The desperate battle between the two Monarchs left its mark on the sky itself. Ash that had soared high above the heavens fell quietly down, like snow. Jin-Woo, watching the ash begin to settle on his shoulders one piece at a time, raised his head. Far above, from on high, the Ruler's soldiers were moving through countless Gates. Tens of millions of soldiers, all acting in perfect unison under the Rulers' commands—it was a truly overwhelming spectacle. Their goal was to eliminate every last one of the Monarchs' remaining soldiers. With the Dragon Emperor and so many other Monarchs already dead, the Monarchs' soldiers had no chance of victory. And so, the soldiers of the sky were descending to inform them that this long, long war was over. Watching them deploy, Jin-Woo felt a dull ache settle in his chest, for reasons he couldn't quite articulate. Just then, the 'Most Brilliant Radiance' who had been commanding the soldiers landed before him. A being of indescribable beauty folded all six of its outstretched wings at once. The other Rulers also descended one by one, landing behind the Most Brilliant Radiance. Radiance looked at Jin-Woo. To all outward appearances, he was a perfectly ordinary human.
'Yet this single human ended the war between us and the Monarchs.'
Who could have imagined it? A war that had begun with the Absolute Rulers and seemed to have no end—yet it was coming to a close at the fingertips of a fragile being in this far-off world. At the very least, he hadn't. And so that amazement turned into reverence, directed at Jin-Woo.
[You have ended our war. I do not know how to thank you.] "..."
Jin-Woo, who had been silently watching the ash fall from the sky, turned his head to look at Radiance.
"I know this isn't really fair to ask in return, but I do have a favor." [A favor...?]
Radiance looked slightly puzzled. The Shadow Monarch's power was already on par with—or perhaps even exceeding—their own. A favor from someone like him? As if to ease Radiance's confusion, Jin-Woo answered before the other could ask.
"It's something only you can do for me."
Radiance nodded.
[As long as it falls within the reach of my power, I will gladly help you.]
They owed an immense debt to the Shadow Monarch who had played a key role in capturing the Dragon Emperor. There was no reason he couldn't grant a request. But then, from Jin-Woo's mouth came a favor he truly hadn't expected.
"Would you... use the 'Chalice of Reincarnation' one more time?"
Radiance felt as though he had been struck in the back of the head. The Rulers lined up behind him couldn't hide their shock either. Speaking on their behalf, Radiance pressed for confirmation.
[Are you requesting that we use the 'Chalice of Reincarnation' to turn back time?] "Yes."
Jin-Woo nodded, then continued his explanation.
"And once you turn back time, I'd like you to send nothing to Earth. The Monarchs and their armies—I'll handle them in the rift between dimensions."
Hearing the reason behind the request to turn back time, Radiance was too shaken to speak.
'Alone... He's going to take on this war alone?'
Jin-Woo had received an explanation of the Chalice of Reincarnation from the previous Shadow Monarch. Even with time turned back using a divine tool, the consciousness of higher beings like the Rulers and Monarchs would remain intact. That meant there was no possibility of losing the power he had gained when Ashborn's consciousness and his own had merged. Jin-Woo intended to enter the rift between dimensions with that power and those memories.
[You intend to face the entire legion by yourself?]
Radiance spoke as though he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
[Why would you go that far? We too have used the 'Chalice of Reincarnation' repeatedly, yet we have never achieved a result beyond this.] '...'
Jin-Woo, who had been looking down at his father's dagger in his hand, answered calmly.
"This fight has cost too many people their lives. I want to bring them back."
If turning back time could save them, Jin-Woo was prepared to start the battle all over again. Radiance closed his eyes for a moment to think, then felt sympathy for Jin-Woo's answer. But turning back time was far too dangerous.
[The 'Chalice of Reincarnation' has nearly exhausted its life. If you fail—even once—there will be no more turning back time.]
That meant a future far more cruel and horrific than the present could be upon them. Perhaps the current situation was already the best possible outcome.
[As things stand, you could remain forever in people's memories as the hero who repelled the Monarchs' invasion. However...]
A recognizable sadness settled on Radiance's face.
[The battle you now wish to begin—no one but you will remember it. If you lose, destruction awaits. And even if you win, there will be no one to celebrate the victory.]
Radiance asked once more, to confirm Jin-Woo's resolve.
[Even so, do you truly wish to turn back time?]
Before answering, Jin-Woo closed his eyes and pictured his people. The eyes of the Shadow Soldiers he had planted within their shadows reflected their current appearances. His mother and younger sister were holding each other's hands tightly, watching the news coming in from Japan with worry. Cha Hae-In, eyes squeezed shut, was praying fervently to someone. The President of the Hunter's Association, Woo Jin-Cheol, had the news on and was fighting back tears. Their sincerity reached him, and Jin-Woo felt warmth in a corner of his heart. When he opened his eyes, he had made his decision.
"I'm going back."
For those who still remained, and for those who did not. Chairman Ko Geon-Hui, Adam White, and his father's face flashed past. Countless others besides had perished in the war. Jin-Woo swore he would never lose another soul. His resolve was plain to see in Radiance's eyes.
