The Power of Regeneration
That night, a profound silence settled over the alleyway, ushering in a damp, bone-chilling winter evening so dark and oppressive that no one could imagine it ever ending. The light in the dimly lit semibasement room flickered out, and the entire alley fell into a deep slumber.
And then.
The moment I thought my mind was drifting into sleep, I found myself standing in that now-familiar space.
Dae-baek-gong...
The old spirit's appearance in my dream had me rooted to the spot, waiting for his words just as I always did.
Did anything special happen today?
As if reading my puzzled thoughts, Dae-baek-gong—who had felt distant—suddenly materialized right before my eyes.
"Greetings, young friend. It's good to see you."
"How did you... today..."
"The reason I've manifested in your dream like this is that an action you took today triggered a Singularity. I must prepare a reward for it, but truthfully, the boon suited to you has put me in a bit of a bind."
"A Singularity? I don't think I did anything particularly..."
"Heh heh, what you did might seem small, but it saved many people."
"Uh... what do you mean...?"
"Do you know how many lives that child you reported would have devoured as she grew up?"
"Pardon...?"
"To put it simply, today you saved the life of that girl named Ji-hye and gave seven other students and their families who had suffered before her a chance to heal their hearts."
"Me...?"
"Indeed. Without your report, they all would have lost their vital spirits and met their ends."
"Vital spirits?"
"When a person's basic human dignity is stripped away, they're no longer truly living. In the end, they choose to end it themselves. How many vital spirits do you think that girl you reported would have consumed?"
"According to you, including Ji-hye, wouldn't it be eight?"
"That's a simplistic view. Before your regression, that girl had already devoured over a hundred."
"What? How...?"
"She fed on the vital spirits of victims and their families until she became a monster wearing human skin. Your report stopped her while she still had a human form—saving her life as well."
"But... I just did what anyone sensible would do."
"It might feel trivial to you. Yet like the flutter of a butterfly's wings, a small act of care can change a life. The will of heaven is truly profound and mysterious. Do you know what I've learned watching this land change over endless ages?"
"..."
"That nothing is ever truly 'natural' in the shifts of this world."
"Even you have things to learn, elder?"
"I earned my place here by understanding the land's principles. But how could I claim there's nothing left to learn after witnessing those miraculous moments that shine within those principles?"
"Miraculous moments like...?"
"From a single grain of rice taking root eons ago in barren times, sprouting into golden waves... But your earth energy is too depleted for ancient tales, so the closest would be your contract with your father. Or, for events you'd know, when the oppressed masses rose to claim their rights."
Conversations with Dae-baek-gong sometimes leave me feeling a bit empty.
I pulled away from the cryptic exchange and asked what I really wanted to know.
"Has the reward been decided...?"
"This incident is too profound to call a simple Singularity reward."
"What do you mean by it causing you trouble...?"
Gazing at his immortal-like figure, I voiced my burning question.
"Rewards from Singularities affect the human world through me, so I must choose something beneficial without disrupting causality. But this time, nothing fits perfectly—hence my dilemma."
"Then couldn't we just wait until something suitable comes along?"
I wanted the reward Dae-baek-gong offered, but I had no urgent need for it right now.
There's still time until my planned timeline.
"As you know, delays on loans accrue interest. Postponing a Singularity reward means compensating with something greater later. That's why we can't delay. After much thought, the reward that emerged is Regeneration."
"Regeneration?"
Hiding my unease, I tried to sound nonchalant.
"What does it do?"
"Each time you make the right choice, regenerative energy accumulates, aiding you when its power shines brightest."
"...?"
"It's not bad. That's why you should fear it all the more."
"Fear it?"
"Human lifespans are decreed by heaven. No matter your efforts, I can't extend a life that's run its course. You wondered in the red brick house incident, 'Could I have stopped it?' Even with regression, you're just human. To alter fates and natural orders requires immense power—just as you escaped your destiny through our contract. But not everyone gets that chance. Such extraordinary power always comes with restrictions."
"Then..."
"Regeneration is a blessing rarely obtained, beyond even spells."
"If it's not a spell, how can I receive it as a reward?"
"Because it's heaven's will. My spells will amplify the fate-granted power within you. Thus, even against a fated end, Regeneration can intervene. Your actions will build its strength to aid you."
"So Regeneration isn't solely from your spells?"
"Correct."
"Then..."
"It's a spell I can't cast alone, but aligned with heaven's will now, my magic will guide it beneficially as your actions accumulate power."
"...?"
"Just as I appear in dreams for Singularity rewards, once Regeneration settles, your deeds will build power to revive others' lives."
"I see..."
Maybe it was better when I got tangible Singularity rewards before.
"Heh heh..."
Suddenly, the kindly neighborhood grandfather vanished, replaced by a heavy cough and an oppressive aura pressing down on me.
Startled but composed, I endured the swirling energy around me. Soon it subsided, and Dae-baek-gong spoke.
"No matter how much wealth you amass, heaven's will remains inscrutable. If calamity strikes or health fails, what use are riches beyond count?"
"Regeneration can infuse life into others, but bolstered by my spells for you, it will flow to your benefit. It's weak now—merely speeding minor wounds—but as it grows, even severed limbs could reattach if pressed back in place."
"Save countless lives, and you'd be called immortal. Would you trade such heavenly fortune for fleeting gold?"
My gut twisted, but I pressed on with questions.
If I don't understand spells properly, I can't use my abilities fully.
As his voice faded, I tried to lunge forward and shout, but my mouth only gaped silently. Cold sweat broke as I jolted awake.
Joo-shin's steady breathing confirmed I was back in our cramped room. Fearing I'd woken him or Mother, I lay still in the bedding.
As faint dawn light crept into the dark alley, I slipped past Mother's bedding in the kitchen-living room and eased open the front door.
Creeeak.
The old door's groan made me wince, but no one stirred. I stepped quietly into the alley.
Standing dazed, I watched the rising sun struggle over An-nam Mountain's ridge.
The power of Regeneration?
What was all that about? I just wanted a life where my family—and maybe my friends, if I got greedy—could be happy.
I didn't see myself as special. Father's legacy gave me a chance, and after regressing, I only wished to be a son and brother Mother could be proud of—nothing more than an ordinary dream.
Luckily, Dae-baek-gong showed me how to build wealth without IMF woes, but that was it.
I'm not some great hero.
I won't stand by injustice, but I won't rush in to fix everything.
With that resolve, my heavy heart lightened, and I welcomed the warm sunlight without reservation.