Adaptation (2)

"It is a bit sudden... but Sia, if you do not like the Returnee Management Bureau's shelter... No, if you are comfortable with it, would you care to join our family?"

"...Pardon?"

After finishing our meal at the restaurant, I was caught off guard by Yeon Seo's sudden proposal.

Even if she felt indebted to me, inviting a stranger into one's household wasn't something done lightly.

"Whatever the circumstances, the truth remains that I tried to kill you. If you had been a bit weaker, or if truly terrible luck had struck, something irreversible might have happened."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course I am. If you dislike the idea of joining our household, I can buy you a separate house."

It was an extraordinary offer.

But I wasn't that greedy.

I had just stuffed myself at the restaurant, so accepting a house out of the blue felt like far too much of a burden to place on Yeonhwa and Yeon Seo.

Besides, I had the returnee shelter.

I didn't need a penthouse with glittering chandeliers all to myself.

A decent place to rest was more than enough.

"I'm fine."

"Are you truly fine with that? Sia, this is no mere jest. I must do at least this much to put my own mind at ease. Do not worry about the cost. This grandmother of yours is, despite appearances, one of the wealthiest people in this nation."

"I'm saying no because I really am fine."

Yeon Seo stopped walking along the street and turned to look at my face.

"I've already met the strongest S-grade hunter, a living legend, and even got a free meal out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of it. That's plenty for me. And I have the shelter provided by the Bureau. As long as it's not a tiny goshiwon-style room where a human can barely breathe, I'll be fine."

"What is a goshiwon?" Yeonhwa asked.

"Uh... Yeonhwa, you don't know? It's a cheap, cramped room, barely three square meters. Do they not exist anymore?"

I learned only later that during the Great Rift, a significant portion of the city's buildings had collapsed. Since then, the entire nation's urban planning had been completely redesigned, resulting in massive residential zones that practically pierced the sky in every city.

For that reason, by the year 2088, tiny cubicle-like rooms like goshiwons had become a relic of the past.

"Hmph... I see. You devoured all that meat so eagerly, yet you refuse when offered something far grander for free. Then at least take this."

"...What is it?"

Yeon Seo slipped a dark, bracelet-like object onto my wrist.

What was this? Handcuffs?

"Is this... a phone?"

Come to think of it, the people walking by all wore various designs of these things on their wrists. At first, I wondered why everyone was wearing the same accessory, but if it functioned as a phone, it made sense that everyone carried one.

"Back in 2024, smartphones were handheld devices, correct? Do not worry. Though it has become fancier, the way it operates is largely the same. It is a recent model with excellent performance, so it should serve you well."

A wrist-mounted smartphone?

Ah, so this was how it worked.

When I tapped it lightly with my other hand, a holographic screen flickered to life before my eyes.

Just as Yeon Seo said, the screen was projected as a hologram. Though it had countless new features, the basic interface wasn't much different from the smartphones I remembered. If you knew how to use an old smartphone, figuring this out wouldn't take long.

"I have saved this grandmother's number, Yeonhwa's, and the number of a girl named Yeonju who works for our family. If anything urgent arises, contact Yeonhwa or myself. If neither of us can be reached, contact Yeonju. Mention my name, and she will assist you with most matters."

It seemed my greatest stroke of luck upon returning to Earth wasn't devouring the Black Minotaur.

It was crossing paths with Yeonhwa and Yeon Seo.

"Thank you, Grandmother. Truly."

"If you are truly grateful, do not call me grandmother. Call me Ms. Yeon Seo, or Lady Yeon Seo."

"Should I call you big sister?"

"Oh, now that is a wonderful idea...!"

"Sia, Grandmother, please stop..." Yeonhwa groaned.

"Why must my granddaughter always rain on this grandmother's parade..."

Yeon Seo pouted slightly at her granddaughter's intervention. I couldn't help but smile at the sight.

Yes, I really was lucky.

I had heard stories of returnees who met awful people the moment they arrived, leading to bloody battles or tragic deaths. Compared to them, calling myself lucky was an understatement.

"Lady Yeon Seo, thank you again. Really."

"Yes, yes. *Ahem.* In any case, this grandmother must pay a visit to the Hunter Association. They have been begging me to hold a press conference at six this evening, so I must depart now."

"Grandmother, what about the car?" Yeonhwa asked.

"Do not worry, I can manage on my own. Yeonhwa, see to it that Sia gets home safely. And do drop by the house sometime. I grew some cabbages just for you."

"I'll think about it."

"Sigh, a grandmother with such an unsociable granddaughter is a sad thing indeed. Would it kill you to just say yes? Well then, Sia, I shall see you next time."

