Blood Demon of the Past Life – Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Private First Class Kim Chun-sik （1）

Several months ago.

Kim Chun-sik still vividly remembered that day.

Having barely survived thanks to Kang San’s help, he sat on a bench at the hospital, blankly staring at the sky.

“…Sigh.”

He could only sigh.

While he felt grateful to be alive, the thought of the days ahead filled him with despair. Firstly, he could no longer work as a Hunter. His grandmother, who visited him at the hospital, threatened to hang herself if he ever did such dangerous work again, forcing him to beg and plead to calm her down.

His grandmother must have been heartbroken.

If she hadn’t been ill, Kim Chun-sik wouldn’t have had to work as a Hunter, and he wouldn’t have been injured like this.

The problem was that Kim Chun-sik, lacking any special talent or extensive education, had no other options for work. He could manage his own living expenses with part-time jobs. However, he knew that with the meager wages from ordinary jobs, it would be impossible to cover his grandmother’s hospital bills.

It was hopeless.

Unable to smoke the cigarettes he had quit to save money, he took a sip of the mix coffee he bought from the hospital vending machine.

It was sweet.

If only life were as sweet as this.

‘Maybe it’s for the best. If I faced death just dealing with Nols, even if I continued working as a Hunter, I wouldn’t have been able to earn enough for my grandmother’s hospital bills. It’s a reality I had to accept someday. I was incredibly lucky to survive and realize this reality, so I have no choice but to find another job and solve the problem.’

Whether it’s a day laborer or anything else.

He would work his teeth out.

He couldn’t give up on his only family in the world like this.

He finished his coffee.

He got up from his seat and headed to the convenience store, bought an armful of premium coffee he wouldn’t usually even glance at, and went straight to the hospital administration office. Aside from treatment, his grandmother’s condition required ongoing hospital care to prevent it from worsening. While situations like this were naturally uncomfortable for Kim Chun-sik, he had no time to hesitate when it came to saving his grandmother.

“Excuse me…”

He smiled awkwardly.

As he spotted an employee, he lifted the bag of coffee.

“Everyone’s working hard, so please have some coffee.”

“Ah, Mr. Kim Chun-sik.”

The employee’s face brightened.

Seeing a more positive reaction than expected, Kim Chun-sik distributed the coffee to the staff and subtly brought up the topic.

“Actually, about the outstanding hospital bills…”

“I was just about to contact you about that. An anonymous donor paid all of your hospital bills. Isn’t that great? Honestly, I was really worried and upset about your grandmother’s situation…”

An anonymous donor.

He couldn’t hear the employee’s words anymore.

Kim Chun-sik would never forget that day when he was frozen like a statue, that moment when he was too overjoyed to even shout.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Several months later.

Kim Chun-sik visited the administration employee every day, asking about the identity of his benefactor.

He wanted to express his gratitude somehow, but each time, the employee would respond with a troubled expression, saying:

“…I understand your gratitude, but there’s nothing we can do. Since the donor wishes to remain anonymous, we don’t have the authority to reveal their identity. Mr. Kim Chun-sik, we’ll convey your gratitude to them, so you don’t have to bring coffee every time.”

In the end.

He failed to discover their identity.

At first, he considered hiring a private investigator, but he felt it would be rude to forcefully seek out someone who wished to remain anonymous. They were truly an amazing person. He wouldn’t have spent such a large sum of money for someone else, and even if he did, he would have boasted about it to the world. The fact that they chose to remain completely anonymous filled him with respect and a sense of lifelong gratitude.

‘The world is still a good place.’

Until now, Kim Chun-sik had been full of complaints.

He believed that only he was unfortunate, the world was unfair, and only the wealthy lived well in this damned world.

Whenever he had a drink, he would only complain, but after experiencing this single act of kindness, his attitude changed. He started to view the world positively. He no longer needed to work excessively, and while searching for a constructive path, he chose to become a soldier. Of course, there were risks involved, just like with being a Hunter, but the stability that came with being a soldier was ideal for him and his grandmother.

Training.

