Chapter 29: The Boss is Too Weak (9)

 

“My father was a Kendo master. And my mother… passed away giving birth to me.”

 

Choi Ji-won spoke calmly.

 

“Dad was strong… righteous… kind… fun… he was always good to me.”

 

Choi Cheol-soon was a promising Kendo master, and Choi Ji-won was his only daughter.

 

Having respiratory problems since childhood, Choi Ji-won spent more days resting at home than attending school.

 

She would lay blankly in her room, listening to the laughter of her peers outside.

 

Did Choi Cheo-soon feel sorry for her?

 

“Dad suggested I try learning the sword. He said that if I found joy in exercise, my health would naturally improve.”

 

While making sure her lungs weren’t straining, Choi Ji-won was slowly able to learn swordsmanship.

 

It started as a simple pastime in the backyard.

 

However, as time went on, the sword became Choi Ji-won’s sole hobby.

 

Furthermore, whether thanks to the swordsmanship or the medicine she was taking from the hospital, Choi Ji-won’s health improved.

 

In middle school, thanks to her pretty looks, she was even able to make many friends.

 

However, no matter how many friends she had, the most precious time for Choi Ji-won was practicing the sword with her father.

 

Because to her, her father was not only a parent but also a teacher and a role model.

 

“Dad often said these things... Never play around even with a wooden sword. Always remain humble. Those with power must give. A strong, upright heart makes a strong martial artist. You can’t save everyone, but don’t turn away from the person in front of you. Avoid actions you will regret.”

 

Choi Ji-won’s father, Choi Cheol-soon, was called a righteous man by everyone.

 

After the incident where Choi Cheol-soon subdued a robber in a convenience store, there was no one in the vicinity who didn’t know him.

 

Whenever he walked through the market, vendors would offer him food, and students passing by would bow in greeting.

 

Everyone respected Choi Cheol-soon.

 

However, the year Choi Ji-won became a senior in high school, a life changing incident occurred.

 

“My father... he died saving others,” Choi Ji-won said as she gently touched the handle of Boong Boong.

 

“There was a gas explosion in a villa and it caught fire... My father was the first to notice it.”

 

The average time it takes for firefighters to arrive at a scene is five minutes.

 

As soon as Choi Cheol-soon finished reporting the fire on his cell phone, without hesitation, he plunged into the flames.

 

He managed to rescue a total of four citizens from the fire.

 

However, he couldn’t save his own life.

 

“...”

 

I remember this story.

 

I had seen it on the internet. I even left a comment on YouTube saying, “May the deceased rest in peace.”

 

I had no idea that was Choi Ji-won’s father.

 

“...Are you okay?”

 

“I’m okay.”

 

Choi Ji-won’s face, for someone who just openly discussed the death of her parents, looked remarkably calm.

 

“Actually... I was resentful towards my father. While saving others is commendable, shouldn’t one also look out for their own life?”

 

He saved countless people.

 

Yet, he couldn’t save himself.

 

“Do others matter, but I don’t...? I just couldn’t understand...”

 

Even though the media praised him and an endless line of mourners followed,

 

None of it made a dent in Choi Ji-won’s heart after losing the most precious person in her life.

 

Thus, she closed off her heart and locked herself at home.

 

The backyard that bore traces of her father. The room with reminders of him. The closet holding his clothes. And the sword, Boong Boong…

 

For over a year, that was the entirety of Choi Ji-won’s world.

 

“I resented my father. He must’ve known that the risk of his death was high. He could’ve lived, even if it was cowardly, and redeemed himself by saving other people in the future.”

 

“...”

 

“But suddenly... I became curious.”

 

Why did he make such a choice?

 

Knowing the risk of his own death, why did he rush into the blaze without hesitation?

 

Lost in her thoughts in the corner of her room, holding Boong Boong close, Choi Ji-won came back to her senses.

 

“It was like a ‘let whatever happen, happen’ feeling.”

 

Choi Ji-won chuckled, “Why did I defend the vacant lot? Just... because I could. The strong should protect the weak after all.”

 

“...”

 

“Why did I want to lure the Minotaur? Simply... I was curious. I wanted to know what it feels like to sacrifice one’s life for others.”

 

“...I see.”

 

“But, after pushing the Minotaur together this time... I came to understand Dad. He didn’t neglect me.”

 

Choi Ji-won cracked a smile.

 

“There are moments... when I feel if I don’t act, I’ll regret it forever. Instead of regretting it later, it seems better to risk everything in the heat of the moment.”

 

“So, the reason you’re still calm is...”

 

“Right. I don’t regret my choice. We may have lost, but we gave it our all.”

 

“...”

 

The Choi Ji-won who was speaking to me seemed much more human than the one I’ve known until now.

 

“Whew. I feel relieved.” A playful Choi Ji-won said, “Now, it’s your turn.”

 

She handed over the reins of the conversation to me.

 

“...Sigh. What should I say?”

 

I felt the need to speak, but only my lips moved, and no words came out.

 

Because I had no special story, no sad background.

 

“...There’s not much to my life.”

 

“Still, tell me. I’m curious.”

 

“...Okay.”

 

I began my story, but honestly, it was uneventful.

 

Born in Korea.

