Chapter 79 – Totally not a retcon

Around 7 PM. The office building in Seoul belonging to Jeronimo Mercenary.

Boss was filing various paperwork and shifting funds to account for Lee's recent purchases.

It seemed that he wasn't shy about using the bonuses that Boss promised him.

But that was good.

The fact that he was unabashedly accepting it meant that he was sincere in cooperating with them.

Though, Boss already knew that.

Despite being a bit... eccentric. Lee was certainly a man of his word.

And he had clearly given his word to join the Chameleon Troupe when he could.

Even so...

'When will the report come in?'

...Boss was the leader of the Chameleon Troupe. She had to be certain. Because of that, she had asked a certain information broker to look into Lee's past to confirm his story.

The request had been sent two days ago, along with a bonus payment for a rush order, so-

*ding*

A soft chime.

Boss froze and then quickly pulled out her phone.

There, she saw a new notification from Purple Salon, one of the best information broker agencies in the world. Primarily because its leader had the Gift of <Past Sight>, letting him see any information in the past as long as it was within the Korean peninsula.

So Boss wanted to confirm Lee's story. And so, she opened the report.

===

[Summarized findings on request Re: Lee Shin]

Regarding your inquiry about Lee Shin's true name, we confirmed that it is Li Shu Wen. However, due to a mixed transcription following the Djinn incident that killed his parents, it was recorded as Lee Shin.

Although records were scarce even with our methods, it appears that Lee's mother was a voice actress and martial artist while his father was scholar of sorts.

We can confirm the details of the incident.

Roughly ten years ago, Li Shu Wen visited Korea with his parents as civilian tourists. However, a Djinn attack resulted in their demise.

Due to bureaucracy reasons and the chaos following the attack, Li Shu Wen was processed into Korea's foster care system as Lee Shin, despite his protests.

An anonymous family friend in America eventually found Lee Shin, creating an international incident that was resolved by Lee Shin being granted dual citizenship in America and Korea as well as an apology stipend of living expenses from both countries.

Regarding Lee Shin's life until Cube, he was an average student but diligent young man. No day passed where he did not train less than eight hours a day, and he worked countless jobs to acquire funding to buy various herbs and elixirs to strengthen his body.

Regrettably, we could not gain information regarding Lee Shin's life the year before Cube, so we have refunded a portion of your advance.

Thank you for using our services.

-Purple Salon

===

"...Interesting." Boss read the report and hummed, mulling over what she knew, what she just read, and what Lee had told her. "...The pieces line up. But slightly offkilter."

The way that Lee spoke about his parents didn't match how one would speak about parents who died when they were young, but instead like parents they had grown up with.

Then there was the note that the Purple Salon couldn't find anything the year prior to Cube as well.

Moreover, the fact that Lee trained no less than eight hours a day...

"...It seems I was correct. He is a regressor."

Boss deleted the report, feeling proud of herself for confirming it.

The chain of events was clear.

In his past life before the regression, Lee had lived a normal life as a civilian. But in the future, 'something' undoubtedly occurred. Perhaps something equal to the Outcall Incident.

In that life, Lee had clearly awakened to a Gift and fought desperately, likely growing close to Rachel and his daughter. And he likely also grew close to the Immortal's granddaughter, judging from how easily he bonded with her.

But it wasn't enough.

He had lost, and he had turned back the clock. Just like Shin Myungchul was rumored to have done.

"Hm... He likely lived a full life with his parents and decided it didn't matter in this lifetime. No, considering his personality, perhaps Lee didn't perceive them as his parents?"

To Boss, Lee seemed very much the sort to consider the people he met as unique individuals. He could clearly separate expectations and prejudice from how a person was at their core.

How else could he so easily handle Cheok Jungyeong?

Yes, it was clear.

Lee Shin... No, 'Li Shu Wen' had lived his life and failed.

And so he returned to the past to change things. Though, from how he was moving now, it seemed that his ripples were expanding out of his control to the extent that he deliberately let go of attempting to direct the future...