"Thank you for the meat, Lady Yeon Seo. Let's eat together again next time."

"Fufu, yes, let us do ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that. And Sia..."

Yeon Seo leaned in close and whispered in my ear.

"Even if you refuse today, if you ever find yourself in need of my help or the family's assistance, you need only speak. The Yeon family never forgets a debt of gratitude."

Flash!

With that, Yeon Seo used her ability to teleport away.

She had mentioned being retired, but as expected of a living legend, she seemed to lead a very busy life.

"Grandmother isn't usually this busy," Yeonhwa said. "I suspect it's because of the Dungeon Overbreak."

"Are Overbreaks not very common?"

"It's the first unannounced Overbreak in ten years. Usually, there are warning signs, but this time there were none. We're fortunate there were no casualties. Ah... though I almost became one myself. I survived thanks to you, Sia."

If anything, I was the one who had been helped. Without Yeonhwa and Yeon Seo, I might have ended up in a very difficult situation—perhaps still locked up in the Bureau, unable to register, or hunted by the police after accidentally eating a human out of hunger.

"Sigh, Grandmother really is something... playing pranks at her age. She's always especially mischievous around me."

"By the way, Yeonhwa."

"Yes?"

"Do you not get along with your grandmother?"

Yeonhwa stopped in her tracks at my sudden question.

"...Did it look that way?"

Well, it was noticeable from the side. To be precise, it wasn't that they had a bad relationship, but rather a subtle distance between them. Of course, Yeon Seo, who had attacked me recklessly in the dungeon just to protect Yeonhwa, couldn't possibly dislike her. It felt more like Yeonhwa unconsciously avoided relying on or leaning on her grandmother.

And Yeon Seo, perhaps wanting even a little bit of her granddaughter's attention, seemed to tease her and push her boundaries, separate from how kindly she treated me.

I might love food, but I had lived as a saint for over sixty years. Sensing when someone was hurting, whether physically or mentally, was practically an instinct for me.

"Actually... it's not that we don't get along. It's just that I'm... the problem."

"No way. Even if you think you're the problem, Ms. Yeon Seo would be happy just to have her 'Binggu' around."

"I told you I'm not Binggu... *Sigh*, I don't know."

As an outsider, I shouldn't pry into family matters, but having lived as a saint for so long, I couldn't help but care. Well, everyone had their reasons. It didn't seem like a critical issue right now, so with a little time, that subtle distance between them would probably shrink.

"It's fine. We only met today, so it makes sense that you wouldn't want to pour your heart out. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"Thank you, Sia. By the way, do you know the way to your new home?"

"...My home?"

"Your shelter assignment from the Returnee Management Bureau just came through."

"How did you know before me?"

"Well, I registered as your guarantor. I am an A-grade hunter, so my word carries some weight."

"It might be a bit late to ask, but... is it really okay to guarantee the identity of someone you just met? What if I use it for something bad?"

"It's a small price to pay compared to you saving my life. Besides, you're a returnee, right? You'll be busy enough just adapting to this world."

"...Hmm, accurate assessment."

Yeonhwa tapped her wrist-phone, and a moment later, a sleek, black luxury car pulled up silently in front of us. I didn't know what kind of car it was, but given the complete lack of noise, it was likely electric or hydrogen-powered.

"Is this... your car?"

"It's not my personal car, it belongs to the family. Get in."

As I climbed into the car through the door that swung upward toward the sky, I noticed the driver's seat was empty.

Wow, completely autonomous driving was a thing now.

Once Yeonhwa entered the address on the main screen, the car began to drive itself.

It really hit me then. Despite her silly nickname, Yeonhwa and Yeon Seo—or rather, the Yeon family—were far wealthier and more influential than I had imagined. Back in the other world, I had been quite famous and high-ranking myself... though that meant nothing now that I was back on Earth.

In my distant memories, cars used to spew exhaust and make loud noises... but I suppose technology hadn't advanced to the point of flying cars like in sci-fi movies.

"Flying cars? They do exist," Yeonhwa said.

"They do?!"

"There's just no reason to fly them in the city, and getting flight permits is a hassle, so people don't use them unless it's urgent. Do you like that kind of thing, Sia?"

"...Well... it sounds amazing."

"I've ridden in them a few times, but it's not as exciting as you'd think."

No, Binggu. A flying car is the ultimate sci-fi dream. Flying between city skyscrapers and looking down at the scenery was something I had only seen in movies. How could I not be excited now that it was real? If I got the chance, I would definitely ride one.

"Ah, we're here. This is it."

