Saving My Favorite in a Doomed World Chapter 102

“Th-then may I take it that you agree?”

 

Izawa asked. Yoo Hwashin answered with a beaming smile.

 

“Yes!” 

 

“….Yes.” 

 

Th-the difference in temperature between the two of them is too extreme.

 

W-well, anyway, since it’s a request directly from Hwashin.

 

Izawa stood up as if she understood. She began to explain one of her skills, ‘A Gift for Myself’.

 

“F-first, ‘A Gift for Myself’ is a skill that travels to the past through that person’s memory. We use the memory as a reference until we get there, but once we arrive in the past, we absolutely do not use the memory as a reference. Initially, I, the skill caster, will follow along until the entrance of the past. From then on, it will only be visible to the person involved in the past. D-do you understand?”

 

Cha Jaeha nodded his head. After saying that, Izawa added a few more words and grabbed both of Cha Jaeha’s hands.

 

Izawa’s extremely shy personality was evident even through her mask. Therefore, a skill that required reading the past could only be used on someone with whom she had built some rapport or felt a sense of closeness.

 

“T-Then I’ll begin. Yoo Hwashin, will you be okay without looking at the past?” 

 

“I’m fine. It’s not even my past, anyway.” 

 

“Understood. Then Cha Jaeha, please close your eyes now as well.”

 

Both people holding hands closed their eyes.

 

Izawa floated up from the ground with a whoosh. A green light enveloped her body, which floated to a height about 10cm away from the ground. A fox-shaped divine spirit appeared at the same time. 

 

That fox lightly made eye contact with Hwashin. 

 

‘Hmm, so you’re that cheeky brat?’ 

 

‘Oh, you know me?’ 

 

‘You can see many things through the rift. Why do you think there are so many dimensions? And why do you think I borrowed this child’s body to come all the way out here for a stroll?’ 

 

‘How would I know.’

 

‘This is why young ones are…’ 

 

‘I’m over 200 years old, though.’ 

 

‘That makes you a young one. Anyway, let’s talk next time. I should grant my most cherished child’s wish first.’

 

Jingle. Jingle, jingle. The sound of a bell ringing could be heard from somewhere. Along with that sound, the fox circled the two of them. Shortly after, the fox dove into Cha Jaeha’s chest. At the same time, Cha Jaeha also slowly floated upwards.

 

How will Cha Jaeha feel when he opens his eyes again? What kind of person will he have become?

 

Yoo Hwashin felt strangely odd while also being excited.

 

– Why. Are you worried he might become a Cha Jaeha you don’t know?

 

– It’s hard to understand you acting like that when you’re the one who wanted to change him, right?

 

– Old man, it’s very bad to say that out loud. Young mage, you did well. It is only right for one who protects someone to do so.

 

….Aren’t you all enjoying this a bit too much?

 

‘But what Riel said does make sense.’

 

It’s a little scary.

 

Because the Cha Jaeha he knew was literally the hero of ‘self-sacrifice’.

 

What will Cha Jaeha look like once he fully knows the past and no longer carries the guilt of having killed others?

 

If he were to become a completely different person, it was difficult to gauge whether he could accept that again. 

 

Because the Cha Jaeha I cherished was the hero in the ‘original work’.

 

‘It’s a matter I brought upon myself, but it really is reckless.’ 

 

Even so, there were no regrets. Yoo Hwashin merely watched Izawa Chisaki, who had sunk back down before he knew it, and Cha Jaeha, who was still floating while sitting down. 

 

***

 

Cha Jaeha arrived in the darkness.

 

“You have to go alone from here.”

 

No form could be seen, but Izawa Chisaki’s voice was heard. As her presence completely disappeared, he looked at the door that appeared before his eyes.

 

If he opened this door, he would learn the ‘truth’ of that day he wanted to know so badly.

 

He grabbed the doorknob but couldn’t turn it easily. He was scared. He was terrified. Since meeting that guy Yoo Hwashin, he was able to lessen his guilt a little. But in truth, Cha Jaeha also knew. That it might be nothing more than self-consolation.

 

Even so, he leaned on it. He had to.

