133 – Inflection Point (2)
“… Steamed love…? Is that the word that comes out of the mouth of a guy who has served in the military?”
“Are you a little cheesy? Anyway, Dong-ha, tell me how you’ve been so far.”
“You?”
“Well, that’s all I said yesterday. One day, he goes to this world as a prisoner of gold, meets Sara in Urupu, the land of happiness, marries him, and sells hot dogs. End.”
“Baemin review event? What is so rough?”
“I want to hear about your fantastic adventure. How boring are potato hot dog sellers?”
…
‘I’m bored.’
In the past, when I was on Earth, Min-sik’s expression looks much more lively and fun than Min-sik’s, who used to go out and play whenever he wanted.
After thinking for a while, I opened my mouth.
“… Right after I transferred, I first looked for a way to return. I didn’t know how to do anything, so I struggled to make money.”
“But when I think about it, Dongha, you are ridiculously good at anything when it comes to games. Since you fell into a game-like world, couldn’t you have become an adventurer?”
“…Is it a novel?”
I explained to Minsik how much of a magician I am. The guy was in no different position.
That’s how the story started. From researching a way to return, to entering the warrior party, and even the trauma experienced during an adventure with nine people.
“Where are those b*tches now?”
I told him as it was, and Min-sik’s expression turned cold and he got angry as if it were his own business.
“…That’s done now. I didn’t ask you to be angry, I was trying to help you understand. Anyway, after that…”
…
I have to tell the story of the demon king.
“Min Shik.”
“Huh?”
“The woman you went out with your wife a moment ago is the demon king who lives at the top of the tower… hated by the people of this world.”
It will be fine.
You can trust it.
This is Minsik.
“Really? You were so pretty. You have a good personality.”
Because he is like this.
Inspect things from one’s own point of view without being subordinate to others’ standards. And the demon king does not act to dislike others.
“Isn’t it? He’s a good boy.”
“Uh. It goes well with you.”
“… He doesn’t hang out with a guy like me…”
“So what next?”
Min-sik brought popcorn.
The story continued. She finally reached the 100th floor of the tower and met the demon king, killing the Munchkin warrior party. Then I lived every day in her game of death as she walked.
“That’s why he fell back after being beaten by me, and tears welled up in his eyes. At that time, I thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to die here.'”
“Puha, you managed to hit me.”
At first, I tried to get out within a year somehow. If not, she made a parachute out of a tablecloth and tried to jump out.
It was different from how the world looked at it, and it was different from other demons who attacked adventurers when they attacked.
There was something about her that was more human than human. Mind. A very pure heart, more human than anyone else in this world.
I also talked about my sins of cheating with that pure heart.
That he regretted that action soon after.
“That’s the paper crane you’re wearing around your neck.”
“Yes.”
Since then she muttered about a change in her, no… Her exact change in me seeing her.
I spent my daily life with a girl who played chess alone in a dark castle. With each passing day of hers, her preconceived notions surrounding her were gradually stripped away. The only thing in it was a girl who was sulky, sometimes petty, sometimes selfish, and ridiculously nice.
“… I started to open up more and more.”
I became addicted little by little to her bright smile on her face.
Her every day I was figuring out how to leave her.
I thought of ways to make her happy every day.
“It’s like a fairy tale. Like the book you are writing.”
“…Yes. The problem is that I am the main character.”
“I don’t think so.”
“…? Well, whatever.”
They talked about how the warrior party came back. Of all the intruders so far, the one that drove her demon lord the most, and the one that the evil people who could not be saved by her selfishness were completely regenerated in the month she spent with her.
“… No, but I can’t forgive them.”
“… I see.”
I have no intention of defending Party of Nine otherwise.
Someone won’t like their change like Min-sik.
No longer rolling the old things inside me and growing the size of hatred. I will do just that much.
“After that, I got a new family. Gold-bronze.”
He said there was a doll that was eager to connect me and the demon king. Min-sik really liked Geum-dong.
“It’s obvious without seeing that friend’s hardships. How hard she must have worked to make you, her eunuch, like this.”
“You keep trying to sleep. You’re smaller than me…”
“That’s not what you meant dude! You’re dereliction of duty! Keep talking.”
