To the question of why it had to be me.
The World Tree sighed.
“In every future we calculated….”
“….”
“Because of your weak temperament, you were always nothing more than an obstacle to those around you.”
“Somehow, I don’t think that’s something you should say right in front of the person himself….”
I did agree with the assessment of Do Gyeonu from the game, but still, it felt like someone was disparaging me, so I wasn’t feeling particularly good.
Only I was allowed to badmouth myself.
I furrowed my brow, if only to show my displeasure.
Then the World Tree chuckled.
He spoke as if emphasizing.
“However.”
“….”
“Whenever a crisis struck, you always overcame your temperament, revealed your true worth, and established your existence in the world. Above all, even when destruction loomed, you always survived until almost the very end.”
“Because of my Evasion Instinct….”
“That may not be entirely without reason, but fundamentally, it was because your will was so strong that it never broke, no matter how painful or despairing the situation. Even more so than that child, Gang Hanbyeol.”
The World Tree praised me.
Only then did my expression brighten.
Meanwhile, the World Tree continued.
“That is why we chose you. We believed that if it were you, together with Gang Hanbyeol and Lisa Grace, you could resist Its interference and overcome the future of destruction. The problem was….”
That you, neither an Apostle nor a blood descendant of Grace, would never be able to properly wield the Divine Weapon.
That is why.
“We implanted the Divine Sword into your body to match your affinity with it. And from among the countless futures, we selected the most probable one, intending to show it to you in a form you could easily understand. That was….”
“The game, wasn’t it.”
“Exactly. But knowing the future, we didn’t think you could fix your weak temperament right away… so we created a small world and moved your soul there to experience a harsh life.”
“Then my previous life was….”
“Fabricated.”
“….”
“I am sorry for deceiving you.”
How shamelessly he rattled on.
The World Tree bowed his head politely.
To me, it was nothing but unpleasant.
‘To think my previous life was fabricated… Is this something that ends with just an apology?’
The more I thought about it, the more absurd it was.
I clicked my tongue in disbelief.
But since there was something I wanted to ask, I decided to suppress my displeasure for now.
I asked the World Tree, who was raising his head.
“Then, when I first met Haneul and recalled memories of the game, was that your intention too?”
“No, it was not intentional. We merely planted a suggestion for your unconscious to recall it when it wanted to. Therefore, the fact that you met that child, Yeon Haneul, and recalled the future we showed you was likely because your unconscious strongly wished for it.”
“….”
“In reality, in every future, you harbored guilt toward Yeon Haneul, who could only be saved by death. Perhaps you recalled those memories from an unconscious desire to change her fate.”
If so, that was a relief.
It meant that the feelings I held for Yeon Haneul were purely my own will.
I was relieved inwardly.
Then, the World Tree changed the subject.
“Anyway, you opened the possibility of a new future as we hoped. And you reached this point. As the existences representing this world, we sincerely express our gratitude. Truly, thank you.”
“So? Is my role over now?”
“No.”
Rather, it is only beginning now.
The World Tree shook his head.
“As we said before, It has targeted this world. Therefore, Its invasions will not cease going forward. So I ask this of you.”
“….”
“As you have done until now, help Gang Hanbyeol and Lisa Grace, and become the guide of this world to forge a better future.”
“But was Lisa also a special being like Hanbyeol? Is that why she was the game’s main heroine….”
“Through your efforts and ours, she fully awakened the Grace of Platinum. She is a blood descendant of Grace with potential rivaling Veronica Grace. Now, she has even been chosen by the Divine Weapon. She is special indeed.”
“I see….”
“Perhaps a being like her will never be born again. That is why this generation is all the more important, and why we need your help even more.”
“So you’re saying I have to help for the rest of my life until I die?”
“…Until the next Apostle is born into this world and realizes his destiny. I ask only until then.”
“What if I refuse?”
“The world will eventually perish. The possibility you created will vanish into nothingness.”
“So I have no choice but to help….”
“Yes. So I beg of you. Please, save the world.”
“…Don’t plead in Hanbyeol’s voice. Why do you look like Hanbyeol in the first place?”
“To converse with you, we needed an avatar. Thus, we created an avatar in the form of the being most familiar to us.”
“That was Gang Hanbyeol?”
