ReLife Player - Chapter 9

[Class of Evergreen Pine].

In the first year of the lunar calendar,

It was a year when Eunha’s life disappeared without a trace.

The events of this new year of history took his family away from him and set him on a path of maddening monster destruction.

If he hadn’t died at the end of The Abyss and regressed, he would have ended up as a mad swordsman.

So in this life, he decided to change the future of losing his family.

I decided to change it.

Before the life-changing event, Eunha had to greet children of his own age.

«A new friend came today. Eunha, can you introduce yourself?»

«… My name is No Eunha, I’m six years old. Let’s get along well from now on.»

In the first year of the lunar calendar,

Eunha finally became a kindergarten student that he had been putting off.

The result was this.

Doan Kindergarten, Class of Evergreen Pine, attendance number 25, No Eunha.

Mr. Tayo, the only male teacher in the kindergarten, was pushing Eunha in front of the children.

Eventually, he had to introduce himself to the children, even though he didn’t want to.

«Wow! Eunha!»

«That’s Eunha?»

What’s with these kids? Why do they know me?

Their curious stares were hard to bear. I had been preparing for this since I left the house this morning, but I hadn’t expected this level of interest.

«Eunha, is there anything else? The kids seem to want to get to know you.»

No. I don’t want to be friendly with kids.

I really don’t like dealing with snotty dogs. Plus, at this age, kids make a lot of noise, want to solve everything with tears, and think they’re the center of the world.

I don’t want to take care of kindergarteners when I’m already sighing heavily while playing with the neighborhood kids.

I was hoping for a quieter year, and I didn’t want to add to the stress of taking care of the kids when I was already busy trying to figure out a plan to save my family.

«Where do you live, Eunha?»

«Near Hyehwa-dong.»

«What about your family?»

«Sister, mom, and dad.»

«By the way, Eunha’s sister is Euna. She used to be in our class. How is she doing?»

«She’s doing so well that she’s getting a bit cocky.»

Mr. Tayo had to ask questions to get him to talk.

Eunha couldn’t help but answer one question after another.

It turns out that her sister was also in Mr. Tayo’s class before. Strangely, I thought my mother and the teacher were close.

She said she learned the dance called «ppappappam» from her kindergarten teacher.

Eunha felt sorry for Mr. Tayo as he imagined him dancing with his hands above his head.

«Which one of you has a question for Eunha!»

«Yeah~!»

Why are there so many of them?

Almost all the kids raised their hands, and Eunha wanted to go home.

«Do you like Pokémon?»

«What do you like?»

«Do you want to play with us?»

«Where do you live in Hyehwa-dong?»

«Do you know how to add and subtract?»

…I want to go back.

The children’s baptism of questions continued one after another. No introduction was necessary, and the children were enthusiastically interested.

Soon, Eunha was surrounded by his classmates. Boys were pressing their faces close in curiosity, girls were tugging on his arm, begging to play. Finally, the neighborhood kids were bragging about how proud they were to know him.

It’s hard to deal with them all.

At first he answered sincerely, but after a baptism of questions that never ended, he decided to answer bluntly.

Hoping to distract them.

«If you keep doing that, No Eunha will have a hard time!»

It was then.

A voice from beyond the swarm of children summarized the situation.

With a single word, he made them shut up. As the kids backed up and made way for him, I realized he was the boss of the class.

Whoever it was, Eunha had no intention of getting into a territorial fight, so he thanked him and turned to leave.

I was going to leave.

«…Why are you here?»

«That’s for me to say. Why are you coming to our class?»

It was Minji who appeared with her arms crossed.

Eunha’s eyes immediately started watering when he saw her.

He tried to focus and strengthen his eyes.

Oh, my eyes hurt.

This is really strong. How long is this going to continue?

But Eunha couldn’t show any signs of weakness as someone who could control his mana.

Phew, my victory.

«Huh! I don’t like that you’re in our class, but if anything happens to you, just tell me and I’ll help you.»

«Huh.»

You think I don’t know what you’re up to.

You’re trying to make me pay.

