Yoon Seo deactivated
"No, this isn't right. Damn it, this is not right!"
Kwon Jihan's face was filled with desperation, earnestness, anger, fear, terror, and sadness—all kinds of emotions.
Yoon Seo threw the 'Existing Spirit' toward the exit. Riceball brushed past Kwon Jihan's head and disappeared.
"Take good care of Riceball. You should be able to release its binding with your skill."
"Seo Chaeyoon! Yoon Seo hyung, please, don't do this. If you're not there, if this is a world where you sacrificed yourself, I can't live. I won't survive. This isn't justice."
"That's the same for me."
"Please, please don't do this. Grab my hand, okay? Let's clear this dungeon together. No, I'll sacrifice myself instead. I'll disappear. Either way, I can't live outside of here. I'm going to die! You can even think of it as blackmail. I'll die either way. You couldn't protect me, hyung!"
"You won't be able to do that. Because I'll leave my will behind."
"Ah, Hyung. No…!"
Kwon Jihan had now been almost completely absorbed into the portal, with only his shoulders still outside. His handsome face was drenched in tears. The gods were babbling noisily, but Yoon Seo only saw Kwon Jihan's face.
The first time they met, Yoon Seo thought he was arrogant… and the second time too… and the third…
…
He was a cool guy. Brave. Courageous. Sometimes cute. He had a strong will, not easily shaken. He understood the misery of the weak and the responsibility of the strong… Even after becoming powerful, he never forgot the perspective of the weak.
To have known such a person…
He was truly glad to leave the world knowing that someone like this still remained in it.
If it hadn't been for him, Yoon Seo would have closed his eyes, filled with disillusionment towards the world till the very end, and that would have been a truly tragic thing.
"Take good care of Riceball for me… and listen to the rest of my wills on my behalf. Squats and running… Baking cookies, fishing, hiking… Chew your food at least 20 times before swallowing. Always eat enough vegetables, and…"
Kwon Jihan was now almost completely consumed by the portal. Though he cried out desperately, Yoon Seo paid no attention.
"After that, if you still want to die, go ahead. I'm not the kind of person who forces people who want to die to live."
Yoon Seo lifted the corners of his mouth, trying to force a smile. Kwon Jihan's eyes were bloodshot with veins showing. The last emotions Kwon Jihan showed were betrayal and anger, and it pained Yoon Seo. But there was no other choice.
"Goodbye."
As Yoon Seo's farewell ended… Kwon Jihan was completely sucked into the exit portal.
"..."
Only then did Yoon Seo let the tears he had been holding back flow.
I want to live.
With Kwon Jihan, Riceball, and his kind comrades.
But for their sake, Yoon Seo had to make this choice.
In 10 years, hopefully, no one will have to sacrifice themselves. If it was this easy to clear the Great Dungeon after 10 years, perhaps they could clear the Black Dungeon just as easily after another 10 years.
Yoon Seo slowly walked toward the black portal.
[The Watcher is observing you.]
The gods of life and death were silent.
Kwon Jihan's face kept flashing before his eyes. That face, drenched in tears and filled with betrayal and anger, being the last thing Yoon Seo saw was too cruel. Both to him and to Kwon Jihan.
His legs trembled. Tears kept flowing, and he gave up trying to wipe them.
'Fight me. If you beat me, I'll grant you your wish.'
'What are you doing here, all alone?'
'I have to protect it, how could I not? This is justice.'
'You have a really firm butt.'
"..."
'It's incredibly toned. No fat, super tight.'
While recalling his first meeting with Kwon Jihan, these random words popped into Yoon Seo's mind, making him laugh despite himself. The memory was so vivid, other conversations didn't even come to mind.
Goodbye… Kwon Jihan. Please take good care of Riceball. If possible, live long and happily.
I'm really sorry….
Apart from saying sorry, there was nothing else I could say.
Is this how the Revengers felt when they left their wills to me?
It must be somewhat similar, but also different.
Because Kwon Jihan had already become more than just a comrade or ally to me.
With these meaningless thoughts, Yoon Seo threw himself into the black portal.
***
"No, no! Hyung!"
Kwon Jihan flailed his limbs in a panic. He had completely lost his composure and was struggling desperately.
Damn it, damn it. What should I do? What can I do now? I have to get to Hyung. No matter what, I have to get to Yoon Seo. No. Please. Gaia. The gods! Damn it, why are you just watching? Send me back to Hyung. I have to go back!
Kwon Jihan, losing all sense, shouted wildly.
[Calm· · ·down.]