“Exactly. He is our Apostle, and we ran countless calculations to see his future; we couldn’t help but grow familiar with him through that process.”
“Is that so….”
“If you wish for a different form, we can change it. Even to the appearance of your lover….”
“Don’t. Stay as you are. It would only make me more repulsed for no reason. Rather, Hanbyeol is better….”
“Understood.”
I glared at the World Tree.
The World Tree readily agreed.
Anyway.
‘I don’t like it, but…’
No matter how much I worried, it couldn’t be helped.
My answer was already decided.
I made my decision.
“Fine. I’ll do it, this guide thing.”
“Truly, thank you.”
“But can I do it? We’ve already deviated from the game’s story; how am I supposed to know what will happen next?”
“You need not worry about that.”
To my question, the World Tree replied refreshingly.
Soon, when he held out his palm….
Huaack!
A platinum-colored light floated up gently.
That light seeped into me.
Immediately after.
“…Huh?”
A change occurred in my body.
Feeling my mind and body brimming with energy, and seeing an aura rising from my body, I immediately opened my status window.
My physical abilities had noticeably increased.
Above all….
[Your Gift has awakened.]
[Gift: Evasion Instinct → Future Foresight]
“…Future Foresight?”
My Gift had changed.
Confirming the new Gift’s name, I blinked blankly.
The World Tree said to me.
“It is a Gift higher than the one you previously possessed. With that, you should be able to fulfill your role as a guide well. Now, even without being exposed to direct danger, you will be able to see and feel the distant future of the world through clues obtained by chance.”
“…Guess I should lay out a mat. I’ll have to read the kids’ futures later.”
“We advise you not to look into the distant future recklessly. The same goes for telling others. It may burden you, but the future can change simply from what you see and speak.”
“Tch, and here I thought I struck gold.”
There was a time when I had formed an alliance with So Hyeyul and falsely revealed my Gift as Future Foresight….
It had suddenly become the truth.
I let out a bitter smile at this unintended coincidence.
In any case, there was no downside for me.
“Then I look forward to working with you. Leave the Divine Sword here. Now, it can appear before you whenever you wish.”
“Got it. And there’s one last thing I’m curious about.”
“Speak.”
“If you were going to fabricate my previous life, couldn’t you have made it better? Why did you make me go through a life where I was abandoned by my parents and had to struggle alone?”
“That is… as I said earlier, it was partly to change your temperament….”
“And?”
“If you lived an unhappy life… you would have no lingering attachment to that world.”
“….”
Me, seriously….
Just one hit….
Just one sincere hit….
Can I hit this guy?
The fact that the World Tree was an incorporeal spirit without a physical form was nothing but tragic.
“…I have no excuse. I am sorry. Shall I kneel?”
“Bow your head too.”
“That is a bit….”
“Fine, then the moment I leave here, I’ll relieve myself on the tree trunk….”
“I apologize. I was wrong.”
* * *
As Lisa had received the Divine Weapon’s selection and fully awakened her Gift.
She obtained the power to lower a Gate’s rank regardless of whether it was conquered.
Currently, it was said she could lower normal Gates by one rank and Artificial Gates by two ranks.
Thanks to that.
‘I was able to lower the rank of the black Artificial Gate that Tacheon had unveiled in the all-out war down to red…’
As a result, not long after the all-out war ended.
The clan heads of the Ten Great Clans and Seo Jeongjin, who had been sucked into the Artificial Gate, were able to safely return to the world.
The world welcomed them back, while going wild for Lisa.
—Lisa Grace! Lisa Grace!
—Your Highness is so cool!
—The future of the Grace Empire is bright!
—What nonsense! Princess Lisa belongs to all of us! The Empire’s monopoly is wrong!
—Princess Lisa for the world!
—Your Highness, please get rid of the Gate in front of our house!
Since they were people living in a world where the threat of Gates never ceased.
It was inevitable that they showed such fervent interest in Lisa’s existence.
Still….
‘From Lisa’s standpoint, it’s burdensome.’
Moreover, people were arguing over Lisa’s whereabouts, and even tried to kidnap her….
In the end, unable to bear it, she shrieked at the world.