 

Attended school. Made a fair amount of friends.

 

Took the college entrance exam, went to university.

 

It was a story about a man in his twenties born in Korea, one you’d find anywhere.

 

It was truly an ordinary life.

 

However, just by sharing this ordinary tale with Choi Ji-won, I felt much lighter.

 

Just by finding someone to relate to, humans tend to feel comfort.

 

“I see. I feel like I understand you better now.”

 

Choi Ji-won nodded with her eyes closed, the glow of the setting sun lightening her face.

 

Today, the setting sun was especially beautiful.

 

After gazing at the sun for a moment, I turned my attention back to Choi Ji-won.

 

“…Hey, Choi Ji-won.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Do you have any golden beads stashed away?”

 

As I asked, I carefully pulled out a single golden bead from my pocket.

 

I had saved up three golden beads in total. After giving two to the goblin shaman, only one remained.

 

“If you have any... should we just swallow them?”

 

“…What?”

 

If, by chance, Choi Ji-won had a hidden golden bead…

 

What if we both swallowed one each and moved on to the next stage?

 

I’m unsure whether the next stage would be easy or difficult.

 

However, one thing is certain: I could gain Choi Ji-won’s full support.

 

Of course... everyone else would starve to death, except for us.

 

Rationally, I knew it was right to regress, but…

 

“What if, when I regress, this world line remains intact?”

 

In that case, whether I move to the next floor or regress, these people would still starve to death.

 

The outcome would be the same.

 

Moreover, I didn’t want to give up on my relationship with Choi Ji-won.

 

She was the first person who ever confided her life story to me. And I, in turn, had done the same for the first time.

 

She… She was the first person in this tower who truly understood me.

 

“If I regress... You’d become a complete stranger to me. You’d forget all the conversations we’ve had.”

 

In the cycle of repeated regression, I was always alone.

 

I hadn’t realized it, but little by little, I was wearing down.

 

The bond I had slowly built with Choi Ji-won in this round… I didn’t want it to shatter so suddenly.

 

After feeling the warmth of another person, I was scared of being alone again.

 

“...”

 

Choi Ji-won didn’t respond.

 

“Think about it. Even if I regress and use the knowledge from this round to get close to you again, do you think we could achieve this level of rapid cooperation? In the long run...”

 

Just as I started to pour out words to persuade her,

 

“Pfft… hahahahhaha!”

 

Choi Ji-won burst into laughter.

 

“Junho, Kim Junho. Do you know what your face looks like right now?”

 

“... What does it look like?”

 

“It looks like you can’t even believe what you’re saying.”

 

“...”

 

“I think I finally understand you completely now.”

 

I unwittingly touched my face.

 

What did my face look like for her to say something like that?

 

“Kim Junho... You’re quite intriguing. At first, I thought you were as noble as my father, but the more I hear from you, the less I believe that.”

 

Choi Ji-won smiled mischievously.

 

“Sometimes you seem kind, sometimes you seem crazy, sometimes you seem clever and calculating... right now, you look pathetic and selfish.”

 

“... People are like that, aren’t they?”

 

“Exactly. That’s just how people are.”

 

Choi Ji-won rose from her seat, her back against the twilight sky, and slumped down beside me.

 

“But what’s fascinating about you is... you’re always contemplating. In the stories you’ve told me, you were always mulling over something.”

 

“...”

 

“Pondering the intricacies of your special trait or the conditions of regression. Ruminating on ways to escape the vacant lot. Thinking of ways to win my favor. Pondering how to take down the Minotaur without suffering any injury. Wondering what would happen to this world if you regressed.”

 

Gently, Choi Ji-won laid her hand on my shoulder.

 

“I tend to be impulsive, but once I’ve made up my mind, I see through it. But you, you keep thinking and contemplating until the end, looking for a better solution. We seem to have polar opposite dispositions… I find that intriguing.”

 

From her pocket, Choi Ji-won took out a golden bead.

 

“So, Junho, think about this. Let’s say we both swallow these beads, pass all the given trials, and move to the first floor... Would you regret it?”

 

If I were to regress, no one knows whether the others would starve to death or regress with me.

 

But... if we just swallow the beads and head to the first floor, it’s certain death for them.

 

A bond with Choi Ji-won that comes at the cost of others’ definite demise…

 

Would I... regret it?

 

“Now that… I think about it... I think I would regret it.”

 

I managed to voice out, my tone trembling.

 

“I thought so too.”

 

Choi Ji-won met my gaze.

 

I felt a rush of emotions coming from her.

 

“That seems to be your strength. Always contemplating. Thinking. Searching for a better way.”

 

 

 

“You’re faltering now. Stay focused. Don’t stop thinking. Don’t give up. You’ll surely find an answer that satisfies you.”

 

She was wearing a bright and radiant smile I had never seen before.

 

It was a clear refusal from Choi Ji-won, a farewell, and a heartfelt encouragement… all at once.

 

“I... am looking forward to it. How you’ll find the answer you want. I’m so curious about the future you will shape.”

 

Her smile was so beautiful, and the twilight so blinding, that I inadvertently shut my eyes tight.

 

“...Alright. I promise to show you.”

 

I already knew what I needed to do.

 

*Thud!*