Saving My Favorite in a Doomed World

The guiding staff member’s voice was clear and resonant. The order in which each waiting room left must have been different, as he walked down the corridor for a while without seeing any other heroes.

 

He wished he could have seen Cha Jaeha. Too bad.

 

“Therefore, this SH unit selection test will be conducted in a tournament format. There are a total of 30 hero applicants, and the opponent selection system allows the first person called to directly choose from among the heroes who share the same waiting room. Starting from Waiting Room 1 in order, the sequence within each waiting room is determined randomly for fairness…”

 

Huh? Why did she keep looking this way while speaking?

 

Well, he could roughly guess the reason.

 

‘Jeong Mueum is indeed good-looking.’

 

She kept glancing at Mueum’s face in between her announcements, and Hwashin could fully understand her feelings. The staff, who lightly clenched her fist in front of her lips and cleared her throat, continued speaking.

 

“The match is decided when one side is deemed unable to continue fighting or declares defeat. However, killing your opponent is strictly prohibited, so please keep that in mind. Above all, don’t cause any unpleasant incidents! Please demonstrate your abilities to the fullest, heroes!”

 

Her voice was cheerful until the end.

 

How diligent. Was she a rookie? …. Oh, he was a rookie, too.

 

Though his body had become younger, his age remained the same.

 

Hwashin, with the soul of a 200-year-old, was only half-listening to the enthusiastic explanation.

 

In the first place, how could he concentrate on the explanation with Jeong Mueum right next to him?

 

At this rate, Jeong Mueum and Cha Jaeha would meet in the arena. It was a past event that wasn’t properly depicted in the novel.

 

The reader’s heart swelled at this unpublished prequel side story. Hwashin’s blatant sidelong glances were, of course, noticed by Mueum.

 

Mueum, who had been ignoring him, finally let out a deep sigh and spoke up.

 

“Mister, could you stop staring at me?”

 

“Oh, was it that obvious?”

 

“Yes, extremely.”

 

At that, Hwashin smiled brightly without hesitation.

 

“Actually, I’m a fan of yours, Mueum.”

 

“…A fan?”

 

Of course, in the novel, Cha Jaeha was his favorite. He loved him the most and felt the most pain for him.

 

That didn’t mean he didn’t like the SH1 Unit members. They depended on each other and trusted only each other. It was impossible for Elric, who had read <YHH>, not to love the SH1 Unit that showed camaraderie tighter than blood.

 

– How can I live without you, hyung? What’s the point of living in this world?

 

Jeong Mueum raged on, saying a world without Cha Jaeha was meaningless. Yet, that same person didn’t give up even in the midst of a world filled with monsters and facing destruction. Although a world without his brother wasn’t worth protecting, it was the world his brother had wanted to protect.

 

Knowing that Jeong Mueum was that kind of person, how could anyone dislike him?

 

“Are you really my fan?”

 

Yoo Hwashin, receiving a look full of suspicion, smiled.

 

“Yes, a fan.”

 

Somehow, Mueum couldn’t trust those downward-curving eyes. He seemed like a con artist. Jeong Mueum pouted his lips sulkily. He didn’t believe him.

 

“Where did you see me? I haven’t been on TV much.”

 

“But you’re famous on the internet, aren’t you? Ah, do you want to take a picture with me later?”

 

The way he waved his phone was just like a cat owner waving a treat at their cat. But unfortunately, Jeong Mueum was not a cat.

 

“Do I look like someone who’d take pictures for 5000 won?”

 

“Would you do it if I gave you 5000 won?”

 

“…Sigh.”

 

What kind of person was this?

 

To Jeong Mueum, Yoo Hwashin seemed out of place, like someone who had just popped out of a book.

 

He spoke formally to someone who clearly looked younger and seemed used to talking to himself. His looks and actions were completely mismatched.

 

Moreover, this person with a face that looked like he’d never been clingy in his life was saying things like:

 

– Who’s your favorite hero, Mueum? Oh, maybe Yoo Jian? And what’s your least favorite side dish? Do you have one?

