The Grill-Wielding Saintess of the Dead

Chapter 19: Adaptation 2

“Suddenly speaking… Shia, if you don’t like the Returnee Shelter… or rather, if you don’t mind, would you like to come to our family?”

“…What?”

I was slightly taken aback by Yeonseo’s sudden proposal after we finished our meal at the meat restaurant.

Even though I was indebted to her, wasn’t it too much to casually bring a stranger into her household?

“Though I tried to kill you at one point. If you’d been a little weaker or if terrible misfortune had struck, an irreversible situation could have occurred.”

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. If you don’t want to come to our family, I could even buy you a separate house.”

It was a generous offer.

But I’m not that greedy.

We had just filled our bellies at the restaurant, and being offered a house out of the blue felt like imposing too much on both Yeonhwa and Yeonseo.

More importantly, there’s the Returnee Shelter.

I don’t need a penthouse with a chandelier just for myself.

I just need a decent place to rest.

“It’s fine.”

“Are you sure? Shia, I’m not joking. I’d feel more at ease if I could do at least this much for you. Don’t worry about money. This old lady is one of the richest in this country.”

“I’m really fine. I mean it.”

As we walked down the street, Yeonseo stopped and looked at me.

“You’ve already dined with a living legend, the strongest S-rank. For me, that’s enough. Besides, there’s the shelter the Bureau gave me. As long as it’s not a tiny, unlivable place, I’m fine.”

“What’s a tiny place?”

“Uh… doesn’t Yeonhwa know? There used to be these small, cheap rooms, not even 3 square meters. Are they gone now?”

As I later found out, during the Great Rift, many buildings were destroyed due to its aftermath, and a new urban planning initiative resulted in massive residential complexes in every city.

Because of that, by the year 2088, buildings like those tiny rooms were hard to find.

“But… hmm, fine. You’ve already eaten all the meat… and turned down even greater things for free. In that case, take this instead.”

“…What is it?”

Yeonseo put a black bracelet-like object on my wrist.

What was this? Handcuffs?

“Is this… by any chance, a phone?”

Now that I think about it, everyone walking by had something in various shapes and designs on their wrists.

At first, I wondered why they all wore such things, but now it made sense.

If this acted as a phone, it’s no surprise that everyone carried one.

“Back in 2024, smartphones were handheld, right? Don’t worry, though it’s fancier now, it still works similarly. It’s the latest model, so the performance is good.”

A wristphone, huh?

Ah, so this is how it works.

As I gently tapped it with my other hand, a holographic smartphone screen appeared before my eyes.

Just as Yeonseo said, the screen was visible in holographic form.

There were many new functions, but the basic operations weren’t that different from a smartphone.

If you know how to use a smartphone, it wouldn’t be hard to get the hang of this.

“I’ve saved my number, Yeonhwa’s, and Yeonju’s—the girl who works for our family—on it. If you need anything, call me or Yeonhwa. If you can’t reach either of us, contact Yeonju. Mention my name, and they’ll help with most things.”

It seemed the greatest luck wasn’t that I devoured the ‘Black Minotaur’ upon returning to this world.

The biggest blessing was forming a good connection with Yeonhwa and Yeonseo.

“Thank you, Grandma. Truly.”

“If you’re grateful, stop calling me Grandma. At least call me Yeonseo, or Yeonseo-nim.”

“Should I call you Unnie instead?”

“That’s a splendid idea…!”

“Shia Unnie, Grandma… please stop.”

“Why does my granddaughter always spoil this old lady’s mood…?”

At Yeonhwa’s words, Yeonseo seemed a little deflated, pouting slightly.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile.

Indeed, I was incredibly lucky.

Some Returnees end up meeting terrible people immediately upon returning, leading to brutal battles or even deaths.

Compared to that, I was beyond fortunate.

“Yeonseo-nim, thank you again. I really appreciate it.”

“Alright, alright. But I must stop by the Hunter Association now. They’ve been begging me to hold a press conference at 6 PM today, so I have to go.”

“Grandma, what about your car?”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll manage. Yeonhwa, take Shia home. And visit sometime soon. I’ve been growing cabbages for you.”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Oh dear, having an unsociable granddaughter is such a sorrow. Can’t you just say ‘Alright’? Shia, I’ll see you next time.”

“The meal was great, Yeonseo-nim. Let’s eat together again.”

“Hohoho, of course. And Shia…”

Yeonseo leaned in and whispered into my ear.

“Even if you refuse today, if you ever need my help or the help of our family, just ask. The Yeon family never forgets a favor.”

Pop!

With that, Yeonseo used her ability and teleported somewhere else.

Though she claimed to be retired, being called a living legend seemed to entail a rather busy life.

“Grandma wasn’t always this busy. It’s probably because of the Dungeon Overbreak.”

“Is the Break phenomenon that rare?”

