Chapter 1257. Blue Guild’s Youth Center (26)

It wasn’t the time for rain, but it fell, and it kept falling.

The incessant cacophony of rain pervaded the air. The sound grew louder, and it was like even the skies were mourning my death. What started as a quiet drizzle soon became a flurry of rain that drowned virtually any other noises.

The torrential downpour overwhelmed everyone else's voices, but Jin Cheong’s voice rang out clearer than ever.

“H-He... can’t be... my son.”

Even those holding back their tears couldn’t stop themselves from crying after hearing that line. I could say with certainty that out of everything Jin Cheong had ever said, that was the line I liked the most.

“There’s no way... he could be... my son,” Jin Cheong added.

Even Kim Myung-Won, who lashed out at Jin Cheong earlier, now found himself speechless and could only stare at him. What could he possibly say in a moment like this? From his perspective, Jin Cheong had to have looked like nothing short of a villain.

A father who made his son’s life a living hell, a pathetic man incapable of giving love to his own child. And that wasn’t even the worst of it.

He was the kind of scum who had gone so far as to blame his own son for the loss of his wife, which was his own mistake. But even so, no one could bring themselves to attack Jin Cheong anymore.

Whenever a villain’s pain came to light, even the worst of them would be seen differently.

Jin Cheong—heartbroken by the loss and drowning in regret—wasn’t someone even the Blue Guild could find it in themselves to yell at anymore, as his expression embodied the meaning of the word "regret."

‘It just seems like he’s regretting coming here.’

Perhaps he had come here to accept the unacceptable, but he was someone who would never fake his tears, so the rain had to do it for him.

Out of nowhere, despite the clear skies, rain came pouring down, drenching his hair and sliding down his face like tears. For Jin Cheong, who never cried in front of anyone, perhaps this rain was exactly what he needed.

‘Shit... it’s really... touching.’

What mattered most was that Jin Cheong truly understood everything.

“You... Jin Young...” Kim Myung-Won mumbled.

“It can’t be...” Jin Cheong said.

“...”

“It... can’t be,” Jin Cheong repeated.

“He... He was a

really

nice guy,” Kim Myung-Won said.

Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Kim Myung-Won suddenly started talking about Jin Young. Just moments ago, he was speaking informally, but now, he was using honorifics. It meant he finally acknowledged Jin Cheong as Jin Young’s father.

“...”

“

Heuk... heuk...

He had his own way of doing this... but he was a smart and thoughtful friend,” Kim Myung-Won continued.

“...”

“He didn’t show it, but he was one of the warmest, most selfless people... I know. And more than anyone... he wanted to be like you.

Heuk... heuuk...

” Kim Myung-Won cried.

“...”

“I’m sorry. It was because we weren’t good enough...

heuk

... I’m sorry. I’m sorry... for failing to protect Jin Young. The truth is... you weren’t to blame. It was... our fault,” Kim Myung-Won said.

“...”

“

Heuuuk...

I wasn’t... strong enough... and because of that, I lost a precious friend. We lost Jin Young because we didn’t do anything.

Heuk... kgh...

I lost a friend... because I couldn’t do anything.

Heuk... heuuuk...

” Kim Myung-Won said, crying.

“It’s... not your fault,” Jin Cheong said.

“To be honest... it’s not your fault. I-It’s my fault,” Jin Cheong added, “Don’t blame yourself...”

He wasn’t just delivering the illness that needed to be said. The fact that he’d chosen to stand there in the pouring rain said more than his words. He could have kept himself dry with his mana or a shield, but he didn’t do that.

Clearly, he allowed himself to get drenched.

— So you decided... to accept it?

"Shut up, you scum."

—The kids’ eyes were a little intense, huh? Honestly, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t be able to handle it, either, so don’t feel so ashamed. I mean, how could anyone ignore them? It’s just impossible. No one could do that. Not even Ji-Hye noona.

"I told you to shut up, Lee Ki-Young."

— I was getting chills too, you know. They were glaring like they were about to kill someone... Looks like Myung-Won inherited the Blue Guild’s DNA a little too strongly.

Just then, Jin Cheong realized that Kim Myung-Won was affiliated with the Blue Guild, and his face twisted. He looked like someone who believed that getting involved with the bastards from the Blue Guild would bring nothing but trouble.

— He was a bit intense, wasn’t he? Even I was caught off guard. I do feel kind of bad... but hey, it all worked out in the end.

"What?"

— Hey... don’t be so hostile. You know who I am. You think I’d pull something like this without thinking it through?

‘Now that things have come this far, I might as well go all in and help him out.’

Whenever something was lost, something else had to be obtained.

Lee Ki-Young, the Saint of Sacrifice and Revival, at the very least, understood what moral duty meant, so I had no choice but to back him up.

Now that the barrier was lifted, it was about time for the crowds to start pouring in. All the communication channels and video feeds were back online, so there was no avoiding it.

This moment had to be captured under the most beautiful light possible.

“Commander...

heuk...

”

“Commandeeer...”

“I’m sorry, Commander. I’m sorry...”

“I’m sorry...”

— I’m saying this in case you’re angry... but you know that this will

really

increase your approval ratings, right?

“...”

— I really do feel bad because of Myung-Won, so I promise I’ll make it up to you. Fair’s fair, right? You give a little, you get a little.

— Commander Jin, is there anything you’d like later on? Should I bump up the budget for your next project? Or maybe... move your office?