 

The reality that someone believed in him was quite sweet.

 

Would he have the confidence not to crumble even if an unexpected ‘truth’ lay before his eyes?

 

There’s no way such a version of himself exists.

 

Cha Jaeha’s hand dropped back down with a thud.

 

‘Everything would stay the same if I don’t confirm it.’

 

Sometimes it’s better for things not to change. There are moments like that. Turning around, Cha Jaeha slowly moved away from the door. As he did, the light grew closer.

 

If I go back like this.

 

‘Trust me.’ 

 

….Damn it.

 

‘That you really would have done such a thing. Do you really think that of yourself, Cha Jaeha?’

 

If it wasn’t for that guy, nothing would have changed.

 

Biting his lip hard, he turned back around and headed for the door. He grabbed the doorknob and twisted it sharply. The door opened, and ‘that day’ could be seen ahead.

 

Cha Jaeha stepped forward.

 

That scene he saw in the hallucination. No, is it a little before that? Himself and his parents were inside their peaceful home. The moment they opened the door to go to the mart, the gate visible before their eyes.

 

Even though it was a gate that rarely opened in the city center, especially where people were present. He was definitely unlucky that day.

 

The gate opened, and his father wrapped his arms around his mother and him. His father’s shoulders were narrow, and they were trembling. Cha Jaeha himself also hid his mother behind him.

 

It was an instant that the gate engulfed them. Having barely evaded it, they ran toward the back mountain instead of the downtown area. 

 

They were a family that hated causing harm to others. They deliberately avoided the busy street with many people. Since a gate appeared, heroes would arrive soon. Cha Jaeha ran, carrying his mother, whose legs had given out.

 

‘Our son. You’ve grown so much.’

 

His father, who was panting heavily as he ran out of breath, was still smiling. Even while his hands were trembling violently. 

 

Scenes that he hadn’t been able to see properly were visible. 

 

His mother, being carried on his back, was constantly patting her son’s back. She said she was sorry, and that they should hurry back home when it was all over.

 

At that moment, his back became hot.

 

His mother became lighter. His father’s smile could no longer be seen. Darkness hadn’t fallen, yet it was dark.

 

Cha Jaeha tumbled to the ground just like that. When he looked back, all that remained around him was flames. He didn’t want to believe that the black pile of ashes, that black lump, was his parents.

 

The monster resembled a gorilla. Flames were burning on the gorilla’s back. The monster’s eyes, made only of sclera without pupils, stared at him. It was that monster that killed his parents.

 

‘….Get up, you idiot.’

 

Cha Jaeha’s voice from the future did not reach the past. The Cha Jaeha in the past stroked the pile of ashes once and screamed in despair.

 

The blazing flames crawled up his hand. But Cha Jaeha did not burn. As if absorbing the ability, Cha Jaeha became one with that intense heat.

 

At the same time, the world turned red. Just like that, Cha Jaeha lost consciousness.

 

Regret over what one couldn’t protect always holds back the present.

 

Cha Jaeha recalled memories from an even younger age that he had forgotten.

 

At the same time, the door closed. As if someone yanked him back, Cha Jaeha was thrown out of the door.

 

Whoosh—.

 

After passing through the space that made him nauseous as if he were going to vomit, Cha Jaeha opened his eyes to find Izawa and Yoo Hwashin shoving their faces right up to his nose. 

 

“Oh, he’s awake.” 

 

“I-I was worried because you wouldn’t wake up!” 

 

Cha Jaeha pushed Hwashin’s face away with his hand just like that.

 

“Get your face out of here.” 

 

“Mmph, mmph mmph—!” 

 

“He’s saying you have to tell us about the past!”

 

She understood that?

 

Yoo Hwashin, who barely escaped from his grip, asked. 

 

“How was it, was the past somewhat okay?” 

 

“….Yeah. It wasn’t as bad as I thought. Thank you, Ms. Izawa.” 

 

“No! Not at all. I should be the one thanking you for… what you did inside the gate.”

 

Whether it felt awkward to pry further into the past, Izawa said that if she was done with her work, she would go back to pack her bags, and then she left the room. 

