章 2: Summer of Preparation
June 1st. That was the date. If I remembered right, March 16th 2017 was the time Seol entered Paradise.
I didn't know the year, but considering I was 23 right now and he was 24 in the book, that was this coming March.
Memories were stirring in my head as I walked through downtown. Names I half-remembered. Places I had been to but couldn't recall.
I shook my head and then made my way back to my apartment.
Was it because I cleaned up a bit since last time? Unlike before, I didn't attract any odd gazes.
I pulled out my phone. Was it because that guy had been a chronic gambler? The only app on it was a bank account one, showing his money.
When I checked it...
"Tch. So he did have some money after all."
There was ten million won. In USD, that was about 10,000 dollars. Enough for a few months rent and living expenses at least.
"But he wanted more... What would you even do with that much money?"
I shook my head and kept walking. Arriving at my apartment, I reached for my door to open it-
"Huh?"
It was unlocked and half-ajar.
Was there a burglar? No. This guy didn't keep anything valuable enough to burglarize. Even the suits he wore were ratted. So then-
I stepped inside. As I did, a kind female voice called out. "Jihu?"
I stopped.
A beautiful young woman was standing there. Soft, lightly curled long hair. Kind eyes. She was wearing a uniform, probably just from work. Even so, I knew who she was, memories coming without prompting.
"...Seonhwa."
She stared at me. Emotions flickered across her face. Hope. Doubt. Expectation.
I shook my head and walked past her, heading to my room. As I did, I took off the ratted suit I wore the other day. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard from Jinhee that you blacklisted yourself from the casinos."
"I did." I put my phone and wallet down on a nearby table and said, "And?"
Hurt crossed her face.
Seeing that, my body physically reacted, my heart aching. But that wasn't 'my' reaction, but Jihu's.
"I... Thought I would come see you."
"Why?"
"Just... because."
I stared at her.
A beautiful young woman. Kind, caring. Even to the extent that she never gave up on Jihu to the bitter end. No, to the extent that his future self went mad when he couldn't save her.
Not only that, but she was devoted to him. Caring only about him, never looking at anyone else...
A mix of memories and emotions, strong enough to blur my sense of self.
I forced myself to look away and then focused. As I did, I said, "There's nothing to see, Seonhwa."
I walked over to the fridge and peeked inside.
It was empty- No, that wasn't true. There was a pack of beer in it, but no food.
I frowned.
"Are you hungry?" Seonhwa's concerned voice called out. "If you want, we can-"
"We can't." I turned back around and stared at Seonhwa. "I... *We* can't."
She stared back, confused and hurt.
I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "Seonhwa... Why?"
"Pardon?"
"...Why are you here? Don't you... shouldn't you be with someone better than me?"
"Jihu-"
I shook my head and started pacing. "This guy- No, me. I threw everything away. I hurt everyone- I hurt *you*." I paused and looked at her. "So why are you sticking around with a piece of shit like myself?"
A wry smile. Both from myself and him.
As I did, faint memories flickered through my mind.
A man screaming as he watched her get teleported away. Cold fury and agony as he later found out her fate at the hands of the enemy.
I staggered and clutched my head.
"Jihu!"
A pair of soft arms pulled me up, followed by a warm presence.
I instinctively pushed her away.
She stared at me, hurt in her eyes.
I shook my head and averted my gaze. "...Sorry."
"It's... It's fine."
For a while, we stood there, not saying anything.
I glanced at her. But then, against my will, my 'eyes' activated.
[Yoo Seonhwa]
Foolishly devoted.
Baek Haeju.
Hiding the truth, guilty.
Ah. Right. In that other place, she was the famed cold beauty, that high ranker.
Did I stare at her too long? Seonhwa bit her lips and then said, "I... I'm sorry too."
I stood up. "For what?"
"There's... I-"
"Have something you can't tell me, right?"
Seonhwa's eyes widened.
I shook my head and laughed. "I figured that was the case. Was that why I thought you were cheating on me...?"
Memories and emotions were mixing. I was starting to be unable to distinguish between Jihu and myself... though I suppose that was inevitable with the nature of things.
"Jihu, I-"
"No. It's fine." I shook my head and said, "I trust you. I trust you, but... I don't think that... I don't think things will end well like this."
Seonhwa tensed. "Jihu. Are... Are you breaking up with me?"
I paused. "...No. I just can't be with you like this." I laughed and then said, "You're beautiful. Kind. Devoted... and far too sacrificing. I... hurt you far too much. And like I am now, how can I dare show my face around you?"
