[Ho Cheon-an: Hold on a second.]
[Ho Cheon-an: I wasn’t the first to create Ho Cheon-an.]
[Ho Cheon-an: Sure, I realized the database, but there was information out there already, right?]
[Rebirth Truck: It’s a simple trick.]
[Rebirth Truck: Have you ever played a soccer coach simulation game?]
[Rebirth Truck: After decades of coaching, not only real soccer players but even today’s promising youngsters will age and retire, leaving only virtual players.]
[Rebirth Truck: The situation in the game world of Martial Realms was similar.]
[Rebirth Truck: They made it hard to create Ho Cheon-an in the first place, so unless you set up a dedicated build, it’s a long way off.]
[Rebirth Truck: By that time, most of the characters you knew at 15 will have retired or become unreachable, and you won’t be in a position to casually use suspicious divine objects.]
[Rebirth Truck: The real characters dragged their feet until you realized it.]
[Rebirth Truck: The realizations you could see before creating Ho Cheon-an were merely virtual characters created in the simulator after you turned 15.]
So, the game company—or rather, the Rebirth Truck had decided to trick me.
[Rebirth Truck: In the first place, the combination of the Three Divine Objects was only released through a stealth patch after you had started the game, so it wasn’t too difficult.]
[Rebirth Truck: You were running around like crazy trying to uncover clues about the Three Divine Objects.]
[Ho Cheon-an: …So, you’re saying I filled in the realizations of actual characters in Martial Realms with my own hands?]
[Rebirth Truck: Bingo.]
I整理了我的思想。
It seemed my maternal grandfather wanted to turn me into some sort of biological analyzer. Was my name Ho Cheon-an meant to signify such a ‘purpose’?
What a truly vicious person he was.
Treating me as a tool and disregarding my parents and even my grandfather….
A brief surge of anger surged through me, but I managed to calm down. After all, I still had many questions for the Rebirth Truck.
[Ho Cheon-an: So, what about the me on Earth?]
[Rebirth Truck: That’s also you.]
[Rebirth Truck: No need to worry, that body has no stories attached.]
[Ho Cheon-an: I know you’re aware I’m not asking that.]
[Ho Cheon-an: My body.]
[Ho Cheon-an: What happens to my life?]
[Rebirth Truck: Well.]
[Rebirth Truck: I mentioned earlier, you can return if you want.]
[Rebirth Truck: You can live in this martial world and return to Earth whenever you want.]
I had my doubts about what he was saying.
[Ho Cheon-an: Why are you being so accommodating?]
[Rebirth Truck: Keeping the option to send you back to Earth is a bit of a burden for me.]
[Rebirth Truck: After all, it’s the weak who need to compromise.]
[Rebirth Truck: Honestly, I’d prefer if you stayed on Earth.]
[Rebirth Truck: The body you’re using can’t see the realizations of others.]
[Rebirth Truck: Even if you remove impurities, it won’t change.]
[Rebirth Truck: Even if all bodily impurities are removed, your constitution would have already changed.]
[Rebirth Truck: Seeing others’ potentials means something beyond what you can imagine.]
[Rebirth Truck: I tested your potential through the game Martial Realms, but.]
[Rebirth Truck: To be honest, I want to test even more potentials.]
His words continued.
[Rebirth Truck: However.]
[Rebirth Truck: To maintain this state, you must be prepared for some sacrifices.]
[Ho Cheon-an: What do you mean?]
[Rebirth Truck: Your soul will be straddling both Earth and Martial Realms.]
[Rebirth Truck: You certainly know the connection with the spiritual core, right?]
[Rebirth Truck: You’re a capable martial artist now, so I believe you understand.]
In short, it meant my soul or mind would enter a state of instability.
Not exactly a pleasant prospect.
Twisting the spiritual core would soon become an obstacle to my growth. In other words, maintaining this state would mean my growth would be hindered.
Would I have to pay a price to catch both rabbits?
[Ho Cheon-an: If I had to choose one?]
[Rebirth Truck: It would be an irreversible choice.]
[Rebirth Truck: You wouldn’t be able to pass to Martial Realms or back to Earth again.]
[Rebirth Truck: But I can give you some convenience.]
[Rebirth Truck: Such as erasing memories of one side.]
“….”
I sighed deeply while looking at the chat with the Rebirth Truck. It wasn’t easy to throw blame at this thing.
Choosing to leave room was not an option.
I couldn’t just sit back and ignore the mastermind that caused my parents and grandfather’s deaths.
