Johan's POV
*Ding* The sound of a bell rang.
"A customer!" exclaimed a woman with slightly narrowed eyes and long black hair.
(Image)
"I'm home... Mom," I said calmly, observing this ordinary-looking woman, the one who was the reason behind all of the old Johan's fights.
"J... Johan," she whispered.
I saw tears slowly rolling down her cheeks after she pronounced my name.
"I'm really sorry... I'll leave..." Before I could say anything else, she hugged me.
"You're finally back, mom is sorry, mom is sorry."
She was crying in my arms, constantly repeating "mom is sorry."
"I'm sorry too," I said instinctively.
I was feeling a bunch of emotions in my heart, but the strongest was probably guilt mixed with relief.
I felt like a lost child who had finally found his home again.
"We can't stay here, a potential customer might arrive," she said, taking my hand to guide me inside.
The conversation that followed was surprisingly pleasant but also tinged with nostalgia.
Johan's mother seemed to be doing better, but her eyesight was almost completely gone.
Surgery would be needed to ever hope to cure her, but I know it's a stupid wish to hope for that.
I was very lucky to have chosen a healing ability and not another power.
"Oh! Excuse me, you must be tired and I'm just talking about my life," she said, a bit embarrassed.
I just sketched a slight smile before shaking my head to refute her words.
"No, no, it's good to catch up on lost time," I replied honestly.
She wasn't bothering me at all by talking about her past.
It had been a long time since I had a real conversation with my parents when I was still John.
I'm sure my disappearance won't cause any pain to my family.
I was... "technically" a useless weight or burden for them.
If I had to describe myself as John, it would be like a social Rudeus.
I was literally a recluse who only went out to work or to survive.
"Could you tell me... about yourself?" she asked hesitantly.
It seems she's wondering how her son survived on the streets.
"I was with other homeless people my age, we helped each other, there's not much to say," I explained vaguely.
I couldn't tell her about the God Dog gang or Gun Park.
These are my problems and I'll handle them myself.
No.
I won't handle them alone.
The old Johan wanted to do it alone, and the result?
He lost against that monster Gun.
Despite his monstrous evolution, his new technique, and the weakened state of the white Oni... the legend of Gangbuk couldn't defeat him.
I won't end up like him in this life.
No, I refuse to lose and end up alone, lying in a puddle in the rain.
I will form a crew influential enough to be able to unite others at any time, like the Workers, and face Gun again... but also Goo.
I haven't faced him yet in this life, but he beat me with a simple piece of wood in the webtoon.
I think I need to defeat him to satisfy my pride.
Charles Choi? I don't care. That's Daniel Park's problem.
As for James Lee, it would be time for him to remember again the incident with Seongji.
"I see," she said simply, nodding her head.
*Clap* The sound of her hands.
"I'll prepare your favorite dish to celebrate your return," she said, getting up to go to the kitchen.
"A meal prepared by a mother, huh," I said softly, looking at the ceiling.
I had forgotten the warmth of a home.
But it's a shame that it's only temporary, and not mine originally.
...
One week later.
"Thank you for accepting my whim," I said sincerely to my mother.
"It's just my duty to send you to high school," she replied in good spirits while having her breakfast.
*woof* I smiled at the dog, who was hanging out next to us after finishing his bowl.
It had been a week since I became Johan.
Frankly, I can say that I had quickly adapted to my new life despite the cultural differences.
It must be said that Koreans are very different from Americans: they use a lot of polite expressions and eat... things that are quite strange from my point of view.
Apart from that, I enrolled in West Gangbuk High School to resume my studies.
I had to take an assessment test, but it wasn't too difficult since I had already finished university in my past life.
But I would still have to take additional classes outside of normal hours.
"I'm done," I said, getting up to go to class.
"Have a good day, and don't forget your lunch!" she said quickly as she saw me leaving.
I had almost forgotten my packed lunch, which I hastily grabbed before leaving.
My mother's complexion and mood have improved a lot since my arrival.
She has become more energetic, and I've noticed that she was starting to see again a little, even if her vision remains blurry.
She mentioned wanting to consult a doctor, but I dissuaded her.
I managed to convince her that it was a divine intervention and that she should rather thank God through prayer.
Being very religious as she is, my words convinced her.
And it wasn't really a lie, anyway.
"Here it is, West Gangbuk High School," I whispered, looking at the building.
This is where I have to start my reunification of the Gangbuk district.
I was too busy with Korean administration to resume classes and recover the old Johan's hidden savings.
So I haven't had time yet to deal with "K-House" and Jin Jang.
"Did you see him?" whispered a female voice.
"Yes, he's so handsome," breathed another.
"Is that the new guy?" said a voice, this time with hostility.
There were several people whispering around me.
I had arrived in class, and apparently, I was already the center of attention.
"Calm down, please," declared the teacher in an authoritative tone.
"We have a new student among us," he added before gesturing for me to introduce myself.
"My name is Johan Seong, I hope we'll have an interesting year together," I said simply with a friendly smile.
"Go sit in an empty seat," he then said, while sorting some documents.
I found a suitable place next to a student who seemed familiar to me and sat down calmly.
I don't know why, but the looks of others toward him were filled with fear.
Anyway, I'm not afraid of almost anyone in Gangbuk, except Hansu Seong.
"Hi, my name is Johan," I said in a friendly tone.
"Uh... Hanju Gu," he replied simply before going back to sleep.
(Image)
My brain shut down for a second after hearing that name.
I was facing an important character from the Questism manhwa.
Hanju Gu is an extremely gifted boxer, but self-taught.
He literally learned boxing thanks to videos and books... a true boxing genius, but this approach held him back.
If he had really practiced a martial art like Han Jaehan, then the unification of the southern district wouldn't have been out of reach for him.
According to my memories, it was said that he was among the few who had the potential to unify Gangbuk after Johan's disappearance.
Unfortunately, his mental state was problematic.
He's an individual without real determination or ambition, and this attitude is not welcome in the Lookism universe.
In this place, the mindset is extremely important and greatly influences an individual's strength.
For example: Gapryong Kim. He literally has a fighting style based on "conviction." And there's Taesoo Ma with g his "principles".
This man was recognized by James Lee.
If he hadn't lost his principles... he would be much more monstrous than the level he showed in Busan.
What a waste.
Thus, Gu Hanju lets a frightening potential go to waste because of his lack of motivation.
"I think I'm really going to have fun in this high school," I said, smiling softly.
Classes passed quickly. I had to answer some questions from teachers, but nothing stood out to me.
It seems they wanted to assess my intellectual level, and I think I left the image of a nerd since my answers were always correct.
"Hello, my name is ####," declared a girl who approached me.
She wasn't alone, other students were accompanying her. I think they wanted to be friendly with me.
"If you want, we can show you around the high school," proposed a boy at her side.
"No need, I already have a friend here who can help me," I said, looking at Hanju, who was about to leave.
He was slightly surprised by my words, but quickly regained a neutral expression.