RE: Player again

311

[Chapter 100] [To Those Who Live Stepping on Death (2)]

In the previous life, Mok Min-ho's left eye had a thick and long scar about the size of a thumbnail.

The scar, as if torn by a beast's claw, served to further emphasize Mok Min-ho's taciturn and stern atmosphere.

That's why when Eun-ha first saw Mok Min-ho in this life, his youthful appearance and unscarred face felt somewhat unfamiliar.

Above all, he realized he preferred the current Mok Min-ho whose feelings for Cha Eun-woo could be understood, rather than the one with a scarred face making an expressionless face.

'Don't even mention it. If there's such a thing as hell, I thought that might be hell. Looking back now, it wasn't even hell.'

Before the regression, 031st class Lee Yoo-jeong had suddenly brought up a story from her Middle Academy days.

At that time, she said.

That a big accident occurred during the 1st semester comprehensive ability evaluation when she became a 2nd year Middle Academy student.

Even Eun-ha had heard about it in passing while attending the academy.

'Seeing kids I had just exchanged greetings with until a little while ago being eaten by those things overnight felt so empty... Many people died. There were people I knew, and people whose names I had only heard.'

An anomaly that occurred without any precursor.

A sudden monster wave.

Students who were performing the comprehensive ability evaluation at the time died to monsters without being able to respond properly.

Many died at that time.

To the extent that the academy exceptionally recruited additional students.

Even Eun-ha in middle school, who was burning with hatred for monsters, remembered the stories conveyed daily by the mass media.

It was understandable since the whole country was in an uproar over the incident.

Condolences for the students poured in from all over the country due to an incident that couldn't be blamed on anyone.

Meanwhile, most Middle Academy students were those who lived in the world of politics and business.

Their parents fell into grief, and anger with nowhere to go ultimately denounced the academy.

Nevertheless, the academy remained intact.

It was just a natural disaster after all.

Though the academy was an educational institution, it conducted comprehensive ability evaluations for the purpose of nurturing Players, and unfortunately encountered a wave.

Students who would become Players ultimately had to take responsibility for their own deaths.

In vulgar terms, it was said they applied to Player Academy prepared to die.

'...No one did anything wrong. There was nothing to gain from cursing anyone, and every time I recalled that time, I could feel how powerless I was.'

Moreover, public opinion cooled very quickly on sympathy for the deceased students because they were so-called children from well-off families.

In the end, those who benefited were students who could enter Middle Academy through additional recruitment, and the Fairy government which gained a pretext to attack the privileged who showed a gap.

'Mok Min-ho, you remember? He had a big scar on his face, that was from then.'

While reminiscing about that time.

Yoo-jeong mentioned Mok Min-ho who had passed away early at that time.

'Though Mok Min-ho was like that in personality, we relied on him second only to the instructor at that time.'

Mok Min-ho took up his sword to protect students along with those who followed him.

Because of that, he was able to save many people.

Because of that, he ended up forcing sacrifices on those who followed him.

When the morning came for the incident to end.

He received gratitude from many people, and condemnation from many people.

He gained the glory of being a protagonist of the 031st class, and gained an indelible scar.

'I didn't know then, but thinking about it now, he probably felt a heavy sense of responsibility. It must have been hard for a 15-year-old to bear.'

The Mok Min-ho she and Yoo-jeong remembered was completely different.

The Mok Min-ho he remembered had a strong impression of treating people like tools.

On the other hand, the Mok Min-ho she remembered felt responsible for people's deaths.

'So I feel a bit sorry. If such a thing hadn't happened, maybe Mok Min-ho... and On Taeyang wouldn't have ended up in that state.'

Mok Min-ho who tried to take responsibility by abandoning one thing after another.

On Taeyang who tried to join forces together.

The relationship between the two that started from High Academy met its conclusion after the invasion of Seoul.

Mok Min-ho, who ultimately lost everything he had and was abandoned, died stabbed by the sword of On Taeyang who gained everything.