[...]
The Rulers had wanted to save this world—to the point of using a divine tool that 'must never be used'—because this world had no connection to their war. But now, one of its inhabitants, a hero who had helped save it, had made a choice of his own. To save not just a part of the world, but the entire world, with his own strength. To carry that burden alone. Suddenly, Radiance saw the face of the previous Shadow Monarch overlaid upon Jin-Woo's. That stubborn comrade who, to protect his master the Absolute Ruler, had refused to back down even against the Rulers' soldiers who blanketed the entire sky. He had been a fearsome enemy, but Radiance had respected him just as much.
'...He's just like him.'
A faint smile appeared on Radiance's face as he recalled Ashborn.
[Very well. I wish you good fortune in battle.] "Hold on."
Jin-Woo asked.
"What happens to the Shadow Soldiers who didn't exist in the past timeline?"
For example, Beru. The soldiers who had originally belonged to Ashborn would remain in the shadows, but what about Beru, who hadn't existed ten years ago, or Greed, who at that time had been a human named 'Hwang Dae-Su'? Radiance explained as best he knew.
[Entities that overlap with the past timeline will cease to exist. Those that do not overlap will remain as they are.]
In other words, Beru would stay, but Greed would be gone. From within the shadows came the wailing of soldiers. Jin-Woo sent a silent farewell to the soldiers who would have to part ways, then looked up with a grin.
"I'm ready."
Radiance, having summoned the 'Chalice of Reincarnation' from his dimension, nodded.
[May your courage be enough to save your world.]
Soon, light enveloped the entire world, and a small article appeared in a local newspaper about a middle school student who had left a note saying he had "something to do" and then disappeared. Two years later, the world briefly buzzed with excitement when news broke that the missing middle school student had returned home safe and sound, as if by a miracle. But, as always, the world grew quiet again. And time passed, calmly and uneventfully. No more Gates appeared. No more monsters emerged. No more Hunters appeared to hunt them.
* * *
Yoo Jin-Ho, attending the freshmen welcome party, was stiff with tension. The smell of pork belly grilling drifted from every direction, yet his nerves were so on edge that he couldn't work up an appetite. But why was it? Even though he was currently keeping his identity hidden, having grown up without a care as the second son of a chaebol family, this frozen-pork-belly restaurant felt strangely familiar.
'Why?'
As Yoo Jin-Ho tilted his head in puzzlement, a senior slung an arm around his shoulder.
"Jin-Ho, relax your face. Someone's going to think we're about to eat you."
Yoo Jin-Ho's voice came out flustered.
"N-No, it's nothing, sir!" "That's what I'm telling you. Stop doing that."
The senior, who had been laughing heartily, gradually let the smile fade from his face.
"Ah, but just to be safe, be careful around that particular senior. We've got one seriously intimidating senior in our department." "Huh."
Yoo Jin-Ho's face froze.
"You know the type? Not the kind who yells at juniors or anything, but just being near him, the sheer charisma is no joke..."
Someone like that was also close by... Yoo Jin-Ho briefly pictured his father, the CEO they called the 'Iron-Willed,' in his mind's eye, then shook his head vigorously to shake off the thought. The senior, perhaps starting to feel the buzz, began chattering excitedly about that fearsome senior.
"You know Cha Hae-In, the athlete?" "Y-Yes? The one who was famous as the idol of the athletics world not long ago?" "That's right. She's that senior's girlfriend. Oh, speak of the devil—here he comes."
Spotting a man entering the shop, the senior sprang to his feet and bowed deeply.
"Welcome, sir." "Welcome, sir!" "Welcome, sir!"
Watching the seniors greet him with such deep respect, Yoo Jin-Ho could tell their stories hadn't been an exaggeration. The rowdy atmosphere of the freshmen welcome party shifted the moment he appeared. A dry lump of nervousness slid艰难 down Yoo Jin-Ho's throat. *Gulp.* But as they say, when luck is against you, even falling backward breaks your nose—right next to Yoo Jin-Ho, who didn't even dare raise his head, that senior plopped down.
'Ah... sir, of all the seats, why did you have to sit right next to me?'
As Yoo Jin-Ho hung his head low, sighing inwardly, the intimidating senior held out a glass cup filled to the brim.
"Have a drink."
Offering a new student a glass cup instead of a proper soju shot—this senior was clearly no ordinary person. Mindful of making no mistakes, Yoo Jin-Ho carefully accepted the cup.
'I'm no good with alcohol...'
He squeezed his eyes shut and forced the liquid down, only to open them wide in surprise.
"Se-Sir, this is cider!" "I know."
The fearsome senior, wearing an expression that wasn't the least bit scary, shook the cider bottle in his hand.
"Drink this with me."
For some reason, the senior looked like he had just reunited with someone he'd been glad to see in a long time.
"And Jin-Ho, calling me 'sir' makes me feel weird. 'Sir,' really."
Refilling the empty glass with cider, the senior spoke warmly.
