Chapter 1
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Until the Crying Stops
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I ducked my head. The blade whistling right over my scalp sliced off a few strands of my hair as it passed. Even though I hadn't thrown a single attack, just kept dodging, their sword strikes showed no mercy whatsoever.
Worried that dodging too leisurely might draw even more people, I evaded as narrowly as possible—enough to leave faint scratches—while pulling back to create distance.
- "Team Leader, it's been 30 minutes already and we still can't subdue it."
- "Haa... It's quicker than I expected. Seems like a pro at evasion."
"I told you, I'm really human."
That's what I've been saying—even if it's not some monster, anyone could see I'm human. Plus, to avoid any misunderstandings about my Pretoria garb, I'd changed back into my everyday clothes that I'd stashed away so carefully.
Another barrage of blades came flying at me, forcing me to leap back. As a former hero, I just couldn't bring myself to swing my sword at these people who weren't exactly villains. It was a hard rule ingrained in me over those ten long years.
From their perspective, no one crossing through a gate could possibly come out unscathed and human. But then, were there really no others like me—people who vanished and returned through a gate? Or had anyone else even been dragged to another world besides me?
"Hey, I've got a question."
- "Hoo... Don't keep trying to talk, you monster."
No matter how fierce the attacks, I had to ask what was on my mind.
"Has there ever been even one human who's come through a gate?"
- "Of course not. That's obvious."
Oh, they actually answered.
"Thanks for letting me know."
Thinking about it now, even if I got caught, it didn't feel like I'd end up dead. These monster hunters were surprisingly weak for their trade. Just look—even now, everyone surrounding me was huffing and puffing.
And despite their obvious annoyance at my questions, they still answered, which suggested they weren't bad people at heart.
"Hey, one more question just popped up. If I get caught, do I die?"
- "We'll lock you up at the Hunter Association. It's the first humanoid monster we've seen, so expect some investigation."
Oh... room and board provided. Not bad at all.
It had been ten years since I'd been back, and I didn't know anyone or anything anyway. Going along with them sounded like a decent plan. I'd get some info, food, and sleep. Best of all worlds.
Alright, time to get captured.
I stopped in my tracks and raised both hands. Their suspicious glares poured down on me, but I ignored them and waved cheerfully.
- "What the hell? Trying to lower our guard?"
"Nah, I'm surrendering~"
- "Don't mess around."
"I'm serious. I surrender. I'm getting hungry and tired."
I just lay down on the ground with my hands up, whining for them to hurry up and take me already. If I didn't do something like this, they'd probably stay on high alert all day.
- "What is this guy?"
What else? Get me outta here quick and feed me already.
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Hands bound behind my back, I was on my way to the Hunter Association. The ride in the car was insanely smooth. After a hellish life of bouncing around in carriages and on horseback every day, experiencing the pinnacle of modern tech like this was pure bliss beyond words.
Come to think of it, getting tied up was pretty rare these days. The last time was when I'd foolishly charged the Four Heavenly Kings alone and got caught. Sio had come to my rescue back then. Oh, by the way, Sio's the Sword Saint. He was my mentor, comrade, and a great friend—but I never got to say goodbye before leaving, so that stings.
"Ah, this is so peaceful. Hey, is this car the latest model? It's whisper-quiet."
- "Can't you just shut up and ride in peace...? How long are you gonna yap?"
"Bet you're bored too, sir. How much longer?"
- "Almost there. Just wait."
"Ooh, food when we get off?"
- "Yes, so please shut up..."
"Got it."
Man, I hope they feed me soon.
I hummed along, bobbing my head for a bit until the car pulled up. A massive, sleek building loomed ahead. Two guys who looked like hunters grabbed the rope tying my arms and led me inside.
"I'm not a criminal or anything, so could you treat me nicer?"
- "Argh, we're not dragging you—what more 'nice' do you want?"
"You're talking so rudely. Let's go like friends, yeah?"
- "This guy's making my head spin... Team Leader, this really seems like a person."
- "I don't even know anymore. Let's just investigate quick. Someone go call Team 2 Leader."
