Dying Back to Earth
Sihyuk was fifteen years old when he was dragged into another world.
It happened on his way home from school.
He stood at a crowded crosswalk as usual, waiting for the light to change. Someone was watching a video on their phone; someone else was chatting with the person beside them.
Then the ground beneath Sihyuk’s feet split open in black.
At first he thought it was just a shadow.
The next instant, his ankle sank in.
Screams rose from the people around him as Sihyuk’s body was sucked straight down into the black fissure.
When he opened his eyes, he was no longer in Seoul.
The sky was crimson, and black steam rose from the earth. Distant mountains looked as if their peaks had been sheared flat, and winged creatures circled slowly overhead.
Sihyuk had no idea what had happened to him.
Only moments before, he had been standing in the middle of Seoul. Yet when he opened his eyes, he had fallen into a place he had never seen before. There was no way back in sight.
The bigger problem was that less than a minute after he opened his eyes, something appeared that wanted to eat him.
The magical beast looked like a wild dog, but it had two heads. It was so emaciated its ribs showed, and black drool dripped from its mouths.
Sihyuk ran.
He tripped over rocks, tore his palms, felt claws rake across his back. The beast chased him to the end. When his breath burned in his throat, he found himself cornered at a sheer cliff. There was nowhere left to run.
Sihyuk picked up a fist-sized rock from the ground. His hands shook, and tears blurred his vision. But when the magical beast charged at him, he swung the rock for his life.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Even after the beast stopped moving, he brought the rock down several more times. Sihyuk dropped the bloodied stone and vomited for a long while.
That day he understood.
In this place, if he did not kill, he would die.
The first few years were hard enough just surviving. Just distinguishing what was edible from what would kill him nearly cost him his life several times. He drank poison that looked like water, chewed on a fruit-shaped insect and suffered for three days.
He thought meeting people would make things better.
It did not.
He later learned that the place he had fallen into was, unluckily, not the Human Realm but the Demon Realm. And not just any part—it was a place where only magical beasts and demons roamed, and even when he met intelligent beings, they shared no common language. To those magical beasts and demons, Sihyuk was nothing more than a well-prepared meal.
He was captured, escaped, and captured again. To survive, he killed demons. After that, he took first so that nothing would be taken from him.
Sihyuk grew accustomed, gradually melting into the other world, and while he grew used to surviving, time flowed swiftly by. The boy’s body grew, and calluses formed on his hands before he knew it.
At first he was alone. He simply killed those who targeted him. Whether Sihyuk wanted it or not, the number of followers trailing behind him kept growing. When he eliminated one enemy, the position that enemy had held became his. When he eliminated ten, a village remained. Protecting the village required soldiers, and soldiers needed food to feed them. At some point, keeping the people behind him fed became harder than surviving alone.
By then, even the demonkin knew his name.
The Demon Realm and the Human Realm bordered each other by land. Clashes large and small never ceased at the border, and sometimes Human Realm armies even pushed deep into the Demon Realm. Sihyuk made no distinction between humans and demonkin. If they struck first at him or his subordinates, he fought. In the process he clashed with Human Realm armies several times, and his name became known beyond the border.
When Sihyuk arrived at the previous Demon King’s castle, roughly two centuries had probably passed since he fell into the other world. He did not know the exact year. The habit of counting years had been discarded long ago.
Before the castle gates, the army following Sihyuk stretched out of sight. Humans and demonkin, beastfolk and nameless races mixed together.
It was a time of overflowing bloodlust. If there was someone strong, he wanted to break them; anyone who tried to kill him, he sought out and killed without fail. As Sihyuk’s power grew, the Demon King’s checks intensified. Raising an independent force within the Demon Realm was bad enough, but defeating Human Realm armies and making a name for himself made him look, in the Demon King’s eyes, like someone eyeing the throne.
In truth, Sihyuk had no intention of aiming for the throne.
The previous Demon King sent subordinates, then legions, and finally used an entire castle as bait. Sihyuk survived each time. And in the end, he went himself.
The Demon King seated on the throne asked,
“So you covet the throne after all?”
