Looking back, Dok Jong-sik’s life was a series of ups and downs.
“Hey, Kang Young-jae! What are you doing here? Come on, let’s go!”
“I think they caught me skipping academy. See you tomorrow!”
“Seriously? What’s there to see in that kid? Didn’t your mom tell you not to hang out with that kind of kid?”
He had no parents who aimed to provide only good things for him.
“Hey, take off your shoes when you’re saying nice things.”
“Just because you got sponsored doesn’t mean everything is yours! Why are you bothering the director again? What are you going to do if you keep glaring like that?”
“Step on this punk!”
“Ahh! Don’t hit my brother, please.”
Naturally, there was no comfortable home to lie down in.
So he lived even more tenaciously.
In a depressing life, what good would it do to give in and only harm oneself?
“Hey, our mom says they’re beggars. Look at them. That’s why they always wear the same clothes.”
“They’re beggars. They’re beggars. They live in an orphanage.”
“Yeah. I’m a beggar. Let’s see if you can beat the crap out of a beggar today!”
“Ugh!”
Moreover, for Jong-sik, there was something he had to protect.
With no home, no parents, and lacking self-esteem, what he had to safeguard was his younger brother.
In a world where appearing weak or approachable meant not only self-injury but also vulnerability for his younger sibling, Jong-sik lived always on guard.
Whenever someone insulted him, he returned the favor twofold, and even if the other person was going through a tough time, he endured the suffering and found a way to repay it.
Living by the motto of “an eye for an eye,” he eventually managed to secure a small house that he could call his own, even though it might seem insignificant to others.
He found some contentment in his life despite its challenges. Just when his brother became an adult and he thought he could finally live for himself, fate had other plans.
On the day he held the contract for his new home, he fell into a sinkhole.
It was a swift descent from bliss to despair.
Even now, the memory of that day makes his teeth clench.
And when he opened his eyes, he found himself in a world that was not the afterlife.
It wasn’t exactly starting from scratch.
Nevertheless, he fought fiercely to survive.
As time passed, he discovered opportunities amidst adversity. Thanks to his resilience, he became the first non-native to receive a royal title and even earned recognition for his efforts in combating demons by assisting in the eradication of demonic forces.
“Even the Tower Lord couldn’t catch up with me.”
Wealth and fame naturally followed. But the human heart is truly amusing.
The time when I had nothing despite having so much is not so nostalgic. Moreover, blood is thicker than water, and though comrades beyond life and death stood by my side, I always missed my family. So, from then on, I made up my mind to go back.
And now, Jong-sik stood before the dimensional gate leading to Earth. This was all the result of collaboration between elven elders, descendants of dragons, and sage humans.
“Uwa, uwa. My Lord! We’ll follow you soon.”
“Sir Beomgae. I’ve told you it’s inappropriate. Humans will think dimensional gates can be easily created.”
Beomgae and his adjutant, the elf Yan, spoke from behind. Even without turning around, I could vividly imagine the situation in my head.
Anyway, I have to deal with this mess on my way.
“Beomgae, Asura. Living here, I’ve realized that rebirth is the best. Don’t even think about following me. Stay here.”
Jong-sik didn’t slow his pace.
There was no hesitation in his stride.
Instead, those who came to see him off seemed sentimental.
“Amitabha! Must you go this way? It’s the path of nirvana to settle in the new homeland and enshrine Buddha.”
Starting with Master Wonmok of Sorimsa Temple, magicians from the demon realm, the prince of the Elunar continent, dwarves, elves, and various races with whom he had connections expressed their regrets.
“May there be protection on your journey.”
“Where you are is my homeland.”
“You said your homeland was in the Central Plains.”
“Confucius, don’t forget me!”
“Friend, see you soon. Then we can taste the soju you mentioned.”
Ignoring their sentimentality, Jong-sik entrusted himself to the dimensional gate leading to South Korea.
