Chapter 170

Chapter 170: Returning Ten Years (2)

Following that, matters regarding the Baek family were resolved more easily than expected, excluding my own personal affairs.

Perhaps it was because Cha Yu-na’s network was so outstanding, or because many big names like Ryu Jin-seong and Hong Sera were involved, but an immense amount of support arrived.

Even at a glance, one could tell that dozens of guilds had sent reinforcements.

As a result, the Baek family, which had failed to gather its forces in one place, could not offer any resistance.

-I think we can consider the situation here finished for now.

By restraining the members of the Baek family who were outside in advance, the situation was brought to an end more easily.

Watching that, I briefly thought about how it compared to Glory, where incidents and accidents were always happening, but I did not have the luxury to indulge in such idle thoughts for long.

Even if the suppression of the Baek family was over, it did not mean every situation had concluded.

In short, a mountain of remaining problems still existed.

‘In any case, I only need to worry about the problems I have to handle myself…….’

It just so happened that those problems were the core of this entire incident.

Recalling what had happened with the Baek family, I quietly looked at Kim Su-hyeok, who was sleeping in the hospital room.

“So this is how it felt.”

I did not know when I was the one unconscious in a hospital room, but watching someone else lying there was not a very good feeling at all.

Moreover, was this not an affair I had started entirely on my own?

I could not hide the boiling frustration within me at the thought that he had ended up in this state because of that.

“I wonder if Kim Su-hyeok and the other kids felt this way too.”

I realized that the phrase ‘putting oneself in someone else's shoes’ did not exist for nothing.

Previously, when I was injured, I did not understand why they were so angry when everything had ended well anyway, but now I felt like I understood.

“Should I also be a bit more careful……?”

My goal was to save the heroes I admired, contrary to how it went in the novel.

However, what I wanted was for them not just to ‘survive,’ but to ‘lead a life.’

They might sound like similar phrases, but there was an immense difference between them.

If these people could not be happy because of me, then perhaps I should change my somewhat rough methods. It was while I was thinking such things.

Knock, knock.

The sound of a knock echoed through the quiet hospital room.

Perhaps it was a knock to announce an entrance rather than to ask for permission, as the door opened immediately before I could say a word.

The person who appeared was Cha Yu-na, who had been a great help during this incident.

“Is Cadet Su-hyeok doing all right?”

“Yes. I was told he simply lost consciousness for a while because his energy was depleted.”

“That is a relief. Then, what about Cadet Yu-seong?”

“Me? I do not particularly have any injuries.”

“When a fellow whose arm is in that state says he has no injuries, it makes me curious about what your standard for being injured is.”

Cha Yu-na said this while looking at my arm.

Her words reminded me of the fact that I had inflicted a laceration on myself with the Suppressing Blade.

I had so many things to worry about that I had forgotten.

“This is fine. It is a minor wound that will heal in no time.”

“It seems Cadet Yu-seong produces medicine directly from his own body.”

“Ummm……”

“Sigh, fine. If you say you are fine, then you are fine.”

If you say it with a sigh like that, it makes me feel like I am a somewhat lacking person.

However, I knew how to read the atmosphere, so I did not offer any particular excuses.

The reason Cha Yu-na came here was more important than any excuse right now.

“Is the business with the Baek family mostly finished?”

“Not a chance. How could an affair involving a prestigious family end so easily? There is still a mountain of work.”

“Then……”

“Despite that, the reason I came here to see Cadet Yu-seong is because there is much I need to hear.”

“…I suppose so.”

“So. I will need a rough explanation. The message you sent earlier was far too brief, was it not?”

She was right.

At the time, I did not have the luxury to explain every little detail, so I had asked for help with a one-line summary.

I suppose she needed to know the circumstances to solve the subsequent problems easily.

“I understand. But it would take too long to tell you everything, so I will keep the explanation somewhat brief.”

After saying that, I began to talk about what had happened.

From meeting Baek Ha-seong during the midterm exams and forming an alliance-like contract, to the result of rescuing Han Seora.

Of course, I omitted parts that should not be revealed.

For instance, the part about how I knew of the existence of Han Seora, whom no one else knew about.

I simply said I found out thanks to my talent, and there were no issues.

If one was a player, it was natural to live with one or two secrets regarding their talent. This was something Cha Yu-na understood as well.

After listening to my entire story, Cha Yu-na nodded.

“I think I understand for the most part. Not all of my curiosity has been satisfied, but if Cadet Yu-seong wants to keep it hidden, I suppose I must accept that.”

“Thank you.”

