"I guess I'll need to buy another pet in the game. We have some time before heading to the center. Want to play?"
"I don't feel like logging into the game for a while."
"Oh… So, you're saying we set a new record."
The JanYoon duo defeated twelve boss monsters that had yet to be cleared. While it wasn't a ranking-worthy achievement in the overall game records, it was a personal best for the two of them, so Yoon Seo was satisfied.
"Smart move. It's not good for a patient to just sit around."
"Who are you calling a patient?"
"You, hyung."
"Please correct that. I was a patient. I'm all better now."
"Sure, we'll see once you take off the bandage."
During a battle, Yoon Seo had been stabbed in the side by the shadow spear of a 'displaced being.' Even in that moment, he had spun his body halfway around, luckily avoiding his organs, but a chunk of flesh was torn off, causing heavy bleeding. Kwon Jihan, who had been far away, rushed over, trembling as he checked Yoon Seo's condition. Yoon Seo suppressed a groan, thinking that if he showed any sign of pain, Kwon Jihan might panic.
In truth, though there had been a lot of blood, the injury wasn't critical. But Yoon Seo knew that if he had seen Kwon Jihan bleeding from his side, he would've been just as shocked.
"First, eat slowly. Even though I don't have to tell you, I know you'll chew thoroughly."
"….."
Yoon Seo chewed and swallowed the bossam with a very displeased look. Although the tutorial was over, the wills left to him were not, so he was still chewing more than twenty times for every bite. He would have to do this for the rest of his life. It was a truly unfortunate situation.
***
Although they left the house at 1:30, by the time they got into Kwon Jihan's car, it was 2:00. The weather was so nice, with warm sunshine and a pleasant breeze, that they ended up taking a short walk, which delayed them. When Yoon Seo got into the car, Chewy Barley greeted him.
"Welcome, Yoon Seo-nim."
"Hello, Chewy Barley."
Peep peep.
"Welcome, Riceball."
Peep.
"We're heading to Seokyoung HQ."
Chewy Barley used to be an AI that didn't even know how to greet, or more precisely, its communication system wasn't open. But after Kwon Jihan gave it a name, its system was upgraded, just like Sticky Rice. It didn't engage in small talk like Sticky Rice did, but even this level of greeting was a big improvement.
As the car smoothly started, Yoon Seo cracked the window a little, letting in the warm breeze and sunshine.
Click. At the familiar sound, Yoon Seo looked over at Kwon Jihan. He was opening a small pill bottle and swallowing two pills with water—medication for PTSD.
After the Great Dungeon, Kwon Jihan was suffering from severe PTSD and was undergoing both therapy and medication treatment. It was amusing how the two of them, acting as if they were a couple, would often take out their medication at the same time without any signal. However, now, Yoon Seo was fine, and only Kwon Jihan was showing symptoms.
When Yoon Seo looked at him quietly, Kwon Jihan pouted.
"I've got goosebumps here. Can you rub it for me?"
Kwon Jihan extended his arm. Despite the playful tone, his forearm was genuinely covered in goosebumps.
"I'm sorry. I…."
Yoon Seo bit his lip, filled with guilt, regret, and sympathy.
When Kwon Jihan first experienced a panic attack, he didn't know the cause. After three more occurrences and formal therapy, they finally figured out that Kwon Jihan's symptoms were triggered whenever Yoon Seo said, "Goodbye." Other people's goodbyes didn't affect him, and even Kwon Jihan himself said it frequently. But whenever Yoon Seo said it, Kwon Jihan would react with terror.
It was the last word Yoon Seo had said as he shoved Kwon Jihan into the exit portal in the Great Dungeon.
The therapist said it wouldn't be a good treatment strategy for Yoon Seo to avoid saying "Goodbye" around Kwon Jihan for the rest of his life. They advised him to avoid using the farewell version of the word but to say the casual greeting occasionally, so Kwon Jihan could get used to it—about once every ten times.
Yoon Seo was following that advice. He felt responsible for this part.
Yoon Seo looked up as he felt a hand gently cupping his cheek.
"Hyung, I didn't bring this up to make you apologize. Don't be sad, either. You look way too serious."
"Kwon Jihan Hunter. I can't live the rest of my life without using that word."
"I know. But I've gotten a lot better in the last six months, haven't I? I used to shake even after taking my meds, but now they calm me down completely. Even resistance items against fear didn't help, but modern medicine is amazing. Anyway, I'm not trying to make you never say goodbye again. I'm working hard to get better, so don't be too sad."
Kwon Jihan smiled, a smile that was both youthful and sorrowful at the same time.
"At this point, I should probably do a surprise inspection of your pill bottle."
Yoon Seo obediently took out his pill bottle. Kwon Jihan carefully counted the pills.
"Not a single one is missing since you got out of the dungeon."
"I was too busy playing games to remember to take them."
"Hmm, one every three days. That's pretty good."
"...."
"Why are you laughing?"
"It's funny that both of us are practically living off meds."