Kwon Jihan's eyes snapped open. He saw nothing. He stopped struggling in the darkness, where not a single ray of light existed. He knew well how it felt to exit a portal. The sensation of his body being disassembled and then reassembled.
But he couldn't feel that now.
This was the exit portal.
Kwon Jihan realized immediately.
Though he didn't know why, he was currently stuck between the Great Dungeon and Earth.
And he had just seen a message that seemed to address him. Was it one of the gods? The god of life? Gaia? Whoever it was didn't matter.
Kwon Jihan shouted again.
Send me back!
I have to go back to Hyung!
[Time remaining until portal reformation: 00:00:35.]
A message appeared in front of him, as if telling him to wait patiently.
35 seconds. 34 seconds. 33 seconds.
Time ticked away.
...
Kwon Jihan took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. The message said nothing more.
Despite his efforts, Kwon Jihan felt only increasing anxiety. He was terrified that by the time he returned, Yoon Seo might have already made his choice. "Fulfill their final wishes?" What a ridiculous thing to say. Is there anyone else who, like you, would refuse to die just to honor the wishes of their comrades, someone so kind and warm? I would just die instantly.
If the world is sustained by Hyung's sacrifice, I don't want to protect it.
Blood dripped from his lips.
[Time remaining until portal reformation: 00:00:12]
[Time remaining until portal reformation: 00:00:11]
[Time remaining until portal reformation: 00:00:10]
It felt like ages had passed, yet there were still 10 seconds left.
While floating in that strange, suspended state, Kwon Jihan felt something catch on his ruined fingertips.
It was the 'Existing Spirit.' The blue gem emitted a bright light.
Yes, you must be angry too.
Kwon Jihan gripped the handle tightly.
Then, it happened.
[Hel lo Rice ball· · ·]
Kwon Jihan's head snapped up.
At that moment, he realized.
It wasn't Gaia's system or some god of blessing.
This person.
His heart pounded hard.
The message spoke.
[Think about Yoon Seo's traits.]
[Please take care of my friend.]
Kwon Jihan opened his lips. He was about to say something. But before he could utter a single word, time ran out… and he felt his body disassemble and reassemble once more.
And then…
When he opened his eyes, he was back in the Great Dungeon.
Standing in front of a pitch-black portal.
His heart raced wildly. Please don't let me be too late. Kwon Jihan hurled himself into the black portal.
***
[You have entered the dungeon: 1 person: Selection-type dungeon]
[Congratulations. You are the second human to enter the final gate of the Gaia System!]
What congratulations.
Yoon Seo swallowed his curse.
He looked around. Though it was dark in all directions, it was clear this place was a forest. What kind of monsters would appear here? Thousands of dragons?
From somewhere, a strange noise echoed, a sound quite unlike the usual annoying monster growls he had heard so often.
Kkkeeeeuuurrrggghhh—
Yoon Seo knew instinctively. The horrifying sound that made his whole body break out in goosebumps… This was not from a monster. It was from those beings.
The distorted beings.
The ones from the realm of darkness were howling.
How scared must Kangjin Hyung have been?
That thought briefly crossed Yoon Seo's mind, but he quickly shook his head.
He wouldn't have been scared. He had already prepared for death.
Thinking that, Yoon Seo shook his head again.
No, he must have been scared.
Because I'm scared right now.
"...."
Yoon Seo stopped walking after only a few steps.
He had expected to have to make a choice as soon as he entered, but no system window appeared.
Yoon Seo glared at the system window.
[The Gaia System is processing…]
Processing?
Yoon Seo muttered.
"I've already made my choice."
[Gaia System Notice!
… Please wait just a little longer.
A person should know how to be patient, you know.]
What?
[The God of Life says the weather is lovely.]
[The God of Death asks if you've eaten.]
What is this nonsense?
[The system is inputting messages…
Take a moment to relax and enjoy a cup of tea.]
Yoon Seo let out a deep sigh and sat down on the ground.
He had come here prepared to die, yet these gods were leisurely dragging things out.
As he sat there doing nothing, Kwon Jihan naturally came to mind.
…He's probably getting treated well, right? His nails were all torn off. I hope he doesn't resent me too much. Our Riceball must be really angry. It's a relief that Kwon Jihan has a debuff removal skill.
Park Soobin, Soo Jaehee, Hong Euiyoon, Hwashim, La Bijina… the kind people of the Guild of Leaves. The old friend I was supposed to meet next year. Tae Jaesik, whose contract will finally be released. Many faces flashed through his mind.
If I could leave them with one final message, I would say this:
'Please take good care of Kwon Jihan and Riceball.'
Even if it's cruel to them, I have no choice.
Because they're the only ones filling my mind and heart right now.