Chapter 25: Interlude, Promise

My house is a two-story house.

It even has a small yard, which is quite large for a house in this neighborhood.

We lived in a much smaller house before my father died and we moved here.

A green gate and red bricks.

White paint applied in various places.

Wooden floors, finishes, and sliding doors.

Even in my young heart, I really liked this house.

Because it was the house where my mother and I would live alone.

That feeling has continued to this day.

The traces left here and there in the house have become memories.

Creak

I came inside the house.

Now, when I walk, the floor often makes a creaking sound.

“For now, I’ve just gathered the trash. I thought you should check this part yourself.”

While I was punishing the unwelcome guests.

The four of them diligently cleaned the house.

Everyone took off their shoes at the entrance and walked around in socks.

This is how it should be, of course.

“You’ve worked hard. Thank you.”

I thank Lee Yuna, who approaches and speaks to me.

Thanks to her skill, the house quickly became clean.

“Not at all. And I’m sorry. Because of me….”

I shook my head.

The blood splattered in the house was because of those men, and that problem is over.

“Hyungnim. Are you going to check this right away?”

“You can throw it all away.”

Jang Hoseop asks, looking at a pile of miscellaneous items.

They are all things unrelated to me.

“Yes. But I don’t know what to do with the trash….”

“Let’s just put it out in the yard. We’ll do the rest of the cleaning later, and everyone can rest now.”

The supplies we brought have also been organized.

The broken living room window was blocked with a thin panel.

I place a Spirit Stone in the living room and feed it Mana Stones.

“Oh? Orc Mana Stones are much more efficient, huh?”

The size and weight of the Mana Stones.

The range and duration of the safety waves emitted by the Spirit Stone.

Jang Hoseop is meticulously recording such things.

“It seems like Mana Stones have different concentrations… no, should I say purity? I think there’s something like that.”

“It’s strange since there’s almost no difference in weight.”

If Orc Mana Stones are, on average, twice as large as Goblin Mana Stones.

The resulting difference in the range and duration of the safety waves is more than double.

Mana Stones obtained from humans are unpredictable.

“We can roughly group Goblin Mana Stones and Gnoll Mana Stones as F-grade… and Orc Mana Stones as D-grade.”

Jang Hoseop is creating new standards again.

I let him do as he pleased.

“Hyungnim. You’re going to eat, right?”

“Eat with the others. I’m not hungry yet.”

“Huh? Uh… Should we wait?”

“No. Eat first. I’ll manage on my own.”

I’ve endured a lot up to this point.

I can eat later.

Jang Hoseop doesn’t ask further and goes to prepare dinner.

“Ms. Lee Yuna.”

I asked Lee Yuna, who was standing awkwardly.

“Yes!”

“Could you possibly use your skill more?”

I want to go into the master bedroom quickly.

Before that, if possible, I plan to get Lee Yuna’s help.

“Yes. I can use it.”

“Then, please do as you did during the day.”

Lee Yuna smiles and replies that she understands.

What is she so happy about?

“Let’s go to the yard.”

We went out to the yard.

In front of her, I took off my clothes, and a stream of water drenched my body.

And so, the things clinging to my body disappeared.

“Ms. Lee Yuna?”

“Heuk… Yes, yes.”

“You have a nosebleed.”

“Yes. Huh? This is because….”

Lee Yuna had a nosebleed.

“Are you okay? You must have overexerted yourself.”

“Ah, yes. A little….”

“Let’s stop here. Go inside and rest.”

I learned that overusing a skill can cause a nosebleed.

---

On the first floor of my house, there is a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, and the master bedroom.

On the second floor, there are two rooms and a multi-purpose room.

I sent the group upstairs.

Telling them to use it comfortably.

Drreureuk

I opened the sliding door and entered the master bedroom.

My mother used to use this master bedroom, and now I use it.

Kkiiik

Holding a lantern, I head towards the wall.

I stood in front of the display cabinet.

My heart pounds.

Even though I confirmed with my own eyes earlier that it was intact.

Cheolkeok

I opened the display cabinet.

I put down the lantern and take out a small, white ceramic jar.

It’s a modest ceramic jar.

I carefully open the lid.

Deulgeureok

I held my breath.

Afraid that dust might get in.

Afraid that my own saliva might splatter.

After looking inside the ceramic jar for a moment like that, I closed the lid.

“Haa.”

Only after closing the lid could I finally breathe out.

The reason I had to return home even if the world collapsed is here.

It’s safe.

“Mom.”

My mother’s urn.

My mom is inside this small ceramic jar that feels no warmth at all.

“I’m home.”

I finally feel like I’ve returned home.

Sorrow and joy coexist.

I stood there like that for a long time before finally coming to my senses.

“What… should I do?”

I already know the answer.

The day my mother passed away.

‘Son. You have to live happily and well.’

‘Get married, have children too. See your grandchildren.’

‘Then, when you get too tired of it all, come find Mom then.’

We linked fingers and made a promise.

To live well until life became tiresome.

