Epilogue (3)
The reporters gathered there, along with the viewers watching from afar, fell solemn for a moment in the face of a man mourning the loss of his family.
But the heavy, sunken mood did not last long.
– But what does he mean, Han Yujin’s children? Wasn’t Hangyeol supposed to be Sesung Guild Leader’s secret son?
└ That was a rumor.
└ It’s kind of too copy-paste to be just a rumor.
└ Go watch the videos of Seong Hyunjae and Hangyeol together before you talk.
– Even if Gyeol is adopted, the other two look way too much like Director Han.
└ The black-haired one looks like H.Y.H.
└ That’s their uncle. H.Y.J. and H.Y.H. look alike too if you actually look.
└ Plenty of kids look like their parents’ family.
– The second kid looks six or seven, but wasn’t Han Yujin twenty-six?
– Han Yujin was actually a married man. Wow.
– Director Han was raising five kids.
└ Isn’t it three???
└ Han Yuhyun, Park Yerim, Hangyeol, and those two.
└ Add Peace and Chirp too.
– Are they really his biological kids? Why did he hide them?
└ They say kidnapping underage Awakened kids is common. If they’re that young, of course it’s dangerous.
└ Their dad got kidnapped all the time too, so…
Two more children had suddenly appeared for a dead man.
And on top of that, both of them were Awakened with special skills. The world began to buzz, asking what on earth was going on. When had they been born? Who was their mother? Had he been married? Why had he kept them hidden? All kinds of talk spilled out at once. It was the kind of situation that could easily turn ugly, but because of who they were dealing with, people were at least being somewhat cautious.
– Let’s not talk garbage about a dead man.
– What’s the problem with him having kids? If they’re Awakened, it makes sense that he hid them.
└ Even if they weren’t Awakened, considering H.Y.J.’s situation, he’d have had to hide them. He’s probably revealing them now because they need to go to school.
└ Right. Even if Director Han had lived, he probably would’ve announced it soon.
– If his brother is taking custody, then the mom must be… T_T T_T T_T
└ Maybe something happened during the dungeon break.
└ Han Yujin served in the military, though. If he had two little kids with no guardian, wouldn’t he have been exempt?
└ The exemption requirements got stricter right after the dungeon break.
– What if there just isn’t a mom at all? There are skills for everything. There could be a skill that makes kids.
└ Tsk. Go write a novel.
– What’s going to happen to the kids… T_T
– Why is everyone assuming they’re his biological kids? They could be relatives.
└ For real. Apparently when a little kid is Awakened, non-Awakened parents sometimes can’t handle them and leave them with an Awakened person.
└ Even a regular difficult kid is hard to raise. If they’re stronger than their parents and can use skills too… yikes.
The reporters gathered at the press conference also began throwing questions over one another.
“Are those two children Director Han Yujin’s biological children?”
“As far as we know, he was legally unmarried.”
“What happened to the children’s mother?”
“There were rumors that he planned to establish an educational facility specifically for Awakened children. Was it because of those children?”
Han Yuhyun lifted his lowered gaze.
Under that silent stare, the reporters shouting from all sides soon quieted again. Some flinched and turned their heads away the moment their eyes met his.
“My brother was not in a relationship with any woman. I will not comment on the children’s births. But I can say with certainty that they are my brother’s children.”
“Still, how exactly–”
The reporter brave enough to open his mouth shut it again the instant Han Yuhyun looked at him.
Then a heavy pressure spread gently through the entire press conference. Anyone who dug too deeply into the children would not walk away unharmed. Han Yuhyun had not uttered a single threat, but every person present felt the fact clearly in their bones.
Han Yuhyun looked down at the child in his arms. He took a toy he had prepared in advance out of his inventory and waved it in front of Han Byeol.
– Pyuit!
Han Byeol stretched out her short arms to grab it, but when she could not reach, she changed into a human child with longer arms. Once Han Byeol had the toy in hand and started biting it, Han Yuhyun spoke to her.
“Who am I?”
“Uncle!”
“And who is Han Byeol’s daddy?”
“Daddy!”
Her bright face broke into a giggling laugh.
“He’s in the dream.”
The dream world was the last place she had seen her daddy. Her innocent expression, as if she did not understand what death meant, was captured on camera. At Han Byeol’s words, Hangyeol choked back a sob and bowed his head. It was acting, chosen to suit the mood, but it was also sincere. He missed his daddy. Han Seol hesitated for a moment, then approached Han Byeol. He turned so his face could not be seen and lightly hugged Han Byeol. It was exactly what they had planned before coming here, but unlike Han Seol, Han Byeol flung her arms around her brother with all her strength.
“Me too! Me too!”
Han Byeol waved her arms toward her two older brothers. Han Yuhyun set Han Byeol down, and the youngest hopped between Hangyeol and Han Seol, wedging herself in to be hugged.
– The youngest doesn’t know her daddy is dead T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T
– The babies T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T
– No, seriously, what’s going to happen to those kids… T_T
– Han Yujin really died? Leaving those babies behind? T_T T_T T_T
– Even Byeol’s name is cute. Baby…
└ Hangyeol, Han Byeol. What’s the second kid’s name?
