“...While I was cutting them down, I realized that I still have a long way to go.”

“...I see.” Seo Jun-Ho nodded and looked outside the window. The night was already crawling in like a spider.

‘We talked for a lot longer than I had expected.’ 

In the beginning, he had been planning to leave right away. He wasn’t confident that he could maintain a conversation through the awkwardness. But when they started talking about hunting and swordplay, the look in the Sword Saint’s eyes changed.

‘It’s surprising. He’s good at talking when it’s about something he likes.’ 

The man of few words actually ended up being quite the chatterbox. Seo Jun-Ho didn’t think he would end up hearing even the story about how Kim Woo-Joong bested the 3rd Floor Master, Phanactos.

“Goodness, what kind of pairing is this?”

Seo Jun-Ho and Kim Woo-Joong both turned to the entrance of the hospital room. A girl had entered without knocking, and she approached them, looking amused.

“I didn’t think anyone would pay you a hospital visit,” she said.

“Do you really think that I… don’t have any friends?” Kim Woo-Joong glanced at Seo Jun-Ho, gauging his reaction as he spoke. He seemed to be worried that the latter might get offended.

“The Sword Saint has helped me out a lot before. Of course, I should come to visit,” Seo Jun-Ho said. He stood up and started to get ready to leave. As he did, the girl in front of him watched him with interest.

‘This person is… the strategist, who contributed most to defeating Phanactos.’ 

She was the Guild Master of Silent Moon, Son Chae-Won. Seo Jun-Ho was aware that she was Kim Woo-Joong’s friend and had known him since he was young.

“Leaving already? I’m sorry if you feel like I’m kicking you out…” she said.

“Not at all. I was planning to leave soon because it’s late and the Sword Saint must be tired.”

“I’m not tired, though…” Kim Woo-Joong muttered from behind him. However, Seo Jun-Ho pretended as if he didn’t hear him because he suspected that he might have to sleep over if he stayed here any longer.

“Alright, then. I hope you get along with Woo-Joong in the future, too.”

“Yes, ma’am…” Seo Jun-Ho felt like he was talking to a friend’s mother. He said his goodbyes to both of them and stepped out of the room.

As soon as he left, Son Chae-Won looked at her childhood friend and snickered.

“Lucky you, Woo-Joong. The man you said was the future came all the way here to visit you.”

“...I said that so long ago. How do you still remember that?” he said, a little embarrassed.

Son Chae-Won pressed him again. “Right. So, what do you like about him? His past or his future?”

“...” Kim Woo-Joong considered this for a moment and silently looked out the window. He watched Seo Jun-Ho get into a self-driving taxi as he spoke, “Who knows.”

In the beginning, Seo Jun-Ho's future had definitely been more noteworthy. But as time passed, Kim Woo-Joong was starting to get an idea about Seo Jun-Ho's past.

But none of that mattered now…

Kim Woo-Joong watched as the taxi grew smaller. “...The present is the most important.”

A mysterious smile appeared on his face.

***

Seo Jun-Ho entered the room, scratching his scraggly hair.

“Who wants coffee?” Gilberto asked.

“Me! Meeee! Me me me me me me!”

“One for me, as well.”

Both Skaya and Rahmadat answered.

Seo Jun-Ho rubbed his eyes as he was met with the hectic scene. “Me too…Yawn, please.”

“You’re awake,” Gilberto said.

Seo Jun-Ho’s home was very lively first thing in the morning. They were all buzzing with excitement, perhaps like children on the night before a field trip.

‘...Look at these rascals.’ 

Seo Jun-Ho smiled. He wasn’t at all thrown off by their behavior. In fact, he knew better than anyone else what they were feeling.

“There’s still about an hour left. What’s the rush?” he said.

Today, they would wake their final comrade, who also happened to be a sleepyhead. As the one who was the closest to her, Skaya was especially energetic that it couldn’t even be compared to her usual self.

“Hi, Your Highness! Do you want coffee?”

“...Coffee is too bitter. Give me coffee milk. The triangular-shaped one.” Actually, the Frost Queen even seemed a little disappointed that Skaya didn’t come running to greet her.

“This reminds me of the old days,” Gilberto said, sipping on his coffee.

“Yeah. When one of us was late, the four others would drink tea while we waited.”

“Well, the members are different this time. Mio always came early, and Skaya was always the late one.”

“Don’t make me laugh. You were late sometimes, too.”

Rahmadat and Skaya were arguing again. And Gilberto hung back and watched over them in amusement.

‘It’s a familiar sight.’

 Whenever this scene unfolded before him, Mio would sneak up to him and mutter, “they never seem to get tired.”

“...”

Seo Jun-Ho was happy. These trivial, insignificant moments were priceless.

The sunlight coming through the window felt warmer and softer than usual. This might have been the first time since he was an elementary student that he didn’t have anything to worry or be anxious about.

Seo Jun-Ho stood by the window and looked down across the peaceful streets.

A moment later, he spoke, “...Let’s go.”

With just those two words, the three others set down their half-empty cups and gathered around Skaya. And the moment they placed their hands on her shoulders, the view around them changed.

“I see that you still haven’t cleaned up,” Rahmadat observed.

“I told you. She would never,” Gilberto said.

“Please, I’m begging you, lay off in my Lair.”

