“Ms. Jeong So-ra, congratulations on your discharge.”

“Thank you for everything.”

“Here, I’ll give you your ID and card.”

The nurse smiled warmly as she handed over the ID. Jeong So-ra returned the smile and left the hospital.

“Ah…”

The blinding sunlight made her instinctively shield her eyes. As the sunlight touched her elbows, she felt a pleasant warmth. Not only that, but the sky was clear and blue without a single cloud. It was as if the world was blessing her recovery…

“Ugh…”

Jeong So-ra stretched and turned her neck, soaking in the sunlight. She had taken many walks around the hospital during her stay, but this felt different.

Honestly, it still didn’t feel real. Who would have thought she’d be discharged on her own two feet…

“Everything feels like a dream…”

So much had happened.

A horrific car accident, brain death, a world created within the Milky Way, Park Joon-hyuk’s schemes, and finally… the Otherworld that had become real, not just a game.

“Congratulations on your discharge, So-ra.”

“Ah?!”

Startled, Jeong So-ra turned around. There stood a woman in sunglasses and a suit.

“Who… who are you?”

“Huh? You don’t recognize me? Is it because of the glasses?”

The woman took off her sunglasses, and Jeong So-ra’s face lit up.

“Se-hee unnie?!”

“Seriously… I’ve visited you so many times, and you don’t recognize me?”

“No, it’s just… you’ve changed your style so much…”

Park Se-hee’s once waist-length hair was now a shoulder-length bob, with waves that gave her a more alluring look.

“I just felt like changing it up. What do you think? Does it suit me?”

“Well… you’re beautiful no matter what. But why are you here? I heard you’ve been really busy lately…”

Unlike before, Park Se-hee had become a celebrity, appearing on TV frequently. She used to visit often, but after becoming famous, she only came late at night with special permission. Her visit in broad daylight was unusual.

“Haha… I am busy. But I wanted to make time today.”

“Huh?”

“For where you’re going today.”

Park Se-hee grinned and held up a car key.

“I’ll take you there.”

*

The boundary between reality and the Otherworld collapsed, bringing uncontrollable chaos.

Players who had thought of the Otherworld as just a game became ordinary humans as the system disappeared. In the end, the surviving players were either fleeing or surrendering.

While forced logout through the system was impossible, logging out through the access gates was still possible. A few players who realized this managed to escape, but the majority couldn’t. Most were too far from the access gates, having participated in the war.

In the end, the remaining players had no choice but to surrender to survive.

Of course, some argued to fight with overwhelming numbers, but no one responded. They had been reckless because they thought it was a game. But now that it was real, no one was willing to risk their actual lives.

The war that seemed endless ended overnight. The joy of winning a hopeless war was short-lived, as the Empire was swamped with post-war tasks.

First, millions of users surrendered at once, filling prisoner camps to capacity. Entire cities were turned into temporary camps, but even that wasn’t enough. There weren’t enough personnel or resources to manage millions of prisoners.

In the end, noble families like the Ruelberta Family had to set up temporary camps in their territories to accommodate the prisoners.

But the biggest problem was the anger of the Otherworld’s inhabitants.

-Their heads must be cut off!

-Yes! We must repay them in kind!

-They all deserve to die!

Many had lost their homes, families, and friends to the players. Their anger was immense, hurling stones and curses at the surrendered prisoners. Some even captured and tortured players who hadn’t been caught yet.

Finally, the Emperor, Lucy, issued a decree.

-From this moment, anyone who harms the surrendered will be severely punished!

While many players had harmed the Otherworld’s inhabitants, there were exceptions.

Some had avoided killing because the inhabitants were too human-like. Others had only hunted monsters in quiet places, avoiding quests and wars. And some had even helped the inhabitants escape or fought on their side during the chaotic war.

Lucy couldn’t punish all players, so she ensured the prisoners’ safety and quickly began sorting the guilty from the innocent.

It was a tedious and time-consuming task, but Lucy didn’t cut corners. It had to be done. If she hadn’t stepped in, retaliatory crimes and massacres would have spread throughout the Empire.

Blood begets blood.

This was a lesson Lucy had learned from the tragedy between the Ruelberta Family and the Imperial Family.

