Saving My Favorite in a Doomed World

Gate Research Center, GRC.

 

GRC was a state-supported research center that studied the bodies of monsters, either dead or captured alive, with the ultimate goal of uncovering the true nature of the gates.

 

‘We never stop researching for the peaceful today and your infinite future.’

 

Despite this admirable founding purpose, a junior researcher at GRC, who had been with the organization for less than two weeks, was receiving an unbelievable phone call.

 

“Uh… monsters. The ones that are usable, um. I’ll need to check to be sure.”

 

– We need it right now.

 

“Well, there are about six of them, but taking them all would be a bit much.”

 

Who in the world made such a request? Who would call and ask for six monsters?

 

– Yes, that will be enough. Please move them to the underground passage you use.

 

Though the research center was dreaming of a peaceful future, the research aimed at achieving that future was challenging. Naturally, amidst the harsh research, there were still live monsters lying anesthetized on the experiment tables or locked up in the labs.

 

The laboratories, made from special minerals and materials found in the gates, were dedicated spaces designed to confine monsters.

 

These gathered monsters were used not only for research but also frequently for training purposes at the education center. Heroes who had to be deployed into actual combat needed to receive this level of practical training at the center. Even the researchers acknowledged this part.

 

Yeah, he knew that too.

But common sense exists, you know!

 

Researcher A, who had turned pale, was approached by fellow new recruit B.

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“…You know, the B-rank or higher monsters that we have at our research center.”

 

Covering the office phone with his palm, A whispered.

 

“They want all six sent over. To the press conference.”

 

“….Seriously?”

 

“Seems like it.”

 

Using all B-rank and above monsters for training? This was definitely not a decision for rookies to make. At least the immediate superior, no, the superior above that. No, no. This would absolutely require the center director’s permission.

 

Even so, the man on the phone was confident. Rather than confident, his voice sounded exhausted. It was the voice of a worker too tired to argue anymore.

 

“Uh, did you receive prior approval? We haven’t received any documents on our end.”

 

– It’s for the SH1 unit press conference, so you can approve it without documents. Besides, most of the monsters used for experiments are C-rank anyway, right? If necessary, we can send the documents later. Our Management Department received this request urgently, so we can’t delay any further.

 

“Ah, yes. Then… we’ll check and get back to you right away. I think we should at least ask the center director once. Could you please tell me your name and affiliation?”

 

The researcher awkwardly held the receiver between his shoulder and ear while pulling out a pen and notebook from his pocket. The tired voice on the other end answered.

 

– Hero Management Department, Ha Cheongwon.

 

Click.

 

Likewise, Researcher A let out a big sigh as soon as he hung up the phone. Then he scratched his head while looking at the name written in his notepad. Good grief!

 

Why did have to receive this call? Why!

 

Anyway, since it was said to be urgent, his task was set. With his white lab coat fluttering, he headed towards the director’s office.

 

***

 

At that time, Hwashin was toying with the monster. At first glance, it looked like he was doing origami. He was folding the monster in mid-air with such ease and simplicity. Even the reporters who were watching the scene seemed to have forgotten their fear and were now excitedly requesting something.

 

“Make it into a square, make it into a square!”

 

They even specified the shape through the microphone, so Hwashin, showing off his showmanship, neatly sculpted the monster into a cube.

 

With just a word from him.

 

With just a word, that terrifying monster couldn’t move an inch. To the non-awakened journalists, he was a new star. A hero to bring glory to Korea! The birth of such a man!

 

And, for their magazine! Their newspaper! He would exponentially increase the number of subscribers!

 

They were now no longer looking at the monster but at each other. Who would be the first to interview this hero?

 

‘At least, I can’t let these guys get the exclusive.’

 

‘I should suggest to the team leader that the person we should be chasing now is not someone like Bae Deokho.’

 

‘Doesn’t this mean Yoo Hwashin is the strongest among the S-rank heroes? …Stronger than Cha Jaeha?’

 

The eyes of the reporters, filled with their own thoughts, shone brighter than the minerals coming out of the gate. Jeong Mueum watched the spectacular show with disbelief.

 

“What’s the point of doing all this?”

 

“Huh? What do you mean?”

 

“He could just defeat them and wrap up the conference. But he asked for more monsters.”

 

What Hwashin had requested was one thing.

 

He didn’t want to end it here, so he asked them to send as many monsters as possible.

 

This wasn’t in the script. At that time, amidst the murmuring reporters, Cha Jaeha had quietly looked down at him. Then he had approached the microphone and asked:

 

– Why?

 

Hwashin also briefly replied to the voice transmitted through the speaker.

 

– To make a good impression.

 

After hearing this, Cha Jaeha checked the reporters’ schedules. Whether it was becase they were all interested or realized this was a scoop, no one was leaving. Maybe they just thought they should stay because others were.

 

He immediately called the Management Department, and soon received word that GRC could send five more monsters.

 

“Maybe he just wants to show off how strong he is. After all, he’s a parachute. So he probably feels the need to prove himself more now. He might not get many chances like this in the future, right?”

 

Yoo Jian’s words made sense too. But something didn’t feel right.

 

It wasn’t because the reason was strange. It was just that it didn’t match Hwashin’s personality that Mueum had observed from him.

 

‘When has this guy ever cared about making a good impression? …Maybe to me, but I am not sure about everyone else.’

