The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 286

‘There will come a day when I can talk and laugh with him.’

I’ll tell him everything then, without missing a single detail.

The restriction the Shadow placed was already broken by Jin-hyuk.

The constraint that he would surely die if he revealed he was the returned one.

It was a mistake by the Shadow, who had rashly appeared, ignoring Jin-hyuk’s ego and subconscious.

Even so, Jin-hyuk didn’t delve into it.

He was afraid that delving into something he couldn’t remember or understand would destroy the present.

It was still a respectable conviction. A personality that doesn’t stray from what he needs to focus on.

That’s why Hong Gi-jun didn’t bring up old stories. He only hoped that one day they could share a drink and reminisce about the past 300 years.

‘Is the contract all that’s left now?’

Hong Gi-jun was someone who couldn’t return.

To be precise, he was destined to board the time when he would be returned in a state of complete amnesia.

**

【You, Er-Aflah, have worked hard. I will send you back. If you do well, you might save three lives from death. May you have a happy life…】

Watching Jin-hyuk disappear like frost melting in the morning sun, he asked Dugu Elil.

“Did you create another world?”

【I turned back time. The time that existed has disappeared, and a new world has opened. The extinguished lives will live again, and a new era will open following new steps.】

“Will that person’s memories also disappear?”

【No. Since he wasn’t part of that world when time was turned back, he will remember the past that remains in his soul. The teeth of time may have bitten at it, but it will revive bit by bit. Because memory has an amazing regenerative power.】

“Even the memories from here?”

【He didn’t want to remember. He erased them himself. I placed a seal on top of that with my own hands. No one but me and Tulosso can break it. That is also only if he truly desires it. Simple curiosity cannot break it.】

Although he had never met him, according to what Hong Gi-jun had observed, Tulosso was Dugu Elil’s only superior. The only being he feared, the one before whom this arrogant being would not hesitate to bow. It felt like the difference between a group chairman and a terminally ill president.

Well, for someone living as a human on Earth, such things didn’t matter. Whether they played god or destroyed planets among themselves. What’s important to humans is life, isn’t it?

Old man Hong Gi-jun pleaded with the Shadow.

“That lonely life might repeat itself. I will help that person.”

【He wants to live an ordinary life, so what do you mean by helping? Isn’t living within the given environment, with one’s own abilities, what’s ordinary?】

“The human world isn’t that easy. You’ve seen it with your own eyes, haven’t you?”

【I don’t know. To my eyes, they are no different from a swarm of insects. For insects, being trampled, eaten, and swept away is a natural and ordinary life. Don’t forget that just because I speak with you doesn’t mean I think of you as special.】

Dugu Elil. You son of a bitch.

They said it meant a small god, but isn’t he really too small-minded?

After being together for 300 years, there’s no special treatment at all.

And on top of that, he doesn’t care whether others live or die. He’s so heartless.

“Do you see that person as an insect too? Are you so callous that you don’t care whether he suffers again after all the hardships he’s been through?”

I realized I had gone too far.

I had challenged an absolute being. But Dugu Elil had actually been cold and heartless for 300 years.

【…Hmm. Is that so… If that’s the case, then go. I will preserve your memories on the condition that you keep the contract.】

His ears were surprisingly thin.

He must have hated being called heartless. That’s how Hong Gi-jun also became a regressor.

【Do not interfere with his life. Do not speak of it, as he said he does not want to remember. Unless he says ‘it’s enough,’ you must continue to live as Er-Aflah. If you break this, death is all that awaits you. This is the contract.】

Er-Aflah.

Guide.

Helper.

The language was so awful that even the genius Hong Gi-jun had a hard time learning it.

He could have just not learned it, but he had to in order to look good to the Shadow.

【You will remember the time you spent with me as a vivid dream. Now go.】

When Dugu Elil tried to push his forehead with his finger, Hong Gi-jun quickly stepped back.

“Um… Before I go, there’s something you can help me with.”

【You’re being a nuisance.】

“Still, we’ve been together for 300 years…”

【It’s a very short time for me.】

Damn it. Your arms are thick.

“I beg you. It’s for the fulfillment of the contract, so please be lenient…”

【Speak.】

Still, if he bowed down and worshipped him, he would pretend to be unable to resist and listen.

And so.

Among the people living in the same era, he was able to access information about people and technologies in the fields that Hong Gi-jun needed. Richard Hammond was also found in that process, and he spied on all sorts of technology recipes he could think of, such as semiconductors, nuclear weapons, submarines, and rockets. To get ahead.