They chattered as they walked forward. When they reached the lone ice statue, they all shut up.

The three turned and fixed their eyes on Seo Jun-Ho.

“...”

They watched him walk forward, step by step. Seo Jun-Ho hadn’t been this nervous when he fought Janabi or even the Frost Queen. But when his friends nodded silently in support, he found the courage to hold out his hand.

[Effect of the skill ‘Frost (EX)’ has been checked.]

[The ice seal can be removed with Frost (EX).]

[Your base magic stat is high enough to remove the ice seal.]

[Your understanding of the Frost Skill is outstanding. You will not receive a penalty.]

[Are you sure you wish to remove the ice seal?]

“...”

The time and memories flew past him. It wasn’t just the 2 years’ worth of memories from when he returned. They were much older, from 26 years ago. They flickered through his mind like a refreshing breeze.

Those memories were precious because they had all been together.

Mio’s eyes were closed as she lay asleep. Seo Jun-Ho took her in and slowly spoke.

“You’ve been asleep for too long. It’s time to come home.” He grabbed the ice without hesitation.

Crackle! 

The shards of ice shattered crisply, pushing out the slender girl. Seo Jun-Ho caught her as she fell forward and quickly turned around.

“She needs to lay—” Just as he was about to ask them to make space for her to lie down, he snorted. At some point, Skaya had already prepared her bed, and she patted it.

“The mattress in this thing is amazing! Bring her here!”

“There’s a blanket as well.”

“I also brought a heater just in case.”

“Geez, you guys are like overprotective parents,” Seo Jun-Ho remarked. However, he understood their actions. Mio was two years younger than him and was the youngest among the 5 Heroes. He carefully placed her down on the bed.

“Ah…” Mio made a noise in her sleep. Her eyebrows remained furrowed.

Finally, her long lashes slowly lifted. Her pure eyes sparkled like gems.

“Kyaaaa!” Immediately, she screamed. She quickly pulled the blanket with her into the corner of the bed as she looked at each of the four crouched people.

“W-w-w-what is it?” she stammered.

“...Oh.”

Only then did Seo Jun-Ho realize his mistake. There was no way she wouldn’t be surprised if the first thing she saw when she woke were four people crowding around her.

“No, wait, I definitely—” As her face grew confused, Skaya’s expression turned serious.

“Why did you sleep in for so long? Get up. We have to go clear the Nest,” she said.

“The Nest… You cannot go there!” she exclaimed, shocked. Just as she was about to say something, Seo Jun-Ho hit Skaya on her head.

“Ow!”

“Why are you playing such a mean joke on her when she literally just woke up?” he scolded.

“S-sorry… But this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so I thought it would be a waste if I didn’t…” Skaya wilted.

Seo Jun-Ho passed by her and approached Mio.

“Mio.”

“Jun-Ho-nim?”[1] She was clearly still in shock. This made Seo Jun-Ho glare at Skaya again.

“Sigh… I’m sorry. I should have warned her not to joke around beforehand,” he apologized.

“I still do not understand what is going on…” Mio looked around nervously and bit her lip. “I see... This horrible place must be… the afterlife.”

“It’s my Lair! I know it looks gross, but it’s my Lair! You’re still alive!” Skaya shouted from behind, feeling aggrieved. Rahmadat held her back and looked at Seo Jun-Ho expectantly, waiting for him to continue.

“Mio, what’s the last thing you remember?”

“...The Nest. Only one person was allowed to go up, and we voted to send you.”

Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be any problems with her memory. Seo Jun-Ho pulled up a chair and sat down. He gently started to explain the situation.

“So… 26 years have passed since then?” Mio’s asked again, eyes wide.

“Yes.”

“Um… I do not think you would do something like that, but if this is some kind of joke—”

“Hm.” Just as he thought, it was hard for her to believe him right away. Seo Jun-Ho turned around and gestured at Skaya. “Let’s go, Skayamon.”

“Leave it to me.” She summoned her magic and teleported them somewhere else while holding onto the four others. They were now on the top floor of Namsan Tower in Seoul. The entire city was visible from up there, and they saw people having fun.

Parents holding their children’s hands on an excursion…

Couples holding hands as they enjoyed their date…

And even joggers training their stamina...

“...”

Mio walked forward without a word. She gripped the railing and took in the view, trembling.

She couldn’t see a single Gate in the city. Everywhere, people were smiling happily, and the freshly-bloomed cherry blossoms were beautiful.

“...We used to talk about this in the past,” Seo Jun-Ho said as they were all captivated by the peaceful sight. “We talked about how if we worked our asses off, the world would someday become peaceful. We talked about how we might be able to bring a world where families could go on outings and children could go to school.”

The pessimists thought that such a future would never come. Those years were filled with so much hopelessness they didn’t dare dream of a future like this. The Gates kept appearing without end, and monsters constantly terrorized people.

“But look...”

In the end, the day had come. Winter passed, and spring came. The wilted flower had bloomed beautifully.

“Ever since I returned, I have always wanted to share this sight with you guys.”

He wanted to show them the peace they had created with their own hands.

At that, Mio melted into tears. Seo Jun-Ho patted her shoulder.

“Welcome back, Mio.”

It was a bright spring day. And it made them feel like this happiness would last forever.

1. Mio speaks very formally, in a way that might not be expected between friends. Hence the honorifics. ☜