«I’ll never need your help Mukminji, so you’re dreaming.»

«You~! Did you call me Mukminji again! Didn’t I tell you not to call me that?»

«You’re still Mukminji, you’re a pig right?»

«I’m not a pig!»

«Oink, oink.»

«Stop!»

The two exchanged glances, as they always did whenever they met in the neighborhood.

The kids couldn’t help but stare at them as they argued head to head.

By now, the neighborhood kids were forming a circle around them, shouting about who was winning.

If it weren’t for Mr. Tayo’s intervention, the kids in the Evergreen pine class might have started betting at a young age.

«Min-ji, didn’t the teacher say it’s bad to fight, and Eunha is a boy, so you shouldn’t say that to a girl, right? Don’t bully Minji, Eunha.»

«I didn’t bully her! She made fun of me first!»

«He started the fight.»

«You’re both in the wrong, hold hands and apologize.»

«»…ugh….»

Mr. Tayo is on fire.

Damn it.

Haaa, I can’t help it.

From the first day, there was no way I could have pissed off Mr. Tayo.

Minji felt the same way.

Both of them had no choice but to hold hands with bug-bitten faces.

Nevertheless, they both didn’t forget to look forward to the future.

«Now, hug each other.»

«»Teacher!!!»

«Hug each other and apologize, right?»

«»…I’m sorry.»

They didn’t want to, but they had no choice.

They pinched each other, avoiding Mr. Tayo’s eyes.

«Now that you’ve both apologized, that’s it, everyone is free to play until lunch!»

Mr. Tayo claps his hands and the children scurry off. They didn’t know that the two were always fighting, and they didn’t want to get caught in the crossfire.

It ended up being a situation Eunha didn’t want.

«There aren’t any kids who want to play with you.»

«What do you mean, kids, count me in!»

As soon as Eunha said his sarcasm, Minji ran over to the girls. She quickly gets between them and says, «You don’t have any friends, do you? You’re going to die, aren’t you?» with a look on her face.

What the hell?

«…It’s annoying, but whatever.»

The children from the neighborhood sneaked up on him, but he waved them away and was left alone.

There were several corners where children could play, including a stacking tree, a playground, origami, and a toy car corner.

Eunha found the children’s book corner, which was deserted.

«…Hi.»

«…Hello.»

There was only one person in the children’s section, a girl. She gave me a quick nod of her head and went back to choosing a book from the shelves.

She looks cute.

She had a round face and big eyes and she seemed like the kind of girl who would cry easily if you even slightly upset her, and she was watching me, moving her big ribbon around like bunny ears.

I think she’s still watching.

«Don’t worry, I won’t bother you.»

She breathed quietly as she glanced at him reading his book. Soon she also got lost in her own book.

The only sound was the intermittent flipping of pages above the sounds of children playing.

Eunha enjoyed the peace and quiet and lay on the desk, ready to sleep, but…

«What’s so fun about reading, you’re just reading books again.»

«You don’t have any friends, do you? You read every day.»

He had been too complacent. Eunha inwardly sighed.

That’s why I don’t like naive kids.

They would pick fights over nothing.

Especially when it was someone they thought was weaker than them.

Nothing looked weaker in their eyes than a kid who was quietly reading a book. This was especially true for a child who looked timid and seemed to burst into tears at the slightest hint of teasing.

Slowly pulling himself to his feet, Eunha turned his attention to the boys approaching the girl.

The one leading the boys looked quite playful.

He had stickers all over his elbows, knees, and face, as if they were badges of honor.

I’ve seen this somewhere before.

The other standing boys on either side of the boy with stickers also looked quite annoying.

«Don’t you have any friends, Jeong Ha-yang? Why are you playing alone?»

The bossy kid asked in a sarcastic tone.

The girl called Jeong Ha-yang was deeply embarrassed.

«I, I have friends too. And I prefer to read books rather than play…»

«What’s so fun about that? From now on, we’re going to play ‘Mugunghwa Flower Bloom’ with the other kids, so join us too.»