Sihyuk rested his bloodied sword on his shoulder.
“Not sure about that.”
“Then why have you come this far?”
“You touched me first.”
The battle lasted three days. A mountain collapsed, and half the castle walls were blown away. In the end, Sihyuk’s sword pierced the Demon King’s heart.
The moment the Demon King’s heart stopped, the throne behind the great hall rumbled low. Sihyuk did not know what it meant. But the demonkin inside the castle seemed to. One by one they knelt. Someone called him the new Demon King. Others took up the cry.
From that day, Sihyuk became the Demon King.
At first it was not bad. Enemies still tried to kill him, and wars still needed fighting. He spent more time with sword in hand than sitting on the throne. The Human Realm, sensing the new Demon King had just taken his seat, sent large armies several times. Sihyuk pushed them back every time they came. He even chased them beyond the border to repay them, but he had no intention of seizing Human Realm land.
After several great wars, the Human Realm no longer sent large armies as before. Since the Demon Realm also did not start wars first under Sihyuk, the border gradually stabilized. Small clashes and disputes remained, but both sides learned that full-scale war cost more than it gained. Rebellions were suppressed one by one, and beings who could challenge Sihyuk head-on gradually disappeared.
What remained after that were reports.
Taxes.
Food.
Mines.
Waterways.
Disputes among nobles.
Territorial fights between demonkin tribes.
On the throne he had won through long years of fighting, the thing Sihyuk did most was sign documents.
The first few decades were bearable. The next few centuries were much the same. Kingdoms rose and fell; religions split and merged. Descendants of those who had cursed Sihyuk erected statues of him, and descendants of those who smashed the statues built temples again.
Sihyuk watched it all. Things that surprised him grew fewer. Anger did not last long. The difference between morning and night, between one year and a hundred, grew faint. When someone charged at him to kill, he at least felt alive. Once everyone began bowing their heads, each day stretched as if it would never end.
Just because full-scale war between the Human Realm and Demon Realm had decreased did not mean fighting had completely stopped. Just as Demon Kings had succeeded one another for generations, the Human Realm had long had Heroes chosen by the Holy Sword. When a previous Hero died or stepped down, the Holy Sword chose a new master. Instead of sending large armies, the Human Realm began concentrating power in the Hero. There was no reason for an entire army to be sacrificed just to kill one Demon King.
Even while Sihyuk was Demon King, the master of the Holy Sword changed several times. Most ended after one or two challenges. They died, or never returned to the Demon King’s Castle again. The previous Hero also died to Sihyuk’s sword on his first challenge. And not long after, the Holy Sword chose yet another master.
On his first challenge, that Hero did not even make it up to the floor with the throne. When his subordinates tried to stop him, Sihyuk called him in himself.
The Hero of that time still had a face that had not shed its youthful look. His armor was cracked in places, and the arm holding the Holy Sword trembled.
“Demon King.”
The Hero panted as he spoke.
“Today I will take your head.”
Sihyuk propped his chin and looked down at him. It had been a long time since he heard those words.
“Is that so?”
The Hero charged. His sword did not even touch Sihyuk’s clothes. Sihyuk caught the blade with two fingers and pushed it aside. The Hero lost his balance and rolled across the floor.
Killing him would have been easy. But this time he did not take the life.
“Come again later.”
The Hero gritted his teeth and raised his head.
“Are you mocking me?”
“You seem to have talent.”
Sihyuk leaned back against the throne again as he spoke.
“It wouldn’t be fun if I killed you now.”
That day the Hero returned alive. Not long after, he came again. This time he climbed alone to the floor with the throne. Still weak. Sihyuk broke one of his arms and sent him back. Next he left a wound on the shoulder. Next the Hero cut Sihyuk’s cheek shallowly.
The Hero grew stronger each time he came. Sihyuk used a little more strength each time, stopping short of killing him. At first it was a pastime. Then it became anticipation. In days that had not changed for long ages, something called “next” appeared.
How far would he climb this time?
Would he make Sihyuk draw his sword this time?
