Chapter 44

<Chapter 44: The Warrior Who Regressed to Level 2>

* * *

"Uncle~ I saw the game ended… did you come back?"

"Yeah. I'm here. Come in."

Click—

Yun Seo-a opened the door and came in.

Compared to when she was being harassed by reporters in front of Sword Palace, she looked much more relaxed.

"How about finding the Queen of Shadows? Did you get any leads?"

"Definitely, the dark elf with the black eyes you mentioned seems the most suspicious. No, I think it's definitely that elf."

"Really? I couldn't tell from the screen."

"What I saw was different."

As Seong Ji-han described the scene he saw through the hole, Yun Seo-a's eyes sparkled.

"Since the view beyond the barrier was completely different… does that mean the quest is cleared?"

"No, not really. I couldn't provoke it. I plan to destroy it properly next time with better preparation."

"Oh, really? That's a shame…"

When Seong Ji-han said he didn't complete the quest, Yun Seo-a nodded and tried to leave the room.

"Seo-a. Wait a moment."

"Yes?"

"Thanks to you, I found the Queen of Shadows. So, tell me what you wanted to ask me."

"Well… it's not certain yet, is it?"

"No, it is. And I'm curious."

Even if he said he would grant her request, she kept hesitating and wouldn't speak, which was frustrating.

"Hmm. Well…"

Yun Seo-a, avoiding his gaze, hesitated.

Seeing that Seong Ji-han wouldn't back down, she seemed to think for a while before slowly speaking.

"…I wanted to move."

"Move? From here?"

"Yes. I don't want to live here anymore."

Yun Seo-a looked beyond the door.

"Even when I don't want to think about it, the memories come back. Especially on days like today."

It was obvious who she was thinking of.

While Yun Seo-a usually managed her expressions with a smile, her eyes and face looked sad when she looked at the house.

Seong Ji-han nodded silently.

The penthouse of Sword Palace.

It was unnecessarily large, and the traces of the Sword King were everywhere, often making him feel annoyed just by being there.

He hadn't moved out until now because of the government's request, but with the Korea-Japan match over and many citizens knowing that the Sword King wouldn't come to Korea anymore,

'Indeed, there's no reason to stay here anymore.'

It was time to proceed with the donation of Sword Palace, which he had been postponing.

"Sure. Let's move! I made some money this time, so we have plenty of funds."

"Eh? It's fine! Uncle, where do you have money?"

Yun Seo-a, surprised, waved her hands.

"No, I have a lot of money. Don't worry."

"Hehe! Forget it! Uncle, you're broke. How can I take advantage of you?"

When she even mentioned the liver's gall, Seong Ji-han had an indescribable expression.

Just how poor did she think he was?

"Seo-a… I'm not that poor."

"Ah, sorry! I was in a hurry. Uncle, think about it. The money from the auction. Isn't it better to invest it in real estate quickly rather than leaving it in the bank? Yes! Real estate! Gangnam! Gangnam is unbeatable!"

Yun Seo-a's eyes sparkled as she spoke, and Seong Ji-han briefly recalled his previous life.

'Gangnam is unbeatable… I haven't heard that in a long time.'

With the nation on the brink of collapse, there was no such thing as unbeatable or invincible.

When Korea repeatedly finished last in the Northeast Asia League and was pushed to the brink, the land deeds of Gangnam became worthless.

'Well, Korea won't collapse now.'

With his regression, Korea wouldn't continue to finish last in the league as it did last time.

"But if you're buying it with your money… why do you need to ask me? You can just buy it."

"Still, I'm a minor and need a guardian. And I can't look for a house alone. Uncle, you've been busy lately, so I felt bad asking."

Seong Ji-han chuckled and ruffled Yun Seo-a's hair.

"Ah, what's there to feel bad about with family?"

"Family doesn't mean everything, you know."

"…"

Mentioning 'family,' a shadow briefly crossed her bright face.

It was obvious who she was thinking of.

'I need to move as soon as possible.'

Seong Ji-han also didn't want to live here anymore.

And now, he wanted to move even more.

After finishing his thoughts, Seong Ji-han crossed his arms arrogantly and said,

"Everything is possible with me. Just ask."

"Ugh. Show off… Uncle. You're still going to live with me, right?"

"Your house? It's our house. Our house. Ahem… I'll contact the management office tomorrow. How about we look for some candidates?"

* * *

Yun Seo-a's action was quick.

She had already contacted a real estate agent and went to see houses with Seong Ji-han.

-It's better to invest in a house than to waste cash.

Yun Seo-a, planning to invest part of the 500 billion won she received from the Sword King, was introduced to an expensive house.

The first place they visited was a top-tier apartment by the Han River in Gangnam.

"Um… this is… 80 billion won?"

"Yes, yes. It's a great house, isn't it? It was built not long ago. You can see the Han River so clearly. The actual size is 80 pyeong…"

The house, located on the 30th floor of the apartment, was indeed worth the high price.

The best location with a view of the Han River, a luxurious interior, and a spacious size.

"Many famous players and celebrities live here. Privacy is well-protected. Normally, it would cost over 100 billion won, but the owner wants to sell it quickly, so it's cheaper."

The real estate agent confidently introduced the house.

