novelraw Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Chapter 48: There Is No Absolute in the World(6)
Evening was approaching as the sun began to set.
Shin Yu-hwan gazed into the dark forest situated next to the academy, reflecting on the events of the afternoon.
“Hmm, I think I might have said too much unnecessary stuff.”
Initially, he had no intention of saying such things.
Upon seeing the boy sitting there, he had only planned to mention a few things regarding the villains scheduled for today.
‘But the expression on the boy's face looked far from ordinary.’
It was not the kind of look a first-year cadet chasing the dream of becoming a player should have.
Furthermore, he knew exactly what that expression meant.
It was because, in the distant past, he had worn the exact same expression the boy was showing now.
“I do not know if I should say I miss it, or if I should say I want to forget it.”
The memory of that time, when he wore the same face as the boy, still felt vivid.
It was the memory of the day he headed toward a villain organization’s hideout entirely alone, without telling a soul.
“Looking back now, it was not something a sane human would do.”
It was a large-scale hideout where the number of villains exceeded two hundred.
Even knowing that, he had silently marched toward it alone with his spear.
Of course, there were no high-risk rank villains there, but considering how much weaker he was back then, he thought it was a truly foolish act.
“But at the time, that was my entire identity as a person.”
He could only call it foolish now; at the time, it was not like that at all.
Hunting villains was the only driving force and conviction that defined him. To receive help in that task felt as if he were losing everything.
Even if it was directly linked to losing his life, he believed he must never accept any help.
“Thanks to that, I almost actually died back then. Haha! It is truly a miracle that I did not die.”
With a heart filled only with the intent to kill, he had frantically swung the Black Spear, which he believed was his one and only friend.
Even when a cold blade stabbed into his leg, or a sharp arrow pierced through his arm, he simply continued to kill the villains before him without stopping.
Because of that, he managed to kill every single villain without letting anyone escape, but he himself was barely clinging to consciousness.
With wounds carved all over his body and blood splattered everywhere, it felt as if death were whispering in his ear to come along.
“Originally, I was just going to die while feeling satisfied...”
He thought that perhaps it had not been a bad life. Just as he was about to slowly close his eyes with that thought, they appeared.
Two people, a man and a woman, had come looking for him even though he had not told anyone where he was going.
The Big Sister who always nagged and teased him.
The Senior who had always shown a reliable side.
Those two were looking at him with faces he had never seen before.
“That was the first time I had a goal other than hunting villains.”
He still remembered it.
The sight of his Big Sister, who had never shown a look of dislike, hugging him while shedding tears in front of him.
The face of his Senior, which had always seemed emotionless because he wore the same expression, becoming terribly distorted.
He could not say anything in response to that.
He simply could not open his mouth.
He felt that if he said anything at that moment, he too would burst into tears with a distorted face.
He had finally realized that someone else had entered his world, which he had thought was entirely solitary.
‘So, I made a resolution that day.’
To discard the pathetic version of himself from the past that tried to solve everything alone.
To think a little more about the people who cried for him and got angry for him.
He believed that thanks to them, he was able to reach this position without dying. He also believed he was able to break through the limits that had been blocking him.
It was because he began to see a clear reason to survive and return. The goal that had felt blurry became so distinct—he knew exactly what he was holding his spear for.
“Haha! The boy will eventually realize it too, even if it is not right now.”
He did not know what the boy held his sword for.
He did not know what the boy was struggling and moving forward for.
Perhaps it was revenge, or perhaps it was a desperate struggle to protect someone.
However, he could say one thing for certain.
“I believe there is nothing as effective as seeing a precious friend grieve over one's own pain.”
What would change even if he talked in someone's ear for a hundred days?
Seeing is believing. Experiencing it once would be much more impactful than seeing it a hundred times.
If the boy saw a precious person crying for him and their face distorting with grief, he would change too.
And, he guaranteed that the moment would definitely come.
From what he could see, the boy’s friends all seemed like good people, and since the boy was only human, he would eventually face a great crisis.
“What was it? There is a saying like that. What does not kill you makes you stronger... was it?”
If the boy, as a sword, is tempered further without breaking, then he will become a masterpiece that cannot be broken even if one tries.
Just like he himself, who had been crazy about hunting villains without any progress, was able to develop this far.
It felt like the boy had misunderstood what he said this afternoon a little differently, but since he would find out soon enough, there was no major worry.
“What do you think? Do you not think so too?”
Shin Yu-hwan suddenly asked for an opinion toward the dark forest.
Though it seemed he had been continuing a monologue alone until now, he continued the conversation, concluding that someone was inside that forest.
“Do you not know this very well because you are villains? Ah, you had better not think that I do not know. Exactly fifty-eight of you. I can feel every single one.”
Whooooosh—
A cold evening wind, which still felt chilly despite it being May, blew fiercely.
Shin Yu-hwan’s pale blonde hair fluttered slightly in response.
He grinned and spoke in a low voice toward the forest.
“If you are thinking of a way to escape, I do not recommend it. So far, only three villains have ever walked away from me alive.”
“…….”
“I do not think you lot will be the fourth to follow that lead. Instead of that, would it not be better to just attack me boldly?”