The shelter provided by the Bureau was located near Dangsan Station, in a high-rise residential complex slightly away from central Seoul.

Was it because I had been gone for sixty-four years? The area around Dangsan Station, where my family used to live, felt completely foreign, like a city in another country.

I looked around to see if the cinema, my favorite restaurant, or the convenience store I used to frequent were still there, but the familiar landscape had been completely erased. Except for Dangsan Station itself, the entire area had been transformed into a massive residential zone.

It wasn't just a few apartment buildings scattered around. Dozens of towers were merged into a single residential block, with skybridges connecting the buildings high above the ground. At this rate, one could probably meet people and run errands without ever stepping foot on the actual ground.

"During the Great Rift, the area around Dangsan Station was caught in a gate collapse and completely wiped out. A lot of reconstruction happened during the recovery process. Because of that, modern Seoul is strictly divided into residential zones and corporate districts. It all happened before I was born, so I don't really know what the old residential areas looked like either."

"So this place is strictly residential?"

"Yes. There are convenience stores, restaurants, and marts for daily necessities, but the rest is just a massive residential complex."

The car stopped in front of a mixed-use residential building. The lower floors housed shops and restaurants, while the upper floors stretched so high they blocked out the sky. It looked large enough to house thousands of people. It felt like a city within a building.

"And the shelter you'll be staying at... Ah, here it is. Room 503, Building 105, 43 Seonyu-ro."

Perhaps because other returnees lived in the building, I could occasionally feel faint fluctuations of mana. It wasn't bothersome, just a subtle awareness that someone was there.

Yeonhwa later told me that only returnees who passed the Bureau's 'ethics audit' were allowed into these shelters. Those with severe psychological issues were sent to training facilities or specialized treatment centers for rehabilitation instead.

"It's quite spacious."

It was stark white.

My new home was a white studio apartment of about sixty-six square meters. The neutral white interior was likely chosen to avoid complaints, as returnees had diverse tastes and it would be difficult to accommodate everyone individually.

Fortunately, the holographic TV I had seen in the Bureau's waiting room was here as well. There was also a computer, a bed, and a bookshelf stocked with classic literature like Shakespeare and Anna Karenina.

"...It's smaller than my room," Yeonhwa muttered.

"Really? I think it's fine."

"Are you sure? Should I call Grandmother and ask her to get you a new place?"

"No, really, it's fine."

For a single person, sixty-six square meters was actually quite spacious. It even had a balcony. Since Yeonhwa came from a wealthy family, this decent shelter probably looked cramped to her.

"I'm not just saying it, I really like it. So this is my home now..."

"It's not permanently yours. The Bureau leases these shelters to returnees for three years as part of their support program."

"Do I have to leave after three years?"

"No, not necessarily. After three years, you can stay if you pay the rent yourself, or you can extend the contract by completing specific missions or conditions set by the Bureau."

"Missions?"

"Since you have power, they'll probably ask you to clear dungeons or hunt specific monsters... basically, hunter work. Are you interested in becoming a hunter? Returnees who register as hunters get permanent ownership of their shelters."

"I don't know."

In the other world, my main activity had been fighting the Demon King's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠army and consuming Evil Nature. However, I wasn't particularly diligent, and I didn't have the confidence to work as a proper hunter.

"I can't give you an answer right now. It's only been a day since I returned."

"That's true. But if you do become a hunter, a lot of people will be very happy."

"A lot of people?"

"Mainly the higher-ups at the Bureau and the Hunter Association. Hunters who can actually match my grandmother are extremely rare, after all."

"I see."

Becoming a hunter didn't sound terrible. But hunters were essentially public servants or soldiers who had to mobilize whenever called upon, and I'd have to spend my free time clearing new dungeons. Having defeated the Demon King and consumed Evil Nature, I could certainly do it, but right now, I just wanted to rest.

"Get some rest for now, Sia. It's not much of a housewarming gift, but I'll have some drinks and snacks delivered to you shortly."

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. I'll head out now. Contact me if anything happens. Like Grandmother said, the Yeon family doesn't forget a favor, so don't hesitate to call if you need me."

With those words, Yeonhwa closed the door and left.

She had helped me register, treated me to a massive meal, and now she was sending me housewarming gifts.

"Sigh..."

As I lay down on the soft bed, a wave of exhaustion washed over me—a sensation this undead body shouldn't even be capable of feeling. It was strange. Even though I had returned, it didn't feel like I was truly back. Did I consider the 'other world' with Menelapie and Theresa to be more of a home?

I wasn't sure.

