Former Hero, Solo Play Oriented-Chapter 209

The plan for the seaside trip progressed with lightning speed.

Traveling on Earth rather than in Astria was something Chris had proposed first. All that remained was to decide on the timing. It had been postponed due to the chaotic circumstances in Astria.

Still, planning the destination, securing accommodations, and considering Chris's work schedule should’ve taken some time. Yet, here we were, departing the very next day.

Whirrr.

“Oh.”

Had I ever left Seoul since coming to this world?

Sitting in the passenger seat of a car cruising along a well-paved highway, I widened my eyes, watching the swiftly passing scenery outside.

In Astria, it wasn’t uncommon to see horizons. Players often relied on teleportation scrolls, so they probably didn’t give it much thought. Considering the continent's vast scale, it was only natural. Then again, the planet that included that continent might have been larger than Earth. Astria’s scientific advancements weren’t sufficient to precisely measure planetary size.

In South Korea, I’d heard there’s only one plain where you can see the horizon. True to the claim, mountains surrounded us in every direction. Well-maintained fields and rice paddies dotted the landscape. It was starkly different from Seoul’s futuristic vibe, with drones and robots bustling about. The scenery outside the window now seemed more reminiscent of Korea decades ago.

Despite my efforts, I couldn’t recall a memory from my previous life of traveling on a highway like this. Did I even live long enough to afford a personal car back then?

What was it like?

If I searched the internet, would I find glimpses of the Korea "he" once lived in?

As I gazed out the window, lost in thought, Chris broke the silence from the driver’s seat.

“Nice weather, huh?”

“Yes, it is.”

I was seated to her right, in the passenger seat.

As she said, it was a warm early summer day with not a cloud in the sky.

Was it around this time last year when I first met Chris?

I’d always wondered—was it okay for someone with a disability to sit in the passenger seat? Well, Chris likely knew what she was doing. Since meeting me, she’d been diligently learning about disabilities.

I didn’t have much awareness of my own disability, let alone knowledge about it. Of course, I was securely buckled in. Besides, modern cars hardly shook. The standardized autonomous driving systems were a bonus.

Perhaps that’s why, even while seated and keeping her eyes on the road, Chris kept sneaking glances at my face. Judging by her sudden remarks:

“Korean countryside’s pretty nice, isn’t it? This must be the first time you’ve left Seoul since arriving in this world. It feels different from Astria, doesn’t it? Hmm... Since you said you don’t remember much from your previous life, I guess this might feel novel to you.”

“Wha... how did you know?”

“You were staring out the window, nodding occasionally. Looked like you were reminiscing. Your expressions and even your body language give away your thoughts these days. More clearly than before.”

“Stop reading my mind!”

“Pfft.”

Chris chuckled mischievously, her knack for reading my thoughts both unnerving and infuriating. I wanted to swat her for poking fun at me, but I restrained myself—hitting the driver, even in an autonomous car, didn’t seem wise.

Or... was it?

As we bantered back and forth, the car sped along until we reached our destination.

Walking through the sleek, luxurious interior of the building with Chris, I found myself exclaiming.

“Wow.”

It was impossible not to be impressed.

“What do you think? Pretty amazing, right? This is one of the resorts owned by Klaus Capsule Corporation here in Korea. The facilities are top-notch, outshining even five-star hotels. There’s a private pool and a buffet restaurant, too.”

“It’s certainly worthy of being called a global company.”

While I was well aware of Chris’s immense social standing and wealth, it didn’t usually feel tangible—living in an expensive Seoul apartment had become our norm. But seeing this resort brought her company’s prestige into sharp focus.

“And the best part?” Chris added with a wink. “Because this is employee welfare, we don’t have to pay for our stay.”

“Quite frugal of you...”

Despite her wealth, Chris rarely spent recklessly. The same applied to her habits in Astria Online, where she seemed extravagant but carefully managed her in-game funds through meticulous grinding and bus services.

Chris cleared her throat.

“Ahem. You have to earn while you can, right? That way, I can enjoy a happy, carefree life with my little Seulbi in the future.”

A carefree life... with me?

How long did she plan to keep me by her side?

Chatting idly, we finally arrived at our resort room.

“Wow.”

Today was turning into a day of constant amazement.

Just like the hallways, the room was spacious and pristine.

On one side was a small refrigerator and a holographic setup replacing a traditional TV. Opposite stood a plush queen-size bed.

But...

“There’s only one bed.”

“We’ll be cuddling to sleep anyway.”

“Th-that’s true...”

Chris casually unpacked from her suitcase, her tone nonchalant. Meanwhile, I flushed bright red.

It had become so normal to sleep in her arms that I hardly even thought about it anymore. Where had my personal space gone? Did dividing rooms even make sense anymore?

From the terrace window, the beach stretched below. Sparkling sand glimmered under the sunlight, meeting the distant horizon. A beautiful white shoreline.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t even asked where we were going when I vaguely mentioned wanting to see the sea. Was this the West Coast?

“Shall we eat first?” Chris asked.

I glanced at my phone. It was 5 PM. Since we’d had lunch before leaving, Chris was suggesting an early dinner.

Though the distance between Seoul and here didn’t seem far—or maybe futuristic cars were just that fast—we’d arrived quickly.

I turned my gaze back to the expansive sea, something I hadn’t often seen even in Astria.

“I’d like to go to the beach first.”

“Sure. We can eat later.”

Chris rummaged through her bag, pulling out a flimsy piece of fabric with a shy blush.

“Then let’s get changed.”

“W-what?”

Right. Yesterday, we’d gone shopping for swimsuits. I’d stubbornly refused to try anything on, claiming it was inconvenient. Chris had simply smiled, saying my opinion might change once we got here.

Honestly, I was just embarrassed.

How could anyone wear something that revealing?

“I-it might not fit since I didn’t try it on...”

“It’ll fit perfectly.”

“How do you even know!?”

“When you buy clothes, you don’t try them all on, do you? Trust me—I’ve seen and touched enough to know. How could I not know my Seulbi’s size?”

“Seen and touched...?”

Chris smirked. “You can wear a shirt over it until we get in the water. I picked one with frills and a skirt style, so it won’t feel too exposing. Anyway, I’ll get changed first.”

Without hesitation, Chris started undressing.

“W-wait!”

Turning beet red, I averted my eyes.

Though we’d even bathed together, seeing Chris naked still made me flustered. It seemed certain remnants of my previous life lingered in unexpected ways.

Soon, Chris called out to me, fully changed.

“What are you so embarrassed about? We’ve already seen everything. You can look now.”

Tentatively, I opened my eyes.

“Wow...”

Chris’s red bikini, matching her fiery hair, clung to her figure. The thin fabric revealed her perfect curves, accentuating her voluptuous chest and slender waist. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Yet, the minimal coverage made me question how she could wear that in front of others so confidently. Wasn’t she embarrassed?

Regardless, I couldn’t look away. My mind felt overwhelmed, teetering on the edge of meltdown. My gaze glazed over.

“You’re... so beautiful...”

“Fufu.”

Chris’s sultry smile grew as she approached.

“Now, let’s get you changed.”

“H-ha...”

“Still hard to change on your own, right? Don’t worry—big sis will help. Hands up!”

“H-hands up...”

With Chris’s help, I soon found myself in my own swimsuit, surrendering to the situation.