novelraw Chapter 73 : Chapter 73
Chapter 73 : Chapter 73
Chapter 73: Ryu Jin-seong (1)
If someone were to ask if the strongest Player in South Korea was a member of the Ryu family, many would likely object.
That was because the epithet 'the strongest' was one that could vary wildly depending on who was interpreting it.
However, if asked which family had produced the most top-tier Players in South Korea, everyone would say in unison:
It was, without a doubt, the Ryu family.
‘They really are amazing.’
There had never been a clear setting that stated exactly how much time had passed since the Gates first appeared.
However, there had been descriptions mentioning that several hundred years had passed since Gates began to infest this world and Players first emerged.
Several hundred years was enough time for not just a single family, but an entire nation to perish.
Yet, they had maintained their prestige without ever bowing their heads even once throughout that long period; there was nothing to say other than that it was simply incredible.
"Really? Is it really okay for us to go there for the purpose of our club?"
Visiting such a place and writing down one's impressions would likely be enough to be recognized as the club performance results required by the academy.
Knowing this, Kim Su-hyeok also asked Ryu Jin-oh again with an excited voice, and Ryu Jin-oh answered with a voice that suggested it was obvious.
"I never go back on a word I have once uttered. If I say it is fine, it is fine, so do not ask me again."
"What a relief! Thanks to you, Jin-oh, I can breathe a sigh of relief."
"To be so happy over something like this. If you are the president of the club I belong to, maintain your dignity."
"Haha, right. Thank you so much."
Kim Su-hyeok was grinning and happy, paying no mind to Ryu Jin-oh's somewhat prickly way of speaking.
To others, it was a sight that might make them question if they were truly friends, but for me, it was a familiar sight I had seen many times in the original work, so I did not pay much attention to it.
Instead, the fact that we were going to the Ryu family estate stirred my mind.
‘While there were many settings regarding it, it was never actually covered in detail…….’
Descriptions like 'the Ryu family is such-and-such' and 'they are this amazing' appeared frequently, but a story had never unfolded within it.
That was because it only ever appeared to provide background information for Ryu Jin-oh.
‘In terms of common sense, it is something that does not make sense.’
Ryu Jin-oh's father and the Patriarch of the Ryu family, Ryu Jin-seong, is a Hero-Rank Player.
He is one of the few such Players in the world.
And yet, for there to be no episode involving the Ryu family despite the existence of such a man—thinking about the flow of a typical novel, did it not make no sense?
However, there was a clear reason for that.
‘Because Ryu Jin-seong, who could be called the symbol of the Ryu family, exited the stage far too quickly before he could even properly appear…….’
Recalling the memory associated with that, my expression could not help but darken.
That was because what an exit meant in a novel was, ultimately, death.
Yes. In the novel, Ryu Jin-seong met his death without even being able to show much of himself.
Following the fate determined by this world, which was rushing toward destruction and filled only with malice.
‘The culprit who killed him was the Blue Nightmare.’
I had said something like this before.
The Blue Nightmare is not very famous yet compared to its power, but there is an incident that widely spreads its notoriety in the future.
And that incident was the death of a Hero-Rank Player.
‘That was Ryu Jin-seong.’
This part was an episode that was covered briefly but significantly in the novel.
After all, this episode was not just a simple story; it was Ryu Jin-oh’s awakening episode.
Ryu Jin-oh, who had succeeded in leaping to a higher level following the death of the father he had admired so much.
The monologue Ryu Jin-oh uttered alone in front of his father's grave at that time was a famous scene I could not forget even after so much time had passed.
‘It was a scene so deeply etched in my mind that I watched it several times.’
I recalled the atmosphere being one where rain was drizzling down.
It was after everyone had left, with Kim Su-hyeok being the last one to stay by his side until the end.
Ryu Jin-oh gently placed the umbrella he was holding over the grave and began a one-sided conversation toward his father, who could no longer speak.
My father told me this. He said he did not care what I learned or from whom, but that I alone must decide the purpose of its use, not others.
I did not know what those words meant back then. At that time, I simply thought I just had to learn and learn, make it completely my own, and then climb higher.
Having said that much, Ryu Jin-oh lifted his bowed head and looked at the grave.
But now, I think I understand. It is late, but I think I finally understand the meaning of my father's words.
Nobility or baseness of status is not determined from the start. In the end, it is divided by the one who performs the act. That must have been what you were saying.
There was something gathered in the corners of Ryu Jin-oh's eyes as he spoke in a restrained voice.
Whether those were tears or raindrops, I still did not know.
There were no phrases in that scene that explained such a minute detail.
Therefore, I will learn tenaciously. Even if the subject is a Villain, or even an enemy, I will cling to them and learn tenaciously.
And then I will act. I will perform everything I have learned so tenaciously within the purpose I have decided for myself.
So, please make sure to watch over me.
His firm resolve offered to the father he could no longer see.
With that final word, Ryu Jin-oh had left the grave and slowly walked away.
He walked with a determined expression of having set a firm goal, rather than the sorrowful face he had worn when he arrived at the grave.
A scene I could not forget even if I wanted to, which I consider the best scene in this novel.
I truly liked this story, and I loved it.
Because of that, my heart could not help but grow even more complicated.
‘Should I stop it, or should I let it flow…….’
The question of how much I should involve myself regarding the death of Ryu Jin-seong continued to torment me.
