Global Awakening: Only I Can Respawn

It was the first time strangers ridiculed her, and she naturally took it hard. YuWon sighed, looking at Gina and Lysandra.

"I need to talk to Yeji alone," he said. "If you don't mind."

The girls nodded before leaving the room. Once they were gone, YuWon locked the door behind them and sat beside Yeji. It had been a while since they were in such a situation.

"I remember the last time you were this sad because I got scolded by your father," YuWon smiled. "You broke the vase, but since I was the rowdy one, they immediately took me as the culprit."

Yeji smiled half-heartedly and YuWon continued, "You kept saying it was you, but they didn't believe either of us, and I got grounded. I missed a game, and you got all sad and angry at your father because of it."

"Those were good times..." Yeji nodded, looking through the window.

For a moment, neither of them said anything. But then YuWon broke the silence again.

"Why did you do that?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm. "Why did you tell them we wouldn't save the kid and take the heat on yourself?"

"You've already had enough hate to last a lifetime, brother," she mumbled. "I would not let you go through that again."

"I'm used to it by now. It doesn't bother me as much anymore." He shrugged, sighing again. "But I get it. I know you were trying to protect me."

Yeji nodded, her smile disappearing. YuWon hesitated for a moment before reaching out and gently pulling her close. She rested her head on his shoulder, and he patted her back, just like the old times.

"You don't have to keep doing this," he murmured. "You don't need to keep carrying that guilt, because you feel bad about what happened in the past. I already forgave you."

"I know..." Yeji sniffled, wiping a tear from her cheek. "But I did you wrong and... even if you say you forgive me, I don't know if I'm—"

"We were both fooled, got it? Could we have done things differently? Yes. But does it matter? No. We're still together.

That's more important than anything."

Yeji nodded, but didn't say a word. He didn't want to do this, but it was the only way to cheer her up.

"How about this? Tomorrow we can search for your parents, if you'd like?"

On hearing him, Yeji looked at him and frowned. YuWon already knew what was coming and scratched his cheek.

"Our parents," she corrected. "They're your parents too."

"Just because I forgave you it doesn't mean I'll forgive them, too," he shook his head. "They'll have to earn it, just like you did. But even then, it'll take time… if it ever happens at all."

Yeji looked down and nodded. She had just received his forgiveness, so she didn't want to argue with him. Besides, YuWon was right. It was his choice to forgive someone, not hers.

"Get some rest today," YuWon said, ruffling her hair. "I'll take care of the residents. You don't need to worry about them."

"Hm..."

***

In the middle of the night...

YuWon stirred awake with a sudden urge to go to the washroom. But as he walked out, he noticed Yeji's bed was empty. YuWon's heart skipped a beat.

Maybe she went out to get some air... either way, I should check things out.

As he walked outside, his eyes went to the glowing crack in the air. But something was off. The soldiers were supposed to be stationed there, but there was no one protecting the crack.

"What the hell is going on—?"

YuWon stopped mid-sentence when he saw a group of people. The old woman who had begged for his help was there, along with some other men. But they weren't alone, they were dragging someone.

"Yeji!" YuWon shouted, but it was too late.

Before he could do anything, they threw Yeji into the crack and the counter went up to 2/5.

On hearing his voice, the old woman and the men turned pale and tried to run away. But a second later, vines erupted from the ground, trapping them to their spot. Gina and Lysandra were standing behind YuWon.

The men panicked and kept struggling against the vines. The woman showed no fear at all. She even laughed when YuWon approached them.

"This is what you people deserve!" she yelled, spitting in YuWon's direction. "If you wouldn't help my grandson, then you deserve to die—"

At that moment YuWon lost it. He grabbed the old woman by her hair and yanked her close, his face inches from hers.

"Do you have any idea what you've done!?" He yelled.

However, even then, the old woman kept smirking. YuWon couldn't hold back anymore and punched her square in the face. A loud crunch echoed in the night as the woman's head snapped back.

Everyone looked at YuWon in horror. Hearing the noise, everyone rushed to the site to find the woman knocked unconscious.

"YuWon! What's going on?" Yuna asked, arriving at the last.

YuWon didn't look at her, his focus still on the old woman.

"Where are your soldiers?" YuWon asked.

"What do you—" Yuna mumbled, realizing no one was there to guard the crack. "Fuck! I swear I do not know."

"I don't care," YuWon snarled, grabbing her by the neck. "If anything happens to Yeji, mark my words, I will make death seem like a dream for all of you."

Yuna was stunned. She had seen YuWon angry, but never this enraged. Something was off, but she knew nothing she would say would get through to him.

A moment later, he shoved her aside and ordered, "Lock them up. I'll deal with them when I get back."

With that, he turned towards the crack.

"Lysandra, Gina, we're going in."

Before jumping into the crack, YuWon paused for a moment and quickly marked a checkpoint, just in case.