– Watching her smile because she doesn’t know anything is sadder than seeing her cry because she knows she has no dad T_T T_T T_T T_T
– I think I’m going to cry. From this moment on, Han Byeol and I are one body. To harm Han Byeol is to harm me, and so on.
└ Baby’s uncle, there’s something weird attached to the baby.
– My mom, dad, and grandma have been beside themselves this whole time. I think I’ve heard them say “what are those poor children going to do” more than a hundred times.
– As human beings, let’s not touch the babies.
└ Haeyeon and Dodam for sure, but Sesung will probably come out fully locked and loaded too.
└ You’d be lucky if all you got was sued. Her uncle is H.Y.H. and her aunt is P.Y.R. Would even bone fragments be left?
└ The dragon nerds might come flying in too.
– Oh no, Byeol’s running! She doesn’t know anything T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T T_T
Han Yuhyun snatched up Han Byeol as she ran across the platform. The hero who had sacrificed himself to save the world, and the children he had left behind. Even without Han Yuhyun’s threat, not one of the reporters could open their mouth carelessly. It was obvious that one mistake here would earn condemnation not only in Korea, but across the entire world. It was difficult enough to touch a dead man recklessly, and now there were little children who had lost their father as well. In particular, Han Byeol’s innocent appearance as she smiled brightly without so much as a hint of stranger anxiety was more than enough to strike at people’s most basic emotions.
“I will… carry on my brother’s will.”
Han Yuhyun spoke while taking Han Byeol carefully back into his arms.
“But I will not give up on waiting for him.”
It was also something Han Yuhyun was saying to himself. Just as Han Yujin had done, Han Yuhyun, too, would wait for his sibling.
“…You’ll wait for him?”
“Yes. This world contains Awakened people, dungeons, and other worlds beyond them, all things science cannot explain. It is impossible for the dead to return to life. But four years ago, everything about this changed world was impossible too.”
“Then… do you believe Director Han Yujin may come back alive?”
At the reporter’s question, Han Yuhyun gave a short nod.
“The possibility is extremely low. It will probably look like empty hope. Even so, I will believe in my brother and wait for him. For the next three years.”
Three years.
It was the same length of time that had made the current Han Yuhyun wait for Han Yujin. So for three years, or slightly longer, three and a half at most. As long as the title remained safely in place, Han Yuhyun would stay here and wait for Han Yujin.
However.
‘If it reaches the fourth year, then I can go look for you, can’t I, hyung.’
A faint smile touched Han Yuhyun’s face. He wanted his brother to return even a day sooner. But it would also be fine if Han Yuhyun went to find him instead.
“…So it’s like a three-year mourning period.”
“Something similar. During that time, we will hold a funeral, but we do not intend to file a death report.”
After the funeral schedule and other details were announced, the press conference came to an end.
But seeing off the deceased was only just beginning.
“When you gooo, when will you returnnn–”
Yun Yun, dressed in white mourning clothes, performed a funeral lament in front of the Dodam building. Around her, the goblins joined their voices together and called out the refrain.
“Eoheoha, eoheoya.”
Jingle, jingle, bells swayed, and colorful flags fluttered. Goblins holding armfuls of paper flowers floated around as little flames of every color. Yun Yun sobbed loudly as she scattered spirit money.
“How do we send Boss Kim Seobaaang awayyy–”
“Eoheoha, eoheoya.”
Passersby stopped walking and watched. Even broadcast station cameras had come out. Among the onlookers, a few people joined in the wailing, crying, “Aigo, aigo.” When it came to sharing grief, goblins and humans were no different.
“We must build a statue of Director Han Yujin.”
Shishio insisted through tear-wet eyes.
“In gold! Life-size. No, ten times life-size!”
Seo Kyunghoon stared hollowly at Shishio, who was calling for a memorial statue of Han Yujin to be erected in front of the building. Thanks to the delay in processing Han Yujin’s death, Seo Kyunghoon had been spared the inheritance-related work, but even so, work had piled up like a mountain. The director of Dodam Breeding Facility would be absent for a long time. Perhaps forever. Haeyeon had said that, despite this, Dodam Breeding Facility would continue to remain independent.
Seo Kyunghoon had no desire to be absorbed into Haeyeon at this point. So he considered that a relief, and yet he could not help feeling daunted. In the end, it meant he would have to take over as acting director of the Breeding Facility.
“And Peace should be on his right, with me on his left!”
In other words, S-rank Hunters like the one standing in front of him would now be people Seo Kyunghoon had to handle directly. It was difficult to pretend nothing was wrong when his heart dropped every time Shishio shouted. Should he go to a center and Awaken, even now? It would be hard to hope for an upper rank, let alone S-rank, but wouldn’t it still be better than staying non-Awakened? Seo Kyunghoon swallowed a deep sigh. There was not even enough time to properly mourn Han Yujin’s death.
“…I do not believe Director Han Yujin would want that. And if anyone were to stand on his left, it would properly be the Haeyeon Guild Leader. They are biological brothers.”
