Starting a Reversal in Life From the Time of Release

2 – I Resign (1)

“Congratulations!”

When I announced the news of my release, everyone in the room rejoiced genuinely, not out of pretense.

“Thank you. I never imagined I would get out this quickly.”

“hahahaha. Didn’t I tell you? You would eventually be able to get out.”

Alberto chuckled and confidently stroked his beard, while Hwang Dusik and three others excitedly chattered away.

Watching their actions quietly, Alberto focused his gaze on my ankle and asked, “But why are you still wearing the ankle bracelet? If you’ve been proven innocent, they should have taken it off, right?”

“They said they shouldn’t take it off in case I go on a rampage. So, as a principle, when they release someone, they have a hunter accompany them and then remove it. This way, even if I were to run wild, I can be quickly subdued.”

“Hmm… It does make sense.”

Albert nodded convincingly.

I locked eyes with each person who was celebrating with me.

Hwang Dusik and Alberto, who came to prison for fraud.

Lee Jiin, who was caught for embezzlement.

Kim Seokhan, who was caught for theft.

And even Park Youngsoo, who came in on false charges of s*xual harassment.

All of them were people who had committed crimes serious enough to be pointed fingers at in society.

Of course, there were also those who were wrongly accused.

But still, they didn’t want to attract attention, they didn’t want to mix with others, and they could only live while being ignored even after their sentence.

Among them, there were some people who were truly irredeemable, but there were also many who were pulled back into the past.

It was a harsh reality that made me feel the lesson that I shouldn’t make mistakes.

Still, I wanted to give these people another chance.

Because they believed in my injustice, I also wanted to believe in their sincerity.

Even in an era where it seems like fixing people is impossible…

“Please contact me if everyone comes out. I will try to find job opportunities using my connections.”

“Really? Are you serious?”

Mr. Hwang Du-sik asked with wide eyes, as if he couldn’t believe it.

Others also stared at me with a gaze mixed with anticipation and suspicion, as if asking if it was really true.

“Yes. But you must be resolved in your heart. It will be truly difficult for you.”

Still, perhaps because I had built up credibility, everyone held my hand and sincerely thanked me.

It was understandable that stamped criminals would find it difficult to even find a part-time job.

Release day. I changed into the clothes the guard had given me in the dressing room and stepped outside the prison.

The thin texture of the black jersey that I hadn’t worn in a long time felt both awkward and nostalgic.

Who would the hunter who came to watch over me be?

With curiosity and anticipation, as I came out through the prison gate…

“Hey, Mr. Yoo!”

A black-haired American with a very welcoming face was waving his hand and greeting me.

Speaking fluent English.

“Alex! How did you know I was here?”

“Of course I knew. I heard the news about you.”

“Ah…”

I foolishly exclaimed as I realized that Alex was the person who helped prove my innocence.

He could have easily found out about the prison I was locked in.

“I’m Hunter Alex Christopher. I will be monitoring you. I will then remove your ankle bracelet.”

The guard bowed his head, then took a step forward and pulled out a thin silver key from his pocket.

It was the key to unlock the ankle bracelet.

Soon, the ankle bracelet made a clicking sound and my arms spread wide.

The sense of weight that always clung to my feet disappeared, and I felt incredibly relieved.

The feeling of liberation that I had never experienced even when leaving the prison rushed in like a tidal wave.

“Feels good?”

“Yes, it’s really great.”

Alex, who was close by, looked back and forth between the ankle monitor held by the guard and me, grinning.

“Well, I was worried about my friend being someone who committed a juvenile offense…”

Electronic ankle monitors like the one I was wearing were mainly worn by juvenile offenders. Alex playfully remarked, emphasizing that point.

“That’s quite a joke. A juvenile offender?”

I furrowed my brow, showing my discomfort, and he quickly clapped his hands apologetically.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! Seriously! As a token of my apology, I’ll treat you to a meal, so let’s go.”

Alex casually chuckled and pointed towards the car parked near the prison entrance, seemingly trying to create an excuse to buy me a meal.

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“You too, guard.”

“What did I do? Anyway, I’m really glad things worked out this well. Take care.”

“You too, guard.”

I bid farewell to the guard and got into the car, sitting side by side with Alex.

The expensive-looking black sedan was making me feel self-conscious.

“By the way, have some of this. I heard it’s a Korean style to eat something white when you get out of prison?”

In the front passenger seat, Alex opened the console box next to him.

Something round and pure white caught my eye.

“What is it?”

“Macaron. I didn’t buy tofu since it’s a bit slimy and inconvenient to eat.”

“How did you know that? Anyway, thanks.”

I gratefully accepted the macaron that Alex offered and took a bite.

It had a gentle, not too strong sweetness, and the unique texture of a macaron enveloped my teeth and tongue.

Vroom. Alex started the car and drove somewhere.

Since he mentioned going for a meal, it was clear we were heading to a restaurant.

So, we stepped into a restaurant with a parking lot in front of the entrance.

“Do you like pork soup?”

“Of course. After all, thanks to pork soup, we ended up mixing words, right?”

Alex chuckled as he looked at the steaming bowl of white pork soup in front of him.

I found myself laughing without even realizing it as memories from the past resurfaced.

“So, what are you going to do now?”

After emptying every drop of the pork soup, Alex took a sip of cold water and asked.