"That's fine! I don't care how others think I look!"
"But I do." I looked at her and said, "You're far too good for me... so for now, let's take a break."
Seonhwa looked like her world had collapsed. "That... Jihu, I can't-"
"I'm not saying to give me up. And I'm not saying I'll give you up either." I cracked a smile and said, "After all, I'd be an idiot if I let anyone else take such a beautiful and kind woman away. But... because of that, I want you to be certain." I stared at her and then said, "...I'm going to hurt you in the future. I can already tell." I shifted my gaze towards the window and saw my reflection.
A haggard face that looked older than it was. A man that was older than the person standing there.
"...You're serious." Seonhwa muttered.
"I am." I turned to look at her and said, "I don't want to hurt you anymore. You or anyone else. And don't say you're fine with it."
Seonhwa flinched. It seemed like she was going to do just that.
I gathered my resolve and stared at her. "One year. I'm going to take one year to prepare myself to be someone that wouldn't be ashamed to stand beside you. But... I can't ask you to wait that long. You've already been waiting long enough."
"And that's fine! As long as... Jihu. As long as you're there with me, no matter how long-"
"No." I shook my head and said, "This is my bottom line. Today... Today I saw what a piece of shit I was being. What I was. Someone like you deserves better. So... a year." I stared out the window and said, "I don't want to see you for a year... and I don't want you to see me for a year. A person like myself doesn't deserve to be associated with you. But after that... Well, if you still really want me then, I'll accept it."
There was a long silence and then, "...Okay. If that's what you want, Jihu. But... I'm not going to give up on you that easy."
"I can't tell you to. But I'm saying that you'd be stupid to not give up."
Seonhwa laughed, but a sad laugh. "Then... I'll be going. I guess... that's all I needed to see."
I waited for her to shut the door behind.
When she did, I let out a long sigh. "You happy, you bastard?" That guy's emotions and memories were gushing forth when I saw her.
"...How do you think I feel? I'm not you. Being with a woman like that... don't you feel guilty? NTR'd?"
Silence. Then again, it wasn't an actual person inside me, just my own impressions.
I sighed and then went to change my clothes.
First step, get a computer.
xxx
Was it because the world was in the past? It seemed like the date was back in the early 2010s instead of 2020.
But that was good. This was around the time where the creativity stuff online began to bloom.
After picking up a laptop, I headed to one of the PC Bang cafes nearby to use the internet. Swiping my card to pay for the time, I sat down at a corner and got to work.
Programming... thankfully I still remembered how to do that. Even when I didn't remember, my special ability was helping me out by pinpointing the weaknesses.
...It was also shamelessly cheating, but considering what the future might hold...
Right now, I was recalling popular apps and games in the future and recreating them here.
That one short video making app, the musical dancing app, etc. And then some random mobile games.
After sorting everything out and making a website to advertise it all, I closed my laptop.
When I did, the day had already turned to night.
I heaved a sigh and muttered, "And now we just wait."
I was confident in what I made. After all, even my eyes told me that they were 'ground-breaking', meaning that it was sure to be a hit.
I glanced at the time and muttered, "Six o'clock, huh?"
A few messages were on my phone. Mostly from Jinhee asking me if I wanted to hang out. Though there was one from my dad too.
I gathered my stuff and walked out. As I did, I called my dad.
The phone rang, and I waited for him to answer as I left. When I walked out the PC Bang though, I bumped into someone.
"Ah, sorry." I glanced up and made a quick apology.
"No, it's my fault- Hm?"
A beautiful and serene young woman with long and silky black hair. The sort that inevitably drew people's eyes. She was wearing modest clothing, a plain blue dress and skirt, but even so her beauty and curvy body was eye-catching. Her clear eyes narrowed in recognition and doubt as she looked at me. "You... Do I know you?"
I blinked, scanning both my memories and Jihu's. "...No. I don't think so."
At the same time, the line connected.
"Hmph." My dad's voice echoed from my phone. "So you finally called."
I turned my attention away from the woman and started talking. "Sorry Dad. I was busy working on my resume and looking for jobs online."
"And where are you right now?"
"At a PC Bang. I forgot that I sold my laptop and cancelled my internet, you see..."
"Haah. Well, make sure to do your best. Tell me if nothing works out though. I might not know too many people, but if it's just a job, I can pull a few strings."
I shook my head. "Dad, that's-"
"You want to be a filial son, right? Then if I say so, just do it."