I hadn’t yet kept my promise to become a black cat and a Hwa-gyeong martial artist.
I also didn’t want to betray the expectations of my companions who followed me to defeat Jeong Cheol.
To do so, I couldn’t leave any elements that would hinder my growth behind.
“Whew.”
I leaned back. Feeling the softness of the computer chair supporting my back, I spun around to gaze at the scenery of my room. I saw the bed covered in the finest comforter from the imperial family of Martial Realms that could slap the face of a feather-down duvet—an utterly luxurious sight.
I noticed the air conditioner, providing cool air during a season that should have been suffocating.
The TV was visible, chattering on endlessly without giving me a second to feel lonely.
Living as a modern person wasn’t that extraordinary.
It was just a normal life of working a job, getting paid, and living day-to-day.
Suddenly, one thing piqued my curiosity.
[Ho Cheon-an: Hey.]
[Ho Cheon-an: But why does my name come out as □□□?]
[Rebirth Truck: That’s because your soul currently belongs to the Martial Realms.]
[Rebirth Truck: If you return to the modern world, the name Ho Cheon-an will change to □□□.]
So that’s it.
It seems it wasn’t a phenomenon where my heart bowed down instinctively.
Let me be honest.
The deaths of my parents and grandfather.
It was infuriating up to my hair follicles.
It was something I must take revenge for.
But…
The process would be far too long and arduous, something anyone could predict.
My maternal grandfather was definitely a core figure in the Blood Sect. Facing such a grandfather was akin to contending with the entire Blood Sect.
For me, who could barely handle just wandering Hwa-gyeong martial artist Jeong Cheol, that prospect was overwhelmingly daunting.
The road to revenge would be long, treacherous, and full of trials.
If I stayed in Martial Realms, I would have to walk that path.
Just imagining it left me breathless.
What if.
What would happen if I returned to Earth?
Would I just live ordinarily as a salaryman… and play the game Martial Realms again?
I would probably be chatting nonsensically with the veterans from the chatroom.
I could stay up late every night playing games until dawn and then wake up to five notifications on my phone, lamenting why I couldn’t escape the cycle of labor.
Life as a modern person had its own hardships, but it still seemed more bearable compared to staying in Martial Realms.
…If only I could forsake my conscience.
I could choose the easy path instead of the path full of flames and hell.
A life filled with countless trials and tribulations awaited me in Martial Realms. Simply facing such trials wouldn’t be the end of it. No one knew when or how it would all come crashing down into oblivion.
Perhaps it wouldn’t just be an empty ending but a conclusion far more miserable than that awaited me.
Instead of risking all that suffering and danger.
If I chose to erase my memories and select the life of a modern person, it would be over.
Instead of the harsh life of a martial artist pushing myself cruelly from dawn, I’d be sitting comfortably in a chair, tapping at my keyboard or mouse.
A studio with a temperature just right for living. A chair that cradled my body comfortably and the soothing hum of the main unit giving me peace of mind. Plus, the display showing my journey through Martial Realms… and the chat list.
Could this feeling be that my soul is also settling into comfort?
Caught up in that sentiment, I let my body sink back in the chair and put my hand on the mouse.
Why did I do it?
I wasn’t sure, but it was probably just a habitual action.
The cursor wandered for a moment before clicking the button to unpause Martial Realms.
Although I had adjusted the character sheet, I left the name as the random generation, with Eulji Sangjo starting to continue their training. Watching the spectacle, I compelled Eulji Sangjo to halt their training and move them.
The destination was Sacheon.
…I made my way to the Outcast Inn in Sacheon City.
[Sacheon Outcasts are hostile towards you.]
[“This place is not for outsiders to enter recklessly! Get out!”]
[1. Engage in combat. (Sacheon Outcast Favorability -50)]
[2. Place a request. (Connection with the Sacheon Outcast faction needed)]
[3. Become a Sacheon Outcast (Insufficient Favorability).]
[4. Retreat.]
I momentarily stepped back.
Selecting the Outcast Inn from the diplomacy icons, I dumped the spiritual medicine I had into it. It was a complete waste, but I didn’t care at the moment. The favorability toward the faction climbed as high as the value of the spiritual medicine.
I clicked the Outcast Inn again.
[Sacheon Outcasts welcome you.]
[“Is it not Great Hero Eulji Sangjo? The Sacheon Outcasts welcome you. What is your business today?”]
[1. Engage in combat. (Sacheon Outcast Favorability -50)]
[2. Place a request. (Fulfilled)]
[3. Become a Sacheon Outcast.]
[4. Retreat.]
