The Friend I Missed
As soon as I arrived in Dong-Seoul, I called my family. Then, I started walking. Before heading home, I visited the real estate agency that had helped me immensely when I signed the contract for my old place.
"Hmm? Oh, if it isn't our picky young man?"
"Haha. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Haha, it's been what, five months since you bought the new place? Or has it been half a year? You look radiant."
I vaguely remembered being incredibly meticulous when I bought this house. I recalled the look on the agent’s face back then, saying he’d thrown his hands up in defeat. I felt a sense of bewilderment as he poured me a cup of coffee, looking slightly nervous, but then I opened my mouth as he began to eye me with suspicion.
"No, that’s not it. I’m looking to put that house I bought so meticulously on the market."
"What? That house? Why? Even if you just hold onto it, let’s see... if you keep it for just a few years, you’d make a profit of at least a hundred million won, wouldn't you?"
Seeing his genuinely confused expression, I brushed it off by saying I had decided to take over the family business, and then I spoke up.
"Anyway, what’s the current market price?"
"Hmm. Wait a second. Ah, here it is. A similar house recently sold for 820 million won. In just six months, it’s gone up 20% from what you paid. Six months, mind you. Isn't it a waste?"
He pretended to be concerned, but his eyes were gleaming with anticipation. Thinking he was a transparent man, I stated my conditions.
"400 million. I’ll list it as a distress sale for 400 million."
"4... 400 million?! No, young man. Even so, there’s a market price. Even for a distress sale, it should be at least 500 million."
"If you're worried about the commission, I'll give you 5 million."
At my drastic offer, his eyes widened, but he quickly composed himself into a serious expression.
"...Ahem. Well, in that case~"
Seeing how transparent he was actually made me feel more at ease, so I smiled and added more.
"And if it’s a newlywed couple or a couple with a child, please sell it for 350 million."
"It really seems like you have no intention of coming back to Seoul and are heading down to your hometown. Haha. Well, there’s a couple with a three-year-old daughter I see often these days. How about I talk to them?"
"That would be great. I’d like to do a good deed, too."
"Haha, that’s rare to see. Anyway, I understand. But... there’s nothing wrong with the house, is there? You never know, right? Hmm? I have my professional ethics, but even so, if that were the case..."
Seeing him narrow his eyes, I thought, 'Ah,' and nodded.
"I’ll bring the Certificate of Registered Matters, the Tax Payment Certificate, the Seal Impression Certificate, and the maintenance fee receipts tomorrow."
"Ahem. I’m sorry about that! The world is so dangerous these days~ Haha, if you do that, I’m thankful!"
After finishing the conversation with the chatty real estate agent, I stepped outside. I fell into thought as I walked to get the documents. Honestly, before I went to the other world, when I had struggled to buy a house in Seoul, it felt like I owned the world. But now, having lived in a magnificent mansion—even if it wasn't quite a palace—in the other world, it didn't feel like much. As I thought that far, I suddenly remembered what happened when I bought the house.
I shook my head at my own immature thoughts. "Forget it. I don't even know if I'll find a partner or what I'll do."
I arrived at the community center, issued all the documents, and headed to the apartment. After going to the management office to receive the remaining payment documents, I walked toward the house and looked up at the apartment.
'It’s clean for something built around 1997.'
I climbed the stairs and unlocked the door. *Beep-beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep!* As I entered, I looked around the house. Was it because I thought I was selling it? Or because it was no longer my home? I felt a bittersweet emotion as I looked around.
"Ugh, what is this sentimentality? I should just take what I need to take."
I walked around the house, stuffing items from the dressing room, the refrigerator, the pantry, and the master bedroom into my inventory. I was about to throw away the large items after attaching the stickers I’d picked up at the community center, but I stopped and called the real estate agent.
"(Oh~ young man. Why? Is there something you need to say?)"
"Yes. I’m going to take pictures of the house and send them to you. The furniture is all new, just a few months old. Could you ask if they want to take that, too?"
"(Furniture? Including the TV, air conditioner, and washing machine?)"
"Yes. I’ll take pictures of everything and send them to you."
