As Soon as I Became S Class, My Childhood Friend Followed

At a young age, I was caught up in a Gate incident and barely made it out alive. They called me a “miracle child,” Jung Jehee. But that so-called “miracle” meant nothing—I had only barely survived. I lost my sight, my ability to move freely, and was even diagnosed as terminally ill. Trapped in a hospital room, all I could do was wait for the day I would die… Then, in a moment of life-or-death crisis, I awakened as Korea’s first-ever S-rank. After a long, long hospital stay, my new life as an S-rank began. It should have been something to celebrate. So why is it that my childhood friend, Im Taehwan, who had been so devoted to me throughout my years of illness, is acting so strange? “Jehee… don’t tell me… you can see through me?” Even after learning about my awakening, he seemed oddly unsettled. “After you’re discharged, I was thinking… how about living with me?” He insisted on living together for some reason. “Once you’re out, why don’t we go study abroad? Anywhere is fine.” Out of nowhere, he started suggesting we move overseas together. For thirteen years, he took care of me every single day. He should be free to live his own life now. For the sake of my kind but stubborn friend, I tried my best to gain independence from him. But then— “Ah, that? It’s called a re-awakening.” “Seems like I got a little stronger.” To make matters worse, my childhood friend followed right behind me—awakening as the second-ever S-rank in Korea. Just days after I became the first. “How did Taehwan end up awakening as an S-rank like me…?” Is S-rank something contagious? This is getting seriously weird. * * * “Jung Jehee. Do you really not want to live with me?” “You’re in danger just by being with me. You’re only a B-rank and don’t even have combat abilities. At best, you’re just a normal person with slightly better stamina and strength.” Could Taehwan, who has a non-combat ability, really protect me? He stayed silent, as if he couldn’t argue with what I said. “No, it’s just that…” “You only said your house feels empty to reassure my mom, didn’t you? The truth is, you like being alone—that’s why you never joined a guild. I know how hard it is for solo artifact creators to survive. And yet, you insist on staying independent.” “No, it’s true that I like being alone. But… you…” “I’m a bit special?” “…Uh… well… no, I mean…” “So? What exactly do you mean?” “…You are… a little special… I guess…?” Avoiding my gaze, he mumbled under his breath, “We’re friends, after all…” For someone so big, he still acts just like he did when we were kids. He won’t meet my eyes, yet he won’t let go of me either.