HIF 2

–Let’s Do What We Can–

“Teacher?”

Unlike usual, Teacher called my name with a subdued voice, and my voice trembled along with it. His face, silhouetted against the moonlight, was cast in a dark shadow, making it impossible to see his expression.

Teacher was the only priest here at the temple who cared about me. The other priests… well, thanks to the other priests, I learned how painful indifference could be.

I must never treat anyone like they don’t exist in the future.

Actually, I could guess why the other priests were like that.

‘Because I’m the only one in the temple with Mana.’

People are usually born with Mana in their bodies, allowing them to use magic. However, there are some who are born without a single speck of Mana.

Since Mana can only fill the space it was originally meant to occupy, those born without it can never dream of using magic. These people enter the temple and serve God.

I was also born without Mana. That’s why I came to live in the temple from a very young age, but one day, my body began to hold Mana.

‘They said they don’t know the cause.’

They say there has never been a case like this before. Teacher even said that the Mana in my body was almost non-existent. So I couldn’t use magic either.

Still, even if I was born without Mana and then gained it, how could they treat me like I didn’t exist at all? The more I thought about it, the more unfair it felt.

I thought countless times that it would be better to leave the temple than to live like this. I even told Teacher about it a couple of times. But every time, Teacher persuaded me.

I understood his concern, and more than anything, Teacher’s words were not wrong. It was true that I had nowhere to go if I left the temple. So I’ve been like this until now….

“Seon Yi-han.”

The voice calling my name again brought my wandering mind back. Teacher’s voice sounded a little more relaxed, and I felt relieved without realizing it.

Teacher slowly walked over and sat on the chair next to the bed.

“Yi-han.”

His hand gently stroked my hair. The hand that lightly brushed my hair slid down and caressed my cheek. The cool hand touching my hot cheek felt good.

“A guy who used to be energetic even in the middle of winter with only a thin layer of clothing… I knew something was up when you suddenly collapsed like this. You were unconscious for a long time.”

Even though it was a kind voice with a hint of laughter, it sounded heavy somehow.

“I think you have a lot of questions. There may be things you don’t understand.”

Teacher continued slowly.

“I saw the future while I was praying.”

As soon as I heard those words, I gasped. I didn’t receive proper education at the temple, but I knew how much power the future shown by God had.

If you see the future, you must not reveal the details. It could risk going against providence.

Up to a certain point, there is no impact, but since you can’t know what that point is, it’s better not to say anything if possible.

“Yes. As you might have guessed, there are only a few things I can tell you.”

After a moment of silence, Teacher continued in a calm voice.

“In a week, you will leave this place. Someone will come to take you.”

Teacher’s words didn’t immediately register and circled in my head. And then it hit me all at once.

…Leave here?

It was something I had wanted, but I didn’t expect it to happen so suddenly. It didn’t feel real.

I didn’t know what expression to make, so I just quietly fiddled with my sleeve. Teacher, who was watching my face, smiled bitterly.

“Are you happy to leave the temple, Yi-han?”

“……Yes.”

“I see. It must have been hard for you. You’ve suffered.”

“…No. Because Teacher was here.”

“You don’t have to say that. I know it was my greed to keep you by my side.”

Teacher gently took my hand and met my eyes. The moonlight softly permeated Teacher’s white robe.

“I should have paid more attention to you, I’m sorry.”

I quietly shook my head. I knew Teacher was busy. So the attention he gave me was enough. Wanting more was just my greed.

So I was okay.

“No. I was always grateful, Teacher.”

Teacher put his hand on my head and tapped it lightly before getting up from his seat.

“Take care. You’ll do well.”

With those words, Teacher turned his back and walked straight to the door without looking back once. Then, still with his back turned, he stopped at the doorway.

“God is always with us.”

The door creaked shut. Everything was silent.

Suddenly, the darkness felt too overwhelming. I reached out and turned on the lamp right next to me.

Click.

A faint orange light chased away some of the darkness.

On the table where the lamp was placed, there was an old book about the thickness of a hand span. Did Teacher leave it behind?

I picked up the book and placed it on my lap. The weight alone was considerable. I opened it slightly and the densely packed letters made me dizzy just looking at them. Why did he leave this behind, I wondered, when.

<Sudden! Quest> ‘Future Sight’ training in progress.

Progress 00:00:01 / 144:00:00

A blue Quest Window appeared before my eyes.

I looked at the book once, then at the Quest Window. The number on the left side of the progress bar ticked up one by one.

「Progress 00:00:02 / 144:00:00」

「Progress 00:00:03 / 144:00:00」

No way.

Surely the required time of 6 days doesn’t really mean 144 hours, does it?

◇

Okay. I barely managed to calm down.

Actually, no. I didn’t calm down. But the situation was roughly sorted out.

There are three things that have been sorted out now. A so-so news, good news, and bad news.

