As the front door clicked shut, Ha-eun lingered on the porch, waving politely as Hye-su and Hae-won walked down the path. Inside, Jin-ho remained in the living room, his mind weighed down by the swirl of emotions the morning had brought. He leaned back against the couch, letting his gaze drift around the familiar room, struggling to process the idea of rejoining the company he'd once loved—and left.
Meanwhile, Hye-su and Hae-won walked side by side, their steps falling in rhythm as they reached the quiet street. The smile that Hae-won had been holding slipped away, and she looked over at her friend, a hint of worry creasing her brow.
"Are we really doing the right thing, Hye-su?" she asked in a low voice, the conflict evident. "Giving Jin-ho this much leeway, it's... a lot. Not to mention explaining this to the others. Evie, Daniel, Matthieu, and Prince Tarif—they won't take it lightly, you know that."
Hye-su's gaze remained steady, determination glinting in her eyes.
"I know it's risky, Hae-won, but I'll make it work," she spoke with a quiet confidence that belied her inner tension. "Within the agreement we all signed, there's one stipulation that allows us to make this decision—remember the clause about primary founders' discretion?"
Hae-won nodded slowly, though her expression remained troubled. The clause Hye-su referred to was an unspoken trump card, a powerful safeguard that gave the primary founders—her and Hye-su—the final say in situations where they believed the company's core principles or foundational values were at stake. If the two of them came to a unanimous decision, everyone else was bound to follow it, whether or not they agreed.
Hye-su's voice dropped as she continued.
"We both know Jin-ho's presence at NexaCorp was more than just a role—he shaped the foundation of the game, along with us, the vision we all believed in. I'm using that clause to bend the rules, yes, but only to protect what we've built. We can frame this decision as a necessary measure for stability; we all have our ways of ensuring that, after all."
They walked in silence for a moment, each lost in thought.
Hye-su and Hae-won slipped back into the black sedan, letting the doors close with a gentle thud. The car's engine hummed to life, and soon they were headed back toward the university, each lost in thought about the challenging days ahead. For now, the tension between them had subsided, replaced by the resolve to face whatever came next together.
Back in the quiet house, Jin-ho remained in the living room, his thoughts drifting in a mix of relief and apprehension. He knew things could have gone far worse—Hye-su and Hae-won had every reason to cut ties entirely, to ensure he paid for every breach and broken trust. Yet, here he was, being offered a second chance, albeit with boundaries, but a chance nonetheless.
From the kitchen, the sound of running water slowed, and Ha-eun's voice cut through the silence, slightly raised to reach him.
"Those two," she began, scrubbing a plate and letting her thoughts spill out as easily as her soapy water. "They're some loyal friends, Jin-ho. Not many people would show up like that, still caring after all you put them through."
Jin-ho managed a faint smile, leaning back against the couch and staring up at the ceiling.
"Yeah, they're pretty remarkable," he replied, his voice carrying a tinge of awe. "I half-expected them to be heartless by now, honestly, to walk in here demanding retribution. I left them, broke their trust, and did things I didn't expect them to forgive. And yet… they came out stronger."
He paused, a sense of admiration and self-reflection in his tone.
"They survived. Grew into better versions of themselves. I guess now it's my turn to do the same—to catch up to them."
As Ha-eun finished washing the last of the dishes, she dried her hands on a towel, her gaze softening as she watched him. She walked over to the couch, sitting down beside him, and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"You'll get there, Jin-ho. You were always tougher than you gave yourself credit for." She smirked a bit, nudging him playfully. "Though, I never thought I'd see you playing the reformed hero."
He rolled his eyes, barking out a short laugh.
"Please, I'm hardly the hero here," he nudged her back, smirking. "If anything, I'm just lucky to have an annoyingly supportive sister around. You've probably been waiting for this day just so you can say, 'I told you so.'"
"Oh, I've been waiting alright," she laughed, leaning back on the couch and giving his shoulder a little shove. "Now don't think for a second that I'll let you off easy, mister. I'll keep you on your toes, so don't even think about running off this time."