When I got to the end of the story, that is, lately, it was difficult to explain my feelings to Min-sik. Naturally, the story twisted back and forth and was out of shape.
…
Having been friends all along, we got to know each other’s hearts.
Days continued when her heart was beating, and it was she who gave her courage first.
But I am timid. She couldn’t accept her, and at the end of her journey, she decided to return everything to the way it was before, and unplug the wheel of her mind that was speeding up aimlessly.
…
If you ask me if that was a good move…
To be honest, I’m not sure. However, at the time, it was considered the most rational decision.
“… Dong-ha, what are you so afraid of?”
Min-sik, who had been listening silently, asked.
It’s scary.
The only thing I’m afraid of is the demon king.
In the past and now, only the reasons are different, and the target remains the same.
“…I’m afraid I’ll lose something precious. What if I, who always makes mistakes like an asshole to her… Hurt her again?”
Even though I was drawn to her like her bee, the mere sight of her origami crane hanging around her neck made me take a few steps back from her.
“Dongha, it’s the first time I’ve seen you worry so much about a human relationship.”
“… It’s more scary not to have it.”
…
As I spit out the last words, it seems that the demon king said them a long time ago.
…
The tension of the story was low.
My current situation will also play a role.
If you think about it, today is the day when the last hope to return to Earth was broken. I couldn’t find it even in Urupu, where all the knowledge in the world is located. Dorothy said she would help, but the possibility of recovering the book that disappeared 12 years ago is infinitely converged to zero.
Min-sik also raised his hand with a puzzled expression, as if he had the same thought.
“… I can’t say for sure that I’ll be able to go back. It’s a pity that I couldn’t find it here either.”
-Tuktuk
I patted her on the shoulder and comforted her.
“… So.”
And then he continued.
“What next?”
“…Next?”
“If I can’t go back to Earth… the other way… He said he wouldn’t use it even if he died.”
“Uh.”
There is nothing like the joy that can be gained by killing the demon king. I’m sure.
… Next
“Next… Ok. What should i do now? What do you live for?”
There is no answer to return.
There is nothing left.
Her urufu, her going back, her future that will hurt her, her future that will be much richer than paper cranes and photos, and then admitting my wrongdoing.
“I’ve always wanted to go back to Earth… So much. Then I can do everything. I could do all the things I liked with him. I’m sure you’ll like it. I can be happy for the rest of my life…”
…
“I was going to do that…”
He let out a deep sigh. Even if you smoke a foolish light that doesn’t suit you, nothing will change. It seems that an old friend is doing this because he is so comfortable.
“… I’m sorry. I only talked about depressing things.”
“I’m sorry, I asked you to tell me.”
…
Since the Demon King is by my side, even if I can’t go back, I’m not as hopeless as before. Ever since she came out of the library, she’s been over her pathetic self.
Actually, there is nothing left for me to do for the demon king.
– Boom
I don’t know where to go because the road I’ve been following has been cut off.
“… hahahaha. Dong-ha has become a completely different person.”
“…”
“I know how to make a face like that because of a woman.”
“… Noisy bastard. Don’t make fun of me.”
…
A little silence flows, and Min-shik gets up from his seat.
“hehehe, wait a minute.”
Min-sik stood up and opened the cupboard. What was taken out of it.
… I took out…
“…!”
“Are you surprised?”
“…You, where the hell are you…?”
“Dongha. Wouldn’t it be more correct to say Minsik hyung, not you?”
“Min-sik hyung.”
It was a can of beer.
Oh my God.
“There are only two treasures left.”
Next, open the wooden box next to it. The cold air that has accumulated in it comes out in a form. It must have been made by putting a cold attribute artifact inside.
What was in there was a frozen glass cup.
“You should drink beer like this.”
-Click
-Chwiiik
When you lift the hook and open the can, you can hear the sound of steam draining and bubbles bursting.
-Joljoljoljol
Pour the beer from the can into the frozen glass. As the lukewarm golden liquor surrounded by white foam rises up the glass, the sound of cracking ice and bubbles are created.
“Come on. Here.”
“… I will drink it well.”
…
‘How long has it been?’
Let’s save each sip. I made a promise, but once I put it in my mouth, it was hard to let go. I drank a lot on my first bite.
‘… Wow.’
I see.
It was also one of the reasons I wanted to return to Earth. I missed this taste so much.