I clicked option 3 and became a Sacheon Outcast. I easily obtained Black Rib.
Eulji Sangjo was now 46, meaning it was roughly 21 years into the future from now. I clicked on the Outcasts inside the inn, but there wasn’t a single name I recognized.
[I converse with Yu Sa-yeon.]
[“Welcome. Great Hero Eulji Sangjo. I am the Innkeeper Yu Sa-yeon.”]
[1. Have a conversation.]
[2. Receive a request.]
[3. Retreat.]
Seeing Yu Sa-yeon portrayed as a middle-aged woman NPC made me chuckle without resistance. After laughing for a bit, I left Sacheon City and headed towards the Jeomchang Faction.
I went through the same process at the mountain gate of the Jeomchang Faction. Unlike the Outcast Inn, I had to bear quite a loss, but I didn’t mind.
[I converse with Hyeok Gi-rin.]
[“Nice to meet you, Great Hero. I am Hyeok Gi-rin from Okryong Sinhyeop.”]
[1. Have a conversation.]
[2. Make a request.]
[3. Retreat.]
I chatted with Hyeok Gi-rin about various keywords.
[“A woman, you say? Hmm, I’m not sure.”]
[“The current imperial family is doing well. I’ve heard the emperor is quite the wise ruler.”]
I also sought out Miss Yeo Il-ye to converse.
[“While I’m glad to make your acquaintance, I have left the secular world. I hope you understand.”]
As expected, she too refused to converse.
Next, I headed to the Tang Clan.
I had no clue where Tang Do-yeon was, so I couldn’t find her, but I could locate Tang So-yeol.
[“Eulji Sangjo, you say? That name doesn’t ring a bell. I won’t accept any weapon requests.”]
I lavishly gifted valuable metals, spiritual medicine, and recipes.
[Favorability with Tang So-yeol decreased by -30.]
[“Quit bothering me and get lost. Those materials? Aren’t they things you gave as gifts?”]
A smirk escaped me.
That was classic Tang So-yeol for you.
I wanted to find either Tang Rye-ah or Tang Do-gyeong, but Tang Do-gyeong was still running around under the guise of a dogfighter, and Rye-ah was not a significant figure, so I couldn’t find her.
I passed through Yunnan and headed to Seo-jang.
Then I also stopped by Hyeong Gwi-san.
[The 개왕채 Sect Leader Mo Yeobu appeared.]
[“Hand over everything you have!”]
As I battled Mo Yeobu, they seemed to realize the impending defeat and made a run for it. Given their character traits, pursuing was difficult, so I let it go.
I dropped by Seo-jang.
Podalap Palace still had no heirs.
After many stops, I even visited Hyeon Cheon-ja’s hidden cave, the gambling den in Nangyang, and had briefly gone to Pal-dun-hyeon after finishing my instructor duties there. I tried spinning the draw formation but only got a chunk of obsidian.
“Hm.”
I looked at that obsidian chunk and momentarily thought of Unknown Elder.
I exited Martial Realms.
[Rebirth Truck: Have you come to a conclusion?]
[Ho Cheon-an: Yes.]
I slowly started typing and stared at the content for a while before finally hitting enter.
[Ho Cheon-an: I will stay in Martial Realms.]
The Rebirth Truck fell silent for a moment.
[Rebirth Truck: I see.]
[Rebirth Truck: That’s unfortunate.]
[Rebirth Truck: Then this is where our meeting ends, Ho Cheon-an.]
[Ho Cheon-an: Wait a second.]
[Rebirth Truck: ?]
[Ho Cheon-an: Sorry, but could you lend me a bit of help?]
[Ho Cheon-an: I want to at least put an end to □□□’s life.]
[Ho Cheon-an: Is that possible?]
[Rebirth Truck: Sure. For a final goodbye, I can do that.]
[Rebirth Truck: I’ll now connect this chat to Earth.]
[Rebirth Truck: Is this enough?]
[Ho Cheon-an: Thank you.]
The chat window began lighting up in red.
First, I left a message in my workplace chat.
[□□□: I’m resigning.]
[Junior: ?]
[Senior: Are you insane?]
[□□□: Junior, calm down and get yourself a boyfriend.]
[□□□: Hey Senior, don’t stretch your legs out in front of my partition.]
[□□□: Your feet stink.]
[□□□: Bye.]
The red numbers surged like crazy, but I ended the chat window.
[Wind Forest Inn: Why hasn’t Ho-boong replied?]
[Trouble in the World: No way he’s already stuck?]
