Ch.144144. New Year’s Resolutions

As everyone was enjoying the joy of the New Year, Eun Serin sat facing her laptop.

The warm room temperature and the aroma of freshly boiled rice cake soup permeated the air.

The door opened, and a child who appeared to be about five years old came running in.

[Mom… It’s delicious! This is really delicious!]

The child held the rice cake soup she had made herself. Seeing his mouth smeared with food, Eun Serin pulled out a tissue.

“You should eat slowly.”

Eun Serin was looking at her son, who had grown a bit more than before.

At least his face had changed from that haggard, progeria-like appearance to something more human-like.

‘So during growth, the human form is the default, huh?’

Being a new species, everything the child did was worth documenting.

But soon, the child’s gaze became anxious.

[But Mom… why can’t I go outside? I want to go out like before.]

“I’m sorry. Mom wishes she could let you.”

The child was anxious now. Understandably so, since he couldn’t go anywhere except through underground passages to carry out “assassinations.”

‘He’s fundamentally ferocious.’

Though Eun Serin was clearly restraining him, he longed for freedom from this confinement.

Moreover, having already completed “several assignments,” he had developed a taste for it.

[Mom, I’m bored. Kids are playing outside the window.]

“You’re different from other children. You’re special.”

[Special?]

“Yes, so be patient a little longer. Soon, you’ll receive much praise.”

Eun Serin comforted the child while wearing a dark expression.

That praise would likely be vastly different from what the world typically considers praise.

But this was the child’s fate. That’s how he was born.

‘The Goegyeopdan will take a big hit since this operation was nearly a failure. They’ll need to find other means.’

Eun Serin already knew that Do Jonghyun had fallen into their net.

[Keep an eye on Do Jonghyun.]

Since they were at the same school, it was certainly a reasonable directive.

‘This is how it should be.’

The Goegyeopdan had suffered severe losses from this failure.

In the process of providing feedback, Do Jonghyun was now being constantly monitored like a fixed variable.

The report where Eun Serin had denied his involvement was already useless.

Suspicions had arisen, and since an executive had experienced it firsthand, it couldn’t be ignored.

Eun Serin stared blankly at the ceiling for a moment. The light was getting dim; it was time to replace it.

‘It’s worn out. Is it because I’ve been living without paying much attention?’

How long could she continue playing the role of a good teacher?

Eun Serin thought of Do Jonghyun, who had said he would take responsibility for her.

‘Would you still say that if you knew my true nature? You’d despise me anyway.’

It was like a kind of affair. In the end, she would have to return to her original purpose.

Her phone rang.

-Do Jonghyun: Instructor. Did you have a good New Year? Is the baby growing well? My mother won a prize at a mart event, and it’s baby supplies. I mentioned you to her, and she said to give them to you without hesitation.

“Baby supplies… they won’t be of any use.”

Eun Serin looked bitterly at her child, who had the physical body of a five-year-old.

But since she had publicly claimed to be raising a baby, she couldn’t refuse.

‘It’s been a while since we met.’

Though she felt a slight flutter of excitement, Eun Serin denied it again.

‘But from now on, things will only get worse.’

The Goegyeopdan would use this failure as an asset. People are bound to find answers.

How long could Do Jonghyun hide the fact that he was a monster?

‘Can you really change people’s feelings about monsters by yourself? Unless that happens, it’s going to be difficult.’

Eun Serin reorganized her feelings about Do Jonghyun.

It was just because he was special. Not an emotional attraction, but curiosity about his uniqueness—his transformation into a monster.

She brainwashed herself into believing that her curiosity about what kind of being he was took precedence.

‘What am I hoping for? Am I going to forget my original goal because of that boy?’

[Why did you do it! Why did my brother end up like that? Why didn’t you protect him! You forced him to do it! Why! Why!]

Bang!

At that moment, Eun Serin reflexively slammed her fist on the desk. Suddenly, the door burst open, and her son rushed in.

[Mom?]

“Ah, calm down. Calm down. It was just a mistake. A mistake.”