My mother said we could meet again when I kept my promise.

I still haven’t kept my promise to my mother.

And.

[Survive.]

I vividly remember what the System said.

In my mother’s voice.

Whether it’s my delusion or not no longer matters.

I simply believe.

‘If I level up, I can hear Mom’s voice.’

I can hear my mother’s voice every time I level up or gain a skill.

That’s what’s important.

So.

“Don’t worry. I’ll survive somehow.”

I will live happily and well.

Until this life becomes tiresome.

“Mom. I’ll definitely keep my promise.”

I carefully placed the urn back in the display cabinet.

Deolkeong

I closed the door and turned around.

I should eat.

---

I stayed up all night alone so the group could sleep soundly.

Cleaning the master bedroom and organizing my thoughts, morning came quickly.

Jang Hoseop woke up early and came into the master bedroom to lie down.

“Mister.”

It feels like I only closed my eyes for a moment.

“Mister? Are you awake?”

It seems to be lunchtime already.

Lee Yuna is leaning her face close and waking me up.

“Please eat.”

We gathered in the kitchen and ate together.

It’s the first time there have been so many people in this house.

Thanks to getting proper rest after several days, everyone’s faces brightened.

After finishing the meal and cleaning up.

“Hoseop.”

“Yes. First, I think we need to go farming.”

We started talking while drinking coffee.

We need to discuss how we will live from now on.

“Since Hyungnim knows this area well….”

Jang Hoseop lists the things we need immediately.

Food, clothes, daily necessities, etc.

“Prosecutor Kang Hyesun’s group of Awakeners had all sorts of things patched onto their clothes, right? Something like that would be good too.”

Jang Hoseop leads the conversation on his own.

Others mention things that come to mind, and Jang Hoseop organizes them.

I mostly just listened.

“Then, we’ll keep updating the farming list… Hyungnim? Do you have anything else to say?”

There’s one underlying assumption in his words.

That everyone present will continue to be together.

Everyone accepted that point naturally.

Then I have something to say too.

“Yeah. Leveling up is the most important.”

“Huh? Ah, yes. Of course.”

“Let’s start leveling up work immediately from tomorrow.”

To farm, we have to move around anyway.

So we can kill two birds with one stone.

“The experience it takes for me to gain 1 level would be enough for one person to reach level 10.”

“That’s right. No, it’s not just that, all three of them could probably reach it.”

“Yeah. So I’m going to funnel it. I won’t take it.”

I’ve reached level 30.

It’s a more efficient distribution of experience for the others to reach level 10 than for me to become level 31.

“Ah! A carry? You mean you’ll power-level us, right?”

“Yeah. But personal effort is also needed.”

From what I’ve observed coming this far.

None of my companions know how to fight.

“I’m not well-versed in weapon skills either, but I can still teach you things that are helpful when fighting monsters.”

“Oh… That’s right. I was going to talk about that too.”

Jang Hoseop shows a pleased expression.

“Mom. Mister. And Ms. Lee Yuna.”

“Yeah.”

“You saw the Gates on our way here, right?”

We often saw Gates while moving.

All of them were inactive.

“What do you think will happen if those Gates become active? I think there are two possibilities.”

Jang Hoseop holds up his fingers.

“One. We can enter the Gate. Two. Something comes out of the Gate.”

He wasn’t just making short-term plans either.

“The System said the Gates closed when it mentioned the immune system.”

“So… you mean it’s dangerous if the Gates activate?”

“Yes. There’s a possibility. So we need to become stronger.”

Jang Hoseop looks at me.

“Hyungnim. Please. If you’re okay with it, please teach us. Your… footwork? What should I call it… Anyway, things like that and the basics….”

Actually, they can level up without fighting.

I can spoon-feed them.

Even if they do that, they will eventually get stronger when they level up.

It might be okay for them to just be faithful to the role that suits their skill.

I considered that method too.

“The method where Hyungnim incapacitates the monsters and distributes them… I don’t think that’s right.”

But looking at their expressions, everyone is enthusiastic.

Especially Lee Yuna, whose eyes are sparkling.

I like that kind of attitude.

‘I’m not sure about Mr. Lee Jangsu.’

Anyway, Jang Hoseop said what I wanted to say.

“For everyone’s sake. It might be troublesome for you, but….”

“No. It’s not troublesome. I don’t intend to force you to learn, but if you have the will to learn, I can help with training.”

Jang Hoseop said he had wanted to learn how to fight from me for a while.

He hesitated because he thought I might find it bothersome.

He says he planned to ask if he achieved some merit.

“Thank you. Hyungnim, I’ll work hard!”

“Me too! Thank you too.”

I like this about Jang Hoseop.

He deliberately spoke this way just now.

Because with just one word from him, it became a situation where I was bestowing a favor, not forcing them to learn.

‘It’s actually like that, but people’s perception isn’t.’

And so, it was decided that everyone would receive training from me.

---

The meeting became long.

Naturally, everyone had a lot to say when discussing survival.

