Ch.53Memory Loss (1)

I seemed to have been an incredibly amazing person. No, I was definitely an amazing person.

According to people around me, I was so good at fighting that I could easily defeat people who were extremely skilled at combat, and I accomplished things that even a Holy Maiden couldn’t achieve.

But I don’t feel that strong. Rather, I think I’m weak. That’s because my body lacks strength to an excessive degree.

What kind of person was I in the past that made such feats possible?

Anyway, a celebration party was held here to commemorate defeating a high-ranking demon. Thanks to that, I’m absolutely miserable.

People keep coming to express their gratitude and show kindness, but I wish they knew that I’ve lost my memories.

“I’m sorry, but I’ve lost my memories right now…”

“That’s alright. We’re just truly grateful, so please accept this without hesitation.”

“No, really, it’s too much pressure…”

“Then I’ll leave this here. When your memories return later, please accept it then.”

People who looked like soldiers placed something in my tent and left.

Finally, those people are gone. Thanks to that, things are better now…

“Excuse me, I’ve come to express my gratitude.”

This time, people who looked like clergy visited. What on earth did I do in my past?

***

I must be an incredible hero. Otherwise, there would be no reason for people to visit like this.

People crowd around for dozens of minutes to express their gratitude, and as soon as they leave, as if they were standing in line, immediately other people come to express their thanks.

Even if my memories were intact, this would be overwhelming. Considering my current physical condition is quite poor, isn’t this just abuse?

So I couldn’t bear it anymore and secretly slipped out of the tent, then moved to a secluded place while hiding myself as much as possible.

Thanks to that, I felt liberated. Now I can finally rest comfortably…

“Senior? What are you doing here?”

I ran into someone again. Could it be that everyone actually has ill feelings toward me and is doing this intentionally?

“Um… who are you?”

“Ah, you lost your memories, right? It’s fortunate that they’ll return tomorrow. Anyway, I’m Park Ha-eun, and I was your junior at school.”

The girl in front of me, Ha-eun, introduced herself as my school junior, but there was a major contradiction.

“I heard I’ve been in this world for less than two weeks.”

“Before we came to this world, I was your junior at school. And somehow, we both ended up coming to this world together.”

“How can I trust that?”

“With no memories, do you think you’d understand if I gave you evidence?”

“…That’s true.”

“Looking at you like this, you’re the picture of innocence.”

Something about her way of speaking feels familiar. As if we used to talk frequently. So is what Ha-eun said true?

“Senior, could you just speak casually to me?”

“But you’re speaking formally to me.”

“I’m your junior, so of course I speak formally. And it feels awkward when you speak formally.”

“I understand… I mean, I get it.”

It seems we were close, but because I have no memories, it still feels awkward. As a result, there’s no conversation flowing between us.

What should I talk about to break this silence…

“Um… how did you happen to…”

“I told you it’s awkward when you speak formally, didn’t I?”

“…Sorry. So how did you end up here?”

“I hate noisy places.”

“We’re similar then.”

And again, silence began to linger. It’s so awkward that I can barely breathe.

I should quickly say something to clear this awkward atmosphere.

“What kind of person was I in the past?”

“You’ll remember everything tomorrow anyway, so is there any need to know?”

“I’m just curious.”

Ha-eun thought for a moment and then answered clearly.

“A kind fool.”

“…That’s an unexpected answer.”

I’ve often heard that I was an amazing person or something like that, but this is the first time I’ve heard something like this. Thanks to that, my trust in her increased dramatically.

After all, insulting someone to their face is something you can only do if you’re close.

Anyway, Ha-eun continued speaking as if she found me frustrating.

“You were the kind of fool who always helped others diligently but never took care of yourself. So I was always frustrated whenever I saw you.”

“Why is that being a fool? Isn’t that just being kind?”

“When someone nagged you every day to study, you said it was difficult and didn’t do it. If that’s not being a fool, what is it?”

Ha-eun glared at me as she spoke. And for some reason, I felt guilty.

“I seriously thought you needed someone to take responsibility for you.”

“Still, I’m pretty enough that I could probably marry well, right?”

“…”

Suddenly, Ha-eun’s pupils shook greatly. Was that joke so shocking?

“I’m kidding. Of course I need to work hard too. But still, I wish someone would take me away… preferably someone kind and cool.”

“…I’m looking forward to when your memories return tomorrow.”

“Why suddenly that?”

“You’ll find out tomorrow.”

Ha-eun answered with a giggle. And suddenly, a voice with a serious tone was heard.

