“Here, take it.”

“What is this…?”

“It’s a USB with access rights to ‘Another World Online.’ It should last you about a week.”

The elevator leading to the underground of Stella Corp. Park Se-hee received the USB handed by Director Choi.

“You got it faster than I expected.”

“Haha. This is nothing. If you throw money at hackers, they can replicate access rights in no time.”

After much deliberation, Park Se-hee decided to join Director Choi’s plan. To secretly take control of Milky Way’s system and seize ‘this world.’ If successful, ‘Another World Online’ would be scrapped before it even launched. Essentially, it was a rebellion.

‘I thought he was just a lazy slacker…’

Director Choi Jae-man was a man steeped in authoritarianism. He genuinely believed that someone of his rank shouldn’t work like a low-level employee. That’s how he was perceived within the company.

But unbeknownst to everyone, Choi Jae-man had been plotting to overthrow the company. He wasn’t a slacker but a cunning snake… no, a venomous viper.

Ding.

“Good morning, Director.”

“Ah, good morning.”

Director Choi greeted a female employee in the elevator with his usual smirk. No one would suspect that he was about to turn the company upside down today.

The two walked down a freshly painted corridor. This was the most important place in the company, where Milky Way, the masterpiece of Jeong So-ra and Stella Corp., was located. Although it was strictly controlled, someone of Director Choi’s rank could come and go with ease.

“Aren’t you excited? If this succeeds, our tedious company life will be over.”

“Yeah, well…”

“Huh? Why the long face? Isn’t it every employee’s dream to bring down the company with their own hands?”

“It’s just… it doesn’t feel real.”

It was a company no one thought would fail. It had gained significant recognition and expectations not just in Korea but abroad. It was hailed as the pinnacle of future technology, a revolution in the gaming industry. Naturally, it had grown with investments from numerous sources. The idea that such a company could be brought down by Director Choi alone was unimaginable.

“Are you perhaps still attached to this company?”

“Not at all.”

Park Se-hee was a self-proclaimed workaholic. There was a time when she prioritized work over her personal life. But that was in the past. Now, having realized the truth hidden by the CEO, she had no lingering attachments to the company.

However, she was curious about one thing.

“But Director Choi.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have no attachments to this company either?”

Director Choi was a founding member of Stella, alongside the CEO. He was asking if it was okay to destroy the company he had built with his own hands.

‘Actually, I wanted to ask if he felt any guilt towards the CEO…’

If he felt guilty, he wouldn’t have planned this.

Director Choi Jae-man seemed to ponder for a moment, rubbing his nose before speaking.

“Hmm. Of course, as a human, I do have attachments.”

“Really?”

“Regret over not making more money.”

“…What?”

“If I were the CEO, I would have been more aggressive in spending and earning. It’s such a waste. Speaking of which, Park Se-hee, do you know why I live so lavishly?”

“Well… because you’re a high-ranking executive in the company…”

“Wrong. It’s because I’m rich.”

Director Choi strode forward confidently.

“It might sound strange, but I’ve been rich since birth, and I’m still rich now.”

That much was already evident. Despite his extravagant spending, he never used the company card. Even a fool could tell he was wealthy.

“You might be mistaken. People might think they respect me because I’m a director at Stella. But they respect my money, not me.”

“Huh?”

“You’re surprisingly naive. Humans may seem to respect other humans, but they don’t. They respect money. Money is the only thing worth respecting. And the reason I’m a director at Stella is purely because this position allows me to make the most money. Of course, I have attachments.”

“Then why…”

“Because there’s a more lucrative position, isn’t there? Hahaha.”

Director Choi laughed as if the question was obvious. Watching him, Park Se-hee thought that Director Choi was as dangerous as the CEO.

Director Choi knew that Milky Way was a machine capable of creating a real world. And he also knew that the people living in that world were real beings. But to Director Choi, they were merely a means to make money. He was a man utterly devoid of ethical consciousness.

‘That’s why… I can’t hand over the world Sora created to such a man.’

Park Se-hee steeled herself. It was fortunate that she had gained Director Choi’s trust and was now under his wing. At least now, she could pretend to assist his plan while secretly thwarting it.

‘If I can intercept his attempt to take control of the system…’

That would be a blessing in disguise.

Park Se-hee composed her expression.

“…I see. Then I should help Director Choi to make a lot of money too.”

“Exactly. I’ll treat you well.”

“Thank you. But I haven’t accessed the system in a while, so I’m not sure how it will go…”

“It’s fine. Just log in and disable the security. We’ll handle the rest.”

Director Choi’s footsteps halted.

[No Entry]

A door with bold red letters. This was the place where Park Se-hee and Director Choi had first met.

“This is the first time I’m showing you what’s beyond this door.”

It was the place Park Se-hee had been most curious about. Located in the most secretive part of the company, only a few could open this door. And Director Choi was one of them.

Creak…

The door opened. Before their eyes was… a vast space that didn’t fit the underground setting.

The first thing Park Se-hee noticed was a pillar. In the center of the vast space stood a massive pillar. It was a steel pillar, easily 30 meters tall. Its depth was also quite dizzying. It was clear why there was a guardrail in front of the door.

