Chapter 111: Return (1)

A quest to look back at Geom-yeon’s life.

As a reward, I received an Intermediate Elixir and gained another six months of time. After exiting the Gate, I headed toward the RV.

The frozen time began to flow again, and the family waiting in the RV welcomed me.

They wouldn’t know. They wouldn’t know that I had lived in Murim for months or that I had inherited the memories and time of Geom-yeon, which spanned hundreds of years.

It was then.

(The Martial Artist Living in Death): Jin-woo, thank you. Thanks to you, I have been liberated.

Geom-yeon came to me with the alias “The Martial Artist Living in Death.”

[Legendary Constellation, The Martial Artist Living in Death, has sponsored 3,000 coins!]

Geom-yeon was a Legendary Constellation. I now had two Legendary Constellations—the kind that are difficult to see even once—as my viewers.

Now it was time to receive the Hidden Sub-Quest reward.

The reward was “Murim.”

In other words, it was a reward that encompassed all of Murim.

Since I didn’t quite understand what this reward meant, I decided to claim it immediately.

[The reward is being distributed!]

[Indeterminable Grade Item: Summoning Ring]

I had been secretly hoping for it, and as expected, a summon-related item appeared. Unlike the two pendants I already possessed, this item was in the form of a ring. I slipped the diamond-like, shining ring onto my finger and read the description.

— Description: A ring that can summon a subordinate. The one summoned from within the ring will follow the master of the ring with unconditional loyalty. The cooldown is 10 hours, and once summoned, they can stay for over 4 hours. As the relationship with the summon grows closer, the maintenance time increases and the cooldown decreases.

Because Baek Cheon and I were already quite close, the summon duration was already set to 4 hours. Yes, I already knew instinctively. This Summoning Ring was meant for summoning Baek Cheon.

I had always wanted to treat Baek Cheon to a properly cooked meal at least once, so this was perfect.

I summoned Baek Cheon.

“…! Where am I?”

(Anonymous 1): It’s been a while since I’ve seen that face.
(The Martial Artist Living in Death): …How did this happen?

Baek Cheon was summoned in his true form, not the face he had shown Jin-woo before. He had the image of a handsome youth—one who looked young for the Heavenly Demon. Geom-yeon, who recognized that form, left a chat message.

(The Martial Artist Living in Death): Jin-woo, what on earth happened!

I should persuade them one by one, slowly. I checked the system.

[Would you like to transfer the memories accumulated while in Geom-yeon’s body?]

The system asked if I wanted to transfer the memories I had built up while in Geom-yeon’s body back to him. There was no reason to refuse.

*****

Geom-yeon was checking various constellation abilities on his own star.

Perhaps it was because he had regressed so many times, but these changes didn’t feel unfamiliar. He had already experienced dying and returning to the past, so why shouldn’t there be constellations or a system?

By the time he had finished looking through the community, Jin-woo’s stream, and the stories other constellations had shared about Jin-woo…

[Would you like to receive the memories of the Prospective Constellation, Kim Jin-woo?]

A new message appeared. Geom-yeon received the memories.

Geom-yeon was greatly shocked after confirming everything, from Jin-woo traveling through Murim with the constellations to build bonds, to him becoming friends with the Heavenly Demon, Baek Cheon.

Jin-woo had achieved the unification of Murim that he had desired—a clean unification without bloodshed.

“As expected, he is an extraordinary individual.”

[Legendary Constellation, The Martial Artist Living in Death, has sponsored 10,000 coins!]

Following Kang Min-seok, the Returnee of the Demon Realm, he became the second major donor and sponsored once again.

Geom-yeon was a man who had lived twenty lives. Even when he regressed, the original world did not disappear. Since it was as if dimensions were separated every time he regressed, his name was spoken of in a total of twenty dimensions, and thanks to that, he had quite a lot of coins.

Not only that, but wasn’t the twenty-first life Jin-woo created ultimately Geom-yeon’s life as well? Since it was a life created using Geom-yeon’s body.

Therefore, his achievements and coins were bound to be plentiful.

