Chapter 781
Chapter 781 – First Wish, Park Seung-yeop (2)
– Park Seung-yeop
Back to the huge conference room.
Several people, including David, have gathered to discuss opinions.
However, the atmosphere of the meeting was different from before.
That’s because David was being interrogated.
*
“I knew this would happen.”
“…”
“You’re not an agent, nor even a staff member, but the daughter of the research team leader? How is that any different from being an ordinary person?”
“…”
“Moreover, you’re a teenager! It’s the age when you act recklessly with so much energy!”
“…”
“Are you telling me you had a private meeting with the subject while deactivating the surveillance cameras and eavesdropping devices? Does that even make sense?”
“Lord David, why are you so silent?”
Eventually, David slightly lowered his head.
“I admit my mistake. I thought I was being careful enough… but I didn’t expect this would happen.”
As if waiting for that moment, the elderly man at the head table banged on the table to mediate.
— Bang!
“Let’s stop here. No one can do everything perfectly. Rather than holding someone accountable, we should sort out the situation.”
“Sorting out the situation… I heard you moved the subject’s location to Korea, Lord David.”
“Yes.”
“I also heard you sent her to school?”
“You heard correctly.”
“… Can we really just let her loose among untrained ordinary people?”
Soon, voices of discontent began to arise here and there.
It seemed many viewed placing the ‘subject’ among ordinary people as a variable.
After about thirty seconds passed, David, who had been quietly listening to the complaints, lightly clapped his hands.
— Clap!
“It seems everyone is quite worried. Are you anxious about sending her to an average school, huh?”
“Well, of course…!”
“I feel the same way as you all.”
“What, what do you mean?”
“I mean I’m anxious too. How can I know what will happen?”
“Then why—”
“That’s why we should send her to school first. Have you all forgotten? She has to enter the Brave New World in the end.”
“…”
“You know how the environment of Brave New World No. 7 is, right? It’s also a school.”
“…”
“If she goes wild within the Brave New World, it will be much harder to respond to that. So, we need to check her out in reality beforehand. Am I wrong?”
It was a logical argument.
No one questioned David further after that.
As the meeting was nearing its end, someone cautiously raised their hand.
“Lord David, about the girl who caused the incident…”
“…”
“Where did she go? The report says her whereabouts are unknown.”
For the first time, David showed a puzzled expression.
“I don’t know.”
“Is that even possible?”
“I really don’t know. She’s disappeared like a ghost.”
“No, she’s not even an agent or a staff member, right? I heard she was a girl who was in a wheelchair until recently.”
“It seems she got some strange ability.”
“Suddenly gaining an ability? Haha, does she have some teleportation powers or something?”
“… She really might.”
*
.
..
…
Since that day, my one and only friend has disappeared somewhere.
I asked people around me what happened, but no one could provide a proper answer.
The only responses I got were that it would be difficult to meet again.
“Ah… I really hate school.”
Everything started to feel dull and boring at some point.
Games had been the last source of energy, but even that wasn’t as enjoyable as before.
The worst part was school; I couldn’t understand why I had to be trapped in a narrow box-like place with dozens of idiots.
Some kids even threw trash into my desk drawer, doing disgusting things.
Three days ago, I experienced my first ‘fight’ in my life.
Honestly, it feels like I got hit more than I hit back.
I was incredibly angry and annoyed, but…
Even more so, I just hated the place called school.
So, when I heard I wouldn’t have to go to school for a while, I was genuinely happy.
— Tap! Tap!
“Jungle idiot! I told you to just climb the tower!”
As always, today was another day suffering under the trash team dynamics.
Just as I was about to pick a cat support to punish these disgusting guys and grab some food, someone tapped my shoulder.
“Looks like the game isn’t fun anymore?”
“Uh? Long time no see?”
A young man with a unique appearance, mixed black and white hair.
It’s hard to compare him to a girl, but if I had to point out another friend, I’d say it’s this guy.
“Haha, I’ve been a bit busy lately. Uh… losing again, huh?”
“You can afford to lose this game.”
“I can afford to lose?”
“Look, this guy, the ADC? He’s the jungle fool who played like an idiot in the last round.”