Before long the Hero’s body had also left behind ordinary human lifespan. The power of the Holy Sword held his flesh together, and he rose again after falling dozens of times. Sihyuk did not kill him. Instead he gave him chances to grow stronger. Sometimes he deliberately showed weaknesses; sometimes he left hardships the Hero would have to overcome. The Hero did not know that. It did not matter if he did not know. In the end, what was needed was the result.
On the final challenge, the Hero did not come alone. Humans and demonkin, even races that had long ago been defeated by Sihyuk, stood behind him. The doors to the throne hall collapsed. The light of the Holy Sword filled the dark great hall.
The Hero no longer wore a face full of rage as before. He was calm, and strong. Sihyuk smiled at the sight. It had been worth the wait.
The fight was not long. The Hero’s sword pushed back Sihyuk’s defense for the first time. The second time it cut his shoulder. The third time it came close to his heart. Sihyuk also raised his sword. A sensation long forgotten returned. He shifted his feet, clashed blades, read the opponent’s next move.
It was enjoyable.
And so he could tell all the more clearly.
This was enough.
The Holy Sword flew toward Sihyuk’s neck. He could have dodged. He could have counterattacked. Cutting the Hero’s wrist and piercing his heart would not have taken even a single breath.
Sihyuk did not move.
The cold blade passed through his neck. The Hero’s eyes widened.
“Why……”
Sihyuk tilted toward the floor as he smiled.
“Because I’m sick of it now too.”
That was his last memory.
When he opened his eyes again, a tree branch was digging into his back.
Sihyuk lay for a while looking at the sky. It was not a red sky. Familiar blue light showed between black clouds. Birds sang, and in the distance he heard the sound of cars running on the road.
Sihyuk slowly sat up. He touched his neck, but there was no wound. His body was strange too. It was not the body he had lived in as Demon King. Much younger and lighter. On the back of his hand remained a scar from long ago on Earth.
The school uniform he was wearing did not fit his body. The side seam of the shirt was torn, and the pants were ripped around the thighs and knees. It looked as if the clothes he had worn at fifteen had been forced onto a grown body.
“What the.”
His voice was young too.
Sihyuk looked around. A low mountain. A hiking guide sign written in Hangul. Seoul’s buildings visible in the distance.
It was Earth.
Whether he had returned by dying or for some other reason, he did not know. Even after thinking for a long while, no answer came. Sihyuk first went down the mountain.
At the foot of the mountain was a twenty-four-hour convenience store. When the automatic door opened, a mix of familiar yet unfamiliar smells drifted in. Ramen. Coffee. Food heated in a microwave.
The part-timer at the counter stiffened at the sight of Sihyuk. It was because of the torn school uniform and dirt-covered face.
“Um, are you okay?”
Now that he was back on Earth, he would have to fix the speech habits hardened in the Demon Realm a little.
“Probably.”
“Did you get into a Gate accident or something?”
Sihyuk moved his eyebrows a little.
“Gate?”
“Yes?”
It was the first time he had heard the word. But looking at his own appearance and the part-timer’s reaction, he could roughly guess what kind of accident was meant.
“……Probably something similar.”
“Did you perhaps return from another world?”
“Yes.”
The part-timer looked Sihyuk up and down.
“I’ll report it to the Association.”
“I’d appreciate that…… yes.”
Sihyuk was about to sit in a chair by the window when he stopped in front of the cup ramen display. There were products he remembered and many he was seeing for the first time.
Oh.
Cheese and garlic he could understand. Mala he was not sure about. Then one green package caught his eye.
?
Mint chocolate cup ramen.
Sihyuk picked up the package. He looked at the front, then the back. He had not misread it.
Fuck, what the hell is this.
There had been plenty of strange food in the Demon Realm. But they had never put toothpaste in noodles.
“I haven’t tried that one either,” the part-timer said after finishing the call.
“Is it bad?”
“Probably.”
“Then why do they sell it?”
“I’m curious about that too.”
Sihyuk put the mint chocolate cup ramen back in its place. There was no need to go on an adventure on the first day of his return.