“It’s the first one in 10 years, and it came without warning. Usually, there are signs, but this time, there weren’t any. We were lucky there were no casualties. Ah… I almost got into big trouble, but thanks to you, Shia Unnie, I’m alive.”

Honestly, I was the one who received the help.

If it weren’t for Yeonhwa and Yeonseo, I could have been in a serious mess.

I might still be stuck in the Bureau, unable to properly report my Returnee status.

Or worse, I might have killed innocent people and been chased by Hunters or the police.

“Sigh, but seriously, Grandma… even at her age, she loves to joke around. Especially in front of me.”

“But Yeonhwa.”

“Yes?”

“Are you not on good terms with your grandma?”

Yeonhwa paused at my sudden question.

“…Does it seem that way?”

Well, that’s how it felt from the sidelines.

It wasn’t that they didn’t get along.

Rather, there seemed to be a subtle distance between Yeonhwa and Yeonseo.

Of course, it was clear that Yeonseo, who tried to protect Yeonhwa by recklessly attacking me in the dungeon, didn’t dislike her.

However, it felt like Yeonhwa didn’t like relying on or depending on Yeonseo, even unconsciously.

From Yeonseo’s side, she seemed eager to receive some attention from Yeonhwa, playfully approaching her while treating me well.

Though I enjoy eating, having lived over 60 years as a saintess, I’ve developed a sense close to instinct when it comes to detecting the physical or emotional pain of others.

“Actually… it’s not that we don’t get along. It’s just… I’m kind of the problem.”

“That can’t be true. Even if there’s an issue, Yeonseo-nim would probably be overjoyed if you just showed up like Bingu.”

“It’s not like that… Sigh, I’m not sure.”

It’s not really my place as an outsider to get involved in family matters, but having lived as a saintess for so long, I naturally couldn’t help but be curious.

There could be many reasons.

Still, it didn’t seem to be an immediate problem, so with time, the distance between Yeonhwa and Yeonseo would likely close.

“It’s fine. We just met today, so I know it’s unreasonable to pour your heart out. You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to.”

“Thank you, Unnie. Do you know the way to your house?”

“…House?”

“The Returnee Shelter assigned to you was just allocated by the Bureau.”

“How do you know that before me?”

“I’m your guarantor. I might not look like it, but as an A-rank Hunter, I have credibility.”

“Now that you mention it… is it really okay to vouch for someone you just met? What if I used it for something bad?”

“It’s a small price for you saving my life. Plus, you’re a Returnee, right? You’ll be busy enough just adjusting to the world.”

“…Hah, fair point.”

Yeonhwa tapped her wristphone, and soon, a sleek, black luxury car appeared out of nowhere in front of us.

I had no idea what kind of car it was, but judging by the lack of noise as it approached, it seemed to be a hydrogen or electric vehicle.

“This… is this your car?”

“It’s not mine personally, but it’s a family car. Hop in.”

Cautiously, I stepped into the car, whose doors opened upward, revealing an empty driver’s seat.

Wow, so fully autonomous cars really exist now.

Yeonhwa entered the address on the main display, and the car automatically began driving.

It was truly amazing.

Even though Yeonhwa had a peculiar name like Bingu, Yeonhwa and Yeonseo, or rather, the Yeon family, seemed to be much wealthier and more powerful than I had imagined.

In the other world, I had been someone relatively famous and high-ranking myself…

Well, that’s meaningless now that I’ve returned to Earth.

My memories were faint, but back in my day, cars used to belch out exhaust while making a racket as they sped by…

Hmm, it seems the world hasn’t advanced as much as I thought.

I had expected flying cars like in sci-fi movies, but it wasn’t to that extent.

“Flying cars? They exist.”

“They do?!”

“Yes, but there’s no need to use them in the city. Plus, getting a flight permit is tricky, so unless it’s urgent, people don’t usually bother. Do you like things like that, Unnie?”

“…Wow… that’s amazing.”

“I’ve tried it a few times, but it’s not as fun as you’d think.”

No, Bingu, flying cars are a dream in and of themselves.

A flying car is the very embodiment of sci-fi dreams, and driving one between city skyscrapers while gazing at the view below was something that only existed in movies back in my day.

How could I not be excited about it becoming a reality?

If I ever get the chance, I’m definitely going to try it.

“Ah, we’re almost there. Here it is, Unnie.”

The Returnee Shelter provided by the Bureau was located near Dangsan Station, a bit removed from downtown Seoul.

Was it because I was returning after 64 years?

Instead of feeling familiar, being near Dangsan Station, where my family used to live, made it feel like I was visiting a foreign city for the first time.

I looked around to see if my usual movie theater, my regular restaurant, or the convenience store I frequented were still around…

But the landscape I once knew had been completely overturned, and except for Dangsan Station itself, all areas had transformed into massive residential complexes.