Carrying out missions.

Returning home with the money he earned to cook a delicious dinner for his grandmother.

He was happy.

Whenever he was lost in this happiness, a feeling of gratitude would well up, and he would think of his anonymous benefactor.

Were they old?

Were they young?

What kind of person were they?

They must be wealthy, right?

As this imagined figure in his mind began to take shape, Kim Chun-sik covered his face with his hands. A surge of emotion overwhelmed him. He hadn’t expected this. Kang San was also a human shield like him, and knowing his circumstances weren’t favorable, he had never once considered that Kang San might have paid his hospital bills.

“…What is this? I didn’t even get to properly thank my benefactor.”

His lips trembled.

He was grateful.

And apologetic.

It must have been a significant amount of money for Kang San as well, so what on earth made him pay the hospital bills?

Even if it was out of pity, it didn’t matter.

Regardless of the intention, the fact that his life had changed because of that help remained unchanged.

‘I’ve received too much.’

He saved his life.

He paid off his debt.

He wanted to visit him immediately.

But he couldn’t.

‘It might be something Kang San-nim doesn’t want.’

Come to think of it, Kang San didn’t make a big deal out of helping him, and even during the Wangsimni incident, he disappeared after saving people. And didn’t he tell the hospital administration not to reveal his identity? Kim Chun-sik was conflicted. While he personally wanted to express his gratitude, he thought it might burden his benefactor if it was something Kang San didn’t want.

He stared intently at the payment statement.

He wouldn’t rashly seek him out.

However.

“…Thank you so much.”

Just knowing who his benefactor was, Kim Chun-sik felt a weight lifted from his heart.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

A few days later.

Kim Min-yeong, who was writing an article, raised an eyebrow upon receiving a text message.

『Thank you for the gift, but I can’t disclose anything about that person.』

“…This person is the type who lacks professional ethics, huh?”

The gift she had prepared.

It was the result of thorough investigation.

While investigating the Wangsimni incident, she discovered that Kim Chun-sik was a crucial key, and she obtained information that Kim Chun-sik was desperately searching for the benefactor who paid his grandmother’s hospital bills. She judged Kim Chun-sik to be a person of considerable loyalty. If she solved his problem, she might receive a suitable reward in return.

An anonymous donor?

It wasn’t difficult to find out.

The administration staff’s lips were naturally sealed, but with her connections as a reporter, she could pressure their superiors, leaving them with no choice.

“Who could it be? This makes me even more curious.”

She couldn’t possibly connect it to Kang San.

Initially, she considered Kang San as a suspect through his connection with Kim Chun-sik, but his public profile didn’t match the person who resolved the Wangsimni incident. Years spent as an F-rank and mediocre abilities. He definitely didn’t have the stats to handle dozens of Lizardmen. Even for Kim Min-yeong, who relied on her intuition, there was such a thing as basic common sense.

‘For now, it seems like it’s not Kim Chun-sik.’

Give.

And take.

This person didn’t follow common sense.

If they were this stubborn, even if Kim Min-yeong tried various methods, they wouldn’t reveal anything useful as information. She considered stirring things up with his superiors since he was a soldier. However, she knew that for people like Kim Chun-sik, who displayed unwavering determination in their eyes, it would only increase their resistance.

She put the thought aside for now.

The Wangsimni incident was her personal digression, and she had a mountain of other work to do as a reporter.

That’s when it happened.

Beep, beep━

An alarm sounded.

It meant an incident had occurred.

Normally, she would have ignored it, but the keywords of the incident caught her attention.

『Wangsimni』

『E-rank Link Occurrence』

Why?

For some reason, Kim Chun-sik’s face came to Kim Min-yeong’s mind.

✦✦✦✦✦✦

Links didn’t occur this frequently.

The soldiers, who were resting, quickly rushed out at the sound of the alarm, which had just been resolved a few days ago.

Clang, clang, clang━!

Wheeeeeeeng.

“Damn it.”

“Why another emergency!”

It was the soldiers’ daily life.

They quickly packed their gear, loaded it onto vehicles, and moved out.