“There is nothing to be thankful for. We live in a world where the more secrets you have, the longer you can survive. And since the result ended well, it does not matter.”

“Is that so.”

A world where the more secrets you have, the longer you can survive.

It was a truly obvious statement, but it was quite sad that it had to be taken for granted.

“Then, I have something else to ask.”

“As long as it is a matter I can answer, it is fine.”

“When can Baek Ha-seong and Seora meet? You must tell me this, as it is a very important matter.”

It was a sensitive question, yet a reasonable one.

Han Seora's existence was absolutely necessary to fully prove the crimes of the Baek family.

‘Actually, it seems there are a few more reasons besides that…….’

Though she did not show it openly, I could tell by the slight change in Cha Yu-na's expression.

She was likely reacting that way because she had gained a chance to reunite with a precious person she thought was dead.

Since the expression of someone like Cha Yu-na had changed, I decided to speak without hesitation.

“For now, we agreed to meet again later. Because she needs treatment.”

“Treatment?”

“Yes. When I rescued her, Han Seora's condition was quite bad. Su-hyeok took some measures, but she will be in critical condition if she is not treated quickly.”

“To think that……”

As I had mentioned before, it was not a joke; her state was such that she might die if handled incorrectly.

Since she had been barely kept alive with drugs rather than treatment within the Baek family, she needed immediate medical attention.

“So, although we have not set an exact time to meet, she will be coming here soon.”

Because the life of Han Seora, more than anyone else's, was at stake.

“Thank you for telling me. Then I suppose I should discuss the rest once Ha-seong arrives.”

“I will do my best to cooperate in any way I can.”

“Fufu, thank you for the sentiment. To think I would have to rely on a first-year cadet like this. I still have a long way to go.”

Saying so, Cha Yu-na rose from her seat with a self-deprecating smile.

However, as if she were not quite finished, she stopped her steps toward the door and turned her head back toward me.

“Ah, right. I forgot to mention this.”

“Yes? Do you have something more to say?”

“It is nothing major, but there are many guests who have come to see you.”

“…Pardon?”

I did not hear who they were, but it was clear at a glance that this was indeed something major.

Moreover, she did not say there ‘are’ guests, but that there are ‘many’ guests.

Therefore, I asked Cha Yu-na in a voice even quieter than before, as if afraid those outside might hear.

“Um… who has come?”

“It is a bit long to list them all, but for starters, the friends of Cadet Yu-seong and Cadet Su-hyeok are here. Ah, Instructor Im also came.”

“Excuse me?”

No, this matter should have been top secret. How on earth did they find out?

As if my thoughts were obvious, Cha Yu-na explained the reason.

“After all, Cadet Su-hyeok was even hospitalized, was he not? Since it could interfere with his studies, I had to relay some of the facts.”

“Ah……”

“I did not tell them everything, but... I think they probably know anyway. After all, Cadet Jin-oh and Cadet Ha-yeon are here.”

“Ummm, I suppose so.”

Since Ryu Jin-seong had appeared in this affair, there was a high possibility that Ryu Jin-oh knew about it as well.

Add to that the information power of Ju Ha-yeon, who knew everything except what she did not know.

I already felt dizzy just imagining what I would hear, but the bad news did not end there.

“Also, Yu-hwan and Senior Jin-seong are here. Ah, and it seems Player Han Su-yeon also had some things she was curious about.”

“…….”

From Shin Yu-hwan, with whom I had postponed our conversation due to the busy situation, to the other two. It was just one thing after another.

Seeing my slumped expression, Cha Yu-na offered a sweet proposal with a mischievous smile.

“Fufu, if Cadet Yu-seong wants, I can make it so that you are also a patient who needs to rest. What do you want to do?”

She offered a proposal that would allow me to avoid the complicated situation for the time being.

And my answer to Cha Yu-na’s question was already decided.

“…Please, I am counting on you.”

They say it is better to get a beating over with early, but if possible, one would still prefer to postpone it, right?

In the end, it was a beating I would have to take... but I wanted to push it back just a little more.

***

The night sky was beautifully blanketed in dark black.

A day had already passed since the incident at the Baek family.

I sat by the window of the hospital room, looking at the sky, with the still-sleeping Kim Su-hyeok behind me.

“I have already come this far.”

I wondered if it was true that people became more emotional at night than during the day.

It was a very accurate saying.

As I stared at the night sky for no reason, the times I had passed through came to mind once again.

“There are not many big things left to handle now.”

This might be a difficult statement to understand.

Muttering that there was not much left when I had only just begun the second semester of my first year—it would be a funny story to anyone who did not know.

But the words I just spat out were the truth.

