Chapter 269 – 100 Years Later

Min Do-jun, with his wrinkled face, looked up at the ceiling.

‘Is this a hospital room?’

Seeing how the location had changed in the blink of an eye, it seemed he had collapsed again.

‘This has been happening frequently lately.’

His body had grown weak, and he had been lacking energy recently.

‘At least I’m fortunate not to have dementia.’

If he had dementia, there would be no hope.

It would mean he couldn’t even remember what he had accomplished.

“Grandfather! Great-grandfather!”

Min Do-jun turned his gaze toward the sound of voices.

A young man and woman in their late twenties were looking at him with worried eyes.

“Oh, my adorable great-grandchildren. Did you come to see your great-grandfather?”

“Calling grown adults adorable. Grandfather, really…”

Min Do-jun smiled at his grandson’s words, who was already past sixty.

“Try living to my age. When there’s a 100-year age difference, everyone looks adorable.”

“How could I live as long as grandfather? I’m not even a hunter…”

At his grandson’s words, Min Do-jun briefly reminisced about the years that had passed.

‘Time has flown by so quickly.’

It had been 100 years since Min Do-jun married Cha Ye-rin.

They had made a vow to live together for a lifetime, but the promise couldn’t be kept.

‘If Ye-rin were still alive, we could have truly celebrated our centennial together…’

Unlike Min Do-jun, who was now 131 years old, Cha Ye-rin had lived to 100 before passing away.

‘It would have been nice if she could have seen our adorable great-grandchildren…’

Unfortunately, Cha Ye-rin had passed away without seeing her grandson’s children, but she had lived quite long for an ordinary person.

Min Do-jun asked his 60-year-old grandson.

“How is Su-ho? Is he doing well and healthy?”

“Father is doing well. He’s a hunter, after all.”

Hunters tended to have longer lifespans than ordinary people.

Even so, it was only about 30 years longer, but it was still enough to see great-grandchildren grow up, like Min Do-jun.

“How old is Su-ho now?”

“He turned 100 last year.”

Hunters awaken at age 20 and reach their prime in their 30s and 40s, but they gradually lose their vitality after 50.

Therefore, hunters over 60 didn’t exist, and most retired before turning 40.

Min Do-jun’s son Su-ho had also become a hunter but had retired long ago.

“He’s over 100 and still healthy?”

“Yes.”

“But why didn’t he come with you?”

“Aunt is very sick, so he went to that hospital.”

“Seo-yeon?”

Cha Ye-rin had given birth to their son Min Su-ho, and two years later, their daughter Min Seo-yeon.

“Is she very sick?”

“Yes. It’s quite serious, so I stayed here while father went there.”

“Oh dear…”

Min Do-jun let out a regretful sigh.

Unlike Su-ho, Seo-yeon was an ordinary person and wasn’t as healthy.

‘I wish I could heal her with my Authority of Healing, but it’s useless!’

While the trait could heal external injuries, it had no effect on diseases and aging.

It wasn’t for nothing that Min Do-jun was lying in a hospital bed, living day by day.

Even he, the world’s only max-level hunter, couldn’t prevent aging.

‘What good is having high health stats? My vitality drops exponentially as I age.’

Still, being a hunter, he was managing to hold on, but Min Do-jun instinctively knew.

His death was approaching.

“Call Su-ho for a video call. I want to see my children’s faces one last time.”

“Ah, understood.”

His grandson immediately called his father Su-ho for a video call.

-Son, what’s wrong?

“Grandfather wants to see you. Just a moment.”

The smartphone screen his grandson showed him displayed an elderly man over 100 years old.

It was his only son, Su-ho.

“Son.”

-Ah, father. Are you alright?

“I’m fine. How is Seo-yeon?”

Soon the angle turned to show an elderly woman lying in bed with a haggard complexion.

-As you can see, she’s not well.

“I see…”

-How are you, father? Are you really alright?

“…Su-ho.”

-Yes, father.

“Thank you for being born as my child.”

-Wh-what are you suddenly saying?

“I want to tell Seo-yeon the same thing, but with her in that condition, I don’t know how to convey it. I don’t know if we’ll have another chance to meet.”

-Father. Right now…

“Just listen quietly. This is my final will.”

-…

“You don’t know this, but I even went back in time to save your mother.”

-…!

Min Su-ho in the video widened his eyes.

He knew his father wasn’t the type to joke in such a situation, having experienced Min Do-jun for so long.

“Do you know what that means? It means I would do anything to protect my family’s happiness, to protect my people.”

