Chapter 2 Don't Worry About Anything 2
Chapter 2: [Don't Worry About a Thing] 2
[Don't Worry About a Thing]
Yu Ji-hu tried to force a smile to show he was okay, but once again, he failed.
'It hurts so much.'
It wasn't the physical wounds that pained him.
Those had already healed completely, and there wasn't even a trace of phantom pain left.
It was the shock—the unbearable ache in his heart—from being betrayed by people he had trusted as much as his own sister. People who had tried to kill him.
'Scarlet, Mine, Yenia, Iris.'
Every memory he shared with them had once brought him joy and happiness.
Because of those memories, he had endured countless brutal battles against the Demon King's forces without ever breaking, no matter how difficult the struggle.
But now, those same memories only brought him sorrow and anguish.
"You're clearly not okay at all."
Ha-rin's face, filled with concern, hovered close as she examined his expression. Seeing his sister again after six years, unchanged from how he remembered her, filled Ji-hu with an indescribable relief.
And as she gently wiped his face with a damp cloth, he simply closed his eyes. He had meant to say he could do it himself, but his heart hurt too much. Right now, he just wanted to bask in her warmth.
"You don't have to tell me what happened right away. And you don't have to pretend you're fine. I'm staying by your side from now on."
Her tender words, spoken as she carefully cleaned his face, made something inside him crack.
"Ugh—!"
Before he knew it, tears were streaming down his face.
"N-Noona..."
"Yeah, I'm right here. Cry as much as you need to, Ji-hu."
"Ugh... H-hic...!"
Still sitting up in bed, Ji-hu buried himself in his sister's embrace and sobbed uncontrollably.
He still couldn't believe it.
Just hours ago in his memory, he had been happily imagining the future with them.
He had planned to bring them back to Earth, introduce them to his sister—his only remaining family—and help them adjust to life here.
But the moment those thoughts surfaced, so did the images of them attacking him with swords, intent on killing him.
The betrayal and grief crashed over him like a tidal wave.
Had they really been so easily swayed by a false oracle spread by the Demon King?
Had all their time together meant nothing?
Were their promises empty?
Were the bonds they built all lies?
These questions tore through him, and the happiness of those memories was now tainted, as if his chest were being carved open.
Cradled in his sister's arms, her warm hands stroking his back, Ji-hu let the sorrow pour out of him until he had no tears left.
"You don't have to think about anything. You don't have to do anything. Don't worry about a thing. Just rest. I'm here now."
As she comforted her weeping brother, Ha-rin ignored the weight of his body pressing against her chest and the dampness of her clothes from his tears.
'Cry it all out. Let it all go.'
She could tell just how deeply he had cared for—and trusted—those who betrayed him.
'Women. Probably lovers, or close to it. Knowing Ji-hu's affectionate nature, he must've grown close to several of them.'
Objectively speaking, Yu Ji-hu was strikingly handsome. Even six years ago, his looks had been enough to make countless women's hearts flutter—fitting for the younger brother of a woman renowned worldwide for her beauty.
"You don't have to think about anything. You don't have to do anything. Don't worry about a thing. Just rest. I'm here now."
She held him tighter as she repeated the words.
Her precious little brother didn't have to do anything anymore.
She would take care of everything now.
Even if he chose to shut himself away for the rest of his life, she would stay by his side, protecting and caring for him forever.
"Noona..."
"Yeah. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."
Being separated from him—sent to another world before he was—had been a source of immense stress for Ha-rin.
But seeing him like this, his heart shattered in her absence, filled her with a helpless frustration that even her overwhelming power couldn't dispel.
"No, Noona. I was the one who got sent away."
"Yeah, but still. From now on, don't worry. I'll always be by your side. I'll always protect you."
She meant every word.
For her brother, she was prepared to do anything.
That had been her vow thirteen years ago, on the day their parents died—when she was just thirteen.
I'll protect you.
She wouldn't let him be hurt again.
She would make him smile happily once more.
"Noona..."
"Yeah, Ji-hu?"
Still nestled in her arms, he called her name softly. She smiled down at him.
"Are you hungry?"
"No, I'm fine. More than that..."
"Hm?"
"Did you have a hard time too?"
Even in his own pain, he was worried about her.
Touched, Ha-rin shook her head gently.
"I was fine. Honestly, it was so easy I came back in just four years."
That wasn't entirely true.
Countless enemies had tried to kill her all at once. Many had attempted to assault her.
Some had slipped aphrodisiacs into her food. Others had laid out magic arrays to forcibly induce heat and subdue her.
Ha-rin crushed every single scheme and slaughtered every last one of them.
Those who admired her strength gathered under her, and she reigned supreme as the Empress before returning to Earth.
Then, while waiting for her brother's return, she built her influence here—establishing a reputation and powerbase so formidable that no one, not even other nations, dared cross her.
"So don't worry about me. You know how strong I am, right?"
"Yeah... I'm glad you weren't hurt."
Seeing his genuine relief made her chest tighten.
She didn't know who those women were who had hurt him, but one thing was certain:
If I ever lay eyes on them, I won't forgive them.
As she steeled herself, Ji-hu spoke again.
"Noona... is it okay if I just rest for a few days?"
"Of course. Rest as long as you need. I'll take care of everything."
"Okay... thank you."
As he lay back down, his expression was unbearably sorrowful. Watching him, Ha-rin silently stroked his forehead.
Don't worry about a thing, my beloved little brother.
But even with his eyes closed, his face was anything but peaceful.
"...Why?... How could you?"
Seeing him suffer even in sleep, the flames of rage in Ha-rin's heart burned fiercer than ever—directed at those who had done this to him.
[Don't worry about a thing. I'll defeat the Demon King and save this world.]
That was what Hero Yu Ji-hu had said before his final battle.
And he had kept his promise. He slew the Demon King and saved the world.
But the world, deceived by the Demon King's false oracle, betrayed him in return.
The Rusjerg Empire plotted to eliminate him, and his four closest companions—women he trusted—ultimately accepted the Empire's offer and turned their blades on him.
Yet when the full truth came to light, what awaited them was an abyss of despair, guilt, self-loathing, and regret so deep it seemed endless.
He had never betrayed them.
Everything had been the Demon King's fabrication. They had been fooled by lies and had wounded him—tried to kill him—themselves.
The Hero had saved the world, but the world had betrayed the Hero. And instead of seeking vengeance, he had chosen to return to Earth.
The weight of this truth crushed the four women beneath it.