The part-timer took out a yukgaejang one and handed it over.
“Have this at least while the Association is on the way.”
“I don’t have money.”
“Just take it. You look hungry.”
Sihyuk accepted the cup ramen.
“I’ll pay you back later.”
“You don’t have to.”
“That would make me uncomfortable.”
The part-timer did not stop him further.
The Association vehicle arrived about twenty minutes later. Sihyuk finished even the ramen broth before getting into the car with the staff member.
The Returnee registration process was more systematic than expected. Identity verification. Health examination. Otherworld contamination check. Basic questionnaire.
When identity verification was finished, the staff member looked at the screen and said,
“The missing person report is from twelve years ago. You were fifteen at the time.”
Sihyuk paused for a moment.
“Twelve years?”
“Yes. Your current administrative age will be processed as twenty-seven.”
To Sihyuk it had been a short time. Still, twelve years on Earth seemed enough for many things to change.
Sihyuk changed into a gray examination gown and sat in a small counseling room. The staff member across from him flipped through documents.
“How long was your stay in the other world?”
Sihyuk chose his answer while recalling old memories. At first he had counted the days roughly at least. To not forget that he was human. After a few years he only remembered the seasons. Even that he stopped at some point.
“I was there quite a long time.”
“Could you tell us approximately?”
“At some point I even stopped counting, so I don’t really know.”
The staff member’s pen stopped.
“Over a hundred years?”
“I probably passed that.”
“Over a thousand years as well?”
Sihyuk tilted his head.
“I don’t know that.”
The staff member looked at him for a while before writing ‘Long-term stay, period unmeasurable’.
“What kind of work did you do there?”
Sihyuk recalled the throne and the endlessly piling reports.
“I worked in an office job.”
“What industry was it?”
“If you compare it to Earth, you could call it a civil servant?”
The staff member thought briefly then wrote ‘Engaged in local office work’. Sihyuk did not bother to correct it.
Next was the ability examination. Mana and Magi measuring devices were prepared together. Sihyuk stood in front of the machine and listened to the explanation.
“Please place both hands on the measuring plate. You don’t need to put any force into it.”
Sihyuk placed his hands, and the power remaining inside his body tried to reach the measuring device. He immediately lowered the power. If he revealed his power, people would attach themselves; if people attached, work would arise; if he started taking on work, responsibility would follow. He had already lived that life enough.
The measuring device hummed low.
Mana: 0.3
Magi: 0.2
The staff member checked the results.
“Both values are below the Awakened threshold. As of now you will likely be classified as a Non-Awakened.”
“Is that so?”
“Additional tests are needed, but the possibility of being assigned combat missions is low.”
Hearing that, Sihyuk smiled a little for the first time.
“That’s a relief.”
The staff member, thinking consolation was needed, spoke in a careful voice.
“There are many Returnees who come back without gaining power. Just returning alive is more than enough—”
“No.”
Sihyuk cut him off.
“I mean it really is a relief.”
No one expects anything of him. No one entrusts him with war. No one tells him to sit on the throne. That fact was more welcome than when he had gained the throne.
After all examinations were finished, Sihyuk received a temporary ID and a settlement support card. Finally the staff member held out a black mobile phone.
“This is a Returnee-exclusive terminal. Association contact network, ID, transportation card, and settlement support funds are linked. Use it until you switch to a regular phone.”
“Does it make calls too?”
“Yes. You can also use maps and public transportation guides.”
“Nice.”
Sihyuk pressed the power button. The screen lit up and initial setup began. Language selection. Identity authentication. Emergency contact consent. Finally a message appeared asking him to enter a four-digit password.
Sihyuk looked down at the number pad. He could not think of what numbers to use. But his fingers moved first, ahead of thought.
7434
A message saying setup complete appeared. Sihyuk stared at the numbers remaining on the screen. They were familiar. But he could not remember where he had seen those numbers.
What was this again.
The phone vibrated briefly.
Returnee settlement support begins.
He still did not know if dying had been worth it. But for the time being, it seemed he would be able to rest.