Past Life Returner

「 Defeat 」

The bold letters once again caught Seon-Hu's attention, but this defeat was more severe than before.

「You have been demoted to Bronze I.」

Damn. I tried so hard to get out, and now I’m back to bronze?

Seon-Hu sighed as he thought about having to work his way back up. He wasn’t inherently bad at the game. Like most of his schoolmates, he, too, had experienced games during his middle school years in the past.

Although they were now treated like outdated games, their popularity at the time was no less than this game that was tormenting him now. He remembered being quite good at that game, but not at this one. It wasn't just that he was bad, but he couldn’t even get out of the mockingly low Bronze tier.

I can’t even mention this to anyone, especially not to Yeon-Hee. How did I end up like this...?

At this point, there were no excuses left. It seemed possible to overcome the mandatory requirement of a 5 vs 5 battle with exceptional individual skills. Even if there was a team member messing up, one just had to play even better.

As he had protected humanity's foundation, he had to monopolize growth and control the entire battlefield with that power. Then, even those teammates messing things up would naturally follow.

Joshua climbed to the Challenger tier precisely in that manner. Joshua's skills stood out even among the talented Challengers. The fact that he showed such growth even when his natural abilities were blocked meant that Joshua's talent for this game was extraordinary from the start.

But why don't I have that talent? I envy you, Joshua.

Seon-Hu felt an itch in the eye socket, which did not have an eyeball. He could do anything if he removed the eyepatch covering it, so a sudden greed arose in him.

However, his thoughts changed soon. As one aged and became accustomed to the ways of the world, whether it was women or games or anything else, past pleasures gradually faded and new joys became harder to find. Maybe it was only natural that Joshua had lost his will to live.

Seon-Hu didn't want to throw away the pleasure he'd found just because of momentary greed.

I can't kill the goose that lays golden eggs.

Thus, he overcame the itch in his empty eye socket and shifted his gaze.

「gamer_butler, showcasing the limits of physical prowess」

「gamer_butler, feared even by the top 0.1% elite players」

「Unbelievable super play. gamer_butler's mad movie」

「This is ‘Butler’.」

In the past, he could learn by watching other gamers' videos, but now there was no need to look far.

「Ten hard-carry tips learned from gamer_butler’s play.」

That was the video Seon-Hu found for today’s study.

***

<Noona, please save your brother.>

<You still haven't taken care of it? You should've entrusted it to Jonathan Investment. They'd be thrilled.>

<I would've wanted to, but there's a special clause.>

<Which is?>

<That it can't be entrusted to outsiders. They said they can't trust the rapidly changing world economy or whatever. They only trust my credit and lend on that basis. It was like that back then...>

<Really? Then what will you do? Talk it out with Hera.>

<The interest alone is about 7 million a day. Just by breathing, I accumulate that much every day. Noona, I am drying up and dying. Seriously.>

<How much is the principal?>

<50 billion.>

<Dollars?>

<...Yes, noona.>

<Crazy.>

< Yeah, I think I am, too.>

<No, I mean Hera's crazy... Anyway, from what I hear, Hera trusted you and lent you all that money, right? Hera must have needed the money, so she really went out of her way. I understand your situation, but it was a deal made out of goodwill on Hera's part. That's the truth.>

<Why are you saying that so coldly? I didn't expect even you to say that. It's not like I did this for my own gain. How would I have known things would turn out this way? If only I got the auction... Anyway, it's been 4 years. When I think about the interest that has accrued for 4 years, I can't even sleep.>

<4 years?>

<That’s about how long it will take to for Ki-Cheol to become an adult.>

<So, what do you want me to do?>

<I hope Hera would kindly take some of the money. I think she might listen if it comes from you.>

<You said 4 years. What was your repayment plan?>

<If I could sell some assets in the outer space, I thought I would get enough money...>

<If you already have a plan, then why worry?>

<Because the interest keeps accumulating.>

<We keep going in circles, I'm not feeling well today. I think I caught a cold. Can we talk tomorrow?>

<That's the most ridiculous thing I've heard recently. Even you can catch a cold?>

<I'm human. Take care of yourself too. Maybe take some vitamins or something. You seemed to be gaining weight the last time I saw you.>

<Can't we really talk today? I don't know when we'll be able to talk again. It seemed like you barely managed to find the time today. Now, with Hera...>

<Goodbye!>

"Noona!"

Seong-Il exclaimed hastily, but the connection was already cut. His empty voice echoed throughout the restroom. Just thinking about the bloodthirsty face of Hera and Kim Ji-Hoon, who had become her right-hand man, once again weighed heavily on his heart. Seong-Il slowly opened the door, being hesitant to step outside.

