Breaking Up with the Heroine of the Female-Oriented Game - Chapter 124

Chapter 124

The End and the Beginning (2)

***

“I wonder if everyone is safe?”

In Roxanne’s private office at the Church of Noon.

“I hope nothing bad has happened.”

Roxanne, who had been diligently working, unconsciously looked out the window and muttered to herself.

She already knew that Lee Jinhyuk and his group had gone down to Busan to eliminate villains, but she was surprised by the sudden news of a giant monster appearing.

On TV, she could see a monster reminiscent of a huge serpent.

She could see several heroes struggling to fight it through the TV screen, and since it was none other than Lee Jinhyuk’s group, it was difficult to calm her anxious heart.

She found it hard to focus on her work properly, worried that people might get seriously injured.

“Oh my, our Roxanne is worrying about all sorts of things.”

Cynthia Gwyn, who had brought some black tea, chuckled and shrugged her shoulders as she casually placed a teacup on Roxanne’s table.

Cynthia didn’t seem to be very worried.

“It’ll be fine. Aisha went with them too.”

“Is that so?”

“You know, Aisha is more skilled than she looks.”

“Yes, she’s certainly talented, but…”

Apart from her skills, there was something concerning about her personality that always seemed to be joking around and not serious.

But Roxanne soon shook her head and brushed off her worries.

There are many other heroes there too, so it’ll be fine.

“Our Roxanne is worrying about unnecessary things today. Ah, could it be that you’re so worried about that boy~?”

“…What’s with that tone?”

“Nothing~ It’s nothing.”

“…Haa, really.”

Roxanne looked up at Cynthia with a slightly exasperated expression.

Then she sighed once and slowly sipped her black tea.

“Aw, no need to be shy, Roxanne.”

“I’m not being shy.”

“You’re at that age, it’s natural to be interested in the opposite sex, ahem. Of course.”

“You’re not even listening to me…”

Roxanne couldn’t help but sigh at Cynthia’s unnecessary fuss.

She really didn’t understand why Cynthia kept trying to link her with him.

She was just purely worried, that’s all.

At one point, she had been fooled by Cynthia’s nonsense and mistakenly thought that Lee Jinhyuk might like Roxanne.

But after that incident at the restaurant, it just remained an embarrassing memory.

Because of Cynthia, she had jumped to conclusions and caused an unnecessary misunderstanding.

“Just… as a church member and as a friend…”

Friend.

It has a nice ring to it.

It’s a bit embarrassing to say, but Lee Jinhyuk was her first friend of the opposite sex around her age.

“…I’m just worried.”

Even if Lee Jinhyuk has the ability to foresee the future, he can’t predict everything.

He might be experiencing danger due to unexpected events.

So she prayed that God’s protection would be with him.

That he would finish his business safely without any mishaps.

Roxanne quietly offered a prayer in her heart…

Ring ring, ring ring.

“Ah.”

Just then, the phone rang.

“Who’s calling?”

“It’s a call from Aisha.”

“Oh, really?”

Roxanne then answered the phone.

“Hello? Aisha? Are you hurt anywhere?”

“…Ah, yes, I’m fine.”

I’m?

Then does that mean someone else is hurt?

Certainly, that snake monster looked quite dangerous, so it wouldn’t be strange if there were some casualties.

“…Um, well.”

“Aisha?”

Aisha hesitated slightly.

She had heard that he and Roxanne were friends.

Considering Roxanne’s personality, she would surely be very distressed.

But she couldn’t not tell her either.

Aisha dragged out her words before quietly moving her lips.

She carefully delivered the news of his death.

Then.

“…Pardon?”

Crash.

Roxanne suddenly dropped the teacup she was holding.

***

Death.

Death is always sudden.

Jin Soyeon knew this fact well.

Just looking at the internet, TV, news, newspapers, etc., stories related to death were constantly being circulated.

She knew she would experience it someday living as a hero.

Because the hero industry was full of numerous dangers due to monsters and villains.

She had already prepared herself to some extent.

But she didn’t know she would experience it like this.

That she would lose Jinhyuk so futilely.

She didn’t… didn’t know at all…

It was right before her eyes.

Ugh.

“…”

Jin Soyeon sat blankly on the living room sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.

She just stared at the ceiling endlessly, briefly recalling what had happened until now.

After his death.

Lee Jinhyuk’s funeral was held.

The chief mourner at the funeral was none other than Jin Soyeon.

He had no parents or relatives, so Jin Soyeon, who could be considered his family, had to take on the role of chief mourner instead. Jin Soyeon’s mother was abroad due to work. Still, thanks to Yoo Seolhyun’s help, she was able to prepare the funeral smoothly.

Quite a lot of mourners came.

Among them, the largest number was naturally the academy trainees.

Familiar academy classmates showed their faces.