‘I simply cannot reach a decision.’
If it were just a story in a novel, it would be a matter of simply being moved, shedding tears, and feeling the lingering emotions.
However, now that it had become reality, it was not a matter that could be viewed so simply.
Depending on the decision I made, Ryu Jin-oh's future appearance could change significantly, and the state of the world could also change drastically.
‘Thinking one-dimensionally, it would be right to just let it flow. Then Ryu Jin-oh would achieve growth through this incident. Also, there is a high probability that things would follow the flow I know.’
But the problem was that the thought that I should not do that continued to prick at my heart.
It is good for Ryu Jin-oh to develop a step further in a heroic manner, but if that happens, he will eventually suffer the pain of losing a family member.
An agonizing pain that no one can dare speak of lightly until they have experienced it themselves.
These two choices continued to clash within me, and I could not easily choose one side.
‘Sigh… this is difficult.’
I want to see the hero I admire rush toward the image I have in my memories.
However, because he is a hero I admire, I also feel that I do not want him to go through such a heartbreaking ordeal.
It was at that moment, while these two irreconcilable thoughts, like water and oil, were crossing paths dizzily in my mind.
"…Yu-seong!!"
"Whoa! You startled me!"
It was Kim Su-hyeok's voice, calling my name almost as if shouting in my ear.
When I reacted by being genuinely surprised at that sound, Kim Su-hyeok wore an embarrassed expression.
"Ahahaha, sorry. I called you several times, but there was no answer……."
"Ah."
At Kim Su-hyeok's words, I broke free from my thoughts and returned to reality.
Since it was a serious problem, I must have focused so much on my worries that I even forgot we were in the middle of a conversation.
"Sorry, I was thinking about something else. So, what is it?"
"It is nothing much. I was just going to ask if you had time to go to Jin-oh's house."
"Time?"
"Yeah. Ha-yeon and Eun-ha said they do not have time on that day. Ah, I just texted Gang-ho, and he said he has something to do and has to go somewhere."
Looking at that, although I had not seen clearly what happened before I fell into my thoughts, I thought I knew what the situation was.
‘Well, there is no need for everyone to gather for club activities.’
Even at the academy, famous clubs have dozens of members.
But how could all of them go out on activities together?
The academy knew this as well, so while they said results had to be produced, there was no need for everyone to move together.
‘Ju Ha-yeon is likely busy due to family matters, and Do Gang-ho probably has to meet his mother. I am not sure about Ha Eun-ha.’
Well, she probably said no because she has her own things to do.
Even if she looks like a bright and ordinary academy cadet, she is one of the talents in the spotlight.
"I have no problem. I do not have any particular appointments."
"Really? Then the members going to Jin-oh's house are set. It is me, Jin-eon, Yu-seong, and Jin-oh!"
Four people. It was a shame the other three could not come, but was it not the most suitable number for moving together?
Watching Kim Su-hyeok, who was looking at me with a bright smile, I recalled the thought I had until just a moment ago.
‘Well, it would not be a bad idea to decide after seeing him.’
In the work, there was only a description stating that 'Ryu Jin-seong has a boisterous personality,' so I do not know exactly what kind of person he is.
Therefore, it would not be too late to decide whether to continue the flow of the novel or to prevent his death after seeing him for myself.
"So we are leaving on Friday?"
"Yeah! Since there are things we need to write in the club experience report, I think we will probably stay for a night."
"Got it. Let's do that, then."
While I feel that I want my hero to be happy, that is not my highest priority.
Ultimately, the most important thing to me is the lives of the heroes, and nothing else.
Therefore, I had to find out if changing Ryu Jin-seong's fate could actually be a great help to my heroes in the future.
This was my unchanging and firm conviction—that of someone who admires heroes but finds it impossible to walk the path of a hero.
***
A vast residence that could be called a fortress rather than a house.
In the library there, a middle-aged man dressed in a neat suit was standing, looking out the window.
A secretary delivered a piece of news from behind the man, who was enjoying his own elegance without being constrained by the passing time.
"The Young Master has sent word that he will be visiting with his friends this week."
At that news, the man, who had been staring blankly out the window, had no choice but to withdraw his gaze.
That was because the news the secretary had delivered was related to the middle-aged man's son.
Turning his gaze toward the secretary, the middle-aged man slowly opened his closed mouth.
"Is that so? Friends brought by that blunt son of mine… how interesting."
It was not just words.
The middle-aged man was wearing a smile that matched what he had said.
It was a smile that suggested he had gained a new pleasure after a long time in his tedious daily life.
"Meeting the younger generation is always an interesting affair. Make sure to prepare properly to welcome the guests. Do not let there be a blemish on the family name."
"Yes. I understand."
It was a short conversation consisting only of necessary words.
However, it was also a conversation that contained a lot of information despite being brief.
"I hope my son returns as soon as possible."
If there was a person in South Korea who valued their family in such a fortress-like house, only one person came to mind.
The Patriarch of the Ryu family, Ryu Jin-seong.
He turned his gaze back toward the window, looking forward to the upcoming meeting.
However, now that the man's identity was known, his appearance no longer looked like that of a middle-aged man enjoying a leisurely time.
There now stood only a person who was looking forward to meeting the younger generation… yes, one of the representative heroes of the past, existing there with a smile on his face.