episode_0036

When people talk to each other, the position of the person is quite significant.

Just as there are stories to tell while sitting on a park bench, or in a karaoke room or billiard hall, on a bridge at sunset, or sometimes at a desk at work, there are also stories to tell in a quiet café or while drinking. Of course, there are also many cases where people meet there simply to enjoy the scent of tea or get drunk.

Anyway, there is a reason why people spend money and drink tea or alcohol instead of water and choose a place to talk.

The person speaking is important, but the location and atmosphere are also quite important.

That was the drinking party between Sihyuk and the elders.

Even though they only shared a bottle of soju each, they didn’t get drunk. Because their bodies were close to superhuman, the toxicity of alcohol didn’t even register in their livers.

However, Sihyuk and the old man were already intoxicated by the atmosphere coming from where they were sitting.

The two had a long conversation.

For example.

“I’ve thrown away my name throughout my life, so I guess that’s why everyone who knows me calls me by a lot of nicknames. There are a lot of nicknames that are embarrassing and weird to bring up in front of others, so I won’t tell Sihyuk about them separately, but the last name Gong is a nickname that I like to use.”

“After becoming an Awakened after the Great Rift, I vowed to myself that I would become a person worthy of my son’s memory. That’s why I wanted to become a hero.”

“You’ve traveled around the world. There are things you can gain by staying in one place for a long time, but it’s not bad to look far ahead and gain experience by traveling the world. Born as a man, I want you to experience and learn a lot.”

There was trivial chatter bordering on self-praise, as well as advice and counsel that can be gained from experience.

“I didn’t know about people. But thanks to the advice of the elders, I was able to meet Eunha and her sister. I’m glad that I’ve improved a little bit, and I don’t know how to express my gratitude.”

“Thanks to you, I feel like I’m one step closer to my dream. It’s still frustrating and difficult, like I’m wading through a swamp, but I’ve finally found a clue. I’ll keep going without giving up.”

“One, I still hesitate to meet people or have relationships. I am still immature and I am afraid that I will lose what I have already gained, even if I leave my nest and experience something else.”

There was gratitude for the advice received earlier, a sense of confidence that one was moving toward one’s goal, and a confession of one’s own weaknesses and insecurities.

Shihyuk honestly admitted his weakness.

Although his broken emotional line was slowly being restored thanks to his relationship with the space and galaxy sisters, there were still more emotions he did not know than what he knew.

Shihyuk couldn’t figure out how much he should express his feelings and how much he should endure. He was still cautious even with his sister who told him what was really on his mind.

Even though he was clearly getting better, he was still like this. He was ashamed of himself and thought that he was still lacking.

That’s why I was scared.

He was certainly looking forward to the new encounter. Until the morning, he had been burying himself in the sofa, yearning for that opportunity. The ambition to create a new ‘work’ was still stirring inside Sihyuk.

However, the barrier built up in his mind made it difficult and hesitant to find new encounters. The case of his sister was special, but… Sihyuk still remembered the first unpleasantness and discomfort he felt at the exhibition.

It was a cowardly and miserable memory, like a wild beast that hides in the darkness out of fear of light.

It was good that he had the courage to have that precious encounter once. However, because it was precious, he was worried about the second time. The gap between the hopes he had and the disappointments he felt was huge.

What if it fails?

What if you were hoping to gain an opportunity from a meeting, but instead, you only ended up feeling more distrustful and unpleasant towards the person?

At the same time, what if that were to be the trigger that would cause Galaxy and her two sisters to drift apart?

The light of trust and faith from others that he had tasted was so precious that he was worried that its meaning might fade. Shihyuk lacked the courage to move forward honestly.

Rather than taking on challenges, wouldn’t it be better to cherish the relationships you have? Even thoughts that arose out of self-comfort sprouted.

Looking at him like that, Elder Gong tilted his head to the side.

“Mr. Sihyuk, may I ask you a rude question?”

“Please speak.”

“Why do you keep people at a distance and look down on yourself so much?”

“… … .”

“At first, I thought it was to focus on myself, realize my own shortcomings, and whip myself as a seeker who walks a different path from others. But now that I have reached a decent level, it is the same, so I wonder why my heart hurts so much and why I build such walls.”

“I am different from others.”

“What’s the difference? They’re the same awakened ones, the same people.”

“I have a big disadvantage compared to other Awakened people. I can’t open the [Status Window]. Because of this disadvantage, I have been hurt by my past relationships. I, along with a few people related to me, have been blamed.”

“… … .”

Even though he became a dragon and realized that he was a dragon, the persecution and wounds he received during his incompetent carp days still remain as his sore spots.

The reverse scale covering his heart was still pulling him, now that he was a dragon, to the deep end of the lake where he was still a carp.

Among all those wounds, the fact that only Elder Kim Woo-sik and his proud teacher Baek Hyun-man had to endure unnecessary words and ridicule because of him was a deeper wound than any insult Si-hyuk had suffered in the past.

-If it weren’t for me, if it weren’t for me, those two people wouldn’t have been criticized like that.

Of course, the reason the two were criticized wasn’t just because of Shihyuk. There was also some political calculation mixed in, namely factional strife within the [Daon Hammer] guild.

However, the past where they pointed fingers at the two adults they respected using themselves as an excuse remained a great trauma for Shi-hyuk.

“After much thought and deliberation, I have gained this power without even opening the [Status Window], but my worries still remain. I was lucky in this encounter, but I don’t know if I will be lucky again next time. I am afraid that I will be able to approach them properly, that I will be disappointed in people once again, and that because of my weakness, even the relationship I have barely managed to achieve will fade away.”