Sharp blades emerged from various parts of the child’s body, and his face became more ferocious.

‘The power of monsters based on emotions is still unknown. That must be the key.’

Eun Serin made an appointment with Do Jonghyun. It could be done by delivery, but meeting in person would be fastest.

However, at that moment, a slight flutter arose in her heart.

As an adult, she couldn’t mistake this emotion, but as mentioned earlier, she forcibly ignored it, telling herself it was just because he was unique.

‘…Why am I worrying about this? I have to get revenge anyway. For that child’s sake. For my sake!’

Eun Serin’s gaze was fixed on a neatly cleaned family photo.

*

[January 10th to 23rd. Everyone gather at the entrance of Mount Seorak in Gangwon Province.]

The day after the New Year began, while reheating the rice cake soup from the previous day, I received a message from the Cheonji Guild.

They were planning to proceed with the training we had discussed earlier.

For two weeks, the Cheonji Guild would train us. Well, education from a major guild would be a great help to me.

While waiting for that, my mother came with a gloomy face, saying she had won a prize at the mart.

It should be something to be happy about, but it was a set of items needed for infants.

In other words, it was useless to us. My son is becoming a high school sophomore this year, so what would we do with these?

Well, I’ve heard there are some niche role-plays where people act like babies. But I don’t have anyone to use that with.

[Waa. Baby Jonghyun here.]

Erasing that unnecessary imagination from my mind, I asked my mother.

“Mom, should we give these to our instructor?”

Actually, there was no reason to meet Eun Serin during the vacation, but this opportunity arose.

Mom also agreed since she’s someone I’ll be seeing for the next two years anyway.

“Then I should contact her. Ah… it hurts, it hurts.”

It’s been two days since meeting Seol Yuhwa. By now, I should be feeling better, but my whole body aches with muscle pain, probably from overexertion.

But what can I do?

It’s not like we’re meeting today anyway.

However, my expectations were completely ignored by Eun Serin’s next message.

-Eun Serin: Can I come pick it up right away? This noona has a car, you know.

She’s coming out hot. Now I have to get ready. As I was preparing warm clothes, the Monster Daily appeared as if it were the most natural thing.

Date: 4 days later

“Four days later… that’s plenty of time.”

By then, my body should be functioning well, and I’ll earn some points.

I picked up the items along with a thick padded jacket.

-Eun Serin: Don’t come out. Just stay inside. It’s hard for you, right?

-Do Jonghyun: Oh, really? I thought you were going to pick me up separately.

-Eun Serin: You’re injured, aren’t you?

-Do Jonghyun: I’m just a bit stiff, that’s all.

-Eun Serin: Besides, your mother is at home, right? Wouldn’t it be strange if I came to pick you up and took you away?

It’s a shame, but I guess going out is not an option.

Anyway, 30 minutes later, Eun Serin arrived. She thoughtfully brought some tissues as well.

“I’m sorry that the academy hasn’t been able to protect students well. This is a small gift.”

“Oh my, welcome. I thought it would be a male teacher, but you’re so young and pretty.”

“Oh, you’re very young yourself, ma’am!”

My mother’s face was literally beaming. Wait, she doesn’t even show that expression to her own child?

“Jonghyun, what are you doing? Quickly load it into the car. Please come in and have some tea.”

“No, I have a child at home.”

“Oh, come on. One cup won’t hurt. I can’t not offer hospitality to my son’s teacher.”

Mom forcefully pulled her in with her characteristic persistence. It’s hard to refuse an invitation from an older person.

After I loaded the items into the car and came back, my mother’s elaborate dribbling had already begun in the living room.

“You look so young, but you’re twenty-six? You’re still a virgin, a virgin.”

“Ma’am, please… I’m already married with a child.”

“Of course! Men wouldn’t leave a woman like you alone. They’d snatch you right up. Even in my youth, men used to follow me around. My husband was so persistent.”

Wait? Mom, isn’t that too much? I’ve seen photos of you when you were young.