[Trouble in the World: Either way, be careful.]
Sorry, but I’m already stuck.
I typed furiously, something I had been putting off for ten years.
[Ho Cheon-an: Thanks for worrying about me.]
[Ho Cheon-an: I’ll take care for a while.]
[Three-Five Warrior: A crazy guy is making a mess of everything.]
[Passing Jang San: So how about we raid?]
[Lotus Pants Thief: Jang San, pay attention!]
[Why Is There No Game Only For Me: Seriously, if we raid and troll right now, the atmosphere will be totally wrecked~]
[Passing Jang San: It’s not trolling; it’s new meta research.]
My old pals were still the same.
[Ho Cheon-an: Guys.]
[Ho Cheon-an: I’m leaving the chatroom.]
[Yellow Sky Standing: ?]
[Three-Five Warrior: ?]
[Passing Jang San: ?]
[Lotus Pants Thief: ?]
[Why Is There No Game Only For Me: ?]
The chatroom was suddenly flooded with question marks, causing chaos.
[Passing Jang San: Why would you do that?]
[Passing Jang San: If we go raid, I swear I won’t troll even once; either way, it’s a three-rounder!]
[Cheongsam and Garter: Tell me your reason.]
[Cheongsam and Garter: Even if you quit the game, you could just play like this.]
[Cheongsam and Garter: Is there a reason to leave?]
[Wind Forest Inn: I feel a bit sad too.]
[Wind Forest Inn: You must have your reasons, but.]
[Wind Forest Inn: Why not just turn off notifications and come back whenever you feel like it?]
[Lotus Pants Thief: Come on! We’re friends!]
[Ho Cheon-an: I’ve found a goal that I must achieve.]
[Ho Cheon-an: I need to let go of my attachments.]
[Three-Five Warrior: Ah.]
For a moment, the chat went quiet.
[Trouble in the World: Then there’s nothing else to be done.]
[Yellow Sky Standing: Guess you’re quitting the game too.]
[Why Is There No Game Only For Me: I can’t believe the day has come when Ho Cheon-an quits Martial Realms.]
I read each of the members’ messages with a sense of bittersweet nostalgia.
[Passing Jang San: I don’t know what’s going on, but well done.]
[Wind Forest Inn: Come back when you achieve your goal.]
[Cheongsam and Garter: I enjoyed the moment of thinking I wouldn’t peek into the DB while pretending to solve realization quizzes. Sad to see it go.]
[Three-Five Warrior: For real. LOL.]
[Ho Cheon-an: It was fun.]
[Ho Cheon-an: I received so much help from you all in this chat.]
I received plenty of information shared by the members of this group chat.
Data about various fateful encounters and collaboratively tackling the secrets of Martial Realms which I couldn’t have unraveled alone.
Had I not participated in this chatroom, I would’ve likely been gaming alongside [Frozen Mystic Snow Maiden] and other veterans, and perhaps the Gu-ryung-yeok-cheon-yang-mil-yeom extremes wouldn’t even exist, and Sara would remain unretrieved.
[Yellow Sky Standing: ㅠㅠ.]
[Why Is There No Game Only For Me: I had fun too.]
[Three-Five Warrior: Farewell.]
After confirming everyone’s farewells, I pressed the leave button on the chatroom.
[Rebirth Truck: Is it over now?]
[Ho Cheon-an: Yep.]
[Rebirth Truck: If you make the decision right now, it’s truly the end.]
[Rebirth Truck: You won’t even have the chance to communicate with me again.]
[Rebirth Truck: I’ll check your last confirmation.]
[Rebirth Truck: You’re really going to stay in Martial Realms?]
[Ho Cheon-an: Yes.]
[Ho Cheon-an: Running away in fear before adversity isn’t the attitude of a veteran.]
I was joking around like this, but honestly, I wasn’t exactly sure about my feelings.
Perhaps it was because so many people were moving to protect and assist me.
I couldn’t explain it, but one thing was certain.
My heart had leaned towards Martial Realms.
[Rebirth Truck: That’s so like you.]
[Rebirth Truck: Well, farewell now.]
[Rebirth Truck: Good luck.]
With that, the scenery of the room transformed. Instead of my studio, I saw cracked walls, and I was seated in a creaky old chair instead of my computer chair.
I stood up and opened the door.
I met the anxious faces of my companions, and catching their bewildered gazes one by one, I spoke.
“It’s over.”
Seeing their expressions of confusion, I simply smiled.
While nothing had changed in the Martial Realms,
it was the day that countless sentences found their periods.
