Legacy 2
As the clock hands ticked steadily onward and the stream of visitors dwindled, I somehow drifted off to sleep amid the sudden shift. My body felt rigid from the unexpected situation, but the moment I sensed the stifling, heavy air unique to the underground funeral home transform into something cool yet familiar, I knew I was standing in a space I recognized.
Tuning my ears to the sound of the stream flowing gently, like a kindly murmur, Dae-baek-gong approached without a sound, his presence announcing itself.
"Lives flow on like this running water, meeting at moments to form bonds, parting ways, and ultimately drifting onward—that is the course of human existence."
"Was Great-Grandpa happy?"
"Doesn't it depend on where one sets the bar for human happiness?"
"The bar for happiness?"
"His life was far from smooth... but were there no joyful moments amid that rough path?"
"I hope he was happy."
"At the very least, he passed without regrets, true to his name..."
"How did Great-Grandpa go before my regression?"
"Don't look back on paths already traveled, young friend. What I can tell you is that a Singularity occurred in his life, allowing me to grant you yet another boon."
"If only I could have more time with Great-Grandpa, more than any reward..."
"Bonds that have flowed past cannot be grasped."
Dae-baek-gong fell silent as I gazed at the stream, trying to gauge its distant end, steadying and sorting my heart.
"The deeper your pain, the greater the compensation. Staying here longer would drain too much earth energy..."
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I forced my voice to stay even.
"What kind of reward is it?"
"Thanks to your great-grandfather, you've come to own land in Dudang that's practically that of a landlord by human standards. In turn, I can bestow a spell usable thanks to it."
"A spell only a landlord can use?"
"Indeed. Many now recognize you as the true heir to this land, making such a spell possible."
"..."
"Landlords with much to protect naturally create vaults. This spell is a vault the landlord can use on his own land. You'll intuitively know how to wield it."
Landlord's Vault Spell
Store and retrieve personal items from your land. Usage intuitive.
Instructions for the Inventory and its caveats suddenly flooded my mind.
"So... if others see me using the Inventory, they can't use it anymore?"
"Precisely, their perception of the vault drifts from the landlord, creating a suspension period. The more who know, the longer it lasts—eventually rendering it unusable. Be cautious."
"Any other warnings?"
"They'll come naturally as you think on it. Most importantly, it must stay out of sight, and only your own possessions can be stored—no one else's, and nothing living."
"Only my own things..."
"Exactly. Nothing belonging to others, and no living beings."
"I see..."
As I pondered this new Inventory spell surging into my head, Dae-baek-gong's form blurred, fading rapidly into the distance as he spoke.
"No time left. For your great-grand-aunt's Singularity reward, the first guest after you wake will be it."
"Elder, another reward?"
I bolted upright, startled, still mid-shout for Dae-baek-gong. What met my eyes was my great-uncle, leaning against the visitor log desk, my cheek imprinted from sleep, his face startled by my cry.
"You seemed dead to the world, so I didn't wake you. Must be sore from that awkward position. Go inside and rest, then come back out..."
"Ah... I must've dozed off. You should catch some shut-eye too, Great-Uncle. I'm fine—go sleep first, and I'll take over later."
"You sure?"
"I had a dream while napping... makes me scared to sleep right away. Rest first, and I'll sleep then."
"I thought you were so mature, but this is unexpected."
Great-Uncle patted my shoulder, stood, fetched a cup of coffee, and said,
"Call if you're too tired. Ten years as a surgeon means I react to pagers no matter what."
"Got it. Go rest—you'll let me relieve you easier that way."
"Alright. Take care."
Sipping the coffee Great-Uncle left, warming myself, the late hour meant only essential lights glowed outside the funeral home. The corridor felt desolate, stripped of human bustle.
Is Mom okay?
Mom had seemed composed, but she'd wept silently until dehydration hit. Now she slept in the family room by Great-Grandpa's old hospital bed, hooked to an IV.
If only she'd say when her body or heart hurts...
Worrying over Mom, who never showed weakness before me or Joo-shin, a chill ran down my spine at footsteps crossing the quiet hall.
The click of heels on the empty funeral corridor fueled wild imagination.
Clack, clack...
Dreading what my anxious mind conjured, I kept my head down, staring at the logbook. Sweat beaded cold on my back, unnoticed in my tension.
A black leather-gloved hand appeared before me; I sprang up like I'd been shocked.
Beyond the glove holding a white condolence envelope stood an elderly woman in crisp black mourning attire—sturdy yet elegant.
"Uh..."
"Cheon O-noe's... funeral home?"
"Yes... my great-grandfather."
"Ah..."
I caught the elderly woman's piercing gaze appraising me, carefully taking the envelope and offering the pen for the logbook.
She pondered long, then quietly set the pen down and turned away.
Is she the visitor Dae-baek-gong meant?
Desperate to stop her, I blurted anything.
My ears burned, face flushing, but letting her go felt too regrettable.
"No need for the logbook—if you've come to the house in mourning, at least have a bowl of yukgaejang before you go."
She hesitated, stared intently, then spoke with an enigmatic mix of sorrow and joy.
"Seems everyone's gone inside..."
"I can do it. I checked where everything is."
"Then, may I trouble you?"
I set side dishes, fruit, rice cakes, and pancakes before her seat, then brought steaming yukgaejang.
Seeing her start eating slowly, I headed where Great-Uncle had gotten the coffee.
Was it here...?
Exiting the funeral home, I spotted the nurses' break room, night-shift nurses coming and going.
"Um..."
Politely asking a passing nurse, I got a hot coffee and returned.
Thankfully, the woman was still eating—or rather, staring blankly at Great-Grandpa's photo, lost in thought, time stretching.
Not wanting to disturb, I averted my eyes and placed coffee on the table.
"This coffee..."
"For after the yukgaejang, to refresh your palate."
"Ah... cafés must be closed this late..."
"Luckily, there's a machine in the break room."
"To go this far..."
"You came from so far; I wanted to treat you properly."
Arriving at this empty hour seemed deliberate, unless starting now would still make it late.
"From afar..."
As she looked down at the coffee, avoiding my eyes, I sensed my presence might discomfort her and rose to leave.
Then dizziness hit, a dull thud unlike any familiar pain overwhelming me.
Images and dialogue flashed like moving photos, racing by in an instant.