—If you keep acting like this, I’ll never help that country! So please, just leave me alone! I wasn’t even a Hunter to begin with, and I’m still a student, okay!? And I’ll leave my whereabouts to Gyeonu, so if you’re going to complain, complain to Gyeonu!
She had been so angry at the time….
Lisa showed a decisiveness uncharacteristic of her personality.
Fortunately, her warning worked, and people quieted down, but….
—Wait, why are you taking it out on me?
—When you think about it, this happened because of Gyeonu.
—What? How is this my fault? This is absurd….
—I don’t know, it’s all Gyeonu’s fault. So Gyeonu, take responsibility.
—Ha, really…. No way….
—Ah! I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know!
—….
Unintentionally.
Having obtained the right to decide Lisa’s whereabouts, I would now have to suffer on her behalf.
‘This is sad…’
I really resent Lisa.
She seemed much more at ease having shed her burden, but….
I could only sigh.
Meanwhile.
‘No way the clan head of Seolchang Eun Clan had joined hands with Tacheon…. In the game, perhaps the clan head’s influence had something to do with why Suhyeok became a Demon.’
The clan head of Seolchang Eun Clan, Eun Homin.
When his betrayal became known to the world, the prestige of Seolchang Eun Clan plummeted.
They couldn’t avoid the world’s censure.
It seemed they would be forced to relinquish their qualification as one of the Ten Great Clans at the upcoming selection conference.
Because of this.
—I’m sorry. Because of our clan, people are targeting even you, Dasom….
Eun Suhyeok felt guilty and was deeply heartbroken.
Seong Dasom comforted him.
—It’s okay, Suhyeok. Don’t cry. Why are you crying? You didn’t commit any crime.
—But people are… against us…. against you….
—Tell them to curse all they want. Ignore them. We have nothing to be ashamed of, right? Don’t we?
—Still… I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise. With our clan’s power weakened, from now on….
—Since when have I ever cared about your clan’s power?
—….
—I was only looking at you. Don’t make me out to be a shallow person.
—Ah….
—And where was your clan’s power in the promise you made? You simply promised me. That no matter what happens in the world, you would stay by my side. Isn’t that right?
—…That’s right.
—So stay by my side. Smile by my side. For me and our child. And….
—….
—I will stay by your side too. No matter what happens in the world. Just as you protected me back then, this time I will protect you.
—…Thank you. Thank you….
—At times like this, you should say you love me.
—Yes…. I love you.
Between the two.
I do not know exactly what words were exchanged.
However, I could feel relieved at the news that Eun Suhyeok, comforted by Seong Dasom, quickly regained his spirits.
Meanwhile.
“Gyeonu! I’ve really missed you!”
“Yeon Bada!? How did you….”
“It's all thanks to Unnie!”
As if she had never been gone.
Yeon Bada had returned.
My friends and I were all overjoyed to see her again.
* * *
Before long, time had passed.
Access to Academy City, which had been suspended due to the all-out war, was now unrestricted.
To begin our journey home, we made our way to the warp gate terminal.
We were planning to enjoy what remained of the vacation at ease, back home.
“I'm heading out first. Great work, everyone! Just because it's vacation doesn't mean you should skip training. Have a good vacation!”
“Hmph, Yeon Ha-neul! Don't get cocky just because you reached the 6th rank! Just you wait... I'll catch up to you soon! Got it, Yeon Ha-neul, the runner-up again!?”
“I'll be going now. Have a good vacation.”
While spending time in the lounge waiting for the warp gate to activate,
the first to stand up were Yong Hae-rang, Min A-rin, and Ham Min-ju.
They exchanged farewells and headed toward the warp gate.
Soon, it was Park Sa-gun's turn.
“...Guys, we'll still be friends going forward, right?”
“....”
Sa-gun...
Please, can you not raise such a weird flag?
Just hurry up and go....
'Actually, in the game, that line was spoken by Kang Han-byeol.'
Regardless, we sent off Park Sa-gun.
Shortly after.
“Ah, it's my turn now, too. I'll get going, then. Everyone worked hard this time. See you after vacation. If you're bored, feel free to come visit the Empire. You're always welcome.”
“Guys, I'm going to miss you so much! So make sure you keep in touch, okay!?”