"(Oh, you’re really determined, aren't you? Alright! I’d be happy to! Send them over~)"
"Yes, then."
Just as I was about to hang up, I heard the surprised voice of a young couple and the whimpering of a baby on the other end. I chuckled as the call disconnected.
"That’ll be quick."
I took pictures of every corner of the house, attached them, and sent them along with the documents, promising to bring the originals tomorrow. When he sent back a laughing emoji and a thumbs-up, I smiled.
Since there was no longer a need to allocate space in my inventory, and I had plenty of capacity left, I pondered for a moment. I made a decision.
"I should go to the wholesale store."
I remembered the fresh membership I’d signed up for and only used once. Did they only accept cash and specific credit cards? I thought about the money I hadn't been able to sort out back in my hometown and took it out in the living room. I pulled out the cash and gold bars and started counting.
"What kind of gangster had 1 billion won in cash and gold bars in their safe? 45 100g bars and 5 1kg bars? If I value the gold at 20.7 million won... 870 million? If I include the 1kg bars, that’s 3 billion? Why would there be 3 billion in such a small office?"
I chuckled at the sheer amount of money. I was about to go out with a stack of 50,000 won bills, but I stopped. I turned on the computer I hadn't packed away yet.
"What’s the best thing about the modern world? I don't need to carry heavy fresh food; I can just order it."
I had some spare money, so, "Let's try a 10 million won flex!" I clicked on the products with the mouse, added them to the cart, and continued the process repeatedly.
I woke up feeling refreshed. I brought in the items that had arrived outside and put them into my inventory. Working twice as hard, I couldn't decide whether to be grateful for the safety of a city covered in modern CCTV or annoyed by it. I shook my head, thinking the thought itself was foolish.
"That’s it. Wow, there’s so much. I filled a third of it with just groceries."
I packed meat, vegetables, emergency rations, and MREs. "But even after buying all that, I still have a lot of money left."
I thought about how I’d been shopping until 10 PM last night. Honestly, I didn't think I could buy much with the money in my bank account, but 10 million won was more than I’d expected.
"Let’s see. I bought all the camping gear and survival supplies, so they’ll arrive in a few days. Today, I’ll stop by the pharmacy to buy some basic medicine and disinfectant. Right..."
Maybe it was because I’d listened to the compressed version of a late-born survivalist’s advice? It was an action I was doing regardless. It was definitely that, but I chuckled, remembering the time I suffered in the mercenary life because I didn't have low-grade antidotes, let alone mid- or high-grade ones.
I looked around the house. Was it because there was nothing inside? Even though it was the same furniture, it felt empty. I stared at it for a moment before heading out.
When I entered the real estate office at 11 AM with the documents I’d promised to deliver, the agent waved at me. I widened my eyes at the sight of a young couple and a baby in their arms, who turned to look at me.
"What is this? You told me to wait a few days, but it’s only been one day?"
"Haha, young man. Didn't I tell you? There was a young couple looking for a house."
"Ah, I see."
After saying that, I handed over the documents. The agent quickly went to his desk, grabbed a magnifying glass, and sat in front of the couple, scanning them with the eyes of a hawk. I shook my head at the sight, mixed a coffee mix stick into a paper cup, and sipped it. The sound of paper turning and coffee being sipped echoed in the silence. Suddenly, I felt a gaze on my side, so I turned my head.
A little girl, about the age of my niece—or maybe younger? She had potential that made me look forward to her future, but for now, she was just a cute, chubby-faced girl in her mother's arms, staring straight at me. It was so cute that I waved at her. When she spread her tiny, fern-like hand and waved back, a smile formed on my lips.
"Hyun-ah? Oh my."
I turned my head at the child's action. Hyun-ah's mother, who had seen me waving, smiled and bowed her head. I bowed back and took another sip.
'Beauty and the Beast?'
I chuckled at the thought that crossed my mind when I saw the bear-like young husband and the beautiful young wife.
"Wow~ As expected of our picky young man, it’s clean! Very good!"
The young mother looked visibly relieved at the agent's beaming face. I thought she must have been interested after seeing the photos of the house yesterday but was suspicious because the price was too low. This time, the young husband took the documents and checked them meticulously.