 

Cha Jaeha also stood up.

 

Yoo Hwashin’s voice stopped Cha Jaeha as he was about to leave.

 

“Did you make sure to check properly and come back?” 

 

At that question, Cha Jaeha, who had stopped while opening the door, turned back around.

 

“Are you doubting Ms. Izawa’s ability?” 

 

“It’s not that, but I’m curious about what you saw. Like… well, it’s not like you’re quitting being a hero now because you saw something too good… or something like that, right?” 

 

It would be troublesome if you realized you didn’t kill them and suddenly lost all thought of saving people, deciding to leave for somewhere else saying you want to live a leisurely, peaceful life.

 

– It’s your own fault for acting without thinking ahead.

 

Riel, shut up.

 

– Yes, yes. Do whatever you want. It’s entertaining from a reader’s perspective.

 

….To think I can’t even hit that thing. 

 

While Hwashin was contemplating both conversations, Cha Jaeha opened his mouth.

 

“My father was a good man.” 

 

“Huh?”

 

As far as he remembered.

 

“My mother also cherished our family.”

 

Cha Jaeha spat out the words he recalled right before being pulled out of the past.

 

“If there is someone weaker, help them, and do not spit out words filled with malice towards anyone.”

 

His father always said that like a habit. And his mother would chime in.

 

“Then when you become the weak one, another weak one will appear to help you.”

 

Pfft. A faint laugh burst out. He hadn’t expected memories that were painful even to recall until now to rush back all at once like this.

 

Cha Jaeha said.

 

“Thank you, Yoo Hwashin.” 

 

“….Huh?” 

 

“I said thank you.”

 

H-huh.

 

Cha Jaeha, you b*stard. If you move people like this. Tears will just pour out of an old man.

 

“Ugh.”

 

Hwashin hugged Cha Jaeha’s waist just like that. Snot dripped down his tear-streaked face.

 

“It’s dirty, so get lost.” 

 

“Chaaa Jaehhhaaaa—you b*stard, uh. You, you have to keep being a hero, that’s the only way my coming all the way here is worth it.” 

 

“Get your face, away, from me.” 

 

“You’re not, hic, uttering words filled with, maaaalice.”

 

“I’m just saying it exactly as it is.”

 

Yoo Hwashin wept with a face like a squished rice cake under Cha Jaeha’s hand. 

 

Thank goodness, thank goodness. He had worried about what to do if this guy quit being a hero just like this. 

 

– That’s why I’m telling you to think about those things before you move.

 

Ignaty, who was returning, spotted Cha Jaeha half-out in the hallway and Yoo Hwashin crying. Nathan, Adam, and Wang Hao, who were with him, also witnessed the scene. Cha Jaeha applied more force to hastily detach him.

 

“Ahahaha—! What on earth are those guys doing, Adam?”

 

“…..Korea never has a quiet day.”

 

Nathan was busy taking pictures frantically, and Adam snatched the phone away to stop such a Nathan. Wang Hao giggled while covering his mouth with his changed sleeve. 

 

“….It’s embarrassing, so please get off me.” 

 

“Jaeha-yaaaaaa-.” 

 

***

 

The next day, Yoo Hwashin, who had packed all his bags, left the hotel to catch the car returning back. 

 

It seemed the Russian branch had decided not to disclose this incident to the public. Since they only let them leave after making the S-rank heroes write a contract stating they wouldn’t divulge this content to the outside. 

 

Cha Jaeha was standing in front of the prepared black vehicle.

 

“You’re late.” 

 

“…Sorry, sorry.”

 

Cha Jaeha, whose face looked somewhat lightened, clicked his tongue with a tsk and got into the car. 

 

He had even finished saying his final goodbyes and thanks to Izawa Chisaki.

 

Now, then. Cha Jaeha should be able to break free from the past, at least a little. Hwashin looked up at the sky. He still didn’t know if this incident had any connection to stopping the destruction, but.

 

It felt light. It seemed that b*stard felt that way too. 

 

Hwashin smiled and got into the car.

 

Now then, let’s go back. To where we were.