Chapter 16 Meeting at the Orphanage Volunteer 2
Chapter 16: {Encounter at the Orphanage} 2
{Encounter at the Orphanage}
However, it seemed Ji-hu was feeling somewhat burdened at the moment.
Sarang Orphanage in Nampo City.
This was the name of the orphanage Yu Ji-hu had chosen.
Orphanages in Kaesong could receive basic sponsorship funds from the Underground Guild—not lavish, but sufficient—as long as they met certain criteria, following Yu Ha-rin's directives.
But even if the scope was expanded, most of the sponsored orphanages were located in territories that had once been part of South Korea. Those in the less-developed former North Korean regions struggled to receive proper support.
That was why Ji-hu had decided Sarang Orphanage in Nampo would be a good place to volunteer.
According to his sister Ha-rin's research, the director was a woman in her late fifties, known for being kind to the children. Nampo was also a city where multiple guilds—Bisang Guild, Cheongong Guild, Bada Guild, Seohae Guild—were fiercely competing for influence.
'Guilds aren't just about closing Rifts and hunting monsters anymore. They've turned into full-fledged businesses, just like people said.'
During the six years Ji-hu had been away from Earth, much had changed.
Guilds had rapidly expanded their influence, transforming into corporate-like entities that owned numerous buildings and even established legal corporations. While researching guild-related information, Ji-hu had also learned one crucial fact:
'In times of national emergency, guilds are legally obligated to cooperate fully.'
Ability User guilds across the world were all bound by such clauses.
And while guilds actively clearing Rifts had their merits, Ji-hu could already see the negative aspects creeping in.
'They're competing so fiercely to establish themselves as regional powerhouses that some guilds have started harboring grudges and hostility toward each other.'
If this continued, it wouldn't be surprising if armed conflicts broke out between guilds.
Deciding to think about that issue later, Ji-hu first headed to the address of Sarang Orphanage.
'It's shabby.'
The orphanage building looked worn down, despite not being particularly old. Though most former North Korean regions were undergoing development, Sarang Orphanage—only fifteen years old—seemed neglected, its condition far worse than orphanages in other areas.
Ding-dong.
Standing before the iron gate, Ji-hu sensed movement on the other side but opted to ring the bell rather than call out.
"I'm Yu Ji-hu. I called earlier."
"Yes, I'll open the gate right away."
As if she had been expecting him, the gate soon opened, revealing a middle-aged woman nearing her senior years.
She looked slightly startled upon seeing Ji-hu but quickly composed herself and asked,
"You're here to volunteer?"
"Yes. If there's anything that needs organizing, I'd be happy to help. Oh, and if there are any urgent supplies the children need, please let me know."
Ji-hu offered a gentle smile, aiming to make a good first impression.
He could sense the children gathered in one room—about fourteen of them.
'They're not starving, but things seem tight.'
While the orphanage wasn't completely without sponsors, most donors prioritized other facilities.
Since their donations were often for image-building, few bothered to pay attention to an orphanage tucked away in a remote area like this.
Their goal was simply to hold up a "Donor" sign and take photos with the children.
"Shall we go to the director's office first?"
Ji-hu nodded at the director's suggestion.
"Yes, that sounds good."
While checking on the children's living conditions was important, having a conversation first seemed like the right move.
'Other orphanages aren't this run-down.'
Being in a former North Korean region was part of the problem, but he'd also heard that the director, though kind-hearted, wasn't particularly adept at handling sponsors.
[Ji-hu, from what I've gathered, the director here—Jeong Mi-ae—is a good person. She's warm to the children, and even those who've left the orphanage remember her like a mother. But she prioritizes the kids over sponsors, so she hasn't had much luck securing support.]
That was why he'd chosen this orphanage.
If there were people suffering because they were too pure-hearted to play the game, he wanted to help.
"This is the director's office. Would you like some... tea, perhaps?"
"No, I'm fine."
Though it was just a teabag in hot water, it was clear she kept it on hand for guests—she barely drank any herself.
"Oh my, I was quite surprised. I didn't expect someone so handsome."
Ji-hu simply smiled quietly at the compliment.
He'd heard praise for his looks since childhood, but whether on Earth or the Terra Continent, he'd learned it was easier to just smile than to respond every time.
"Actually, I did some research before coming here. I heard this place is on the outskirts, and because you're so protective of the children, you dislike people exploiting them—which is why sponsors rarely visit?"
"Ah, well..."
"It's fine. That's actually why I chose this place. As an Awakened, I can't come every day, but if there's anything you need, just let me know."
Ji-hu had often noticed that even when he spoke with good intentions, people grew suspicious of his motives.
Even on the Terra Continent, unless he was with Mine, the Saintess, or Scarlet—who had long-term ties to orphanages—revealing himself as the Hero often drew skepticism.
But he knew the magic words to dissolve suspicion.
"I lost my parents when I was ten and grew up with just my older sister, who's three years my senior. Seeing these kids... it doesn't feel like someone else's problem. I'm doing this because I want to, so please don't feel burdened."
"Ah..."
A look of sympathy flickered in the director's eyes.
She assumed this young man, having been orphaned at a young age, understood their pain and wanted to give back.
Which wasn't wrong.
"I'll make a donation later, but is there anything urgent you need right now?"
"Will you be visiting regularly?"
"Yes, that's the plan. Unless something urgent comes up, I'll try to stop by regularly."
The director nodded at his response.
"Then would you like to meet the children first?"
Ji-hu understood the implication.
It was common advice not to get too friendly with orphanage children. If you did, they'd inevitably ask if you were coming back—and if you said yes but didn't return, they'd be hurt.
Even if the promise was made in good faith, children would cling to hope, waiting for someone who never returned.
And in the end, they'd be left with another wound.
'That's the problem.'
Even when he'd been orphaned, Ji-hu had never felt that pain—because his sister had always been there.
[Ji-hu, don't worry. Even though Mom and Dad are gone, I'll never leave you.]
Though she'd been just thirteen at the time, his sister had kept that promise—barring the incident where he'd been sent to another world. And even after his return as a Returnee, she'd stayed true to her word.
"Yes. Have the children had lunch yet?"
Though it was still a bit early, Ji-hu asked just in case.
"No, not yet."
"I see. Do you already have lunch prepared? I was thinking of ordering whatever the kids would like."
He noticed the director's eyes soften with emotion, though a hint of sorrow lingered.
She was moved that a former orphan, now successful, wanted to help others like him—but it also saddened her, thinking of the scars he must carry.
'She's a good person.'
He genuinely wished people like her could receive more support.
"Just so you know, I'm fairly well-off, so please don't feel burdened."
"Well-off" was an understatement.
The 20 trillion won his sister had handed him was such an absurd sum he couldn't even begin to imagine how to spend it.
But even the 300 million he'd earned himself was more than enough.
'If needed, I can always earn more by clearing Rifts.'
"I don't even know how to thank you... The kids always talk about what they want to eat, but I could never..."
"It's no trouble at all—"
Ding-dong.
Just as he was about to head to the children, the doorbell rang again.