Two weeks passed by after my... Resurrection? In that time, I spent most days delving into Labyrinths with my new squad, the Golden Light. We went to a lower class with the next labyrinth due to my dance with death, small F-Class Labyrinths. Thus, the first few Labyrinths weren't much to write home about, some Three-Eyed Boars and Eternal Cats.
The payout for the Labyrinths were just as tender, a measly hundred thousand Won for cores and some materials. Though Seok did say we would hunt bigger, larger, dungeons later, I still feel slightly dissatisfied.
Ever since dying, I've had, ironically, an undying will to get stronger. I've been doing just that through many facets, improving my physical strength through exercise, reading up on Beasts' biology, and killing said Beasts which improve my Gi ever so slightly. Yet, every time I think back to Crimson's face or look at my new scar, fear fills my whole soul. I don't know why such fear and dread fills me, only that it does.
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Look up, into the reflection. See a man. See the man who's done everything he can for is family. See how he has a scar from his left collar bone, to his shoulder; so his family would do better. See the scar on his plexus, torn through by his own blade; so that the family could have better. See the fire in his near black eyes, the hair that goes down his shoulder, the nose that's been broken and put back into place, the rigid jaw set in stone. This is me... this is me, the man who would give anything for his siblings.
The fat has left my cheeks near entirely now, leaving behind any thoughts of bad looks. The reflection smiles a big toothy grin, teeth slightly longer, slightly sharper. Looking down, muscles have grown larger, more defined, less loose with chub. A proud chuckle is released, good to know I'm doing well. Though the teeth are slightly worrying.
I turn off the sink faucet, put my clothes on, and exit the bathroom. The house I'm now living in is quite different from the last one. For a change, this one has three bedrooms, one for all of us. It even has a separate living room and dining area. Only downside is its rent of Two million Won a month.
Look out the window, the sun had already risen, illuminating the Living and Dining room. The light made dazzling effects through the crystal we had put up, like a natural Disco-Ball.
I head on over to the fridge and pull out ingredients, eggs, ham, and cheese. Set them out, grab a pan, and get to cooking. After five minutes of cooking, a nice smells wafts through the house. The cheese melts wonderfully into the cooked eggs with embedded ham squares.
I set up the three plates with their silverware and get to eating. It's only once I'm done with breakfast that the sounds of two doors opening and closing is heard. Ryung and Hana were finally awake, and probably wanting coffee.
I get up from the table and put my dishes away and start a new pot of coffee after grinding the beans. A groan is heard when I do that, probably because it's the worst sound in the world for a morning. Put a filter in, get twelve cups, and voila, the coffee is brewing.
Minutes go by in silence as the coffee pot bubbles. Once all of it is brewed, I stand up and grab three mugs, fill them up, and set them at Ryung, Hana's, and my spot. We drink our coffee in peace until its all gone. Once gone, I start the conversation.
"How are you both doing at your new school?"
Ryung answers, "It's okay, I miss some of my friends though. I wish I had known their phone number before... before the Horde."
I nod at his words. He lost some of his friends during the Horde, either due to Beasts or Humans, I'd rather not think.
"But you'll make new one, you always do. You know, you're a lot better at making friends than me."
"Really? I don't think so"
"Yeah, really. In fact, I'm so bad at making friends that I get into fights. Sounds like really bad friend making ability."
My self deprecation seems to make Ryung smile a bit. "Alright, Hana, how's your schooling going?"
Her response takes longer, "It's not well. Most of my classmates dislike me, and the teachers act like I'm not even there."
Oh wait what? That was going on? Why didn't she say anything? "Wait, so you're saying your classmates bully you?"
She shakes her head, "No, they don't bully me. They just, treat me differently. The Teachers do the same. Though they said it wasn't bullying."
I'm going to fucking kill someone. Deep breath in, hold, exhale. Calmly ask, "So who are these classmates and Teachers?"
"Why do you ask? You're not going to hurt them, are you?"
"No, I won't hurt them. I just want a talk with them."
She doesn't seem entirely convinced but relents, "They're my entire class and homeroom teacher. You can't talk to every single one of them."
"I won't talk to every single one of them. Instead I'll talk with your teachers and have them change the students, and their own, attitudes. If that doesn't work, then its big stick diplomacy."
"Please don't hurt my teachers."
Slightly chuckle, "I won't... Probably. Anyways, let's talk about something different."
And the conversation continued. We talked about studies, things we've learned, how the Expeditions I've been on went, how we've all fared after the Horde, and make up scenarios we thought of.
It's a nice distraction from life, but distractions must end. The time was eight and we had to leave. We exited the nice apartment and headed down the street to their school. They were surprised that I didn't turn off to go towards mine next door, but I had to do something real quick. I give Ryung and Hana a hug at the entrance and say while running inside, "I'm going to go talk with someone real quick."
Moving through the halls, asking around, then moving more, I arrive at Hana's Homeroom. I open the doo to see her teacher pouring over the day's lesson. He looks up from his work, asking "Who are you?"
Give a nice smile, "I'm Hana's brother. She told me this morning there was bullying happening in this classroom and wanted to verify."
His eyes shift a little. "Well, I can tell you that isn't occurring. All of the students in here at the bare minimum, are friendly with each other. Bullying doesn't happen."
You lying mother fucker, "Oh, sorry. In that case could you keep an eye on Hana? Maybe haver her at the front so that you can make sure that it doesn't happen."
His eyes don't move this time, "I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you. Sorry for the inconvenience."
Eyes twitch again, "It's no problem. If you have any more concerns, please do come to me."
I give him a nod and then leave. Once out of his room, I tense and untense every muscle. Once calm, I start thinking. The teacher knows about Hana's bullying, he just lies about it. Why does he lie about it, is it his own child that's bullying? Theorizing isn't going to do anything, might as well get to school and worry about it at home.
I leave Ryung and Hana's school and head to my own, just three blocks down. On the way there, I think about how I'll help Hana with her bullying. Sadly, nothing comes to mind minus beating the teacher and bullies, which might work. Ah, what a person I've become.