Буцагчийн анхны өдөр

"What's happening? We were just on our way to a workshop..."

Director Kim, with half his hair scraped off, looks around and stands up.

I try to recall my memories, figuring out where we were in time.

'The first day! It's the first day we landed in this bizarre world!'

I remember how we ended up here.

'We were in an SUV, going to the workshop, then a landslide... We got caught in a landslide... and then something flashed suddenly...'

It's a 50-year-old memory, so it's a bit hazy.

I can't remember clearly.

"Hey, Deputy Manager Seo."

'Now that I've regressed... How should I live...?'"Deputy Manager Seo."

'Usually, in regression novels, people live well using their future knowledge. But all I know about the future is trivial stuff like Mr. Ju's daughter being born 30 years later...'

"Seo Eun-hyun, Deputy Manager!!!"

"Ah, Section Chief Jeon. Sorry, I was a bit startled."

I snap out of my daydream at Section Chief Jeon Myeong-hoon's shouting.

Deputy Manager.

It’s a title I haven't heard of in so long. I couldn't help but be startled.

Then, I remember the face I haven't seen in a long time.

Section Chief Jeon Myeong-hoon.

Jeon Myeong-hoon.

The nephew of Jeon Myeong-cheol, the executive director of the company I worked for, SJD Company.

He’s 32, three years older than me, but had already snagged the section chief position through nepotism.

'I remember disliking him quite a bit 50 years ago...'

But thinking of it as a face I haven't seen in 50 years, I’m actually quite happy to see him.

After all, isn't he a fellow countryman from my homeland that I'm seeing again after 50 whole years?

It’s time to get along well, I thought.

Swish!

Suddenly, Section Chief Jeon slaps me across the face.

"Deputy Manager Seo! You bastard, didn't you drive the car properly?!"

"Ah..."

I stand there dazed, having been slapped, and quickly erase the thought of him as a fellow countryman.

I had forgotten.

This guy is a bastard.

"You bastard, it's because of you that we're in this mess! Stranded! This, this bastard...!"

It’s when Jeon Myeong-hoon is about to charge at me in anger that Chief Oh stands up and stops him.

"Look here, that's enough. That landslide wasn't something Deputy Manager Seo could have done anything about."

I remember that incident from 50 years ago.

Yes, I was definitely... assigned the role of driving the company SUV.

"Aren't you angry, Chief? Because of this jerk Deputy Manager Seo, we're in this disaster! Where are we now, and where did our SUV go! We're stranded here because of this guy!"

And then, I remember.

I definitely dozed off while driving.

'But, the reason I was dozing off was...'

Jeon Myeong-hoon.

That guy dumped work on me the day before the workshop. Work he had been putting off, forcing me to stay up all night.

"If you were going to doze off, you should have handed the wheel to someone else! What kind of mess is this?"

Thinking about it again.

'Wasn't Jeon Myeong-hoon originally the one in charge of driving?'

That's right. Originally, Jeon Myeong-hoon was supposed to drive. But he, wanting to hit on the female employees in the backseat, forcibly put me in the driver's seat.

"This stupid bastard! We're stranded because of him!"

Ah.

The memories from 50 years ago are coming back clearly.

Back then, I was so flustered and didn't understand what was happening.

So, unwittingly, I apologized to Jeon Myeong-hoon.

I even thought it was my fault.

But looking back on that memory from 50 years ago...

'Has Jeon Myeong-hoon never felt anything like conscience or shame?'

I definitely asked Jeon Myeong-hoon and the female employees a few times to take the wheel for a while.

But Jeon Myeong-hoon, who refused to drive, also prevented the female employees from driving, even though he knew I was sleepy due to overnight work.

As the Deputy Manager, I couldn't ask the chief and director to drive.

I had to drive for four hours without rest despite being sleepy because of Jeon Myeong-hoon.

So...

"Section Chief Jeon... I have something to say."

"Look at him, acting all high and mighty. Yeah, since we're stranded because of Deputy Manager Seo, if you have any conscience, you should apologize..."

