# 6
006
“My son walked?”
“yes.”
The attending physician nodded with a complex expression.
Because I couldn’t even believe it.
It was the same with Hyejeong.
She also couldn’t control her joy, even though she couldn’t believe what the doctor said.
Hyejeong covered her mouth with both hands, shook her head, and then opened her mouth again.
“You said it would take more than 6 months, so how is it already?”
“Well… actually, as a doctor, I don’t know. “I’m sure my muscles were very stiff during the test, so it must have been difficult to stand.”
“iced coffee! I guess God is blessing my son!”
“Yeah whatever. “It’s a situation that cannot be explained otherwise.”
Even though he was an atheist, he had no choice but to admit it.
After finishing her conversation with the doctor, Hyejeong immediately rushed to the hospital room where Daesung was.
And I forgot to knock and opened the door wide.
“Daeseong!”
The moment she entered the hospital room, what caught her eye.
It was the back of my son standing quietly in front of the window.
“mom?”
Daesung, sensing that she was popular, turned around and looked at her.
“Ah…”
It’s been 10 years.
I saw my son standing after regaining consciousness.
Hyejeong strengthened her legs, which were about to collapse due to joy.
And he said this in a faint, trembling voice.
“Great Daesung. for a moment. “Can you come over here and give mom a hug?”
“Oh yeah…”
Daesung tilted his head in confusion and slowly approached Hyejeong.
The gait was unsteady, like someone caught by a rat.
But just seeing her son walking made her feel like she was dying of joy.
Soon
Daesung came right in front of Hyejeong, opened his arms wide and hugged her.
Hyejeong shed a single tear as she felt the warmth of his embrace.
She said in a sobbing voice.
“The last time you hugged your mom was when you were in elementary school. When I got to middle school, I was so sick of it and said it was disgusting…”
“That’s how it was.”
I don’t remember very well.
Why did I hate hugging my mother back then?
Anyway, what is certain is that this is by no means a bad feeling for Daesung.
“From now on, if mom wants, I will hug her often.”
Hyejeong, who buried her face in Daesung’s arms, nodded, shedding tears.
***
There is no problem moving my limbs anymore.
Walking or hugging someone…
But any further action was still too much.
It was impossible to stretch my arms or run.
As the attending doctor was astonished, the speed of rehabilitation was surprisingly fast.
This is all thanks to the grace of the system.
However, it was still difficult to lead a normal daily life at this level.
Rehabilitation treatment is completed only when you can at least run.
It’s already been nearly 15 days since I woke up.
Meanwhile, he continued to receive rehabilitation treatment.
Now that I have mastered walking, I mainly practice running on the trail outside the hospital building, not in the treatment room.
However, before I could even run 5 meters, my body’s balance would collapse.
It wasn’t an issue of endurance; my leg muscles were creaking.
Daesung tried jumping on the trail several times before returning to the hospital.
Since I can walk, I would like to be discharged as soon as possible, but the hospital did not give me permission.
He stood in front of the window of his hospital room and gazed blankly at the cityscape.
‘It would be nice if quests appeared again like those times.’
Since there was no progress since the advent quest, it was only then that I realized the importance of the elixir of recovery.
The problem is that the quest doesn’t appear again.
“Status window. quest.”
Since I found out that holograms also appear on Earth, I thought that if I called them like that, they might appear again.
But there is no news.
Daesung’s heart became stuffy.
‘A purely self-indulgent bastard.’
Since I had already tasted the sweet water known as the elixir of recovery, the current slow rehabilitation treatment felt even more frustrating.
As my heart began to feel tight, my anxiety symptoms started to subside again.
Anxiety that I might die if my body does not return to normal quickly.
The anxiety even became visible.
For example, even at this very moment, an ordinary city suddenly turns into a desolate continent.
It turns into a monster that passers-by have never seen before.
‘It’s not serious.’
And it feels like something like black smoke or energy is creeping down on you.
Why?
Why does this Earth’s clear and transparent air sometimes turn into a cool and musty atmosphere?
Is it just my mood?
‘I guess it tasted good.’
Even thinking about it himself, his condition was very serious.
After spending 80 years in hell, it was clear that I was not able to adapt to the Earth’s atmosphere.
Daesung frowned and held his eyebrows tightly.
I slowly opened my eyes and saw my reflection reflected translucently in the glass window.
A skinny young man in his 20s was there.
Even though it was my own appearance, it was unfamiliar, like seeing a stranger.
There was a huge difference from how he looked when he was in hell.
Perhaps because he was hit by the gray ash that rained down on him, his hair turned a dull white as time went by.
As he went through adversity after adversity, his shabby body grew into a large, muscular body…
As he continued training and fighting, indelible scars and calluses were carved into every corner of his body.
Yet, mysteriously, even after 80 years, he barely aged, so he was able to store all the vibrant, breathing youthful energy in his body.
But now everything was just the opposite.