«I, I want to read my book…»

«Didn’t you hear me?»

«Um, it’s not that….»

As expected.

Children’s personalities show on their faces.

There was already a hint of tears in Hayang’s voice.

And the boys in front of her seemed to be having a lot of fun teasing her.

Moreover,

«What’s with the ribbons? They’re so tacky!»

«Yeah, it’s weird!»

«Stupid!»

The boy with stickers took the big ribbon.

«Don’t, give it back! That’s what Dad bought me!»

«No! I’m not giving it to you! If you can take it, take it!»

«Eunhyuk, pass it to me, pass it to me!»

«Give it back!»

She was very upset.

Hayang couldn’t hold it in anymore, and her tears were falling.

The boys were giggling amongst themselves and running after her for the ribbon.

They were even playing pass, enjoying themselves.

«Please give it back…!»

Eunhyuk, taunted her by waving the ribbon in a position where she could retrieve it if she reached out.

But even when she reached out, the ribbon only moved away from her, never falling into her hands.

That made his behavior even more cruel.

Hayang, who had been chasing Eunhyuk, finally collapsed on the ground, crying.

No matter how old you are, it’s all the same.

These things didn’t just happen in children’s worlds.

At least children were innocent.

Truly wicked people claim they would never do such things and sympathize with the victim, but they secretly enjoy seeing the person suffering.

So Eunhyuk’s bullying was nothing compared to what Eunha had experienced in the harsh world.

Eunha looked back at Nulpureun Solban (a type of tree) and sighed.

Kindergarten was no different than society. Children were afraid of Eunhyuk’s bullying and couldn’t approach Hayang, who was crying. They knew that if they intervened, Eunhyuk’s gang would start a fight.

On the other hand, the boys were interfering with Eunhyuk’s bullying by teasing Hayang.

There was only one person who could resolve this situation, Mr. Tayo.

«Choi Eun-hyuk! Ma Bang-jin! Yeon Sung-jin! You guys again!»

I had forgotten about Mokminji.

If Eun-hyuk was the most vocal among the boys, Min-ji was the most vocal among the girls.

Even in her normal life, she was as upright as a fool, crying for justice, and there was no way she could pass up the sight of Hayang sobbing.

Min-ji took the girls with her and confronted Eun-hyeok’s group.

Popcorn was urgent.

Eunha watched with interest as the two groups went head-to-head.

«I told you to stop bullying Hayang!»

«Who are you to tell me what to do!»

«If you keep this up, I’ll tell the teacher!»

«You guys, Kim Minji says you’re going to get in trouble!»

In children’s fights, it’s not the logical statements that matter, but the ability to set the mood and humiliate the opponent. In that sense, Eun-hyuk seems to have a natural talent for scratching people’s insides.

Min-ji blushed at Eun-hyeok’s words, unable to rebut them properly. She felt like she had to fight back, but the initiative had already been taken by Eunhyuk, who spoke first.

Eunha looked back at Nulpureun Solban (a type of tree) and sighed.

«Choi Eun-hyuk, give it back to Ha-yang!»

«Kim Minji, who are you!»

«You really!»

«What the hell, if you can take it, take it! Guys, pass!»

«Pass!»

«Pass!»

It was truly a childish scene.

Kids passing ribbons to each other just because the teacher was out of the room.

Eunha, who was watching from a distance, couldn’t help but laugh.

What was so good about making fun of others?

They were young and stupid.

It was childish and cheesy.

It seemed like nothing but a childish prank to him, who had survived through all kinds of schemes.

A child’s game, indeed.

But so be it.

It was an irritant in a world of disparity.

«Childish, childish.»

The voice came out, surprising even himself.

«…What?»

The nonchalant, mana-laced voice was enough to throw a chill into the air.

And there was no way Eunhyuk, who was ruling like a boss among the boys, would let his words go unanswered.

«What did you just say?»

It’s not just in childhood fights.

In the world of players, pride was important too.

If the leader of the group lost face, their leadership qualities were called into question.