"I was extremely sleepy, yes. But to my recollection, I drove the car correctly until the end, even fueling myself with coffee. When the landslide happened, I tried to avoid it. But it was too big to evade, and our car was swept away as it was."

I definitely tried to stop and reverse the car when I saw dirt falling in front of us.

But the side of the mountain next to us almost completely collapsed. It was a disaster I couldn't have avoided no matter how much I tried.

"Section Chief Jeon, I understand you're angry, but it doesn't seem like the time to blame someone."

"This guy... giving lectures in front of who!? You don't even know what you did wrong..."

"Sigh..."

I take a deep breath.

In the life where I didn't know about regression.

For 50 years, I learned how to endure while living tenaciously.

Learning to endure when strong bandits trampled over me and took my money.

Learning to endure when vicious martial artists insulted me.

Learning to endure when local officials took everything I had, even things I didn't have, to collect taxes.

Yes.

In front of those I couldn't handle, enduring was the truth.

But.

"Hey."

"What, what? Hey? Seo Eun-hyun, you bastard, what now?"

Bowing down unnecessarily in front of those I can handle...

Is not what a man does. I learned that too.

"I said it wasn't my fault. Enough is enough."

"Chief, let go of me. This guy is really..."

Thud!

Jeon Myeong-hoon charges at me and strikes my face.

But as soon as he attacks me, I step forward and headbut him.

Boom!

"Aaah...!"

In my past life.

How many times have I been beaten by martial artists?

How many times have I been beaten while gathering herbs in the mountains and encountering bandits?

How many times have I been beaten when a band of robbers invaded during a famine?

Beaten, beaten, and beaten again.

During that senseless violence, I learned something that Jeon Myeong-hoon and others didn't have.

Violence.

Boom!

Thump!

Boom!

As soon as the first headbutt connects, I charge and mercilessly pummel Jeon Myeong-hoon.

"Ugh, wait, wait...!"

"You. Bastard. I. Said. It wasn't. Me."

When beating someone.

When you hit someone in the face, the person being hit feels an immense sense of fear.

The sight obscured by a fist, and the pain that follows in that moment.

The terror of the merciless attacker.

I punch around the eyes of Jeon Myeong-hoon to obscure his vision.

'If you don’t know what you did wrong, at least keep your mouth shut!'

With every punch, the grudges I have against Jeon Myeong-hoon without even realizing it seem to be refreshingly resolved.

Even though 50 years have passed, the vicious bullying Jeon Myeong-hoon inflicted on me in the company was still unforgettable.

"I did, I did something wrong…"

"Sigh…"

By the time an apology came out of the arrogant Jeon Myeong-hoon's mouth, I stopped beating him and looked around.

Director Kim, Chief Oh, Deputy Manager Kang, Deputy Manager Oh, Manager Kim...

Everyone is looking at me with fearful eyes.

Among them, Director Kim speaks to me with a trembling voice.

''Deputy Manager Seo, no matter what, beating a fellow colleague to that extent...''

''Yes, you're right. I'm sorry. But I was so angry at the moment. I apologize for startling everyone. And after all, I was the driver, so I apologize for not doing more at that time.''

I bow neatly to Director Kim and the other employees and apologize.

In fact, except for Director Kim, I will see none of the other people again.

But, Director Kim, I will stay together with.

'Director Kim, if you learn martial arts, you will reach the pinnacle of the world.'

Of course, only in the world of martial arts.

Even though I have returned to the past, I gave up on the idea of joining a cultivation sect.

'What cultivation sect? I don’t have that ability.'

The ability, also known as spiritual roots or spiritual nature.

Without it, it’s impossible to learn the methods of immortal practitioners or even to sense the spiritual energy they cultivate.

If there is something I wish for in this life.

Just...

'I hope I get even a little more opportunity to work harder than in my previous life.'

In the previous life, after Director Kim learned martial arts and left.

He would come to drink with me occasionally.

Even that stopped completely after he reached the peak of his skills.

But this life is different.

'If I actively support Director Kim, maybe some benefits will fall to me.'

To do so, I need to be good to him from now on.