The scene was already chaotic.

As soon as they arrived, the 2nd Company Commander said,

“This Link is E-rank, with reports of Nol appearances. It’s classified as E-rank only because of the large numbers, but as always, don’t let your guard down. The moment you do, your comrades, your family could die. From now on, focus and carry out the operation.”

“Yes.”

The operation began.

Initially, the machine gun unit concentrated their firepower, sweeping through the area before deploying for urban combat.

The operation was basically conducted in squads.

A little over ten people entered the city, covering each other’s blind spots, and among them, Kim Chun-sik, who was paired with Sergeant Park as his battle buddy, scanned their surroundings with sharp eyes. His heart pounded. Corpses littered the ground, the scent of blood filled the air, and the musty smell of beasts all indicated that something was about to happen.

As expected.

Kyaaaak!

“Attack!”

Papapapat.

Nols suddenly charged at them.

As the vanguard shouted, Kim Chun-sik and Sergeant Park simultaneously raised their heads and fired their guns indiscriminately.

That’s when it started.

Hearing the sound, Nols rushed in from all directions, and the soldiers used concrete buildings as cover while attacking the enemies. It was a chilling sight. Even though they were just F-rank monsters, the Nols endured dozens of bullets and relentlessly charged. Blood splattered before their eyes. Their eyes were bloodshot. The soldiers fired their guns with a vengeance, knowing that if they were breached, they would die.

Kieek.

Thud.

Kooong!

The Nols collapsed.

After clearing the area, the squad leader checked the bodies and said,

“Form battle buddy pairs and search the surroundings. And if you encounter a Nol group, report it immediately.”

“Yes.”

It was a narrow alleyway.

The squad had no choice but to split up, and Kim Chun-sik followed his shooter, Sergeant Park.

But suddenly, Sergeant Park’s face came into view.

He, who always had a serious expression during operations, couldn’t hide his pale and anxious face now.

“What’s wrong?”

“…”

“Sergeant Park.”

“Damn it.”

His face contorted.

He turned his head and looked at Kim Chun-sik.

“I think I need to leave the formation.”

“What do you mean…?”

“Actually, I received a text from my younger sibling right before we deployed. They said a Link occurred, and everyone’s evacuating to the shelter. But my sibling’s location still isn’t at the shelter. Seeing them stay in the same spot, something must have happened.”

Sergeant Park had been tracking his sibling’s location using a location app on his way here.

He couldn’t focus since then.

His eyes shook uncontrollably with anxiety, worried that his sibling might have been attacked by Nols.

Kim Chun-sik shouted.

“Report it to the Company Commander. And lead the troops…”

“That’s not within the 2nd Company’s operational area. It’s the 3rd Company’s responsibility, but considering their operational area, it’ll definitely be pushed back in priority. I’m not saying I’ll leave without thinking. Hey, Kim Chun-sik, you also said your grandmother is more precious than your life. If a battle buddy leaves without permission, you’ll also be held accountable, but please overlook it just this once. If I return alive, I’ll apologize and compensate you sufficiently.”

It wasn’t a request.

It was a declaration.

Sergeant Park immediately turned his head.

He didn’t need an answer.

He was going to abandon Kim Chun-sik and go to his family from now on.

Punishments and such were matters to be dealt with after ensuring his family’s safety.

Sergeant Park moved away.

Kim Chun-sik was thrown into confusion.

He didn’t know whether to stop Sergeant Park or what to do.

‘…What would Kang San-nim do in this situation?’

He.

He couldn’t be judged by his own standards.

He was an existence he couldn’t dare to imitate, but after learning how much kindness he had bestowed upon him, Kim Chun-sik’s world had changed. Even if he couldn’t perfectly follow him, he would live by repaying the kindness he received. At least, he believed that anyone who received such grace, anyone who was human and not a beast, should do so.

Kim Chun-sik clenched his teeth.

“Sergeant Park!”

He kicked off the ground.

As Sergeant Park turned his head,

“Aren’t we battle buddies in the military? I’ll go with you.”