I Became the Childhood Friend of a D*ug Dealer

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Chapter 1: The Unraveling Threads of Fate

“Don’t do it!”

Just as the essence of Purification was about to burst forth, I shook my hand away.

Si-Hoo is going to die.

If he forces himself to use it while he’s already in bad shape, it’ll be a disaster.

“We can’t let you die.”

I know he’s already overexerting himself.

His heart is so kind.

Even after coming this far, he’s still trying to save me.

But what’s the point if Si-Hoo dies?

“…You say that, but you always seem keen on dying.”

Si-Hoo spoke quietly, yet there was a flicker of anger in his voice.

“I—I don’t want to die either! But if my condition keeps getting worse… Isn’t it better to die than to keep suffering? But you aren’t like that.”

*Kuwung!*

The sound of monsters stomping the ground resonated.

Along with their growls.

They emerged from the Gate I just opened.

The Awakener who was attacking me also turned their attention to the monsters spilling out.

Finally, an opportunity to converse without interruption had arrived.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Huh?”

“I really don’t care much about living either.”

“Wait, what?”

I never expected Si-Hoo to say he doesn’t want to live.

Isn’t he the protagonist?

“You have to be around.”

“Uh, me?”

I have to be around?

“It’s better if I die and you survive.”

“What are you saying?! If it’s better for someone like me to be alive—”

“Do you dislike me?”

Dislike me?

If I did, would I go this far?

“No. I don’t dislike you. In fact, I like you.”

“Yeah. I like you more.”

My mind went blank.

What is it that Si-Hoo truly wants?

“Ah… but going back to how things were before is going to be tough. The Seo-A you like isn’t here anymore.”

“No, no matter what your condition is, I like you.”

“Huh? Get a grip, Si-Hoo! I don’t know what you mean by ‘like,’ but it’s not worth going that far for me. If it’s out of obligation, then you don’t need to do this at all.”

Si-Hoo is kind.

It’s all my fault for misunderstanding everything because of my own issues.

Would it have been fine if there wasn’t any medicine?

“No, it’s not out of obligation… I just like you. I’ve wanted to tell you that for a long time. You have to live. Because it has to be like that.”

“Get a grip! Stop spouting nonsense.”

That can’t be right.

It just can’t be.

I don’t even know what exactly ‘liking’ someone feels like.

But it’s clear that I have favorable feelings.

And that just can’t happen.

The binding magic weakened.

I pull away from Han Si-Hoo.

“You can dislike me. I’m just a burden dragging you down, right? If you just came to hunt me, then that’s fine. Saying you want to go home or see some stars is just empty talk, right? Isn’t it?”

“No.”

“Stop lying. I never thought you’d come to my rescue… I thought you’d forget someone like me and live well…”

“No.”

“…Then that can’t be.”

[Integrating Consciousness…]

Regardless, my fate is already sealed.

To die in a messed-up manner.

“I will save you.”

“I’m going to die anyway! I should have died a long time ago but made a mistake and am still alive. I should have died before it got this bad. Then I wouldn’t have felt any pain. I wouldn’t have felt any pain. This world should just fall apart.”

A world in ruin!

It’s about time it crumbles.

“I won’t let you die.”

I tried to approach and reach out, but he shook me off.

I stepped back.

If it were the usual Han Si-Hoo, he would’ve caught up to me easily.

But not this time.

“Don’t do that. You’re going to die.”

“I don’t care.”

Suddenly, all the things I’ve done to Han Si-Hoo came rushing to mind.

Things like actually stabbing him with a knife or causing harm multiple times.

It’s not strange if he thinks I dislike him.

He might even think I want him dead.

No, that’s not true.

That’s not true.

Honestly, it was all a mistake.

Because I acted selfishly, it led to all of this.

I get it; Si-Hoo is trying to save me even while preparing to die.

But here, no matter what I do, it’s going to be a problem.

Si-Hoo’s condition is a mess, and I’m turning into something akin to a dragon.

“If it’s true that I’m alive because of you…! What’s the point if you’re not here, Si-Hoo? I’ll just remain a monster. Do you know how others see me? They say giving me tuna cans is all I’m good for! Only you, YOU see me as a person.”

Han Si-Hoo stops in his tracks.

He must realize that merely trying to purify wouldn’t solve anything.

So there’s only one choice left.

Just let it be.

“…But if you disappear, then I—”

Si-Hoo’s hand trembles.

“No! You’re going to live! You’re stronger, more diligent, kinder, and more talented than I am. You were never meant to be like me, stuck in a slum.”

“It was all because of you.”

“Me?”

“I’ve been trying to protect you, and I became kind because I wanted to impress you. I acted diligently because of you. All of it was because of you. It was only possible because you were there.”

The driving force behind Han Si-Hoo’s growth?

Is that me?

Did it really happen that way?

“…I guess so. Thanks for all the hard work. Really.”

“I…”

Si-Hoo swayed.

Just standing there looks miraculous now.

Let’s think logically.

Si-Hoo is no longer a character from the story I knew.

He’s not.

He is no longer…

He dislikes the thought of me dying.

He dislikes the thought of me disappearing.

The protagonist desires that.

But it’s already too late.

[Complete]

“I really like you, Si-Hoo.”

***

Seo-A smiled.

She said she liked me.

