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Chapter 2
The Earth I returned to was very different from the one I had once known.
For one thing, although I had spent over a hundred years in that other world, only ten years had passed here.
And during those ten years, Earth had suffered through relentless attacks by monsters and dungeons.
…
Dungeons appeared randomly, regardless of time or place.
If they weren’t dealt with in time, monsters would pour out and lay waste to entire cities.
Then there were the Awakened chosen by the System.
The people known as Hunters.
They were the ones who fought back.
…What a joke.
If this was how things were going to be anyway, then why did they have to strip me of my power?
“…This world’s already a complete mess too.”
In that case, Earth wasn’t much different from Thebe.
I’d even heard that some of the other Returnees had kept all the power they had accumulated in the other world and were now reigning as top-ranked Hunters.
Naturally, I couldn’t help feeling resentful over such blatant unfairness.
What is this? Discrimination?
When I first learned that, I devoted myself to recovering my strength.
My power had always been unique.
I had devised countless methods over the years, so I was certain I could restore myself before long.
But I was wrong.
…
None of them worked.
Every possibility failed, as though recovering my power had been fundamentally impossible from the very beginning.
As a result, barely a month after returning to Earth, I was forced to give up.
“Sigh…”
Of course, I had my suspicions.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
If I could somehow undergo this so-called Awakening, I might be able to regain my strength.
But what could I do?
Awakening wasn’t something a person could choose.
Among humanity, less than 0.1% ever awakened.
Though it is rather ironic that my little sister happens to be one of those chosen few…
My younger sister, Baek Seo-ha, was an Awakened.
Not only that, she was an A-Rank Hunter—a rank with fewer than a hundred people in all of Korea.
They even said her potential had no visible ceiling.
She might one day become an S-Rank.
Wasn’t she called a once-in-a-generation prodigy?
That was why she appeared on the news almost every day and starred in commercials.
While I was gone…
My little sister had become a celebrity.
And I…
I was the freeloader living comfortably in her expensive apartment, surviving entirely on her income.
“Glory shall be with you!”
“…Why would you use your Palace there?”
Now I was such a weak existence that I couldn’t even control the outcome of a fight between digital units in a game.
Boom!
[Defeat.]
Seeing the hollow message appear on the screen, I quietly exited the game.
“…Cola.”
I wanted cola.
I needed something carbonated to wash away this suffocating frustration.
Dragging my feet, I left my room and opened the refrigerator.
Click.
“…There’s none.”
Today really was a depressing day.
* * *
“Man… this is boring.”
Song Chanseop worked part-time at a convenience store.
Ten years had passed since the Day of Upheaval, and the era of Hunters and monsters had become commonplace.
Yet convenience stores remained just as popular as ever, so working at one wasn’t anything unusual.
This particular store, however, was different.
Guess it’s because it’s in a luxury apartment complex. Hardly any customers come by.
And the customers who did come weren’t ordinary either.
When he’d first started working there, he’d nearly panicked after serving a famous actor he’d only ever seen on television.
In short…
Most of the customers here were influential people.
Ding.
Unable to endure the boredom, Chanseop rested his chin on the counter.
Just then, the automatic door slid open.
He straightened up in surprise.
“Welcome.”
“…”
Looking over, he saw a tiny customer wearing a hoodie pulled down as far as possible over her face.
He recognized the outfit immediately.
…Oh. It’s been a while.
She lived in Building 4, one of the most expensive buildings in the apartment complex.
He didn’t know who she actually was, but there was no way he could forget her first visit.
Not that I could even if I wanted to.
The first time she’d come in, she’d had an entire blanket wrapped over her head so thoroughly that not even her face was visible.
At one point, he’d seriously considered calling the police because he thought she looked suspicious.
Though I’m used to her now.
From what Chanseop had observed, the girl was incredibly shy.
No…
It went beyond simple shyness.
She genuinely seemed unable to communicate comfortably with other people.
She’d improved recently, but there had been a time when she couldn’t even hold the simplest conversation.
“…Here.”
While he was reminiscing, she’d already gathered her purchases and quietly spoke.
Her voice was so soft it could easily be missed if he wasn’t paying attention.
Yet somehow…
It was also a remarkably pleasant voice.
Beep.
Beep.
“That’ll be 11,000 won altogether. Would you like a bag?”
The girl nodded.
Chanseop quickly packed everything.