“But I’m–!”
Shishio began to shout, then gloomily dropped his head. He looked like a depressed bear.
“Then at least Director Han alone.”
“We will review the idea. However, gold is not an option.”
“Mm. True. Silver would suit Director Han better than gold. We can make it out of pure gold and plate it with platinum–”
A sigh finally slipped through Seo Kyunghoon’s lips, unable to be held back any longer.
The funeral was set to be held over three days. However, since there was no body and his death was not being formally processed, there would be no encoffining or funeral procession. Instead, they would receive mourners for three days.
“I still feel as though I’m trapped in a nightmare. I can’t believe Han Yujin is gone.”
Mari, dressed in a black dress, spoke as she got out of the car. She had cried all day on the day Han Yujin died. On the first day of the funeral, only people personally acquainted with Han Yujin were allowed in. From the second day onward, applications were accepted. However, because a large number of high-rank Hunters would be present, non-Awakened people, the elderly, and the infirm were asked to refrain from attending if possible. A separate memorial hall had been prepared for the general public.
“As the Haeyeon Guild Leader said, Director Han may suddenly return alive.”
Emily, also dressed in black, smiled faintly as she received Samir’s support.
“My power falls far short, but outside this world, who knows what may happen.”
“Falls short? Never. But as for the beings outside… yes, there is a possibility.”
Remembering what she had experienced herself, Mari nodded. When they went up to the funeral hall, familiar faces could be seen here and there. Noah, dressed in a black suit, approached and greeted Emily respectfully. Emily welcomed Noah with both arms open.
“So. I hear you’ve decided to stay at Dodam.”
“Yes. It was Han Yujin’s request. And I’ve grown quite attached to this place as well. However, I am also considering the matter you mentioned before.”
“At this rate, should I move to Korea too? I’d like to meet that blacksmith again. Is he here?”
“Hunter Yu Myungwoo came by early this morning. He said he would likely be unable to leave the forge for a while because of matters related to the outside.”
Yu Myungwoo had not returned either, but publicly, they had said he was staying at the Golden Forge.
“Little sister!”
When Hoyeon saw Emily, she approached her happily. Emily frowned prettily at Hoyeon as if to ask what nonsense she was saying.
“At our age, what kind of big sister, little sister nonsense is this?”
“I know, right? Here we are, still perfectly fine at this age, and these young things keep running off ahead of us.”
Hoyeon and Emily went inside side by side. Mari asked Samir to look after the two of them, then whispered softly to Noah.
“About Park Hayul. Do you know what’s going to happen to him?”
Everyone else had returned, but Park Hayul alone had stayed behind. Mari said she had been curious all this time, but had not found an opening to ask. Noah answered just as softly.
“I do not know the details either, but it seems he will continue to remain as the master of the dream world.”
“Really? Did he look all right? He’s the type to do fine anywhere, but I still can’t help wondering a little.”
Perhaps even ill-will had turned into a strange kind of attachment. Noah told her that Park Hayul had looked happy.
When they entered, they saw Han Yujin’s portrait surrounded by white flowers. Han Yuhyun stood to one side, still as a stone statue. Beside him, Park Yerim recognized Mari and acknowledged her.
“Welcome, unnie.”
Han Yuhyun also bowed mechanically to the mourners.
“Two bows, right?”
“It’s fine if you don’t. Different cultures. Lots of people haven’t.”
“When in Rome.”
“Huh? Ah, yeah.”
Mari awkwardly performed the bows.
Because most of the dining tables were standing tables and people from many different countries had gathered, the meal had been prepared buffet-style. To prevent accidents, alcohol made for Awakened people was forbidden. At one table, Shishio was sitting with Kim Seonghan, constantly emptying glasses of alcohol that could not intoxicate him. In front of the playroom where the children were, Peace sat like a guard.
“The unnies are in the third room over there. It’s been soundproofed. Don’t forget to knock.”
Park Yerim said this as she guided Mari toward the dining area. Mari went to the room and knocked. Soon the locked door opened, and familiar faces welcomed her.
“Hello.”
“Come in.”
Moon Hyunah gestured for her to enter and sit, but Mari shook her head.
“You’re talking about something important, aren’t you? I’ll eat outside.”
“Yeah? Then if you see Chief Song, can you tell him to come here?”
“Sure.”
Mari exchanged greetings and went back outside. Moon Hyunah closed the door, sat down, and finished picking up the dessert cake she had been eating.
“Once the funeral is over, the mood will start shifting.”
Kang Soyeong, who had come to pay respects on behalf of the Sesung Guild Leader, nodded. Liette agreed as well.
“However much people say this and that, it’s still someone else’s death.”
“So we have to push as much as we can, as fast as possible. Preferably…”
Moon Hyunah’s gaze moved to the calendar on her phone.
“Before Director Han’s birthday.”
Han Yujin’s birthday was now truly right around the corner.
–TL Notes–
Tired of seeing Ads? Then please support me on Patreon! Any tier of subscription will make it so you won’t get any ads!
If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/InsanityTheGame
Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/BWaP3AHHpt