Following their lead brought me to a cozy little interrogation room—perfect for this. Nice vibe, no smells. Gotta love Earth. Civilization's progress is truly beautiful.
Inside the room, the man casually uncuffed me and sat across.
- "No time-wasting. Let's get to it. First... fine, you keep saying you're human, so name."
"Arsius... no, Ansiu."
Damn. Even I'm getting confused now.
- "Age."
"Uh... I got pulled to another world right after my military discharge and came back, so... 31."
- "Ah... r-right. Family then."
What? Why's he stuttering? Pitiful that I got yanked away right after discharge?
"...Mom, Dad, and a little sister, but it's been ten years, so I don't know where they are."
- "Give me their names first. We need to check."
"Mm~ Mom's Kim Yeonhui, Dad's An Seongyeon, and my little sis..."
I was midway when a radio crackled from outside.
- "Team Leader, Team 2 Leader's here. Says she's coming in."
- "Yeah, let her in."
The door flew open with a bang, and a short woman walked in, clutching an Americano like she'd stopped at a café.
- "So, what's your little sister's name?"
"An Sihyun. Hey, Sihyun. Long time no see."
Even after ten years, her face was so familiar. She hadn't changed a bit since high school. She'd weathered the years that change rivers and mountains just fine.
- "Wha...? Wh-what...?"
She dropped her coffee. Steam rose from the hot spill on the floor.
"Aw, what a waste. First coffee in ten years—if you're not drinking it, gimme."
I glanced back and forth between the coffee and Sihyun as I said it.
- "O-oppa...? Is that really you...?"
Sihyun stared at me blankly. Meeting again after ten years must be pretty disorienting.
"Don't make it weird with 'oppa.' Or wait, were we that close?"
How had we gotten along back then? Hard to recall now. Probably like any siblings—fighting, sulking, but still looking out for each other as family.
Truth be told, I only remembered their names and faces thanks to a note I'd jotted down "just in case" when I first arrived in Pretoria, and the single family photo in my wallet. That grueling, endless journey left no room for memories or nostalgia—it was that brutal.
Lost in thought for a moment, Sihyun approached me. While everyone else kept their distance, she barreled right up without fear. Her mind must be a whirlwind.
"Say something else. Proof you're my oppa. Anything...?"
- "Team Leader An Sihyun, identity unconfirmed. Could be a monster—don't get too close."
"Quiet...! Oppa, say anything that'll convince me. Anything."
"Uh... family photo? It's in my pocket."
Sihyun came closer and pulled out my wallet. Her trembling hands fumbled it open—such a pitiful sight.
She took out the worn, half-torn, faded family photo from inside. When and where had we even taken that? So faded now, the expressions, background, even the clothes were all blurry. Sihyun bowed her head over it.
"That good enough? It's pretty beat-up, but it's all I've got. Ahaha..."
Sihyun set the photo aside and grabbed my collar. I thought she might slap me, but instead, she buried her face in my chest.
"Where... where the hell were you? Why... why leave me behind? Do you know how hard it's been...?"
She said "leave me behind," so... yeah. Something bad must've happened. Tricky. I'd suffered plenty to get back, but this world wasn't all sunshine anyway.
"Sorry, I tried my best to come home... guess I was a bit late?"
"Ten years... ten years isn't 'a bit'... Hic, sob..."
She'd been shivering earlier, and now the tears finally came. She sobbed quietly into my chest. Even the other team leader, who'd tried to stop her at first, just turned away and sat still, unable to intervene.
"You grew up well, though. Last I saw, you were that immature high schooler. Now you're a proper working adult. Good job sticking it out."
"Waaah... sob, hic. You jerk..."
No sign of stopping anytime soon—she was soaking my shirt with her tears. All I could do was hold her and gently pat her back and head.
This long-awaited family reunion wasn't the joyful kind. Even tears of happiness would've been overwhelming, but Sihyun's sobs, filled with sorrow, struck deep—even for me, who'd taken everything on Earth so lightly.
I kept patting her back.
Until the crying stopped.