"That’s right. It’s really clean."
When the husband’s confirmation came, the young mother’s face, which had been nervous, softened, and she smiled beautifully. I smiled and opened my mouth.
"Well then, that’s it, right? How about it? Are you going to pay the down payment and the balance right away and sign the contract? Or how about it? A month later?"
At my words, they talked quietly to each other for a moment, but it wasn't so far that I couldn't hear them. When the agent raised his hand to apologize, I shrugged my shoulders. It seemed the conversation was over. With a determined face, the bear-like husband stood up, came to me, and bowed his head.
"Thank you. We will sign the contract."
"Yes, that’s good. When are you planning to move in?"
The bear-like husband, who had been calculating with his eyes closed for a moment, spoke cautiously.
"Then, would it be possible to move in next Monday afternoon?"
I smiled at the movement of his Adam's apple as he swallowed hard, clearly showing his nervousness.
"Of course. I’m planning to head to my hometown next week, so that works for me."
At those words, his fierce, bear-like expression softened into something likable, like a teddy bear. I widened my eyes and laughed for a moment. As if my laughter was contagious, I laughed at the sound of the people and the child laughing together.
The rest of the work went smoothly. After receiving the 35 million won down payment and the remaining balance, I checked the contract and documents carefully. Seeing the couple bowing repeatedly, I smiled and walked out of the real estate office. It was a truly heartwarming sight.
"Ahem. Then, we have our settlement left, right?"
"Haha. Just a moment."
I put my hand into my cross-bag, pulled out 5 million won from my inventory, and gave it to the agent. When he broke into a huge smile, I shook my head and stood up.
"Thank you. It’s clean and nice."
"Hahaha. I’ve been in this business for 20 years. Of course it’s clean!"
I said goodbye to the chatty agent and headed out to take care of my business. I stopped by a nearby pharmacy and bought a large quantity of medicine. When the pharmacists looked at me with suspicion, I made an excuse, saying, "I’m a survivalist..." and when they nodded with even more dubious expressions, I ran out as if fleeing. After repeating that a few times, my body wasn't tired, but my mind was exhausted. I dragged my heavy body home.
For the next five days, I moved busily with the money I’d acquired. I bought as much medicine as a civilian could get. I went all over the neighborhood in Seoul, buying everything I could until I had more than enough. I rented an SUV, drove for the first time in 12 years, and even cut back on sleep to keep moving.
Honestly, I didn't understand why I was moving like this. This feeling, this sensation—I was gripped by a shitty premonition that I would regret it if I didn't move now, so I forced my body to move. I moved until the last centimeter of space in my inventory was gone. On Sunday night, even though I was at home, I didn't sleep on the bed or in the blankets, but on the living room floor. I laid out a sleeping bag and smiled at the camping-like experience of boiling ramen on a gas burner.
"Well, once I go down tomorrow, this anxiety will end."
I must be feeling restless because I’ll be left alone after returning from my hometown. I told myself that, comforted myself, and closed my eyes.
*Tap, tap!* I opened my eyes. I lifted my head and saw a campfire. I turned my head and saw people sleeping, leaning against a collapsed wall. I narrowed my eyes at the sight of people gathered in groups in front of the fire, completely exhausted. Could it be?
"Ha. Was it a dream?"
How pathetic. To believe in that [pathetic] thing and still expect to return. Still... it was a good dream. A crumbling cathedral with a gaping ceiling and tattered doors. A cathedral where the neck and arms of the goddess statue had been severed, making it look even more eerie in the flickering light of the campfire. No, here they call it a temple, but anyway. I looked at the crumbling building that at least protected us from the wind, and my sleep was broken. No, I had a dream about my hometown, so my sleep was ruined, and my mood was gloomy, so I got up and walked outside. Every time I moved, gazes gathered. They were anxious, but their eyes were filled with expectation. It was understandable.
'We were saved [like that] in the Monster Wave, huh? Like that?'
How were these people saved? I rubbed my brow because I couldn't remember. Was it PTSD? Or a combat stress reaction? As I was agonizing over it, someone tapped me on the shoulder, and I was startled, quickly retreating and putting my hand on my waist.