I gave a wry smile. "I suppose. I'll let you know by the end of this week, alright?"
"Hmph. Don't forget. I won't have you wasting your life away again."
"I know."
My dad ended the call.
Seeing that, I put my phone away. When I did, I noticed that woman was still there staring at me.
I frowned and said, "Can I help you?"
"...Could I have your name?"
I blinked. "My name? Why?"
"U-Um... I just thought... maybe..."
Seeing the woman stammer, I sighed and said, "I'm Jihu. Seol Jihu. Now, I don't want to be bothered by people trying to hit on a beautiful woman like you."
"H-Huh? Beautiful?"
I waved and walked off. "Stay safe. Don't hang around with shady guys like me."
"W-Wait!"
I blended into the crowd and walked away.
Next off, the gym.
xxx
[Seol Jihu.]
Striving for greatness.
Tempering.
At his limits.
I sighed and slowed down my jogging, shifting my gaze away from my arm.
As I thought, I could use my sight to determine when I was reaching my limits. Unfortunately, that limit was a lot lower than I thought.
"...This damned guy."
I had to fix his body up first. I didn't know why or how I was here, but I was certain that Seonhwa was still going to Paradise and that I'd end up drawn to it one way or another.
With the strong influence of fate and destiny in this world, that was inevitable. But I didn't want to be like Jihu in the normal story. So, before then I had to prepare. And in order to do so...
[Seol Jihu.]
Circulating mana.
Carving artificial pathways.
Recovering.
...I was taking advantage of our distinction.
That guy naturally had the ability to use his eyes from a young age so he couldn't tell the difference between his body and the ambient mana. But since I was technically different, I could.
With that, I was managing to slowly cultivate my mana here on Earth.
Walking over to the water fountain to grab a drink, I slowly went over my future plans.
It was June 1st still, late at night. That meant that I had about nine months to prepare if things were going to wind up like they were in the story.
I hoped that was the case, but there was the high possibility that things went awry and I somehow got drawn there earlier or later. Not to mention that the Martial God guy was here on Earth.
Speaking of which, I hoped he was too preoccupied to notice. At the moment, I wasn't strong enough to deal with him, but I had to make sure that I could.
That guy was living like a god and refusing to abide by human rules. Well, he did, but his wives... Yeah. I needed to prepare.
Mana and 'magic' wouldn't be enough. So then I had to develop something that could stop him. An ability that transcended quantitative values...
Someone bumped into me.
I blinked and glanced over.
"Ah! I'm sorry, Ahjussi." A cute young woman with delicate eyes that looked like they were painted on and a beauty mark below one of her pupils.
I shook my head. "It's fine. I should have watched where I was going."
This was a public gym- No, I suppose it was technically a university's gym.
Taking a look around, I noticed that there were actually a lot of younger people around, all seemingly in the university age.
The young woman nodded, but then she paused to look at me. "Hm." She tilted her head and said, "You seem different..."
"Huh?"
She shook her head. "Maybe I'm just imagining things... Anyway, sorry again, Ahjussi!" With that, she waved and ran off.
I took out my phone and muttered, "What a weird girl."
Anyway, now was time to head home.
xxx
An empty apartment, barren save for the necessities. I tossed the groceries I bought, mostly meat, frozen fish, and vegetables, into the fridge and then sat down at my bed.
As I did, I glanced at my status.
[Seol Jihu.]
Determined.
Contemplative.
Magically inclined.
From that, it seemed like my training was working.
Tomorrow was June 2nd. A Friday.
I still had to sort out the situation with jobs for my family to show I could be relied on. Developing apps and things were a legitimate job, but then...
Hm. Maybe I should apply to some competitions?
"Argh, whatever." I shook my head and then lied down.
For now, it was just about the grind. Training, working, ensuring things were prepared for the future...
With that in mind, I closed my eyes.
xxx
"So that's what you're doing now, huh? Hmph. Good to see that you're putting some use in that degree of yours... Though I still can't understand the job you have now."
"Yeah. I guess it is a bit complicated to explain..."
A month had passed. July.
A lot of freelance work online and development had created a stable flow of income.
At the moment, my dad wanted to check up on me, so we were eating lunch at a ramen place.
He took a sip from his broth and then said, "It seems like you're getting your act together as well." He took a look at me and said, "Have you been going to the gym?"
I took a sip from my cup of water and nodded. "That's right. I can't let my body just waste away now, can I?"
"Given up on smoking and alcohol?"
