The overwhelming reality drained his strength. As Yoon Seo staggered, Kwon Jihan quickly supported him. Leaning on the firm hand wrapped around his waist, Yoon Seo spoke towards the void.
"Please take care of my friend."
Kwon Jihan's eyes trembled at Yoon Seo's words, because he had heard the exact same words just a moment ago.
The two were truly friends.
In response to the request to take care of his friend, the Watcher answered with the words ' · · · '.
[What else do you want to know?]
"Then, can we meet the gods?"
Kwon Jihan, still holding Yoon Seo, asked.
[Those children are busy.]
[Besides you, there are]
[Many young stars · · · ]
It seemed like the answer was no, and the scene changed.
Before Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan was a planet, larger than Earth, with three moons.
"Hyung, look over there."
When Yoon Seo looked in the direction Kwon Jihan pointed, there was a domed space. The two flew closer. Numerous semi-transparent, round spaces, no… more than could be counted, were scattered about. Some were created over lava, others over the sea, and some on glaciers. The sizes varied, and inside, many beings were fighting monsters.
There were humans, races with pointed ears, beings resembling humans but with horns on their foreheads, incredibly tiny species, and enormous ones. Some looked like monsters themselves, locked in fierce battles with monsters.
Proxima b was a place created for the tutorial of young stars.
[Humanity's weapons were impressive.]
[They almost broke through that gate.]
"Yeah, you'll experience many more impressive things from now on."
At Kwon Jihan's words, the Watcher gave no reply.
With so many fighting, Yoon Seo gave up on meeting the gods of life and death.
"Anyway, we'll keep meeting in the future. Though I'm not sure if 'meeting' is the right word for it."
Yoon Seo suddenly wondered if the two beings the Watcher had blessed, who had now become gods, were perhaps the God of Life and the God of Death. However, he didn't ask.
[I'll let you see them]
[a little closer.]
For some reason, the Watcher, in a needless act of generosity, allowed Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo to observe just outside the dome's boundary.
Inside, large monsters with black horns were fighting beings who looked almost human. Voices could be heard, but the language was unfamiliar. It seemed that the human-like species was at a disadvantage.
"I want to help them."
Kwon Jihan muttered.
[That is not allowed.]
"Ah, come on. If we can't help, why show us this? It's frustrating."
Yoon Seo agreed.
Fortunately, the battle ended with the victory of the human-like species. If even one of them had died, Yoon Seo would have felt uneasy for a long time, especially since they resembled humans so closely.
The Watcher then brought them back to space.
[Do you have any other questions?]
Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo exchanged glances. Reading Yoon Seo's intentions, Kwon Jihan replied casually.
"No. Just send us back to Earth."
[Understood.]
[While watching you,]
[One other thing]
[Impressed me.]
As the Watcher finished speaking, something unexpected appeared in front of Kwon Jihan and Yoon Seo.
It was a camper van.
[Take this and go.]
[To celebrate your passing of the final gate.]
[Enjoy your space journey.]
The Watcher disappeared. Even though they had never seen the Watcher from the start, Yoon Seo and Kwon Jihan both sensed that the Watcher was gone.
"Do you think the Watcher has a secret passion for comedy?"
Kwon Jihan said, looking at the camper van.
"Who knows. Let's just get in for now."
"Yeah."
The two climbed into the camper van.
***
From the outside, the camper van looked just like theirs, but the inside was different. It was completely empty, except for a long sofa positioned in front of a large window. As soon as they sat down on the sofa, the camper van started moving. Its wheels rolled through empty space.
As Proxima b grew distant outside the large window, they passed several planets and bright stars, until a beautiful view of the Milky Way unfolded before them. Yoon Seo sat still, quietly taking in the beautiful and mysterious sight.
"How long do you think it'll take to get to Earth?"
"I don't know. But this isn't the time for you to be worrying about that."
"Huh?"
When Yoon Seo looked at Kwon Jihan, he saw that Jihan was glaring at him.
"We need to finish our conversation."
"What conversation?"
"Don't pretend you don't know. Fine, I'll say it again."
Kwon Jihan shrugged his shoulders and looked seriously at Yoon Seo.
"Don't ever try to sacrifice yourself or die alone again. That doesn't save me. I don't want to say this, but you know exactly how miserable surviving that way would be for me. No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't say this. But if our roles were reversed, how do you think you'd be able to live after I sent you back to Earth alone and sacrificed myself? How long do you think you could go on?"
"..."
"Everything turned out fine this time, but you really almost died. We almost never saw each other again. Every time I think about that, my heart sinks. It's terrifying and horrible, and I never want to experience it again."
Kwon Jihan placed his hand over his chest. Yoon Seo could hear his heart pounding heavily.