It wasn’t just a couple of buildings scattered here and there or grouped into blocks.

It looked like dozens of buildings had been merged into one residential complex, with paths connecting the buildings constructed in mid-air.

At this point, you could probably live here without ever setting foot on the ground.

“During the Great Rift, the area around Dangsan Station was engulfed by a gate and completely wiped out. As a result, there was massive redevelopment during the restoration process. That’s why modern Seoul is now divided into residential districts and corporate building zones. It all happened before I was born, so I’m not sure what the previous residential areas looked like.”

“So this is purely a residential zone?”

“Yes, Unnie. There are just essential facilities like restaurants, convenience stores, and markets. The rest is all large-scale residential districts.”

The car stopped at what seemed to be a mixed-use complex.

There were convenience stores and restaurants below, and above, a massive residential area loomed, its sheer height obscuring the sky.

From what I could tell, thousands of people could likely live in this one building alone.

It felt like a building within another building.

“And Shia Unnie’s Returnee Shelter is… ah, here it is. 43 Seonyu-ro, Tower 105, Unit 503.”

It wasn’t just me.

I could faintly sense the presence of other Returnees in this building, with slight tremors of mana here and there.

It wasn’t bothersome.

It was just a faint awareness, like “Ah, that person is here today.”

Later, Yeonhwa explained that only Returnees who passed the Bureau’s ‘Ethics Review’ could live in this shelter.

If a Returnee had serious mental disqualifications that made them unfit to pass the review, they wouldn’t come here but would be sent to a retreat or a rehabilitation center for recovery.

“It’s quite big.”

It was all white.

The new apartment provided by the Bureau was about 20 pyeong (approximately 66 square meters), with everything covered in white.

I suppose they used a universally appealing white interior since it would be difficult to cater to the individual preferences and quirks of each Returnee.

Fortunately, there was a holographic TV here, like the one I had seen in the Bureau’s waiting room.

There was also a computer, a bed, and a bookshelf filled with classics like Shakespeare and Anna Karenina.

“…It’s smaller than my room…”

“Really? I think it’s fine.”

“Are you sure, Unnie? Should I call Grandma and have her find you a bigger place?”

“No, it’s truly fine.”

For someone living alone, 20 pyeong is actually quite spacious.

It even has a balcony.

Since Yeonhwa seemed to be a wealthy young lady, this shelter, which was fine for me, must have seemed incredibly small to her.

“I’m not just saying this. I really like it here. This is my new home…”

“It’s not your real home, though. The Bureau rents the shelter to Returnees as part of a support program for three years.”

“Do I have to leave after three years?”

“Not necessarily. As long as you can pay the rent with your income after the three years are up, you can stay. Otherwise, if you meet certain conditions or complete specific missions assigned by the Bureau, the lease gets extended.”

“Missions?”

“For someone like you, it’d probably be something like dungeon raids or hunting specific monsters. Basically, Hunter work. Are you interested in becoming a Hunter, Unnie? If a Returnee registers as a Hunter, the shelter’s title permanently transfers to them.”

“Hmm?”

Back in the other world, my main activities were defeating demon lords and devouring malevolent entities.

But I wasn’t exactly a diligent person, and I didn’t have the confidence to commit fully to Hunter work.

“I can’t give you a clear answer right now. I’ve only been back for a day, after all.”

“That’s true. But if you became a Hunter, Unnie, I think a lot of people would be happy.”

“A lot of people?”

“Mainly the people in the Bureau or the upper ranks of the Hunter Association. There aren’t many Hunters who can match my grandmother in combat.”

“Is that so?”

Becoming a Hunter didn’t seem like a bad idea.

But Hunters are typically affiliated with the government, like civil servants or soldiers.

If some strange new dungeon opened up, wouldn’t I have to drop everything and go handle it?

Sure, I’d done things like kill demon lords and devour malevolent entities in the other world, so I could probably do it.

But right now, I just wanted to rest.

“For now, just relax, Unnie. I’ll send over some drinks and snacks as a housewarming gift.”

“Thanks.”

“No problem. I’ll be going now. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to contact me. Like Grandma said, the Yeon family never forgets a favor.”

With that, Yeonhwa closed the door and left.

Not only had I received help with my Returnee registration, but I’d also been treated to a huge meal.

Now, I was even getting housewarming gifts.

“Sigh…”

As I lay down on the soft bed, I suddenly felt a flood of exhaustion I shouldn’t have been able to feel in this body.

It was strange.

Even though I had returned, it didn’t feel like I was truly back.

Was it because I felt more at home in the ‘other world,’ where Menelapie and Teresa were?

I wasn’t sure.

I once watched a movie called The Shawshank Redemption.

In it, there was a story about a model prisoner who, after spending his entire life in prison, was finally paroled.

But having grown accustomed to life inside, he found the outside world terrifyingly changed and ultimately couldn’t adapt, ending his life by suicide.