Because he had lived as a craftsman before becoming a human, Shihyuk had no choice but to hesitate.

“Sihyuk.”

The old man sighed.

“It’s hard to know the details, but… I can guess that you’ve had some painful experiences. I wouldn’t dare say I understand your wounds. However, to have a sense of entitlement, those flaws are minor compared to the power you’ve achieved. You’re a much greater person than you think.”

“You opened your door at a much younger age than the guy who dug potatoes in the mountains of Chuncheon. Don’t forget your own strength because you’re fooled by vulgar criticism. A great man is a great man because he knows his own shortcomings and overcomes them, and you are already a great man.”

Old Man Gong picked up the bowl and took a sip. The soup had already cooled to lukewarm.

“In the first place, what is an Awakened One?”

“The world calls them the Awakened because they have awakened mana, learned their powers, and opened the [Status Window]. But I think a little differently.”

“Is it so great that it can be called so grandiose? Is it an enlightenment that you have acquired on your own? Can you say that you have attained the ‘power’ that you have acquired by chance or through some intervention? No.”

“Can’t we say that reaching the destination along the set path through the excellent navigation called [Status Window] is like forging one’s own path?”

The old man’s hand went to Shi-hyeok’s shoulder. Knock, knock. There was no pain from the two powerful knocks. However, the encouragement and support felt heavier than anything else.

“I think awakening means breaking through the laws or truths, imprinting the existence of ‘me’ in this world, and realizing it for yourself. Don’t be swayed by [status window] and forcibly narrow your vessel.”

“… … .”

“I guarantee it. You are an excellent Awakener, and in another sense, a true Awakener.”

Moreover, a soft smile appeared on the lips of the old man as he continued speaking.

“Moreover, the Eunha I saw today was not someone who would laugh at you for not being able to open the [Status Window]. Rather than moving away because of that, she was a good child who would come to you to comfort your wounds.”

“… … .”

“If you are unfairly hit with a stone, I will block it even if I have to hit it with you. If you have that kindness and trust, even if you mess up your next relationship, you will be able to get up again.”

[I will affirm you! So cheer up!]

Shi-hyuk recalled the painful confession he had made that day. And he recalled Eun-ha, who had hugged his waist and cried for him with tears and a runny nose.

The warmth felt from that small body.

“So, be brave and don’t be afraid of meeting. Believe in the good connections that are by your side, and don’t hesitate and go for it. That will help Shihyuk grow even more.”

“I will engrave your words… .”

A moment of silence.

What broke the silence was the ringtone of Sihyuk’s cell phone.

“Oh my! Change the ringtone. I thought it was an alarm. You said you don’t want the relationship to fade away, right? Then cherish the relationship that has continued. What are you doing? Don’t worry about me and take it. I was planning on going out anyway. You don’t have to follow me.”

Shihyuk bowed his head to Elder Gong, who pretended to scold him and quietly left his seat.

Old Man Gong smiled and left, saying that there was no need to see him off at this late hour.

“I got a call.”

[Mr. Sihyuk? It’s me, Woojoo. I called because our Eunha was bragging about how much she got from Mr. Sihyuk. Thank you for taking care of my little brother.]

“I was worried that the food might be insufficient. Fortunately, did Eunha get home safely?”

[Haha, I guess the only one who worries about the return of the A-class attacker is Sihyuk? Don’t worry. Since that day, that bastard Kim Jinhyung and the Federation have been very quiet for some reason.]

[I repeat, thank you always. If you ever need help, please let me know. I will do my best to help.]

“Thank you.”

[It’s late, huh? You must have had a hard time preparing the food, so get some rest. I’ll come by next time, so I’ll see you then. Right. That, Gong? Mr. Gong? [Grandpa Gong!] Oh, right. Please tell Mr. Gong that I said thank you. I’ll hang up now.]

“Good night.”

The phone call was disconnected.

Putting his phone down, Shihyuk let out a long sigh.

[Be brave and don’t be afraid of encounters. Believe in the good connections that are by your side, and don’t hesitate and go for it.]

Outside the window, the clear night sky with the clouds cleared away was filled with countless stars.

-.-.-

“Fate is such a strange thing… . I never thought I’d meet another person who couldn’t open the [Status Window].”

As he walked along the dark mountain path, the old man muttered to himself. The intense memories of that day were still vivid in his old mind.

Confronting him in the blood-soaked field was a child painted in black. The child, who was made up with the blood of his enemies, opened his mouth in a soft and delicate voice.

[Everyone called me trash and half-assed, sir.]

[So I thought about it. If I become the strongest and reduce them all to beings worse than trash.]

Old Man Gong remembered the mad, malicious eyes that were different from his soft and gentle voice.

[I thought, this will be really fun.]

[I hope you are at peace. Until the day the girl cuts her throat.]

It was a creepy whisper that sent shivers down from my neck to my shoulder blades.

“Ten years have passed since then. We first met when I was about fifteen, so I guess I’m the same age as Sihyuk. Oh, what a coincidence.”

Two people of similar age, walking similar but different paths. Could this also be fate?

However, the old man vaguely realized with his superhuman intuition that the meeting would happen at any moment.

“I don’t know if that fate will be a blessing or a curse for Sihyuk. I don’t know… .”

Old Man Gong sincerely prayed that the encounter between Si-hyeok and the remnants of evil that the old man had missed that day would not have a dark influence on Si-hyeok.