-Father…

“You and Seo-yeon. Your mother, and even the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

-…

“Daddy will protect everyone. So you can live together forever without suffering.”

Min Su-ho didn’t understand.

What his father was talking about.

But one thing was clear.

That he loved his mother Cha Ye-rin and his children dearly.

“So… until our family meets again someday… stay healthy and take care.”

With those words, Min Do-jun’s eyes closed.

* * *

-Father! Father!

‘I think I hear Su-ho’s voice somewhere…’

But what appeared in Min Do-jun’s vision was the underworld filled with gray mist.

‘So I’m finally dead.’

It had been a life without regrets.

He had enjoyed a sweet honeymoon with Cha Ye-rin, raised Su-ho and Seo-yeon, and even watched his grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up.

He had lived long enough to see everything, then died as his strength waned.

‘Even a level 9,999 hunter can’t do anything against time.’

That’s when it happened.

[There you are, Mr. Min Do-jun.]

A blonde-haired Westerner appeared.

[Hello. I am Eira, a guide of the under…]

“Guide Eira. Right?”

Eira’s eyes widened.

[H-how do you know my name…?]

‘It seems the underworld guide was also affected by the regression.’

Perhaps because time had been rewound, Eira didn’t remember Min Do-jun.

“Stop being surprised and just guide me to God.”

[H-how do you also know that…!]

He had known from the moment he arrived in the underworld that God would be looking for him.

Because they had made a promise.

“Hurry up. God is waiting, isn’t he?”

[Ah, understood.]

Looking at Min Do-jun extending his arm as if telling him to hurry up, Eira made a displeased expression.

[Th-then we’ll depart.]

Soon, Eira grabbed Min Do-jun’s hand and ran at high speed.

* * *

Death is equal.

No one can avoid death, and everyone comes to the underworld.

And every soul enters the Spring of Oblivion where their memories are erased and they are annihilated.

But here, Min Do-jun was an exception… for now.

[We meet again, Min Do-jun.]

“God.”

A form of light.

God, Derkius, was before his eyes.

[It’s been exactly 100 years since we talked in the EX-rank dungeon.]

“That’s right.”

[You don’t know how long I’ve waited for the day we would meet again.]

“Does that mean you wanted me to die quickly?”

[How could that be? Hahahaha!]

Min Do-jun rolled his eyes.

It was the first time he heard God laugh.

‘Does God have emotions too?’

Min Do-jun chuckled and played along.

“If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have lived until I was smearing feces on walls, but would have died at an appropriate time.”

[Hehe, you don’t mean that. I already saw how you died from above.]

“…”

[Trying to see your child’s face one more time before dying. It was touching.]

“Well, that’s a parent’s heart, isn’t it?”

[I will protect them forever… You said something like that…]

“Because I promised.”

Min Do-jun reflected on the past.

* * *

Before leaving the EX-rank dungeon.

After much contemplation, Min Do-jun said to God.

“I don’t think I can keep the promise.”

[What? So you won’t commit suicide?]

“Yes.”

[You dare…!]

“God. Don’t you feel any gratitude toward me?”

[What?]

“If I hadn’t succeeded, humanity would have been destroyed and you would have been in a difficult position.”

[So? Are you saying I should give you some reward for gratitude?]

“Of course. You owe me a debt.”

[Giving you the opportunity of regression was enough, what more do you want?]

“Regression is good. But telling me to commit suicide at the happiest moment just because the purpose is gone is a bit much.”

[Didn’t you promise? You clearly agreed to that part…]

“There’s a saying in the human world. Promises are made to be broken.”

[…]

“Of course, I’m not being unreasonable. I’m demanding a fair compensation.”

[You want a reward because you succeeded?]

“Yes. I might not have if I failed, but I succeeded, didn’t I? I saved not just dozens but billions of lives. Isn’t the compensation too weak to settle it with just regression?”

[Right. Hearing you say it, your words make sense. Then tell me. What reward do you want?]

“It’s nothing big. Please make the promise to commit suicide null and void.”

[So you’ll live until you’re smearing feces on walls?]

“Yes. I want to maintain this happiness. Instead, I’ll retire from being a hunter and won’t use my abilities at all. I’ll stop hunting monsters and killing criminals. Isn’t this a reasonable proposal?”

[Hmm…]

“Instead, please let me use my power when my family is in danger. I think that’s an allowable part…”

[Fine. I’ll overlook that much. It’s not that difficult a request.]

“Thank you.”

[Hmph, it’s too early to be grateful. After all, when you die, your memories will be erased and you’ll be annihilated anyway. Enjoy the happiness you desire only while you’re in the living world.]

