Chapter 29 of 100
Chapter 29
7 min read1,704 words
<Chapter 29: The God of Battle Regressed to Level 2>
“I’m going back to school.”
“School?”
At the dining table.
Yun Se-a, who had set the side dishes and sat down, mentioned her intention to return to school.
“Didn’t the teacher say you could take a week off?”
“I’m the student council president. Since there’s no winter break, I can’t keep taking time off.”
“...There was no winter break?”
“Wow, Uncle! Surely you know the school I attend, right?”
“Of course I do. It’s BattleNet Academy.”
BattleNet Academy.
A school established after BattleNet arrived on Earth in 2010, it received full support from the government.
In particular, the Apgujeong Academy, located in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam, was highly popular despite being newly built, with many children from wealthy families attending.
‘They say that receiving education at the Academy increases the chances of receiving a Gift.’
Everyone receives the status of a player after turning 18, but not everyone receives a Gift.
The number of people who receive a Gift is very small, with only about 1% of the population statistically receiving one.
‘Therefore, whether or not one receives a Gift determines the potential to become a BattleNet pro.’
In the world of BattleNet, receiving a Gift is like winning the lottery.
However, the government’s official explanation is that receiving education at BattleNet Academy increases the chances of winning this lottery.
Thus, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
“Is there anything special about the education at the Academy?”
“Special? Well... physical training and theoretical classes on how to handle mana, that sort of thing?”
“Hmm, really?”
If that’s the case, it seems like one could receive similar education anywhere.
What does that have to do with the probability of receiving a Gift?
Seeing Se-a’s puzzled expression, Yun Se-a smiled and said:
“Hehe, honestly, those classes are just a side thing... The most important part is receiving a blessing from the Gift Chamber once a week.”
“The Gift Chamber?”
“Yeah, it’s a room filled with Gift Gems. Receiving a blessing there increases the chances of getting a good Gift. So, on that day, even students who usually skip classes make sure to attend.”
Hearing this, Se-jihan recalled a situation from his previous life that he had buried deep in his heart.
‘...’
August 2020, a time far more desperate than now.
Se-jihan, the King of Swords, had fallen into a panic, turning to alcohol and gambling.
Yun Se-a, despite her uncle’s pitiful state, prepared meals for him and continued to attend school steadfastly.
- Se-a, I want to eat meat today.
- Got it. Uncle, I’ll go buy it!
Even when Se-jihan, who had holed up at home, lay on the sofa and complained.
- The previous housekeeper was a good cook... Should we hire someone again?
- That’s a bit... You know the current situation, right?
- The house is so big, it’s hard to clean, isn’t it?
- It’s fine. I’m taking care of the areas we use.
Even when he made immature remarks about the absence of household staff.
Yun Se-a smiled brightly and accepted all his words without a frown.
‘...During this period when the entire nation was pointing fingers, and even taking on the burden of a useless uncle, Se-a managed to endure.’
Gift.
The Gift she was to receive on her 18th birthday, August 22, was her last hope amidst the despair.
Thus, even after such a major incident, and even though the teacher said she could take a week off, she went to school voluntarily.
To consistently receive the blessing from the Gift Gems, to obtain a good Gift, and to try to change the situation even a little.
Indeed.
Without a driver, she commuted on foot and was pelted with eggs by people.
Her uncle, who had no intention of solving the problem, lay on the sofa and watched TV.
- Se-a, wouldn’t it be better to rest at home?
- ...No, Uncle. It’s fine. I’m okay.
Se-jihan, seeing Se-a’s clothes get dirty every time she commuted, had advised her to stay home.
But she still went to school steadfastly.
Because it was her last hope as a human.
‘...I already know the reality of that hope.’
Her report card was dismal.
An F-grade Gift.
The worst possible grade, worse than not receiving one at all.
The hope that remained in Pandora’s box was actually despair.
After that day, Yun Se-a gradually fell apart...
‘This time, I won’t let it happen again.’
Se-jihan looked at Yun Se-a.
Her expectations for her Gift, even now when the situation has changed significantly, seemed to be the same.
Therefore, he couldn’t bluntly tell her, “Your Gift is F-grade.”
He needed to gradually lower her expectations about her Gift before her birthday.
“Are you going to school from tomorrow?”
“Yeah, it’s Monday.”
“Got it. I’ll take you from now on.”
“Eh... Uncle? It’s fine. I’m not a kid.”
“It’s the situation, you know.”
Yun Se-a scratched her cheek awkwardly.
“Uncle, you’re already busy with BattleNet. There’s no need to...”
“Did you see today’s content? A BattleNet game takes just one day to finish. I have plenty of time to take you, so don’t worry.”
