortunately, the unfortunate event of becoming Han Gyeol was prevented.

We conversed while trembling at the unfamiliar chilling voice.

It’s scarier than fighting with Kyle…!

The anger dissipated quickly, and now I’m on my way to Hwayoung’s house.

What should I do if she’s standing with a kitchen knife when I enter the house?

Should I become a beehive pizza until her anger subsides?

Oh, I want pizza.

Knock, knock.

“Hwa, Hwayoung? C-can I come in?”

I entered the password and turned the doorknob to open the door.

Click. I peeked inside, but there was no Hwayoung in the hallway.

Feeling relieved, I took off my shoes, neatly arranged them, and wandered around the corridor.

“Geol-ah, you’re back?”

“Huagh!?”

It wasn’t just Hwayoung popping out from the kitchen corner.

Holding a kitchen knife, Hwayoung, looking tired somewhere, revealed herself.

“H-Ho-Hwayoung, wh-why do you have that kitchen knife?”

“Hmm? Oh, this? Geol said he’s coming, so I was preparing a meal. Why?”

“Oh, I see…”

I realized there was no other reason for her holding a kitchen knife.

Would Hwayoung really threaten me with a kitchen knife?

No way. I trusted you, Hwayoung…!

“Anyway, are you hungry? Since the food is ready, let’s eat.”

Grinning, Hwayoung suggested we eat together.

Leaving such an angel alone until late…!

Recruiting party members for a raid! 1/0!!

“Yes, I’ll wash my hands and come.”

Saying that, I went to the bathroom to wash my hands and returned to sit across from Hwayoung at the dining table.

Meat, vegetables, and soup.

Just ordinary home-cooked food.

“I’ll enjoy this. Thank you.”

“Yes, eat plenty.”

I thanked Hwayoung for the meal and started eating with my chopsticks.

“By the way, Geol-ah.”

“Yes?”

Mid-meal, I heard Hwayoung’s voice.

“Did you enjoy the dungeon?”

?!?!?!?

“Cough, cough, keheuk, kek, keheug!!”

…How, how???

“…How, how???”

The thoughts and words coming out of my mouth were the same.

A phenomenon that only occurs when someone is extremely flustered.

“Well, Geol got hurt a lot. And he has never been late in contacting me.”

“…And?”

Hwayoung stood up and sat next to me, continuing the conversation.

“Do you think lies would work on me?”

…I guess so.

She always seemed to know what I was thinking since we were kids.

“Are you lying and going to the dungeon alone because it’s dangerous?”

“No. I trust Geol. He’s strong. But…”

Swish. Hwayoung reached out and held my left hand.

After fiddling with my gloved left hand for a moment, she gently removed the glove.

A hand covered in burns.

There was a wing-shaped pattern on the back of the hand.

And even now, there were lingering effects of battle, causing the hand to tremble slightly.

“I was so scared that something might happen. I wondered if trusting you was the right choice. I was terrified.”

As Hwayoung covered my trembling hand with both of hers, a faint green light flowed from our hands.

“What’s this…?”

“It enhances natural healing. It’s the only thing I can do.”

Her previously dark expression vanished, and Hwayoung smiled softly, her eyes twinkling.

Healing abilities, as expected, but she handles them so skillfully.

Unlocking abilities due to achievements, but could Hwayoung, a combat specialist, handle such extreme abilities like this?

This is a situation I’ve never experienced even in gaming.

I can’t help but admire her. Haha.

“Hwayoung, you’re a great help to me. I’m sorry, and thank you.”

“No.”

“Yes?”

She forbade me from saying sorry.

“There’s no need for apologies from Geol to me. If anything, when I’m wrong, I should apologize to Geol.”

“Hwayoung…”

“Sigh-”

Once again, a shadow crossed Hwayoung’s eyes.

Whenever something related to me happens, her eyes turn cold.

Always looking out for me, my dear childhood friend.

I don’t know why, but it feels like you never take care of yourself.

I gently nudged Hwayoung’s cheek after letting go of her tightly held hand.

“Apologies aren’t just for when you’ve done something wrong. They can be said when someone feels upset or uneasy because of you.”

“I was just trying to-”

“So, I’m sorry. Why should I be grateful when you worry about me so much?”

“Uh…”

As if realizing something, light returned to Hwayoung’s eyes. Seeing this, I smiled and placed my hand over her eyes.

“You look tired, close your eyes.”

“Shall we sleep together?”

“What?”

Wha-what-what-what-wha-

If suddenly saying such an embarrassing thing…

Thank you····

“Oh well. I’ll stay by your side until you fall asleep. Just rest assured and sleep.”

“Mm.”

I didn’t hear the faint sound of her tongue clicking.

Supporting Hwayoung with my hand, I carried her into her room.

Though she initially resisted, she soon relaxed and leaned against me.

The room was filled with the scent of shampoo that I couldn’t experience in my own home.

Gently lowering Hwayoung onto the bed and covering her with a blanket, I said, “Let’s go to school together tomorrow.”

“Yeah… You go to sleep first.”

“Alright, goodnight.”

Hwayoung closed her eyes and fell asleep within five minutes, breathing evenly.

“If anything happens to you, I might lose my mind.”

I definitely messed up.

Naturally, she’d feel anxious and helpless, resenting herself.

I’m sorry. I was too self-absorbed.

I gently stroked Hwayoung’s cheek.

Afraid she might wake up, I cautiously left the room and headed back to the kitchen.

“The food is cold.”

It was a given, the meal had long gone cold.

Reheating seemed like a hassle, so I ate it as it was.

Even though it was cold, I thought of it as a meal made for me.

Just then,

I felt warm inside.