 

The questions he asked were all trivial. He didn’t seem like someone gathering information, which made him seem more suspicious. …Could he really be a fan?

 

Ignoring all his questions, Mueum bluntly asked.

 

“Did you listen to the staff’s explanation earlier?”

 

Explanation?

 

Hwashin blinked blankly before responding with an ‘Ah~’.

 

“Of course. I heard the match explanation.”

 

“Then you can probably guess.”

 

Jeong Mueum nodded towards the back of the man walking in front of them. The burly man who had picked a fight with Hwashin in the waiting room was now walking ahead of the staff member.

 

“That person will definitely choose you, Mister. And that hero is very well-known for his bad temper.”

 

Besides, Mister, judging by your staff badge, you’re really an F-rank.

 

Mueum advised Hwashin to be careful. At the same time, he couldn’t understand himself for saying this. He could have just ignored it. What did it matter if someone he met today failed the test or not?

 

…Was it because he said he was a fan? Ah! So annoying!

 

Mueum clicked his tongue softly.

 

At Mueum’s advice, Hwashin smiled mischievously, devoid of any seriousness.

 

“It’s okay.”

 

Pretending to look around, he leaned in and whispered in Mueum’s ear.

 

“That person is weak, you know.”

 

The whisper even had a strange emphasis on ‘weak’.

 

“Huh.”

 

Mueum looked up at Hwashin with a tired expression.

 

Really? With that body, he thought that muscle man was weak?

 

Mueum furrowed one eyebrow.

 

“I think you’d break with just a flick from him, Mister.”

 

“Hahaha, is that so? Well, I’m already an old man inside, so I don’t have much strength.”

 

“…Just what are you saying?”

 

No matter what was said, the carefree F-rank didn’t seem to take his words seriously at all. In the end, Mueum turned his head away again.

 

“Anyway, I’ve warned you.”

 

There wasn’t anything more he could do beyond this. It was also bothersome. Besides, he wasn’t a charity worker.

 

***

 

“We’ve arrived!”

 

The staff member cheerfully spread her arms wide. Dozens of LED lights, separate from the corridor lighting, brightly illuminated the arena.

 

The test site was located in the basement of the association building. He had heard there was a separate practice area for heroes, and it seemed they had modified that space to create this arena.

 

A large oval-shaped arena, with reinforced glass spectator seats overlooking it from the ceiling. Inside, high-ranking officials from various departments were engaged in conversation. It made sense for such dignitaries to be present, given that a special unit to protect the country—the SH unit—was being established.

 

“You’ll find other heroes down there. I wish you the best of luck! Please continue to take good care of our country!”

 

With a polite bow, the staff member opened the hallway door and left.

 

Her footsteps descending the stairs were light. As soon as Hwashin stepped onto the floor, he spread his arms wide. He breathed in and out calmly.

 

All of the SH1 Unit members were gathered here, and now he could see them in person!

 

“I’m so excited!”

 

Jeong Mueum, watching from behind, looked at him with an expression that said ‘Ugh’.

 

‘…Really, what a strange guy.’

 

In the center of the arena, the heroes were gathered, some already chatting with familiar or friendly faces. There were a lot of faces he didn’t recognize.

 

‘I just need to find Cha Jaeha anyway.’

 

<YHH> was a novel that strictly revolved around the protagonist ‘Cha Jaeha’ and Unit 1 to which he belonged. Naturally, descriptions of heroes belonging to other units were limited.

 

‘Cha Jaeha, Cha Jaeha. Where is Cha Jaeha~?’

 

Hwashin looked around. Indeed, most heroes with ranks like S or A seemed to maintain their appearances well, as most heroes had outstanding appearances.

 

‘What if I can’t recognize him?’

 

All he knew about Cha Jaeha was from the few lines of description in the novel.

 

Common black hair, an expressionless face even among various people. Yet, well-proportioned features neatly arranged. Sharp and fierce eyes.

 

Nevertheless, it was a face that shone brightly.

 

…Wow.

 

‘….I’m sorry.’

 

It was a face that naturally inspired reverence.

 

The worry about not recognizing Cha Jaeha became meaningless the moment he spotted him.

