A Problem with My Memory

"Siwoo! Wake up! You have to go to school!"

It’s always the same routine.

The son sleeps in, and the mother wakes him up. It’s the kind of daily life you can see in any home.

"Five minutes... just five more minutes..."

"I told you to get up already!"

I feel a sharp pain in my back, forcing me to sit up and open my eyes. My mother should be there now.

But... instead of my mother, I see a distorted shape in front of me.

"Gasp!"

"Hey! Breathe! Breathe!"

"Are you okay?! You almost died!"

I snapped to my senses. Two voices reached my ears at the same time.

What is this? Was that a dream just now? What happened?

As always, my memory is hazy. I try to shake off the uncomfortable feeling and lift my eyelids with effort.

I see Gumiho pressing down on my chest with both hands and the Succubus diligently massaging my legs. The procedure for CPR naturally flashes through my mind.

Compress the chest to shock the heart.

Massage the legs to help blood circulation.

And finally, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

The culprit is right here!

"Who did the mouth-to-mouth?!"

"What kind of nonsense are you talking about!"

"Ahahahaha! Is that the first thing you say as soon as you wake up? Haha!"

Ayoung furrows her brows and pulls her hands away, while Sister Hayan holds her stomach and laughs heartily.

The warm touch I felt on my body vanishes.

Ah... I should have kept pretending to be dead.

"Who was it! We have to get married! I lost my purity!"

"You weren't breathing, so I only did compressions and massaged your legs! You crazy bastard!"

"Ahahahaha! That's right. I didn't do mouth-to-mouth!"

Ayoung punches my chest with her fist. Meanwhile, Sister Hayan adjusts her clothes.

It seems I didn't lose my purity after all.

I could have forced a marriage! What a shame!

"Tsk. So the forced marriage failed?"

"Wh-who would marry you?!"

"Ayoung should have done it, it's a pity. Right, Ayoung?"

"Sister!!"

Ayoung, startled, lunges at the deviously smiling Sister Hayan. Seeing the two of them rolling around on the floor is quite a sight.

It would be nice if I could roll around with them too. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠But if I got in the middle of that, I'd really die, right?

"I think I really almost died. I feel like I saw something like the Sanzu River."

"Sorry! You were saying such crazy things, I couldn't help myself!"

"But do I have to be in just my underwear? Even this sister feels embarrassed by that, you know?"

I ignore Ayoung, who is rubbing her palms together, and look at Sister Hayan, who is sitting demurely on the sofa asking questions.

Of course, eye candy is important. But my life is more important.

It’s a shame, but I need to find a way to raise my scan rank. I almost died because I trusted the system for no reason, didn't I?

What a jerk.

"Ah. I'll look for another way."

"Is that so? Then is today's massage off the table?"

"Yes. If I massage without the skill, the special effect doesn't trigger."

"Then let's have a drink while we eat dinner. I have a lot of questions for you two!"

"Shall we? Hey. Lee Ayoung. Order delivery. I'll go buy the alcohol."

"You? Alright! Go quickly!"

I leave the house, leaving the two of them to argue over what food to order.

But if we're having a drink, we'll probably have to play drinking games, right?

The world has changed, so I can't even enjoy college life, but I should take this opportunity to have some fun.

I've always wanted to try games like 'Over the Mountain' or 'King's Game'.

This worked out well.

Number 1 and Number 3, kiss!

Hehehe.

As I headed to the convenience store, I checked the massage technique I had just acquired.

"Ah. I guess this is a massage that uses the shop's oil."

At a glance, the description is clearly laid out to benefit the shop. A perfect way to fleece a sucker.

It's a truly absurd massage. It takes three oils for a single session. It's 30,000 won for now since it's basic, but later on, as the grade of the oil increases, it's a vicious technique that will rip off anywhere from tens to hundreds of thousands of won at a time.

But stress relief and mental stabilization seem like good effects. Stress is related to most causes of death for modern people, after all. It's incredible that a single massage can alleviate that.

But there's something more important than that.

"How do I raise the scan rank?"

Even after looking through the system window, there's no method listed. I don't think it would go up just by using it a lot, right?

Since the trait is so bizarre, I wonder if the conditions are just as bizarre.

I'll have to get help from the community for this.

"What, it's simple? Why is that?"

Thank you! The community is the best for finding information!

Ah, of course, anyone saying things like that last piece of information can go to hell!

Traits transforming according to the user's personality? They're spouting absolute nonsense. Does that mean my personality is bizarre right now? They should say things that make sense.

They say false information is overflowing these days. What a world, what a world!

Anyway, 'just use it a lot'—as if that's not a problem. Unique, special, massage techniques. There are three types of skills I need to raise.

I've acquired eight skills so far. If I count the new skills I'll acquire later, it concludes that I need an enormous amount of grinding.

"Phew... I can handle the grinding, but the way to use the skills is just bizarre, isn't it?"

For 'Scan', I have to look over a person's body, whether they're a man or a woman. After that, I have to stroke or knead someone else's body... and the massage techniques have to be used according to the results of the scan.

