Chapter 536 – That Was the Last Story

It was a bit surprising.

Too much for a funeral hall.

It seemed a bit overwhelming to fill.

Too empty for sending off Shinwoo.

Yet that space quickly became filled.

Among them were some completely unfamiliar ordinary people who might have had ties to Shinwoo’s family.

Research students who had helped Shinwoo and members from the Monster Rights Association also arrived.

The president of the Hunter Association, who had worked hard to prepare for this funeral, was also there.

“Everyone… I’m sorry… this is all I could do…”

“……You helped plenty…”

“Thank you…”

Among them was Kyoukyou, whom I hadn’t seen for long since we parted ways.

“Hyeji-chan…….”

“Nice to see you… Kyoukyou…”

This wasn’t how I wanted our reunion to happen.

There were also politicians I had only seen in media.

A number of military personnel, whom I had thought had nothing to do with this, filled the seats.

Probably, they were trying to comfort Hyeji’s father.

Naturally, Hyeji’s father was also there.

“……Hyeji, it must be tough…?”

“……Thank you for coming, Dad…”

Moreover, I saw reporters capturing all these scenes through their lenses.

Was this funeral being broadcast live?

Cameras with the Hunter-exclusive broadcasting station’s logo were capturing every corner.

Should I consider it a shred of conscience that they didn’t do live commentary or interviews?

Of course, as I looked at them, Hyeji could only chew on her bitterness.

Now that you’re trying to be nice, what do you expect me to do?

Why are you putting in the effort now?

I appreciate you coming all this way.

But.

It’s too late.

It’s so late.

Shinwoo is already dead.

And yet, I couldn’t help but acknowledge that they had their own matters to attend to.

They couldn’t directly help.

So now they are just showing their respect in this way.

Additionally, the doctor who was in charge of Shinwoo’s surgery was seen in the reception area.

He didn’t touch the food in front of him, just muttering the same thing over and over.

He was wearing a white coat that didn’t quite fit the occasion of a funeral.

“I’m sorry… I did my best…”

Of course, I didn’t want to criticize him for that.

How shocked must he have been to not even think about taking off his coat?

He must have truly done his best against hopeless Shinwoo.

Meanwhile, the number of people continued to grow, even more than could be captured by camera.

There were just too many people.

An overwhelming number of them.

To be frank, for just one Hunter dying, it was excessive.

“……Your husband won’t feel lonely…”

“Yes……”

Then, the moment people started leaving, some familiar faces appeared.

“Fwoo…”

“……Everyone… you’ve worked hard…”

“Saintess, are you alright…”

「Sorry…」

Those who fought alongside Shinwoo until the very end.

Until Shinwoo’s death was confirmed, everyone had been exhausted and asleep.

Even though they hadn’t fully recovered, they dragged their ill bodies here.

Probably everyone snuck out of their hospital rooms to come here.

To send off Shinwoo’s last moments.

“……Ha… Kim Shinwoo… you really…”

“I’m sorry… I’ll cover for the money used…”

Honestly, it was unexpected for Spencer to show up.

Out of everyone here, she had lost the most after Shinwoo.

I could understand if she chose not to come due to hurt feelings.

But she defied those expectations and appeared.

“Forget it. Consider it my condolences.”

“……Is that alright…?”

“Honestly, it feels a bit fucked up… if I had done just a bit more there…”

On the other hand, Ryu Kang-hyuk and Cheonma soon showed up.

Their injuries were significantly worse than others.

Yet, they didn’t show any signs of pain.

They just kept apologizing deeply to the women.

“Sister-in-laws… I’m sorry… it’s because of me.”

“……I’m sorry for being weak…”

Of course, they had no intention of accepting those apologies.

At that time, everyone was pushed past their limits.

Though they were squeezing out their remaining strength, they still stuck together until the end.

Even if the outcome didn’t go as they desired, how could I blame them?

No matter how you break it down, there was no fault on their part.

Why should they accept apologies they didn’t need to?

They fought brutally till the end, risking their lives in their own way.

“Everyone… thank you for your hard work for your husband…”

“……Go to the reception area and rest…”

Thus, each party moved to the reception area, expressing their respect.

I quietly watched their backs.

Then, the moment I saw a new type of condolence visitor, I clenched my teeth unconsciously.

So many Hunters who hadn’t shown their faces until the very end.

Perhaps they had a shred of conscience after all.

They just politely gave their condolences and moved straight to the reception area.

Whether the president tipped them off or they did it merely for self-preservation, I couldn’t tell.

