In Kang Sihyun's view, the reason Russ couldn't wake up was simple. The forcibly opened divine power due to the use of Humilitas was pressing down on his mind and body, attempting to dominate him.
Thus, for Russ to awaken, he had to triumph in a struggle against the divine power and take control of it himself. It was something he had to achieve on his own, so neither Sihyun nor Armos could help him.
They could only watch.
Instead, they could ensure he was undisturbed from the outside. Sihyun told his companions about Russ's condition to ease their worries and looked for a Shin-gi.
"Why a Shin-gi all of a sudden?"
"To create a barrier."
"A barrier for whom?"
Sihyun glanced back at Russ. Just by doing so, the children realized who he intended to protect and gasped in shock.
"Hey, that's enough. Who's going to invade us here? You’re being overprotective."
"Mr. Russ is strong, he’ll survive on his own."
"Isn’t it too unstable to use divine power now?"
Voices of persuasion flowed from all around.
"Just leave him alone. He should be able to overcome this on his own, right?"
Hahyuk was even more indifferent. Sihyun hesitated, taken aback by the stern stares, and sighed heavily.
And he was caught trying to secretly create a barrier without a Shin-gi.
"Hey, you!"
"I only did it lightly, just in case."
Sihyun quickly excused himself, covering Hamin’s mouth as he was about to shout. Hamin, looking displeased, sighed and shook his head resignedly.
"Who are you protecting? Look at yourself properly. You’re half a person."
"If I had become half, my body weight should have doubled."
"Are you making jokes in this situation?"
The boy looked at him incredulously. Sihyun smiled lightly and informed Haewoon and Laoqian of precautions.
"We're scheduled for a two-week break, but it might extend longer. And the next dungeon will appear by next week at the latest, so prepare in advance."
"Practice surviving the dungeon on your own without me. You have the skills for it."
"You say it like that, it's kind of scary."
Hahyuk replied with a smile, but he didn’t seem to take the matter lightly. Sihyun reassured himself as he saw the passion briefly reflected in his eyes.
He is someone who can become stronger. He's already strong enough, but with effort, they could grow even more, the team he had put together.
They would be safe.
To avoid anxious thoughts, Sihyun turned his head and joined the children in planning for the break. He could have just slept through the break, but it was fun to plan it with the children for the first time, so he didn’t bring up unnecessary topics.
"Shall we go to the sea that day?"
"We go to the sea often. How about the valley?"
"It’s not even midsummer now, you’ll catch a cold. Why not just rest at home with me, Sihyun?"
"Yoo Seowoo, stop messing around. We’re all resting, why just the two of us? And instead of playing at home, let’s go to a board game cafe."
"Did it sound like I was making trouble? Then you try it, Hamin."
…It’s supposed to be fun, right?
But more than that.
"It’s my break, why are you all trying to rest too? You should go train. You never know when a dungeon will appear."
Haewoon answered brightly to the pointed out issue.
"I know. But imagining is free! The valley would still be nice, wouldn’t it?"
"……"
Sihyun was at a loss for words. The places they were suggesting to visit together—like the valley, swimming pools, or board game cafes—were all places they had never been together before.
That's right.
We haven’t been out together much, have we.
When was the last time we comfortably had fun?
It suddenly felt real that they were young, and over a year had passed since the disaster struck. Dealing with Irregulars daily and constantly fretting about when a massive rift would burst, they were tied to dungeons and had lost track of time.
When had so much time passed?
The world seemed harsh to heroes with power.
Sihyun remembered that the heroes in novels and fairy tales were always young. Being a bystander was one thing, but now standing in the shoes of a hero and looking at young heroes, there was no sight more heartbreaking.
They were at an age where they should still be playing and doing what they wanted, experiencing various things and being protected.
Ah.
Now I understand why when I was Yoo Sihyun, my sister used to look at me with sad and sorry eyes.
Back then, I vaguely
understood, but only now do I fully grasp the emotions hidden in those looks.
I miss Yoo Sihyun.
