episode_0144

144.

“Sigh.”

I let out a deep sigh.

I slowly skimmed through internet articles.

Most of them were flooded with crime-related news.

– “Death of Korean legend Gu Hwanhye!” The culprit is Rebellion?

– The destruction of the Pungwol Clan! How far will Rebellion’s atrocities go?

– [Citizens of Gyeongsang Province trembling in fear! What is the government’s response?]

– Single Ranker Han Yua leads the Rebellion countermeasure team!

“It’s really chaotic. The way the world is turning.”

South Korea is currently in turmoil.

It’s all because a legendary hero suddenly died.

No, he was murdered.

And it was done in a very cruel manner.

“Hmm.”

Gu Hwanhye was quite a remarkable figure as a hero.

He had always done his best to save people from the past to the present.

He could be considered an idol of many people and a symbol of peace.

But to be brutally murdered by a mere villain like that, and even insulted in death, it was natural for people to be shocked.

“Even though his heyday has long passed, to think that someone would dare to touch a giant like Gu Hwanhye….”

I scratched my neck nervously, wearing a slightly embarrassed expression.

If the main story of the game had progressed as planned, Yoo Dahee would probably not have been active properly yet.

She was probably in the midst of gathering allies, right?

But one incident in Busan became a major turning point.

It was Yoo Dahee’s use of her extraordinary abilities.

By publicly revealing her ability to summon monsters, she seemed to have no more hesitation and was actively engaging in it.

Thanks to her, South Korea was now in chaos.

The villains who were drawn to Yoo Dahee, the new strong figure, were also going crazy.

“How much has Yoo Dahee grown, really?”

It seemed like she had started her activities earlier than in the original work and had been gaining experience rapidly, almost reaching the level of a Single Ranker.

No, she probably hadn’t reached the level of a Single Ranker yet, right?

If she had, that would be quite troublesome.

“Hey, Jinhuk?”

“Yeah? Oh, Soyeon.”

“Uh…?”

As I was pondering various things, I could tell that Soyeon was approaching cautiously and glancing at me sideways.

It felt like she was acting a bit awkwardly.

It seemed like she was subtly checking on me.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, no, uh, I was just wondering about something….”

When our eyes met, Soyeon made a slightly surprised expression and then quickly averted her gaze.

I swallowed my saliva at her reaction.

Since the incident with the sword wound a year ago, this had been the situation with Soyeon.

It seemed like she felt a subtle sense of guilt every time she looked at me, probably because of the memory of injuring me accidentally.

“….”

“Why are you like that, Jinhuk?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Uh… I see….”

I couldn’t help but miss the Soyeon who used to boldly joke around and play pranks on me.

The memories of us laughing and teasing each other incessantly resurfaced.

But now, Soyeon just looked at me with a slightly awkward expression and a troubled gaze.

I felt like I had ruined Soyeon.

No, I had ruined her.

Bright and spirited Soyeon.

“Ah. W-where are you going?”

“…I just wanted to drink some water.”

Feeling a bit suffocated, I was about to leave the room to get some fresh air, but Soyeon reached out and firmly grabbed my wrist.

It felt like a child holding onto their parents’ hands tightly, not wanting them to leave alone.

She seemed uneasy with me out of her sight.

Seeing Soyeon fidgeting nervously, I couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy myself.

Soyeon just bit her lip, looking a bit unsure.

“It’s not… uncomfortable being with me, right…?”

“Why would it be?”

“T-then… okay, I’ll be fine.”

At my response, Soyeon smiled faintly with a slightly blurry expression.

But she didn’t let go of my wrist.

Soyeon, can you please let go of my wrist?

It’s starting to hurt a bit.

“Sigh.”

I let out a small sigh unexpectedly.

Soyeon shrugged her shoulders slightly in response.

I shouldn’t react to these things, but for now, I’ll let it go.

“Soyeon.”

“Y-yeah?”

“Do you have something to tell me that you came looking for?”

“Uh, well…?”

Soyeon cautiously nodded, looking at me.

“Then just tell me straightforwardly. What’s going on?”

“Uh… well…”

She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.

“…It’s about Jinho.”

“Yeah.”

“…Are you planning to prevent the terrorist attack on Heroes’ Day?”

“Oh.”

The terrorist attack on Heroes’ Day?

How does she know about that?

Oh, right, she saw my notebook before.

I’ve already collected all my belongings from her, but I can’t do anything about what she’s already seen, darn it.

“Well, I’m not sure. The future has changed a lot, so I don’t know if Yoo Dahee will actually carry out a terrorist attack on Heroes’ Day.”

“Tell me honestly, Jinho. You’re sure about this, right? That Yoo Dahee will definitely cause trouble on Heroes’ Day.”

“…Hmm.”

Soyeon looked at me with a sharp gaze.

She’s right.

If Yoo Dahee, who has started her activities in earnest, will definitely carry out a large-scale terrorist attack to bring despair to people on the monumental Heroes’ Day.

If it’s the Yoo Dahee I know, then definitely.

“I… I know…”

“Soyeon.”