“Unnies and oppas! I'm going too! I'll stop by Seoul on the way, so Gyeon-woo oppa, you better make time for me! You haven't forgotten your promise, right? See you all later!”
Lisa, Go Eun-bi, and Yu Ga-eul left as well.
The remaining friends and I, along with Yeon Ha-neul, chatted idly to pass the time in the lounge.
Kang Han-byeol and Shin Seo-ra, who had come specifically to see us off, stuck close together and flirted amongst themselves.
'I've been feeling it lately... something's definitely up...'
Had there been some progress in their relationship?
It felt like they were caught up in a situationship.
Must be nice.
How wonderful for them. Just wonderful!
Other people's romance really is an eyesore.
Just as I was thinking that, Yeon Ha-neul spoke to me.
“My heart's fluttering a little. From now on, I'll be living at your house.”
“Huh? 'Your house'? That hurts. It's our house now, even for you.”
“Ah, right? That's right, our house.”
As if realizing it anew.
Yeon Ha-neul's rabbit ears perked up as she smiled softly.
She leaned her body against my arm.
“We promised to go greet Grandfather when we got back, didn't we? I can do well, right?”
“Of course. You'll do great. And I'm right beside you. If you get nervous, you can lean on me anytime.”
“Yes!”
So pretty. So lovely.
I gently stroked Yeon Ha-neul.
Not long after.
“Gyeon-woo, it's time.”
“Yeah, let's go.”
We moved according to schedule.
Soon, the activated warp gate came into view.
People heading to Seocho-gu, Seoul, were walking toward it.
With that sight behind me,
“Everyone, get home safe! Rest well during vacation! Gyeon-woo, I'll call you!”
“Let's grab a meal with Han-byeol after the semester starts. Have a good vacation.”
We exchanged goodbyes with Kang Han-byeol and Shin Seo-ra.
And then we turned around.
I took a step.
'Is it because I lived here for two years? Now that I'm actually going home, I feel strangely wistful... I suppose I've grown attached.'
Suddenly,
that thought occurred to me.
So I stopped walking for no particular reason and looked up at the glass ceiling, wanting to see the sky of Academy City.
The sky was clear and blue, as if it would open up one's heart.
Somehow, it felt refreshing and liberating.
Right then.
“Do Gyeon-woooooo!”
“Hey! What are you doing over there instead of coming!?”
“Stop being sentimental and hurry up!”
“Gyeon-woo, Gyeon-woo! If you keep standing there, we'll leave you behind! So hurry up! Chop chop!”
“Yum yum. We gotta eat when we get home. Hurry up. I'm hungry.”
“Gyeon-woo! Unnie! Are you going to make us keep waiting!?”
The triplets causing a commotion, of course.
Nam Yu-ri and Cha Eun-sol, who had nowhere particular to go and had decided to spend the vacation at our house.
Yeon Bada, hopping about with her black rabbit ears and waving her arms widely.
They had been waiting in front of the warp gate and called out to Yeon Ha-neul and me.
Only then did I awaken from my thoughts and begin to walk.
“Gyeon-woo, let's go. The kids are waiting.”
In a world that has deviated from the game's progression.
No one knows what will happen from now on, or what the future will truly hold.
Neither I nor anyone else knows.
Even so....
“....”
“Gyeon-woo? What's wrong?”
To survive in this world.
To reach the desired ending.
I.
No, we....
“I'm just... happy. Let's go now. Before the kids nag us more.”
“Yes! I want to hold your hand.”
As we have always done, continuing on.
We move forward.
THE END
Author's Afterword
Hello, this is Si-yun!
As I felt when completing my previous work, now that I've put a period on this story, I feel both refreshed and wistful in many ways.
There remains the relief that I can finally rest, the regret that I might have been able to write a little better, the pride that I wrote all the stories I wanted to tell, and the lingering disappointment of wondering if there weren't more stories I wanted to write.
Even so, the tumultuous youth academy romantic comedy of Gyeon-woo and Ha-neul, Han-byeol and their friends now lowers its curtain here.
However, even if the story has ended, the characters have left my hands and will continue to live and breathe within the work!
So, to everyone who has loved *I Became the Childhood Friend of the Mid-Boss* until now, I sincerely thank you!!!
Sincerely, Si-yun.