Everything except that he is a twenty-six young man, ten years older than him.
His nutritional status was unstable, so his cheeks were sunken inward, and his ribs looked bony on his sides because he had been lying down for 10 years.
It was unsightly and I wanted to gain more weight, so I tried to eat a lot of hospital food, but the nurses always gave me only the right amount, so I had no choice.
But if there is one advantage, is that all the scars that were like stigmas have disappeared?
“Where did you come back? “I should take my time and gain weight.”
His goal is to gain just enough weight to move properly, eliminate anxiety symptoms, and look good.
After thinking too much, Daesung became tired and lay down on the bed.
At that time, a knocking sound was heard.
The person who came in was Hyejeong.
“son.”
She was smiling brightly.
It was no wonder that he always had a smile on his face every time he came to visit, but his smile was especially deep now.
Daesung was feeling suspicious –
“Look who’s here.”
She said that and then slowly stepped aside.
Then a man hidden behind her appeared.
“hey. Han Dae-seong!”
He was a man in his mid-20s with a tall appearance and wearing a suit.
He smiled coolly and waved at Daesung.
“You…”
Daesung’s eyes opened wide.
The man sniffled with a somewhat faint look, but did not erase his refreshing smile.
“Ha bastard…. Oh my. It was in front of my mother, but I didn’t know… I’m sorry. “Anyway, you really woke up.”
“You…”
A man approached Daesung, who was briefly stuttering.
Then he looked at Daesung with moist eyes and said.
“Yeah man! it’s me!”
“Who is it?”
“….”
Silence passed by.
***
Chanho Seong.
He was Daesung’s best friend.
The two have been inseparable since elementary school.
The middle school I entered was the same place, and even the high school I would soon go to was assigned to the same place.
The two shared a close friendship that will last forever.
However, the two were walking to school ahead of their middle school graduation ceremony.
Suddenly, Daesung lost consciousness and collapsed.
The guy who was chatting normally just 3 seconds ago.
Just like that, Daesung fell into a state of unconsciousness.
Of course, Seong Chan-ho was in despair.
However, 10 years later, Daesung’s mother contacted him.
Daesung woke up.
As soon as I received the call, I threw away my promise with my business partner and rushed to the hospital.
But the answer that came back was –
‘Who is it?’
I felt like I had been hit in the back of the head with a knife.
“Hey! It’s Chanho! Chanho! You don’t know Chanho?! The two of you stuck together like that…!”
Rather, it was Hyejeong next to him who showed intense excitement.
On the other hand, Seong Chan-ho tried to calm her down.
“Oh, mother. it’s okay. I heard that too. It is said that people who wake up from a state of suspended animation may in rare cases experience short-term memory loss…” “
No, no matter what, that’s true. “Chanho, is it any wonder that I don’t recognize you?”
“haha. “Compared to 10 years ago, I’ve changed so much that you don’t even recognize me.”
The voice was sly, but in reality, my heart ached so much.
It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t upset, but I still didn’t feel resentful.
Because I understand.
“Daesung, how are you feeling?”
Seong Chan-ho was really worried about him with a face that didn’t show any regret.
Daesung was dumbfounded but answered the question.
“It’s okay.”
“okay? thank god. Oh, the rehabilitation treatment is progressing really quickly? “I heard you can be discharged soon.”
“I’m not sure about that.”
“Once you’re discharged from the hospital, man. Let’s have a drink. For 10 years…”
Seong Chan-ho trailed off.
To get your emotions together.
“I’ve been waiting to have a drink with you for 10 years. Tada.”
“Right.”
A short answer that continues.
Seong Chan-ho smiled awkwardly because the conversation did not proceed completely.
Hyejeong, who was watching from the side, only made a nervous expression.
Seong Chan-ho spoke with a serious face.
“Daeseong, even if it’s true. “I don’t care if you can’t think of me forever, even if you forget all the memories you had with me before you fell.”
“….”
“If you don’t remember, you can make memories and friendship again from now on.”
“okay.”
Still a short answer.
I’m not reacting this bluntly because I like Daesung.
To be honest, I don’t know.
As my emotions became numb, I couldn’t naturally think of anything to say.
Aside from that, he was not good at coming up with plausible sentences in words.
I felt like words were stuck in my throat.
The language circuit did not function sufficiently to follow natural conversation.
80 years.
I haven’t had a proper conversation with anyone in 80 years.
He had never had a normal conversation where words were exchanged.
At least I’m glad I didn’t forget Hangul after writing it.
However, since he was not a primitive person in terms of intelligence, he had at least some sense.
It may seem like a formal question to anyone who hears it, but he tried it first.
“how have you been doing?”
There was silence in the hospital room again.
Seong Chan-ho seemed surprised for a moment, but then nodded with a happy expression.
“How have you been, man! I’m doing a hundred times a thousand times better than you! There is also a woman who will be married soon. “I also got a decent job!”
“I’m glad.”
