RFH Chapter 21 — [R15]

Episode 21

After hearing Seon Jejun’s story, Min Hyemi found it impossible to keep her expression in check.

'Could such a person really exist?'

Was it truly possible for a human to care for others to this extent?

Only now did she understand why he had become a god.

Yes, he was far closer to the realm of gods than that of mere humans.

Yet, another thought surfaced in her mind.

'I… can’t hate him.'

Min Hyemi, who had been afflicted with a deep-seated hatred for humanity, had despised most people. She had never believed in gods either, thinking they had never saved her.

But now, she stood before someone who had made immense sacrifices—not just for her, but for all of humanity.

Her absolute belief in her own cynicism shattered.

'Someone this self-sacrificing actually exists…?'

With a trembling voice, she asked Seon Jejun,

"How… how could you do that?"

Seon Jejun answered with a calm, indifferent expression,

"If my sacrifice could bring happiness to everyone, then it was worth it."

He continued, "People were desperately wishing for it."

"......…"

"I simply couldn’t ignore their earnest prayers."

Suddenly, Min Hyemi recalled the strange way he had behaved in front of her before.

When their headquarters was attacked, and when she stood face-to-face with a monster—had he really…?

"You even heard my wish?"

"Yes."

His voice remained lazy, almost indifferent.

"You wished for all the people who loved you to die."

"…......"

"I have never forgotten the wishes that humans have made. I couldn't grant them all… but when the moment comes, I will fulfill my duty."

"That’s not your duty."

"Fulfilling human wishes is the duty of a god."

With a faint smile, he added,

"Saving humanity is my mission."

At last, Min Hyemi could no longer deny the system.

She had grumbled about needing to find a 'savior' as if it were some kind of joke, but now, she finally understood why the system had given her that quest.

Perhaps the system had simply wanted someone—anyone—to acknowledge Seon Jejun’s sacrifice.

And it had chosen her for that role.

It was a perfect choice.

Because, for the first time, Min Hyemi began to think that maybe, just maybe, humanity wasn’t as terrible as she had believed.

For the first time, she found herself believing in the existence of a god who had saved her.

Yes, Seon Jejun was her savior.

[First Quest: ‘Find Your Savior’ – Success!]

[<Min Hyemi> now recognizes <Seon Jejun> as her savior.]

"…Thank you."

Min Hyemi hesitated before finally parting her lips to speak.

"Why didn’t you tell people?"

"It’s not something to boast about."

"Didn’t you want someone to acknowledge it?"

"Hmm… I didn’t do it expecting recognition, but…"

Seon Jejun's gaze locked onto hers.

"Still, it makes me happy that you noticed…"

Ah.

Hearing those words, she could no longer hold back. With a trembling voice, Min Hyemi continued.

"At the very least, I will remember."

"…......"

"That’s the duty of someone who has been saved by a god."

At that moment, Kwon Anna approached.

"It looks like it’s time to go. Are you ready?"

"Ah, yes!"

"I didn’t expect you two to talk for so long."

"Haha, well… I just had something to be grateful for."

Even as she forced a smile, Min Hyemi couldn’t take her mind off Seon Jejun.

It had been so long since she had felt something positive toward another human.

She was certain she wouldn’t forget this feeling anytime soon.

***

Back home, Min Hyemi collapsed onto her soft bed.

After everything that had happened tonight, she was sure she would sleep well.

"Haah…"

She let out a deep sigh and checked her phone, where a few messages had arrived.

Trainee Team 2 - Kim Chan-neul

Team Leader! I heard you made it out safely!!

I really respect your dedication! I’ll make sure to practice the Agape Love Tornado Shot from now on!

Min Hyemi remained silent.

Trainee Team 2 - Lee Ruri

Hyemi-chan! I heard you’re taking the day off tomorrow~

Don’t worry, Ruri-chan is here! I’ll work twice as hard for you! www

Min Hyemi remained silent.

Trainee Team 2 - Jung Yeseul

…If you ever feel like you're drowning in this world, like it's too hard to breathe, just let me know.

I might not be able to save you, but at least I can drown with you.

Min Hyemi remained silent.

Yes, you read that right.

She remained silent three times in a row.

'…No, I should try to love humans a little more.'

She changed her mindset.

If Seon Jejun could open his heart to people, then maybe she could try as well.

After all, her cleanup crew teammates hadn’t really done anything to harm her, had they?

'Yeah… They’re good kids…'

It didn’t exactly sound like a compliment, but she was doing her best to think positively about them.

"Wait—now that I think about it, where’s my quest reward?"

Suddenly, Min Hyemi snapped her head up, as if she had just realized something important.

Having completed her first system-assigned quest, Min Hyemi expected a reward.

As if on cue, a system window appeared before her eyes.

[Your reward has arrived!]

[New Title: <Challenger> added!]

[Magic Rank: D → C]

[Physical Rank: F → D]

[New Skills Acquired:]

<Barrier>

<Clairvoyance>

<Eavesdropping>

<Instant Movement>

...

A flood of system notifications filled her vision, making Min Hyemi momentarily overwhelmed. But after regaining her composure, she carefully checked through them.

She had officially ranked up from a D-rank hunter to a C-rank hunter.

"Still a bit lacking, but…"

While she wasn’t fit for direct combat, at least she had enough strength now to protect herself in dangerous situations.

"Well, I suppose this is good enough."

She still had to remain cautious—Exodus had yet to lose interest in her.

As she scanned her newly acquired skills, one, in particular, caught her eye.

[SS-Rank Skill <Genre Shift>: Allows the returnee to shift the surrounding environment into a different genre, beyond just their original one. This skill applies to other returnees as well and requires appropriate acting.]

"Wait… this is an upgraded version of my old <Genre Shift> skill!"

Her strongest ability had just received a massive upgrade.

Not only could she manipulate high-intensity R-rated scenarios, but now she could shift things into entirely different genres.

"Well, at least I gained something valuable."

Satisfied with her rewards, Min Hyemi was about to relax—when another system window suddenly popped up.

[Second Quest: Save the Savior.]

[Repay the one who saved you!]

"…Hmm."

So, another quest? This time, was she supposed to repay Seon Jejun?

Under normal circumstances, she would have grumbled about why she had to do something like this.

But not anymore.

Now, she had no complaints.

After all, she wanted to repay him.

Letting out a deep breath, she checked her phone one last time before going to sleep.

Another message from Kim Chan-neul had arrived.

Trainee Team 2 - Kim Chan-neul

Oh, by the way, Team Leader! Did you see the news?

Our department head is suddenly being replaced! Do you know anything about it?

"The department head is being replaced?"

Min Hyemi’s eyes widened slightly as she quickly searched for news articles.

To her surprise, the report was true.

"Why so suddenly…?"

This wasn’t the right time for such a change. Something suspicious was going on.

It smelled like dirty politics—some kind of power play happening behind the scenes.

"Well… it’s none of my business."

At the end of the day, she was just a simple corpse cleanup squad leader.

With that, Min Hyemi closed her eyes and drifted into a peaceful sleep.

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