Twenty cans of cola.
Nothing but cola.
After paying, the girl picked up the bag and turned toward the exit.
Normally, she would’ve hurried straight out.
Today, however, she did something different.
“…Th-thank you.”
Her voice was even quieter than before.
But because he’d been paying attention, Chanseop heard it clearly.
And for some reason…
He felt oddly touched.
She’s really improved a lot over this past year…
He didn’t know what she’d been through.
But he sincerely hoped that someday she’d be able to talk to people as naturally as everyone else.
Silently cheering her on, he watched her leave.
* * *
“Haa…”
This was the worst.
No matter how much time passed, I just couldn’t get used to this feeling.
Of course, I had improved tremendously over the past year.
Thankfully, the side effects weren’t permanent.
After constant effort, they had gradually begun to lessen.
At least now I could manage simple errands, like going to the convenience store across from the apartment.
Though crowded places are still absolutely impossible…
Honestly, I didn’t want to leave the house in the first place.
Thanks to Seo-ha, almost everything could be handled from home.
Besides, I wanted to avoid this forced emotional instability whenever possible.
But after watching me gradually become something less than human, my sister finally took drastic measures.
With tears in my eyes, I had no choice but to obey.
Her new rule was simple.
I had to buy small everyday necessities myself.
“…I worked hard today, so I deserve fried chicken.”
Feeling proud of accomplishing such an exhausting task, I put the cola into the refrigerator and opened a food delivery app.
Disappointment in myself?
Self-respect?
I’d lost those emotions long ago.
Once I’d experienced the comfort of being taken care of…
Those feelings were no longer necessary.
After all…
I’d spent over a hundred years painstakingly building my strength.
Only to lose all of it in a matter of seconds.
Likewise…
One year was enough for the powerful spirit I’d forged over that same century to become dull.
Doing absolutely nothing…
Just resting…
Was sweeter than I’d ever imagined.
Wonderfully comfortable.
That was all.
…
To put it plainly…
I had already lost any reason to keep moving forward.
I was certain I could live like this forever and remain perfectly satisfied.
Click.
Fsssshh.
Gulp.
The cola I’d just bought was ice cold.
Each mouthful of fizz sliding down my throat brought another tiny burst of pleasure.
Gulp.
Gulp.
May these days last forever.
Once again, I quietly hypnotized myself with that thought.
Then—
“Brother. I told you not to drink so much cola. How many cans is that? And you didn’t even touch the salad I made for you! Honestly… And what’s with your hair? You didn’t shower again, did you?”
“S-Sorry…”
When Seo-ha came home…
She thoroughly scolded me.
* * *
Those known as Awakened.
The moment they awaken, every one of them receives a Title that reflects their natural aptitude.
No one knows who assigns those Titles.
Perhaps it’s the System.
Or perhaps it’s the will of some higher existence beyond it.
Whatever the truth, Hunters build their combat roles around those Titles and develop the talents associated with them.
“Status Window.”
[Baek Seo-ha]
Title: Spearbearer Blessed by God
Level: 54
After clearing another dungeon that day, Seo-ha stared at the title displayed in her status window before asking the teammate beside her,
“Do you think… God really exists?”
“That’s a pretty random question.”
The team’s main offensive mage, Cha Hwa-ryeon, chuckled.
“So what if He does? So what if He doesn’t? It’s not like anything changes.”
“…I suppose you’re right.”
It was only idle curiosity.
Does God truly exist?
If so…
How much influence does He have over everything happening now?
Ever since receiving the Title Spearbearer Blessed by God, Seo-ha had been able to wield a spear as naturally as if it were part of her own body.
It was undoubtedly a tremendous blessing.
Yet…
It also frightened her.
If power could be granted so suddenly…
There was nothing strange about it disappearing just as suddenly.
“I keep telling you, you’re secretly such an oddball. Come on, let’s clock out already. Didn’t you say you’re having dinner with your family tonight?”
“Yes. I’ll just finish putting this away.”
Then again…
What did it matter?
Eleven years had passed since the Day of Upheaval stole their parents away.
Now she and her brother were the only family either of them had left.
The only reason she could protect the Returnee Baek Eun-ha under the government’s supervision, without anyone causing trouble, was because of the position she held today.
And if protecting him meant becoming nothing more than a chess piece in the hands of someone watching from above…
Baek Seo-ha was willing to accept that without hesitation.