What did he think at that time, facing death?

No one but himself could know.

Whether he just put everything down as it was.

Whether he couldn't accept his own death.

But one thing was certain─

'─He's a failure.'

'How can you say that? It's not respectful to the dead!'

'Once you die, it's over. The dead have no words.'

That Mok Min-ho failed in the previous life.

Just as Eun-ha himself met his death as .

That's why he wanted to give Mok Min-ho a chance in this life.

A chance to newly change a life that would have been marked by failure.

"Ah, noona, welcome. Would you like something to drink first? I'll buy." "You don't have to. I have money too." "I need your help today so let me buy instead. Okay? What would you like to drink?"

"Then... I'll have milk tea. Thanks." "I'm more grateful. It must not have been easy to make time during midterm exams..."

So Eun-ha met Ryu Yeon-hwa.

It seemed somewhat abrupt.

But it wasn't unrelated.

☆

Eun-ha had to be careful not to get caught in this plan.

That's why he couldn't use Sirius' sponsorship.

He disposed of the assets taken from Slayers through Bruno, and disposed of the mana stones he had collected to raise funds.

With the funds raised that way, he newly prepared mana alloy, and bought mana stones again.

To spend all the money as soon as he collected it.

The money left in hand was about the monthly salary a large company employee receives in their first year.

That's about how much it cost to repair Black Thorn once.

Though Black Thorn was quite expensive to maintain...

High quality devices like Black Thorn had considerable repair costs.

Though a Player's income was high, the associated costs were also high.

No wonder he couldn't live comfortably even after receiving an inheritance before the regression.

Even more so after Byeok Hae-su passed away.

"You said the name of the person we're going to meet now is Byeok Hae-su?" "Yes, he's from the 029th class. You haven't seen Hae-su hyung, right noona?" "I ask the Maestro residing at the academy for management, so I don't know people aspiring to be Maestros well."

"He's a skilled person. He may not meet your standards now, but he'll be different in a few years." "...If you say so, Eun-ha. I'll remember that."

Eun-ha was heading to Byeok Hae-su's workshop with Ryu Yeon-hwa.

To imbue her power into the mana alloy he bought by spending all the funds he gathered this time.

The price of mana alloy was not cheap.

The mana stones bought through the black market were expensive too, but the mana alloy was quite...

Previously, Eun-ha had tried to imbue Julietta's Gift into a cheap artifact.

At that time, the low quality artifact couldn't accept her Gift and crumpled.

Mana stones and mana alloy that could accept Gifts demanded that much superior quality.

As a result, he couldn't obtain much mana alloy meeting the conditions even after spending all his money.

"Is it here?" "Yes, it's here. Nice view, right?"

"Yeah, I can even see the bungee jumping platform from here?"

Eun-ha found Byeok Hae-su's workshop.

Byeok Hae-su, who had been receiving sponsorship from Sirius Group since the 2nd semester of last year, was using a workshop located on the highest floor among workshops.

He had escaped from the underground space where light didn't even enter.

Clang

The anvil rang.

The clear metallic sound was reaching the front door.

Though he had notified of his visit today, Byeok Hae-su seemed to be in the middle of work.

There was no response even when he knocked.

"Can we go in without permission?"

"I can."

It was now a familiar thing.

Eun-ha carefully turned the doorknob and gently opened the door.

Hot air escaped from inside and a person in front of a blazing furnace came into view.

That hyung is really consistent.

Parang hyung was spending money lavishly. I wish he would learn from this.

Even though he's not short on money anymore.

Byeok Hae-su was still swinging his hammer wearing a tank top.

Scattering sweat drops falling along his sooty muscles.

Of course, the sweat drops that fell to the floor quickly evaporated unable to withstand the heat.

Wait a moment.

Okay.

Eun-ha pointed to a chair with his eyes.

Yeon-hwa who nodded moved nonchalantly in the heat.