Jin-ho chuckled, nudging her back.
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
Jin-ho's thoughts drifted as he sat with Ha-eun, their moment of teasing leaving a comfortable silence. With the weight of his recent conversation with Hye-su and Hae-won behind him, he felt a mixture of relief and apprehension. What now? While he wasn't returning to the competitive scene, the upcoming World NexaRealm Championship felt more significant than ever. It wasn't just another tournament; it was an event where teams from around the globe would battle for recognition, pride, and the chance to etch their names into history. And Korea? This year, they might finally have a shot at making a real impact.
The Korean team roster had been freshly reassembled, with Joon-ho and his friends taking the spotlight. While Jin-ho wouldn't be out there fighting for a title, he knew the feeling well—the thrill of the challenge, the pressure to perform, the determination to carry one's country. And he was all too aware of how much Joon-ho and his teammates had to face: the elite players with years of experience, tight-knit teams that could read each other's moves like clockwork, and the confidence that only the top competitors carried.
He thought back to his days testing and fine-tuning NexaRealm, the countless hours he'd spent making sure every corner of the game held a challenge and a reward. Now, it was Joon-ho and the new generation's turn. And although Jin-ho wouldn't be part of it directly, he was proud to know that Korea's players were heading into the arena with that same passion.
Despite the weight of everything he was stepping into, Jin-ho felt a sense of peace. He was ready to help however he could, even if it was from the sidelines, quietly supporting the next generation of players like Joon-ho and his friends as they ventured into the NexaRealm Championship. There was no telling how far they'd go or what challenges they'd face, but Jin-ho knew they'd give everything for Korea. And after all, it was their time now.
As he glanced out the window, a renewed determination filled him. The World NexaRealm Championship was coming, and while he wouldn't be on the battlefield, he'd be cheering Joon-ho and his team every step of the way.
Jin-ho leaned back, his gaze settling on the view from his sister's living room window, a light autumn breeze rustling the trees. Outside, the world continued as it always had, but Jin-ho knew that for Joon-ho and his friends, the world was about to get a whole lot bigger and infinitely more intense. The World NexaRealm Championship wasn't just a competition—it was a proving ground, and the battles ahead would test them in ways they'd never experienced before.
"Those kids don't know what's coming," he muttered with a wry smile, half to himself. Ha-eun raised an eyebrow, catching his words.
"Why's that?" she asked, curious.
"Because this tournament…it's ruthless," Jin-ho replied, his voice dropping with a hint of admiration and caution. "It'll push them to their limits and then some. They're not just going up against other players; they're facing strategies honed by veterans, tactics that exploit every weakness. But if they're anything like the people I once fought beside, they'll have the grit to see it through."
Ha-eun chuckled softly.
"Sounds like you almost want to be out there with them."
Jin-ho gave a small nod, his smile bittersweet.
"A part of me does. But they're the future, not me. It's their turn to carve out their story, their victories, and yeah… even their losses," he looked at Ha-eun, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Whatever happens, they'll make us proud."
With that, Jin-ho rose, feeling a quiet sense of anticipation in his chest. This next arc, for Joon-ho and his friends, would be like nothing they'd ever faced—a journey into the heart of NexaRealm's fiercest battles, where champions would rise, and legends would fall. It was only the beginning.
As Jin-ho moved toward the window, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He could almost see them now—Joon-ho and his friends, face set with determination, navigating NexaRealm's fierce landscapes and unyielding challenges. The weight of representing Korea would press on them, yes, but he sensed a raw tenacity in those kids, something that went beyond skill or strategy.
They had the drive to push through walls, to give everything they had in each battle, no matter the odds. The road ahead would be unforgiving, teeming with rivalries, near defeats, and untold pressure, but it would also mould them into something greater. For them, this wasn't just a game—it was a calling. And from the sidelines, Jin-ho would be watching, rooting for them to rise above and leave a legacy that echoed through the world of NexaRealm.