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Chapter Text

My name is Han Yoojin.

I passed away because I committed suicide not too long after I got the injury on my legs. I was 28 years old when I died, I guess?

Nothing was going right ever since the Dungeon Break occurred and my brother chose to leave me behind. No matter what I said, no matter how hard I tried to reach him, I was unable to figure out the reason why would my brother do it. Major depression kicked in and I convinced myself as I pointed the kitchen knife to my body.

The last thing I saw was the beautiful moonlight at night as I was lying on the pool of my own blood at my kitchen’s cold floor.

Then, I wake up in another body as a child next time.

Please Gods above, she demands the refund...

She doesn’t ask for this!

Why would she wake up again in another body instead when what she wanted was only death?

Han Yoojin woke up 5 years in the future. She was supposed to be 33 years old this year, but she was stuck in the body of a 5 years old little girl instead. She was an orphan and her name was, surprisingly, Yoojin as well.

More precisely, her name was Yoo Jin-Ah. From what she had investigated after looking through the archives in the owner of the orphanage’s library and from what she had overheard from the Nuns, she was found in front of the Church.

Oh, she might remind you that the Church had the orphanage, nursery, and school as well.

Back to the main topics. She didn’t know who were her parents. What she knew about the owner of this body was only her name, her age, and the fact that she was abandoned in front of the Church’s front gate at night after the mass under the heavy rain. The Nuns heard someone knocking the door and they opened the door. They were surprised to find the wooden crib with a baby instead. They never found who was the person, the one who had knocked the door and put her in front of the Church’s front door. 

Every month the Church would get the donation under her name with an anonymous prior notice telling the Church to use some of the money for Yoo Jin-Ah’s daily necessity after they split the money. There was a warning as well to not abuse or take advantage the donation, unless they wanted to be thrown into the jail. Scarily enough it had happened to three of greedy people who had tried to steal the money and bad things always happened to them, either they would get into an accident or would get thrown into the jail as the warning promised.

Rolling the ball in her hands, Yoo Jin-Ah idly wondered about her new life.

Sure, she was mad. Because what was the point of continue living when you wanted nothing to do with it? When what you wanted was only to die?

Now she thought back of it...

Perhaps, she didn’t really want to die, but she was tired.

Here, as Yoo Jin-Ah, she could start the new life.

Whatever she did, it would not taint Han Yoohyun’s reputation further.

It was worth try.

Probably.

The ball in her hands rolled out of her reach and she trotted to get it back “Ah!”.

But she bumped into someone’s leg. That someone grabbed the ball and put it into her hands. Looking up, her eyes shook before she bowed her head.

“Thank you, Ahjussi”.

He ruffled her head and smiled thinly “Be careful”.

Outside, she smiled innocently (which looking cute, mind you) as she holds the ball in her hands.

Inside, she panicked as her heartbeat rocketed. She knew this man. She had a crush on him, after all.

“What is Song Taewon-Ssi doing here???”.

One of the Nuns, Sister Maria called out as she approached her “Jin-Ah-yah! Here you are!”.

She smiled brightly at her Savior “Sister!”.

Wrapping her arms around her legs, she rubbed her face on her skirt before pointing at Song Taewon, blabbering “Sister, who is that Ahjussi? I never saw him before”.

“Hush, it’s not polite to point at someone using your finger like that”, Sister Maria chided her before she announced brightly and encouraged Yoo Jin-Ah to introduce herself properly “He is Song Taewon-Ssi. Greet him properly, Jin-Ah-yah. He’s going to adopt you”.

Yoo Jin-Ah tilted her head in a cute way “???”.

Sister Maria beamed “He’s going to be your Father”.

Yoo Jin-Ah made a shocked pikachu face “!!!”.

Thinking that the little girl was confused and overwhelmed, Sister Maria explained patiently “He’s going to be your family. Jin-Ah-yah, you’re not alone anymore and you won’t feel lonely anymore”.

“I know what’s the meaning of it! No need to explain it out loud like this! Who said that I’m feeling lonely and alone??? Am not!”.

Well, the past would beg to differ but that was it.

Looking at the owner of the big calloused hand who ruffled her head, she saw Song Taewon smiled “Nice to meet you, Jin-Ah-yah”.

Looking at his smile and feeling the warmth of his hand which she had thought she would never get anymore, she cried (startling the adults in the process) and smiled tearily “Nice to meet you, Appa”.

Chapter Text

Han Yoojin had known about it from a long time ago that Song Taewon was the sophisticated, ‘ancient’-typical Korean man. He was the type of a man who would not dare to lay a finger on a woman without the said woman’s consent. It was already a shock for her to learn that Song Taewon adopted a daughter even if he had not gotten married yet. 

