Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Classmates Are Scary (5)
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- Can I get strong like that if I go to another world too!?
"Pretend you didn't see that, okay?"
- Siu, you were so cool~ You and your little sister get along great, huh? What a good big bro!
"Pretend you didn't see that...?"
- Next time we're in danger, you'll come save us, right? Thanks~
"Pretend you didn't... see that...?"
- Wow~ We didn't have any real hunters among our classmates, so things felt kinda gloomy, but now we've got one!
"Pretend you didn't...?"
- It'll work out~ Hey, guys~ Should we take a pic to celebrate making a hunter friend?
"...?"
- One, two, three! Kimchi~!
What's this? Give me back my slow life that started with becoming a house husband.
- Siu~ See you next time. Pick up when I call, okay~ You know what happens if you don't!
"Get lost. All of you."
- Whoa~ Juhyun, your job's a reporter, right?
"Goodbye~ Everyone, get home safe. It was such a fun day! Haha!"
- Yeah, yeah~ You too, get home safe. See you next time~
Late at night after the class reunion ended, I give a crisp salute to my friends heading home. They were teasing me with playful faces, but since they'd promised to keep it secret, a full 90-degree bow was the least I could do.
"...Hey, didn't you say you just ran some errands? Do you get that strong just from errands these days?"
Kim Jaehyun, still lingering beside me, stares at me with a look of utter disbelief.
"Errands, yeah. I was just doing a favor for my superior."
"...This bastard's gotten even more shameless over the last ten years."
I let out a chuckle at that. Without that shamelessness, I might not have survived Pretoria—it leaves a bitter taste just thinking about it.
"Well..., still, you must've had it rough coming back. I figured it'd be like slave labor or something. Looks like you lived even harder than that."
"Aww~ You bet. I saved the world, after all."
"Give you an inch and you take a mile... Get home already. Your sister's probably worried."
"Sure~"
Only then does Jaehyun turn away, and I head home too.
Roads without a speck of dirt feel so rigid. Sometimes I miss the soft give of soil, but Seoul hardly offers a chance to step on any.
The only sounds around are the drunken shouts of late-night revelers staggering about. It's been ages since I heard the friendly chirps of insects or the rustle of grass. Even birds are just pigeons—no real birdsong here.
Wandering outside at these late hours always brings Pretoria to mind. Exhausted from training, I'd slip out of the palace at night to see that cityscape. Tiny lights flickering in a city far less advanced than Earth.
Just one step from the palace, and there were dirt paths underfoot, birdsong and insect cries everywhere. I still can't forget that comforting scene.
At times like this, I realize that even back on Earth now, I miss that place. It was full of pain, a life where I lost and abandoned so much—yet it filled me up so completely that I can't let go of it. I carry it with me always.
"Maybe I shouldn't have come back."
My parents passed because of me long ago, and my sister was standing strong on her own. If I hadn't reached out first, my friends probably would've tucked my memory away in a corner and lived on just fine.
Did I just drag up painful buried memories for no reason? It's pathetic to think this way after just a few months back. After ten years of life-or-death busyness, now that my body's at ease, my mind's just tangled up for nothing.
The phone buzzes—it's always Sihyun calling.
"Hello~"
- Bro, where are you? Reunion over?
"Yup~ Split up a bit ago. Just walking now."
- Want me to pick you up? Where you at?
"Nah~ I can make it alone. The night breeze feels nice."
- Hmm..., okay. But don't come home too late! No getting lost—be careful!
"Of course~ You worry too much."
Even though I'm older, maybe because I've been so immature around her, she fusses like a mom.
- Worry... Yeah. You're all grown up. Why do I still fret so much? Ahaha~
"Sihyun~ You happy I came back?"
- Outta nowhere? Well..., of course. You're family. My only family.
"You were doing fine on your own. Am I messing up your peace?"
- Bro. Don't say that. I can keep going because you're back. So no weird talk—just stay by my side.
"Got it. I'm not going anywhere. No vanishing again, so don't worry about that. This big bro's dream was always the unemployed life~"
- Yeah... No more worrying. But you gotta grow up a bit.
"Hng."
- Hng what? Hurry home!
Her final shout cuts the call, and my heart settles a bit. How to put it? I guess I'd forgotten I was just an ordinary guy.
Ten years gripped by duty to protect the world and others—now free, I'm still scrambling to justify my existence. My role on Earth, what I should protect, the world's dangers. There must be something for me to do. Those thoughts circle unconsciously, gnawing at me.
The anxiety of doing nothing but resting is poison to a hero. It crumbles my convictions, breaks my oaths.
But I've already saved the world. Defeated the Four Heavenly Kings, the Demon King, even the Demon God. Returned to my world after thanks from its king, recognition from the Sword Saint, love from the Saintess, respect from the people.
So.
I'm no hero anymore. Just a big brother with one little sister.
I don't have to protect everything.
Time to live with a lighter heart.
And soothe this nagging boredom while I'm at it.
I shake off the thoughts and quicken my pace home. Got lost in my head and delayed myself. Soon high-rises appear; I hop in the elevator, reach the door, and swing it open.
"I'm home~ Sihyun, game time!"
I stumble in grinning like an idiot, and Sihyun eyes me like I'm hopeless.
"Bro, you look wasted. What game? You're bad enough sober."
"Nah~ Not Legend of League today. Let's do a co-op survival game~ Asked the guys, found a fun one called Don't Starve. Cute characters, build houses, farm, fight monsters!"
"Hmm... Sketchy. Can't we just sleep?"
"Hng...."
"Tomorrow's Sunday. We can play after waking up, right?"
"Hiiing...."
"No... You'll be tired."
"Hiiiing...."
"...Change clothes and boot the PC. Just a little, then bed?"
"Yay~!"
Score. Game night together.
"Bro, some spider thing's hitting me!"
"I'm already dead."
"You idiot! Don't starve at least!"
"Sihyunnie~ Save me. So cold... Shiver shiver."
"You're such a troll... Bro, is there no game you're good at?"
"Dunno, save me."
I scratch my belly...
"Stop scratching!"
Yes ma'am.
"Hero, you're last again~"
Seren lays down all her cards with a grin. It's a playful smile that's nice to see, but this must be the tenth time or so. Seeing it all day makes it feel a tad wicked.
"Weird. Why just me? You two aren't ganging up on me, are you?"
I scowl at another loss, tilting my head in thought, hand over my mouth. I'm not that bad at games, am I?
"Um, Hero. Bitter truth or sweet lie?"
Seren smiles awkwardly, offering choices. But isn't there a happier option than those extremes?
"Sweet truth, obviously~"
"Doesn't exist~"
...
"Sweet lie then...?"
"Our skills are just a bit higher, so don't feel too bad~"
This stings already—how's it sweet?
"What's the bitter truth?"
"Hero, you're just bad at board games. Zero talent."
"No... Seren, that's not bitter, that's painful...?"
Seren's merciless barrage guts my chest, and Sio nodding beside her hammers the wound.
"Yeah, true. You're trash."
He could've just nodded—my jerk of a master has to add salt.
"Shut it, Sio... "
"This brat's cursing his master now."
"Ahaha~ You two get along so well—always a joy to watch~"
This looks like getting along?
Lately, Seren seems a bit off too.
Unique tastes.