However, Kim Ji-Hoon, who should've been guarding outside the door, was nowhere to be seen.

Where did he go?

His priority was to find Kim Ji-Hoon. After sneakily moving around, Seong-Il finally heard Kim Ji-Hoon's voice coming from Ki-Cheol's room. But when he entered, he was taken aback.

What's this?!

Stunned by the sight and the wet tissues scattered around, he noticed Ji-Hoon's shoulder flinching. Seong-Il quickly shut the door. Seong-Il, of course, knew what Ji-Hoon was doing as he was a father of a son who was going through puberty.

What is he masturbating in someone else's house? Especially in Ki-Cheol's room. I'll have to talk to him later. Disgusting.

Ki-Cheol seemed to have gone out with Yong-Joo, and Kim Ji-Hoon was acting strangely.

Although he always appeared to be a bit off, he hadn’t been this crazy before. Hmm… What on earth is happening in outer space?

Kim Ji-Hoon was the one who facilitated the contract with Hera, so it would have been nice if he could deal with returning the money. However, he didn’t seem to be in the right mind to do so.

Seong-Il couldn’t take any steps further. He wondered if pigs that were dragged to the slaughterhouse would feel like this.

Then he heard Hera's voice from around the corner.

"How long are you going to leave the guest alone?"

"Oh, I was just about to go."

"Where's the lord of the sanctuary?"

Seong-Il instinctively blocked the door, and Hera became suspicious. As Hera got closer to him, Seong-Il grew more anxious.

“U… Ummm… Let’s go into the room and talk more.”

Seong-Il said while bewildered and shaking his hands. Hera didn’t take her eyes off the room. She'd heard about her love competitors, including his ex-wife, Choi Ga-Young of Iljoo Construction, Jamie of Jeonil Group, and even the Queen of the Baclan mainland. Seong-Il's reputation for not refusing any woman intensified Hera's doubts.

“Seong-Il hyung’s popularity is at its peak in the mainland. I have heard he has many women chasing after him, but don’t worry. I will watch him closely.”

Hera remembered what Kim Ji-Hoon, the Lord of the Sanctuary, had once said. That was why she really wanted to see what Seong-Il was hiding.

“We can talk anywhere. I think it’d be good to change the place for a fresh mood.”

Hera hinted at the door that Seong-Il was covering and spoke.

No! I must prevent that. My brother is having his 'happy time'. As a man, she absolutely cannot get in!

Seeing him so flustered, there's no doubt he's hiding a woman. I knew it.

Hera's hand grazed by Seong-Il's side and grabbed the door handle. Immediately, Seong-Il turned and covered Hera's hand.

"What are you doing?"

"What are you hiding?"

"Hiding? It's Ki-Cheol's room."

"Move away."

"They say the scariest thing in the world is a creditor, and it's true! I'm getting nervous."

"Step aside."

"I can't let you!" Seong-Il intentionally raised his voice. "I will never let you!"

He hoped that by doing so, Kim Ji-Hoon, who was having his 'happy time' inside, would stop. Hera did not back down, and neither did Seong-Il. Physical contact was inevitable between the one trying to open the door and the one trying to stop her. When it seemed impossible, Seong-Il hugged Hera tightly.

It was strange. On the mainland, it was natural for a woman not to be able to overcome a man's full strength when powers were blocked. The problem was that there was no resistance from Hera.

Seong-Il realized his mistake as he observed the calm Hera. Even if he tried his best, it seemed like he had embarrassed her. Hera's flushed cheeks were clear evidence.

"The rules of the mainland...are a bit strange, aren't they? I made a mistake."

As Seong-Il let go of his grip, Hera swiped his arm away with the back of her hand.

Slap!

"Don't ever touch me again. Not without my permission."

Seong-Il kept picturing the sight he had seen just before, wet lumps of tissue thrown on the floor along with the flinching Kim Ji-Hoon.

Damn you, Kim Ji-Hoon... This is all because of you. You're dead to me.

"I'm sorry."

Seong-Il immediately opened the door and entered after apologizing to Hera. Kim Ji-Hoon, either having finished his 'happy time' or having stopped due to the noise outside, was catching his breath while leaning on a chair.

Seong-Il swiftly approached and slapped the back of Kim Ji-Hoon's head with all his might!

Smack!

"Ouch!" Kim Ji-Hoon screamed and was flung into a corner.

"Ugh... Oh..."

"Huh? You bastard, what are you doing here? I thought it was Ki-Cheol."