[Your mom was very determined. She really chased after your dad, you know?]

Why are Dad and Mom’s stories so different? With this fundamental question in mind, I joined them.

The topic of conversation was, of course, about me.

“Is our Jonghyun doing that well?”

“Yes, ma’am. He’s already the best in the lower class, and he’ll probably take the promotion exam soon, right?”

Eun Serin patted my head.

Indeed, it’s about time for me to be promoted.

The promotion exam takes place the week before school starts to adjust class placements.

“Yes. If I’m aiming for something, it should be the advanced class. I wonder if I can make it.”

“Advanced class? You can do it. I’ve seen your abilities, and they’re more than sufficient. You can hold your own anywhere.”

“See, Mom? This is the kind of man I am.”

Being able to boast in front of my mother felt quite good.

Especially since she’s always worried about me getting hurt.

“He’s really a leader in the lower class, and even the advanced class students acknowledge him. How well must you have raised him, ma’am?”

“No, what did I do? Oh my, our Jonghyun must have talent.”

I’m happy because my mother is happy. It’s much easier when the instructor explains about her child’s school life, which parents worry about.

But here, my mother launched a surprise attack.

“But I heard our Jonghyun is popular, does he have a girlfriend? What happened to that, uh… that British girl?”

“Girlfriend? I don’t have one yet. Haha. Ariel is just a friend. Friend. I don’t understand why everyone misunderstands.”

“Come on, shouldn’t you have a girlfriend or two at your age? Are you lying?”

At this point, I instinctively turned my gaze toward Eun Serin.

It wasn’t for any particular reason, but because I sensed something in her smirking lips.

Sure enough, she immediately jumped in.

“How popular is he? Even now, Ariel carries around the doll Jonghyun bought her.”

“What? How did you know?”

“She’s been carrying that out-of-place Dol Hareubang doll since after you, right? You went on a date with Ariel then, didn’t you?”

When I turned my gaze back to my mother, she nudged my shoulder.

“This kid. Why are you so shy? If you’re dating, just say so.”

“But you know what, ma’am? Jonghyun has another girl he’s close with besides Ariel.”

“Really? Oh my, I didn’t know our son was so popular.”

“He must take after you, ma’am. I’m worried they might start fighting over him.”

Haha, what a joke.

But Ariel and Seol Yuhwa don’t get along well, regardless of me. They’ve been rivals since they were under Kim Dohyun’s influence and still are.

I personally wish they could get along well.

“No! Those two don’t get along. Even if I want to prevent them from fighting, they bicker whenever they’re together!”

“See? They’re fighting over Jonghyun.”

“No, noona… how can you suddenly say such nonsense.”

But my mother focused on the term “noona” rather than the content.

“Noona? What are you calling your instructor?”

“Ma’am, Jonghyun helps me a lot, so we’re close privately as well.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Well… in private settings, we’re like noona and dongsaeng.”

I had to explain myself in front of my mother, who was fixated on the word “noona.”

After the uncomfortable tea time ended, Eun Serin finally stood up.

“Thank you for the tea! Ma’am, see you next time.”

“Come by anytime!”

Representing the family, I went out to see her off to her car.

“Oh, and Jonghyun, can I whisper something to you?”

Pulling my ear, Eun Serin said just one thing.

“If you really don’t want them to fight, there’s only one way… you just take control of both of them.”

“What do you mean?”

“As long as you’re there, make sure they never fight. If you take control, there’s no problem, right?”

“It would be hard for me to be above those two.”

Eun Serin laughed at my response.

“I’m not talking about hierarchy. If not, just date both of them and settle it. If a man is capable enough, they’ll understand, right?”

“What?”

“Anyway, I was well-received. Thank you!”

Eun Serin threw a bombshell solution and left.

“Date both of them at the same time?”

That seems more difficult than any battle. Well, I do have some romantic feelings for both, but it’s difficult, very difficult.

It was probably just a joke, so I don’t need to take it seriously.

I went back to my normal routine and then went hunting for Monster Daily.