"I'm not living off them. As long as you don't say that one word you're not supposed to, I'm so healthy it's almost a problem. You, on the other hand, rely on them."
"I've cut down a lot too."
"Your problem is that when it hits you, one or two pills aren't enough to calm you down. We should ask today whether you need a stronger prescription or if taking more of the lighter meds is better."
"Yes, let's do that."
Kwon Jihan looked at Yoon Seo with a gentle expression and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Immediately, Riceball threw a tantrum, demanding kisses too. Kwon Jihan grabbed Riceball in his hand and smothered it with kisses. As the tiny bird flapped its wings, blue feathers floated into the air. Yoon Seo carefully collected each of the fluffy feathers drifting through the air.
With the Seokyoung charity event coming up soon, he thought that auctioning off Riceball's feathers could bring in a nice profit.
***
"Hey, isn't that Seo Chaeyoon and Kwon Jihan?"
"What? Where? Whoa, it's Seo Chaeyoon!"
"No way… that's insane. Unreal…."
As the two entered the Seokyoung building, everyone in the lobby—whether civilians or Awakened—stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to them.
"We should go watch that, too. Want to go tomorrow?"
Meanwhile, Kwon Jihan lazily pointed upwards.
In the Seokyoung headquarters lobby, posters for the current top-grossing movie were plastered everywhere: 'How Does the Antimatter Bomb Exist in This World?' It was a documentary about the antimatter bomb that had made it possible to conquer the Black Portal Dungeon. Since the only two people in human history with experience using an antimatter bomb, Seo Chaeyoon and Kwon Jihan, were interviewed in it, the film had topped the box office since its release.
"Sure."
"Since we're going to the theater, how about we make a day of it? Start with the earliest show and watch movies all day until closing. I'll make the reservations."
"Do whatever you want. Just walk faster."
Wearing the mask of Seo Chaeyoon, Yoon Seo hid behind Kwon Jihan's broad back, tugging at his clothes. Kwon Jihan chuckled as he made his way toward the elevator, and Yoon Seo hurried to keep up with him.
Most of the gazes directed at Seo Chaeyoon were filled with admiration, envy, and respect, though some also carried a tinge of melancholy and sympathy.
In the past, Yoon Seo had also received sympathetic looks. There were always people who pitied Seo Chaeyoon for losing all of his comrades.
However, the gaze he felt now wasn't exactly "sympathy." It was a mix of affection, wistfulness, respect, and even guilt. This made Yoon Seo feel even more awkward and uncomfortable.
Peep-peep! Peep-peep!
Unlike Yoon Seo, who wanted to hide, the attention-seeking bird spread its tiny wings and happily chirped as it flew around.
"No photos allowed."
"Ah, I wasn't taking any."
"Hand over your phone."
"Please, just one photo. Just one. I promise it'll be for personal collection only."
"That's not allowed."
As someone attempted to take a photo, the guards immediately rushed over, stopped them, and deleted the photo. Even though Seo Chaeyoon was always completely covered from head to toe, people still wanted to capture his appearance whenever he showed up.
"Seo Chaeyoon, Hunter! Please, just look this way once. Just once!"
"We love you!"
"Stay healthy, Seo Chaeyoon! Be happy!"
After the commotion started, more people gathered the courage to shout out. Thankfully, they were keeping their distance and not pushing their way forward.
There were many people in front of the elevator, but as Kwon Jihan and Seo Chaeyoon approached, everyone stepped aside to let them board. Even those already inside the elevator stepped out, their faces all showing tearful expressions.
"Are you going to the hospital? Please, go on ahead."
"Seo Chaeyoon… I hope you're not in pain…"
Hearing the voices full of concern, Yoon Seo just nodded his head absentmindedly. Seeing this, people began to cover their mouths, sobbing.
"Hyung, at least wave your hand."
"Are you crazy? Just hurry and get in."
"Alright."
Kwon Jihan chuckled softly as he closed the elevator doors.
Once out of sight, Riceball sagged, and Yoon Seo let out a sigh of relief.
"This is driving me crazy. How long do we have to keep doing this?"
"Until your popularity fades."
"Now's not the time for such nonchalant responses! This all happened because of you!"
When they returned from their space journey, three days had passed since the Great Dungeon had been cleared. The gods had informed the humans that the two heroes had not died but were safely returning. As soon as they set foot on Earth, a grand welcome ceremony was held. Yoon Seo, exhausted, slept for an entire day. And when he woke up… everything had changed.
Kwon Jihan had revealed everything…
Literally everything.
From the events that occurred ten years ago, to the gods' plan to protect the universe…
He revealed that Seo Chaeyoon, with a body more fragile than a non-awakened person, had entered the Great Dungeon, resistant to potions and healing skills. He even explained that the final dungeon was a selective dungeon, and how Seo Chaeyoon had forced him out through the exit to sacrifice himself alone.
He revealed everything.
Of course, Yoon Seo had agreed to disclose his healing resistance before he went to sleep. However, he hadn't expected Kwon Jihan to reveal everything with such emotion and personal detail, rather than just sticking to the facts.