In a world where families were lost, friends were lost, and everything was being lost, the world turned upside down and some cherished their families more than their own lives. Some abandoned even their families and wished only for themselves to survive.

On days when someone died, wailing sounds echoed. The mournful cries lamenting the deaths of family, friends, and relatives were so sorrowful.

That’s why Cheon Shin Woo hated all of it.

He hated his younger sibling. At 14, it was difficult enough to take care of oneself, but having to look after a 7-year-old in that chaos just because they were siblings was overwhelming.

If only they would disappear.

If you had died like Mom and Dad, it would have been easier for me.

These thoughts that occasionally arose would consume him from head to toe. He resented his sibling who would only cry no matter how much he tried to soothe them.

He disliked the people who would give him warning looks, fearing that the crying might attract monsters.

He hated the fact that he had to be cautious even though it wasn’t his fault, and that he had to take care of someone even though he himself was at an age that needed care.

His sibling became a burden day by day.

As death and screams became more vivid daily, people no longer waited for someone to rescue them.

It was a time when they formed groups to find food, maintain security, and make desperate efforts to survive somehow.

It was a period when everyone struggled to keep themselves alive, so even 14-year-olds were not spared and were drafted without exception.

Cheon Shin Woo thought it was fortunate that he would be separated from his sibling.

Somewhere, people called Awakened began to appear.

Finally, humanity was able to counterattack.

However, the Awakened were still few in number.

On a day when people had to drive others to their deaths to survive, and turn a blind eye to death…

“What? Shin Ah has disappeared?”

Cheon Shin Woo had to hear this news that struck like a bolt from the blue.

It was the day he had been assigned to the food gathering group.

Luckily, he had been able to return safely without incident and had brought back preserved food with a good expiration date without any problems.

It had been quite a lucky day, he thought.

“This is insane…”

How could a 7-year-old child wander around so fearlessly?

If only you had died, if only you had disappeared, if you weren’t here, it would have been easier for me.

The thoughts he constantly had began to weigh him down.

“…”

Why didn’t you die with Mom and Dad, why did you survive?

Even though he had such thoughts, he never really wished for his sibling to die or disappear.

If his sibling were to die too, he would be left alone. He suddenly felt scared.

What if he really ended up alone?

He began to search for his sibling, brushing off those who tried to stop him. He shouted “Shin Ah!” even though making loud noises might attract monsters.

When the sun sets, it becomes completely dark. He had to find her before then.

Shin Ah had forgotten how to speak since the moment their parents died. The child who was barely rescued after being trapped under the corpses of their brutally murdered parents could no longer speak.

“Cheon Shin Ah! Damn it, where did you go!”

As the day gradually darkened, he shouted as if screaming. From somewhere, a low growling sound was heard.

Cheon Shin Woo’s body stiffened. Beyond the fading light as the sun was almost setting, thump, thump, some shadow approached.

A giant mantis. Something that could barely be called a mantis was shaking its head with a creaking sound.

“Ah. Aah…”

Although he had seen it from afar a few times, this was the first time encountering it in person. His legs, turned to stone, wouldn’t move.

Cheon Shin Woo thought. If Shin Ah hadn’t disappeared, if he hadn’t come looking, if he hadn’t cared whether she lived or died, would he have encountered this monster?

No, if only Shin Ah hadn’t disappeared…

The monster raised its arm. Cheon Shin Woo closed his eyes, anticipating the terrible pain that would follow.

“…!”

But nothing happened. Kieek, the monster screamed. That voice was horrifying.

When he opened his eyes, there was still a small girl standing there, arms outstretched as if protecting him.

“…Shin, Ah?”

Where she found such courage, the little one had thrown her whole body at the monster. Thanks to that, the fallen monster was struggling to get up.

“B-brother. Don’t go. No, don’t leave Shin Ah behind. N-no. Brother, brother can’t…”

The child spoke while crying. The monster stood up.

It was a small size, barely reaching 2 meters even with both arms fully stretched. The monster that had seemed so large until just now. It was small enough to fall from just a child’s body tackle.

“Ah, aah. Shin, Shin Ah.”

Though trembling, though stuttering, the child stood in the way of the monster, not wanting to lose the only family left. This fact tormented Cheon Shin Woo.

“N-no. Brother can’t leave Shin Ah behind too, no. Brother can’t…”

The child says this while crying loudly, pronunciation unclear. Even as the monster regains its balance and stands up, raising its blade again.

“I won’t die, I won’t go! Damn it, I must be crazy!”

Cheon Shin Woo, finally standing up, picked up a stone lying around. Even though he threw it quite hard, the monster seemed unaffected and only turned its head with a creak.

As if pondering between two prey, it only showed intense signs of exploration.

“Haha, this is truly insane.”

He realized why his sibling had disappeared.