Despite his youth, Eunhyuk seemed to know this instinctively. He didn’t avert his eyes as he spoke in a low voice.

«Hey, you. What?»

He closed the book he was reading and stood up.

«Childish, really. You think that’s funny?»

«…You want to die?»

Look at this guy. He’s really trying to climb.

But he didn’t have to fall for Eunhyeok’s taunts like a child.

Eunha brushed aside the fist that was flying towards his face with the back of his hand and grabbed the ribbon that Eunhyuk was holding with his other hand.

«Aaah…! Uh, uh, uh…!»

He didn’t forget to kick him either. Ignoring him as his body tilted to the side, Eunha handed the ribbon back to Hayang.

«From now on, don’t let yourself be stolen from. The person who steals is at fault, but the person who gets stolen from is also at fault. Anyway, you, who are still young, probably don’t know how rough this world can be.»

«…Thank you.»

It was only a matter of moments before Eunhyuk collapsed and the ribbon returned.

Stunned by what had happened, Hayang nodded, not knowing what he meant.

«You too. How can you get angry over something like this, childish.»

«I’m not childish!»

Eunha didn’t forget to give a rebuke to Minji, who was red-faced and unable to say anything.

He didn’t forget to slap Eunhyuk’s forehead either.

With that, he repaid the debt from earlier.

«You, you…! Do you think you can get away with this?»

Huh. I shouldn’t have heard that from a six-year-old.

Eunha looked back at Eunhyuk, who had gotten to his feet, his eyes were fierce, as if his pride had been hurt.

«What are you going to do?»

«Shut up! I’m not going to leave you alone now, and I won’t forgive you if you apologize later!»

«Really? Why? Are you going to tell my dad? You can’t…. You wouldn’t, would you?»

Eunhyuk wasn’t the only one who could get under people’s skin.

Eunha singled him out in a similar way to how Eunhyuk had teased Min-ji earlier, with the added nuance of, «Are you trying to be childish?»

Eunha was more high-minded.

His backhanded remark must have gotten through.

Eunhyuk couldn’t say anything and his shoulders were shaking. Tears were forming in his eyes as his emotions reached their peak.

I decided to stop because I didn’t want to make him look childish.

«Uh, excuse me…»

«Huh?»

That’s when Hayang grabbed Eunha’s sleeve, holding the ribbon tightly in front of her chest as if she wouldn’t let go of it again.

It was so cute that it made him want to stroke her head again, which made his heart soften.

«…Let’s be friends from now on.»

«Sure.»

A cute little girl with a promising future.

Could anyone resist being fond of such a child?

Eunha stroked her white hair as it curled around her body.

But how much mana does she have in her body?

Suddenly curious, he decided to take a look at the mana levels of the children in the Evergreen Pine class

Minji was no different than before. She was only slightly above average.

The others were mostly average or below average, but Eunhyuk had a little more than Minji.

And Jung Hayang…

«Wow.»

«Huh?»

She had as much mana as Euna.

Maybe even more than Euna.

Her mana handling skills were also considerable, and her mana was organized in such a way that it didn’t get disorganized, so it was difficult to look into it further, so I couldn’t see the bottom.

If this child were to become a player, she could easily become one of the top twelve, or at least «The Seed.»

But Eunha had never heard of Jung Hayang before. Even if she had not become a player, her name would have been known.

Strange. That’s weird.

I don’t know. I’ll think about it later.

It didn’t bother him, so he decided not to think about it.

Instead, he grabbed Hayang’s hand and shook it, as if he were going to eat the rice cakes that would fall later*.

«Let’s be friends!»

«Uh, uh…!»

Hayang’s face turned bright red.

Eunha felt that he would have to take good care of her in the future.

He didn’t know why Minji was pouting her lips or why Eunhyuk was strutting over his shoulders.

EN/ «as if he were going to eat the rice cakes that would fall later»*. The phrase «떨어질 떡고물» means «crumbs that fall» or «leftovers». Is saying that Eunha is willing to accept even the smallest of things from Hayang in the future, and is expressing it by shaking her hand.