Lee Siwoon, Kang Daehan, Sunari, Roxanne, Baek Yoorin, Han Dongwon, Oh Seongwoon, Go Mirae, Yuliya Troyanova, and so on.

In addition, Han Seowoo from Gaon Nuri, Joo Hwayun from HanYoung, Cynthia Gwyn from the Church of Noon, and even Aisha came.

Many people mourned Lee Jinhyuk’s death.

While everyone was observing a moment of silence, Lee Jinhyuk’s body was confined in a coffin and buried in the dark, damp ground.

Jin Soyeon could only watch with hazy eyes.

Something… something… didn’t feel real.

Jin Soyeon was just dazed until the three-day funeral ended. It felt so unreal that she was overseeing Lee Jinhyuk’s funeral.

After all, until just recently, they had been traveling all over the country during summer vacation, diligently catching monsters, resting, and having fun.

But now she’s overseeing Lee Jinhyuk’s funeral?

With her own hands?

Come on.

You should say something that makes sense.

Really, stop saying such nonsense.

Please…

“…”

How much time had passed since Lee Jinhyuk’s funeral?

Jin Soyeon just stayed cooped up in the house doing nothing.

Although summer vacation had ended long ago, Jin Soyeon had no intention of going outside. She didn’t want to go out. She really hated the classmates who seemed to have already forgotten about Lee Jinhyuk’s death and were chattering away.

This world didn’t care about Lee Jinhyuk’s death.

As if his death had no meaning or value, people returned to their daily lives.

In the midst of this flow, only Jin Soyeon couldn’t accept it.

Or more precisely, she didn’t want to accept it.

She just hated everything.

She didn’t like people who were smiling carelessly.

They just got on her nerves for no reason.

Everything was irritating.

She hated it all.

“…”

Jin Soyeon looked in the mirror.

Her once sleek hair had become dry and frizzy, and her bright, clear eyes had lost their light and become hazy.

The house was cluttered with dust and garbage, and it was dark with the curtains drawn.

In the dim house.

Jin Soyeon closed her eyes gently, hugging her knees alone in the darkness.

When she closed her eyes quietly like this, the conversations she had with him would vividly come to mind.

The memories and recollections of the time spent with him.

But at the same time, Jin Soyeon had to writhe in guilt.

Because his death was Jin Soyeon’s fault and sin.

Hadn’t she said proudly in the past?

That she would protect Lee Jinhyuk when he was in danger.

-Maybe later when I’m in danger, could you protect me first?

-Don’t worry about that. Jinhyuk, I’ll protect you no matter what. I promise.

-Really?

-Yes!

She had said this, but instead of protecting him, she received protection.

She had spoken so confidently, thinking she had some strength.

It’s really not funny at all.

She had promised. That she would protect him.

She had promised like that, but stupidly received his protection?

Jin Soyeon bit her lower lip hard. Droplets of blood trickled down.

Although Lee Jinhyuk had told her not to blame herself before he died, the more she thought about it, the deeper her self-loathing and disgust grew.

Because it was clearly Jin Soyeon’s fault for exposing Lee Jinhyuk to unnecessary danger.

From the beginning, Lee Jinhyuk didn’t seem to want to fight the giant monster.

He only followed along reluctantly when she said she would fight.

Of course, Jin Soyeon had decided to face it alone and asked Lee Jinhyuk to help evacuate people, but this is a cowardly excuse.

Given his personality, he wouldn’t leave her alone in danger.

Jin Soyeon caused his death by relying on his kindness.

If Jin Soyeon hadn’t been unnecessarily stubborn at that time, both of them would have safely evacuated people and gone to a safe place.

Then they wouldn’t have received Yoo Dahee’s attack.

Even if they were attacked, they would have been able to respond to some extent with their health intact.

However, at that time, everyone including Jin Soyeon was in an exhausted state, so they couldn’t detect Yoo Dahee’s attack.

“…Uu, uh.”

The word ‘if’ kept swirling endlessly in her mind.

She regrets that action then.

She shouldn’t have stepped up without knowing her place just because she gained some strength.

Why, why did she make such a choice.

Making Jinhyuk die…

Ding dong.

“Who is it again…”

It was already close to evening.

Jin Soyeon ignored the doorbell sound.

Since she stopped attending the academy, several friends including Lee Siwoon and Yoo Seolhyun had visited her home.

But Jin Soyeon just sent them back.

She didn’t want to hear or see their superficial words and actions.

She just wanted to be alone quietly.

Ding dong, ding dong, ding dong!

“They’re being particularly persistent today…”

Click. Clunk.

The door opened.

How?

And who?

“Haa, Jin Soyeon.”

The person who forcibly picked the lock and entered was.

“Why is the house in this state? Live with some tidiness.”

“…Yoo Seolhyun.”

It was none other than Yoo Seolhyun.

End of Chapter