Ranker User Manual 115

Chapter 115

Quite a few people came to visit me in the hospital. Among them were people I never expected, such as the homeroom teacher who had been in charge of the special class during high school. The special class teacher admitted that he had taken bribes from Han Jaemin to report my whereabouts to him and had tried to take me to Hansung Hospital. The reason was financial. It seems he was stripped of his teaching credentials after it was belatedly discovered during the investigation of Han Jaemin’s disappearance.

“That amount of money made it worth doing.”

“Is that what you should be saying?”

The most surprised person was none other than Go Hankyul. He wasn’t shocked that the special class teacher had been Han Jaemin’s planted person, but that I had suspected Go Hankyul himself. Go Hankyul threatened that he would have hit me if I weren’t a bedridden patient. I had nothing to say since it was true that I had suspected him until recently. Funnily enough, as soon as I realized I no longer needed to suspect Go Hankyul, I finally felt a sense of liberation. It was ridiculous. I suppose suspecting someone must have been quite stressful for me in its own way.

“So Lee Joohyun was right, then.”

“Lee Joohyun? Did he say that too?”

“No. You said it yourself. That Lee Joohyun sent me to the National Mana Research Institute. He was supposedly following orders from my father. One side was my father, the other was Han Jaemin… I must be quite popular.”

“Your father? What are you talking about? So Lee Joohyun received orders from your father and did what?”

“Yes.”

“…So that’s why you suspected me too?”

“Of course. But honestly, think about it. Wouldn’t you be suspicious if someone suddenly approached you wanting to be friends?”

“Hey, Yu Chanhee.”

“What.”

“You need to redefine your concept of human relationships. Normal people just approach others when they want to make friends in a new semester, without any reason. While offering a piece of gum.”

“…”

“I admit your life has been defined by anxiety and wariness.”

The conversation was interrupted when none other than Yu Hyunjae entered the hospital room.

“What are you talking about so intently?”

“Oh, right. Chanhee’s boyfriend is here.”

At Go Hankyul’s sarcasm, Yu Hyunjae opened his eyes wide and looked at me with a “what’s this about” expression.

“That’s why you only looked after Yu Hyunjae in high school. Claiming you didn’t trust anyone.”

“I said I’m sorry.”

“Did you treat Hyunjae the same way? Did you see him as Han Jaemin’s spy too?”

“No, it wasn’t like that…”

Yu Hyunjae mumbled his words, and Go Hankyul glared at both of us with an irritated expression.

“Fine, I’ll let it go since it’s you. But you both suddenly disappeared somewhere, one with mana going berserk and unconscious for half a year, and now without any mana, they say. And the other one neglecting his Ranker activities to nurse him, becoming a shut-in. Nothing surprises me anymore.”

“That’s just how it is for Rankers.”

“I guess. Thanks to that, Lee Joohyun has become a huge national star for the past half year. He’s handling most of the work that would normally go to first-grade hunters.”

“Good for him. Joohyun’s always been ambitious.”

At Yu Hyunjae’s Buddha-like response, Go Hankyul finally stood up. The reason was that the conversation wasn’t getting through. While I could understand Go Hankyul’s feelings, I couldn’t say anything because I knew best why Yu Hyunjae couldn’t actively pursue Ranker activities. As long as there were things that couldn’t be explained, the gap in understanding would remain forever.

It was around that time that the phone call came. I sighed quietly after checking the caller ID. Yu Hyunjae also stiffened when he saw the three characters displayed on the phone. Today seemed to be a day for rare contacts. Thinking that there must be something in the horoscope today, I slid the answer button.

“Hello?”

[…It’s me.]

“Yeah, I know. Your name shows up.”

[…You sound in good condition.]

“No reason not to be.”

[…That’s good to hear.]

“Are you being sincere?”

I asked the person on the other end. After maintaining silence for a long time, the person continued in a choked voice.

[I’m going back to England tomorrow.]

“…Are you leaving for good?”

[Probably.]

Cha Suhyun’s voice, despite not having heard it for a very long time, wasn’t unfamiliar. Perhaps it was because I had regularly dreamed of Yu Dohyun during the years I hadn’t met him. Cha Suhyun appeared without fail in every one of Yu Dohyun’s dreams.

“How did you know I woke up?”

[My aunt told me. That you’d regained consciousness.]

“Then I guess you also heard that my mana has disappeared.”

Cha Suhyun didn’t answer. I judged that this was his reaction because he already knew.

“How do you feel? This question might sound strange but…”

[…]

“If I were you… I might feel good. You might think you’ve gotten revenge for your brother.”

[Revenge for my brother? That’s ridiculous.]

“Or maybe you still think Yu Hyunjae or I should die before you’ll feel better?”

[You still talk as if you know everything, don’t you.]

“What is it that I don’t know?”

[No, I think you do know everything. That’s why you’re saying such things. I can guess that your disappearance for the past few years, your sudden retirement as a Ranker, and ultimately the disappearance of your mana—it all happened because of something you went through. That’s why I’m calling you now.]