He spied for several months and obtained something similar to parchment to record it.

That’s why his return was later than Jin-hyuk’s.

“Is it certain that I can take this leather-like object with me?”

【Old man, that question sounds like you’re doubting my authority.】

“Ah, no. There’s the unwritten rule of the balance of the world, isn’t there?”

【I’ll send it to your bedside. It’s not an object from another world, but something I gave you, so it’s not a violation of the rules.】

“Thank you.”

Scribble, scribble-.

His appearance of crouching on the floor and recording with his old body seemed pitiful and admirable.

【Will that be enough?】

It had to be.

With his old, stiff body, he rubbed his dry, dim eyes repeatedly, trying his best to look pitiful.

It was a trick Hong Gi-jun had come up with after understanding Dugu Elil over a long period of time.

With the wit of an old man.

There’s a story about making soup with stones.

A hungry traveler cleverly enters a rich man’s kitchen and asks for a chance to show how to make soup with stones.

The chef, watching the traveler put stones and water in a pot and light a fire, asks if that will be enough and hands over all sorts of ingredients, such as meat and vegetables.

【Look at this too.】

【This too.】

【Wouldn’t that be helpful?】

【How about this?】

Dugu Elil, being nosy, even helped him access technologies from other worlds.

He even translated for Hong Gi-jun, who didn’t know the language.

“Is this… a space battleship? It’s bigger than a city?”

【It’s a trivial and crude object.】

“Yes…”

Since their levels were different, it was consistently impossible to have a normal conversation.

“If that person wants it, can I hand over this record?”

【Have you forgotten the restriction?】

“Isn’t it possible for the restriction to be lifted? You’ve given me such valuable knowledge, wouldn’t it be a waste if this record disappeared when I grow old and die?”

【…Hmm. That makes sense. I won’t interfere then.】

As expected of the master negotiator Hong Gi-jun, and as expected of the gullible Dugu Elil.

He seemed to look down on all things in the universe, but in Hong Gi-jun’s eyes, the Shadow’s intelligence was below the cosmic average. It was ambiguous to call him a fool, but he was similar to a child.

That’s why Hong Gi-jun had also flattered him diligently to get a chance.

Hong Gi-jun thought that the saying that God has the appearance of a child was wrong. It wasn’t about appearance, but about having the intelligence of a child.

Perhaps it seemed that way because of the difference in perspective, where he was curious about trivial things and bored with great things.

【Now go. Since I turned back time, Tulosso will not forgive me.】

Still, he had a sense of loyalty.

Even knowing he would be punished, he turned back time to the era that Son Jin-hyuk wanted, as he wished.

“Dugere, Adzeh…” [A phrase of praise or prayer in an unknown language]

God, may you be glorified.

【Farewell, old man.】

Still, as he said goodbye to Hong Gi-jun, Dugu Elil faintly smiled behind his mask.

**

“Richard doesn’t like exercise. If he moves his body quickly, he gets out of breath, and when he gets out of breath, it’s like he has yellow paint in his eyes. His heart hurts, and it feels like his knees are being pricked with needles. And-”

Hammond kept chattering, but Hong Gi-jun didn’t take his eyes off the TV.

He was satisfied with the sight of him roaring and embracing his rivals, no longer lonely.

Even though he was a clueless and frustrating guy, it felt good to watch him.

‘He was cold, but he had no malice. He wasn’t jealous or envious of others.’

And he was always confident.

He was a guy who challenged the strong and was warm to the weak.

‘Ah, should I make a phone call?’

Partly because he was busy, Hong Gi-jun had been avoiding meeting Jin-hyuk because of his unsettling shadow.

No matter how detached and ungreedy a person is, no one would be happy to meet someone who holds their life in their hands. That was the most basic human desire and right. The right to self-determination. The right to decide one’s own fate, other than taking one’s own life.

‘Humans are not slaves, he said.’

It was said that human dignity comes from the right to self-determination, even though most people live in a world where they don’t even realize they are slaves.

‘It’s terribly romantic, but it’s true.’

I should call that guy.

He had even deliberately avoided the call that came after Jin-hyuk won the gold medal in the 100m.

It wasn’t because he was scared or uncomfortable with Jin-hyuk.

One way or another, it was a way of telling him to enjoy his life without worrying about the relationship between an adult and a subordinate, and the uncomfortable presence of Hong Gi-jun.