Until now, he thought the Immersion Authority was just a simple experience. However, this authority held even greater power. There were quests that followed the skill, and furthermore, it meant receiving all the memories of that person’s life.

*****

Through this event, I moved one step closer to becoming a constellation. It was because I had accomplished an impossible achievement.

[Mythic Achievement, ‘Unification of Murim without Bloodshed,’ has been acquired!]
— Effect: The effectiveness of all owned skills increases by 1.3 times.

It said the effectiveness of all my skills would increase by 1.3 times. It might not seem like much, but it was an incredible effect. It meant the power would go up by a whopping 30%. From my perspective, as someone who already possessed many strong skills and various buff skills, this achievement’s effect was extremely useful.

Even if I obtained a skill of the same rank, wouldn’t I be the only one producing 30% more power? It was an achievement with immense potential.

(Anonymous 1): You’ve taken another step toward becoming a constellation. Now, you have already surpassed the limits of a human and the limits of a Hunter.
(God of Rain and Sunlight): Keuh, Jin-woo! Congratulations!
(Water God of Cheong-ha): Descendant, this is very good to see. Well done!
(Returnee of the Demon Realm): Now you could easily defeat most Common-grade constellations.
(Endless Waiting): You’re right. I feel like I would lose immediately if I fought Jin-woo now.
(Father of Crops): …Jin-woo, don’t hit me. Okay?
(The Last Blacksmith): The sword that surpassed my limits will become even stronger, since the user, Jin-woo, has become stronger.
(The Ultimate Chef): You’ll be able to make even better dishes with the enhanced buff application. Congratulations, Jin-woo.
(The Martial Artist Living in Death): Mm, congratulations. Jin-woo, thank you for fulfilling my dream.

Geom-yeon had spent one hour listening to the detailed story of my life from the other constellations. He quickly blended in as a viewer of my stream.

While I was smirking because that sight was pleasant to see…

“Master, who is this guy?”
“Where am I?”

Baek Cheon was looking at me. Ah, come to think of it, I had forgotten to explain the situation in detail to Baek Cheon.

“A new big brother!”
“…Byeol? I’m your uncle, so why is that guy your big brother?”

Eric asked with a hurt expression. Eric’s face was also very handsome, but his was a face that showed his age. In contrast, Baek Cheon was a handsome youth who could be mistaken for a teenager.

“…! Ha, haha.”

Byeol laughed awkwardly and headed to the playroom with the spirits.

“Are you… by any chance Geom-jin? The appearance is different, but the felt energy is definitely him. Did you also use the Bone Contraction Art?”
“I didn’t use the Bone Contraction Art, but it’s true I was Geom-jin. My friend, it’s good to see you again.”
“…It is indeed good to see you as well, but before that, could you explain this situation?”
“Sure.”
“You aren’t a person of Murim, are you?”

I nodded. Since I had told him the truth and disappeared before returning to my original world, he must have noticed to some extent.

How should I explain this vast story… While I was organizing it in my head.

(Anonymous 1): Want me to handle it?

‘What?’

(Anonymous 1): You don’t know where to start, and honestly, it’s complicated and annoying, isn’t it?

‘It’s not annoying, but it is complicated.’

(Anonymous 1): If you promise to give me food today without a donation, I’ll solve everything.
(God of Rain and Sunlight): He received free food the entire time Jin-woo was in Murim, and now he’s trying to eat for free again.
(Anonymous 1): I’m saying I’ll solve an annoying task in one go, right? Plus, I can clearly explain everything that’s happened so far to The Ultimate Chef or Geom-yeon, who joined recently.

‘What is the method?’

(Anonymous 1): First, tell me if you’re going to give me free food today!

‘I’ll give it to you.’

(Anonymous 1): Good. Send a Co-op Stream request to Baek Cheon.

“Baek Cheon, accept this first.”

I sent a Co-op Stream request to Baek Cheon.

“My name is not Geom-jin, but Kim Jin-woo. I live on Earth, a dimension different from Murim.”