"Whoa. Hey, God, it’s me, it’s me."
"What. Since when did 'it's me' become a scam?"
"Hahaha. It’s been a while since I heard that. Does it appear in Golden Soul, too?"
"Ah, this otaku jerk, always linking everything to manga."
"Hmm? You keep talking like you’re not an otaku? Am I hurt?"
"Whether a man is hurt or not, who cares."
I relaxed my tension as I looked at the tall Asian—no, Japanese man, the guy known as the unlicensed hero. At the time, I was extremely individualistic and deeply distrustful of humans, but a guy like this was much... longer... longer...? Hmm? Longer? What was it?
I furrowed my brow because the thought wouldn't continue. If I thought about it a little more, it would come to me...
"Still, isn't it fortunate? We saved this many people in the Monster Wave without any losses, right?"
I shook my head at the guy who was laughing with such ease.
"Shut up, you chuunibyou runaway ninja from the Leaf Village."
"Ah, seriously, stop teasing me with my name."
I chuckled at his grumbling and headed out of the temple with him. The guy, who had been looking back with a proud face, looked forward and grinned.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Just. Everything."
"You fool. Don't smile at me so creepily, just go and flash that at the village girls over there who are looking at you with sparkling eyes; they’ll die for you."
"Hahaha, ah~ the popularity of this body."
I shuddered at his gesture of flicking his bangs.
"Are you a crazy guy?"
"Hahaha!"
I turned my head away from Sasuke, who was laughing heartily, and looked at the night sky. Then, looking at the brilliantly shining night sky, I spat out, "If you were from Japan, you should have been the 'real' hero."
"...."
The guy, who had been looking at me with a serious face, closed his eyes, opened them, and spoke.
"Whether it’s real or fake, it doesn't matter. You just have to save the world in front of you, and then you become the real one."
I twisted my face at his behavior, turning his serious face toward me and throwing out a famous line with eyes full of firm will.
"What? Are you Himmel? I said something nice for once, and you’re already throwing out lines?"
"Hahaha~ As expected! I knew you, my dear friend, would know Frieren of the Requiem. But, like Himmel’s famous line."
Like that hero Himmel. Even if you’re a fake, you can become a hero. I believe it. That’s right. At this time, 'that' wasn't known yet. If you’re not 'real', you can’t kill the Demon King... Huh? What is it? Why do I remember that no matter how hard I try, I can’t kill the Demon King—
"Still, Seong-shin. Thank you. For keeping your promise to me."
"What promise?"
"Haha, no. It’s nothing."
I shook my head at the foolish guy and looked at the sky together. After staring at it for a long time, Sasuke grabbed my shoulder with a serious face, and just as I was wondering why he was doing this again—
"Still, it was good to see. You, who were extremely individualistic and distrusted humans, gradually changing because of me, and because you met better people than me. Truly."
I tried to open my mouth, but my lips wouldn't open, as if they were glued shut.
"Gradually leaving behind your own self-preservation. When you started doing the things you always told me were foolish. When you were able to grieve for the tragedy that occurred due to the death of someone you didn't even know."
No. No, you. Yes, you.
"As much as you wanted me to be a hero, your appearance afterward was more heroic than anyone, including me."
Sasuke had died. No, he was the guy who held off that Monster Wave alone, buying time.
"You’ve rested enough now, right? How is it?"
Yes, that’s right, but why...?
"Haha. That was something you always grumbled about, right? Unfortunately."
Now it’s time to work like a dog, so get up. At the last words of Slayer Sasuke, I reached out my hand in a hurry. I reached out my arm, feeling an anxiety that I would never be able to meet that guy again, but I furrowed my brow and ran with all my might as he moved away. I even coated myself in mana and ran. But the scenery around him remained the same, and I felt like I was being dragged backward. The moment I reached out my hand—
KYAAAAAAAH!
"Huck?!"
I bolted upright at the familiar, piercing scream. I quickly got out of the sleeping bag and headed to the window. My mind was still groggy, but my body moved according to the rules I’d ingrained in it. I carefully looked down. Black smoke was visible here and there on the street, and people were running around like crazy...? No. That. That is...
