Crystal Awakeners’ Shelter.

Everyone who had been in Valhall—except Seo Yui—was now here.

After all, just being in Valhall meant they had no place in society. There was nowhere else for them to go.

Seo Yui was the odd one out, sold off to Valhall by her only relative in order to pay a debt—a cruel twist of fate.

The others weren’t featured in the game, but their situations couldn’t have been much different from hers.

I slowed to a stop before the building.

“Senior?”

Seo Yui had frozen in place, lips pressed tightly shut.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you want to see how the kids were doing?”

“…I’m scared to go in.”

Her voice was barely a whisper.

“Why?”

“What if they resent me?”

Resent her?

For a moment I was puzzled. Then I understood.

When Yui had brought down Valhall and freed the children, we had discussed this very possibility: not every child wanted to escape.

For some, leaving Valhall meant having nowhere to go. Their situation might have worsened outside. Especially those who had adapted to the arena and built up victories there.

Seo Yui probably believed she had forced them out, changing their lives against their will.

She kept her gaze locked on the ground. I reached out and took her wrist.

“!”

Her eyes widened in surprise.

“I understand how you feel, but if you don’t see it for yourself, the thought will haunt you forever.”

“But…”

“Let’s see it with our own eyes first. You can decide what to think afterward. Come on.”

I tightened my grip and pulled her forward.

She would realize soon enough—that her fear was only an illusion.

As soon as we entered the front yard, we saw children gathered there.

They ranged from little ones not yet ten to teens already entering adolescence.

“!!”

Seo Yui’s face went pale, the blood draining from her skin.

The children were holding weapons, swinging them at one another.

“Senior, wait—it’s just…”

I hurried to explain, but then—

“Ah!”

“It’s the Champion!”

“Huh? For real!?”

The kids had spotted us and erupted into excited shouts.

Several dropped their weapons and ran toward us, faces beaming with joy.

“Champion! Why are you here?”

“Did you come to see us?”

“Who’s that with you?”

“Is he your boyfriend!?”

A flurry of questions poured out.

Seo Yui’s expression was dazed.

“That’s the Champion?”

“Yeah! She’s crazy strong—we never saw her lose!”

“She even beat a real Hunter, you know!”

“Hey! Go call the others inside! Tell them the Champion’s here!”

“Got it!”

The commotion swelled until the entire yard filled with children from the shelter.

Even several adults emerged—teachers, it seemed, drawn by the noise.

The kids quieted somewhat in their presence.

“And who might you two be?” asked the eldest-looking man, probably the head of the shelter.

“We’re Hunter candidates from Gwangcheon Academy,” I replied, gesturing to Yui. “My senior here wanted to check in on the children who came from Valhall.”

“Seo Yui… Ah, you were the student who was there with them.”

He smiled warmly.

“Welcome. I’m Jo Hyeon-cheon, director of this shelter. Let’s talk inside. Teachers, please guide the children to continue their training.”

He turned back to us.

“Come with me.”

We followed him.

But Seo Yui glanced back as we walked.

“Champion! See you later!”

“We’ll be waiting~!”

The kids waved and shouted.

A short while later, we were seated on sofas in a reception room, served tea.

“Lady Iris mentioned it,” the director said. “She told us that during summer break, Seo Yui would visit. So we were prepared.”

“Iris did?” Yui murmured.

The director nodded. Perhaps that was what Iris had spoken to her about during the opening of Platinum Wings.

“When I heard the story, I was deeply impressed. Without you, the children would still be suffering there.”

“…It wasn’t just me.”

Seo Yui’s eyes flicked briefly toward me.

“Um, I have to ask…”

“Please, go ahead.”

“…How are the children from Valhall doing?”

The director smiled, as if he’d expected the question.

“They’re doing very well. Each of them is working hard for what they want.”

“What do they want?”

“Yes. The majority dream of becoming Hunters. They’re already dedicating themselves to sparring and studying so they can enter the Academy.”

“Ah…”

Seo Yui finally realized—what she’d seen in the courtyard had been training.

There’d even been adults supervising, and the weapons were only wooden. Normally she would have understood instantly.

But Valhall had left scars. Seeing children fight had triggered her trauma, robbing her of reason.

That wound would likely stay with her forever.

“Their favorite sayings are, ‘I’ll enter the Hunter Academy,’ or, ‘I’ll be strong like the Champion.’ Thanks to you, even children who never lived in Valhall call you Champion now.”

“…Like me,” she whispered, eyes widening as if the words had startled her.

“Of course, not every child wishes to be a Hunter. Some want to pursue studies. Others want a trade so they can become independent quickly. We help them attend regular schools or vocational ones, depending on their goals.”

“I see…”

Yui nodded, then fell silent.

“…Tell me.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“Are there children who… haven’t adjusted? Who resent leaving Valhall?”

The director blinked, then gave a wry smile.

“To Seo Yui, does this place look worse than Valhall?”