After giving a short explanation, I taught Baek Cheon how to accept the Co-op Stream request. With a confused heart, he accepted my request.

[Constellation, Anonymous 1 has transmitted a video along with 1 coin!]

The [Video Donation] system, which allows one to transmit videos while sponsoring, had been unlocked recently as my Streamer Trait level rose. Anonymous 1 transmitted a video through that.

‘…You had all of this?’

From my very first broadcast until now, Anonymous 1 had recorded and kept every single stream. And he had made a video out of it by speeding it up and personally editing out the useless scenes. He had edited only the essence and information of the live broadcasts and transmitted it as a video.

Anonymous… This constellation had this kind of talent?

Even though it was my own stream, it was quite fun to watch since only the highlights were edited. I showed this video to Byeol and Eric as well.

Byeol also watched her past with interest, and Eric showed interest as he followed the scenes he hadn’t known before meeting me.

(Endless Waiting): Things like this happened?
(Liberated Swordsman): This is interesting.
(Returnee of the Demon Realm): To think such things happened before I came to this room. How fascinating.
(The Last Blacksmith): Hmph, there were quite a few interesting events. I regret not being an original member of this stream.
(The Ultimate Chef): I had no idea such a video existed. This is good.
(The Martial Artist Living in Death): …It’s entertaining.

For several hours, we all sat on the sofa and watched the video edited by Anonymous 1 as if we were watching a movie.

The more I watched my past, the more fond I became of it. I felt a natural desire to live longer, seeing that I had built up so many memories.

“…Ho.”

Baek Cheon was watching my past.

Even if it was edited and sped up, it wasn’t a video that could be finished in 4 hours. Although we hadn’t even finished a quarter of it, Baek Cheon roughly understood my life.

“…Damn, it’s time to go back. Jin-woo, I hope you show me the rest of the video next time you summon me.”
“Sure, let’s watch it while eating next time. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

After Baek Cheon returned to his original world, I prepared for bed after making ramen as a simple late-night snack. Watching the video had made me forget about cooking, and before I knew it, it was time to sleep.

After sponsoring the constellations with simple ramen flavored with Fire Grass, I fell asleep. Since I had worked hard in Murim for a long time, I planned to sleep deeply today and watch the video edited by Anonymous 1 while eating with Baek Cheon tomorrow.

—

Jin-woo woke up around noon. When he opened his eyes, Byeol and the spirits were already awake and eating crops they had picked from the garden.

— Are you awake-yo! Byeol and the other spirits said they were hungry, so I gave them tomatoes-yo!

“Haha, you worked hard. Thank you, Maru. And I’m sorry. Uncle slept for a long time today, didn’t he?”

— It’s okay-yo! Get plenty of rest-yo!
— Get plenty of rest-yup!
— Uncle, did you sleep well?

“Daddy! Did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I slept well.”

After greeting his family, Jin-woo took out the Black Pig he had caught in the dungeon from his subspace bag.

‘I caught this Black Pig when I went to the hidden stage.’

As soon as he finished butchering the Black Pig with practiced movements and prepared to cook, he turned on the stream and called Eric, Alton, and Baek Cheon. Now, his bond with Alton had also increased, so the summon duration had extended to 4 hours.

“Master, did you call for me?”
“My friend, quickly show me the rest of the video you were showing me yesterday!”
“Brother, what is a video? And who is this person?”
“…Hmm, is this fellow also a summon, my friend? Unlike Byeol or Eric, this summon is weak.”
“You are being rude!”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I was joking.”

Baek Cheon apologized to Alton with a small smile. Eric explained yesterday’s events to Alton, and while Jin-woo cooked, the three summons, the spirits, Byeol, and the constellations began to watch the rest of the video from yesterday.

Once the video chronicling Jin-woo’s life began, people reacted differently to each scene and became interestingly immersed in the footage.

And while watching that scene, Anonymous 1 was feeling a sense of catharsis.

It was because everyone was enjoying the video he had edited for himself and was praising him.

Anonymous 1, who had spent his entire life only worrying about swinging a sword and using magic, had found a new joy, talent, and hobby.