The major incidents that took place in the novel did not appear again until after graduation, with the exception of those in the first year.

So, based on academy life, there were not many big things left to deal with.

“Of course, that does not mean it will be easy.”

They were few in number, but they were by no means small in scale.

Therefore, making my heart feel at ease would certainly be a luxury.

However…….

“It should be fine to rest like this once in a while.”

I thought so while looking at Kim Su-hyeok, who had yet to open his eyes.

The reason he was still unconscious was likely because he had also taken on some of Han Seora's mental damage through Equivalent Exchange.

If that was the issue, he would surely open his eyes soon.

Therefore, rather than worrying about Kim Su-hyeok, I decided to lose myself in stray thoughts for a moment.

“Hmm, if I decide to lose myself in stray thoughts, does it stop being a stray thought?”

I was not quite sure about that.

It was not as if I had studied philosophy.

“Well, it is all in how you look at it, right?”

Is it not said that everything depends on one's mindset?

Just as the perspective on the same situation changes depending on how one thinks.

For example, yes... like the tears of Baek Ha-seong that I saw back then.

“The meaning changes depending on how you see it.”

Someone would look at that and call them tears of joy at meeting again after ten years, while another would call them tears of sadness for letting a precious person suffer such pain.

And yet another person might not even bother with such distinctions and simply empathize.

In this way, the meaning is bound to change according to the perspective, even within a single situation.

“Though I am none of those three.”

Of course, this was not a set answer, but merely my own opinion.

Still, if I were to describe the emotion I felt when I saw those tears...

“I suppose it would be a feeling of envy.”

Saying it like this makes me look like some kind of crazy person.

Of course, I am absolutely not a strange person who feels envy at another's pain.

The meaning I spoke of was simply about human relationships.

To explain it in more detail, I felt envy at the fact that someone could shed tears for another, and that someone could shed tears for me.

“Hmm, come to think of it, do I not need to be envious anymore?”

I would not have known in the past, but is there not someone now who would truly cry for me?

And I, too, would surely shed tears if something bad happened to them.

Thinking about it this way gave me a truly strange feeling.

In the midst of things I could never have imagined, something else unimaginable had happened again.

“Who would have thought it would turn out like this in the beginning?”

I had not thought for even a second that I would be together with Kim Su-hyeok and the others.

I only thought that I wanted to watch over them from afar and wish for their happiness.

I never knew that I, too, would find something called happiness within that.

“It is an ironic thing.”

How could it not be ironic?

Things I could not even imagine had become reality one after another.

I could confidently say that there was probably no life as turbulent as mine.

So.

“I must cherish it all the more.”

These were things that normally could not have been—things for which the probability of occurring was near zero, enough for me to feel that my life was turbulent.

Since I had found a happiness I could be satisfied with within that, should I not cherish it?

This was like a single sprout blooming on parched land, a single flame burning in the middle of a frozen winter.

Therefore, I was simply grateful.

“Grateful for the chance to shed tears, and for having gained precious bonds that will shed tears for me.”

And at the same time, I made a vow to myself deep in my heart.

“To make sure there is no reason to shed tears for someone, and to make sure no one has to shed tears because of me.”

I would surely make it so.

That was the lesson I learned and the resolution I made through this incident.

Of course, making such a vow did not guarantee it would be kept.

If a dangerous moment came, my body would react before my head.

However.

“At least I should make the resolution so that I will think a little before I move.”

As I mentioned earlier, was it not ultimately a matter of mindset?

So, even if there was no guarantee it would be kept, I could at least make the resolution.

Thinking so, I quietly asked the empty air without turning my gaze from the window.

“What do you think? Is this the right answer, or is it a foolish resolution born of arrogance?”

It was a sight that would make anyone who saw it think I was suffering from a mental illness.

Fortunately, however, I could prove that I did not have a mental illness.

Because a voice answered my question to the empty air.

“That is something no one knows. But at least it should be better than me. If you do at least half as well as I did not, you will be fine.”

“Now that I hear it, you are right.”

“It is a bit bitter that you agreed so readily.”

“I was not the one who spoke first, Mr. Baek Ha-seong.”

Saying so, I took my gaze away from the window and turned my head.

There, in the hospital room that had only contained myself and Kim Su-hyeok, stood Baek Ha-seong, looking at me while holding a woman.

“You returned quickly.”

“Because yesterday was longer than the past ten years, and I could no longer wait.”

“I understand.”

Finally, the long-awaited final chapter of this story was approaching.

It was time to write an ending that could return the past ten years to many people, including Baek Ha-seong and Shin Yu-hwan.