"But there is one question." Boss murmured and thought about that one line in the report. "An anonymous American friend... Who could that be?"

Someone who cared enough about Lee's family to look for him. Someone with the money to do so-

Wait.

Boss thought a bit and then remembered a request a few years back. From someone in the Chameleon Troupe.

To confirm it, she pulled out her phone and made a call.

One ring.

Two.

And on the third...

"Yes, Boss? It's not like you to call. Did something happen?"

...A heavy and deep voice echoed. Khalifa, the African American and only American member in the Chameleon Troupe answered. The Seat of Blue with the Gift <Phase Shift> allowing him to manipulate space.

"Khalifa. Did you know anyone with the surname Wen?"

Khalifa paused. Then he said, "...I did. Why?"

"Have you read the report about our latest member?"

"Not yet. I'm still busy infiltrating the Packhorse Master Guild. Should I?"

Boss hummed and said, "Li Shu Wen. Is the name familiar?"

There was a long silence. And then there was the sound of frantic papers shuffling. But after that...

"AYO! Our new member is my godson Li?!"

"...Godson?"

"Yeah! His mom and I were in Mulan together! It was a while ago, but I played Mushu, you know? Like, 'Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your whole family! Dishonor on you, dishonor on your cow...!' Man, fun times."

Boss was quiet. Then she let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. "...I see. Thank you for the information. And yes. You should meet him when you have the chance."

"Bet! I haven't caught up with the little guy in... what, five years now? He doing alright?"

"...You should read the dossier."

"Doing it right now, Boss- DAMN! He's dating a princess? I always knew the little guy was meant for great stuff! 'Course, he's my godson and all so he's got the swagger and-"

Boss hung up. "...This explains so much about Lee's attitude. So much."

===

8 PM. A certain apartment in Seoul.

After a long day making plans and doing paperwork with Yeonha, and after a long session affirming their love, Hajin and Yeonha had retired to their shared bed.

There, hugging Yeonha's bare body against his chest, Hajin was about to fall asleep when he heard a soft chime in his head.

And immediately after, messages appeared in front of his vision.

> Update: Setting change - Khalifa, Seat of Blue, was deemed too flat a character. After watching some of Author's cultural works, his personality has been modified to be similar to Eddie Murphy.

> Update: A certain Cadet, Rachel Elizabeth Louise, Evandel, and Nayun are en route to Yoo Jinwoong's home.

> Update: A hidden character you have not met yet is considering changing his objectives.

> Update: Setting change - Jin Sahyuk has learned fear.

> Notice: Numerous dungeon breaks are forecasted in the near future! Be prepared, Author!

Hajin slowly read the messages. Then he groaned.

Yeonha mumbled and nuzzled her head against Hajin's chest. "What is it, Husband?"

"...Just realizing that we haven't told your parents."

Yeonha froze. Then she let out a nervous laugh. "O-Oh. We haven't... have we?"

"..." Hajin sighed.

"..." Yeonha pursed her lips.

"...We'll worry about it tomorrow." Hajin kissed Yeonha's forehead. "I'll handle it."

Somehow...

Yeonha let out a soft smile and leaned against Hajin. "Okay. Then... Good night, Husband."

Hajin held her close and murmured, "Good night, Wife."

===

Meanwhile.

At roughly the exact same time that Hajin and Yeonha fell asleep...

"SOME BRAT ELOPED WITH MY YEONHA AND TOOK HER FIRST TIME?!"

...Yoo Jinwoong, leader of Essence of Strait, the Hero known as <The Berserker>, and the father of Yoo Yeonha... now Kim Yeonha.

He smashed his fist against the table, wreathed in crimson lightning after hearing Nayun's latest news.

Nayun smiled. "Yep!"

Rachel sighed. "Nayun..."

Evandel giggled. "Uncle Jiwoo BZZZZZT!"

And as for Lee...

'Well, I hope Hajin remembered to use his SP.'

...He quietly offered a small prayer for good luck.