novelraw Chapter 77 : Chapter 77
Chapter 77 : Chapter 77
Chapter 77 Ryu Jin-seong (5)
"Ah, I could not sleep, so I came out for a moment."
I never imagined I would run into him here at this hour.
It was completely unexpected.
However, I could not afford to look flustered, so I responded to his words with a calm demeanor.
"Indeed, at your age, it is natural to lack sleep."
"...Is that so?"
"Yes. When I was your age, I lived feeling that even the time spent sleeping was a waste."
If anyone else had said that, it would have sounded like they were too busy partying.
But coming from Ryu Jin-seong’s mouth, it was hard to think of it that way.
A man who reigned at the absolute peak through sheer skill alone, spending his youth in debauchery? Such a thing was impossible.
'The position at the very top is only possible when talent, effort, and even luck are combined.'
And the man before my eyes was someone who had grasped all of those things.
It meant he was not called the Emperor for nothing.
Recalling that fact, I nodded and replied to Ryu Jin-seong’s words, which were laced with a sense of duality.
"Time is something that is always in short supply, no matter how much you have."
"Yes. Furthermore, time is the one thing that never returns, even if you wish to turn it back."
As he responded to my words, I thought I saw a glimpse—however slight—of a side to him that was entirely different from the image he had shown since I arrived here.
But it was only for a moment; he quickly returned to his usual self as if nothing had happened.
'Did something happen in his past?'
I was not sure, as stories related to Ryu Jin-seong’s past did not appear often in the novel.
Curiosity piqued for a second, but I decided not to make the presumptuous choice of prying.
There was no need to ruin the atmosphere by asking about a topic he had not brought up first.
Therefore, I chose to remain silent, and Ryu Jin-seong smiled as if he liked my attitude.
"You are a more deep-thinking fellow than you look."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"It is not empty talk. It is quite impressive to look ahead at a situation calmly while possessing those kinds of eyes."
Hmm...
I did not know what to say.
What did he mean by "those kinds of eyes"? What on earth was reflected in my eyes?
When I made a face indicating I did not understand, Ryu Jin-seong chuckled and continued.
"One of the things I realized as I grew older is that you can tell a lot just by looking into a person's eyes."
"......"
"Jealousy, awe, fear, and so on. They contain so many emotions. As for what is in your eyes... well, should I call it venom?"
I contemplated how to respond to that but eventually decided against it.
From the looks of it, it seemed this conversation would take a while to finish.
"I am not sure if that expression is correct, but that is how it feels."
"......"
"And in my time working in the player industry, there were only two types of people with eyes like yours."
"What types are they?"
"They either head toward the heights that ordinary people cannot reach, or they head toward an abyss so deep that ordinary people find it daunting even to descend into it."
I was momentarily lost for words at the chilling remark he suddenly threw in.
It was not exactly because I was scared.
It was more that I was confused about what kind of reaction I should have.
But seeing as he was preparing to continue before I could even open my mouth, it seemed Ryu Jin-seong was not particularly looking for a reaction.
"Well, you do not need to be too discouraged. I know someone who headed for the heights with those same eyes. Someone you know as well."
"...Who is that?"
"Your master."
Master?
The thought that he might be talking about Im Seong-cheol flashed through my mind for a second, but I soon realized who Ryu Jin-seong was referring to.
"Are you talking about Shin Yu-hwan?"
"Yes. That fellow had the exact same eyes as you."
"...He is not exactly my master."
"No. At this point, it is right to call him your master. Not if that man, who cares for nothing but villains, is showing that much sincerity."
I considered how to refute him, but seeing how assertive he was, there was likely no point.
Besides, if Shin Yu-hwan was fine with it, being treated as his disciple was not a bad thing.
He was a bit of a loose cannon, but he was an incredibly skilled individual and a hero I admired.
In fact, it was more than just 'not bad'; it was actually quite good.
Considering my goals, there was nothing to lose by being associated with him.
"Then let us just leave it at that."
"You are quite straightforward, as expected of a young man."
"Does age really have much to do with it?"
"As time passes, one tends to ponder for a long time over even the most trivial choices."
It sounded like he was talking about himself, but it did not resonate with me at all.
For someone like Ryu Jin-seong, the issue was likely not his age, but the position he held.
In fact, if there was a phrase that felt more relevant in this situation...
'Shin Yu-hwan called Ryu Jin-seong a petty man.'
I could not recall it during our first meeting because the impact was too strong, but now I felt I understood what he meant.
Yes. Looking at the flow of the conversation, this feeling was exactly...
'He is a preachy old man.'
The way he repeatedly mixed talk of age into every gap in the conversation while continuing to talk only about what he wanted to say.
No matter how much I thought about it, no word other than 'boomer' or 'preachy' came to mind.
'The "petty man" comment Shin Yu-hwan made probably stems from a similar context.'
Is it not a characteristic of preachy old-timers to hold long grudges?
Come to think of it, looking back at the stories Shin Yu-hwan or Cha Yu-na had shared occasionally, I never got the sense that he was a very heavy or serious person.
Because my first impression of him was so intense, the sense of disillusionment felt even greater now that I was learning the reality.
"I have not lived long, so I am not entirely sure, but I think your words are correct."
Not that I had any intention of showing that disillusionment on the outside, of course.
What do preachy people love the most? It is someone who listens well to what they say.
So, I would just stay quiet and humor him to do my part.
"Thank you for saying so. My son does not really like talking about these things, but you are different."
Of course he would hate it.
I see now that Ryu Jin-oh was a truly filial son.
"He is a lively person. Perhaps that is why."
