Chapter 4: Regained Daily Life
"Hello."
Kang Ga-young, catching my eye, offered a faint smile as she greeted me. I startled and whipped my head away, but there was no doubt that greeting had been aimed at me. The tables around us erupted into a commotion at her words. Her gaze lingered, persistent and sticky, intense enough to make me feel like it might swallow me whole.
"No way, is that really Kang Ga-young?"
The blonde woman beside me gawked dramatically, staring at their leader as if to confirm. "What's the fuss? Ga-young, come sit already."
Even flushed from the alcohol, she deftly calmed the group. As soon as Kang Ga-young sat, she turned to Baldy Guildmaster. "So, why'd you call me here?"
Her words came out sharp and cold. But all that happened was her shot glass being filled.
"Hey now, you must've had a tough trip. Have a drink first, yeah?"
"Fine."
Clear soju slipped past her pink lips. As she gulped it down, her expression somehow resembled a hunter who'd spotted prey. For some reason, my body tensed up involuntarily. Calm down. This life, this was our first real encounter, right? It'd pass naturally. Of course it would.
The sizzling meat on the grill didn't even register. The clinking of soju glasses had faded entirely. Not just me—everyone's eyes were fixed on the high-rank hunter, Kang Ga-young.
"H-how's the elder doing?"
"Don't worry about it."
The guildmaster asked with exaggerated warmth, but she replied indifferently, scanning the room. "Looks like you're recruiting newbies."
Jeong Ye-na flinched across from her, her arm trembling visibly with nerves. Anyone would be tense. Especially her—she'd idolized Kang Ga-young even before the regression, acting like actual sisters. But why was she looking at me instead of Jeong Ye-na?
"Haha, I brought 'em. Meteors, both of 'em. Real prospects."
"...Ah, that girl? Hmm. She's solid, yeah."
Kang Ga-young's gaze shifted from me to Jeong Ye-na. Baldy looked pleased, glancing at Ye-na too. It really was a huge win for her. Unlike before the regression, she wouldn't end up in the hospital, and this meeting with Kang Ga-young had come sooner.
"Oh ho, really? High praise from you. She'll be our guild's ace."
"She's useful enough. Mind if I take her?"
"What? No way. Cheonsu Guild's got plenty of talent. Go steal from someone else."
She shook her head, lips pouting. Her face was already beet red—would she even remember this conversation?
"I'll give you that Busan dungeon one. You wanted it, right? More than worth it, I think."
"...Oh, for real?"
No pride at all. She perked up immediately, hooked.
"Yeah. And one more thing."
Her eyes slid back to me. I hastily looked away, but she might've noticed.
"......"
No way. No, it can't be.
Cold sweat prickled my neck and back. Shouldn't have come to this dinner.
"Him too. Can I take him?"
Kang Ga-young pointed straight at me. Baldy Guildmaster furrowed his brow, muttering as if trying to recall. "...Ah, right. What's his name again?"
The guildmaster pointed at me in a fluster. Jeong Ye-na, summoning some courage, jumped in quickly. "Lee Seojun. He's not in our guild—he's just here as a porter. So..."
Her voice trailed off, fist clenched tight. Kang Ga-young, by contrast, looked utterly relaxed.
"I'm Lee Seojun. Thanks, but I'll pass."
No way in hell. I didn't want to get any more tangled with Kang Ga-young. She stood, her expression brimming with certainty. As she approached my seat, the stares from everyone grew heavier, suffocating.
"Really? You won't regret it. I don't recommend a young guy like you sticking to risky porter work. We've got plenty of office jobs for non-awakened folks. Good pay too. Need cash in a hurry or something?"
Kang Ga-young smiled sweetly, eyes crinkling. Gasps of "Whoa" rippled around us—first time seeing her smile, probably. A tempting offer, no real reason to refuse. Back before the regression, anyway.
"...I'll take the thought, thanks."
She frowned slightly, puzzled. "Hey, hey, you're all sweet on him instead of me? Rude."
Baldy grumbled, looking miffed. She ignored him completely, of course.
"I don't get it. Do I make you uncomfortable?"
Obviously. Wasn't her showing up at a gathering like this just a nuisance?
"No, sorry, but I've got something urgent. Gotta head out."
I forced an apologetic look and stood. Leaving the pensive Kang Ga-young behind, I hurried to the exit.
"Take care."
Jeong Ye-na, who I'd expected to be the most disappointed, looked relieved. Sweet of her to steer the mood so I could leave.