“Ah, n-no! That’s not what I meant.”

She waved her arms frantically.

“My apologies. I was only joking. Don’t take it so seriously.” He chuckled.

Was it really a joke? For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of hurt.

“Of course, some struggle to adapt even after some time here. That’s natural. When one’s environment changes so suddenly, even adults take time to adjust. Part of our job is helping them through it.”

“Ah…” Yui let out another sound of realization.

That was it.

She didn’t have to carry everything alone.

The children freed from Valhall were each finding their own path.

They had caretakers and facilities to support them.

Comparing Valhall and the shelter was meaningless.

And if there was any child foolish enough to long for Valhall’s world of kill-or-be-killed—then, in my opinion, that child was beyond saving.

Of course, the teachers here might still try to guide even such a one toward the right path.

Afterward, we went out to meet the children again.

Inside the shelter’s cafeteria, not outside this time.

Snacks and drinks were laid out on the tables—it was clear the staff had set the stage so the children could meet their idol, the “Champion.”

“Sister, is it true you beat a Level 70 Hunter?”

“Sister! Show us your ability! They said you get super strong when you put on the mask!”

“Hey! Don’t go near the Champion! Ask permission before you talk to her!”

Voices typical of children rang in my ears.

Seo Yui looked at me, flustered.

I, sitting apart with the teachers and quietly eating a choco pie, smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.

Sorry, but I’ve never been fond of kids.

If I got pulled into that mess, I’d be drained dry in no time.

An hour later, we left the shelter, escorted all the way to the front gate by the children and teachers.

Seo Yui walked in silence toward the bus stop, her expression faintly tired.

I didn’t press her with conversation. I simply walked beside her.

While waiting for the bus, she finally spoke.

“…I almost cried in there.”

“Cried?”

She nodded.

“They all thanked me for taking them out of Valhall. Hearing that—it just hit me, and I almost broke down.”

A smile crept onto my lips.

“That’s good, then.”

“Yeah.”

Her gaze turned toward me.

“Thank you for coming with me today.”

“Thank me? All I did was tag along.”

But she shook her head.

“If you hadn’t come, I might’ve turned back without even stepping inside.”

She smiled softly—and then reached out, taking my hand.

Her palm was hardened with calluses, rougher than mine from wielding spear and shield.

Yet her hand was warm. Almost burning.

“Yein, you’re always someone I can rely on. That’s why I brought you and no one else.”

“…Then I’m glad.”

Ten seconds passed. My face grew hot.

“Senior.”

“Mm?”

“Um, maybe now we should—”

“Can’t we hold on just a little longer?” she said, eyes fixed on the road where the bus would appear.

Saying it outright like that made it impossible for me to pull away…

In the end, she didn’t let go until the bus arrived.

And within a single minute of sitting down, she leaned against me and fell asleep.

Her pink hair brushed against my cheek, tickling. I quietly turned my head aside.

Was Seo Yui always the type to show this much softness?

I’d never seen it when playing the game.

I glanced at her again.

With her eyes closed, it looked like the corners of her lips were slightly raised.

…Well, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of future battles, it’s fine.

I turned to the window. We still had twenty minutes until our transfer stop.

This bus’s air conditioning, though—it was far too weak.

The next afternoon.

Independent Dungeon: The Corrupted Tower.

“Ah. My ability just leveled up,” Seo Yui said barely thirty minutes into the hunt.

“What!? You too?” Meiling’s eyes went wide.

Seo Yui nodded.

That was fast.

Freed from yesterday’s burden, her movements today were sharper than ever.

Twin Mask, upon leveling up, raised both attack and defense.

In addition, the Blue Mask gained resistance boosts, while the Red Mask extended its duration.

“Wow. That makes all three of us who leveled our abilities.”

Lumina smiled brightly—then quickly looked my way, as if worried.

“No need to worry,” I said, grinning.

“My ability level is eight.”

“What!?”

“You’re kidding!?”

“Seriously??”

The three of them gaped at me.

“I’ve been working hard to craft equipment suited to your levels.”

“R-really…? That’s amazing. As expected of you, Yein.”

“The difference between us just celebrating and you at Level 8… it’s like heaven and earth,” Lumina and Seo Yui said, faces full of admiration.

Meiling, on the other hand, pouted, lips pushed forward.

“If you’re jealous, then work harder and raise yours too.”

“I was going to even if you didn’t say it!”

She crossed her arms and snapped her head away—like a textbook picture of a sulky girl.

“Oh really? Then maybe I should raise the difficulty starting today so you can level faster.”

At that, Meiling’s head whipped back toward me.

Lumina and Seo Yui also fixed their gazes on me.

“I’ve been saving one last training plan for HAUT.”

“…What kind of plan?” Meiling asked nervously.

I smiled broadly.

“A 240-hour survival course in the dungeon.”

The looks on all three of their faces froze solid.

(End of Chapter)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.