"Hmm, I suppose that might be true."
Ryu Jin-seong nodded at my words as I humored him.
Watching him, a thought occurred to me: should I tell him I am going to bed now?
At first, I was a bit excited at the thought of a one-on-one conversation with Ryu Jin-seong, but now that I knew he was just a preachy old-timer, it did not feel like any more productive conversation would occur.
Unfortunately, that thought had to remain just a thought.
"It seems the conversation has strayed. Talking about my son is fine, but were we not talking about you?"
"......"
"This is a story that might be important, or it might not be."
This was because Ryu Jin-seong immediately brought back the original topic of conversation.
Still, I decided to listen for now.
It was absolutely not a thought born from a hopeful observation just because he was Ryu Jin-seong.
'The atmosphere changed in an instant.'
Ryu Jin-seong was no longer emitting the relaxed vibe of a preachy old man; he was now radiating the sharp aura he had when we first met.
Anyone else in my position would have made the same choice.
Even if he had been acting like a boomer just moments ago.
"First of all, do not take what I am about to say too deeply to heart. It is merely the advice of someone who has lived a bit longer."
"I will keep that in mind."
"Yes, that will do."
At my promise to keep it in mind, Ryu Jin-seong nodded and continued.
"No matter what path you walk, do not lose the reason why you first started walking that path. If you lose your motivation, it is no longer a goal."
"......"
"However, that does not mean you should give up on looking at your surroundings. I do not know what lies at the end of the path you are taking, but that will not mean it is the end of everything."
After speaking that far with an incredibly sharp aura and a solemn voice, Ryu Jin-seong let out an embarrassed laugh.
He was once again radiating that relaxed atmosphere from before.
"It feels cringeworthy to repeat words I said so long ago. I thought it was quite a cool line the first time I said it."
"...Was the person you first said it to Shin Yu-hwan?"
"Yes. That damn fellow would not listen. Still, I am glad he realized it at least a little bit later on."
As he reminisced about the past, Ryu Jin-seong felt less like a hero-rank player and more like a friendly middle-aged man.
However, contrary to his demeanor, the words he had just spoken were the kind that could never be easily forgotten.
'Though it will not change much.'
I understood the reason he gave that advice, but it was difficult to emphasize with it and put it into practice blindly.
My situation was far too unique to think about what comes after I see the desired conclusion.
It was hard enough just moving forward; to look at my surroundings as well... that was too difficult a task.
As if he had read my thoughts, Ryu Jin-seong added one more thing.
"Still, for someone like you, it might be alright."
"Pardon?"
"Do you not have an advisor nearby who once walked a path full of venom? That alone will be a great help."
So it comes back to Shin Yu-hwan in the end.
I did not know exactly what had transpired between the two in the past, but they seemed closer than I had expected.
Considering how he kept mentioning him.
"And if worst comes to worst, you have me."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"Since you are my son's friend and that fellow’s disciple, I cannot say I am unrelated. If the opportunity arises one day, the time will come for me to help you."
...Hmm. Out of all the things Ryu Jin-seong has said so far, that was the most reassuring.
I suppose this, too, is a result of my connections with Shin Yu-hwan and Ryu Jin-oh?
I knew he was not saying it purely for my sake, but I could not help but feel relieved.
Though he said it in a lighthearted manner, I knew the meaning behind those words was anything but light.
'His position itself is on another level.'
The martial prowess that allowed him to reach the rank of a hero, the background of the Ryu Family, and the connections that could move countless people with a single word.
He was truly at the top in every aspect.
It was quite a relief to have such a man say that to me.
'In that case, it is the right choice to prevent his death, starting with the Blue Nightmare.'
It is quite disgusting, now that I think about it.
Saving his life simply because he is useful. How calculating and repulsive.
It was a sight that could not even be compared to others who moved with the qualities of a hero.
'But... what else can I do? This is what I am capable of.'
To save someone buried in mud, one must get mud on themselves.
Furthermore, is the ultimate goal not to save the world by standing against malice?
It could not be helped.
Yes, this was unavoidable.
It was just then, as my mood was turning grim due to the sudden surge of distressing thoughts.
"It is already this late. You have to leave tomorrow, so should you not be heading to bed soon?"
"Ah."
Ryu Jin-seong’s words were tossed out casually.
After the thoughts crowding my mind were shattered by those words, I regained my senses and checked the time; it was already well into the early morning.
"You are right. I should be heading in now."
"Yes. It might be difficult for me to see you off tomorrow, so I will tell you now. Please take good care of my son."
To ask me to take care of that Ryu Jin-oh—it felt like the roles were reversed.
No matter how I thought about it, should I not be the one asking Ryu Jin-oh to take care of me?
Still, I could not ignore his words, so I nodded.
"You do not need to worry."
"The only things that increase as you get older are wrinkles and worries."
Ryu Jin-seong said that and turned around.
I also turned around to head back to the bedroom.
As we both turned our backs and walked toward our respective destinations, I heard Ryu Jin-seong’s voice behind me.
It was not directed at me, but a mutter to himself that was barely audible.
"I wanted to have a conversation with the child who had such a shaken gaze as well... It is a shame there is no time."
A shaken gaze. Was he talking about Kim Su-hyeok?
He was a fellow who eventually moved forward steadfastly, but as in any novel, it was not as if there were never times when Kim Su-hyeok was shaken.
'Well, it is not a problem I should worry about right now.'
Just because he was shaken did not mean he would crumble.
For now, yes. I wanted to get at least a little sleep.
Because then I could escape the cycle of endless thoughts, if only for a moment.
With that thought, I trudged along.