21 Red Flask

[The warrior has successfully created a legacy. An additional reward will be issued. Please prepare to receive it.]

"Well, isn't that a surprise?" The message in the air came rather unexpectedly for Lee Dojin. He knew that upon accomplishing impossible tasks, the system would reward the player with items and more, though he did not expect it to happen today. He stretched his hands out to receive his present. 

Through the void, an item magically appeared. It was a red flask, reminiscent of blood, yet with a faint glow, as if still alive. 

[Flask of the Spaceworm

Rarity: Rare (C)

Use: Harvested from the dead worms that reside within the vast galaxy, this flask allows the user to survive without breathing for an hour. During that time, you are immune to poisonous gas and drowning. The user will be able to function as normal, and his mental and physical will not be inhibited through holding their breath. It has a total of 3 uses.]

The message displayed a brief description. Ordinarily, it may appear rather useless for anyone not part of an underwater campaign, but Lee Dojin almost gasped in shock. His hand started to tremble as he carefully stored the flask in his back. The liquid shook slightly but then settled inside—its glass glimmering from the sun which had reached its zenith by now.

Lee Dojin closed his bag. He took a deep breath. A smile unknowingly crept onto his face. "What a sly system," he muttered. "This will come incredibly handy when I complete the trailer. Shit, it must have done this on purpose. This explains a lot." He kept thinking about the future and reorganized his plans for it. With every second passing, his excitement grew and grew. With this simple item, he finally found the light within the many shadows pulling him down.

...

Kim Jyejin angrily stomped out of the school. It looked like she was fuming. Every person that was unfortunate to pass by her took a big curve seeing her face of wrath.

In the end, Lee Dojin had never returned. She even had to speak up for him when the teacher asked where he was. How was she supposed to know? It wasn't like he told her anything. "Argh." Her irritation grew and she lashed out at a nearby bin by kicking it. Though the bin did not budge at all, bruising her feet instead. "That damn Dojin, it's all his fault!"

In the distance, there was another guy observing her, He was a tall, handsome, young man, with long wavy hair. Though they all wore uniforms to school, one could still tell from his accessories and designer bag that he came from an affluent family. Surrounding him were two girls, trying to strike up a conversation, but his eyes were only on Kim Jyejin.

"Hansoo, hey, are you listening," one girl asked him.

He snapped out his trance, "Ah, yes. Sorry, I mean, yeah, I was listening." He rubbed his head, a sight that charmed the girls around him.

The other girl next to him was playing with her phone. She took a picture with all three of them together, which irked Park Hansoo. "Yes, anyways, when are you gonna be holding another party?" She looked at the photo then smiled. She liked it. "It's been such a long time. I've been bored lately."

His eyes drifted toward Kim Jyejin again. In his mind, there was only her. He stared at the two girls, his eyebrows narrowing slightly. There was no way such shallow-minded women fit someone like him. It had to be a person that had everything, just like him. "Sorry, can't. I'm busy these days. I'll call though." Kim Jyejin was the perfect candidate for that. No, really, it was like a match made by heaven itself—at least he thought so in his mind.

"Ehh~ too bad. Well, don't forget your promise, I'll get mad if you don't invite me." The girl waved her hand and took a different turn. She bid them goodbye. "I'll bring over some soju."

Park Hansoo watched her leave with a smile. Now, if only the other girl would disappear, that'd be great.

"Oh, by the way, I'm going to my pops today, so both are going the same direction. Isn't that great?" The girl clung to his arm and smiled.

Park Hansoo's smile stiffened, as he smelled that girl's heavy perfume. "That's great," he muttered half-heartedly, though she did not notice. In the meanwhile, Kim Jyejin entered her family car and drove off.

His eyes followed the black sedan, as it slowly drifted away. He bit his lip. Even though he had shown her so much affection, she never reciprocated her feelings, paying not an ounce of attention to him. Well, it was natural, as that girl was known as incredibly hard to approach, rejecting every love letter ever received. Aside from her background, she was diligent, elegant, and feminine—as if she was a woman that walked right out of a drama. 

He clicked his tongue. Maybe he should try a different approach?

The only person she ever conversed with was some loser named Lee Dojin or something. Though he was of little concern, judging by his upbringing and looks. The only thing he had going for him was his grades, something, that only mattered to the lower and middle class.

Still, he had to have something that made the delicate Kim Jyejin interested in him, even if it was out of pity. Maybe he had something to blackmail her? Park Hansoo's thoughts slowly spiraled out of control. An unreasonable dislike slowly formed around the illusory Lee Dojin.

...

"I'm back mom," Lee Dojin said and closed the door behind him with his foot. He swept the hair out of his face, gliding it back.

His mother walked out of the living-room, in her hand a suitcase. When she saw the state her son was in, her eyes grew large. "Dear... Did you get mauled by a bear? What happened to you?"

Lee Dojin brushed her off with a smile. "I fell down the stairs." He then walked to his room.

"Must have been some sharp stairs." His mother sighed, as she gazed into Lee Dojin's eyes. "I'm about to leave, but is there anything you'd like to talk to me about?"

For a second, Lee Dojin turned around. He stared at his mother, dressed in cheap work-office attire, her hair donned into a bun. It suited her surprisingly well, even though he had only seen her with those magical or celestial robes before. He shifted his sight away, opening the door and entering. "Well, no, not anymore." The door closed behind him.

He sat down. In his hand the red flask. On his side, the notebook. He switched their places.

"I wonder if she had asked me that before I reincarnated, would things have turned out differently?" He flipped through the notes written by the previous Lee Dojin. "Well, it does not matter." He tore the pages apart. "Your legacy, I have inherited it. May you rest in peace." 

Lee Dojin closed his eyes, though he did not fall asleep. The thoughts about the future haunted him.

Around a week left, until The First Advent. Will he be able to carry the burden, or crumble underneath it?