Not wanting to be left alone, afraid that her brother might die like their parents. Afraid of being killed like that, she had set out to find him in her own way. Not wanting to lose the only family left, the 7-year-old had rashly…

Gritting his teeth, Cheon Shin Woo picked up another stone. Somehow draw its attention and escape. If we run away with all our might, we might survive.

If we survive, I’ll make up for everything I couldn’t do until now.

It was a resolution and a decision. Without even that decision, he couldn’t have endured here.

The moment he thought that, the ground shook. With a booming sound, the earth trembled. Even the monster lost its balance and fell.

Boom.

A thunderous noise arose.

“Bro… ther?”

A massive crack appeared.

“Shin Ah… Shin Ah, Cheon Shin Ah!”

The flash that turned the surroundings white completely covered their vision.

The light flashed for an instant.

Soon, the earthquake stopped. The cracked ground, the monster trying to stand up after falling, the debris of collapsed buildings, and an unpleasant sensation being felt.

Cheon Shin Woo saw and remembered clearly that day. The fact that a bright light arose beyond the gap in the split space.

The scene of that light swallowing the body of his 7-year-old younger sibling.

The small hand that was last stretched out towards him.

“…Ha.”

Plop, pitter-patter. Raindrops fell. The monster raised its arm with blades. Cheon Shin Woo stood there blankly.

“Haha…”

If only a burden had remained by his side, if only his 7-year-old sibling who was of no help had been beside him.

He lost his parents on the day the destruction began. He doesn’t know if his relatives are still alive. Friends… are they alive?

He just lost the last family member he had left.

He could no longer find a reason to struggle to survive in this despair.

Pitter-patter.

Raindrops beat heavily on the ground. Cheon Shin Woo, facing death, looked up at the sky.

Yes. If it ends like this, there will be nothing more to fear, no need to be cautious anymore.

At that moment, facing death.

A single ray of salvation descended before him.

On the day of his awakening, Cheon Shin Woo lost his last remaining family member.

There were many Awakened who hated monsters. They were all people who had lost family, friends, and precious things to them.

Cheon Shin Woo was one of them. He slaughtered monsters with hatred.

That was his only reason to survive.

Eradicating the hateful monsters in this world. Other than that, there was no reason, no need to live.

That’s how he lived.

Time passed, and the world somewhat settled.

Research on Gates and monsters was conducted.

And beings called Returnees appeared.

They said they had stayed in another world and came back.

The System provided various conveniences in line with the speed at which humanity restored civilization.

On the day his sibling was devoured by the rift, Cheon Shin Woo saw a faint figure beyond the rift.

Returnees can come back.

So, his sibling should be able to return too.

Failing to protect his sibling once was enough. He eliminated all risk factors. He must protect them so that there would never be any danger again.

Even if that meant not respecting his sibling’s will.

Many things changed. Cheon Shin Woo closed his eyes as he looked at the translucent red window floating above his hand.

One failure is enough.

This time, I’ll protect you properly.

It was a promise that wouldn’t be heard.

He hoped his sibling would live in a comfortable cage without jumping into dangerous situations.

#Chapter 2. What do you mean I’m S-class?

The sky visible through the transparent glass window was clear and blue.

Beyond the window, people as small as ants could be seen moving about. Perhaps because the weather was good, everyone seemed joyful.

It’s been a week since the start of this imprisonment-like confinement, and I feel like I’m dying of boredom.

Yes. I am currently confined.

What has happened in the week since it was discovered that I am Cheon Shin Woo’s younger sister? Nothing. Surprisingly, really nothing.

It’s been a week since the esteemed Rank 1 left for a foreign country without any explanation. For the sole reason of it being dangerous, I’ve become someone who can neither do this nor that.

I should have noticed when Min Yu Shin, Cheon Shin Woo’s personal secretary, didn’t follow him. The beginning of this boring confinement, that is.

“Ugh…”

“Haha, you look even more like a caterpillar today.”

Min Yu Shin laughed brightly as he sipped his coffee. Is he bragging about his freedom? He’s really annoying.

Unable to bear it anymore, I pleaded.

“Can’t I go outside just for today?”

“Hmm, no.”

“Really, just for one hour, even just for a walk.”

“No−.”

“I’ll really just see my friend’s face for a moment, just a moment!”

“Shin Ah.”

“Yes!”

“No.”

“…Alright.”

Seeing my expression rapidly wither, Min Yu Shin let out an ambiguous laugh and said.

“Well, just hang in there a bit longer. The esteemed Rank 1 has made quite a few enemies here and there… With this recent Guild-God incident too, you never know. Hm? Want me to buy you something tasty?”

“…No, thank you.”

That’s right. The damned Rank 1 had made many enemies. As they say, with many fans come many anti-fans, and there were more than a few people grinding their teeth wanting revenge on Cheon Shin Woo.

The unawakened younger sister of such a Cheon Shin Woo? A perfect prey.