Lucy could have executed millions of users based on public opinion. But she didn’t, not just to distinguish the good from the bad.

Through the war, Lucy learned of another dimension’s existence. Based on the prisoners’ stories, she learned about their world’s civilization, culture, and how to form a relationship with them.

As expected, soon after Lucy captured the users, strangers arrived through the access gates the Imperial Army had occupied.

They made the demands Lucy had anticipated.

-Would you release the people detained here?

Before the Imperial Army occupied the access gates, some users had managed to log out and spread the word about what had happened.

Of course, the world was in an uproar.

-Millions of gamers worldwide in comas?

-60 countries, including the US, declare a state of emergency!

-Game becomes reality!

-People trapped in a game overnight!

-Another dimension’s world appears!

-A world thought to be a game actually exists?!

With millions of users unconscious overnight, nations stepped in. An emergency committee was formed, and representatives from various countries met with Lucy.

Of course, Lucy had no intention of releasing the prisoners easily. She planned to hold them accountable for their crimes and demand compensation for the damage they’d caused to her world. She had gone to great lengths to accommodate millions of prisoners because she saw their value as hostages.

Even if they refused and tried to invade again, Lucy was prepared for another war.

But in the end, it wasn’t necessary. Waging war would mean disregarding the lives of millions, including their own citizens.

Ultimately, the Empire and Lucy took the lead in negotiations. The talks proceeded peacefully without major conflicts. And now, a year later…

The world entered a new era.

The world agreed to recognize the Otherworld as another dimension and the Meikhael Empire and other nations as equals.

While only limited personnel could travel between the two worlds through gates before, now anyone could travel after passing immigration checks.

Thus, the wall between reality and the game world officially disappeared. It was the achievement of those who had worked for the coexistence of the two worlds in just a year.

Of course, there were still many issues to resolve. While 85% of the surrendered users had been sorted, tens of thousands still awaited classification. Moreover, punishments for the guilty were still ongoing.

The Empire was pouring significant resources into uncovering the players’ crimes through testimonies and investigations. Their punishments varied, with most being used as laborers for the Empire’s reconstruction. Rebuilding the country they had invaded was their punishment.

Notably, those deemed particularly guilty were taken by the Ruelberta Family. While it wasn’t unusual for them to take laborers to rebuild their territory, most of these individuals had personality issues. The reason for voluntarily taking such troublesome individuals wasn’t fully disclosed.

Rumors suggested they were taken to a secret mine operated by the Ruelberta Family, where they were treated worse than beasts and worked to death…

Whether true or not, it brought some comfort to the Otherworld’s inhabitants who had suffered in the war.

Regardless, the repatriation and punishment of those who had fled through the access gates and participated in the war, along with lingering distrust and resentment, meant more time was needed to resolve all conflicts.

Still, the opening of a new world remained unchanged.

“Wow… is this the famous First Gate?”

“Also known as the Seoul Gate.”

Jeong So-ra stared in awe at the towering gate through the car window. A massive light gate, about 100 meters tall and 30 meters wide.

“Is this your first time seeing it in person?”

“Yes. I’ve only seen it on TV…”

Jeong So-ra marveled at the gate leading to the Otherworld. It was the first official gate created through Puring’s magic formulas and modern technology.

“The next gate will be in Busan, then Daejeon. Our goal is to have one in every major city.”

While gates were now installed everywhere with the Otherworld’s help, there had been none initially. Park Se-hee had provided temporary gates to the Otherworld in those early days.

The boundary between reality and the game world collapsed when the system was deleted. Park Se-hee’s consciousness, forcibly detained by Park Joon-hyuk’s system, was completely freed.

Over the past year, Park Se-hee had been summoned everywhere as both a related party and a victim. She had been at the forefront of exposing Park Joon-hyuk and Choi Jae-man’s actions, revealing Stella’s true nature to the world.

As a result, Stella’s board members were all arrested, and Choi Jae-man was undergoing a lengthy trial for countless charges.

Meanwhile, the mastermind, Park Joon-hyuk, was found dead at home shortly after the system’s collapse. While it could be seen as a lonely death, some felt even death was too lenient considering the damage he had caused to both worlds.

