Past Life Returner

Side Story 39 – A Month Later - Kim Ji-Hoon

Who was the master of the spirit world? Among the Lusea tribe who were familiar with the relatively supernatural world, only a few who were equivalent to priests knew this fact. Kim Ji-Hoon had heard this fact through Lulua.

Aside from who the master of the spirit world was, many people didn't even know that a spirit world existed. However, the place that absorbed strong souls indeed existed. The voice of its owner was coming out from it.

<What's going on? Bro.>

Kim Ji-Hoon turned ghastly pale and couldn't say anything.

"Hyung, what are you doing?"

Ki-Cheol was talking beside him, but his voice faded away quickly. Right now, Kim Ji-Hoon's mind was plummeting back to a time he experienced after death.

***

Once, the transcendent being that killed him was named Spirit King Seleon. When he was caught in its grasp and his life ended, Kim Ji-Hoon was able to see how he had died. The pain of the impending death was horrific, but he remembered not feeling any pain once he actually died and his spirit separated from his body.

It was then that he became aware of the spiritual world's existence. The weak perished upon death. But strong-energy beings like him could be summoned by the owner of the spirit world. In other words, death wasn't the end for them.

[I don’t have much to say since you said you know it well. So never! Never make the master of the spirit world hate you. (｡◕ˇдˇ​◕｡) Unless you want to suffer forever as a ghost... You get it, right?]

[I hope you haven't already upset him? Then I, Lu-luah, will be totally screwed.]

"Do you think there's anyone who hates me besides you? Especially since Osiris and I are like comrades who are on the same boat. You know that. We serve the same deity in different realms. Osiris in the underworld, and me in the daylight. I am certain that He seated Osiris in the throne of the spirit world. Ain’t I right? Stop smirking and answer me."

[You act like a know-it-all, but you don't know much. You're just quick-witted, but your head is empty... This is why you need my help, Lu-luah. Without me, what would have happened to you?]

"Stop whining."

[Can a deity and a trivial creature be equal? Say something that makes sense. Whatever you say is ridiculous that doesn’t even make me laugh. Listen carefully.]

[If the master of the spirit world just snaps his fingers… Kim Ji-Hoon, you... Hehehe.]

[If you're alive, you'd die, if you're dead, you'll become an eternal servant. Maybe even prey. So why are you smirking, Kim Ji-Hoon?]

"How do you think our relationship is?"

[What kind of relationship?]

"Osiris revived me, you fool. You should worry about your afterlife. If I say one word, you might rot in the spirit world. We're really close, hehe."

[...He revived you?]

"Yes, you brat."

It was true. If Osiris hadn't returned Kim Ji-Hoon's soul to his body at the time, then he would have been destined to be thrown straight into the jaws of Doom Arukuda in the afterlife.

And now, the terrifying power of Doom Arukuda in the past had been captured by Osiris. A truth emerged from this that one must never encounter Osiris! If one got caught even slightly, then they had to fear the afterlife.

Even if one’s life got better, how would they be able to enjoy it when they have to constantly think about what happens after death? With wealth and honor guaranteed, He would grant Kim Ji-Hoon a peaceful demise due to his achievements.

When Kim Ji-Hoon came back to his senses, the surroundings had become quiet.

「gamer_butler (In game)」

Damn it. Why is Osiris here? Playing a game, of all things?

Ki-Cheol asked, "Are you okay?"

"It's always like this sometimes. You can't even imagine the wars we've been through. So treat your father well. He worries a lot about you."

Ji-Hoon acted like nothing was wrong, but sweat was pouring down his neck.

"You got to know Butler about a month ago?"

"That's not the point. I have something important to tell Butler..."

"How do you see the game record? Never mind, I found it."

He didn't doubt that gamer_butler might not be Osiris. Kim Ji-Hoon, above all, would never forget Osiris's voice. He found gamer_butler in Ki-Cheol's game record from November 5th. At that time, gamer_butler was on the opposing team to Ki-Cheol, but what mattered was another player who duo-ed with gamer_butler and had a similar nickname.

「gamer_ethan」

Kim Ji-Hoon said while pointing to the monitor. It was after switching to gamer_ethan's record.

"Gamer_ethan?"

"Oh, him. He was originally a duo with Butler. It's been so long I don’t quite remember...but Butler wasn’t always good from the beginning."

Kim Ji-Hoon scratched his head. There was no one he could think of who would match nicknames with Osiris and play a game with him. Except for that person.

Wow... He's so bad. How come there's not a single win? You’d win at least once by luck.

There's no way gamer_ethan could be Him.

"You said you would interpret."

Ki-Cheol asked, as Kim Ji-Hoon was about to leave the room.

"He left."

"Then we can wait while playing another game."

"I don’t feel like playing anymore. Why should I play a game? I'm not a child."

"Butler is famous for his personality. He will think he was ignored. You should explain that too, or what should I do if you just go?"

"Who, who said I ignored him? Don’t even say such a thing."

Kim Ji-Hoon unconsciously raised his voice. It was a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.

"I mean, Butler might think that way. Okay, fine. I'll handle it. I'm sorry."