“Ah…”

Suddenly, Park Se-hee’s eyes widened as she tried to see how far the pillar extended. The pillar reached the ceiling. However, the ceiling was filled with countless wires. The pillar seemed to pierce through the wire-covered ceiling. Now it looked not 30 meters, but 60, no, easily 100 meters tall.

A massive space secretly built in the company’s basement. Naturally, questions arose.

“Is this… a server room?”

“Hmm. You could say that. This is where our ‘new world’ is being created.”

“Ah…”

Only then did Park Se-hee realize what the pillar was.

“…The core of Milky Way.”

Even Park Se-hee was seeing it for the first time. Milky Way, connected to Jeong So-ra’s head, was a device that scanned brainwaves and turned her imagination into data. She had assumed that the data read would be stored somewhere. Probably in the core of Milky Way.

Director Choi smiled affirmatively.

“The CEO left for a business trip to America last night. He won’t be back until at least the day after tomorrow.”

He looked at the electrically constructed pillar and placed a hand on Park Se-hee’s shoulder.

“Shall we begin?”

*

“Something felt off the moment you set foot in this paradise.”

Michaela brushed her wet hair aside. We were able to take shelter from the rain under the umbrella Myohail had created with his magic.

“The sky of paradise has closed, and there’s no sign of the rain stopping. Even my powers are unusable.”

“Hmm…”

I looked up at the cloudy sky.

Whether it was due to Michaela’s agitation or because paradise was rejecting us, the weather was unusual.

At the very least, it was clear that this situation wasn’t intentionally created by Michaela. With no way out, she desperately needed my help.

“Haha… Are we not welcome here?”

As Myohail said, it seemed that our visit wasn’t welcomed.

Then who…?

The CEO? Director Choi, who’s eyeing this world? Either is possible. The more likely one is the CEO. He might have known about my plan and blocked my access in advance. Or he might have anticipated my actions.

‘Right. It would be strange for someone like the CEO not to have any preparations…’

On the other hand, it’s a relief. If paradise is rejecting us, it means that this place holds the key to connecting the two worlds… the ‘answer.’

“Michaela, where is the center of paradise?”

“The center?”

“I think I know. Count.”

Myohail pointed upwards with his finger.

“Up there. The higher you go, the stronger the magic feels.”

Looking at the cloudy sky, it made sense why paradise was said to be closed. The center of paradise… the root of the world we imagined, wasn’t underground or in the heart of the forest but in the sky above.

Originally, I would have considered how to install a gate in that sky. But with the sky closed, we had to deal with those dark clouds.

As time passed, I could feel the magic that should have been overflowing in paradise gradually diminishing. It was as if acid rain was falling, causing the grass and trees of paradise to wither. The rain was paradise’s way of driving out the intruders, Myohail and me.

After a moment of thought, I had a good idea.

“Myohail, it would be a shame to go back after coming all this way.”

“Haha… Count, I think we’re on the same page.”

Exchanging glances with Myohail, I sensed we had the same thought. It was a ridiculously simple idea, but the thought of executing it made me grin.

Michaela sensed something was off from our expressions.

“Wait… I don’t know what you’re planning, but…”

“Myohail, begin.”

“Understood.”

“Hey…! I said wait!”

Sage Myohail lightly tapped his staff on the ground. A wave of magic spread across the ground, and a massive magic circle flashed before disappearing.

The sound of gentle rain continued. But only for a moment.

Rumble…

The ground shook violently. Sunlight began to pour down from above us.

The sky, once filled with dark clouds, was being torn in half. An immense amount of magic was forcing the sky open. Michaela, who had been staring in shock, finally snapped out of it and screamed.

“Hey!!! What are you doing!?”

“Tsk tsk… Just trying to avoid the rain.”

“Who tears apart the clouds to avoid the rain!? You reckless sage!”

“Haha… As I get older, I find using an umbrella bothersome.”

If paradise was closed, we could force it open with magic. It was a crude but surefire method, requiring an enormous amount of magic. But now, I had Sage Myohail with me.

“You guys! Aren’t you afraid of the sky!? Using such magic in this sacred paradise!?”

“Haha… Then once more…”

“Stop it! If you keep this up, ‘they’ will…”

“They?”

Boom-!

Suddenly, lightning struck the sky as the dark clouds began to part.

“…Myohail, did you pour too much magic into that?”

“No… This isn’t my magic.”

Then, something strange entered my vision. Amidst the pouring sunlight, figures were descending from the sky.

“That’s why I warned you…!”

I could see what those figures were.

“Angels…?”

They were angels with pure white wings. A beautiful group of angels was approaching us.

A dazzling beam of light shone down on us. At first glance, it seemed like a holy scene of angels descending to earth. Fully armed with armor and spears, they looked like divine messengers coming to judge foolish humans.

But Michaela sighed as if she had expected this.

“The guardians of paradise…”

The angels who descended from the sky looked down at us from above. They were all beautiful angels with white blindfolds. But the voices that came from their mouths didn’t match their appearance.

[System ‘Valkyrie’ activated… Intruders confirmed: 2…]

A cold, emotionless voice echoed.

[Elimination of intruders approved.]