A long silence followed those words.
In that moment when only the sound of the cold wind chillingly surrounded the area without any noise.
Rustle.
One by one, silhouettes began to emerge from the forest where nothing had been visible.
Soon, all the silhouettes revealed themselves, and their number was exactly fifty-eight.
“Haha! My goodness, it is a relief that my intuition has not dulled yet.”
“…….”
“Are you all doing some kind of silence training? Why are you so quiet?”
“…….”
Shin Yu-hwan clicked his tongue as he watched the villains raising their weapons without a word.
From their expressions, it was clear they were terrified, yet their silent demeanor felt somewhat alien.
“Tsk, how boring. Usually, at times like this, we should exchange some well wishes.”
The villains still said nothing.
At that reaction, Shin Yu-hwan eventually let out a sigh and slowly aimed his Black Spear toward the villains.
“First, let me tell you one thing: you are going to die quite painfully. I received a request from the boy I cherish to make it 'spectacular.'”
“……."
“But do not be too sad. At least you get to die, right? Considering the things you have done, it will not be that unfair. Right?”
Silence followed once again after that.
However, the situation was different from the previous silence.
The figure of Shin Yu-hwan, who had been standing loftily with his spear until just now, vanished in an instant.
And the subsequent roar confirmed that Shin Yu-hwan was serious.
BOOOOOM—!!!!
A thunderous roar erupted, loud enough to pierce through the noise of the Glory practical exam arena and reach the people there.
Even though it was a strike aimed at creating noise rather than targeting the villains, several villains had already lost their lives.
It felt as if everything he had shown until now was just a taste.
It was a clear demonstration of just how terrifying an existence Shin Yu-hwan was when he acted with sincerity.
“Tsk. You die from just that much? The world has become a very easy place for villains to live. To think you would invade this place with such pathetic skills.”
“…….”
“You are keeping your mouths shut even while dying. Fine, I am curious to see how long you can hold out.”
So, let's test it out.
With those words trailing off as his figure vanished once again, the villains could only die painfully without being able to do anything.
***
Kim Su-hyeok’s group had finished all their duels, with Do Gang-ho’s being the last.
Watching them, Cha Yu-na chuckled and spoke to Kim Su-hyeok.
“How do you guys hang out together every single day?”
“That is because we are friends. It is only natural for friends to hang out.”
“Is that so? Some of the kids do not even seem to be close to each other...”
Cha Yu-na spoke as she turned her head to check the students sitting there.
Just as she said, Ryu Jin-oh and Ju Ha-yeon did not particularly seem like they belonged in the group.
At that, Kim Su-hyeok gave an awkward smile.
“It has not been long since we met, so even if we are not very close yet, they are all good kids, so it is okay.”
“Phew, I see.”
Cha Yu-na replied casually to Kim Su-hyeok's words while observing the cadets.
As he said, they were still awkward, but it was true they were good children.
They did not ignore each other, and although it was rare, they were exchanging conversations.
It was a heartwarming sight that reminded her of the old days.
‘I had times like that too, once.’
At some point, she had started approaching even these trivial meetings with a materialistic and calculating feel, but that was not the case in the past.
During her cadet days, she felt not much different from any other student.
‘Even back then, that fellow Yu-hwan was a troublemaker.’
She still remembered the trouble caused by that guy, who was one year below her.
Shin Yu-hwan had thrown a fit, asking if he really had to take the practical exam like a clown.
At that time, he had said he would show off enough skill to not have to take his exam, and he had completely demolished a small mountain.
BOOOOOM—!
Yes, he had destroyed the mountain making exactly that kind of noise... huh?
Wait, for a flashback, that sound effect was quite significant.
“That sound came from the east just now, didn't it?!”
“Uh! Instructor Jeong, head out first. I will bring the rest of the instructors!”
“W-what is going on...”
The surrounding atmosphere suddenly changed.
From those urgent appearances, Cha Yu-na realized that this was not a sound effect for a flashback, but something that had actually occurred.
‘Sigh, I specifically said I would come as a scout to get some rest. Nothing is going my way.’
It was a situation that only brought sighs, but what could she do? It had already happened.
Thinking that way, Cha Yu-na decided to take care of the children who were with her first.
It was only natural to look after children with great potential.
“There probably will not be a big problem. Judging by the sound, the source seems to be some distance from here.”
“Ah...”
“I plan to go to the place where the situation broke out. What do you all want to do? It is okay if you follow me. I have enough skill to cover for you kids.”
“T-then, would it be okay if we moved together?”
Kim Su-hyeok made the request, looking a bit anxious but seemingly having no intention of backing down.
Considering that courage is one of the most important virtues among a player's qualities, it was a praiseworthy thing.
Therefore, Cha Yu-na nodded with a small smile.
“Do that then. I do not know what is going on, but perhaps it could be a great help to you all.”
“Thank you!”
“No need for thanks. I am going to leave right away, so everyone follow closely.”
With those words, Cha Yu-na confirmed that the cadets nodded and immediately began to move.
Inwardly, she prayed that the instigator of this incident was not Shin Yu-hwan.