I remembered watching a movie called *The Shawshank Redemption* a long time ago. In it, an institutionalized prisoner who had spent his entire life in jail was finally paroled. But having grown so accustomed to prison life, he couldn't adapt to the terrifyingly changed outside world and ultimately ended his own life.

My current situation wasn't much different from his. The world had changed too much, and my family was gone. I didn't even feel much grief over their deaths. When I heard the news, my immediate thought was simply, *Right, they must have passed away. Of course they did...*

Was it because too much time had passed? Or had my mind changed after living as the Saint of the Deceased for so long? I couldn't be sure.

Still, having people like Yeonhwa and Yeon Seo to rely on made me different from the man in that movie. But they weren't family I could lean on unconditionally. In the end, they were strangers, and my requests for help might eventually become a burden to them.

I need to stand on my own feet as soon as possible.

Yes, in the end, everyone lives their own life. I wasn't a child. I would live by my own strength without imposing on Yeonhwa any further.

That resolution vanished completely in just three days.

Actually, not only did the resolution vanish, but now, exactly a month after my return... I had done absolutely nothing. Truly nothing.

I hadn't stepped a single foot outside the house. I just lay in bed, ordering whatever food I craved, watching TV, and enjoying pure bliss.

But... I couldn't help it...

"Hehe, this is fun. Hunter broadcasts... Ah, that's not how you swing a mace... Why is he holding it like that? Wait, why hasn't he noticed? There's a monster ambushing him from behind. What is he doing? Ah... this streamer is such a noob..."

Today, I was once again sprawled on the bed with the holographic TV turned up loud, munching on fried chicken. Even in this era, chicken was still delicious. Due to a new strain of avian flu, they grew cultured meat instead of using real chickens, but the taste and quality were so well-replicated that it tasted exactly like the chicken I remembered.

"Nom nom... Ah, finished."

That was my thirteenth box of chicken. Cleaning this up was going to be a massive pain...

"I'll just clean up the grease and the smell... I'll throw the bones and boxes away... later..."

Was it okay for a saint to be this lazy? Honestly, I couldn't help it. Dropped into a new era, before I could even feel lonely, the modern technology and all the new subcultures and media dragged me into an ocean of content. How could I resist?

"...Whoa, this series actually finished... Wait, it's still not finished? Is the author even alive?!"

Reading completed manga and novels was incredibly fun. The content available on the internet and TV was vast, and I often stayed up all night completely absorbed in it. While catching up on missed series was great, the most entertaining thing was eating chicken while watching hunter broadcasts on TV.

I realized that in this era, streamers—people who did personal broadcasts—could enjoy popularity and wealth rivaling mainstream TV networks if they had enough skill. Seeing the broadcasts of top streamers being broadcasted directly on TV channels showed how much their status had grown compared to my time.

I happened to tune into a hunter broadcast that had nearly two hundred thousand viewers. I later found out the streamer was an S-grade returnee hunter named Yujin. Since then, I spent my days ordering delivery, reading webtoons on my phone, and watching hunter streams on TV, wasting my life away in bed.

"Someone once said that wasting time is the ultimate, most exquisite pleasure..."

I finished the chicken... what now? I was still a bit hungry. By the way, I was paying for everything using the smart watch on my wrist, using the funds sent by the Returnee Management Bureau. In this era, physical cash was rarely used, and electronic currency was the norm. The Bureau had given me about a hundred million won. Some returnees used this money as seed capital to start businesses... What a joke. Me, start a business?

I felt a bit... blue, bored, and restless. Was it because I didn't have chicken in my mouth? Should I eat something else? Maybe not chicken this time...

"No, no! I can't go on like this!"

I was still a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠saint. A saint! Even if I had returned to my original world, my sixty years of life as a saint hadn't just vanished. So why was I living like a complete slacker? I was practically a useless shut-in.

But even when I resolved to do something, a wave of lethargy immediately washed over me. I was all alone here. No Menelapie, no Theresa...

What was I supposed to do by myself?

"...I am a log... just a log on the floor..."

If I kept staying still like this, I was going to grow mushrooms on my back. I felt restless, bored, and listless. I checked the time; it was 4:00 PM.

Four o'clock... PM, right? The sun is up, so it must be PM.

I had stayed up late watching hunter streams and reading webtoons, fallen asleep at 5:00 AM, woken up at noon, and hadn't even washed my face before rolling around in bed until now...

No, this was bad. Truly bad. I couldn't live like this!

"Let's go out."

First, a shower. Then I'd go out and do something—eat out, take a walk, anything. I was bored, and I needed to do something. For the past month, the only things I had looked at were the flashing TV screen and the white wallpaper of the shelter. I needed a walk to clear my head.