episode_0164

164.

South Korea was in an uproar over the incident that took place at Gwanghwamun Square.

TV, news, internet, newspapers, you name it, everyone was talking about the Gwanghwamun tragedy.

Because the worst villain that had plunged South Korea into fear had been brought to justice.

And it was by a young student.

– “The death of the worst villain, Yoo Dahee!”

– [Young students took down Yoo Dahee?] Emerging stars in the hero world!

– Union education trainees doing what the government, clans, and corporations couldn’t? Exposing the incompetence of the hero industry.

– Casualties being counted… Estimated to be at least tens of thousands…

– Chasing after scattered monsters! Government prioritizing the safety of Seoul citizens!

Lee Jinhyuk slowly scrolled through internet articles.

Stories related to the Gwanghwamun tragedy were pouring in endlessly.

It had spread not only through domestic media but also internationally via foreign news outlets.

Beyond Asia, Europe, Africa, America, Oceania, everyone was paying attention to the Gwanghwamun tragedy.

Because everyone had feared the national-level villain, Yoo Dahee.

He had not only mocked South Korea, a country that had been easily manipulated by a mere villain, but also held a sense of awe.

What if Yoo Dahee had planned to grow in power from the well of Korea and extend his reach globally?

Yoo Dahee, who had the unprecedented ability to summon monsters and trample major cities, would have caused unimaginable casualties if he had started operating on a global scale.

Perhaps smaller countries would have succumbed without resistance, crushed under his power?

That’s how outrageous Yoo Dahee’s abilities were.

Just the monsters he had summoned so far possessed unimaginable strength.

The serpent Ouroboros connecting the beginning and the end. The giant of flames, Surtr. The creeping terror, and so on.

Just one appearance from them would surely devastate any city.

But what if a more powerful Yoo Dahee had summoned even stronger monsters?

It was terrifying to imagine.

The world would have trembled in fear of Yoo Dahee, the villain no one could stop, who had grown into an unprecedented evil force.

But what’s this?

Yoo Dahee, who everyone had watched with bated breath, had fallen as easily as dust.

Even numerous Named Heroes who had participated in the Hero’s Day event were defeated by two unfamiliar young children.

Their names were Jin Soyeon and Lee Jinhyuk.

Both were Hero Trainees who had made a name for themselves in South Korea.

They had taken down powerful monsters that appeared at the academy, fought against the rebellion during the midterm exam, and defeated the Ouroboros that had devastated Busan.

Both of them could be considered precious gems with the potential to grow into great heroes.

But for these two to not only take down Yoo Dahee but completely defeat him?

People who heard this news couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

Jin Soyeon and Lee Jinhyuk may have had skills beyond the level of trainees, but still, to be able to take down Yoo Dahee seemed unbelievable.

Yoo Dahee was in a league of his own.

The most heinous villain who killed the legendary hero Gu Hwan-hyung and defeated all the government and clan pursuers.

Of course, Yoo Da-hee’s strength was not solely his own.

But it cannot be denied that Yoo Da-hee was an immensely powerful individual.

Just look at the recent Gwanghwamun tragedy, where Yoo Da-hee stood tall, unaffected by the attacks of dozens of heroes.

That’s why some people were saying this.

The only reason why two students were able to defeat Yoo Da-hee was because they seized the opportunity while other heroes were busy fighting.

But all the heroes present at the scene knew.

They knew the power and talent of Jin So-yeon and Lee Jin-hyuk.

Those two would grow to become legendary heroes known not only in South Korea but throughout the world.

No, they might even surpass legendary heroes and become the greatest heroes in history.

If Jin So-yeon, who showed continuous growth while fighting Yoo Da-hee, and Lee Jin-hyuk, who relentlessly pushed forward and ultimately achieved victory, were to achieve this.

Surely, they could become the greatest heroes in the world.

“…It’s all over.”

Suddenly, Jin So-yeon’s voice softly echoed.

Her gentle and innocent voice gently tickled Lee Jin-hyuk’s ears.

Turning his head slowly, he could see Jin So-yeon sitting on the opposite sofa, radiating her beautiful beauty, looking at Lee Jin-hyuk with a soft smile.

This was Lee Jin-hyuk’s living room, regained after the survival declaration.

He was spending a peaceful moment with his precious childhood friend, sitting on the sofa after a long time.

“Looking back now, a lot of things happened in the past year.”

Jin So-yeon’s eyes were filled with a bit of nostalgia, but soon she looked directly at Lee Jin-hyuk and burst into a bright smile.

“Should we say that the incidents never stopped since entering the academy?”

After entering the academy, numerous incidents poured in.

“We defeated the monsters that appeared in the academy, took down the villains who attacked during the midterm exams, got involved in the Seong Yura kidnapping case, fought villains and giant monsters in Busan, and after you died, I continued to destroy many villains and organizations, and finally wiped out all the Rebellion, including Yoo Da-hee, at Gwanghwamun Square.”

Although it had only been a year, it seemed like they had experienced so many incidents and accidents.

“It was really difficult and painful at the time.”

As if recalling the past hardships, Jin So-yeon’s expression darkened slightly, but she quickly shook it off with a smile.