“God. Speaking of which… is the annihilation of souls something no one can avoid?”

[That’s right. Souls without physical bodies are useless waste. Of course, there could be exceptions at my discretion, but if I think they’re unnecessary, I have no choice but to annihilate them. You should know this from what Eira told you.]

“I know. That’s why… I’d like to make a new proposal to you.”

[A proposal?]

“Please take custody of my and my family’s souls.”

[Take custody? You mean don’t annihilate them?]

“That’s right. Not only mine and Cha Ye-rin’s souls, but all future family members. Please protect them all, God. If you do that…”

Min Do-jun paused before saying.

“I’ll do whatever you ask me to do.”

[What can you do?]

“Couldn’t you use me as a guide like Eira?”

[The grim reaper positions are full. Even if a position opens up, I can use other souls. There are more than enough souls wanting to become grim reapers.]

“Then use me for other work.”

[What work.]

“If you think about it, you’ll find uses for me.”

[…]

As God remained silent, seemingly contemplating, Min Do-jun also quietly watched for his reaction.

[Now that I think about it, there might be uses for you.]

“Then will you accept my proposal?”

[I will.]

* * *

Recalling the conversation in the dungeon, Min Do-jun said.

“You remember the promise from then, right? That you wouldn’t annihilate my and my family’s souls.”

[Of course, Min Do-jun.]

“I want to confirm that you kept your promise.”

[Whether you’re suspicious or meticulous… Fine. I’ll call her over.]

Shortly after, Eira brought someone.

“O-oppa?”

It was Cha Ye-rin, who had died first.

“Ye-rin!”

The soul of Cha Ye-rin, who had died 31 years ago, was alive and not annihilated.

[Now do you believe? I’m a god who keeps promises.]

“Thank you.”

“O-oppa! To see you here…”

Cha Ye-rin shed tears of emotion.

He wanted to wipe away her tears, but couldn’t.

Being souls, his hand passed right through her face.

“Is it impossible for souls to touch each other?”

[That’s right. Souls without authority can’t feel any sensation. Of course, it’s possible if I raise their authority…]

“Please raise it.”

[Before that, Min Do-jun, don’t you have work to do with me?]

“…What work?”

[It’s similar to what I asked you to do before. It’s simple work – just solve problems in other dimensions.]

Min Do-jun’s expression became serious.

‘Is it work involving killing someone again?’

He didn’t know the details of the mission, but he had to follow God’s words anyway.

Only by keeping his promise could the family members who would come up later be saved.

[There’s no time, so let’s postpone the joy of reunion. If you succeed this time too, I’ll let you touch each other freely. Hehehe.]

“…Understood. Let’s go.”

“Oppa, where are you going? Where?”

Min Do-jun looked back at Cha Ye-rin with an anxious expression.

“I have a promise with God here.”

“A promise? What promise?”

“Don’t worry and wait. I’ll be back soon.”

“Oppa? Oppa!”

Anyway, souls don’t age.

As long as they’re not annihilated, they could be together forever.

‘Just in case. God might break his promise like flipping a coin.’

While pretending to obey on the surface, Min Do-jun didn’t trust God.

‘Just wait and see. I’ll find a way to keep our family safe somehow.’

Not being annihilated by some god and enjoying eternal happiness with his family.

That was the true happiness Min Do-jun desired.

-End of Part 1-

Hello, dear readers.

After 8 months of serialization, Part 1 has finally ended.

Huh? Why is it the end of Part 1 and not the complete ending?… Originally, I planned to finish with a happy ending after saving Cha Ye-rin’s soul and prepare for the next work.

Min Do-jun would leave with lingering feelings to solve problems in other worlds.

But when I actually wrote it, I realized it couldn’t be considered a perfect happy ending story-wise.

Because it ended without escaping from the constraints of the absolute being called God.

So I decided to finish Part 1 here and plan Part 2.

Some of you may be disappointed that the story hasn’t ended, while others may welcome it, but now that it’s come to this, I’ll do my best to continue to the end.

By the way, today’s upload is the end of Part 1’s side stories.

I prepared them briefly because continuing to write more would delay Part 2’s serialization.

Then I’ll return with Part 2 and continuous updates on Monday, August 31st, after about 2 weeks of preparation.

Thank you for supporting and breathing together with me during this time.

I’ll prepare well to show you more interesting stories in Part 2.

Then, please continue to support me!

[Translator’s Note- Ignore whatever the author said, Part 2 starts on Monday, No chapters tomorrow.]