“… So, I’m meeting again with the person who annoyed me in the last round in this round. That’s why I’m purposely losing this round.”
“Exactly. You could call it a lesson.”
“But you’re not the only one who annoyed me. The other three didn’t do anything wrong.”
“What does it matter? If you’re annoyed, you shouldn’t have met me.”
“…”
“This is League.”
At that moment, the black-and-white young man looked at me with a momentarily speechless expression.
“… Looks like you’re really stressed out lately.”
“Stressed?”
“I came to see you because I heard you’re showing signs of mild depression.”
“Depression? Ha! That’s all school’s fault!”
“I heard you fought with some kids.”
“Really ridiculous, right? Those bastards should get struck by lightning and die!”
“… Well, not by lightning, but they did get hit by a car and died.”
“Eh?”
“No, all of this is, well, it’s a good experience for everyone. School… let’s take a week off.”
“Oh~ Can I really skip school?”
“You can skip it. I’ve authorized it.”
Hearing that I didn’t have to go to school instantly lifted my spirits.
So much so that I was willing to forgive the teammates who were ready to report me since earlier.
“Haha! Alright, I’ll let it slide!”
“Let it slide for who?”
“For those idiots over there. They’ve been talking trash about me since earlier, and I’ve decided to let it slide.”
“They are pure victims; what do you mean let it slide… No, forget it.”
“Can I ask one thing?”
“If it’s a request to meet the person who disappeared, then no.”
“…”
I wanted to say to let me meet my precious friend again.
But I got rejected even before I could ask.
As my mood started to turn sour again, he cautiously asked.
“Have you had any special dreams lately?”
“Dreams?”
“… Like a giant in the sky looking for you. Have you had that dream?”
“I’m not sure lately.”
“Really? Hmm…”
After a moment of silence, he cheerfully smiled and said.
“Since we met after a long time, how about playing a game together?”
“Haha! Sounds good!”
“We’ll duo. Let’s try to win together.”
…
In the evening, as he stood up from his chair with a dazed expression, he said.
“… Friend.”
“Yeah?”
“This is just my pure opinion, without any ulterior motives. A gamer’s perspective, outside of occupation?”
“What are you trying to say—”
“Remove every key from the keyboard except qwerdf. Erase the word chat from your mind. Until you do that, you can never score high. Never!”
“No, I wasn’t trying to curse; the mid idiot—”
“If every teammate you meet in random matchmaking is an idiot, the problem might be unexpectedly close by.”
*
.
..
…
Late at night.
I had the same dream again after a long time.
A dark and red brutal land.
I crawled on the ground like a tiny creature, and above the sky, a great giant glimmered white as he looked down upon the earth.
Up to this point, it was no different from the past dreams.
But the next part was different.
… The giant’s eyes were watching me.
Were you there?
The moment I heard that voice, the first feeling I experienced was joy.
The sensation of being caressed by an incredibly glorious being with genuine love.
It felt like a reunion with my parents, whom I lost when I was young.
But the giant’s next words turned everything upside down.
They have ruined you.
They have defiled your potential.
Oh…
I realized with a terrible sadness.
I am nothing more than a failed product and a wrongly grown work.
However, it is not a big problem.
It can be remade.
*
“The enemy’s offensive has begun!”
“Suddenly? Until yesterday, it was calm, right? Lord David! What’s going on—”
“… Do you know what the essence of the enemies is?”
“Pardon?”
“Fanatics. Religious people. In other words, even if yesterday’s judgement was A, if a revelation comes, it will instantly change to B!”
“Are you saying—”
“Haha… Son of Dawn, have you found your work? I knew a time like this would come, but right now of all times!”
“You must give orders.”
“Activate Brave New World No. 7 immediately!”
“Ah, it’s not ready yet.”
“What exactly is the state?”
“The interior is complete, but the entrance hasn’t stabilized—”
“So?”
“I can’t access it. Just getting close will mean so that even your souls won’t be spared by the ‘audience’.”
“This is terrible!”
*
.
..
…
When I awoke in a cold sweat, chaos surrounded me.
— Zone 7 is closed, Zone 12 has collapsed!
— Alpha Team, defend the C-21 corridor.