Yoon Seo still believed the choice he made back then was one he had to make.
However, Yoon Seo didn't have the heart to say anything after seeing Kwon Jihan's trembling eyes, twitching cheeks, and face turn pale in an instant.
"Alright. I won't do that again."
"When we get back to Earth, let's write a contract."
"You need to write one too."
"Of course. It's been a long time since I stopped being the person who would wrap myself around a suicide bomb."
Is that something to be happy about?
Yoon Seo was briefly confused, but knowing Kwon Jihan would no longer make any unfair sacrifices, it was indeed something to be happy about.
As Yoon Seo smiled, Kwon Jihan, on the other hand, pouted.
"Are you laughing? Laughing? Ha… This is what love must be, Hyung. I can't even get properly mad."
Yoon Seo's smile deepened. Kwon Jihan suddenly seemed to have a bright idea and said, "Ah!"
"Take out Riceball."
"Riceball's probably really upset."
"That's why I want you to take it out."
"…"
"I'm too soft to get mad, so at least I can find satisfaction watching Riceball scold you."
Knowing that he should bring out Riceball before the sulking got worse, Yoon Seo straightened his back and took out the dagger. The tiny bird form of Riceball looked around, trying to assess the situation, before finally spotting Yoon Seo.
Bracing for the impending scolding, Yoon Seo tightly shut his eyes. It would likely involve pecking with his beak or pulling at his hair with his claws while chirping angrily.
"…"
But nothing happened. Surprised, Yoon Seo cracked his eyes open.
Riceball was gazing up at him with his beady, black eyes.
"…Riceball?"
Without responding, Riceball fluttered up and perched on Kwon Jihan's arm. Then he gently pecked at the inside of Jihan's arm.
As Yoon Seo looked at the small, round figure from behind, he was extremely flustered.
"R-Rice…"
"Hyung, this is bad. Our Riceball is completely upset."
"W-Wait a second. H-Hey, Riceball. Look here, please."
Yoon Seo gently stroked Riceball's wing with his finger. Riceball didn't respond. Seeing the hurt, round figure, Yoon Seo's heart ached.
Instead of flying into a rage and pulling at his hair, Riceball had turned away, hurt. This was something Yoon Seo hadn't expected.
When he thought about it, from Riceball's perspective, it had been abandoned by its master twice. Even if there had been unavoidable circumstances in the Great Dungeon, this time, Yoon Seo had intentionally left it behind. Of course, it was hurt.
"I'm sorry, Riceball. I won't do that again. I'll never… give you to someone else."
"I'm someone else?"
"…Even if you're not someone else, I swear I'll never hand you over to anyone again. Riceball. Look at me, okay?"
"Oh, Riceball's crying."
"What?"
"My clothes are wet."
"Riceball…"
Yoon Seo was flustered, trying to comfort Riceball. Riceball had buried it face into Kwon Jihan's arm, so Kwon Jihan slightly lifted his arm to make it easier for Yoon Seo to apologize to Riceball.
Peep.
Even that small movement seemed to bother Riceball, so they had to stop in an awkward position.
Yoon Seo kept apologizing, promising that this would never happen again, while gently stroking the part of Riceball's wing that he especially liked.
The beautiful view of the Milky Way was forgotten…
Several minutes passed as the two humans focused entirely on their small companion item.
Finally, whether Yoon Seo's earnest devotion and pleading had worked…
Peep…
Riceball, still nestled in Kwon Jihan's arm, let out a thin sound. Its tail feather twitched slightly up and down. Sensing this as his chance, Yoon Seo comforted it with an even more desperate voice.
"My sweet Riceball, I was wrong. I'm sorry, Riceball… Please, just look at me."
Riceball slightly turned its head and glanced at Yoon Seo. Clear tears welled up in its eyes, and two tear stains were left on Kwon Jihan's clothes, where the little bird had buried its beak.
"Riceball…"
Peep…
"I won't do it again. I promise. I'm sorry… Please, forgive me this once."
Peep.
"I was wrong. I'm sorry. Come here. Let me hold you."
Peep, peep.
"Yeah, I know you're really upset. I understand."
Peep, peep, peep, peep. Peep. Peep, peep.
Riceball began to cry mournfully. When Yoon Seo extended his hand, Riceball climbed onto his palm. Its almost weightless presence made Yoon Seo's heart ache even more.
Yoon Seo gently cradled Riceball and slowly brought it closer to him. He wiped away its sorrowful tears with his finger and smoothed down its fluffy chest feathers. Just as he was about to nuzzle its head—
Peep!
"Ah."
Riceball suddenly flapped its wings and attacked Yoon Seo, as if it had been waiting for this moment.