In that process, if something like the Swedish Massage I just got comes up, I have to spend money.

"I can't raise the rank with just Ayoung."

Doing it once a day won't raise the rank at all. Plus, the fact that I pass out whenever I do a massage is also a problem.

Hmm... passing out... Wait?

"Come to think of it, the grandfathers didn't pass out, did they? And the special effect didn't trigger either. Why is that?"

I had forgotten, but the grandfathers in the park only made strange noises. None of them passed out or anything.

It seems like I'm misunderstanding something? I'll have to take some time to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠test it out.

I should also check what's different by putting points into stats other than 'Duration'...

As I walked while thinking of my own plans, I arrived at my regular convenience store.

"Welcome!"

"Hello."

I acknowledged the greeting from the part-timer whose face I've grown accustomed to and approached the liquor refrigerator.

I should just buy soju and beer, right? One bottle for me, one for Ayoung. And Sister Hayan is...

Ah, I should have asked... You idiot.

"Ahahahaha! Siwoo is really funny!"

"Sister... I think I'm going to die."

"Why? It's fun, isn't it?"

"It's only because it's the first time you're seeing it... He used to just be mischievous before..."

I sighed, watching Sister Hayan laughing and giggling next to me as if she were having a good time.

Fun only lasts a day or two; these days, I just find myself sighing.

The crazy things he does get upgraded every single day. Just when I think I've adapted, a new crazy thing appears.

"Ayoung. Sister has a question, that unavoidable..."

- WEEEEEEEEEE! -

- A Gate has occurred! -

- Everyone, please move to the nearest shelter! -

- WEEEEEEEEEE! -

"A Gate, suddenly?!"

"Huh?! Siwoo, Siwoo just went outside!"

I immediately grab my phone.

"Please, please, please."

With trembling hands, I search for Siwoo's number.

'Why is this happening again!'

Found it.

Beep... Beep... Beep...

Please pick up!

"Why, why! Haa."

"Where are you?! Are you okay?!"

"I'm on my way to the shelter! Haa!"

"I'm coming! Which shelter are you going to?!"

Siwoo's voice, heavy with ragged breathing as if he's running, rings in my ears.

'I have to get to him quickly!'

But unlike my thoughts, my body is shaking uncontrollably.

Is it because my training isn't finished yet?

Or...

"Haa. It's okay! I'm going to the shelter, so haa. Just wait at home!"

"How can I do that! You're outside!"

"Come on! I'm exhausted! Haa. Just wait quietly! Haa. I hate it even more if you get into danger!"

"I don't care! I'm coming right now!"

"Haa haa. Phew, phew... Haa..."

"Where are you!"

"I'll say this once. Lee Ayoung. Stay put and wait. If you step even one foot out of the house, I'm never seeing you again."

"But!"

"Answer me."

"...If you get hurt or die, I'll kill you..."

"I got it, so just wait quietly. I'll be back soon."

With that, the call ends.

It was the same back then.

When the broadcast told us to evacuate at school, Siwoo took me to the shelter and went out on his own. He said he was going home. He said to wait here. He said let's meet when it's over.

But he was found lying on the street, covered in blood.

Fortunately, he woke up without any major injuries, but...

Siwoo couldn't remember anything.

Whenever the word 'parents' came up, he would grab his head and scream.

I went to Siwoo's house, but only the remnants of the collapsed apartment remained.

There were no witnesses to the incident, and no survivors other than Siwoo.

The doctor concluded it was dissociative amnesia.

Due to traumatic injury and extreme stress, he had separated the unbearable, painful memories from his ego and erased them.

That's why Siwoo can't even recall his parents' faces.

He only recognizes the fact that his parents have passed away.

Is that why?

Since that day, Siwoo has nightmares almost every night.

"Wake up quickly wake up quickly wake up quickly wake up quickly wake up quickly—"

Even in his sleep, his expression is twisted as he mutters the same thing over and over.

What on earth happened?

I asked him when I first saw Siwoo's nightmare.

But he grabbed his head, screamed, and lost consciousness.

And then, he couldn't remember that incident itself.

Since then, I haven't asked him anything; I just watch over him quietly.

My body trembles with worry for Siwoo.

My eyes well up with moisture.

What if...

What if Siwoo comes back having lost his memories again?

What if he doesn't remember me this time?

"Sob."

"Why are you crying, Ayoung! What did Siwoo say?!"

"Sob. I-I'm scared, Sister... Sob."

Tears pour from my eyes.

My body is shaking so hard it's uncontrollable.

'Please... come back safe and sound, without anything happening.'

As soon as I finished the call with Ayoung, I saw the part-timer turning the corner ahead.

We only talked for a moment, but the distance had grown quite a bit.

I moved my feet again, heading toward where the part-timer had gone.

"This is damn exhausting! Huff, huff! Whoa?!"

As soon as I turned the corner, I bumped into something and fell backward.

When I looked up, the part-timer was standing there, dazed.

What is it? Why are you standing there instead of leaving?

"Why are you standing there blankly!"