The fact that Song Taewon lived in the ancient Korean type wooden house with his grandparents was not that shocking. She expected it, even. She even welcomed it because her adoptive doting great grandparents were pampering her. 

Greatly.

Song Taewon’s grandfather’s name was Song Mun-Deok and Song Taewon’s grandmother’s name was Kashima. They lived with Song Taewon as his Guardian temporarily, until Song Taewon assigned to work in the Hunters Association. Song Taewon insisted to persuade his grandparents live with him so he could take care of them as well, just like how they were taking care of him.

Speaking of which, Yoo Jin-Ah never heard anything about Song Taewon’s parents. Neither as Han Yoojin nor as Yoo Jin-Ah she had ever heard anything about Song Taewon’s parents. It was like a taboo to even talk about them. Yoo Jin-Ah found out about it one day after Kashima, her great grandmother sat her down with her and talked with her.

“What’s in your mind, little one?”.

“It’s nothing, Halmeoni”.

“Aigooo. Look at this child. You take after your father a lot, huh? You are so young, yet you’re so mature. Too mature for a child around your age”.

Kashima ruffled her head as she accepted the meat bun Yoo Jin-Ah had offered to her with a ‘thanks’.

“You are still a child. You are too young for this. Just act like the child around your age more. Say whatever you have in mind and ask for more things. It’s totally fine to rely on the adults around you as a child”.

Yoo Jin-Ah was almost getting spooked by what Kashima had said. She wondered if she had burdened the adults around her without her knowledge.

“Don’t make that face, little one. We just hope that you can be more honest with your feelings because most of the time, it feels like you just acted the way you thought the people will like. Now, will you tell this old woman about what do you think?”.

Yoo Jin-Ah then told Kashima about what was she curious about the most “...Why did Appa adopt me even though he’s unmarried? Also, I never heard about Appa’s parents”.

Kashima let out a little ‘Oh’ before she mumbled about something along the line ‘Like Father Like Daughter, huh?’. Perhaps, she imagined it.

Tilting her head innocently, Yoo Jin-Ah wondered why would Kashima look at her with those sad eyes and complicated other emotions in her eyes “...Halmeoni?”.

Ruffling her head, Kashima smiled fondly before she let Yoo Jin-Ah sit on her lap and started braiding her hair with a brush “Let me tell you, little one. Whether you will talk about it with your Appa or not, it’s up to you”.

As long as Kashima brushed and braided her hair, Yoo Jin-Ah listened to what had happened between Song Taewon with his parents and siblings after the Gate started to appear. Song Taewon ‘Awakened’ as an S-Rank Hunter. Being newly ‘Awakened’ as an S-Rank Hunter, he could not control his power and a Gate appeared at that time. Song Taewon’s siblings and mother passed away when a Gate appeared. Song Taewon failed to save his mother and siblings in time because he was busy protecting and evacuating the civillians while fighting the monsters. Kashima and Song Mun-Deok understood his choice, but Song Taewon’s Father didn’t and blamed Song Taewon, even accusing Song Taewon as a ‘Monster’ who killed his siblings and brother.

“It was an accident. It’s not your Appa’s fault, but that guy didn’t want to understand. What a pain”.

Of course, Kashima made it a child-friendly version. However, Yoo Jin-Ah had an ability to read someone’s mind and feel their emotions. Thus, she also could see Kashima’s memory about how the funeral was going on, including how Song Taewon’s father had blamed Song Taewon.

“What’s the use of being an S-Rank Hunter with a power like a monster when you couldn’t even save your siblings and your mother? It’s just the same with you killing them! Monster! You killed them!”.

Yoo Jin-Ah pursed her lips, remembering her severed bond with her little brother in her previous life “I hate Appa’s Father... meany old man...”.

Song Mun-Deok snorted as he sat beside Kashima and ruffled Yoo Jin-Ah who still sat on Kashima’s lap, speaking proudly like a doting great grandfather he was “Our great grandaughter is so smart! I believe you will grow up into a strong and independent woman someday!”.

Yoo Jin-Ah whined as she grabbed her head with a pout “Harabeoji, you ruin my hair!”.

Song Mun-Deok only laughed heartily at that before Kashima fixed her hair. Song Mun-Deok continued the story about how they took Song Taewon under their wings until he grew up into a great man he was right now.

“Still, I don’t understand... why would Appa not get married but he still adopted me?”.

At that, Song Mun-Deok and Kashima exchanged glances before Song Mun-Deok told Yoo Jin-Ah as he ruffled Yoo Jin-Ah’s head.