As time had passed, his face was becoming faint in memory. As Sihyun was dreaming dreams of his childhood, wondering if he could dream of seeing Yoo Sihyun, he suddenly snapped to attention at the sound of his name.
"Sihyun, do you think skiing is too difficult?"
Haewoon asked, eyes sparkling.
Sihyun, reminiscing about the peaceful days when they had gone out to eat together, went to PC rooms, and sang at karaoke bars, unwittingly opened his mouth.
"After everything ends…."
"Huh?"
"Sihyun, what did you say?"
"…After everything ends, let’s go."
"……?"
"Let’s go to all the places you want to visit. Without missing a single one. All together…."
At the words he uttered, the children paused momentarily and then responded with bright smiles. Yes, let's go together. At their response, Sihyun smiled faintly.
I have one more reason to defeat Gula.
For our peaceful trip.
After everything was over, he wanted to go on a trip with Class A students.
To make up for the school trip they never had.
Then they could play without being swept away by any anxieties, peacefully and joyfully.
Sihyun thought of that day not far ahead and rubbed his sleepy eyes.
"Sleepy?"
Haru pressed around his eyes, giving him a massage. Nodding, the children, each occupying their own space in the bed, sprang up to lay Sihyun down and covered him with a blanket.
"I’m not that sick."
Haewoon meticulously tucked the blanket up to his neck with a demeanor that seemed ready to cater to his every need.
"You don’t have to be that sick to rest well. You took care of me like this when I was sick, remember?"
"Ah…."
He was referring to the Dekumanus incident. Thinking back to that time still made Sihyun's heart sink. If he had lost Haewoon then, he wouldn’t have been able to smile like this now.
It’s good to be alive.
Half-dazed, Sihyun uttered these words as Haewoon paused his movements. As Sihyun tossed and turned, Haewoon stopped straightening the wrinkled blanket and stared blankly at the boy drifting into sleep, eventually closing his eyes.
"It’s good to be alive."
"…Yeah."
"I didn’t say it properly before, but thank you for saving me."
"Uh-huh."
Sihyun responded hazily to the words he could barely hear. As his consciousness began to drift further away, the voices of the children continued.
Hey, that time at the sea, thank you.
Now I don’t even dream of staying in a lab anymore. It’s all thanks to you.
Don’t try to protect us to the point of overexerting yourself. We can protect ourselves, and we want to protect you. That’s why… I’ve practiced a lot. As a Tanker, I think I can protect you.
Moved by these words, Sihyun barely clung to his slipping consciousness and responded in a small voice. More voices passed by, and a slightly mature voice spoke.
"Maybe it’s because the kids nearly died. They seem to have learned gratitude. Suddenly they are doing this gratitude parade. If Sihyun were in his right mind, he would be quite embarrassed."
It was a bit embarrassing now.
"So I thought I’d join in too. I’m always grateful. You’re always at the forefront, always trying. You don’t have to, but you do."
"Looking at Sihyun, I think a lot that you don’t need to grow up so fast. Kids should act like kids. Like Hamin being jealous and telling us not to talk so closely."
He continued with a laugh, and Sihyun felt a bit sad. Who are they to say who has grown up too fast?
Iha Hyuk is too young as well.
You’ve suffered too much at a young age. It’s admirable that you took responsibility for the power you possess, so be more shameless about it.
He wanted to convey all these words to Ha Hyuk, but sleepiness was reaching its limit and he couldn’t speak. Just to let him know that he too had grown up too quickly, Sihyun grunted lightly in denial.
Ah, I’m really at my limit.
As consciousness nearly closed off, Sihyun let his body succumb to sleep. Whoosh, he felt as if his body was floating.
'You are a savior.'
The familiar voice of his father echoed from beyond as he burrowed deep into the pillow and fell into a dream.
"Sleep well, Sihyun."
As the last sliver of consciousness left reality, a gentle voice wished him a peaceful sleep.
Dream on.
No, cancel the peaceful sleep.
In the last moment, Sihyun chuckled to himself with that thought and became Adam again.
The executor beside God, punishing sinners, Adam.
It was the second dream.
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