Ch. 111

Suddenly, I felt as though I was floating in a hazy state of consciousness. I couldn't feel any physical sensations, yet my mind was clear.

'...What's going on? Am I dreaming?'

When did I even fall asleep?

No---where does the dream end, and reality begin?

As these meaningless thoughts swirled in my head, a blurry, sepia-toned world---like an old movie---appeared before my eyes.

'This place is...'

The scene before me was high school, one of the times in my life I least wanted to revisit.

I found myself sitting in a classroom that felt all too familiar. In those days, I was always buried in my studies. Even during recess, I avoided making friends, preferring to focus solely on academics.

'Or rather, I had no intention of making friends.'

Since childhood, I had carried the label of "Jeong Ji-hyun, the orphan".

There were classmates who occasionally tried to approach me, but I couldn't help but push them away because of all the judgmental stares that seemed to follow me wherever I went since childhood.

By the time I got to high school, things got worse.

'Hey, Jeong Ji-hyun. Studying again?'

'What's the point of studying so much? You don't even have anything.'

A group of kids made it their mission to harass me. They were born into wealthy families, showered with parental support. To me, they were no different from people born with silver spoons in their mouths.

I never understood what about me bothered them so much, but they nitpicked everything I did.

'Seriously, for someone like you---with no money and no future---no amount of studying will change the fact that you can't really get past a certain point.'

'That's right. Know your place, you worm.'

'Or maybe try selling your pretty face instead.'

Their sarcasm and contempt didn't deeply affect me. Dealing with them felt like a waste of energy. I felt like if I said anything back, I'd be no different from them.

Instead, I gritted my teeth and focused even harder on my studies. But over time, I began to feel my own limitations.

Was this what they meant when they said to 'know your place'?

The world doesn't always reward hard work with success. No matter how much I studied, I couldn't escape the fact that financial resources were necessary to change my circumstances.

While others could easily afford workbooks, even buying a single workbook was a struggle for me. Money was essential to continue studying.

'Poverty' was a chain I couldn't easily break.

After relentless effort, I managed to get into a decent university on a scholarship. But the scholarship required maintaining a certain GPA, so the pressure never let up.

I thought I could handle it. After all, studying was the one thing I excelled at.

But entering college wasn't the finish line---it was just another starting point. To cover living expenses, I had to work. As a result, my grades began to slip, and paying tuition became harder. It became a vicious cycle.

The only escape I had was gaming. Every few months, I'd save enough money to buy a game. In that virtual world, I could finally experience rewards for my efforts.

But the reality of poverty was nothing but an endless continuation of suffering.

Like living in hell.

***

"...Levi?"

Suddenly, my grandmother's voice brought me back to my senses. Her worried expression came into focus.

"Did you have a bad dream?"

"Ah, yes..."

I answered hesitantly, looking around. We were inside the carriage together---heading to Nezen. The realization brought a wave of relief.

"You must be very tired."

"Oh, yes. I suppose I am."

"It's okay, go ahead and sleep a bit more. We still have some time before we arrive."

"No, I'm fine."

I forced a smile and turned to look out the window, my gaze drifting to the forest path lined with lush pine trees.

'I must've been really exhausted. Dreaming about a time I never wanted to remember again...'

-What kind of dream was it, child?

Kyros's voice interrupted my thoughts.

'Ah, it was...a memory from a time when things weren't so good.'

I gave a vague reply.

The nightmare had left a sour feeling in my chest. My life had been anything but easy, shackled by poverty with no clear way out.

And then, one day, with the little money I had saved, I bought the game HSAW.

'...Huh? Wait a second.'

A strange thought hit me. Usually, when I bought a game, I agonized over the decision.

I would think about it for days, weighing every factor, only making the purchase if I couldn't stop wanting it.

'But with HSAW ...'

Hadn't it been different?

Looking back, I didn't remember spending much time deliberating. It was as if something had led me to buy it impulsively, without even realizing it.

'What was that about?'

Was the game really that appealing? Sure, it had flashy illustrations, but the harsh reviews made it clear it wasn't well-regarded.

It hadn't seemed like a game worth the money at the time. Even if I liked it.

"Levi? Are you sure you're okay?"

"Oh, no, it's nothing. I just had something to think about."

"If something's wrong, let me know anytime. We can always go back to the mansion."

"Yes, Grandma, I will. Don't worry about me."

I reassured her, calming her concerned gaze, then refocused on my own thoughts.

'It must've just been an impulse buy.'

There was no point overthinking it now. I was already in the world of HSAW , and this place had become my new reality.

'But what happens after the three years of the main quest period are up?'

If I failed the main quest, I would die---that much was certain. But what would happen if I succeeded?