"Are those zombies?"
I twisted my face at the feeling of familiarity that was itself shitty, seeing the zombies. Then, *Bzzzz! Bzzzz!* My phone started ringing beside the sleeping bag. I felt my blood run cold, and at the same time, I urgently picked up the phone.
"(Hyung!! Hyung, are you okay?!)"
"Oh! Hyung. Hyung, are you okay! Late-born! Where are you right now!"
Maybe it was because I hadn't fully woken up, but I stuttered, so I struck the space between my neck and chin hard. *SMACK!*
"(Huh? Hyung, what is that?! What’s that sound?)"
"It’s nothing, are you okay?!"
"(Yes! My family and I are all on our way to the bunker right now! And. What was it? Father, who went out on the boat at dawn and came back, is safe too! Among the workers, there were guys who became... no, who became zombies! (Soo-shin! Why are you saying that?!) Ah, geez! Just! Anyway! Hassan saved Father! So Hassan’s family and our family are all moving together!)"
My head spun furiously at my brother’s urgent and incoherent story. I quickly braked my head, which was trying to focus on 'survival', and opened my mouth.
"Soo-shin! Contact Joon-jae and Gyu-shin and tell them about the bunker! Do you understand?!"
"(Huh? Joon-jae hyung? Gyu-shin hyung? Ah..! I understand! Don't worry! )"
"I’m fine, so don't contact me until I contact you! I’m still in the middle of Seoul!"
"(....!!!! )"
The sound of worried murmurs grew louder on the other side of the receiver. I shouted again.
"Don't worry about me! I got a satellite phone from Soo-shin. And Soo-shin, I’ll contact you at 9 AM and 9 PM sharp! Don't contact me after that, do you understand?!"
"(Yes! Don't worry, Hyung!)"
After the late-born one answered, I dropped the phone at the voices of my family clamoring and telling me to be careful, to be absolutely careful. I exhaled a fast, strong breath, then cleared my voice and said,
"Don't worry about your son, and listen to Soo-shin well, do you understand? Soo-shin has the most knowledge in our family in this situation right now."
"(....!)"
With the mixed response of my family, I hung up and exhaled. I put the phone in my pocket for a moment and finished organizing the items scattered in the living room. Just as I was about to change my clothes—
THUD!! THUD!! THUD!!
At the sound of the iron door ringing strongly, I immediately pulled up my inventory and approached the door, holding my breath.
"Ah. Is anyone! Inside! Please!! Please open the door! Please! Open it! Open it!"
I paused for a moment at the familiar voice I’d heard once, filled with desperation and urgency. The moment my memory flashed, I moved my body and opened the door, and Hyun-ah’s family ran in. As soon as I confirmed they were all inside, I quickly closed the door.
THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD-THUD!!!
Immediately after closing it, I grabbed the door tightly, pulled it, locked it, and stepped back at the sound of them pounding like crazy. At the sound of the crazy people pounding on the door, I heard Hyun-ah’s surprised crying from behind.
"*Waaaaah! Mommy! Daddy!*"
"It’s okay. Baby, it’s okay... Mommy is here. Hmm? Baby, shh, be a good girl~? Hmm? Hyun-ah, hmm?"
The sound of the child crying and Hyun-ah’s mother’s tearful voice soothing her—the zombies outside could hear it. No, they would hear it. That’s their nature. I turned around, looked at Hyun-ah’s mother, and pointed to the bathroom. She looked between me and the bathroom, then suddenly realized, nodded, and headed to the bathroom. I felt relieved, but Hyun-ah’s father’s behavior bothered me. I turned my head to Hyun-ah’s father, who was standing strangely far away from his wife and child in a situation that was safe, if not completely safe. I hardened my face.
Drip... drip... I lowered my gaze at the sound of water droplets falling. When I raised it halfway, I saw blood droplets falling over the back of Hyun-ah’s father’s hand and down his fingers. He knew what state he was in, despite the unbelievable thing that had happened outside. I sharpened my eyes at the sight of him clenching his teeth and squeezing his eyes shut.