“Your Appa... he already had someone he loved the most. Unfortunately, he lost her because that woman passed away in a childbirth. If only that child survived as well, she surely would be at the same age with you. Perhaps, even now... towards that woman, he still has...”.

Oh.

Kashima hugged Yoo Jin-Ah from behind and said reassuringly.

“Don’t overthink it, Dear. True, your Appa might still love that woman, but your Appa didn’t adopt you because he saw his child in you. Perhaps... your Appa is just lonely and looking at you in the orphanage, he wanted to have a family member who could understand him. The one who could make him happy and fulfilled as a Father. The one he could make happy as a child”.

And of all children, he chose Yoo Jin-Ah.

Either it was a ‘Fate’ or a ‘Destiny’, Yoo Jin-Ah didn’t know. Han Yoojin didn’t know about the reason why would she possess ‘Yoo Jin-Ah’ after she died as ‘Han Yoojin’. One thing for sure. She would continue living as ‘Yoo Jin-Ah’ from now on.

“I am home”.

Yoo Jin-Ah jumped from Kashima’s lap and ran to the front door to welcome Song Taewon, wrapping her arms around his leg “Appa! Welcome home!”.

Song Taewon chuckled as he lifted her off the ground “Have you been good?”.

“Of course, I have!”.

Since her grandparents had been so kind and they told her to do what she wanted, Yoo Jin-Ah asked Song Taewon “Appa, I want to learn reading. Can I go to the library tomorrow with Halmeoni or Harabeoji?”.

Song Taewon looked contemplating “Why don’t you go with me? I can drive you—”.

“But~ Appa must go to work, right?”.

“...”.

It was decided, then. Song Mun-Deok and Kashima would go with her to visit the library. Actually, Yoo Jin-Ah wanted to investigate something. It was her real reason to visit the library. She didn’t expect to meet with a crazy rich Ahjussi and found her stalker.

Chapter Text

Before he went to the workplace, Song Taewon drove his grandparents and Yoo Jin-Ah to the library. Looking at Song Taewon who was sulking as he crouched in front of her with his back facing her because he could not stay with his daughter (because the said daughter insisted that he must go to work and she still had her Halmeoni and Haraboeji to accompany her), Yoo Jin-Ah didn’t know whether she should feel pity on him or she should laugh at Song Taewon’s misery. 

Looking at him like this, Yoo Jin-Ah thought he looked like a sulky Doberman—no, Teddy Bear.

Feeling pity on her adoptive father, Yoo Jin-Ah tapped his back and smiled brightly when Song Taewon was looking at her “Don’t be sad, Appa. Since you can’t go with us today, let’s go to the Aquarium in weekend together”.

Wrapping his arms around Yoo Jin-Ah’s shoulders, Song Taewon hugged her and rubbed his cheek on her cheek “Of course, we can!”.

Yoo Jin-Ah giggled happily “Appa, it’s ticklish!”.

After she waved her hands, Song Taewon waved back before going to work. Holding hands with Song Mun-Deok and Kashima, they entered the library. While Song Mun-Deok and Kashima were sitting on the benches near the kids corner, Yoo Jin-Ah sneaked discreetly to take the newspapers. Luckily for her, the newspapers were piling on the wooden wardrobe right beside the bookshelves for the children’s books. She went here on purpose just to check the newspapers because she wanted to check what happened ever since 5 years ago when ‘Han Yoojin’ was dead.

The result...

Yoo Jin-Ah went outside, running as fast as she could. Holding her dolphin doll, she panted as she remembered the news she just read, starting from her death. In the newspaper, it stated that ‘Han Yoojin’ died because of the severe bleeding in the childbirth. About a half year before she died, Han Yoojin was found bleeding in the kitchen of her rent room by her lover and someone people suspected as the father of the baby, Song Taewon. Han Yoojin managed to survive, but she must stay bed-ridden for the rest of her pregnancy due to her weakened state. Once she gave birth the baby which was confirmed as a daughter, Han Yoojin passed away and the baby was taken by Han Yoohyun... who threw away her baby later.

The baby’s whereabout was unknown because Han Yoohyun handed over the baby to the Dungeon Brokers who then sold the baby to the auction in Hongkong. Han Yoohyun clarified that he asked those people to hide the baby from the father but they kidnapped her and sold her into the auction instead. Song Taewon went crazy and he desetroyed the Auction in Hongkong, being assisted by Sung Hyunjae, Evelyn Miller, Kang Sooyoung, Moon Hyuna, Baek Yerim, Riette Luire, and Noah Luire. The government of South Korea and Hunters Association decided not to be involved while Hongkong was suffering from inflation. 