Of course, even among that chaos, they hadn’t completely let go of their identity as Hunters.

They continued to take food multiple times, sneaking drinks of alcohol and beverages.

Honestly, I didn’t care about that much.

In Hyeji’s heart, that was looking at them,

Only one emotion existed.

Hatred.

Where were you all when it actually mattered?

Not one of you showed up, you were all too busy having fun.

And now, here you come, sticking your heads in?

Why didn’t you help Shinwoo at all back then?

Now you’ve found your damn conscience?

Are you scared I’ll take you down, so you finally came?

None of you showed up when things were actually dangerous.

So that dog-shit bastard had to die for you?

Ha.

Fuck.

I wanted to kill every single one of them.

To the point of screaming for help madly.

Just to quickly be killed while begging with tears streaming down my face.

No, I didn’t even want to raise my voice.

The pain everyone went through was inconceivable.

I would inflict the most brutal and painful revenge I could.

“Sis… not now…”

“……Alright…”

Elcia must have read Hyeji’s feelings, quietly hugging her to soothe her.

Ayeon and Caressy also began to use their fierce words to comfort and pacify her as much as possible.

Right now was a time for mourning, not killing.

“I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry.”

“I’ll make sure you choose to end it yourself…”

For now, at least.

Before I could settle my tumultuous heart.

Shinwoo’s portrait caught my eye.

The photo of Shinwoo wearing a bright smile in his last moment.

Was it a printing error or were there no remaining photos?

A black-and-white photo that didn’t quite fit this era.

Seeing it, regret began to gnaw at Hyeji.

Was even Shinwoo’s last photo not decent?

If I had known this would happen, I should have taken more photos.

Why couldn’t I have done a bit more, just a little better?

We should have laughed together, even a little more in those moments.

At the very least, it would have been nice if I could share a smile at the end.

And while looking at Shinwoo’s photo, I quietly wished.

Can’t you just show yourself, not just in a photo, Shinwoo?

No need to smile, weep, resent, or curse, just say something to me.

Please appear in front of me and say anything, Shinwoo?

Just one year, one month, one day, one hour.

No, even just one moment would be enough for me.

Even if it just remained a one-night dream, I would carry it for the rest of my life.

Of course, nothing returned.

Not laughter, not sadness, not resentment, not sighs, not curses—none of it.

The Shinwoo in the black-and-white photo was just smiling brightly.

“Sis…”

“……Shinwoo is… really… dead…”

“Yes… ”

“…I want to see you… just once…”

Hyeji truly felt for the second time that Shinwoo was dead.

Finally, Hyeji offered up to the photograph of Shinwoo.

The bright smile she hadn’t shown him at the last moment.

And a delayed response she hadn’t sent.

I’m sorry. You must have had it tough because of me?

I should have paid a bit more attention when you were struggling.

But when you were there, at least it shouldn’t have hurt, right?

If so, I’m really glad.

Honestly, living happily as you said isn’t possible.

This world without you has no meaning to me.

Honestly, don’t you think it’s a bit selfish to ask?

Still, I’ll try to live as long as I can on your behalf.

If by some chance you have a baby, that would be nice.

It would be chaotic, but I wouldn’t be lonely.

Of course, that wouldn’t completely fill your absence.

And even if I don’t have a baby.

I might not meet anyone else.

That person is you, Shinwoo.

It can’t be anyone else.

Only you for me.

In my world made up of you.

There’s no room for anyone else to enter.

So even if I end up alone for the rest of my life, I’ll try to live as long as I can.

As wrinkles appear one by one and I change from what I am now.

Someday I’ll be a grandma who can hardly straighten her back.

If I’m unlucky, I might get dementia and gradually lose my memories.

Countless memories we shared will be no exception.

But I won’t forget you.

Even if I forget my own existence.

I will definitely remember you.

I will never break this promise.

So, now it’s goodbye.

I’m sorry.

Thank you.

I love you.

“Take care, Shinwoo…”

Once again, the flowing tears soaked the bright smile.

Seeing that, Elcia gently hugged Hyeji.

Before I knew it, she wore the same tear-soaked smile as Hyeji.

That smile was also on Ayeon and Caressy’s faces.

Soon after, they bid their last farewell to Shinwoo.

“Master… I’ll be strong…”

“My lord… if there’s a next life… let’s meet again…”

“Shinwoo… we will meet again someday…”

With that, their time froze.

Not even the hot tears could melt it away.

Colder than the warmth of a hug.

Ending with Shinwoo’s bright smile in the photograph.

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