She could withstand the heat due to the influence of the Gift .

Eun-ha.

Yes?

Come here.

Yeon-hwa pointed to the seat next to her.

Soon Eun-ha who sat next to her blinked in surprise.

The surroundings cooled as she lightly flowed mana.

Even he who was manifesting internal mana couldn't completely resist the heat, so he had to endure some heat.

I wish every house had one.

Before he knew it, Eun-ha pulled over a chair and leaned on Yeon-hwa's arm.

It was very cool being close.

As she supported him so he wouldn't fall over, it felt like sleeping with a thick blanket and the air conditioner on in hot summer.

Paradise was right here.

Even without that, he had been staying up studying for theory exams, but it felt like the fatigue concentrated in his eyes was completely clearing.

If I could just close my eyes for a bit─

"─What are you doing there?"

But dreams always wake at the sweetest moment.

Eun-ha opened his eyes at the sudden sound.

The metallic sound had disappeared.

Only Byeok Hae-su wiping sweat from his chin with a towel was in front of him.

"How long have you been here? If you were sleeping, you must have been here for quite a while..."

"We haven't been here long. Right, noona?"

"Hmm... about 35 minutes?"

"We waited longer than I thought."

"You were waiting that long? I'm really sorry. I was preparing for your arrival but then inspiration struck..."

"Sigh, that's just like you, hyung."

Eun-ha sighed outright hearing Byeok Hae-su's words as he hung the wet towel around his neck.

Byeok Hae-su was just being Byeok Hae-su.

What was there to blame.

Eun-ha decided to introduce Ryu Yeon-hwa, who he was meeting for the first time today, to him instead.

"As you know hyung, this noona is Ryu Yeon-hwa from the 027th class..."

"I know too. I only saw from afar, but I didn't expect to meet directly like this. It's an honor to meet you. I'm Byeok Hae-su, currently majoring in Maestro from the 029th class." "...It's not an honor. Please treat me comfortably if you're Eun-ha's friend. I'm Ryu Yeon-hwa."

"Really? Is it really okay to treat you comfortably?"

"Yes, it's fine."

"Then I've wanted to see senior's spear even once before, can I see it here now?"

"...Hyung..."

Byeok Hae-su's eyes were sparkling.

It was understandable for him to be interested in a spear personally bestowed by Nam Gung Seong-un.

But I didn't expect him to come out like this abruptly.

It could be rude to Ryu Yeon-hwa too.

Eun-ha who frowned stepped forward to try to stop him.

"Yes, that's fine."

"Oh, really!?"

But Ryu Yeon-hwa handed him the spear she was carrying on her shoulder without any hesitation.

Byeok Hae-su who made an expression like he hit the jackpot held out both hands and received the spear. A smile really bloomed on his face.

"...As expected. This is no joke? Um, sen... no, sister-in-law, can I examine it carefully later? If possible, I'd like to try maintaining it once..."

"Hyung, what rudeness is this? Did you just call noona sister-in-law? Are you crazy?"

Byeok Hae-su even bowed deeply to Ryu Yeon-hwa with his mouth open.

Moreover, to use the expression sister-in-law.

Eun-ha who suddenly came to his senses subtly revealed his anger.

What kind of opportunity is this that we obtained.

What are you thinking if that noona just leaves?

This was the problem with Byeok Hae-su.

That he loses his mind when faced with devices and artifacts.

What if Ryu Yeon-hwa's mood is ruined?

He would have to greatly modify the plan.

The burden would increase.

As this plan was important, Eun-ha gritted his teeth and glared at Byeok Hae-su.

But─

"─Yes, that's fine."

"Noona!?"

Ryu Yeon-hwa nodded readily this time too.

For Eun-ha who thought she would get angry, her reaction no different from usual was unbelievable.

Then Ryu Yeon-hwa who met his gaze─

"─Eun-ha, you said to expect."

