Chapter 365: Min Juri’s Wish |
When she made a wish to the system.
Min Juri woke up.
From the dream.
From the illusion.
From a deadly game.
“Juri, Juri!”
“Dad.”
As soon as she saw her father, who had protected her in every round, tears started streaming down her cheeks.
“I’m back.”
The world had changed.
Once during the great catastrophe when the angels appeared.
And once again when the survival game ended completely.
But it wasn’t just the world that had changed.
Min Juri’s world had also shifted.
“Dad, I’m going to the study room.”
“Alright. Take care.”
“What do I need to be careful about these days?”
These days, the rate of violent crimes had significantly decreased compared to before.
The influence of Black Scythe, who had been managing the CPF, was still felt.
Although no one knew how much longer it would last now that the players had disappeared.
“Still, be careful. It scares me to think that something like that could happen again.”
“At your age, are you still scared?”
“Of course! Do you know how much I cried when you were taken the first time? I was so scared of being alone...”
“You must have suffered a lot because of me. I’m sorry.”
“What are you saying? It’s thanks to you that we can live like this.”
Just a few months ago, one had to constantly fight for survival, but now that was no longer the case.
“It’s a memory now. Seeing how I can talk about it so casually.”
Although only four months had passed since the survival game ended, it felt like a distant memory.
The psychiatrist said it was a way to avoid unpleasant memories due to PTSD, but Min Juri didn’t care.
“I’ll keep living strong. I don’t know if my wish was fully granted.”
The wish Min Juri made upon touching the Stone of Wishes was none other than her father’s happiness.
She had wished for that from the start and asked the system for it.
She wanted her father not to suffer anymore and to be happy.
The system’s response was quite straightforward.
[It’s possible. It’s a wish that can be fulfilled with the current contribution points.]
Min Juri didn’t know if it had really been granted.
Her father’s face seemed brighter than usual, but...
“I actually thought about it—whether to use my wish for myself or for my father.”
Her father’s happiness was her wish, but if one thought about it, it was a wish for her father’s well-being.
It wasn’t exactly a selfish wish.
“Honestly, I wanted to wish for things to go well with Min. He’s my first love, after all.”
Don’t they say first loves are hard to realize?
Since she couldn’t give up her father’s happiness, Min Juri had to abandon her small personal wish.
“Dad, are you happy lately?”
“Huh? Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“Just answer. Are you happy?”
“Yes, I am.”
“That’s enough.”
She felt a smile form on her face, thinking that her wish had come true.
“Alright, I’m off.”
“Take care.”
After a brief chat, Min Juri left early in the morning.
With a backpack full of books and study materials.
—————
She studied during the day.
She studied at night.
Min Juri’s life revolved solely around studying.
To get into medical school, her original dream.
She still held onto the dream of becoming a doctor and making her father happy.
“Now that it’s easier, this is my chance.”
Most people between 15 and 29 years old had died.
Only 97 people survived.
The world could never be the same again.
“High schools, prep schools, and even universities have closed...”
Only a few elementary schools and a few prestigious universities remained open, and the admission requirements became much more accessible.
With just a level 3 score on the entrance exam, one could be accepted.
“I have to study. This isn’t easy either.”
In this situation, she couldn’t even dream of dating.
To achieve a dream, one had to give up something else.
For Min Juri, that was Ryu Min, and she could only maintain a friendship while postponing what she truly wanted.
“When I get into medical school and my life stabilizes! Then I’ll confess my love!”
——————–
Waiting for the day when she could confess her love to Ryu Min, Min Juri focused intensely on her studies.
As a result, she was accepted into the Korea Medical School and could study to become a doctor with pride.
Two years of undergraduate, four years of professional studies.
After six years of university, she successfully passed the national medical exam.
Then, she began her internship to follow the path of a specialist.
After a year as a rookie, she became a resident, and four years later, she passed the specialty exam and obtained her medical license.
After 11 years of effort, she finally achieved her long-awaited dream of becoming a doctor.
“But I didn’t fulfill my first love dream.”
While Min Juri was dedicated to studying to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, Ryu Min had already gotten a girlfriend.
“It was too late. I should have confessed earlier...”
She should have enjoyed her youth, but she missed the opportunity by focusing too much on studying.
“But at least I achieved my dream. And Dad is very happy too.”
When she became a specialist and opened her clinic, her father, Min Do-hoon, was undoubtedly delighted.
In this way, Min Juri had achieved both wealth and fame, but she still had some frustrations.
It bothered her that her father was still working.
“Dad, why don’t you take a break?”
“Hehe, a break? I’m far from retiring.”
“Dad, you’re almost 60. It’s time to retire.”
“We’re in the era of the centennial. Many people work until their 70s or beyond. Do you know how rewarding it is to work when you’re older? Stop thinking that old folks can’t work.”
“Then why don’t you do a different kind of work instead of staying at the convenience store?”
“Because I’m used to this.”
Min Juri let out a deep sigh.
The family’s poverty had been resolved a long time ago.
Since becoming a doctor, most of her income had been directed toward her father.
Not only had they paid off all debts, but they also bought a new apartment.
Recently, she had opened her own clinic.