“Do you want to go out and finish your drink?”
“Yes.”
*
“Keuuu, I cherished it, but I only drink it today. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t think I would have woken up.”
“…Can you drink that with me?”
“It’s okay. My husband doesn’t even like to drink.”
I sat down with Min-sik at the table on the balcony. The cool sea breeze felt good. It seemed that the feeling that had been grunting had also been blown away.
‘… Come to think of it.’
“How did you meet Sarah?”
-Tup
Min-sik puts down the glass he had been gurgling deliciously and spins it around on the table.
“I killed Sarah’s only family.”
…
The only family he was talking about was Sarah’s dog. Immediately after the metastasis, Min-sik said that he had been drinking every night, missing the earth he could not return to.
“I felt great when I heard about your adventure. I was just too busy eating myself.”
Sara’s dog was hit and killed by a bottle thrown by Min-sik, who was drunk as usual. It was a dog that I had been with for 9 years.
“A few days later, I went to Sarah who was crying in front of the grave. So Sarah asked if I was starving.”
“…”
“Since then, every morning, I make the dog’s favorite sausage and leave it in front of the grave.”
“…Do you sell hot dogs for that?”
“That’s how it started.”
…
Min-sik’s palms began to tremble while talking about the dog. He held it in a familiar motion. Then, like magic, the shaking stopped.
“That’s okay… I can’t pick up spills, but I can wipe them up. If the other party allows it.”
…
Minsik.
Even if it doesn’t pay off with fancy and dazzling luxury.
A little bit every day. Paid off little by little
…
Unlike me, who was anxious to return to Earth together and pay billions of dollars in damages.
Min-sik, who was trying to get rid of his luck, put on a lonely expression for a moment, but quickly let go.
“Half-elves have a shorter lifespan than elves, but much longer than humans.”
“…”
“I will definitely hurt Sarah again someday.”
“… I guess.”
“Even Sarah doesn’t know that.”
“…”
“It’s okay. Until the day I die, I’ll make up for it.”
…
I was used to his pronunciation.
“Dongha, you too… Even if misfortune is predestined… I hope you get rid of the guilt.”
…
“Whoops, nice kid.”
“… Nice. Horny.”
“Didn’t you say there was nothing you could do for me? Listening to your story… It looks like you’ve already given the Demon King a mountain.”
“…The one I gave you?”
“What is the thing the Demon King cherishes the most? Paper cranes, not cameras.”
“…”
How many of those are there…
…
He opened his hands. After counting for a while, I quickly run out of fingers.
Paper dolls, children’s books, portraits drawn during travels, paper houses, little farms, blankets covered together, letters written together, board games made together, chick houses, north, south, east and west.
I kept thinking about it after that.
‘And maybe…’
B.
“…”
“They. Aren’t they all related to you?”
“… It really is.”
-Shoot aaa
She thought that the debts continued to increase due to the unhappiness she had passed on to her future, and that there was no way to repay them now that she was not allowed to return to Earth. She
She always took and thought that giving was just dog hair.
Although they are insignificant, there are definitely a lot of them.
The one I gave her.
“If Mawang-nim thinks so too, I’ll bet my role ID.”
“… What do you use iron tier for?”
“Noisy! What does it matter!”
Maybe I could like the Demon King a little more here.
*
Her return to Earth was just one of her other options to make her happy.
If that doesn’t work even if you do your best… Instead of falling down in the gutter, find another way.
I wish I could get a residence right here in Urupu. Then she could have potato hotdogs every morning.
-Tup
I emptied the glass and set it down. The speed that was filled with her thoughts became a little lighter like an empty glass.
-Tup
Min-sik also asks as he puts down his empty glass.
“Don’t you hate that beer that was the last beer of your life?”
“…”
“I am fine now. Even if that was the last time.”
“…”
“Now I’ve found something better.”
Where Min-sik’s gaze was heading, the Demon King and Sara were walking on the coastal road far away.
… It’s not just beer.
Min-sik found something he loved more than anything on earth.
Yes.
If that’s the case.
“…The last beer, what is Cass?”
“Ahahahaha! Are you still a cloud bug?”
I also have no regrets about beer anymore.
If only that child from far away, who sees me and jumps up and waves his hands, smiles like he does now.