"From now on, call me hyung." "Huh?" "What? Don't want to?"
When the friendly look in the senior's eyes turned serious, Yoo Jin-Ho instinctively straightened his back and answered loudly.
"N-No, of course, hyung!"
Wait a minute? The word "hyung" had slipped out of his mouth before he knew it, and Yoo Jin-Ho found it strangely easy to say.
'Also... did I ever tell him my name?'
As Yoo Jin-Ho puzzled over this, the senior clinked his glass against his.
"Cheers."
For some reason, that smile didn't feel unfamiliar at all, and Yoo Jin-Ho, his eyes reddening, clinked the glass once more.
"Cheers!"
* * *
On the other end of the line, Yoo Jin-Ho's complaining voice continued.
—Ah, hyung. Why didn't you come to the department today?
Jin-Woo answered with a laugh.
"I had some errands to run today. Oh, by the way, Jin-Ho?" —Yes, hyung? Something important came up, so can you cover my attendance for the afternoon classes?" —What? Hyung? Hyung?"
Leaving the desperate calls behind, Jin-Woo hung up the phone. *Click.* He raised his head, and the name of a large hospital filled his vision. Seoul Ilshin General Hospital. He had someone to meet here today. He stopped for a moment to straighten his appearance, then turned toward the hospital. Just then, a familiar face passed by on his side. He hadn't meant to show it, but perhaps because his gaze lingered for a second, she turned toward him.
"......?"
It was Joo-Hee. The timid girl who, despite her fear, had joined the Hunter's Association and done her absolute best so that the power she'd been given wouldn't go to waste—a B-rank Healer. Now she looked no different from any other college student, standing in front of Jin-Woo. She looked so natural without being a Hunter that a smile tugged at the corners of Jin-Woo's mouth before he could stop it. Joo-Hee, who had been staring intently at Jin-Woo, spoke with some difficulty.
"Um... haven't we met somewhere before?"
A warm greeting surged up to the base of his throat. But Jin-Woo shook his head.
"No."
Then he turned away without a backward glance. Joo-Hee watched his retreating figure for a moment, tilted her head, and then went on her way. Listening to her footsteps fade into the distance, Jin-Woo wore a satisfied smile. He had protected it. Their peaceful everyday lives. The tranquil days they were always meant to have. Whenever he came face to face with these quiet proofs created by his sacrifice, he felt a reward beyond measure—as if every bit of hardship had been repaid.
So.
'That's enough.'
That was enough. Jin-Woo paused in front of the hospital and looked down at his left palm, where the burn mark remained. Then, slowly, he stepped inside. Someday, if someone asked about this wound, he would say he got it while saving the world.
* * *
When the attending physician entered the hospital room, the patient gestured to him.
"Could you... help me sit up?"
The physician, who had rushed over, carefully raised the patient's upper body until he was sitting upright.
"Thank you."
But then, on the bedside table next to the patient, the physician noticed a small wooden bottle he hadn't seen before.
"What is this, Chairman?"
The patient, shriveled and withered like dead wood, spoke between painful coughs.
"A young man came by just a moment ago and left it for me."
The physician looked perplexed. This was the hospital's VIP room. The door was always guarded by two burly security men, and no one could enter without the physician's own authorization. So how had someone gotten in, left a bottle, and left?
"A remarkable thing, isn't it? But the story that young man told me was even harder to believe."
He said that in a now-erased timeline, he had fought alongside the young man against monsters, and the young man had now returned with this gift as repayment for that time.
"And then he simply vanished. Like a mirage. As if he had never been there to begin with."
Without proof, the physician might not have believed such a story. But the gift the young man had left was right there. While the physician was still struggling to figure out how to respond, the patient pointed a trembling finger at the wooden bottle.
"Bring it... here."
The physician handed the wooden bottle to the patient. The patient looked down at it and smiled.
"He said if I drink what's inside, my illness will be cured completely. Heh heh." "Chairman, surely you don't actually believe—" "I'm tired, doctor."
The chairman spoke with finality.
"I only ask one thing. If I don't drink this—how much longer can I live?" "..."
The physician couldn't answer. Even now, modern medicine had been brought to bear just barely keeping him alive. Survival at this point could only be called a miracle. Seeing the physician's silence, the chairman clicked his tongue and spoke.
"If I drink this and something goes wrong... have this engraved on my headstone: 'Chairman Ko Geon-Hui, who fought the illness to the very end and is buried here.'" "Chairman..."
As a physician, he should have stopped him. But the doctor couldn't bring himself to stop Chairman Ko Geon-Hui, who was opening the stopper with a look of grim resolve. The chairman raised the bottle and laboriously swallowed the liquid inside. *Gulp. Gulp.* He tipped every last drop into his mouth, then thought of the young man who had left this bottle. He recalled the look in his eyes. A man with eyes like that—no matter what anyone said—was worth trusting. That was the chairman's judgment. And then, once he had drunk it all—
*Thud. Thud-thud, thud-thud.*
A dying heart began to beat strong and fast once more. The heart was, beating.
[Solo Leveling 完]
=[[end]]