The baby’s whereabout was unknown until now.

“Yoohyun-ah, why...?”.

Yoo Jin-Ah tripped and fell forward with her face landing flat on the ground first. Clenching her trembling tiny fists, she stayed on the ground with that position for a while until someone lifted her and cleaned her off the dust. Looking up, Yoo Jin-Ah saw a familiar face of someone who put her on the bench and treated the wounds on her knees, putting the bandaids.

“There, there. The pain, go away”, he smiled gently, though his handsome face frowned as he saw her “What’s wrong? Does it hurt that much?”.

It was Sung Hyunjae, the S-Class Hunter, Jupiter Guild Master. Unlike the last time she had met him, he had a black patch-eye on his left eye and more scars, but he was still handsome. When he was wiping her tears, Yoo Jin-Ah just realized that she was, in fact, crying. When Sung Hyunjae was trying to calm her down, it only made her cry harder. Then, she felt a murderous intention from a certain spot. There, hiding behind the tree, she saw a glimpse of someone’s shadow and being a quick-witted girl, Yoo Jin-Ah pointed to that suspicious person.

“That scary Ahjussi is looking at me like he wanted to kill me! So scary!”.

The mysterious person flinched and ran. Sung Hyunjae saw that person and snapped his fingers to activate his golden chains while his free hand was holding Yoo Jin-Ah protectively. Unfortunately, that mysterious managed to escape. Sung Hyunjae wanted to pursue that mysterious person, but he didn’t want to leave Yoo Jin-Ah here alone, especially not when she was still crying in fear like this. 

(If Yoo Jin-Ah knew what he was thinking, she would slap him)

Thus, he prioritized to just calm down the crying little girl.

“Oh, my! Jin-Ah-yah!”.

“Hey! What are you doing to my granddaughter?”.

Oops. Just barely. While sniffling, Yoo Jin-Ah (somehow) managed to tell Song Mun-Deok and Kashima about the suspicious person and what happened just now. She convinced her great grandparents that no, Sung Hyunjae didn’t do something bad to her and he helped her after she fell when she was trying to chase a beautiful butterfly outside. After Sung Hyunjae treated her wounds, she was spooked by someone who hid behind the tree and looked scary.

Sung Hyunjae apologized because that person escaped and he couldn’t capture him as he handed Yoo Jin-Ah to Song Mun-Deok “Actually, I want to catch that man, but I can’t leave her alone here”.

Yoo Jin-Ah fully knew Sung Hyunjae’s capability and she was sure that Sung Hyunjae could capture that person just fine, but as a child, she was supposedly innocent and no, she was not going to make him suspicious about her real identity. Thus, Yoo Jin-Ah decided to act as an innocent child for now, wrapping her arms around Song Mun-Deok’s shoulders.

“Thank you for your help as usual, Hyunjae-Ssi. Even if Taewon never mentioned it, I know that you are a good friend for him”.

Yoo Jin-Ah wanted to laugh. She remembered how often she (as Han Yoojin) and Song Taewon were bad-mouthing Sung Hyunjae as long as they ate together. Though, she was supposed to not know who he was.

So, yeah.

Act as an innocent child, it was.

“...He’s Appa’s friend?”.

Kashima smiled and told Yoo Jin-Ah about how Sung Hyunjae always sent their daily necessity like food and drink, etc. no matter how Song Taewon insisted that the other man didn’t need to do it. Even Song Mun-Deok approved Sung Hyunjae as a good man, muttering ‘unlike a certain bastard’ before Kashima smacked his head for talking bad in front of a child.

Sung Hyunjae ended up giving more cash for Yoo Jin-Ah to buy snacks, he said.

Yoo Jin-Ah gaped.

The money pocket Sung Hyunjae had given to her was more than enough for them to buy the food’s ingredients for a month!

Tucking the money into her piggy bank, Yoo Jin-Ah smiled broadly “Thank you, Ahjussi!”.

She got more money, a half of what she had gotten, because he thought that she was so cute.

On weekend, it was supposedly a vacation only for Yoo Jin-Ah and Song Taewon, but Sung Hyunjae somehow appeared in the Aquarium as well. Yoo Jin-Ah might or might not let the cat out of the bag and told Sung Hyunjae about her vacation with Song Taewon. Song Taewon walked as fast as he could, but Sung Hyunjae could put up with him. So, begrudgingly, Song Taewon let Sung Hyunjae to stay with them in their vacation.

