Chapter 70
Chapter 70
[What are you doing out there?]
One year ago. The Kraken, a third-tier monster, destroyed the Seongsan Bridge and took the lives of those on it.
Three years have passed, but the traces of the Krakens appearance have not completely disappeared. Seongsan Bridge remained in ruins, and monsters of unidentifiable hierarchy lurked beneath the Han River.
Let them come, Im ready.
Eunha stared out the window the entire time they passed by the Gayang Bridge. He had deployed his mana detection net before entering the bridge, preparing for any untoward incidents.
The Eunha family was on their way to visit their maternal grandmother in Incheon for Family Month.
This was their third visit to their grandmother. In the 2nd year of the solar calendar, the aftermath of the Krakens appearance had restricted access to Incheon. Moreover, that was when Eunae had just been born.
The second visit was during Chuseok in the 3rd year of the solar calendar. Eunha had recently started elementary school, but he had to be hospitalized, so they ended up visiting during Chuseok.
And now, the last visit was happening right now. Eunha was crossing the Gayang Bridge to meet his grandmother.
What have you been doing?
Just checking if any monsters appear.
Euna also deployed her mana detection network, following Eunha. Since meeting Shin Seoyoung, her skills had improved, allowing her to search a wider area than Eunha.
But it was only on the surface.
There are quite a few beneath the bridge.
Its the Han River.
After the events of End of the Century Destruction, monsters appearing in the Han River were no longer just something from movies.
The Han River had become a favorable habitat for monsters. Except for the areas covered by Cocoon, monsters would still be fighting and being born beneath the river, seeking each others mana.
So while players were standing guard on the bridges, the Kraken outbreak led some to the extreme of suggesting that the entire river be exposed.
Not that theres anything to worry about for the next few years.
As someone living their second life, Eunha knew that monsters threatening humanity would appear from the Han River.
And the Kraken was just the tip of the iceberg.
It would be the day when monsters invaded Seoul all at once that South Korea would truly understand.
Its none of my business.
He shook his head, even remembering the date of the invasion.
He planned to get his family and friends out of Seoul before then.
It was a tough journey.
Id better get that ramen before its gone.
What? You want ramen?
No. Dad, I want a hot dog.
Eunhas family made a stop at a rest area after crossing the Gayang Bridge. The traffic congestion wasnt as bad as before, but Eunae couldnt endure the long journey.
Eunha and Euna were the same. While enjoying the breeze, the two of them wandered around trying various foods.
Can we really eat all of this?
Father looked at Eunha with a skeptical gaze.
Of course, well share it all together. How could I eat everything by myself?
Even so, thats a lot
Hot dogs, chicken skewers, sausages, buttered potatoes, buttered squid, soft serve ice cream, and
Thats more than we can share.
Father clicked his tongue as Eunha recited the order to the waiter.
Dad, we have plenty of money.
Do we really have to eat it all?
Father made a grumbling sound and opened his wallet. He had a philosophy of letting the kids do what they wanted, but he hesitated to buy food that they couldnt finish.
Dad! Me too, me too! Ice cream!
Sure. Lets get some for our Eunae who wants it.
The hesitation didnt last long.
When Eunae, clinging to his leg, sang, Ice cream! Ice cream! his lips naturally curled into a smile.
Eunae, is there anything else you want to eat?
Mother wiped the ice cream from Eunaes lips and asked.
Oppa, whats that?
What? Oh, shaved ice?
Shaved ice?
Eunae looked at the canopy with a drawing of shaved ice without realizing that her ice cream was dripping onto the ground. She seemed fascinated by the various syrups drizzled over the shaved ice.
Sister wanted to try it too. What would you like, Eunae?
Euna, who was eating a hot dog she had chosen, smiled mischievously and asked. She wiped Eunaes hands with a wet wipe and approached the shop with the fluttering shaved ice canopy.
Sister, sister, I want that!
That? What is that?
That! That! Blood! Blood!
Blood? You mean red?
My mother repeated as she pulled her purse out of her bag.
Yes! Blood, blood!
Eunha?
Hohoho.
Today, the sound of a polite laughter felt eerie.
Eunha quietly turned around.
His father was right behind him, waiting.
What did you teach Eunae?
I I did something wrong.
Eunha avoided eye contact. He didnt know if Eunae would remember the word blood that he had mentioned. It was a scene that briefly appeared in a popular cartoon movie among kids, but he wondered if Eunae remembered it.
Oppa did something wrong. Right?
Right?
Eunae mimicked the behavior even as she shook her head. She couldnt shake her ponytail, but instead, her stubby hair stood up straight.
Sis, sis, this is delicious! Its scary! Spicy!
Eunha?
I never taught her that.
Euna?
I did something wrong.
Euna, scolded by their mother, let her ponytail droop. She didnt expect Eunae to remember the casual words she had used during a phone conversation with her friends.
Eunae is still young, and she doesnt understand what those words mean. Both of you should use nice words in front of Eunae.
Yes
The siblings were scolded by their mother in the middle of the rest area.
This is delicious!
Eunae, who didnt know anything, enjoyed various foods next to her father.
Welcome home. Euna and Eunha have grown up a lot since I havent seen you.
Grandma~!
The children were greeted by their grandmother, who came out after hearing the sound of the engine.
Eunha was also happy to see her. He had lived with her grandmother until he entered the Academy before his regression, and he missed her very much.
He he has been misbehaving with me.
His mother looked at Eunha in his grandmothers arms, and her eyes narrowed.
Eunha smiled wryly. He hugged her mother back, but her lips were still pouting.