‘Is my contract coming to an end soon…’

Hong Gi-jun’s restriction can only be broken by one person.

Not by the Shadow, not by Hong Gi-jun, but by a single word from Son Jin-hyuk.

That was the condition set by the Shadow.

When that time comes, he would see Dugu Elil once again.

Hammond woke Hong Gi-jun, who was lost in thought.

“Boss? What are you thinking about?”

“It’s nothing. I should go now.”

“Boss is always busy.”

“How many countries would come to a standstill if I wasn’t there?”

“That’s true. But please don’t let Australia stop.”

“Why? Did you buy a mine or a farm there under the name of RB?”

“The koalas are pitiful. The eucalyptus trees generate heat and cause fires, and when a fire breaks out, the slow koalas can’t escape. So, when a fire breaks out, the firefighters have to put it out. But if the country stops-”

What a crazy guy.

Is that the reason?

And when a fire breaks out in a eucalyptus forest, they don’t put it out on purpose. Because it’s a natural occurrence.

A natural occurrence, a choice stemming from the idea that humans are also part of nature.

‘How romantic.’

Hong Gi-jun shook his head, making an effort to hold back his words.

How many geniuses are alienated from the world because of their eccentric personalities like Hammond?

The list of people Hong Gi-jun had written on parchment was over a thousand. Geniuses in various fields. Some he had met, and some he had unfortunately failed to recruit. And some had ended their lives in accidents or suicides.

Of course, Son Jin-hyuk’s name was not on the list.

Son Jin-hyuk was just a model student who had awakened his brain and body through effort and was well-rounded in many areas, but he was far from being an extraordinary genius in one field.

“Boss, you haven’t eaten, have you?”

“Hmm. How did you know?”

“Your eyes are drooping. Let’s go eat. Richard will buy.”

Following Hammond, who slowly got up, Hong Gi-jun immediately left his seat.

It was a shadow cast by the weariness of 300 years, but as Hammond said, he was also hungry.

“Is it meat again?”

“Of course. People need to eat their staple food to get energy and make their brains work. Meat is Richard’s staple food. It’s not because he’s a carnivore that he eats meat.”

That’s strangely logical…

*

In a quiet alley, Hong Gi-jun was suddenly overcome with emotion while eating steak with beer at a pub. The joy of being alive. The juicy and tender meat was always new, as if it were the reason for life.

“Boss, by the way. There’s something I’m curious about.”

Hammond, who was cutting his steak mindlessly, looked at Hong Gi-jun while mumbling. He didn’t even notice the steak sauce that had fallen on his airbag-like belly.

“Isn’t the Korean president changing next year?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s not my field, but, um-”

Hammond briefly turned his eyes to the side.

“If the giant wave is weak, the party won’t change, will it? As far as I know, the boss hopes it will change.”

It was a valid point.

Even though there were no significant achievements due to Hong Gi-jun blocking all those incidents, the government’s approval rating was decent. The provocations from the North, which used to shoot guns and send armed spies and submarines, had also subsided. Some of the spies who had set foot on the coast were killed by SSS agents after refusing to surrender. Hong Gi-jun had secretly sent a letter to Pyongyang along with the bodies of the spies. He warned that if they continued to act up, he might swallow them up, leaving only Sinuiju behind…

The Se-in Group’s remarkable achievements also contributed to the government’s approval rating. Regardless of the contribution, a company’s performance is bound to be packaged as the government’s performance, isn’t it?

“The ruling party will change.”

It wasn’t to repeat the same political history.

It was the desire of a businessman to expedite the spread of high-speed internet and move towards the future.

It’s something any businessman would do to weigh their options before a presidential election.

After conducting preliminary investigations and making behind-the-scenes contacts, there was only one person who showed active interest. The others had uncomfortable expressions when they were told that the speed of information delivery would increase as various information media became more diverse and advanced.

“Actually, it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t change. Now I can just push it through with my own will. But I’m holding back because of that guy who wants to respect the system. Anyway, it’s better if it changes. I’m sick of markets that are favorable to lobbyists. It’s a waste of money.”

“The boss has the most money but hates spending it on bribes. But what are you going to do if it doesn’t change?”

Even if it doesn’t flow according to past history, there’s nothing he can do.

As Jin-hyuk said, it’s right to leave the changes in the world to the public. Unless he’s going to start a rebellion and seize power. Even if they’re stupid or regressing, that’s what the system of democracy is.