"What? Already? Wait—"
I brushed past the protesting blonde and stepped out fully. Glancing back from the door, I saw Kang Ga-young frozen like a statue, staring at the exit I'd used. As if she wouldn't let me slip away.
"My heart nearly stopped. The way she picked us out one by one."
Felt like walking out naked. Seriously thought my clothes might burn holes through.
"Kinda chilly."
The night air outside was crisp. Shaking off the incident cleared my head, lifting my mood. An unexpected stroke of luck, right? The stars overhead were stunning.
The next day, entering Mom's hospital room, I found some woman tending to her. Caught off guard, my voice rose unbidden. "Who are you?"
She turned slowly at my words. A familiar face. Neat clothes, hair tied back neatly, swaying like a ponytail. Light glinted off her black round glasses.
"Oppa, hi."
"...Hey. Hi."
Talk about awkward. Park Ha-yoon. Back then, a sudden dungeon outbreak caused massive casualties—a true "catastrophe." Orphans were inevitable. Even the government was paralyzed; no way they could handle every kid. Various religions stepped in to care for them. Park Ha-yoon was one such case. The church was her home and sanctuary. Those with emotional scars found solace in faith. She'd grown up in the church with me since childhood. We'd been close back then. She'd called me "Oppa" and stuck to me like glue. She saw the pastor as her father and adored my mom fiercely. Then puberty hit, or something. Conversations just... faded naturally as we grew. I vaguely recalled, even before the regression, that while I was busy portering and neglecting Mom, Ha-yoon had stepped in to care for her. After that, contact just dropped. Come to think of it, I owed her.
"Mom."
I brushed past Park Ha-yoon and spoke to Mom. Discharge papers were all done.
"Let's go home."
"Seojun, Ha-yoon came all this way. Talk to her a bit."
Mom smiled warmly at her. But no, I had nothing to say.
"Then I'll head out. Don't want to make Oppa uncomfortable. Glad you're better, ma'am."
Park Ha-yoon gave Mom a bright, innocent smile. Nothing like the expression she wore around me.
"Aigoo, what to do. Sorry, Ha-yoon. See you at church next time."
She nodded and turned to me with a blank look—maybe annoyed. No lingering attachment in her steps as she passed.
"...Hmph."
A tiny sound, barely audible, but it reached me nearby. The first time Mom collapsed from that mystery illness, Ha-yoon had thrown a fit, screaming like Mom was her mother.
"Why'd she collapse? No, no! Why can't they figure out the cause?!"
"Ha-yoon, you okay? Calm down first."
"Why aren't you freaking out, Oppa? You're her son! It's infuriating!"
Her small fingers gripped and shook me fiercely. Didn't hurt, but after that, our connection vanished completely.
"Son, don't be rude in front of people. What's wrong with Ha-yoon?"
Mom scolded me the moment Park Ha-yoon left. Felt a bit unfair.
"...What was I supposed to do?"
"You're impossible. Don't say things like that. Get along nicely."
Not wanting to argue, I scanned the room. Not much to pack.
"Let's go home, then."
Mom, looking far healthier with rosy cheeks—unlike before—smiled brightly.
"Son, what do you want to eat? Anything for our hunter boy~."
In the taxi, Mom was buzzing with excitement, planning everything. She clapped a hand over her mouth at "hunter," flustered. No need to be that careful.
"Heh, your son's awakened, huh? Congrats. Our granddaughter just..."
The quiet driver chimed in slyly. After his bragging wrapped up, I could respond.
"Nah, she's finally better—rest today. We'll order in."
"How's delivery compare to home cooking?"
"It's good these days. Mom, go home and rest. No straining yourself."
"I've rested plenty. Body's stiff from lying around."
Before reaching our familiar home, Mom detoured to the market. Said it'd be a nice walk, some fresh air and exercise. How could I say no?
"I'll come too."
"Wouldn't mind my son tagging along."
Strolling the market with Mom after so long felt great. Like childhood trips to the mart, hand in hand. Peaceful, the everyday life I'd forgotten.
"Oh my, sis! Haven't seen you lately—what happened?"
"Goodness, what is this?"
"Your son? All grown up. No wonder you've been bragging."
So many familiar faces greeting Mom warmly, even strangers.
"Boss, how much for these mussels and clams?"
"Wow, it's been ages. On sale right now."
Laden with bags, we walked home through the neighborhood. Sometimes, this wasn't half bad. That evening, Mom made seaweed soup. "Simple tonic," she said.
"Happy birthday, my beloved son."
Mom beamed, grinning ear to ear.