But what’s done is done. The dead can’t speak.

Regardless, Park Se-hee had worked tirelessly for peace and harmony between the two worlds since awakening. She had proposed mutually beneficial ideas from both sides, dedicating herself to coexistence. She had risen through various organizations, including the Otherworld Disaster Response Committee, to become the deputy director of the newly established ‘Otherworld Management Bureau.’ It was a remarkable achievement for her age.

“Thank you, unnie.”

“Huh? Suddenly?”

“You’ve been doing what I should have been doing.”

As the original creator of the Otherworld, Jeong So-ra was inevitably in the spotlight. She knew more about the new world than anyone. But after waking from a long coma, her health was poor. She wasn’t in a condition to be investigated.

Park Se-hee had helped then. She ensured Jeong So-ra’s existence wasn’t revealed to the media and excluded her from investigations. Thanks to her, Jeong So-ra could quietly recover.

Jeong So-ra was endlessly grateful to Park Se-hee.

“I was able to be discharged early thanks to you.”

“Ah, that’s because you worked hard on your treatment and rehabilitation. I didn’t do anything~.”

“But still, you’re even driving me…”

“Alright, enough thanks. We’re here.”

Arriving at the gate, Park Se-hee and Jeong So-ra got out of the car. Otherworld immigration officers greeted them.

“Deputy Director, you’re here?”

“Can you help with the immigration process?”

“If it’s the Deputy Director’s acquaintance, there’s no need…”

“That won’t do. Whether it’s my acquaintance or not, we must follow procedure.”

“S-sorry! I’ll check the ID!”

The well-dressed officer scanned Jeong So-ra’s ID with a machine. His eyes widened.

“Ms. Jeong So-ra?! The real Jeong So-ra?”

“Yes… that’s me?”

“It’s an honor to meet you! The original creator of the Otherworld-”

“Alright, I get you’re excited, but let’s move along. You’re making her uncomfortable.”

Park Se-hee intervened with a wry smile as the starstruck officer gushed.

“Sorry. I wanted to keep your identity completely secret…”

“It’s fine.”

“Only a few high-ranking officials and our bureau staff know, so don’t worry.”

“I’m just grateful you’ve kept it hidden this long.”

“I’m glad you feel that way. Now, be careful on your way. So-ra.”

“Huh?”

Jeong So-ra tilted her head as Park Se-hee waved her off.

“Aren’t you coming with me?”

“Sorry, I’ve got a lot of work.”

“Ah…”

“Besides, the Princess and other women wouldn’t be too pleased if I went. I know my place…”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“Never mind. It’s a shame, but I’ll have to find someone new. Say hi to your brother for me.”

With those cryptic words, Park Se-hee returned to the car. Her背影 seemed both refreshingly carefree and lonely.

“Please proceed through the gate.”

Following the officer’s guidance, Jeong So-ra moved toward the gate.

“Ah, by the way, Ms. Jeong So-ra, there are people here to greet you.”

“Greet me?”

“So… So-ra-nim…!”

At that moment, a girl ran toward Jeong So-ra from the gate. A girl with chestnut hair in twin tails and large eyes. As the original creator, Jeong So-ra recognized her immediately.

“Wendy!”

“Congratulations on your discharge…!”

Wendy Wingfield, the Ruelberta Family’s maid and a character created as Tristan’s death flag.

“Wow… you’ve gotten so pretty, Wendy.”

“Ehehe… really?”

Wendy, who would be in elementary school by this world’s standards, had matured. She had grown a bit taller, and her once flat body now had curves. She was transitioning from a girl to a young woman.

“Would your brother even recognize you?”

“Eh?! That… that can’t happen…”

“Just kidding. Do you think he wouldn’t recognize you?”

Jeong So-ra patted Wendy’s head. Though Wendy had visited her in the hospital, meeting her again like this was heartwarming.

“So-ra-nim. You look well. That’s a relief.”

Following behind was the cool beauty, Blanshe.

“We’ll take it from here.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong So-ra nodded.

There was no need to ask where they were going.

Today was the day they were all going to meet Jeong Ji-hwan.