 

Hwashin had said he was Mueum’s fan. But he previously got an autograph from noona and tried to get one from Cha Jaeha as well.

 

‘What is this, really?’

 

Jeong Mueum smiled brightly. It was a smile as serene as that of a Buddha.

 

Yes, let’s give up. Let’s stop trying to understand. That was the fastest way to come to terms with it. Well, even if more monsters came, most of them would probably arrive anesthetized, so they would be different from the freshly caught ones from the gate.

 

If anything happened, he could step in, and so did noona.

 

And there was also that guy over there too.

 

***

 

‘How bad is it?’

 

Hwashin opened and closed his right hand a few times. Despite being weakened, he had used karma multiple times, putting some strain on his body.

 

This should be enough. As Hwashin sat cross-legged and twirled his fingers, the speaker’s voice blasted in his ear. It was Cha Jaeha’s low, heavy voice.

 

“They’re here.”

 

Perfect timing. Hwashin stood up with a knowing smile. In the meantime, he stretched his arms forward, yawning.

 

Alright, now it was time to explain the second reason.

 

He raised his face towards the reporters behind the glass. Hwashin extended two fingers straight.

 

“Alright, I’ve shown you the first one, right? Now, for the second reason.”

 

The reporters all had bewildered expressions.

Is he serious?

 

‘How can we understand just from that?’

 

‘He needs to explain it in detail.’

 

‘Does he expect us to figure it out on our own? Damn, is he serious?’

 

Countless thoughts raced through the reporters’ minds. But none of them spoke up.

 

They were too curious about the second reason he mentioned. Why did he need to join the first unit?

 

There were also the second and third units. Although each had different roles, ultimately, they all had to do the same thing in emergencies.

 

Protecting people from monsters and gates. That was all.

 

The tightly closed iron door opened again, and the monsters flaunted their presence. Although they were already weakened by anesthetics, they were still B-rank or higher. It wasn’t something one hero could handle.

 

“Why do you think people gather in groups?”

 

With the appearance of the monsters, Hwashin unexpectedly began an anthropology lecture. Of course, he didn’t expect an answer, so he answered himself.

 

“Usually, it’s because it’s efficient.”

 

Why do villages form, why do they live together, why do they oppress others in groups?

It was all because it was efficient. Living in groups made it easier to gather food, and even when oppressing someone, even when killing, it was better to be together.

 

To lessen the burden of guilt. That was how it was where he lived. Even when killing, people lacked the courage to oppress a person unless they were in a group.

 

Grouping was like that. It enabled you to do things you couldn’t do alone.

 

Hwashin smiled at the gazes looking up at him. Kangsan pressed the camera shutter dozens of times, trying not to miss his smile. Hwashin’s voice flowed through the small microphone on his collar.

 

“That’s why we form teams too. Because it’s efficient. …Then, is it always efficient when S-rank heroes group together?”

 

Kangsan thought to himself.

 

‘Of course not.’

 

That was the case even in sports. Having one star didn’t guarantee that the team would win. Even a team of stars didn’t always come in first place. The team that would win was—

 

“The most harmonious team.”

 

Kangsan unconsciously muttered. Heeyeon, who was listening, nodded too. Right. Harmony won over simple strength.

 

Hwashin turns his gaze forward again.

 

“Not necessarily, right?”

 

Even as Hwashin spoke, the monsters charged at him. Five of them. Dodging one roaring monster meant another one behind it would headbutt him. Hwashin deftly evaded and landed lightly on the ground.

 

His voice remained calm and unshaken.

 

“Alright, now the second. Why I need to be in SH1.”

 

He stood still even in front of the charging monster’s horns. Right there, in that spot. As if monsters weren’t a threat at all.

 

He slowly moved his fingers. His palm faced up and one straight finger pointed at the monster in front of him. As his lips curled up, he said.

 

“「Full Stop.」”

 

Everything within Hwashin’s sight stopped. The monsters, momentarily frozen, rolled their eyes in confusion but couldn’t move. As if their future had been consumed, a future that didn’t come. Were they trapped in the present, or conquered by a predetermined future?

 

No one knew.

 

Only Yoo Hwashin knew.

 

“What this team needs the most.”

 

Jeong Mueum, Yoo Jian, and Cha Jaeha each deeply felt why he was necessary for the team. With their own reasons, they looked at Hwashin. But the path converged. But all paths led to one.

 

“That is ‘a gap.’”

 

Kangsan gazed at Hwashin through the lens.

 

“And I can provide that gap.”

 

Gap. What did he mean by a gap? The abilities of the other heroes were already well-known. To put it simply, Yoo Jian had super strength, Jeong Mueum controlled gravity, and Cha Jaeha wielded fire.

 

For Yoo Jian, the gap meant ‘an opportunity to fight freely with power.’

 

For Jeong Mueum, the gap meant ‘an opportunity to withstand the limits.’

 

Cha Jaeha. What gap could he provide for Cha Jaeha? The man, acknowledged as the strongest S-rank, could sweep away gates with one strike.

 

In any case, Yoo Hwashin was a monster. Kangsan’s conclusion was that. Harmony? What harmony?

 

‘This guy will disrupt the harmony.’

 

Having such a strong person on the same team as Cha Jaeha would throw off the balance.

 

But that expectation was shattered in the very next moment.