I won’t let her say such things and vanish.

I understand that the option of Purification was the wrong choice.

Leaving Seo-A alone is just as cruel.

I’m in the worst condition, so this disaster of judgment has occurred.

But Han Si-Hoo has one method left.

There’s a skill I’ve mastered when capturing Lee Yoo-Ram’s younger sister.

[Forced Transfer]

In other words, teleportation.

I’ve used it a few times after abducting Lee Yoo-Ram’s sister, Lee Yoo-Na.

And the previous destination is…

A kind of prison.

Since I mainly used the skill for combat after capturing Lee Yoo-Na, it makes sense.

It’s a place that could even hold a dragon.

Even though dragons are too large to transfer, Seo-A should be small enough.

Seo-A’s eyes sparkle.

The horns formed from magical power seem to grow even larger.

It’s clear she’s being consumed by something.

It feels almost complete.

I can feel the flow of magical power.

She might be trying to use magical power absorption again.

There are no options left.

“[Forced Transfer]”

And Yoo Seo-A vanished.

*Gulp.*

My blood rushes.

Fortunately, I could use the massive magical power surrounding us.

The drain on my life force was minimal.

But regardless, I reached my limit.

Still, I’m relieved she said she likes me.

***

A new name calls out.

Han Si-Hoo sits dazed amidst a pile of concrete.

Lying down would be a more accurate description.

The battle concluded after the Gate was sealed.

The dragon was slain.

That’s the official story.

“Si-Hoo.”

“Yeah.”

My head throbs.

“Let’s go. We need to head to the Academy and get you treated…”

“Lena.”

Her silver hair lost its shine from the dust.

She must have fought hard.

“Why?”

“I’m not going.”

There’s no longer a reason to attend the Academy.

Perhaps there wasn’t any reason to go long ago.

I’ve gained everything I needed.

“About Seo-A… I’m sorry… I really wanted to say so much to her…”

“Yeah.”

I’m sorry.

But it’s not over yet.

Not yet.

I’ve imprisoned Seo-A.

In a distant prison.

I didn’t expect to use the transfer skill on Seo-A.

“But still, we need to get treatment.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I closed my eyes.

I’m just taking a moment to rest.

“…It’s sad not being able to see Seo-A anymore… but…”

“No.”

You will see her again.

And someday, we may return to how things used to be.

The method of Purification is definitely dangerous.

Without the final resort skill, using it in my full condition is still a problem.

Most importantly, it’s an issue that Han Si-Hoo himself would face penalties for.

“Isn’t it…?”

I think Seo-A died.

Everyone thinks so.

No matter how you look at it, that’s the situation.

“Probably.”

If that’s the case, then this is an opportunity.

“…My condition is terrible. Let’s go. Quickly.”

“……”

“Let’s go, okay?”

Lena helps lift Han Si-Hoo.

My vision is blurry.

“What about the others?”

“I don’t know. It’s a total mess here.”

Thanks to the chaos caused by the Awakeners.

“Yeah, I guess so…”

Lena looks at Han Si-Hoo with a worried expression.

What comfort does someone who has lost their last hope need?

“Si-Hoo, whenever you’re struggling, you can lean on me. It’s better than suffering all alone.”

“Thanks.”

Lena is a great friend.

But she’s just not Seo-A.

Han Si-Hoo followed Lena.

To where the friends are.

The sun begins to rise.

The dawn air is cold.

Reinforced steel, concrete, and asphalt mix in the ruins.

Han Si-Hoo halts his steps.

A twisted future.

Yet there’s still hope.

“What’s wrong?”

Noticing the oddity, Lena turns to look back.

“Here.”

Han Si-Hoo offers his sword.

As if telling her to take it.

“Huh? Why? Is this for me?”

“It’s one I got from the Academy.”

“But… why to me?”

“I won’t be needing it anymore.”

The items borrowed from the Academy are to be returned.

I realized a little while ago that the sword might have a tracking device planted in it.

The same goes for the school uniform.

Of course, even without such devices, I was planning to discard them.

“…Huh?”

“I’m not going to the Academy anymore. So I don’t think we’ll be able to meet for a while, Lena.”

I’m dropping out.

This is a decision I should have made long ago.

“W-Wait, is it because of Seo-A?”

“Yeah. I met good friends, but the truth is, I was just attending for Seo-A.”

“So now… you don’t plan on seeing me either?”

“For the time being, that seems to be the case.”

I’m going to abandon the connections I made at the Academy.

“…I don’t know where you plan on going, but let’s go together.”

“But you have family.”

For Han Si-Hoo, there’s only one person who can be called family.

But Lena is different.

She has several siblings and her parents are alive and well.

“But…”

She can’t stay with Lena.

“Goodbye. It’d be better for me if people thought I was missing from here.”

Han Si-Hoo doesn’t look like someone who has lost all hope.

There’s still a fierce will shining within him.

He still has a goal.

For now.

Lena gazes silently at Si-Hoo.

The daybreak approaches.

The sun rises.

Light breaks through.

“…If you say that, then I will.”

Han Si-Hoo hasn’t lost his light yet.

So, Lena places her hopes in him.

What is he planning to do?

She hasn’t even grasped the situation properly.

She simply hopes that whatever Si-Hoo is trying to do will succeed.