The concept of a peaceful retirement is often a distant dream, but for the protagonist of I'll Retire After Saving the World, it's the sole motivation for a monumental task: saving a world already on the brink of apocalypse. This modern Korean fantasy (manhwa/web novel), also known by the title I Will Save the World and Retire, has captivated readers with its unique blend of gritty regressor tropes and the surprisingly mundane goal of a quiet life.

As of late 2025, the series continues to release new chapters, drawing fans deeper into the life of a seasoned hero who just wants to clock out. The latest updates reveal deeper character connections, escalating global threats, and a protagonist, Woo Hwijae, who constantly battles his past trauma while trying to secure a future free of dungeons and monsters.

The Regressor's Profile: Woo Hwijae's Biography and Core Goal

The entire premise of I'll Retire After Saving the World hinges on the protagonist's past and his singular, almost obsessive, desire for a quiet life. Unlike typical power-fantasy heroes who seek glory or revenge, Woo Hwijae's motivation is profoundly relatable: a comfortable retirement.

Here is a detailed look at the man behind the world-saving mission:

• Name: Woo Hwijae (우희재)
• Role: Protagonist, Regressor, Former Subject of a Criminal Organization, Current Hunter/Administrator (often reluctantly)
• Original Timeline: Lived through the catastrophic "global explosion of dungeons" in the year 2044, suffering immense loss and trauma.
• Regression Point: Wakes up 20 years in the past, right before the apocalypse begins, but in his older, more experienced body.
• Primary Motivation: To prevent the future cataclysm and ensure a peaceful, quiet retirement life that he was denied in the previous timeline. The death of his adopted father, Hong Seokyoung, is a major catalyst.
• Personality: Upfront, pragmatic, harsh on the surface, but deeply caring and protective, especially towards the kids he ends up training. His demeanor is a direct result of a life spent in a lab and on the battlefield.

The Mentor and The Catalyst: Hong Seokyoung

Central to Hwijae’s tragic past and current mission is Hong Seokyoung. Seokyoung is the powerful hunter who rescued Hwijae from the criminal organization that held him captive during his youth. He became Hwijae’s adopted father and mentor. His death in the original timeline is the defining tragedy that fuels Hwijae’s desire to regress and change the future. Saving Hong Seokyoung and ensuring his own peaceful retirement are two sides of the same coin for the regressor hero.

The 5 Major Plot Twists and Unique Selling Points of the Story

I Will Save the World and Retire stands out from the crowded field of regression stories by focusing less on power-leveling and more on the emotional toll of knowing the future. The narrative is driven by Hwijae's quiet competence and his struggle to manage the world's fate while maintaining a low profile.

1. The Return in His Older Body

Unlike many regressor stories where the hero returns to their younger self, Hwijae regresses in his older, battle-hardened body. This immediate physical and mental maturity gives him an overwhelming advantage but also creates social friction. He is a seasoned veteran forced to interact with his younger, future-hero allies who are still children or teenagers. This twist immediately sets a unique tone, as the protagonist is a weary adult rather than a youthful prodigy.

2. The Reluctant Teacher Trope

Hwijae’s plan for a quiet life is immediately complicated when he is forced into a position of mentorship. To save the world, he must train the next generation of hunters—the very people who will become the S-Class heroes of the future. He becomes a reluctant teacher, often appearing harsh and uncaring, but secretly dedicating himself to their growth to ensure they can handle the threats he knows are coming. This dynamic with characters like Yoo Jieun and Choi Jinwoo is a major source of the story’s charm and comedy.

3. The 'Dungeon Apocalypse' Timeline

The story's setting in 2044, right before the "global explosion of dungeons," grounds the fantasy elements in a modern, apocalyptic Korean setting. The threat is not a slow burn but a sudden, overwhelming cataclysm. Hwijae’s knowledge is a ticking clock, forcing him to make strategic, often morally grey, decisions to prepare for the inevitable disaster. His actions are always calculated to minimize the global impact, not maximize his personal power.

4. The Conflict with His Own Past

Hwijae's childhood trauma, being held captive and experimented on by a criminal organization, is a recurring theme. Even as he saves the world, he is constantly dealing with the emotional and psychological scars of his past. This adds a layer of depth, making his desire for a "peaceful retirement" not just a goal, but a desperate yearning for emotional stability. The story uses this background to explore themes of guilt, regret, and the difficulty of letting go of the past.

5. The Administrative Burden

Unlike a lone wolf hunter, Hwijae finds himself entangled in the bureaucracy of the "Ability Management Agency" or similar organizations. He is often portrayed as the Secretary-General or a high-ranking administrator, a suit-wearing hero who deals with paperwork, political maneuvering, and resource allocation as much as he deals with monsters. This administrative burden is a key source of his exhaustion and reinforces his desire to simply retire.

2025 Status and Why Fans Are Still Hooked (Chapter 79 Update)

The longevity of I'll Retire After Saving the World is a testament to its strong character writing and unique premise. As of late 2025, the manhwa is still actively being updated, with the latest known release reaching Chapter 79 on various platforms.

The Latest Developments and Topical Authority

The continuous updates throughout 2025 have focused on Hwijae’s escalating efforts to secure the future. The narrative has moved beyond simple dungeon clearing to more complex political and organizational conflicts. Fans are particularly invested in:

• The Future Heroes’ Growth: The development of his students, including Yoo Jieun and Choi Jinwoo, is a major thread. Hwijae’s success is measured by their ability to stand on their own.
• The Romance Subplot: Though subtle, the possibility of a romantic interest, often speculated to be one of his colleagues or allies like Park Seohyun, keeps readers engaged. Hwijae’s focus on "retirement" makes any hint of a personal life a significant development.
• Preventing Key Tragedies: The core tension remains Hwijae's race against time to prevent specific, catastrophic events he knows will happen, all while trying to keep his knowledge of the future a secret.

Key Supporting Characters (Entities)

The story’s topical authority is built on a strong ensemble cast who either aid Hwijae’s mission or complicate his retirement plans. These characters are central to the latest chapters:

• Hong Seokyoung: Hwijae’s adopted father and the ultimate person Hwijae must save.
• Yoo Jieun: One of the young, future S-Class heroes Hwijae reluctantly mentors.
• Park Seohyun: A key ally, often a colleague in the administrative organization, and a potential romantic interest.
• Lee Miseon: Another member of the supporting cast, likely a hunter or administrator.
• Choi Jinwoo: Another student or young hunter under Hwijae’s guidance.
• Kim Chaemin: A character involved in the hunter/dungeon ecosystem.

For fans of regressor stories, the series offers a fresh perspective: a hero who is tired, competent, and whose greatest ambition is simply to stop being a hero. With the manhwa continuing to release new chapters well into 2025, the journey of Woo Hwijae towards his elusive peaceful retirement is far from over, and readers are eagerly awaiting the next twist in his carefully planned, yet constantly chaotic, life.