"Right, everyone is in a confusing situation, and Section Chief Jeon pushed too hard. Of course, Deputy Manager Seo also reacted too harshly. Apologize."

"Yes, Director. You are right."

After bowing to Director Kim again, I help Section Chief Jeon up and say,

‘'I'm sorry, Section Chief Jeon. I was too harsh. I truly apologize.'’

‘'You... you son of a...'’

As I show humility again, Jeon Myeong-hoon, who seems to have regained his spirit, glares at me.

But as my eyes turn fiercely cold, he eventually avoids my gaze and shuts his mouth.

‘'Anyway, it looks like a forest for now, how about we walk out and find a nearby village?'’

Director Kim looks around and suggests.

The sky is dyed crimson, looking like the sun would set soon, and the wind is getting colder.

Logically, Director Kim's words make sense.

But, in this place, conventional wisdom must be discarded.

'In a world where cultivators become immortals and fly around, and martial artists fight for wealth and honor.'

That is this world.

And, the forest we have fallen into...

I recall the memories from 50 years ago and think of the name of the forest.

'Ascension Path (Ascending to Immortality).'

It’s said to be the best place for many demons and cultivators to ascend to immortality.

A place where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathers the most.

There are no villages, cities, or states near Ascension path.

Therefore, what Director Kim is trying to do is meaningless.

What’s more important right now is.

‘Night is coming. We need to start a fire.'

I finish my thoughts and speak to Director Kim,

‘'Director, do you have signal?’'

'’Hmm... It seems the signal is dead.'’

‘'I think if the signal is dead, it will be hard to get rescued, and hard to find our location. Since it’s getting dark, instead of looking for a village we don’t know the location of, it might be better to prepare to stay here tonight.'’

Hearing my words, Section Chief Jeon, who had been quiet, refutes softly,

‘'What are you talking about... Deputy Manager Seo. On the contrary, it’s more dangerous at night, so we need to find a village...'’

‘'Hmm, in my opinion, it’s more dangerous to move recklessly. How about this?'’

I point to a tall tree nearby.

‘'Why don’t you go up that tree and see if there’s a village or even a road nearby? If there’s nothing around, how about we do as I say?'’

‘'Go up that tree? Who's going to climb... it? You, Deputy Manager Seo?'’

‘'Well, if no one else knows how to climb a tree, then I’ll do it.'’

I nod easily and grab the trunk of the tallest nearby tree, slowly climbing up.

I once encountered a wild boar while picking herbs in the mountains.

At that time, I climbed a sturdy tree nearby in a life-or-death situation.

Modern people don’t usually climb trees, but having experienced all sorts of hardships in my previous life before returning, I easily climbed to the top of the big tree.

‘'What do you see? Deputy Manager Seo!'’

Below, Director Kim shouts.

As expected, the vicinity is an endless forest.

There are no roads or villages, let alone any traces of humans.

'Rather, monsters and demons are probably swarming among those trees.'

Instead of shouting back from the tree, I pretend to look around for a while and then climb back down.

‘'Ha, Deputy Manager Seo. You’re really good at climbing trees. That tree looked about 11 meters high.'’

‘'By the way, what kind of tree is this? It looks unfamiliar, like it's not from around here.'’

Director Kim pats me on the shoulder, and Manager Oh looks curiously at the tree I had climbed.

I dust off my hands and tell them what I saw.

‘'There are no roads or villages nearby.'’

‘'Huh, that's strange. Even if we were swept away by a landslide, there should be a highway nearby...'’

Director Kim strokes his chin as if it’s strange, and Section Chief Jeon looks at me suspiciously.

‘'Deputy Manager Seo... Did you really see properly? Are you sure you're not just saying there's nothing there... on purpose?'’

‘'Why would I lie about that? I'd rather sleep in a house than camp in the forest. If you don’t believe me, Section Chief Jeon, you can climb up and look for yourself.'’

Section Chief Jeon backs off with a face like he had eaten something bitter.

‘'I think even if we explore the surroundings, we should first set up a base and light a fire, since it’s getting dark.'’