“That’s unexpected.”

[I called one last time because I think you don’t know.]

“What?”

[I remember my brother’s past.]

“…What?”

[I remember countless pasts that I didn’t experience with my current brother. Things like when my brother accepted my confession, when he killed you, or when he died trying to save you, when he abandoned Yu Hyunjae and left. The numerous lives my brother has lived. I know about them.]

“How could you possibly, and why on earth…”

[Why, you ask?]

“If you knew it would end up like this anyway, then why did you have to treat Yu Hyunjae…”

[Ask Yu Hyunjae directly.]

“…”

[I don’t know, but you probably experienced something similar to my brother. Yu Hyunjae might not know everything, but he probably shares some of those memories. But even knowing that… can you really not hate Yu Dohyun? The cause of your beloved’s death? That’s my reason. I learned about that person’s miserable past so I could live hating the world as much as he did. Since a dead person can’t do anything. That’s why I did it. So I don’t feel sorry at all.]

Yu Hyunjae, who was sitting next to me, looked confused. I composed my expression and responded firmly to Cha Suhyun’s words.

“Fine, don’t feel sorry.”

[Yeah. You didn’t need to tell me that.]

“But I won’t feel sorry for you either.”

[…]

“After all, you also wanted my brother to live instead of me, right? Whatever the process, the result is that I lived instead of my brother. It might be the right ending for me, but maybe not for you. I understand. Above all, I was the one directly involved. So I won’t hate you either, nor will I feel sorry.”

[Do as you please. It’s your emotion after all.]

“Right. Have you said everything you wanted to?”

[…Yes.]

“Me too. And brother.”

[Yes.]

“Dohyun hyung… he really loved you.”

It was a lie. I had no way of knowing Yu Dohyun’s feelings. Or rather, it was more likely that Yu Dohyun only approached Cha Suhyun because of the system’s ‘quest’. Nevertheless, I felt I should say this. So that even the tiniest sense of debt in my heart would disappear. After hearing my words, Cha Suhyun remained silent for a long time before quietly ending the call.

After hanging up, I looked at Yu Hyunjae who was sitting beside me. Yu Hyunjae looked at me with a face that seemed about to cry.

“Why are you making that expression?”

“I don’t know.”

“You always make that face whenever you remember something.”

“…Really?”

“Yes. That’s why I like it.”

Yu Hyunjae smiled and gently embraced me. That embrace was so warm and cozy. Like a home I never wanted to leave.

*

Edensouth’s sixth concert ended successfully. There was a three-hour running time followed by five encore songs. Go Hankyul, who had been insisting we watch them on the way home, had us reluctantly trailing behind him. After being discharged from the hospital, I had been exposed to many gazes due to Yu Hyunjae’s active return to the public eye over the past year.

“It’s all your fault, Yu Hyunjae, that we can’t watch them going home.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“The existence of any celebrity besides Edensouth at this venue is just inconsiderate.”

“Hey, what did Yu Hyunjae do to be ‘inconsiderate’? That’s harsh.”

That’s when it happened. The band’s vocalist, who was finishing up, spotted Yu Hyunjae and opened his eyes wide. Because there were many fans, he didn’t make a show of it for long, but he rushed over to Yu Hyunjae and asked for a handshake. He also said it was an honor. Go Hankyul, who was standing nearby, threw out a jealous remark.

“Why is he shaking your hand when he’s not even a fan?”

“…My thoughts exactly. Why is he taking your hand? Seems a bit inconsiderate.”

Go Hankyul looked at me incredulously when I agreed with him.

“Just a moment ago you said he wasn’t being inconsiderate.”

“But now that I think about it, he is being inconsiderate.”

“Are you jealous?”

“What are you talking about? Whywouldibejealousiamnotthatkindofpersonhowridiculous,iamjustasafanofedensouth,”

“Okay, I get it, be quiet.”

People soon turned their attention away from Yu Hyunjae and cheered for Edensouth as they greeted the fans. Mixed in with the crowd, I suddenly (or lately, quite often) had the feeling that I was living what I would consider an ordinary life.

It was around then that my phone vibrated. I checked the text message and let out a silent scream. Yu Hyunjae looked at me in surprise. When I showed Yu Hyunjae the message content, his face quickly filled with joy.

“I got accepted to university!”

It was a message confirming my acceptance to the university I had recently applied to. Yu Hyunjae hugged me tightly, abandoning the farewell event.

“Congratulations! You really worked hard!”

“Anyone would think I got into an elite university or something.”

“What does it matter? It’s a perfectly good school.”

I put my phone in my pocket and hugged Yu Hyunjae’s waist more tightly. I was happy. Now I will become a very ordinary college student living in this world without mana, system, or the shackles of destiny. This utterly ordinary happiness would never be shattered again.

The End of “Ranker User Manual.”