Once Seong Chan-ho was speechless, he continued to talk without even realizing it.
It must have been his wish to tell me this trivial story of the current situation.
“When you feel better, contact me. Even though I’m not at the level where someone can put a parachute in, I still have time to send a letter of recommendation to the higher-ups. The gate seeker is just a simple sales job-”
“Chanho.”
It was then.
When Hye-jeong’s voice was heard, Seong Chan-ho realized his mistake and covered his mouth with his hand.
“…?”
Daesung sensed a strange atmosphere and glanced at Hyejeong.
She was shaking her head at Seong Chan-ho.
Seong Chan-ho, who noticed Hye-jeong’s attention, vaguely changed the topic.
“Uh, anyway. Shake it off quickly and get up. “If you need anything, please contact me right away.”
“…okay.”
Seong Chan-ho smiled, then stood up and bowed to Hye-jeong.
“Then, mother, I’ll just go. Daesung, have a good day too.”
Seong Chan-ho left the hospital room.
Immediately after, Hyejeong approached Daesung with a desperate look on her face.
“Daeseong, do you really not remember who Chanho is?”
“….”
“What about the others? Other than Chanho, what about other friends? “What about your homeroom teacher?”
“….”
Daesung couldn’t answer.
She bit her lip and spoke kindly with an effortful smile on her face.
“Daeseong, you may be very confused, but… try to remember it consistently from now on. Who was around you? What are those people’s names? “Mom will help you a lot too.”
“huh.”
Daesung nodded obediently.
***
The joys and sorrows have become dull.
He doesn’t understand the feeling of friendship.
But the original resistance remained.
This is the feeling of rejection that comes from not wanting to hurt the feelings of those around you who care about you.
‘This is not the time to simply focus on recovering your body.’
You have to think of it.
‘Who were the people who cared about me before I fell into hell?’
Mother’s younger sister. And friends.
They simply accepted this as short-term memory loss that would resolve over time.
But Daesung knows.
This is not short-term memory loss.
As 80 years passed, we simply forgot about it.
As he continued to fight for his life and lost his humanity, he suddenly forgot about it.
And only now did he fully understand what a painful mistake it was.
‘You idiot.’
What on earth were you thinking?
If this is going to be the case, why did you keep a diary?
You are really selfish.
They say there was no promise that they might return to Earth someday, but they just erased it from their memories.
I have no intention of making excuses.
When it’s time to make excuses, think about it.
As Hyejeong said, who was around her and what were their names?
If there had been a journal, clues could have been collected based on what was written in it… but the entire journal seemed to have disappeared upon returning to Earth.
Daesung had to hold his head for a while and struggle to recall his memories.
But no matter how much I tried to think about it, it was impossible to recall the faces and memories from 80 years ago.
“…shit.”
A curse came out inadvertently.
It wasn’t enough to think of even one more person, and even at this moment, the only thing that passed by was the hideous tops of the demon beasts.
So naturally, my anxiety symptoms got worse.
At that time, Daesung closed his eyes tightly and was groaning in pain.
[The Pantheon awaits the coming of the Absolute.]
Daesung quickly opened his eyes at the sudden voice he heard.
It was a moment.
Not a hospital room with walls, a bed, and a window.
A different world unfolded.
….
It was a space as if a huge sheet of paper had been spread out in all directions.
Everything was stained white except for the marble floor with flashy patterns on it.
When I took my eyes off the floor and looked straight ahead, it felt as if someone was blocking my eyes with A4 paper.
Where on earth are we?
‘Is it a dream?’
I don’t remember falling asleep.
While thinking like that, Daesung suddenly realized that he was standing.
The moment Daesung lost his mind for a moment at this absurd situation.
[The Absolute has come to the Pantheon.]
[The Divine Translation recognizes the ‘Journal of the Absolute.’]
[A virtual avatar formed based on the contents of the diary is provided.]
[From now on, we will accelerate the materialization work.]
[ Complete the implementation faithfully by completing the given gateway.]
[Then good luck.]
System windows pouring in like a storm.
Then, Daesung suddenly realized that he was now standing on the floor, not the bed.
“what.”
That wasn’t all.
Tremors in the legs that can be felt because the muscles are not yet fully relaxed.
I don’t feel that tremor at all now.
“Is it a dream?”
I don’t remember falling asleep.
Daesung tilted his head at the inexplicable situation.
He didn’t notice.
Now he looks like he did when he was in hell.
Dull white hair.
Bulky, bulging muscles.
And countless large and small scars and calluses engraved all over the body.
When Daesung couldn’t tell if this was a dream or reality, another notification window appeared.
—–
Advent Quest-2 (In Progress)
‘Body Restoration.’
Difficulty: Low
Content: Destroy the designated target.
Time Limit: None
Target: Gandra Leather Sandbag 0/1
Reward: Memory Chip for the Absolute
Materialization: Jade Body + 30%
—–