"When I was about your age, I had a very close friend, he was named Dong-Soo, but we used to call him Double-Check. He was constantly cautious, so cautious that he avoided taking any chances at any costs. He thought that if he prepared every move he would make, nothing could go wrong."
Min-Jae shifted, already guessing where the story might be going.
Ho-Sun continued, "One summer, a merchant came to our village and offered us an opportunity. He claimed that a bridge was being built over the river, one that would connect our village to the neighbouring city. He said that investing in that bridge would bring us great wealth if we dared. Even though the majority of us boys were young and had little money, we all pooled what we had because we wanted a piece of the pie. All except Dong-Soo."
Ho-Sun's voice grew more reflective. "Dong-Soo refused to join us. He said the risks were too high, that the merchant might be a fraud, or the bridge might never be completed. He was so afraid of losing what little he had that he decided to keep it safe under his bed."
Min-Jae listened, sensing the gravity of the story.
Ho-Sun sighed, "Well, the bridge was built, and it did exactly what the merchant promised. Those of us who invested found ourselves richer than we could have ever dreamed as our village developed. We started companies, improved our houses, and took care of our family with that money. It was thanks to that money that I was able to build the Jansung Group. But Dong-Soo… he stayed where he was, clinging to his little savings. He never saw the opportunities that could have changed his life because he was too afraid to take that first step."
Ho-Sun and Min-Jae locked gazes. "Min-Jae, life's not about running away from danger. It all comes down to understanding when to take a risk, no matter how frightening. Playing it safe could save you from failure, but it could also cost you the chance of a lifetime or a great opportunity. Sometimes, you have to take that leap, even when you're not sure where you'll land."
Min-Jae was stunned, moved even. Before he transmigrated, he was an orphan. All he knew, he learned on the streets. And on the streets, whoever gave him advice, was doing so because they wanted something from him.
He felt his chest tightening. His eyes burned. He forced down the lump in his throat, trying to rid himself of the strange feeling. The advice came from someone who had no ulterior motives, who simply cared for him.
As the words took hold, he glanced at his grandfather. The warmth in the old man's eyes sparked something unfamiliar. It was hope. The world around him seemed different. It felt brighter. It felt warmer. For the first time since he had transmigrated, or maybe for the first time ever, he felt that life was worth living.
Right in that moment, Min-Jae, a man hardened by life's cruel hand, softened. Then, he cried. For the first time in his life, he learned what it was like to cry of joy. He had learned to start living.
Ho-Sun's eyes widened and instantly hugged him. "What's wrong, little one? Why are you crying?"
Min-Jae buried his face in his grandfather's chest, his body shaking with sobs that he could no longer hold back. "It's nothing, Grandpa," he managed to say, his voice strangled by tears. A wave of deep relief washed over him, as if a weighty load had been lifted, but he was unable to express it. He felt light and unbound and free to breathe for the first time in what felt like a lifetime.
Ho-Sun smiled. He didn't know what had happened to his grandchild, and he was a little worried. He knew that those tears weren't simple, but it didn't matter. All he had to do was make sure that from now on, he would never have to suffer.
Later that day, when Min-Jae was alone in his bedroom, the system broke the silence.
[And there you have it, folks! What a game-changing moment in the emotional playoffs. Let's break it down for our viewers at home.]
[In a stunning display of vulnerability, rookie sensation Ethan has really opened up the field. His backstory reveal was executed with perfect timing, catching everyone off guard.]
[But let's not forget the veteran player, Ho-Sun. His assist with that heartfelt advice was nothing short of masterful. You can see years of experience in every word.]
[This is the kind of teamwork that wins championships, ladies and gentlemen. Ethan's raw talent combined with Ho-Sun's wisdom - it's a duo that could go all the way!]
[Stay tuned, sports fans. We'll be right back after these messages to analyse this emotional play-by-play in more detail. This is shaping up to be a season for the record books!]
Ethan rolled his eyes, sighing in frustration. "What's with the sports commentator bit? Do you ever shut up?"
[Oh, honey, you wound me!] The system's voice suddenly shifted to that of a dramatic southern belle. [I declare, I've never been so insulted in all my days! Why, if my daddy were here, he'd challenge you to a duel for such uncouth behaviour!]
"Oh god, not this again," Ethan groaned. He buried his face in his hands. This system was determined to torture him.
[*fans self vigorously* I do believe I'm gettin' the vapours. How could you treat a lady so? I might just faint!]
Ethan's eye twitched. "You're not a lady. Hell, you're not even a person. You're a schizo system at best."
The system didn't reply immediately but made good use of its holographic interface:
[*Gasps in Spanish*]
[Well, I never! You, sir, are no gentleman. I shall take my leave of this conversation forthwith!]
There was a moment of blessed silence before the system barked out in a booming, gruff voice:
[ATTENTION, MAGGOT! DID YOU JUST DISRESPECT A LADY? DROP AND GIVE ME TWENTY! I WILL NOT TOLERATE SUCH BEHAVIOUR IN MY PLATOON! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME, PRIVATE?]
Ethan collapsed onto his bed, wondering what he'd done to deserve this peculiar form of torment. "Sir, yes sir," he muttered, dry and bitter. Life had a way of breaking a man down, didn't she?
[I CAN'T HEAR YOU, PRIVATE! SOUND OFF LIKE YOU'VE GOT A PAIR!]