‘'That makes sense. Then... oh, let’s look for our SUV too. We were swept away by a landslide in the car, but logically, our car should be nearby.'’

Director Kim claps his hands and says.

But...

'This is a place where common sense doesn’t apply...'

Our SUV is gone.

It won’t be anywhere.

‘'How about looking for the car and sleeping in it? There are a lot of supplies in the car since we were going on a workshop...'’

This workshop was practically a picnic.

So, there were lots of camping tools and food loaded in the SUV.

However, the car is gone.

'Of course, I know because I returned to the past, but they wouldn’t believe me if I said the car is gone.'

Instead of draining my energy trying to convince them, it's better to just let them look.

‘'Then let's split into teams. One team will look for a place to stay, and another team will look for the car. Let's meet back here before the sun completely sets.'’

I suggest dividing into teams.

I, Deputy Manager Oh, and Manager Kim are in the team looking for a place to stay.

Director Kim, Section Chief Jeon, Chief Oh, and Deputy Manager Kang are in the team looking for the car.

We split up and look around.

''Um, Deputy Manager Seo. You said to look for a place to stay, but how do you usually find such a place?''

Deputy Manager Oh cautiously asks.

She seems a bit awkward because I beat up Jeon Myeong-hoon.

'’Sleeping in the mountains or forests is dangerous. Wild animals and beasts coul attack and if you light a fire just anywhere, it could cause a forest fire. The best thing would probably be a small cave. Ah, like that place over there.'’

‘'Oh my, a cave?'’

‘'You found it right away? You're lucky!'’

Of course, the cave I had naturally led them to was one I had visited 50 years ago.

'In my past life, it was a refuge I had barely found after wandering for hours.'

To Deputy Manager Oh and Manager Kim, it seems like good luck, but in reality, it’s not a coincidence but an inevitability.

'Even in my past life, it was the perfect place to stay without any danger inside.'

I look at the cave and gather twigs and leaves from nearby.

"Wow... Mr. Seo, you're really skilled."

"Did you do something like Boy Scouts?"

"Ah, well... something like that."

Although it isn't Boy Scouts, but rather a 50-years experience in Old Scouts.

"We can light the fire later with Director Kim's lighter. Shall we gather some firewood for the bonfire?"

"Oh my, it feels like when I went to a training camp as a kid."

"Right, right. It feels just like that time."

The two female employees chatter happily as they join me in collecting dry sticks and branches for firewood.

Later, as the sun is setting,

"Now, let's slowly head back to the clearing we were at earlier. The others will be gathering there too."

"Alright~"

"Yes~"

I head back to the clearing with the two female employees.

Soon after, we are reunited with Director Kim, Chief Oh, Section Chief Jeon, and Deputy Manager Kang.

"Did you find the SUV?"

"..."

Director Kim shakes his head with a gloomy expression.

Chief Oh and Section Chief Jeon also have worried looks on their faces.

Deputy Manager Kang Min-hee also speaks with a tense face.

"There's no sign of it anywhere. We circled around looking for it, but it's like it vanished into thin air. Logically, if the car was swept away by a landslide, why are we out of it and the car gone?"

She looks around with a worried expression, as if the forest itself is frightening.

"There's nothing we can do now. We've found a place to spend the night, let's stay there. We'll continue the detailed search tomorrow."

"Okay."

The six of them follow me to the cave with somber faces.

"Oh my, what's this?"

"Mr. Seo made it."

"Huh, Seo Eun-hyun is really capable. Did he live in the wild or something?"

Deputy Manager Kang Min-hee is surprised by the windbreak and cave door I made.

Chief Oh Hyun-seok quietly expresses his admiration and praises me.

Director Kim also nods in satisfaction, and Jeon Myung-hoon...

He seems unsatisfied but, too tired to say anything, just enters.

"Director, the lighter please."

"Oh, right."

Director Kim takes out a lighter from his pocket and lits the dry sticks I had gathered.

We sit around the fire inside the cave.

The smoke perfectly escapes through the hole I had made in the windbreak.

"Wow... what a situation we're in."

"This is hardly logical..."

"..."