"Yep."
"Mm." My dad nodded and he said, "Good."
For a while, we just ate in silence. The sounds of other people in the restaurant filled the air, coupled with the sounds of cooking in the kitchen.
"Have you talked with Seonhwa recently?"
I paused. "...What brought that on?"
My dad frowned and said, "I know you're trying to get back on your feet, but Seonhwa has been waiting a long time for you. Don't tell me you're going to disappoint your woman like that."
I sighed. "Calling her my woman is a bit..."
"What? Are you just going to give her up like that?" My dad shook his head and said, "I didn't think I raised a quitter."
I shook my head at the jab. "It's not like I want to give her up... but like you said, if I want her to be my woman, I can't disappoint her. And like I am now... I still can't show my face to her."
"You know she'd be fine with it, right? That Seonhwa is as patient as a buddha."
The waiter came by to refill my drink. I nodded in thanks and then turned back to my dad. "Even still, a man has his pride, Dad. I threw that away once, so I have to build it back up again first. How can I call myself the man of someone that kind, devoted, and beautiful otherwise?"
He laughed and slapped my back. "Well! At least you have the sense to realize it now." He shook his head and ate his noodles. As he did, he frowned. "...Still not as good as yours." He paused and then glanced over at me. "Come to think of it, you used to be a lot pickier with ramen."
I paused, the thought never even crossing my mind. After a few seconds, I shook my head and said, "I did. But after living like a slob for a while and then changing my ways, I learned to be grateful for my food. Also..." I glanced over at the kitchen and muttered, "It's not good to criticize people who cook for you behind closed doors."
"Heh." My dad shook his head and said, "Some common sense at last. Only took you fifteen years."
"Better late than never, right?"
"Hmph. Say that to Seonhwa after you propose to her."
I coughed and then glanced around. "Anyway, what made you want to have lunch with me, Dad? Weren't you busy this week?"
My father was in upper management and they should be working hard to prepare for the end of the year. To be out here with me...
He scoffed. "I'm glad you're worried about your old man, but I'm fine. Those kids are dealing with the situation, so it's alright to take one lunch off. Besides, I have to make sure you stay on the straight and narrow. If someone doesn't hold you accountable, you might slip up again."
I let out a wry smile at that, unable to refute it.
"Still," my dad said. "I'm glad."
"Hm?"
"You've been the source of my worries for the past few years." He pointed at his graying hair and said, "Do you see this? All of this is from you."
"Ah."
He shook his head. "But I'm relieved. If it's like this, even if something happened to me you'd be able to take care of everyone. Wooseok is reliable, but you were always more capable."
"...Is that something you should be telling me? Won't older brother get mad?"
"Hmph. If he does, he should get his act together too. He's four years older than you and still hasn't found a girl." My dad reached for a cup of sake and then downed it. After he checked at his watch. "Hm... Almost three, huh?"
"Do you need to get going?"
My dad sighed and said, "I suppose I should. Can't let those brats run things the whole time. Who knows what mischief they'll get into." He stood up and took out his wallet.
I stopped him. "It's fine, Dad. Let me-"
"Oi. You listen to your father. If I want to pay, let me pay."
"But you've already-"
"Waiter!" Before I could say anything else, my dad took out a stack of bills and placed it on the counter. "For me and this kid. Keep the change."
"Dad..."
He gave me a thin smile and said, "See you, kid. Don't stay out too late or overwork yourself, understand? And take your time."
With that and a small wave, my dad left.
I sighed and stared into my ramen. "What a stubborn guy."
It seemed like I knew where Jihu got his stubborn streak from...
I shook my head and finished my ramen bowl before heading out as well.
xxx
As usual, I checked into the PC Bang in order to do my work for the day. I had enough to get internet back in my apartment now, but that place was too lonely and quiet for me.
My account was getting to scary numbers in terms of money, but most of that went to paying the debts that I had... Or rather, was left by this guy anyway.
Paying everything off should be done by August at this rate. Not only that, but progress on the mana front was going well too.
If I wanted to, I could use my 'eyes' all day without strain. But I didn't want to risk it, so I limited it to just when I was working on projects and training.
I sighed and leaned back to stretch. It was a Monday now, the afternoon. The start of another week.
So far, things were going well. My body was being trained, my mana circuits were working, income was steady and my debts were being paid off.
An 'ideal' normal life.
The problem was...
"This is going too well."
I doubted that it would continue this way. It'd be great if it did, but 'Seol' was already destined to come into contact with that other place since he was a child and met Luxuria.