Ki-Cheol started typing with a downcast look.

[ I’m sorry. before I’m not. he is my uncle. very sor……. ]

But before he could finish his non-fluent English, Kim Ji-Hoon hastily grabbed Ki-Cheol's hand. With his other hand, he quickly closed the chat window.

"Huh?"

"Just...wait. Why are you so impatient?"

"Is it hot? Should I turn off the heater?"

"Please do. And I’ve heard everything, so you guys go out and play. I'll explain properly."

"I can leave?"

"Your skills are so excellent that my friend keeps getting messages about you. What should he do? Something like this, right? I know what to do as an adult. If Butler wants to go pro, then I have a lot of advice. So leave it to me and go to a game room or something. Is one computer enough for this big house? Your friend must be bored."

Kim Ji-Hoon quickly took out a 50,000 won bill from his wallet.

"Here you go. I will keep it a secret from your dad."

***

"Wow. How much is that? And why does that guy keep calling himself 'hyung?’"

"I don't know."

"You called him that too."

"Because he keeps saying it. He probably wants to look young."

"But who is he?"

"I saw him for the first time today."

"If he's Korean, then he's a citizen of the Savior’s City. He can't be from the other side."

"Maybe? If he's coming to see my dad personally, then he must be someone important."

"Isn't he Kim Ji-Hoon?"

"I don't think so. They don’t really match."

"But you said he's an important person. Your father is more open in front of us. I can only think of Kim Ji-Hoon. Look, he used to be a punk in the past."

"That was a long time ago. But if he's Kim Ji-Hoon, so what?"

"I should've gotten his autograph."

"He's not Kim Ji-Hoon, so there's nothing to regret. I'll get it for you if I meet Kim Ji-Hoon next time."

"Really? For real!"

"But my father doesn’t really leave this building, so how can we meet him?"

"He's not going to outer space? It starts next week."

"...He’s tired of it."

Ki-Cheol couldn't be honest about it. His face darkened.

***

[Breaking News: Iljoo Construction and Daehoo Construction have been finally selected as the companies entering the global industry as representatives of Korea.]

[Related News: Construction-related stocks... Advancement theme stocks... Daily surge during the market hours]

[Related News: Financial Supervisory Service takes action against the overheated stock market: "We must be more cautious now."]

[Related News: US President states, "Indeed, humanity has entered a new era."]

The noise only existed in the world of the internet. Kim Ji-Hoon was silently staring intently at the monitor.

He was in spectator mode. He was watching the gameplay of a gamer_butler and waiting for his game to end. He had prepared in advance what he wanted to say. He intended to start with, "I haven’t had a chance to express my gratitude until now."

He planned to explain that it wasn't an intentional approach but purely coincidental.

Wow... He really plays well.

Watching the game brought back many memories from the past. Before he awakened… Yes, there were three things that made his already pathetic life even more miserable, and this game was one of them.

However, it was his only solace back then. At an age when he was growing apart from his friends, this game was all he had left after finishing his part-time job at a convenience store.

[Pentakill!]

[The legendary gamer_butler!]

He's sweeping them all. How did he get a pentakill without even being a high-ranked player?

He wasn't curious anymore about why Osiris was playing the game. The sight before him evoked so much in him due to Osiris's brilliant maneuvers.

The scene of the blood puddles shifting and transforming into human forms, and the dead entities stretching around them was chilling. Thankfully, they were allies. If they were enemies, then Kim Ji-Hoon might've changed sides.

Are you crazy, Ji-Hoon! What are you thinking?

Ji-Hoon shook his head as if chiding himself.

He sighed deeply.

Unless you really want to die...but honestly, isn't Osiris on the top of the world now? He has retired after all. In the remaining world, it's just Osiris...

Lulua, that asshole, had said something similar.

[If you think he only has the throne in the afterlife, you're mistaken! Do you even know what the Land of Death is?]

"Do you even realize how we even got here?"

[( ´◔ ‸◔`)]

"I have been to the Land of Death ages ago. Honestly, it wasn't a big deal."

[Pfft! Really?]

"Don't laugh. Whenever things go slightly wrong, you start laughing. Isn't your pattern really predictable?"

[How many times must one scoop the sea with a bowl before seeing the bottom? The Land of Death you experienced is just a tiny part. There are so many dimensions that Doom Kaos has destroyed.]

[Even without extracting the power of the afterlife… Just by placing souls from a few dimensions here, disaster would unfold. Ah, but there's no need for that. Just releasing a few skeletal dragons would...]

"Why do you keep talking like that? Are you saying Osiris has lost his mind?"

[Of course not. What Lu-luah is trying to say is that Osiris possesses immense power. Can't you understand? You should use your brain more.]

Excluding Him, Osiris was no less than an absolute god in this world. The problem was that He no longer seemed interested in the world.

Ah, this is driving me mad. It would be best if I never meet him again. Why is he even playing games...? If it were me, I'd be busy playing with virgin ghosts. The table is all set. All kinds of ghosts from various dimensions would be pouring in, and there's no way there aren't any beauties among them.

Buzz.

A static sound came out from the speaker. Finally, Osiris' game had ended.