Perhaps my current situation isn’t all that different from that model prisoner’s.

The world has changed too much, and I have no family left.

I don’t even feel much longing for my family…

When I heard they had passed away, I didn’t feel much of anything.

Yeah, they must have died.

Of course, they did…

Was it because too much time had passed?

Or had living so long as the Saintess of the Dead changed my mind?

I couldn’t be sure.

At least I have people like Yeonhwa and Yeonseo to rely on.

That’s what sets me apart from that model prisoner.

But Yeonhwa and Yeonseo aren’t really family I can trust and rely on completely.

In the end, they’re still outsiders, and at some point, the help and requests I make could become a burden to them.

‘I need to become independent as soon as possible.’

Right, the world moves on whether you’re alone or not.

I’m not a child.

I’ll stop imposing on Yeonhwa and live on my own, relying only on my own strength.

●●●●

And that resolve completely disappeared in just three days.

No, it didn’t just disappear after three days; now, exactly one month since my return, I have… done absolutely nothing.

Literally nothing.

I hadn’t taken a single step outside my apartment, lying in bed, ordering delivery food whenever I felt hungry, and happily watching TV.

But… what can I do?

“…Hehe, this is fun. Hunter shows… ah, that’s not how you’re supposed to do that… why are you holding the mace like that? What? How can you not notice? There’s a monster ambushing you from behind! What are you doing? Ah… this streamer is terrible…”

Once again, I had my holographic TV on full volume, sprawled out in bed, munching on fried chicken.

Even in this era, chicken was still delicious.

Due to a new strain of bird flu, they raised cultivated meat instead of real chicken, but the quality and flavor were so good that it tasted just like the chicken I remembered.

“Nom nom nom… ah, I’m out.”

That was the 13th chicken I had devoured today.

Sigh, cleaning this up is such a pain…

[Miracle – Purification]

“Let’s just get rid of the grease and smell… I’ll throw away the bones and boxes later…”

Is it okay for a saintess to be this lazy?

Honestly, I couldn’t help it.

Thrown into this new era, without time to feel lonely, I was being sucked into the vast ocean of new cultural content that had emerged during my absence.

How could I resist?

“…Wow, did this really finish? What? It still hasn’t? Is the author even alive?!”

Reading completed mangas or novels was fun too.

But the best part was munching on chicken while watching Hunter shows on TV.

As I watched, I realized that in this era, streamers—people who did personal broadcasts—could enjoy fame and fortune rivaling that of mainstream TV shows if they had enough skill and ability.

Some streamers had entire TV channels dedicated to them, sponsored by massive corporations.

It seemed like streamers’ influence had grown immensely compared to the time I lived in.

One day, I randomly stumbled upon a Hunter show, which caught my eye with around 200,000 viewers—almost like a corporate event.

Later, I found out that the streamer broadcasting the show was a Returnee and S-rank Hunter named Yujin.

Anyway, since then, I’ve spent my time ordering delivery, reading webcomics on my smartwatch with one hand, and watching Hunter or streamer shows on TV while lazing in bed.

“Someone once said wasting your life is the most sublime and cool feeling…”

I’ve finished my chicken… now what?

I’m still a bit hungry…

By the way, I was using the money transferred to me by the Returnee Bureau via my smartwatch to pay for everything.

Apparently, in this era, cash was rarely used, and electronic currency had become the norm.

I think the amount was around 100 million won.

Some Returnees used that money as seed capital to start a business… As if! I’m not starting any business…

I feel so… blah… sad and bored… is it because I’m not stuffing my face with more chicken? Maybe I should eat something else?

But this time, instead of chicken…

“No! I can’t go on like this!”

I mean, I’m still a saintess.

A saintess!

Even though I’ve returned to my original world, I haven’t lost the 60 years I lived as a saintess!

So why am I living like this?! I’m just a useless unemployed bum right now!

But no matter how determined I get… the overwhelming lethargy keeps coming back.

But I’m all alone. There’s no Menelapie or Teresa…

What should I do by myself…?

“…I am a mushroom…”

If I stay like this… I’ll turn into a mushroom sprouting on the wall…

I feel restless, bored, and listless…

I glanced at the clock.

It was 4 PM.

‘It’s 4… in the afternoon, right? The sun’s out, so it must be 4 in the afternoon?’

I had stayed up late watching Hunter shows and webcomics until 5 AM, woke up around noon, and hadn’t even washed my face before lying around in bed like this…

Ah, no. This can’t go on.

I can’t live like this!

“I’m going out.”

First, I need to wash up.

Then I’ll go out and do something.

Whether it’s eating or taking a walk!

I was bored anyway, so I needed to do something.

For the past month, all I’d seen were the flashing lights of the TV and the white walls of the Returnee Shelter.

A walk should help clear my head…