Chapter 23: The Passage of Time, Part 3

It is true that 'time flies when you're having fun', and I can certainly relate. The past month seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.

Yes, it has been a month since Seonhwa and I started dating. Aunt Seonmi, mom, dad, and Hyung all had expressions that seemed to say, "It's about time." Jinhee even joked saying, "I thought Oppa and Unnie would drop a bombshell like ``We're going to be parents``, but them officially dating is not that big of a deal. We knew it would happen sooner or later. It seems like the girls were acting as if Seonhwa's confession never happened, but I guess that was to avoid an awkward situation."

The only one who was not thrilled was Seunghae who declared, "I won't be left behind Unnie. If I can't be the first, then I will settle for second place."

If this were before the confession and before knowing what was discussed during the 'girls talk', we probably would have taken it as a joke, just like Dad and Hyung did. But the expressions on mom's, auntie's, Seonhwa's, Hyo-ri Noona's, and my faces were different. Jinhee even exclaimed, "Seunghae, you bold girl!"

After that episode, everything seemed to fast-forward for me. We went on our first dates, which honestly were not much different from our usual outings before we officially became a couple. The only difference is that now we kiss and flirt during our dates, and when we are alone, we take it a step further, touching each other while kissing. But we have not gone all the way.

We don't want to rush things, especially knowing that we will soon be separated. I am heading off on my undercover training journey for mandatory military service, and she is going abroad to study.

Today is departure day, and my entire family is bidding me farewell.

"Take care Jihu. Follow orders to the letter; the higher-ups at the camps don't appreciate disobedience or backtalk. I know you are sensible, but it doesn't hurt to remind you," said Hyung, who completed his military service a few years ago.

"Look after your health. You'll have it easier since you are in good shape and regularly hit the gym, but don't get complacent. Some of the training can be tough," Dad said, his tone serious.

"I know you will do well. I understand that maintaining contact during service is challenging, but I trust you will find a way to keep us updated," Mom added.

"Go Oppa! Rise through the ranks. I'm sure two years are more than enough for you to conquer the entire army and for you to even return riding a tank," Jinhee said, her eyes shining as if envisioning a protagonist from an action movie, starting as a rookie in the military and ending up as a captain and war hero.

"Sure, I'll come back driving a tank," I replied, playfully.

"Take care and don't push yourself too hard," Hyo-ri Noona advised.

"I will Noona. I do hope to find a cute nephew when I return however," I said, trying to tease her and Hyung since they got married a year ago. But to my surprise, I noticed their suspicious reactions. The others also seemed to notice this, but since they were bidding me farewell, they did not say anything. However, I could not leave without knowing for certain, so I activated my [Nine Eyes] and saw it in her health status, 'She really is pregnant. I'm going to be an uncle!' I couldn't help but give Hyung a thumbs-up, and he realized the secret was out.

The last person to bid me farewell is Seunghae. She seemed hesitant throughout this moment, lost in her thoughts. So I approached her and gently patted her head.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to your Oppa? I know this has not been a good month for you, but don't be discouraged. Over these 2 years, you will mature, see things differently, and maybe even your feelings will change," I said, trying to reason with her. But it seemed to make her even more downcast, and she lowered her head.

Undeterred, I used my hand to lift her face by her chin. "But if after 2 years you still feel the same way, then I will take responsibility. You don't have to worry; you deserve to live happily. So give your Oppa a smile before I leave, or I won't be able to go peacefully, I might get hit by a stray bullet in the war."

Finally she smiled in relief. The adults looked as if they wanted to say something, but they held back understanding that I only wanted to console her and lift her spirits.

I wasn't lying though. If she is still attracted to me in two years, I will not reject her. While I had not considered dating her, I care for her too much to break her heart. I know that if I allow myself to consider it, I won't be able to help but love her like I do Seonhwa.

"Okay, Oppa, take care, and don't die from stray bullets. You wouldn't want to make Unnie and me widows before the wedding," she joked, a big smile on her face.

We all laughed, and Seonhwa and I were the last to say our goodbyes. The others left us alone for some privacy.

"I'm really torn about whether I should study abroad or stay with you. Yes study abroad is my dream, but so is being together with you," she said, her insecurity evident these days. But I know just what I need to say and do to lift her spirits.

"You have to fulfill your dream of studying abroad, see the world, broaden your horizons. We have a whole lifetime to be together, but this moment is for your dream. If you try later, it just won't be the same, or you might not even get the same opportunity.

This is your time. I don't want us to separate either, but for now, it is inevitable. Even if you don't go abroad, I still have to leave. So make the most of this opportunity," I said, cupping her cheeks with my hands.

"I'm afraid that when I come back, you will have lots of girlfriends and forget about me," she said.

"No matter how many girlfriends I have, I will never forget you. I might forget myself, but not you," I replied, pulling her into an embrace.

"Silly, you're supposed to say something like ``I won't date anyone else until you return``, but I'll forgive you a little for the last part of what you said," she teased, leaning in for a kiss.

I returned the kiss, and we began a long session of kisses that lasted several minutes. I whispered in her ear, "Okay, I won't have any more girlfriends until you return, but there is one exception, it depends on Seunghae to whom I made a promise first."

"That is the best and worst thing you've told me so far, but if it's Seunghae, I can't be angry. I know you will return first since you are only leaving for two years, while I'll be gone for almost five. So, I entrust mom and Seunghae to you... and dad. I know it's almost a lost cause after 9 long years since the accident, but I still dream that he will wake up one day. If he does, they must notify me, and I'll come back immediately," she said as she released me from the embrace.

"Alright, I'll take care of it. Go with peace of mind and show everyone how incredible my Seonhwa is," was the last thing I said before we exchanged our final farewell kiss, and I got into the car.

My personal driver is one of the members of The Shadow, so I had no trouble switching back to business mode.

"Did you find him?" I asked. A simple question, but the driver didn't hesitate to respond.

"Yes, I'm driving to the destination. He lives in the city of Incheon. He is retired, but until a few years ago, he was still a coach at a very famous martial arts gym in the city, and before that, he was a personal trainer for several Olympic-level athletes," said the shadow.

Well, it's time to breakthrough the human limits. If there is anyone who can help me do that, it's this person.

The journey lasted a little over an hour, and we finally arrived at a somewhat rural area on the outskirts of the city. The house was quite ordinary, but there was a large yard that clearly served as a physical training track. Tools and obstacles were scattered throughout the terrain, not bad at all.

I stepped out of the car and rang the doorbell. It did not take more than a few minutes, and finally, an elderly man opened the door.

He appeared to be between 50 and 60 years old, with salt-and-pepper hair. He wore a fedora and a dark gray coat, carrying a long wooden staff. At first glance, one might mistake it for a cane, but seeing that he could stand and walk without it, it was clear he used it for another purpose.

Just to confirm if he is the one I'm looking for, I used my Observation skills. Based on his description, name, and background, I'm 100% sure this is the right person. The shadows did not fail me.

And as I suspected, he has not entered the Lost Paradise yet despite being one of the first people to do so, and we are in the year 2012.

It means that in a few days or weeks, perhaps months—I'm not exactly sure when, but at some point in the first half of 2012, the entrance to the Lost Paradise will open. The first Earthlings will join this year, and the elderly man in front of me is one of them.

"Good day young one. How can I assist you?" said the elderly man kindly.

"Hello sir. I would like to discuss some important matters with you. If it's not too much trouble, may I come in? It might take some time," I replied as politely as possible.

And so began my first encounter with the man who will become my master, the person who will elevate the physical and combat abilities of the members of The Shadow to new heights. This was my first meeting with Jang Maldong, also known as the King Maker.