Watching him enjoy it so thoroughly, it was evident he was truly satisfied.

“What do you mean?”

“Nokyang. Are you going to quit?”

Nokyang.

The guild I once belonged to.

Hearing those words brought a bitter feeling to my mouth.

The reality I would have to face one day felt heavy as I heard it with my own ears.

I used to take pride in being part of this guild, but not anymore.

There was only one person who had done wrong, and it couldn’t be helped that I felt resentment towards those who didn’t trust me.

“Yes, that’s the plan.”

“Well, then come to our guild right away. I feel safer with Mr. Yoo around. And others will feel safer too.”

“I’m not that great, though.”

“If the person who can put a leash on me isn’t great, then who is?”

Alex laughed, recalling an old conversation we had.

The person who had been known as a tyrant due to his arrogance had become surprisingly gentle.

“It’s because you’re someone who knows how to listen, Alex. You couldn’t do that if you were completely stubborn.”

“Oh? Are you complimenting me now? You’ve become quite smooth-tongued since your time in prison.”

“My perspective has broadened a bit.”

Alex looked at me and praised me, drinking another cup of cold water.

“Yu, I don’t like beating around the bush, so I’ll ask directly. Don’t you want to join our guild?”

“Well, it’s not that I dislike Helix Guild. I’m just too exhausted to join a guild right away.”

“Hmm…”

I was indeed tired.

This also meant that I felt uncomfortable with group living.

Alex, who understood the meaning, maintained a serious expression.

“Right. I know almost everything you’ve been through. It’s quite understandable.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“Thank you? What’s there to be thankful for? After all the people who claimed to be friendly only cursed at you, it’s natural not to trust people. But still, can we be friendly with each other?”

“Of course.”

Treating the person who cleared my innocence the same way as those people is not polite.

That’s why I could respond decisively without hesitation.

“I’ll wait until you give me a satisfactory answer. Since I reserved my priority, or rather… as my top priority, I can’t stray elsewhere. You understand, right?”

“Yes.”

If you decide to choose another guild, make it clear that you are refusing.

Alex was saying that.

“Alright then. By the way, where will you go now? Since you came on vacation, play with me a bit.”

“Vacation? What about guild work?”

“I left it to Logan.”

Logan is the second-in-command of Helix and a diligent man.

So he was able to hold the guild under Alex’s authority.

He had reformed himself now, but Alex had gone through a lot of hardships, handling many accidents.

“…Buy me a gift.”

“I got it.”

Alex waved his hand, seemingly tired of my nagging.

“For now, let’s settle the bill. We’ll talk in the car.”

“Okay.”

I followed behind Alex, who was getting up.

It looked strange to see him taking out Korean money from his wallet to pay.

“When it comes to snacking, cash is more convenient than cards.”

Alex explained, as if justifying himself.

“Oh, right. I agree. When I travel abroad, I use cash too.”

“Yeah, that’s right. By the way, where do you want to go? I’ll set the navigation.”

Alex tapped the navigation panel in the car and asked.

From his momentum, it seemed like he was going to drive all the way to Jeju Island.

I cleared my throat quietly and opened my mouth while recalling a fountain pen.

There was no time to prepare due to the sudden turn of events.

“Go to Nokyang Guild.”

“What? Nokyang? Really?”

Alex looked at me with an incredulous expression and asked.

“Yes, Nokyang. I’m planning to withdraw right away. I don’t want to delay it any further.”

“You’re quite hot-headed.”

As I mentioned my withdrawal, he let out a dry laugh.

He seemed more composed than I, the one directly involved in the situation.

“Well, maybe because all the good memories have faded. It feels bitter.”

“I see…”

Instead of expressing understanding, Alex nodded in agreement.

“Then I’ll head over there right away.”

“Thank you. I’ll save some transportation expenses, thanks to you.”

I made a half-serious joke, and Alex twisted the corners of his mouth.

Seeing his previously dark expression brighten up, it felt like the joke was worth it.

The car passed through the quiet streets and eventually hit the highway.

The journey from Cheorwon to Seoul was long, but the car was sturdy.

Listening to trot music on the car radio and gazing out the window, I noticed Alex, who was driving, asked.

“Oh, by the way, what are you going to do after leaving? Our guild won’t be coming right away.”

“Well… I don’t know yet.”

I briefly turned my gaze from the window toward Alex.

“I’ll take a break and think about it. Fortunately, I won’t be short of money.”

“Really? If you’re short, I can give you some. I can give up to 10 billion in one go.”

The guild was doing well in the United States, and as its leader, he had quite the resources.

I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Whose house’s kid is that 10 billion for?”

“If it costs 10 billion to recruit you, it’s a bargain.”

“You’re overestimating me.”

“…I can’t even catch you with that one.”

Alex pursed his lips, seemingly disappointed.

It seems he is frustrated that I didn’t fall for it as he expected.

Then, he opened his mouth with a sigh.

“Ah, right. Let’s put that aside for now and think about what to eat in Seoul. I heard there are many great restaurants there.”

“Can you recommend anywhere?”

“Sure. How expensive could it be at most? Don’t worry about the money, just relax.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

As I pondered what to eat, I couldn’t help but think of the faces of the people left in the guild.

None of them seemed pleased.

I wondered what expressions they would make if we met.

What words would they say?

Just imagining it made me sigh involuntarily.