“In the end, we were able to overcome it and defeat Yoo Da-hee.”

“Yes.”

“Since you were able to see the future, you prepared a lot to defeat Yoo Da-hee.”

Continuing to speak.

“I know from looking at your notebook. I know what you were trying to do to stop Yoo Da-hee.”

Yoo Da-hee, the culprit of all the events and destined to become the worst villain in the future.

If they hadn’t defeated Yoo Da-hee, South Korea would have been under the control of villains, with a dark future ahead.

But in the end, Lee Jin-hyuk was able to defeat Yoo Da-hee.

He protected the future of South Korea, no, the future of the world.

“Really, really…”

Jin So-yeon looked at her childhood friend, who had struggled for so long, and whispered a word.

“You’ve been through a lot, Jin-hyuk.”

It’s hard to say exactly how much he has worked and suffered.

However, when Jin Soyeon thought about how he had struggled alone for so long to protect the future from Yoo Dahee, his heart ached.

He also remembered hearing rumors from Yoo Seolhyun that Lee Jinhyuk had been secretly active as a vigilante since middle school.

It was probably after his parents passed away during his middle school years.

At the young age of around fifteen, he had been alone in the shadows, dealing with villains.

How difficult and painful it must have been for him.

Since Jin Soyeon had also been taking down villains after Lee Jinhyuk’s death, she could understand his loneliness and suffering more deeply than anyone else.

The image of Lee Jinhyuk, pretending to be calm on the outside and punishing villains as a vigilante at night, lingered faintly in her mind.

If she had known the truth and told Jin Soyeon, she would never have left Lee Jinhyuk alone.

She would have surely made every effort to help him.

But Lee Jinhyuk never revealed that he was a vigilante, and Jin Soyeon never realized that he was one.

Despite being his only remaining family and childhood friend, she had no idea what he was thinking, what he was doing, or what goals he had.

Truly, how pitiful and clueless Jin Soyeon was.

So, from now on, let’s do things right.

Since Yoo Dahee, the target Lee Jinhyuk had set his sights on, had fallen.

Now it’s time for him to strive for a peaceful daily life.

“It’s all over now, Jinhyuk. You can rest now.”

“…It’s over.”

Yoo Dahee was dead, and the Rebellion had scattered.

Even the original members, Isabelle and Ryan, had been arrested, so the remaining Rebellion members were no longer a threat.

Originally, they had planned to see the ending with the protagonist’s group at the end of the third year.

But they had succeeded in defeating Yoo Dahee much earlier than expected.

Now, perhaps they could take a break as per her suggestion.

Enjoying a peaceful life at the academy.

“…Yeah. It’s all over.”

Lee Jinhyuk chuckled and leaned back on the soft sofa.

“Ah~. It feels like seeing the ending of a game I’ve been playing for a long time. Now that I’ve cleared the main story, maybe I should check out some minor side quests.”

“Haha. What an interesting metaphor.”

After successfully achieving the goal he had set after inheriting knowledge from the future, all that was left was to enjoy his second year at the academy.

Or was it? Wait a minute.

Right, I didn’t advance to the second year, did I?

“Maybe I should just quit the academy.”

“Huh? Suddenly?”

“Well, I contacted the academy after reporting my survival, but it seems that due to certain circumstances, they can only handle it as a leave of absence.”

“Oh, I see.”

Lee Jinhyuk, who had been dead for almost half a year and then resurrected, was in a very special situation. While his expulsion due to death had been canceled, he couldn’t be promoted.

If he went back to the academy, he would have to start as a first-year student again. Was it really necessary to attend the academy?

With more than enough money to live on for a lifetime, skills that would make it difficult for any pro to be his match, and a network of contacts already established, finding a job would be easy.

“I’ve missed so many classes that I’ve been put on leave too, Jinhyuk. It’s a good thing for you. Shall we hold hands and enjoy first-year life again?”

“…Sure.”

Jin Soyeon seemed to be happy about being able to spend the first year of school together again, as if it were a stroke of luck.

“Well, I guess… since I have to leave the academy for a while, and there are many events I haven’t seen there, maybe…”

When the second year season began, there were quite a few new characters added.

Originally, they could have been rivals of the protagonist’s group, as well as reliable allies or potential enemies.

One of those people was Lee Jinhyuk, who had always wanted to see their faces at least once.

“But Jinhyuk.”

“Yeah?”

“Did Yoo Seolhyun say anything to you by any chance?”

“?”

Jinhyuk blinked his eyes in confusion.

“Anything in particular?”

“Oh, I see. Ah, not yet. Phew.”

Looking at Jin Soyeon who was exhaling a slight sigh of relief, Jinhyuk tilted his head.

What’s up with Jin Soyeon? Why is she acting like this?

Could it be that Yoo Seolhyun said something to Jinhyuk that might cause some trouble?

“Th-then Jinhyuk!”

“Uh, yeah.”

Stammering slightly, her face turning red, she called out to Jinhyuk as if shouting.

“Can you, um, answer that question again… if, if it’s okay…?”

“?”

Huh? Out of the blue, what’s with the sudden question?