Actually, it was not only them, but also Moon Hyuna and Baek Yerim. Moon Hyuna was no longer a Guild Master and she worked as a freelance Hunter along with Baek Yerim right now. The Hunter Guild who still existed was only Abyss belonged to Han Yoohyun and Jupiter belonged to Sung Hyunjae.

Yoo Jin-Ah thought that it was not important. What was important now, they had a vacation now, so they must enjoy it together. After they had lunch together on the garden, Yoo Jin-Ah picked the flowers with Baek Yerim who watched over her.

“Hey”.

“Huh? What is it, Unnie?”.

“Are you happy?”.

“Of course, I am! I have Appa, Halmeoni, and Harabeoji!”.

“Even if you don’t have a mother?”.

Even if she didn’t know why the Ice Witch asked her that, she replied with a broad smile “Uh-huh. Because I have Appa, it’s enough”.

“...I see. That’s good”.

Yoo Jin-Ah didn’t understand the reason why would Baek Yerim smile sadly and ruffle her head with those complicated emotions inside her eyes. The adults behind them also talked with a shushed voice. They talked something about how Yoo Jin-Ah didn’t know about who were her biological parents and whatnot.

Even if the adults tried to talk discreetly, Yoo Jin-Ah could catch some bit and pieces from their conversation. From what she had heard, she concluded that the S-Class Hunters knew who were her parents, including Song Taewon. Yoo Jin-Ah didn’t know what the reason was, but Moon Hyuna told Song Taewon that Yoo Jin-Ah deserved to know who her parents were. Song Taewon knew, but he was not ready to tell her and Sung Hyunjae, even if he agreed with Moon Hyuna, told Song Taewon that the decision was Song Taewon’s to be made.

Picking the four-leaves clover in her hand, Yoo Jin-Ah ran back to Song Taewon “Appa! Look, look! I found the clover with four-leaves! For Appa!”.

Yoo Jin-Ah gave flowers crown for Moon Hyuna and Baek Yerim. She mischievously gave the flowers she picked randomly for Sung Hyunjae. For Song Taewon, she gave the flowers crown and the four-leaves clover.

“People said, you will be lucky or get your wish granted with this! It’s for Appa!”.

“Why did you not use it for you?”.

“Um... Promise me that you’re not going to be angry?”.

“Of course not. Why would you—?”.

“I wish to tell my parents, whoever and wherever they are, that I am happy now with Appa, Halmeoni, and Harabeoji. So, they don’t need to feel guilty or feel bad for throwing me away in front of the Church”.

The adults froze, but only Song Taewon managed to utter in disbelief “What make you think so?”.

“I wouldn’t be in the Church from the first place if they didn’t throw me away, but had they not put me in the Church, I would not have met Appa, Halmeoni, and Harabeoji. So, it’s okay because I am happy now”, putting the four-leaves clover on Song Taewon’s palm, Yoo Jin-Ah braced herself “It’s Appa’s turn now. I hope Appa can be happy even if... the woman you love and your child are not here anymore”.

When Song Taewon was not answering, Yoo Jin-Ah started blabbering more and fidgeted with her fingers nervously.

“I... I heard from Halmeoni and Harabeoji, but don’t be angry to them! They told me because I asked! I know, I can’t replace your child, but for me, you’re my Appa, so—”.

Yoo Jin-Ah didn’t finish her words because Song Taewon hugged her. Not only Song Taewon, but also Sung Hyunjae, Moon Hyuna, and Baek Yerim. Moon Hyuna and Baek Yerim even cried.

For her.

Why for someone like her?

“...Appa?”.

“Yoo Jin-Ah, I let you keep your name because I want to respect your choice, because you said that it’s the only thing you have from your parents. However, please don’t think that. Never, ever, think that you are thrown away by your parents. You are loved. Jin-Ah-yah, you will be loved”.

Unconsciously, her tears were streaming down her face and she cried. She didn’t remember when was the last time she had felt this warmth or when was the last time someone hugged her. After Han Yoohyun left and cut their tie, she lost her family and her home equally.

He abandoned you.

It felt like home.

She didn’t want to lose it anymore.

They separated from the other three S-Class and went home feeling warm, closer to each other as Father and daughter. Later, that night before they went to sleep, Song Taewon told her that they would visit someone next morning in his day off.

That night, Yoo Jin-Ah was having the strange dream.

The next morning, they visited Yoo Jin-Ah’s biological mother’s grave with Song Taewon, Song Mun-Deok, and Kashima. Yoo Jin-Ah didn’t expect to meet with her maternal uncle and being ‘Awakened’ due to Dungeon Break near the cemetery.