 

With a face like that….. he would have been royalty in his world.

 

As expected, he was the main character. He thought that Yoo Hwashin, who he had possessed, was quite handsome, but Cha Jaeha’s face…

 

….Now he understood why there were so many gushing comments on the internet.

 

Moreover,

 

How could one describe the thrill of facing the protagonist of a novel he had spent years with? Goosebumps rose all over his body.

 

“Hahaha.”

 

As Hwashin was letting out a creepy laugh, someone tapped his arm. Looking down, he saw Mueum. With an indifferent face, he pointed to the front row of the spectator seats behind them.

 

“They said Waiting Room number 2 should sit over there. …Were you looking at Cha Jaeha?”

 

Mueum also glanced at the group surrounding Cha Jaeha. To be precise, various heroes were gathered around him, speaking out their minds.

 

….Hwashin wanted to join them so badly.

 

“Let’s go for now.”

 

Mueum turned his head abruptly, with a face that seemed to understand.

 

“They say we need to all be seated before it starts.”

 

Hwashin, following closely behind the small Mueum, asked a question.

 

“Aren’t you close with Cha Jaeha? You didn’t even greet him.”

 

It was a question born of pure curiosity. They seemed pretty close when working together in the novel.

 

Mueum frowned one eyebrow and replied,

 

“How could we be close? We’ve never worked together.”

 

Hmm. So at this point in time, the two of them didn’t really know each other yet. Well, Jeong Mueum had just started as a hero. They might not have had any contact yet.

 

Following Mueum, Hwashin sat down at the far right of the front row. It was the closest to the entrance they had come through and right next to the arena.

 

“Then are there no heroes close to Cha Jaeha? Like Yoo Jian?”

 

He casually dropped the name of one of the (future) SH1 unit colleagues. Mueum replied grumpily,

 

“He doesn’t seem to be close with anyone. Since he doesn’t pair up with anyone, who could he be close to? Though, it looks like he has started pairing up recently.”

 

“He doesn’t pair up?”

 

“He doesn’t. He even refused my request despite both of us being S-class.”

 

“Huh.”

 

That was a bit surprising.

 

In <YHH>, most heroes were paired up to solve incidents. It would minimize civilian casualties if they could defeat monsters and close gates as quickly as possible, so there was no reason not to pair up.

 

‘It’s ridiculous not to pair up when there’s no reason not to.’

 

However, S-rank was an exception. The reason was obvious—because they were S-rank. That was the reason. It would be fortunate if lower ranks didn’t get in the way even if they were paired up.

 

Of course, even for S-ranks, if a minor got hurt or died, it would be troublesome for the government, so one adult hero was mandatory to accompany one minor hero. Jeong Mueum was a minor, so he wasn’t an exception.

 

“I’m a minor, you know. When I requested to pair up with Cha Jaeha during my first incident because he was the only hero around, I was flatly rejected.”

 

“What reason did he give? You’re both S-rank after all.”

 

“He said it would interfere with using his ability. Me. And everyone else.”

 

Jeong Mueum leaned back against the chair. He thought he had forgotten about it, but recalling that incident made his blood boil.

 

Cha Jaeha. There was no hero who wouldn’t admire him. Some people might even cry just hearing his name.

 

Even though he was criticized for working alone and not pairing up, he was the only one who could quickly and cleanly handle an S-class gate as soon as it emerged.

 

The same was true for Jeong Mueum himself. He admired Cha Jaeha. He was confident when he requested to pair up. After all, he was S-rank too. He thought Cha Jaeha wouldn’t refuse, but…

 

Jeong Mueum muttered.

 

“….I’m a genius. I’m very good at using my skills.”

 

As someone who read the book, Hwashin knew that better than anyone. Jeong Mueum, who could manipulate gravity, didn’t even need to train at the training center. 100% talent. Jeong Mueum was the kind of genius who, when taught one thing, would surpass the teacher in no time.

 

Hwashin looked at Mueum with a serious gaze.

 

“He refused because you’d get in the way. Is that what Cha Jaeha said?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I’m curious if Cha Jaeha himself said that you’d get in the way.”