Everyone sits with gloomy expressions, seemingly worried. That's when it happened.

Gurgling

The sound came from Manager Kim Yeon's stomach. Her face turns red with embarrassment.

"Oh, that's..."

"Haha, it's okay. We all missed dinner..."

I grin and take out berries I had picked while gathering branches.

"Everyone must be hungry. Try these. I picked them earlier."

"Are these safe to eat? They're not poisonous, are they?"

Jeon Myung-hoon, his tension easing, casually asks me.

I smile and eat one of the berries.

"I learned about herbs when I was young. I know what's safe to eat and what's not."

Although saying 'when I was young' is a bit of a stretch, I had indeed learned it in the past.

Seeing me eat the berries without hesitation, Kim Yeon also cautiously tries one.

"Wow, these taste like raw chestnuts."

"They're crunchy, right? I picked plenty, so everyone can have some."

Watching this, Director Kim and Deputy Manager Oh start eating the berries I had picked. Deputy Manager Kang and Chief Oh also happily ate them.

Only Jeon Myung-hoon looks at the berries with displeasure and lies down first, claiming he’s tired.

"Haha, this is something. We should be serious, but thanks to Deputy Manager Seo, we're having a good time."

"I always knew from the company how diligent he is. I heard he was tired from driving because he worked the night shift the day before."

"Our deputy manager is really diligent~"

"Ah, thanks to Deputy Manager Seo, it feels like we're camping."

"Indeed."

We all spend the night in a lively and friendly atmosphere.

I too laugh heartily, chatting with my colleagues.

It’s a night to laugh and chat because it might be our last.

The next morning.

As soon as I smell the dawn air, I wake up earlier than anyone else.

Memories from 50 years ago begin to come back vividly.

'The first day, after wandering through the forest all night, we barely found the cave and collapsed. The next morning, it came.'

Despite 50 years passing, the fear, shock, and pain from that time is still vividly terrifying.

I open the windbreak outside the cave and start heading out.

It’s just before dawn.

I wander nearby, gathering herbs good for stopping pain and bleeding.

The herbs are in incredible condition, thanks to the forest full with energy from the heaven and earth spiritual energy.

These are more like spiritual herbs than just medicinal ones.

And after a while, the owner of this territory arrives.

With a leap!

A creature as big as a house.

With three tails and eyes burning with blue fire, it’s a white-furred fox.

Shiver...

The intimidation of the forest's owner, and the events from 50 years ago, make my body tremble with fear.

However, having 'experienced the future' is an enormous advantage in itself.

"Gr-greetings to the…the owner of the…forest."

I stutter, biting my trembling lips, and slowly bow to the fox.

Once, twice, three times.

It’s the triple bow required when meeting the owner of the forest.

The fox, as large as a two-story house, looks at me with its fiery blue eyes and speaks.

[A unique scent from a human. In my thousands of years, I've never encountered a human with such a scent.]

"..."

Click, clack, click...

I tremble in anticipation of what this monstrous fox might do.

That's when it happened.

The fox's presence wakes the others.

Director Kim, Chief Oh, Deputy Manager Kang, Section Chief Jeon, Manager Kim, and Deputy Manager Oh emerge from the cave in turn.

What follows is inevitable.

"Aaahhh!"

"A monster!"

"It's a monster!"

At that, the monstrous fox rolls its large eyes in displeasure.

[You humans always seem to possess pitiful intelligence and terrible rudeness. Normally, I would tear off one limb from each of you...]

Shiver...

[But since one of you knows how to respect the owner of the forest, I will forgive you.]

The monstrous fox's gaze fa;s on me, who had knelt and respectfully bowed.

"Everyone! Show respect to the owner of the forest! Don't just stand there, kneel down!!"

As I shout, the others blankly stand there and then awkwardly kneel down like me.

The fox's eyes meet mine.

[A human who knows respect. I will not punish you hastily, but... your scent is too unique...]

Drip, drip...

From the corner of the fox's mouth, a sticky liquid flows.

Saliva.

[One of your limbs. Let me taste just one. Then I will allow you to stay in my territory for a while.]