"So you... know?"

— ...

— I can move Benigoa next to Ji-Hye noona... and give you the best possible work setup!

"..."

He said nothing. Perhaps it was because of his pride, but it looked like he was silently agreeing with me. The situation wasn’t ideal, and it was certainly unfair, but wasn't it in our nature to take what we could when the opportunity presented itself?

Jin Cheong tended to hold on to his pride a bit more than I do and was less willing to compromise, but he wasn't someone incapable of yielding. Even surrendering was a tactic. If acknowledging defeat could lead to gains through negotiations, then doing everything one could to secure those gains was the right move.

‘You’ve already accepted it.’

If the ones here weren’t kids, it'd be a different story. However, the students of the International Academy were staring at him, so there wasn’t much he could do.

Meanwhile, more and more spectators rushed in.

“Commander! Are you okay?”

“Commander!”

“

Pant... pant...

Commander! Mr. Jin Young...”

“Commander!”

Finally, Jin Cheong’s aides managed to break through the barrier. But even they were left speechless at the sight before them, and they stared at the scene in disbelief.

“C-Commander...”

“Th-That child...”

“Yeah... it’s Mr. Jin Young.”

“Sir... did Mr. Jin Young... pass away?”

There was no one left spouting nonsense about how he could still be saved or that they needed to hurry and treat him. Jin Cheong simply stepped forward in silence. He approached me once more and closed my eyes—my pale, lifeless eyes.

‘Kgh...’

While burying his face in my chest...

“Bastard... you bastard...” he muttered under his breath. He uttered it quietly enough that no one else could hear him. At this moment, it truly felt like Jin Cheong was finally accepting my death, and it was a sight that tugged at the heartstrings of the onlookers.

Unlike the earlier dramatic outburst, this time, everyone's tears fell silently. Their genuine and natural tears fell down their cheeks.

‘Lift me up! Lift me up!’

Felis Hanest was already sobbing...

‘You have to lift me up! What are you doing, damn it?!’

Xiaolan threw herself into Xiaolin’s arms, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, and cried her heart out like a child. Victor Galia and the little fox Slava clung to their own parents as well.

Even the adults of the Republic couldn’t fully rejoice, not while their children were still in danger.

“Mr. Jin Young... while he was trying to save us...

heuk...

Father...” Victor cried.

“Victor Galia, it’s not your fault,” his father said.

“Father...

heuuuuung...

” Victor sobbed.

“How long are you going to keep bawling? What’s wrong with you? Showing no respect to the young master!” his father yelled.

“

Heuk... kgh

.”

‘Come on, just lift me up.’

— What do you think you’re doing?! Seriously! If you just stand there quietly, your aides will rush over and clean up the mess for you!

"..."

— Lift me up! There are hundreds of cameras filming you right now!

"..."

“Damn it... you bastard... damn it.”

In the end, Jin Cheong quietly lifted me. An indescribably solemn atmosphere naturally settled over everyone there. He supported me with one hand under my head and the other behind my thighs. Of course, my arms fell limp.

— Let’s go. We should go. Let’s get out of here and head to the Republic.

"Shut up. I’m seriously considering throwing you out of this building right now."

— Do you want to go to the hospital? Since it’s come to this, let’s wrap it up quickly. The real work starts now.

Right afterward, he walked away with slow, measured steps.

The crowd parted like the Red Sea. Jin Cheong walked in the middle of the crowd with a hollow, lifeless face. His aides and the kids who had come from the Republic followed behind him, as if they were a part of a solemn march.

Of course, this was a march to honor the spirit of the young hero. It wasn’t rehearsed or prearranged. Seeing how everyone did their best to show respect, it was clear that they were familiar with such ceremonies.

A few soldiers from the Republic raised their flags high. The sight of Jin Cheong carrying me through the crowd was truly spectacular. Spears and swords were raised, and music began to play from somewhere as if on cue.

“...”

“...”

It was as if they were escorting me, even though I was already dead. Quietly, I looked through my telescope to observe the Republic, and it seemed the rumors had already spread because every citizen was gazing at the scene through their Goddess’ Mirror.

The headline on the news read,

"The Small Shadow’s Defeat."

Looking at Jin Cheong’s face on the screen, I almost burst out laughing.

‘Wait, seriously? They even prepared a coffin for me? The guys from the Republic really move fast!’

Upon receiving the news, one of his aides apparently rushed to prepare a coffin, and a finely crafted coffin was already placed in front of the Blue Guild’s International Academy. The father, who had lost his son, quietly placed his son into the coffin.

“Why don’t you say a word, sir?”

“...”

“I’m sure Mr. Jin Young will be happy.”

“...”

“I’m—” Jin Cheong paused.

“...”

“...”

“—Proud of you,” he added.

The simple, yet profound words acknowledging his son—“I’m proud of you.”

“...”

“I-I’m sorry,” he said.

Finally, Jin Cheong bowed before my coffin.

“R-Revenge!” someone suddenly shouted.

'So sudden?’

‘...’

“A bloody revenge!”

‘...’

“Revenge! A bloody revenge!”

“A bloody revenge!”

‘Shit, shit.’

“A bloody revenge on those wicked demon bastards!”

What more needed to be said?

“A bloody revenge!”

The Republic had decided to attack the Six Stars.

“A bloody revenge!”

The reckless, ignorant bastards decided to sink their teeth into the Six Stars.