Chapter 1: The World’s Strongest Adaptation Period(1)

An unbelievable thing happened.

I pressed the accelerator so hard it might snap, ignoring the blaring horns and red traffic lights around me.

“…Oppa, is that for real?”
“I got a call from Yuri noona. The returnee who just appeared… might be our hyung, missing for ten years…”

Ten years ago, a cataclysm shook the world.

Humanity endured countless tragedies and pain there. Afterward, many survivors and returnees came back to Earth, but the only family I had left was my little sister, Kim Sohyun.

But a few hours ago, I got a direct call from the Frost Guild Leader.

[“Name, Kim Suhyun. Age… just come and see for yourself. The only registered family members are you and your sister.”]

With that, I pulled Sohyun from school and put a hold on the guild members preparing for a gate entry, rushing to the hospital.

—Screech!

The car came to a halt with a harsh grinding sound. Sohyun and I bolted into the hospital, storming the reception desk. The nurse on duty looked at us, startled.

“H-Hunter Kim Sihyun…?! What brings you here…?”
“Is there a patient named Kim Suhyun? Where are they right now?!”
“Kim Suhyun… you mean the one who came with Hunter Lee Yuri earlier?”

I nodded frantically, and the nurse tapped the computer keyboard a few times before gesturing and giving us the room number.

“Go to A407.”
“Thank you!”

In my haste, despite the ban on using skills in civilian facilities, I darted through the halls with quick steps toward the room.

Rushing up to the fourth floor, I scanned for A407.

A private room down the corridor.

It took no time to reach it with my speed. Heart pounding with anticipation, I flung the door open without hesitation. Reuniting with family after ten years was too sweet to delay.

“Stop f*cking eating already!!!”

The moment I opened the door, I heard what sounded like Yuri’s voice yelling, directed at a girl surrounded by stacked dishes, frantically shoveling food.

*

Even a dog isn’t disturbed while eating.

That saying held true not just in Korea but in the other world too. Yet, the woman in front of me didn’t care.

“How long are you gonna keep eating?”
“Just a bit more…”
“You’ve been at it for three hours!”

In a warlike situation back then, such a lavish spread was unimaginable—how could I resist?

“You’re the first person to devour hospital food like that.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”

Hospital food or not, it’s all made with care. Compared to chewing on cosmic debris or meteors, it’s nothing.

“By the way, you really don’t remember anything?”
“…I don’t.”
“You hesitated just now, didn’t you?”

Giving up information in a situation where I can’t tell friend from foe is foolish. It’s clear this is the Korea I knew, but I’m clueless about the hunters or returnees she mentioned.

Seems like Earth got a bit weird while I was gone.

“We need to know about the world you came from to help you!”
“I don’t need your help.”
“Then I’m taking your food.”

This woman, stooping to threaten my food—what a low blow. Lee Yuri, no longer angry but almost amused, plopped back into her chair.

“Fine. Your sibling’s coming soon, so let’s see if you can keep quiet until then.”
“…Sibling?”
“Yeah, pretty famous around here.”

Come to think of it, I had younger siblings before I was sucked into that other world. A brother around elementary school age and a tiny baby sister.

As I recalled them, Yuri snatched my bowl.

“What the hell are you doing?!”
“You’re freaking out over a bowl? The hospital’s getting complaints that patients have no food because of you.”
“Give… it back…!”

Yuri’s a formidable opponent. I could overpower her with my deck, but I risked damaging the bowl.

I had to act before the food got cold. Channeling a bit of stellar mana, I knocked Yuri’s hand away.

“Ow!”

Now’s my chance.

I grabbed the flying bowl and started scarfing down the rice again.

This taste—warm grains spreading in my mouth, something I couldn’t have in that other world.

“This damn pig…!”

Yuri’s face turned red with rage at the unexpected move.

“Stop f*cking eating!!!”

Her roar echoed through the room just as the hospital door swung open wide.

#

“So… noona, you’re saying this girl is our hyung?”
“Was your hyung always like this? She’s got a nasty temper.”
“No way…”

The guy standing with Yuri is supposedly my brother, Kim Sihyun. And the girl touching my cheeks is Kim Sohyun.

Though I last saw them as kids, their familiar features and traces of old habits confirm it.

“Is it really you, oppa?”
“Are you really my sister?”
“Hmm… I was so young when I saw you, I’m not sure. Sihyun oppa should check.”

Sohyun stepped back, and Sihyun sat beside me. His handsome face, even to another guy, looked at me with pity.

“Hyung, I believe it’s you, but I’ll ask a few questions to be sure. Okay?”
“Do what you want.”

Sihyun’s test was simple. He asked about our old house and address, his face showing growing confidence with each answer.

After various checks and questions, it came to the final one.

“…What happened to our parents?”

I froze, the spoonful of rice in my hand still.

Parents—a name I hadn’t heard in ages.

I knew better than anyone what happened to them. They died horribly before my eyes, just before I was pulled into that other world.

My slight flinch made Sihyun nod and stand.

“I’m sure it’s our hyung.”
“What? After just a few words…?”
“It’s certain. This girl is Suhyun hyung.”
“If you say so…”

Yuri looked skeptical but backed off at Sihyun’s firm stance. After hearing the situation from Yuri, Sihyun approached and extended his hand.

As I took it, he pulled me into a tight embrace.

“Thank you for coming back, hyung.”

His body trembled slightly, soft sobs escaping. With the family gone or dead, Sihyun must have carried a heavy burden alone.

Sohyun, too, no doubt.

“I’m the one who’s thankful… for growing up so well.”

I couldn’t keep my past promises… but this is a chance from the heavens.

I couldn’t save her or our parents.

But I’ll protect my remaining siblings, no matter what.

#

After hearing the full story at the hospital, I thanked Yuri and returned to Sihyun’s home.

A house with gleaming white marble floors and luxurious furniture sprawled out.

I’d stepped into a lavish penthouse in the heart of Seoul. Sihyun’s home was so far from my expectations that I froze in place.

“Oppa, Suhyun oppa’s all stiff!”
“No wonder. Our family used to be dirt poor.”

Sihyun, loosening his tie like a pro, casually sank into the sofa.

“Sohyun, hyung’s not used to life here yet, so we’ll need to help a lot. Let’s teach him step by step.”
“Got it. Oppa, sit down already.”

Sohyun hoisted my rigid body in a princess carry. How such a delicate girl had this strength was explained by her quick reply.

“Huh? Oppa, I’m a B-rank awakened, you know. This is nothing.”
“B-rank… awakened…?”
“You don’t know yet, huh.”

Sohyun sat me on a fancy sofa and took the seat beside me. Across from us, Sihyun adjusted his casual clothes and spoke.

“Like I said, you’ve just returned, so there’s a lot you don’t know. I don’t know much about returnees either, but I get the general situation.”

Papers appeared on the table in front of the sofa, and Sihyun picked one up.

“These are records of past returnees, pulled by Manager Park. But before I show you, I have one request.”

He set the papers down, his face turning somber. What was he about to say to set such a mood?

The answer came soon enough.

“I know it’s tough… but can you tell us about the world you were in?”