Past Life Returner

Side Story 48. The Birth (1)

“I can let other things slide, but I can’t stand those who stab someone in the back. He did so much for you bastards, and all you do is betray Him?”

“Don’t be scared from the start. If things go well with Odin, you won’t have a problem either.”

“Scared?”

“I have twenty thousand behind me.”

“So what? Odin is with me. You will never meet him in your life. No more chitchat. Want to know why they call me Caliber? I will show you. Do you want to come? Or should I go to you?”

The movie title was ‘Caliber 2,’ and the subtitle was ‘The Path He Takes.’ It was the sequel to Caliber 1, which broke all kinds of box office records last summer. Seong-Il was showing it to Seon-Hu and Woo Yeon-Hee before it hit the theaters.

Woo Yeon-Hee couldn't hold back any longer and pressed the pause button again.

"Wait...wait... Haha! It seems a bit different from what I heard?"

She burst out laughing.

"Come on, let's watch the movie properly. Your child can’t even enjoy it fully.”

"Give me some time. It's too funny."

Tears welled up in Woo Yeon-Hee's eyes as she chuckled for a while.

"It's strange. Why is everyone reacting like this? This isn't the comedic part. It couldn't be more serious."

"Look, even Ki-Cheol thinks it’s ridiculous."

"Neither he nor you know much about movies."

"Foreign actors should know Korean. That way, you can know how much the actor studied the character. It's a shame. They missed out on that method acting. By the way, are you worried about being outshone?"

"Everyone has their unique strengths. That'll never happen. Trust me. I am earning lots of money while they are out there, acting. I feel sorry to say this, but now is the perfect case for that."

"How much did you make?"

“Nah, it must be nothing compared to what you have."

"You look happy, so I figured. Seems like this year, Seong-Il hit the jackpot. Your stocks recovered, right? See, I told you."

"What are you eating that makes you look so beautiful every day?"

"I feast on love!"

"...Huh. Where did the noona I know go?"

"How's being the association president? Mr. Kwon Seong-Il, the president of the World Awakened Association."

At that remark, a smile finally graced Seong-Il's face.

"It's manageable."

The World Awakened Association had shifted its purpose to act as an intermediary between the Saint Dragorin and this land. Seong-Il was appointed as the new president at the beginning of this year. He was reluctant at first, but he accepted because of Ki-Cheol. He thought showing a responsible societal figure would be a better example than lazing around at home.

Seong-Il wasn't lying to Woo Yeon-Hee. It was actually doable. The role of the final decision-maker wasn't burdensome to him, especially compared to the past battles he faced. He was well aware that with just his signature, astronomical amounts moved, and the fates of countless people and species were determined.

As long as he prioritized decisions he wouldn't be ashamed of in front of Ki-Cheol or others, he could easily shrug off any challenging areas. The reason for Seong-Il's bright expression was precisely the opportunity to once again present an exemplary father figure to Ki-Cheol.

Seong-Il answered while maintaining a smile, “I am always ready to step aside if I find someone better than me.”

“But there isn’t anyone, right?”

Woo Yeon-Hee interrupted with a smile.

“There are those with sharp minds. But what is the point if they only have sharp minds? This is more important than that.”

Seong-Il pointed to his chest, where his heart was.

“I have been looking for those who think with heart. It is embarrassing for me to say this, but there is no one like that, noona. People are greedy and cold. Koreans are all the same no matter how smart and old they are. If they face a bit of adversity, they lose their temper easily.”

He shook his head and continued, “I will stop here since they are my people, but when I look at them doing stuff… Ugh… I sometimes slap the back of their heads.”

“You know those who stood out in the Stage of Advent. Although they did not have the heart you were talking about, they were well-trained. Your subordinates are like that, right? But Seong-Il, you too were trained in the Stage of Advent, and you have fought longer and more fiercely than any of those in suits below you. You are already perfect. You are doing so well and will continue to do so.”

Seong-Il smiled awkwardly.

“Do you not want to join us? You are more suitable than I am.”

“Why would I? I have never been as free and comfortable as I am now.”

“If you need a change in life when taking care of the child, let me know. You might miss the old times.”

“I like the way it is now.”

“When will the baby come out? Your child is going to be so unique.”

“It has been three days past the due date. Maybe my womb is way too comfortable.”

Woo Yeon-Hee placed her hand over her belly. As she was petite like a sparrow, her belly looked more swollen because of her pregnancy. Her once-toned arms were now soft, as there were no battles to fight recently. Her skin was radiant. It was not just a youthful radiance like those who had awakened at a young age.

She was truly in her prime, and it was correct for her to say, ‘the happiest and the most beautiful period of my life.’ All she needed to worry about was the baby inside her.

“Ah, your dad must be back, baby.”

Woo Yeon-Hee turned her head towards the door. Seon-Hu sat down next to Seong-Il and patted his shoulder.

“It has been a while. You look well.”

“See? I told you, Seong-Il. You look much happier.”

“Thanks to your care. How have you been? I couldn’t visit often because I didn’t want to be intrusive.”

“Hey, just relax. By the way, is the editing done already?”

“Umm…okay… I will try to chill.”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“Yes, I brought the clip as soon as it was done. It was the end of the Final Stage of Act One. Do you remember the time that Joo Pan-Seok asshole messed things up?”

Woo Yeon-Hee said, “Wow, the director is amazing. How could he pull off the story just about you without putting us in the film?”

“Hey, noona. I was still a big part of the Stage of Advent. Don’t you agree?”

Woo Yeon-Hee pressed the play button with a smile. Although the actors portrayed a slightly changed story, it was about the Stage of Advent. The timeline of the movie was the period in which Woo Yeon-Hee had endured the most pain.

However, they laughed until the end. The painful memories of the past had become blurred with the name of ‘memories.’ It was because of those days that they had the present. Woo Yeon-Hee hugged her belly tight out of habit and leaned on Seon-Hu’s shoulder.

She said, “I think it will be today. I can feel it.”