Knock knock

“Hyungnim. I’m here.”

“Come in.”

After the meeting, I called Jang Hoseop to the master bedroom.

“Sit.”

I didn’t say it earlier, but I have something to tell Jang Hoseop separately.

“I’m going to gather people.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not saying right away, but I’m talking from a long-term perspective.”

Jang Hoseop nods.

“Yes… Eventually, we’ll have to. It’ll be tough with just five of us.”

“Yeah. Well, we might be able to somehow muddle through, but that’s not what I want.”

I have to live happily and well.

But the standard of ‘living well’ that I’m thinking of is hard to achieve in the current situation.

Everyone would feel that way.

Because their standards are high.

Because the abundance of modern life they took for granted disappeared in an instant.

“Even dealing with bodily waste is a headache right now. And clothes smell of sweat.”

“Yes… That’s true.”

“We need people who can take care of such things.”

Jang Hoseop sinks into thought.

“Hyungnim. Eventually, we’ll have to farm too. Someone will have to catch fish, and someone will have to build houses….”

“Yeah. But I’m not talking about that level. More. What I want is much more than that.”

If I want to soak my body in warm water.

It’s not just a matter of getting water.

We need to make a bathtub, fill it with water, and heat that water.

“If I want that, I’d like it to be perfectly ready. You understand what I mean, right?”

“Hyungnim….”

Jang Hoseop makes an impressed expression.

“As expected, Hyungnim, your ambition is on another level.”

He’s not being sarcastic.

“The reason you’re telling me this is….”

“For you to think too. Just like you’ve been doing.”

“Yes. Understood. Wow… Hyungnim, you’re really something. Others are probably worried about each day, but you’re already one step ahead….”

Jang Hoseop looks at me with an inspired expression.

I can feel his emotions stirring.

I don’t know what part made him so impressed.

He’d probably call me amazing even if I said I was making soybean paste from soybeans.

“You know, right? I’m not saying we’ll gather people indiscriminately right away. First, the foundation. We need preparation.”

“Yes. Um… In the end, the key seems to be leveling up. Especially Hyungnim’s level is important….”

It’s the same now.

Even while Jang Hoseop and I are talking, the other group members are constantly moving.

Lee Yuna is doing the dishes, Aunt Sujeong is finishing the house cleaning she couldn’t do yesterday.

Mr. Lee Jangsu is maintaining my weapon.

If I had returned alive alone, these are all things I would have had to do myself.

‘Not that I’m slacking off, though.’

Jang Hoseop finishes his memo and looks up.

There’s still more to talk about.

“And Mr. Lee Jangsu….”

“Hyungnim?”

I stopped talking because I felt Lee Yuna’s presence approaching.

Knock knock knock

“Mister. It’s Yuna. Sorry to interrupt your conversation.”

“Yes.”

Lee Yuna opens the door and pokes only her head in.

“Could I possibly do some laundry?”

“Just throw it away. We can get new ones tomorrow.”

“It’s just… my underwear, right now….”

Lee Yuna blushes and trails off.

Jang Hoseop mutters that she can just wear it inside out.

Quietly enough for only me to hear.

“Go ahead.”

I ignored Jang Hoseop’s words and told her to do it.

Lee Yuna will use a minimal amount of water.

“There’s a clothes drying rack behind the stairs leading to the rooftop. They’ll dry well if you hang them on the rooftop.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you!”

Lee Yuna is delighted.

Is doing laundry such a joyful thing?

“Um, Mister.”

“Yes.”

“Should I perhaps wash your underwear too?”

“No. I’m fine.”

“Okay, then.”

Lee Yuna says goodbye and leaves.

Then Jang Hoseop mutters again.

“Why doesn’t she ask me….”

“Why? Should I call her back for you?”

“Ah, no! Not at all. Hyungnim, why Mr. Jangsu?”

Jang Hoseop waves his hands dismissively and changes the subject.

“Keep a close eye on him for the time being.”

“Yes. But if you could also tell me the reason….”

“Because of his emotions. He’s too scared of me.”

At first, I thought it was a natural reaction for him to be scared of me.

There are times when I feel fear from the other group members too.

“If a state of great fear continues… I think problems might arise.”

“Ah… Yes. That could happen.”

When I was young, a doctor told me.

That humans feeling fear is part of the survival instinct.

You want to avoid what’s fearsome.

Or fight against that fear.

I learned that humans evolved that way.

But Mr. Lee Jangsu shouldn’t be like that towards me.

“Understood. I’ll keep a close watch on him.”

“Yeah. And the training….”

I paused my words once more.

Thump thump thump thump

Because I felt Lee Yuna, who had gone up to the rooftop, returning quickly.

Because of the running sound, Jang Hoseop also immediately looked back.

“Mister!”

Lee Yuna calls me in a loud voice.

Jang Hoseop gets up and opens the door.

“This! This! It was on the rooftop!”

Lee Yuna runs up to me and holds out her hand.

She’s holding something.

“A Spirit Stone!”

We discovered a new Spirit Stone.