Chapter Prologue & 1 (1/2)
Prologue
-Ah~! The moment I spoke, South Korea’s Choi Mido has taken the golden flag!
-South Korea is now ranked #1 with five points!
-However, from now on, all countries will be attacking South Korea intensively...!
“Honey, our Mido... will she be okay?”
“It will be okay. Believe in her. Our daughter will do well. She is a strong kid.”
Mikyung and Kanghyun held each other’s hands tightly as they watched the game. They bit their lips nervously as they were unable to take their eyes off the screen. It was natural since the young woman currently fighting on the screen was their daughter.
“By the way, I haven’t seen Father. What is going on?”
“Well, he is probably late because he is busy bragging about his granddaughter.”
“However, it has already been a few hours since he said he would go to the bathroom...”
“He will call if there is anything. Don’t worry too much, Mother.”
Her son next to her relieved her concerns. Mikyung couldn’t help laughing. ”Huhut. Indeed, it is true...?”
-Ah!! There was an upset! The South Korean team has fallen into the trap of the Brazilian team!
-Brazil’s infamous Carlos is running toward Choi Mido!
-Flag Bearer Choi Mido is in a crisis!
-Will the South Korean team be eliminated?
“Oh my, no!”
“Mido...!”
“Noona...!”
Everyone held their breaths as Mido fell into danger. It was over. She held out for a long time and fought well. They lamented while thinking about how to comfort her. At this moment, a message appeared in front of everyone.
[The Joker of the South Korean team has appeared.]
-...?
-???
-What...?
The commentators all had blank expressions. The same was true for the spectators watching the game. It was a strange masked man who appeared as the Joker of the South Korean team. Suddenly, he started kicking the air. Everyone was captivated by the footsteps that followed, drawing a fine line like a dancing crane.
-Was there such a player in South Korea?
-I’ve never seen him before. Who is he?
-No, why is he wearing a mask?
The man in the mask disappeared as the commentators were talking.
-Kuaaaaaack!!!!!!
Carlos’ scream suddenly echoed.
- ......
- ......
- ......
The commentators were all at a loss for words. At the same time...
“O...”
“Uwaaaaahhhhh!”
Roars filled the stadium.
-Kuack, who is this person? What... is your identity?
Carlos pressed a hand over the blood flowing from his chest and asked the man who attacked him.
The masked man replied, -Who am I?
Finally, he took off his mask. It was a man with white hair and a nice white beard. He spoke while pointing to Mido, -This child’s grandfather. You bad guy.
“Father??”
“Father???”
“Grandfather?!”
* * *
2018. The Arcstar World Competition.
I made a brilliant debut. Moreover, I would be heralded as a legend.
Chapter 1
‘A tiger dies and leaves its skin; a man dies and leaves his name.’
It was one of the most famous proverbs in South Korea. However, I could confidently say that this proverb was wrong. There were only a few people who could die and leave their names. In short, it was something that ordinary people couldn’t dream of unless they were politicians or celebrities.
However, my wife was different. She was weak but she left her name and skin behind. Of course, it wasn’t literally her skin. She donated her body. She left a mark on the world in her own way. I admired such a person.
There was a sudden vibration from my phone.
“Yes. It’s me.”
-Father, where are you?
“I’m at the memorial park.”
-Did you go to see Mother again?
Choi Kanghyun. He was the first son born to my wife, Seonyeong and I. He was a doctor who ran a small, private ENT (ear, nose and throat) clinic. He named it ‘The Strongest Otolaryngology’ (TL: medical term for ENT) after himself... sometimes I made fun of him for being tacky.
“I’ll be back for lunch so don’t worry too much.”
-I understand, Father. Come back safely.
“Yes.”
Once the phone hung up, I straightened from where I was sitting on the folded blanket. In front of me was a photo of my wife, Seonyeong. I looked at her and smiled. ”I will come again, Honey.”
Turning around without regret, I walked toward the old, white Sonata. My name for this car was White. It could be called my favourite horse. It was just that it was too old and sometimes rattled... still, it got me to where I needed to go. I opened the back seat, threw the blanket straight in, sat in the driver’s seat and started the car.
My name is Choi Chuntaek. I was an ordinary grandfather born in the 50s. I lived a rough life since I was a child. Then I met my wife by chance and lived a clean life after clearing up my past. It probably would’ve been impossible without the help of her father, my father-in-law. My father-in-law recognized my talents and suggested that I learn cooking. After a lot of hard work, I was able to become the owner of one of the best Korean restaurants in South Korea. Then I passed it onto my apprentice and retired.
Rattle rattle. Rattle!
It looked like I had a lot of money so why was my car in this state? In fact, I didn’t have a hobby related to cars and there wasn’t much left after feeding my family. I had a hard time paying for my first child’s medical degree. My second child was interested in sports and a lot of money went into that. My youngest daughter didn't want to do anything at the time so I gave her a bank book to use for her wedding funds. 90% of the money I had saved went into that. Thus, I didn’t have much money left in my hands. Like a salaried worker, I lived off my pension every month.
I arrived home after 30 minutes and pulled out a cigarette as soon as I got off.
“Sigh...”
I arrived at the house I was now living in. Of course, it wasn’t my home. My wife died a year ago and I lived with my first child at his suggestion. In fact, the most worrisome thing was that my daughter-in-law and grandchildren would feel uncomfortable.
The cigarette became shorter and I put out the fire as I approached the door.
Diririring-!
“You’re here, Father.”
“Father, have you come?”
Kanghyun welcomed me at the entrance. The best thing that greeted me was...
“Grandfather~!”
“Aigoo. My pretty child, it hurts. Hahaha.”
It was my granddaughter Mido, who ran into my arms and kissed me. The name was written using Do (Road), which was filled with the desire for her to walk a beautiful flower road. Mido grew up well according to my wishes. Her appearance and personality were the blessings of my last years and it was like looking at my wife when she was young.
“Grandfather, did you smoke again?”
“Um....? Hum hum.”
I was caught again. I started to smoke again when my wife died a year ago but I couldn’t escape my granddaughter’s nose. Was this youth?
“You can’t kiss me if you smoke.”
“Um?!”
I stopped for a moment. I wouldn’t be able to kiss her...
Suddenly, my shoulders slumped and the thought of e-cigarettes passed through my head. However, Mido wouldn’t agree to that either... what should I do?
“Kukuk. Just kidding. Let’s go and eat!”
“Hoho, come in quickly, Father.”
“By the way, where did Jeongdo go?”
“He said he was self-studying and went out this morning.”
“Really?”
Choi Jeongdo—it was the name of my second grandson. The Jeong (Upright) and Do (Road) characters were used in the hope that he would also walk the right path... It was just unknown if he was really walking down the right path. He was such a troublemaker that it was like looking at my own childhood. Still, I was a bit proud that he went out to study. I would have to give him some pocket money when I saw him later.
Time passed. I had lunch with my family before we all watched TV in the living room together.
-It has been more than a year since the virtual reality game Arcstar opened. Recently, there was news that the number of users has exceeded one billion.
“The momentum of Arcstar is great these days,” I spoke to Kanghyun, who was watching the news next to me.
“Yes, I tried it and it was fun.”
“Really?”
It wasn't something I was interested in. A game should be played by young people. I wasn’t curious at all. Things like this were just a bit of entertainment in the moment. That was what I thought but...
“Grandpa, do you want to try it? It is so much fun. I often play with my university seniors.”
My body stiffened the moment I heard Mido’s words.
“University seniors? Perhaps... men?” I asked while looking at her with hawk eyes.