Even so, her father couldn’t stop working at the convenience store.
“I don’t understand why he’s still working there when the income is so low.”
Despite working at the store for more than ten years, his annual earnings weren’t even a fraction of Min Juri’s monthly income.
Yet he continued working weekends and night shifts, proving that he definitely wasn’t doing it for the money.
“Does he really do it because he enjoys it?”
Although Min Juri didn’t understand her father’s heart, she noticed that his face seemed happier lately.
He was always full of energy and looked genuinely content.
“I wonder if the wish for him to be happy is still having an effect.”
The wish that Min Juri made for her father’s happiness at the Hall of Wishes.
It had been over 11 years, but she wondered if it was still working.
She took the opportunity to ask, just like before.
“Dad, are you happy these days?”
“Of course, I’m happy! Our daughter succeeded, and we live without financial worries.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
Min Juri felt at ease, thinking her wish was still active.
Until her father brought up the topic of marriage.
“The only thing left is for my daughter to get married, and then I’ll have no more worries.”
“...Marriage?”
Of course, it wasn’t the first time her father had talked about marriage.
She was just surprised he brought it up again after a long time without mentioning it.
“Weren’t you indifferent about it?”
“Indifferent, my foot! It’s just that you were so busy with work that I stopped bringing it up. What father wouldn’t care about his daughter’s marriage?”
“...”
“Now that you’re an established doctor with your own clinic and some breathing room, you should start thinking about dating and marriage. You’re in your thirties now.”
“What are you talking about? I’m still in my early thirties.”
“Whatever, you need to start dating soon.”
“...”
Sure, Min Juri had dated before.
During her internship, she dated a colleague.
What you’d call an office romance.
But both were so busy that they broke up after a few months.
After that, she didn’t date anyone else and hadn’t found anyone who caught her interest.
“How is Ryu Min doing?”
Suddenly, memories of her first love came rushing back.
She recalled how she gave up her feelings when she found out he was dating someone else.
“Is there no one you like?”
Her father’s direct question caught her off guard.
“Uh, no, no one.”
“From your reaction, it seems like you did like someone. Am I wrong?”
“Yes, but not anymore. I’ve forgotten about it.”
“Forgotten? It doesn’t seem like you’ve forgotten.”
Min Juri’s face flushed in response.
“If you still have his number, why not message him? You never know.”
“How could I contact him? It’s been five years since we last spoke.”
“You were in love secretly for that long?”
Min Juri couldn’t lift her head, embarrassed by accidentally revealing the length of her unrequited love.
Her face was surely bright red.
Her father, Min Do-hoon, smiled kindly.
“Give it a try. Aren’t you curious how he’s doing?”
“...I am curious.”
“Then reach out.”
After thinking it over, Min Juri decided to muster up the courage.
Inspired by her father’s words, she decided to message her first love.
—————-
[Min Juri: Ryu Min, hi. Long time no see.]
When she sent the first message, Min Juri felt her heart race.
“Has his number changed? What if he blocked me?”
Her fears vanished when she saw the message read.
“He read it!”
[Ryu Min: It really has been a long time! Since you started your internship, we haven’t talked... Five years? How have you been?]
[Min Juri: I’ve been well. Worked really hard and got my medical license.]
[Ryu Min: A doctor? Wow, I have a doctor friend now! That’s amazing.]
[Min Juri: What have you been up to lately?]
[Ryu Min: Oh, you know, just this and that, passing the time.]
[Min Juri: What kind of things?]
[Ryu Min: If you’re interested, I’ll tell you in person. Shall we meet?]
What started as a simple conversation led to a meeting.
A natural flow.
For Min Juri, it was a proposal she couldn’t refuse.
[Min Juri: Sure! Where should we meet?]
———————
Ryu Min was still living in Seoul.
He had moved from his old home in the Gallery Forest due to financial circumstances.
“I see. And since then, what have you been doing?”
“Well, here and there, trying to find something to do after the survival game ended. I haven’t landed a stable job either.”
Once back to daily life, Ryu Min sold his house to get some money, then worked at whatever he could find to earn a living.
From delivering packages to working at a café, a factory dormitory, and a barbecue restaurant.
After saving some money, he decided to use his experience to start a new business.
“You must have been really busy.”
“Yeah, I was. So busy I couldn’t even contact you.”
“We lost touch after a few tries.”
“Right. And what were you doing back then?”
“I was going through the process of becoming a doctor, from intern to resident.”
“And you didn’t have time for love?”
The question made Min Juri sigh deeply.
“I had a relationship, but it ended quickly. I didn’t have time to commit.”
“And now, you’re not seeing anyone?”
“No. And you?”
“Me neither.”
“Really? I thought you had a girlfriend before.”
“Didn’t I tell you? We broke up after a few months.”
Min Juri’s eyes widened in surprise.
“So now?”
“No, I’m not seeing anyone.”
The moment she had imagined him probably already married with kids turned out to be entirely different.
But that wasn’t all.
“There’s something I want to say...”
What Min Juri didn’t expect was the following.
“I like you.”
“What?” Ryu Min didn’t expect that she would think that he might be interested in her.