"Th-that is... Aaaah!!"

With a scream, he suddenly started running back the way he came like a madman.

"What the hell. Why is he like that?"

I looked up, and I saw a purple wormhole in front of me.

It wasn't something that appeared in mid-air, but a rare Gate that appeared by swallowing existing structures.

My heart started racing.

A purple Gate that had swallowed half of a seven-story building.

My heart started pounding like crazy.

'I've seen this scene somewhere before.'

Zzzzzzzing. Piiiiiiiiiiii—

Along with the thought, excruciating pain hit my head, accompanied by tinnitus.

"Aaaaaaah!!!!"

It felt like someone was gouging out my brain, so I screamed loud enough to wake the world. The pain intensified, and the ringing grew louder.

Piiiiiiii—

What is this? Why? Did a mental-type magic beast appear?

I have to pull myself together. If I don't, I'll die!

My head, body, and mind were all operating separately.

Clutching my head, which felt like it was being gouged out, I forced my vision, which was shaking like an earthquake, to focus.

'Did they hear my scream?'

Blurrily, I could see the magic beasts that had emerged from the Gate turning their heads toward me.

"Ugh! Th-that is...!"

This is bad. A beast-type magic beast has appeared.

A magic beast that resembles a wolf, running on all fours.

It's a beast that would be hard to run away from even when my body is in perfect condition.

Can I run away with a body that won't listen to me now?

Should I have waited when Ayoung said she was coming?

No. Ayoung only recently acquired her combat trait. She's still a kid training on the second ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠floor of the Tower.

It's dangerous. Staying home is safer.

Piiiiiiii—

Tinnitus filled my head again.

Why! Why! Why are my body and mind acting separately!

A hollow laugh escapes me. No, I want to let out a hollow laugh.

Right.

There was a situation similar to this.

I don't remember it, but I lost my parents.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital.

They told me they found me collapsed on the street, and I was diagnosed with dissociative amnesia.

Since I can't remember, I don't know how my parents died.

There were no witnesses, and no survivors other than me.

I can't even remember my parents' faces.

Damn it.

I escaped being a non-awakened person who couldn't even protect the people I love, only to acquire a strange support trait.

I haven't been able to do anything yet.

I haven't even found a single clue about what happened that day.

Am I going to die like this?

My luck is terrible.

I naturally give up. I just close my eyes, praying to die without pain.

Ayoung's smiling face comes to mind.

I told her to wait quietly.

I told her I'd come back. I'm sorry.

It was just as I was imagining my end.

"There are people here! Team 1, protect the people, and the rest of the teams, eliminate the magic beasts!"

"Yes!"

"Understood!"

Suddenly, voices of people reached me. When I opened my eyes, I saw people of all colors rushing toward the magic beasts.

The Hunters with combat traits I had longed for so much.

It seems I survived.

Only then did the ringing subside, and the pain in my head lessened.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Thank you. Thanks to you, I survived."

A man who looked to be in his mid-30s approached me as I lay on the ground and held out his hand.

"I'm glad. A friend who appeared to be a convenience store part-timer grabbed me and said there was a person in front of the Gate."

"Ah... Thank you."

I took the man's hand, stood up, and brushed off my clothes.

Ha, that part-timer. I thought he just ran away.

It seems he did his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠best.

I must repay him.

Since the Hunters have arrived, the situation will end quickly.

If it's a wolf-type magic beast, it shouldn't be that difficult.

The ringing and pain in my head have now completely vanished.

Now, I just need to return to the house where Ayoung is waiting.

"Thank you."

"It's nothing. Protecting citizens is our job."

"Could you tell me which guild you're affiliated with?"

"We are the Sangcheon Guild."

"Yes. I'll visit you later."

"You don't have to do that."

"No. I'll definitely visit."

I bowed my head once more to the man who kept saying it was fine, then turned my body toward the way I came.

Then, I took out my phone and contacted Ayoung, who must be worried.

Pretending to be fine, calmly, and with a touch of playfulness.

As I was texting like that and walking toward the convenience store, a woman with black hair I'd seen somewhere flashed by.

'Han Soyu?'

I've never seen her in person, but she's a familiar face I've seen on the internet and TV every time.

S-class Hunter Han Soyu.

She passed by in an instant, so I didn't get a good look, but seeing her moving alone, I'm pretty sure it's her.

When I looked back, the many magic beasts were already corpses.

And I could see Han Soyu entering the Gate without hesitation.

An exclamation escaped my lips before I knew it.

"She's cool."

"Hey! What's with your appearance! Are you okay?!"

"I told you I'd kill you if you got hurt! Let me see!"

As soon as I arrived home, I hugged Ayoung, who was making a fuss.

"Why, why are you doing this! Suddenly!"

"Just because. I'm sorry."

"What?! Something happened, didn't it?!"

I hugged the struggling Ayoung even tighter without a word.

Then, Ayoung relaxed her body and began to slowly stroke my back with her hand in silence.

For a long time, I closed my eyes and felt Ayoung's touch.

'I have to go see a doctor again.'