Which one is wise to hear first? If it were me, I would say I don’t care, just tell me quickly. Let’s go quickly in order.

First, the so-so news. My eye color has changed.

I was so surprised when I looked in the mirror next to the lamp. The terrifyingly black color was gone, and a watery, transparent eye sparkled in the mirror.

It was the same color as the Status Window floating in front of my eyes, and the color of the flower that flew to me in my dream.

I wasn’t happy that things I couldn’t understand were increasing one by one, but I decided to just move on because I liked the clear-looking eyes.

Second, the good news. I checked the tutorial reward.

I was almost embarrassed to mutter Status Window, but thankfully the Status Window appeared just by thinking about it. At the same time, the reward appeared with a “Bba-bam” sound.

「Applying the tutorial reward, ‘Brave Healer!’ Passive Skill.

Pain Immunity! You don’t feel pain.

Immortal Body! You will not lose your life until a completely peaceful world arrives.」

It seemed I wouldn’t feel pain or die until the heroes saved the world. It was the best of good news.

Third, the bad news. 144 hours was really 144 hours.

Life is not easy. But at least there was some conscience, and the time was filled even if I just blankly scanned the letters, regardless of understanding the contents of the book.

I wondered if I really had to go through all that trouble to get Future Sight, but since my motto is “Let’s do what we can,” I couldn’t miss this opportunity. It was clear that it would be useful someday.

I had to finish it before leaving in a week, so time was tighter than I thought. Considering the time for washing and eating….

A no-sleep full course, I’m running for the remaining time.

◇

<Sudden! Quest> ‘Future Sight’ training, success!

Acquired ‘Future Sight’ Beginner as a success reward.

I did it….

Once I started, it was doable. It wasn’t easy, but it was bearable.

I had to keep my eyes on the book even while dozing off, but thanks to the Passive Skill effect, it wasn’t as hard as dying. I was fine except for a little dizziness.

A week had already passed in a flash. Morning sunlight streamed in through the crack in the door.

Knock knock.

I heard a knock on the door. I walked unsteadily and opened the door. A refreshing breeze blew in and swept over my body.

I raised my head. A man taller than me was standing there. The blue morning sunlight was pouring down on this side. His dark brown hair fluttered softly in the wind. He smiled brightly.

“Hello! You’re Seon Yi-han, right?”

It was a bright and cheerful voice that could be heard clearly even in my dizzy head. A cool and refreshing scent permeated the gentle breeze.

I paused for a moment. It was too bright in front of me. The straight gaze directed at me and the voice calling my name felt unfamiliar.

While I was blank for a moment, I heard a voice that sounded a little troubled.

“I heard it was here. Is it not?”

I hadn’t slept for several nights, so my head wasn’t working properly. I barely regained my senses and answered.

“…That’s right. Seon Yi-han.”

Hearing my answer, he raised the corners of his mouth and grinned as if he knew it. It was a clean and clear smile. My expression seemed to relax along with it.

Seeing that he came to pick me up, this person must be one of the hero’s party. Are all the people called heroes this radiant?

“Let’s speak comfortably. I’m the same age as you. I’m Min Joo-hyuk.”

“Okay.”

Min Joo-hyuk approached me so comfortably that it was hard to believe we had just met. Min Joo-hyuk spoke in a still bright voice.

“Did you hear that I was coming?”

“Yeah. You’re here to pick me up.”

Min Joo-hyuk glanced around the room and continued.

“That’s right. I’m going with you. I’ll be outside, so take your time to pack up and come out, Seon Yi-han!”

“I don’t really have anything to pack…. I’ll be out soon.”

It was true. I didn’t have much to pack, so I held the loose bag in one hand and looked around the room. The room was empty.

All this time, I felt like I was living here without being recognized as a member of the temple. It was a luxury for me to bring personal belongings.

So it might have been natural that I didn’t grow attached to this room. I didn’t have any particular regrets.

Creak.

I opened the door and went outside, and my body shivered at the cold air. Min Joo-hyuk was leaning against the wall next to the door. He had a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Min Joo-hyuk.”

“Oh, you really came out quickly.”

Min Joo-hyuk replied in a surprised voice and looked at me, his eyes seeming to widen for a moment. Min Joo-hyuk’s face, which had been playfully smiling, hardened.

Or was it? In the blink of an eye, he returned to his initial bright expression, so I couldn’t be sure.

“Shall we go?”

Hearing Min Joo-hyuk’s nonchalant voice, it seemed I had seen it wrong. I hadn’t slept, so I didn’t seem to be in my right mind. I nodded to Min Joo-hyuk and took a step.

The carriage was right outside the temple. The ride was longer than I thought.

Min Joo-hyuk told me a lot about the situation, since I didn’t know much about it. Or rather, he tried to tell me.

After saying the first few words of the story, Min Joo-hyuk asked me.

“Seon Yi-han. Are you having a hard time right now?”