“By the way, Senior, if a person who was a man changes into a woman, do you think that person is a man? Or a woman?”

“Why suddenly ask that?”

“Just curious. So what do you think?”

“Well… probably a woman, I guess?”

“Why do you think so?”

“No matter what you say about the mind being male or whatever, the body is female. If you live like that, eventually your mind will change to be like a woman’s too.”

After hearing my answer, Ha-eun stared blankly for a moment, then chuckled and said:

“You really are a fool, Senior.”

And then, as if feeling relieved, she stood up and continued speaking.

“Oh right, when you meet Min-jun senior later, could you pass on a message for me?”

“I don’t know who that is.”

“You’ll know when your memories return tomorrow. So can you do me this favor?”

“Alright, what should I tell them?”

After a brief pause, Ha-eun opened her mouth with a somewhat sorrowful expression.

“Tell him I really liked him. And ask if we can be close friends now instead of just senior and junior.”

“Were you two in some kind of relationship?”

“It was my one-sided crush. But I don’t think it can continue anymore.”

“Then why do you want to be close friends?”

“I still like Senior as a person. So I don’t think I could bear to grow distant.”

And Ha-eun continued speaking as if truly relieved.

“Well, at least I achieved my first goal.”

“What was your first goal?”

“To become someone important to Senior. If I had to give an example, about 8 years of lifespan?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the ridiculous example. Not your entire life, but just 8 years? What’s that about?

I wonder what happened between those two? It’s clearly something unfortunate.

“Anyway, please make sure to tell him when you meet.”

“Alright, I’ll make sure to pass it on.”

“Then I’ll go first. See you later, Lite senior.”

With that, Ha-eun walked away cheerfully. Thanks to that, this place truly became quiet. Now I can finally rest…

Bzzzzt!

My phone in my pocket vibrated. When will I ever be able to rest?

Anyway, when I answered the phone, I heard Leo’s voice.

-I’m going home now. Come back soon.

“Is the party over already?”

-No. The party is just about to really begin.

“Then why are you leaving so early?”

-The party is just going to turn into a drinking fest, what’s fun about that? Anyway, come back quickly.

“Yes, I’ll be right there.”

At least this is good news. I can finally go back and rest. Once I get home, I’m going to soak in warm water right away.

***

When I returned to my tent, three people who seemed to be my companions had finished preparing to leave.

“We’ve packed everything, so we just need to depart now.”

“Is there anything for me to carry?”

“Do you have the strength to carry anything?”

Thanks to everyone taking more than their share of luggage, there was nothing left for me to carry.

Seeing how considerate my companions are, it seems I really do lack physical strength. How did I manage to achieve such feats?

Anyway, just as we were about to leave, a soldier suddenly rushed over.

“Mage, are you leaving already? The party is still in full swing…”

“Sorry, because of an old comrade, I’m not in the mood to enjoy anything.”

“…Thank you for your hard work. I wish you good fortune in the future.”

The soldier surprisingly let us go easily. So as we were really about to leave, the dragon person I saw earlier was suddenly beside us.

Can we really get home today?

“Good work everyone, and I especially want to express my gratitude to you.”

The dragon person handed something to me and continued speaking.

“Thank you for protecting my disciple. This is a token of my appreciation.”

“Um… what is this?”

“It’s a ring made from dragon scales. When you wear it, moving will be much easier.”

When I put on the ring, just as the dragon person said, moving my body became much easier. Still, I remain weak.

And Leo looked at this ring enviously and said:

“Why don’t I get something like that?”

“Do you need one too? But you’re not as weak as that woman, so it wouldn’t have much effect.”

“Then I don’t need it.”

As Leo genuinely lost interest and looked away from the ring, the dragon person spoke up.

“Instead, I can tell you my name.”

“Aren’t dragon names only revealed to those who can be truly trusted?”

“I think you’re trustworthy enough, but perhaps you don’t like that?”

“Well…”

As Leo turned his head again and was about to leave, the dragon person smiled with satisfaction and said:

“Magicos.”

Meanwhile, Leo was smiling somewhat bitterly.

“…Is it okay to casually reveal such an important name?”

“I’ve used magic so only you and that mage can hear it, so don’t worry.”

“…Why did you tell me?”

“Isn’t someone who saved my disciple worthy of knowing?”

What kind of person was I that everyone treats me like this? Did I save the world or something? I’m dying of curiosity.

I wish tomorrow would come quickly. Then I’ll remember everything about who I am.

And so we left this place and began walking.