"No, I did say that but..."

"Then it must be trustworthy." "Wow, as expected of senior! I'll live up to your expectations!"

"Call me comfortably. I'll call you comfortably too. So not senior but..."

"...Ah, I know! Thanks to our sister-in-law, I get to feast my eyes like this!"

"What do you know... What's with calling her sister-in-law..."

Byeok Hae-su was completely blinded.

He blocked Eun-ha's mouth with his hand as he was about to grumble and scratched the back of his head with his other hand.

While laughing heartily.

Ugh... sweat smell!

Meanwhile, Eun-ha was dying.

Because a mixture of iron smell and sweat smell came from Byeok Hae-su's large hand.

There was no stench quite like it.

"Then I'll look at the spear after we finish work. First, what you asked for Eun-ha... Huh? Hey, Eun-ha. Why aren't you breathing?"

"...Whose fault is that..."

Byeok Hae-su's hand was enormously big.

Eun-ha who barely escaped from him looked up at him with a resentful gaze.

Byeok Hae-su apologized saying sorry with a carefree face.

Eun-ha found that face annoying.

Ha... really...

Eun-ha decided to ignore the two people's actions though they strangely kept catching his eye.

This wasn't the time for this.

He had to think about the purpose of visiting Byeok Hae-su.

"Hyung, can we start right away?" "I left one furnace empty because you said you were coming. We can use that one."

In the past, the workshop Byeok Hae-su used underground only had one furnace.

Eun-ha nodded and handed the mana alloy he brought to Byeok Hae-su.

"Oh, this iron is quite good?"

Mana alloy smuggled into the academy without anyone knowing by asking Shin Seo-young.

Byeok Hae-su tapped the alloy with the back of his clenched fist and said with satisfaction.

"Alright, then I'll start. Sister-in-law, you must have heard from Eun-ha beforehand, but you'll need to help me a bit."

"Yes, I know. Brother-in-law." "......"

Now I don't know what's what anymore.

Eun-ha decided not to dwell on every strange thing anymore.

He thought Ryu Yeon-hwa was normal, but he didn't know why there were no normal people around him like this.

People who seemed normal each had some loose screw somewhere.

Eun-ha who sighed softly finally quietly watched the two people starting work.

"Please get ready now." "Okay."

Byeok Hae-su had said a while ago.

That it's better to imbue a Gift in the process of making an artifact rather than imbuing a Gift into an artifact.

Eun-ha who heard that story brought Ryu Yeon-hwa to the workshop.

To use her Gift.

Since there's ...

Nothing is as important as for emergencies.

series Gifts generally had restrictions on putting principles into artifacts.

The mana couldn't be converted to have the characteristics of the series Gift the moment the artifact is activated.

Instead, stored series magic in the artifact could be used without recalling the image.

That's why they decided to imbue with wide usage into the artifact.

"Ah... Eun-ha. What magic should I put into the artifact?"

"Please put in protection magic."

Eun-ha asked Ryu Yeon-hwa.

To imbue solid protection magic that won't break from any attack.

The three Players counted as the strongest in Korea before the regression each had different combat styles.

just recklessly focused on attacking.

emphasized mobility.

pursued offense-defense integration.

Unlike flames or lightning, ice could be applied in various ways to that extent.

It's fortunate Yeon-hwa noona is here at a time like this.

There's no better protection magic than this.

Eun-ha made a satisfied face watching Ryu Yeon-hwa infusing mana into the heated mana alloy.

"Okay, sister-in-law that's enough! Hey Eun-ha, want to try testing it once?"

"How many do you think we can make? This is disposable, right?"

"Well... since sister-in-law's Gift is strong, we probably can't make as many as expected? About three or four?"

"That should be enough. The magic is... oh, noona, this is pretty good."

"Yeah, right? Ye─"

Yeon-hwa smiled.

Then she finished the rest of her words by just moving her lips while Eun-ha turned his head.