It was only a matter of time.
Glancing at the completed updates, I closed my laptop and got up. As I did, I noticed someone staring at me from across the room. That attractive beauty from the last time I was at the PC Bang.
When I met her gaze, she blushed and quickly looked away.
...Weird. But in the end, not that important.
Grabbing everything, I took off, heading to the gym.
xxx
A staccato of sounds. A punching bag flying into the air.
I threw one last kick at the thing, sending it flying parallel to the ground. As it fell back, I caught it, preventing it from going the other way.
"Haah... Still not enough." I glanced at my arm to check my status.
[Seol Jihu.]
Striving to surpass his limits.
Olympic level athlete.
Mana adept.
Through the use of my mana to rejuvenate my body and continuous training, I'd honed my basic fitness to the highest level on Earth that an ordinary person could reach. But that was still just the bare minimum.
Though it told me that I was Olympic level, I was certain that was still just at a bronze. If I was near the top, it would have said "top of the world" or "greatest".
The fact that it didn't meant I had a while to go.
"...Do I need to start studying biology?"
My sight seemed to improve with the knowledge I had. In that case, the best thing to do would be probably to do more studying. But even then-
"Wow." A female voice called out. "Ahjussi... You're pretty strong, aren't you?"
I glanced over to see a pretty young woman- No, from the uniform she seemed to a university student. She was also familiar.
"You're that girl from last time, right?"
"Mmhm." She walked over and gave me a once over. "I thought you were weird the last time I saw you, but you're more different than I thought... And come to think of it, I guess you're more of an 'Oppa' than an 'Ahjussi'."
I grabbed the towel I had lying on the ground nearby and wiped off my sweat. "I guess so. I'm only around..." I paused to think of my age. "Huh. I guess I'm only 23 right now. Seems like longer."
I was older than that, but Jihu would only turn 24 next year.
"Eh?" She blinked and said, "You're only two years older than me?"
"I suppose so. And speaking of strange... I could say the same to you. What girl walks up to a random stranger and decides to call him weird?"
"Eun Yuri."
I blinked. "Huh?"
She smiled and said, "My name's Yuri, Oppa. There. Now I'm not a stranger, right?"
I shook my head. "Not a stranger, but definitely strange... And I'm Jihu." After checking my condition, I turned back to the punching bag.
"You going to pummel that thing into oblivion again?"
I glanced back at her and said, "Don't you have anything better to do? It's..." I glanced at the clock on the wall in the distance and said, "Five. Doesn't a student like you need to study for exams?"
The young woman, Yuri, laughed and said, "I'm guessing Oppa isn't in school then. Classes have been done for a month now."
"Right. I forgot."
It was July, meaning that university would have finished last month...
"Wait. Isn't there a summer session?"
Yuri smiled. "You caught me." She held up her hands and said, "I actually do have some classes to go to... but it's just dance, so there isn't like much I have to do."
"Dance, huh?" I threw a few jabs at the punching bag, carefully observing them with my eyes.
[Jab]
A fierce blow.
Breaks the air.
Expert level.
Still not at the peak... Then again, I guess it'd be weird for me to reach it in such a short time.
Yuri stared at me and said, "Are you a martial artist, Oppa?"
I threw a few kicks at the bag and then said, "You really have time on your hand, don't you?"
Yuri shrugged. "Dance is easy. And class doesn't start for another hour at least."
I spun around for a roundhouse kick and then nodded. "Right... there are a few classes here, aren't there?"
This was university property, so that wasn't surprising- Wait.
I caught the bag and looked around. When I did, I noticed that there were a lot of students staring at me. Realizing that, I felt a flicker of embarrassment.
"...I'm being loud, aren't I?"
Yuri laughed. "Finally realized it, Oppa?"
This was a public facility, but considering the intensity I was going at it, I was probably disturbing the others...
"Oh well." I shrugged and turned back to the bag.
"My. How nonchalant."
I started up my routine again and said, "Not my problem. If they have one, they can send someone to throw me out."
"Yeah... I don't think that's happening. Do you know how intimidating you look doing that?"
I threw a cross combo and then did a three hit kick. "Hm?"
"...Nevermind." Yuri sighed and said, "Do you mind if I stick around here?"
"Not really. But aren't you afraid of being cast out by your class?"
"You say that like I have friends to begin with, Oppa."
I shrugged and kept training.
Like that, the sound of a punching bag being beaten to hell and back echoed through the gym.
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