It was indeed a good house.

From the perspective of ordinary people.

"Ah. This is… 80 billion won."

Yun Seo-a looked around the room with a dazed expression.

'The hallway is so narrow.'

The ceiling is low.

And the living room with the much-praised Han River view.

'It's not even half the size of my room…'

It was smaller than half the size of a room in the 'penthouse' where they were staying.

Is this small house considered a top-tier apartment?

"How do you like it?"

"Wow! It's… really… good…"

Yun Seo-a answered with a forced laugh to the real estate agent's question.

But to Seong Ji-han, her answer lacked any sincerity.

'She must be experiencing culture shock.'

Well, Sword Palace was just too good.

After living in the penthouse of the best player in Korea, how could she be satisfied with an ordinary apartment?

'Compared to my previous life, this house is nothing…'

After being forced out of the penthouse by the government and living in a shabby two-room apartment, this house would have been heaven.

'But for us, a larger house would be better.'

However, this house was quite overpriced due to the Han River view.

If they wanted to continue their BattleNet player life, they needed space for training.

If Yun Seo-a received a gift and joined BattleNet, they would also need a large BattleNet connector, so it was better to give up the view for more space.

"Isn't it great? What do you think about the contract…?"

The real estate agent asked with an expectant tone.

"This is good, but I'd like to see other houses."

Seong Ji-han turned his gaze from the Han River and set conditions for the real estate agent.

"Space is more important than the view or location. My niece will become a player, so she'll need a connector."

"Ah… I see! Is Miss Yun Seo-a going to receive a gift soon?"

"Yes… probably."

The real estate agent looked at Yun Seo-a with interest.

"Hehe! That's exciting. Everyone in your family has amazing gifts, and your uncle is also incredible!"

"Um… do you know me?"

"Of course! I'm a big BattleNet fan. I even subscribe to Mr. Seong Ji-han's channel. I saw you break the barrier yesterday."

She really seemed to be a subscriber, as she had even watched the game yesterday.

Seong Ji-han felt strange hearing someone he had just met talk about his matches.

Of course, he had been incredibly popular in his previous life, but that was in the United States.

This was the first time someone in Korea had called him a subscriber.

"Then, it doesn't have to be an apartment, right? There are some large houses in Iwon-dong that players use."

"Ah, that's fine."

"Then I'll show you those."

While moving to the next location in the real estate agent's car,

Vroom—

Seong Ji-han received a call.

It was from Park Yun-sik, the section chief of the BattleNet Management Office.

'He called back quickly after my morning call.'

He had called Park Yun-sik before their house hunting to inform him, and the response came sooner than expected.

"Mr. Seong Ji-han. This is Park Yun-sik from the BattleNet Management Office."

"Yes. Section Chief. How did the report go?"

"Yes… the Management Office has decided not to delay the donation any longer."

"Of course, public opinion has been poor since the Korea-Japan match."

"That's right. While there are still some people who support the Sword King… most citizens have turned away due to yesterday's devastating defeat."

The delay in donating the valuable Sword Palace was due to public opinion.

If the government accepted the donation, people would think they had given up on persuading the Sword King.

Until recently, the Sword King had been the most popular figure in Korea, so the public couldn't accept the government's giving up.

Until yesterday.

"And… the betrayal is immense, given how much people supported him."

"Will that anger reach us?"

"No. Since Mr. Seong Ji-han announced in advance that you would donate Sword Palace… most citizens see you and Miss Yun Seo-a as victims. Of course, some people criticize you, but they are a minority."

"Well, that's something we have to accept."

Minor opinions exist everywhere.

If the majority of public opinion sees Yun Seo-a as a victim, Seong Ji-han was satisfied.

It was a good decision to draw the line from the beginning.

"Then, can we announce the donation of Sword Palace?"

"Yes. Seo-a, is it okay?"

"Yes. We're moving for that reason."

"Understood. We'll proceed with the announcement."

"Thank you."

After the conversation between Seong Ji-han and Park Yun-sik ended,

The real estate agent, who was driving, spoke.

"Sword Palace. You're finally donating it?"

"Yes. We're moving for that reason."

"Wow. You're amazing. Such a great building… I would have held onto it no matter what."

Seong Ji-han smiled bitterly.

Of course, that's what people would think.

Donating a top-tier building in the prime location of Gangnam to the government instead of selling it?

Everyone would think they were crazy and criticize their foolishness, but for Seong Ji-han, who knew the future, it was a necessary action.

"…But Mr. Seong Ji-han has shown incredible abilities. And if Miss Yun Seo-a receives an outstanding gift soon… you can buy a building like this again. Hehe."

"Eh~ She might not get a gift. Who knows?"

"Oh my! Miss Yun Seo-a's lineage is so outstanding! The Holy Lady, the Sword King, and Mr. Seong Ji-han… everyone has incredible abilities. Of course, Miss Yun Seo-a will get a gift!"

"That's purely random…"

The real estate agent was making a fuss,

And Yun Seo-a was waving her hands, denying it.

But Seong Ji-han knew.

Although she said it was purely random,

The expectation in Yun Seo-a's face for the gift she would receive on her birthday was evident.

'…She's expecting too much.'

Seong Ji-han's expression stiffened slightly.