'Do I go back to the original world?'

That thought filled me with dread. I didn't want to return to a life without dreams, without a future, without hope.

'In that case...'

It's much better to live in this world as a cult leader or whatever.

Yeah, a lot better.

***

The carriage continued down the road, running steadily until it gradually began to slow.

"We're almost there."

At the end of the pine forest path, Grandma said this and turned to me with a faint smile.

"Levi, I'm glad this is our first outing together."

"I'm happy too, Grandma."

The dark mood that had been weighing on me began to lift as I thought about finally arriving in Nezen.

"There are so many delicious things that I know you will love. Let's enjoy ourselves."

"Yes, Grandma."

Suddenly, the carriage came to a stop. The door opened, revealing a quiet, secluded area near Nezen's entrance.

"Wait here, Jean."

Grandma instructed the coachman.

"Yes, Master."

Grandma turned to me and said,

"Let's go, Levi."

I walked with her, and soon the full view of Nezen came into sight. Nezen was a small, tranquil city, an Imperial territory unaffiliated with any domain.

"Madam H-Helena Holden. Welcome."

"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you."

As we passed through the gates, I noticed that even the younger guards seemed to recognize Grandma.

I heard that it had been over 20 years since my grandmother retired from the frontline, but seeing that quite a few young people recognized her, I could tell how powerful she was.

-Oh, as expected of a Sword Master.

'That's right.'

Grandma smiled brightly, gracefully accepting the guards' greetings as if it were second nature.

"Levi, should we start over there first?"

She asked, pointing toward a stall near the entrance of the market.

"That place...?"

"It's a barbecue restaurant. Their salt-grilled skewers are great, but their special seasoning is especially delicious."

Seasoned skewers? That sounded like a must-try. I nodded eagerly.

"Yes, Grandma. Let's go quickly!"

We made our way to the skewer stand together. The friendly owner greeted us warmly.

"Welcome! Well, isn't it Madam Helena?"

"Long time no see, Billy. Have you been doing good?"

"Of course! And who's this with you?"

"Ah, my grandson. Isn't he cute?"

Grandma chatted easily with the owner, clearly on friendly terms.

"Hello, my name is Revelof Holden."

"Oh my! Hello, Young Master. You're very handsome---just like Madam Helena!"

Billy beamed with delight as he greeted us.

"Yeah, that's right. Anyway, Billy, give me some skewers, like usual."

"Ah, then how about four servings of salt and four of seasoning?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Grandma handed Billy a gold coin, and he eagerly started preparing the skewers.

Cheeeeeeek---

I couldn't help but gulp as I watched the skewers sizzle, the meat browning beautifully.

-I want to eat that too, child!

'I'll pack some for you on the way back, so please hold on for a bit.'

I was already imagining the taste. I could hardly wait.

Billy carefully grilled the meat to a golden brown, adding just the right amount of salt and pepper. He handed me a skewer of the salt-grilled meat first.

"Here, try this. It's delicious."

"Yes, Grandma."

I took a big bite, and the chewy meat paired perfectly with the light saltiness.

"This, this is...!"

"How is it? Good?"

"Yes!"

The flavor was incredible.

'This is the best!'

I wish I could set up a portal to Nezen and come here every day just to eat.

By the time I finished my first skewer, Grandma had already eaten two.

'As expected of Grandma...'

Even though she was a picky eater, she always seemed to have a good appetite.

"Now, next is the seasoned skewer. Let me tell you, this one's amazing. The first time I tasted it, I couldn't forget it. Even now, five years later, I still come back for it."

"Oh, yeah!"

Her words heightened my anticipation. I looked at the glossy brown skewer and took a bite.

It was heaven in my mouth.

'This, this is...! If we opened a franchise across the Continent, it'd be a jackpot!'

The salty, savory flavor was so addictive that I devoured the skewer in no time.

"Wow, this is really, really good,"

I said, giving Billy a big thumbs-up.

"Thank you, Young Master."

He replied with a hearty laugh.

Just then, a voice called out.

"Oh, Helena?"

I turned to see a beautiful woman, looking like she was in her twenties, approaching my grandmother with a bright smile.

"Oh, Jenna. How have you been?"

Grandma replied warmly.

"Helena, I missed you!"

To my surprise, the woman addressed my grandmother informally and even hugged her without hesitation.

"You've been sending letters now and then, but I never thought we'd meet here!"

"Haha, that's true."

"And who is this adorable one beside you?"

"My grandson. Say hello, Levi."

I wasn't thrilled about Jenna's casual behavior toward Grandma, but I introduced myself politely.

"Hello, I'm Revelof Holden."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Jenna Lewis."

Her name sent a shock through me.

...Why is the Archmage here?

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