“That day… originally…”

“Well…”

Soyeon swallowed dryly and trembled her lips with a slightly anxious look.

“The day you… die…”

She tightened her grip on my hand, her face slightly downcast.

“…”

The day I die?

Well, it’s not entirely wrong.

It’s just one of several death routes, but losing my life due to Yoo Dahee’s terrorist attack at Gwanghwamun Square is considered the most likely scenario.

And through my death, Soyeon awakens.

Perhaps that is my original role, my death.

Being a sacrificial lamb for Soyeon is my essence.

But a lot has changed now.

A lot.

“Did you see that too?”

“…Jinho.”

“Hey, it’s okay. I’ve thought of some countermeasures. There shouldn’t be a big problem.”

“…Jinho.”

Ignoring my words halfway, Soyeon called my name in a slightly lowered voice.

“So are you going there? …To that place?”

“Yeah.”

“No.”

She shook her head firmly.

“Absolutely not.”

Soyeon looked at me with a determined expression.

“You can’t go. You must not go.”

She repeated quickly, almost muttering to herself.

Speaking rapidly as if in a trance, she looked at me with a dark, intense gaze, gripping my wrist even tighter.

“You must not go. You can’t go. If you go, it’s not allowed.”

Mumbling to herself, Soyeon’s eyes seemed to have lost some of their light, just like when we first met after my resurrection.

“Where do you think you’re going? Do you want to die? No, you can’t, it’s not allowed.”

“Soyeon, you.”

I knew she had trauma related to my death, but I didn’t expect such a strong reaction.

“Soyeon, I’m not going alone. I’ll ask for help from the others. So…”

“I said no!”

Soyeon tightly closed her eyes and shouted in frustration.

“Why, why are you willing to take such a risk? Just give orders from a safe place, Jinhyuk. I’ll go, so you…”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“I want to do my best. To capture Yudahee.”

Yudahee’s growth is terrifying.

I can’t just let her continue to grow.

Moreover, the future I know has already changed a lot.

I can no longer predict Yudahee’s actions.

So I want to take her down quickly while the information I know about the future is still valid.

“What are you talking about! Are you crazy? Absolutely not. To Yudahee again…”

“Soyeon, your wrist.”

“What?”

“My wrist hurts. Can you let go a bit?”

“Oh…”

Soyeon looked slightly surprised at my words.

Then she looked at her hand, which she was holding tightly enough to make the skin red, and quickly let go.

There were deep marks on her fingers, and Soyeon’s face turned slightly pale.

“Ouch, it still hurts. Why is this girl so strong?”

“I-I’m sorry… I-I didn’t mean to…”

As I gently touched my wrist, Soyeon bit her lower lip tightly.

“I-I…”

“Don’t blame yourself for this. Just listen to me.”

After calming down Soyeon, I made a suggestion to her.

“Soyeon, are you unhappy with me participating in the field?”

“Um…”

“Why?”

“Well, it’s dangerous.”

“You’re planning to participate in the field, right? But why can’t I?”

“It’s different for me. I can handle High Rankers. But you, Jinhyuk, you’re a bit uneasy, right…?”

“So, I’m a weakling who worries you, is that it?”

“W-What? No, I didn’t mean it like that.”

It seems that for Soyeon, I’m just a weakling who could die at any moment.

But Soyeon.

It’s different now.

If I can use my special ability well, I won’t be a burden to you anymore.

No, I might even be able to help you.

Of course, to do that, I need to change your perception.

Since my abilities are determined by others, not me.

“Well, I did ask you to protect me before…”

I trailed off before pursing my lips again.

“Did you not hear recently? I defeated Ishiwoon.”

“Oh. Yeah. I heard they had a duel? And that you defeated Yuseolhyun and Kang Daehan…”

It seems Soyeon also heard the news.

“I was a bit surprised, Jinhyuk. I knew you were hiding something, but to defeat them…”

“Yeah.”

It seems Soyeon didn’t hear about me being a Bitilante.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

I just need to make her realize through this incident.

“But… um.”

Soyeon glanced around and slowly raised her voice.

“…I’m a bit worried about that level of danger.”

“Haha.”

I chuckled momentarily.

In essence, for the current Soyeon, having the ability to defeat Lee Siwoon, Kang Daehan, and Yoo Seolhyun does not prove anything.

Because Soyeon is a force to be reckoned with, beyond comparison with them.

Lee Siwoon and Kang Daehan currently possess skills ranging from mid to high level, but Soyeon was undeniably a high-ranking skillful individual.

Defeating those two is not enough to put her mind at ease.

“Well, then, what do you say? Shall we make a bet?”

“Huh?”

She blinked her eyes at my words.

“What kind of bet?”

“If you can defeat me within 10 minutes, it’s your win. If not, it’s my win. How about that?”

“Wait, what do you mean by that?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

I nodded confidently and spoke in a self-assured voice.

“Let’s have a match like we used to in middle school, Soyeon.”

Alright, let’s have a showdown.

Who will come out on top?

Oh, of course, it will be you.

But you know, I have quite a bit of confidence too.

Even if I can’t win, I can hold my own.