“Still...”
“Enough, it’s already decided. Let’s eat now.”
Se-jihan cut off Yun Se-a’s continued protests and started to eat.
“What’s this? Why are you suddenly playing the macho man...”
Yun Se-a grumbled at Se-jihan’s behavior, but she seemed grateful, as a faint smile appeared on her face.
* * *
The next morning.
Yun Se-a, who had woken up at 6 AM, rubbed her eyes and headed to the kitchen, only to be startled.
“Eh, Uncle. Why are you up so early...”
“You need to eat breakfast before going to school.”
“You can cook?”
“Just toast.”
Yun Se-a looked at the toast in front of her.
The toast Se-jihan had made was not just a slice of bread with jam, but a hearty breakfast with eggs, bacon, and other proteins.
“Looks delicious...!”
Yun Se-a picked up her fork with a bright smile.
A warm and cheerful smile, different from the forced ones she usually made.
Se-jihan regretted not doing this earlier.
‘I should have done this sooner.’ He had been too focused on BattleNet and hadn’t considered the household situation.
How difficult must it have been for her to handle all the housework in this large house alone?
When the situation improves, he should hire someone again, but until then...
‘I have to do it myself.’
Se-jihan made this resolve as he looked at his niece’s happy face.
“Wow, Uncle. I’m really touched. ‘That’ Uncle is making a meal...”
“I told you, I’m a master of women’s hearts.”
“...If you hadn’t said that, the feeling would have lasted longer. Well, let’s see! How does it taste?”
Yun Se-a shook her head and took a bite of the toast.
“Wow...! It’s really delicious.”
Bacon toast.
A combination that couldn’t be bad, but Se-jihan’s version was even better than the usual.
Yun Se-a looked at Se-jihan with surprise, and he shrugged.
“I’m good at Western cuisine.”
When he had lost his family and fled to the United States.
Se-jihan’s heart was filled with deep loneliness and regret.
To fill this void and forget, he learned various things besides BattleNet.
One of the activities he deeply immersed himself in was cooking.
Se-jihan’s cooking skills, taught by a famous chef in New York, were so good that even Yun Se-a, who had grown up eating only the best, was impressed.
“Really, it’s delicious! Uncle, are you really good at all Western dishes?”
“Sure, just name it. I’ll make it for you.”
“Me, me. Then make me a steak for my birthday.”
Yun Se-a’s 18th birthday.
Recalling the time when she lost her last hope and fell into endless despair, Se-jihan hesitated for a moment but then smiled.
“Just a steak?”
“Oh, then...”
“I’ll show you what a proper course meal is.”
“Course meal? Really? Hehe, it’s a special day since I’ll be receiving a Gift. Please make it delicious!”
Gift.
You’re still expecting it, aren’t you?
“Haha... I’ll show you something.”
Se-jihan answered confidently, hiding his true feelings.
* * *
School time.
Se-jihan and Yun Se-a boarded the elevator.
[Level 7 underground. Doors closing.]
The 7th underground level of the penthouse had a parking lot for the King of Swords, filled with supercars that Yun Se-jin had collected as a hobby.
Yun Se-a looked at Se-jihan with an anxious expression.
“Uncle... Do you really know how to drive? Do you have a license?”
“Of course. How bad do you think I am?”
“Hehe, bad? What a strange thing to say. I just thought you’ve been at home for a long time. Just in case.”
Yun Se-a still didn’t believe him, as she had never seen him drive before.
“We could just take the bus...”
“Have you ever taken the bus?”
“I’m starting today.”
“Alright, but don’t ask me to keep driving you after you graduate.”
Se-jihan walked ahead with a light step.
One of his hobbies in the United States was collecting cars, and he was excited.
‘Haha... I’ll get to ride a supercar after a long time.’
The car keys should already be in the car. He just needed to choose one he liked.
However, as he stepped out of the elevator with high hopes, his face stiffened.
“Wow...”
All the supercars were gone.
“I saw an article about Dad clearing out the cars. He sold them all.”
“...Wow, where’s the car you used to commute in? Surely not that one too?”
“That was managed by the driver... Come to think of it, I received a text saying the rental contract was terminated.”
He had sold all the cars and moved to Japan.
At this point, Se-jihan was almost impressed by the thoroughness.
Just in case, he was about to look around the parking lot.
“Uncle! Let’s just take the bus!”
Yun Se-a said with a bright voice.
“Hehe, I’ve always wanted to ride the bus!”
Se-jihan frowned at her obvious cheerfulness.
He hadn’t brought her here to show her this.
‘My mistake.’
As he regretted not checking earlier, a car in the corner of the parking lot caught his eye.
“Wait.