You may have had three kids, but youre still a kid, my godness what a kid.
I am.
Your poor husband is suffering while taking care of our daughter.
Tsk.
The mother grumbled at the grandmother, but there was kindness and affection in the way she treated her.
And you Eunae.
Grandma said to Eunae, who was clinging to her mothers leg.
Oh.
Eunae hesitated, then hid behind her mothers back.
We met last year. Doesnt she remember?
Bending down, the old woman waited for Eunae to stick her head out.
Wary, Eunae gently poked her head out.
Grandma, is that you?
Yes. Whats your name?
Eunaes name is Eunae, Noh Eunae.
I see. Grandma forgot. Eunae is so smart.
Hehe.
Then how old is Eunae?
Grandma asked with a kind smile.
Eunae glanced up at her mother and slowly counted on her fingers.
Three.
Eun-ae held up five fingers.
I see, her grandmother said, but she didnt correct her. Instead, she slowly pulled her hand, which was already halfway down her body.
I got you, Eunae.
Ehehehe!
Eunae was delighted, not knowing what was happening. The old woman picked her up and smiled wryly.
Didnt you have a hard time getting here? Didnt any monsters show up?
There was a bump along the way, but the road wasnt blocked.
The father replied wearily. His stomach was bloated from single-handedly dealing with all the food the children hadnt eaten.
Dad, Im sorry.
Inwardly, Eunha apologized to his father. His appetite had grown since second grade, and when he ordered food, he thought he could eat it all.
But it wasnt until the food was in his stomach that he realized how much he had ordered.
In the middle of the meal, a monster appeared. This delayed our arrival time as we waited for the players to clear the area.
We left in the morning, but the sun had already set. It was too late for dinner.
At least well have something to eat.
Grandma patted Dad on the back and insisted that the children eat dinner, too.
Grandma, Im full.
Me too.
Eunha and Euna pointed to their stomachs. They still hadnt digested the food from the rest stop. If they ate any more, their stomachs would pop out like tadpoles.
Dont you guys like chicken? I was thinking of getting some for you.
Got it.
Chicken is a different story.
Even my dad, who was covering his mouth with his hand just a moment ago, responded with a thumbs-up.
Chicken and beer!
Chicken and beer!
The corners of my mouth twitched at the thought of drinking beer, and I was saddened that I would not be able to drink beer.
Still, chicken and soda go well together, so Eunha decided to have a soda to make up for it.
Sis, lets go inside and wait for the chicken.
Yes, Eunae, lets go inside!
Chicken? Eunae stuck her finger in her mouth and shook her head.
Big brother. Sis. Whats chicken?
Eunae asks with her eyes wide open.
Eunae, youll know when you grow up.
Eunha wordlessly stroked her hair. Its impossible to describe how delicious chicken is without trying it.
Eunha opened the door to go inside the house.
As he cautiously stepped into the entrance hall,
Huh?
He felt an unfamiliar presence.
And it was coming from inside the house.
Whats wrong?
Sis, wait.
Frowning, Eunha pushed past Euna and Eunae and stepped forward.
Is it a monster?
For a monster, it was calm and lifeless.
He deployed his mana detection sense. It wasnt just a feeling. Something was being detected inside the house.
Or is it a thief? How dare they enter our grandmothers house.
Eunha quietly took off his shoes and stealthily walked down the corridor.
If it was a thief, he had no intention of letting them off easily. He slowly clenched his fists and prepared himself to unleash mana if necessary.
The presence was coming from the living room where the TV was. There were no signs of movement. The presence had been there since they entered the house.
He didnt know who it was, but he couldnt just leave it alone.
Eunha pressed his ear against the door. He could hear the sound of the TV seeping through. It was sporadic and muffled.
He opened the door silently, making sure not to make any noise. He slipped through the crack and turned his body in the direction where the muffled sounds were coming from.
Huh?
The person turned around.
Eunha quickly adjusted his stance and threw a ball of mana he had formed in his hand.
Eat this!
Did the chicken come Cough!
It was the voice of a young boy. The boy, who quickly turned his head from the TV, was hit by the mana and staggered backward.
So it wasnt a thief but a kid from the neighborhood?
The fact that the opponent was a young child was momentarily surprising.
Eunha quickly ran out to confirm the identity of the fallen child.
And there he was.
Huh?
Ugh
Seeing the boy lying down, holding his head with his hand, Eunha became perplexed and stopped in his tracks.
Huh?
Eunha blinked his eyes. His mind still couldnt believe the information coming through his eyes.
Hey, whats this? Wheres the chicken?
Rubbing the back of his head with his hand, the boy stood up with a pouting expression.
Dark bluish hair, wolf ears sticking up sharply above his head.
And a disheveled, untamed tail and unusually sharp canine teeth.
Lastly, his eyes were a distorted red, influenced by the mana within his body.
The boy was a werewolf-type Ain.
Why, why, why
The problem wasnt that the child was an Ain.
Even though it had been a while since he had seen his face, there was no way he could not recognize the child with the long hair.
Jin Farang?
Huh? How do you know my name?
Before his regression, Jin Farang was a werewolf-type Ain player who served as both a hunter and a telepathist in the party led by Eunha.
He was always rampaging like a mad dog on the front lines, following the Undead.
People called him that.
Mad dog, they told him not to bite.
And Tiger mouth, for his deep blue.
Who are you?
Eunha stiffened at the sight of Jin Farang glaring at him.
The words that hadnt come out before,
They were slowly
Uttered.
Why why did you come out here, Hyung?