“I have to try as much as I can.”

For the Se-in Group.

“Pushing through with power is something only ignorant people do. Using our brains is our style, isn’t it? It’s also fun-”

“-Like chess.”

“-Like chess.”

Hong Gi-jun and Hammond said the same thing at the same time.

In the past and now, Hong Gi-jun was a negotiator. Even if it wasn’t for the promise he made with Jin-hyuk not to interfere in politics with power, he had no desire to rule barbarically. At least not when it came to domestic issues.

“What are you going to do? I’m curious.”

“I have to make a deal. If that doesn’t work, I’ll put up another racehorse.”

“Oh-. A racehorse, that sounds plausible. Elections are similar to horse races. The boss is the invisible hand. You move the world just by using your brain.”

I’m not even sure if we’re talking about the same thing. Hong Gi-jun mumbled and cut a large piece of meat and put it in his mouth. He was too tired to respond.

Hammond, happy to see his friend after a long time, chattered excitedly.

“In horse racing, they usually send out two horses that run well in one race. Then, the betting tickets will be concentrated on those two horses. But then they play a trick. They send out another horse that runs moderately well. They give that guy the nickname ‘dark horse’ and promote him. Do you know who buys the tickets for this guy?”

“I think I know. But just because a lot of tickets are sold doesn’t mean he’ll win, does it?”

“But the owner wins. Because the ticket sales revenue comes back to him. After all, it’s not the horse that makes the money, is it?”

Hammond shrugged his shoulders.

“Does the owner mean the party? That sounds plausible.”

Hong Gi-jun nodded, chewed the meat, and rinsed his mouth with beer.

Then, suddenly, he glared at Hammond.

“You…”

“It’s my only exercise.”

Hammond shrugged his shoulders.

Sigh-. Do it a lot.

Swinging his arms at the racetrack is his exercise.

“With company money-”

“What do you take Richard for?”

This time, Hammond glared at Hong Gi-jun.

“Never mind. But still, be careful of addiction. You’re someone who has a lot to do in the future.”

Hong Gi-jun moved a piece of meat to Hammond’s plate.

It was a piece of meat with a message as clear as its blood-red color.

I’m the one who feeds you.

“Yes sir, Boss.”

Looking at how he answered so cheerfully, it seemed like he knew his role well.

‘Now my role as Er-Aflah is also coming to an end…’

Hong Gi-jun, who couldn’t stand his curiosity in his youth, would buy novels and check the ending first.

But now, he finds joy in solving puzzles in the text he reads in order.

With the hope that the end won’t come.

Regardless of the weariness of the long years, it’s a sad thing when a story comes to an end.

***

“Oppa-, Dad called, can you take it?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Su-jeong.”

In the early afternoon, Jin-hyuk, who was resting, received a call from Hong Gi-jun.

They had been exchanging emails frequently, and recently, Jin-hyuk had been writing long letters, so he didn’t think their relationship was strained. Still, it had been a while since he had heard his voice.

“Ah, you’ve been very busy, haven’t you? But you know I won the gold medal and made it to the finals in the 200m, right? Yes. No. I’m not upset. You’re a busy person.”

“You told me to be your only person.”

“So, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“For the finals tonight. Could you use your influence with the organizing committee?”

Jin-hyuk lowered his voice.

Whisper, whisper-.

He wasn’t someone who abused power, but Hong Gi-jun had the power to replace even the IOC [International Olympic Committee] chairman.

A small event should be possible.

“Oppa, are you going to do something?”

Yu-jin, who was wandering around the lawn, not in the mood to play because of the finals that would be held in the evening, approached him. Holding a thousand-dollar bill in her hand.

She had come to the United States, but Yu-jin’s messy, dog-hair hairstyle, which had become her symbol, was still the same. Even though Hong Su-jeong carefully brushed and tied it, it was still all over the place like a bean sprout struck by lightning.

“Heave-ho-, Oppa is going to grant our Yu-jin’s wish.”

Jin-hyuk lifted Yu-jin up with one arm.

“Ooh? What wish?”

“A record that won’t be broken for 25,000 years.”

Yu-jin’s eyes widened, and then she smiled brightly.

“Wow-! I am a Son Yu-jin!”

Jin-hyuk also raised his remaining arm and struck a pose of triumph.

‘Let’s finish this well and go home.’

Strangely, Jin-hyuk feels more excited and happy when he’s going home than when he’s going somewhere.

Now, he can go home after finishing the 200m final.