The area was filled with intense noise and vibrations, and I couldn’t see anyone who could guide me.
While feeling confused, I wandered aimlessly through dark corridors.
— Crack!
Suddenly, someone appeared, shattering the wall like a sheet of paper.
He was a man of enormous stature, who, after surveying the surroundings, fixed his gaze upon me.
“… I never imagined a human would assume this form.”
“Wh-who are you?”
“I couldn’t even begin to guess before receiving the revelation. What an extraordinary thing. The celestial harmony is truly endless.”
“Excuse me, I asked who you are.”
“I am James, the one who has been fated by the Guardian of Paradise. I will prepare a glorious fate with you—”
Before he could finish, the giant suddenly flew away.
It seemed an unknown force had thrown him like a marble.
“Over here!”
With a familiar voice, a young man stood in front of me.
David, one of my few friends, who boasted unique black-and-white hair.
Soon, I heard an angry shout from where the giant had flown.
“David…! You betrayer!”
“James. I didn’t expect you to come in person.”
“Did the Son of Dawn bestow you the revelation personally? You! Are you really trying to ruin the grand undertaking until the end?”
“…”
“It is because that being has shown you mercy until now, due to the achievements you established long ago. Yet, if you continue to behave so maliciously, there will be no forgiveness even after death!”
“Well, that’s uncertain.”
David and the giant seemed to know each other well.
It bothered me that the giant referred to David as a “betrayer,” but what bothered me even more was something else.
David didn’t exhibit his usual relaxed demeanor.
Except when playing games with me, he usually maintained his cheerfulness; but not now.
At that moment, David whispered softly.
“… Come out.”
At first, I thought he was speaking to me, but no, it was directed toward ‘someone else’ around me.
“Come out. Do you think I wouldn’t know that you’ve always been near this guy?”
“Wh-what—”
Right at that moment.
— Squeeze!
A soft hand grabbed mine.
“… What should we do?”
It was an incredibly familiar and nostalgic voice.
It was a girl.
But, this wasn’t the time to chat leisurely.
“Can you take me and run away?”
“…”
“I believe you can.”
“The problem is where we should go.”
“There is no place under the sky that is safe. The essence of the fanatics is the corrupted Management Bureau, so even if you hide in an African wilderness or desert, they can surely find you.”
“…”
“There is only one safe place. Unless the Son of Dawn descends directly to the ground, no one can force open the vault.”
“…”
“You know the location. I told you myself.”
It was a difficult conversation to understand.
But the girl holding my hand seemed to understand everything and pulled me along.
*
I ran frantically, holding the girl’s hand.
In between, I couldn’t help but ask questions.
Where had she been all this time? I missed her so much.
I’d complain about how boring and annoying the days had been without her, wondering why she disappeared without a word.
I knew it.
This was a serious crisis situation, and there was no time for such leisurely conversations.
But…
It felt like I had to say it now.
If not now, I might not get another chance.
Maybe she had similar thoughts, too.
She willingly answered my questions.
“I’ve been on a world tour for a while.”
“A world tour?”
“I wanted to see the wonderful scenery I only saw on the internet with my own eyes at least once.”
“…”
“I thought I wouldn’t be able to see it directly because of my wheelchair… but thanks to you. For the past few months, I’ve lived freer than anyone else in the world because of you.”
By that time, I began to vaguely sense something.
The way the girl and I were moving was something that couldn’t possibly be described with the word ‘running.’
If I had to explain, it was like every time the girl walked, an incomprehensible path appeared, and I followed behind her.
At some point, I could no longer see the front.
The girl had covered my eyes with a black cloth.
I couldn’t see ahead and couldn’t be sure, but this place seemed to be filled with darkness.
Very… very ominous.
An unpleasant energy was surging all around, almost making me gag.
“Wh-where exactly are we?”
“… The movie theater.”
Since some point, the girl’s response speed began to slow down a bit, which felt somewhat unsettling.
“The movie theater?”
“The safest place in the world.”
“What do you—”
“Reach out. Can you touch it?”
“Uh? Wh-what? It’s like some swirling liquid.”
“It’s the screen. You can pass through it. The inside is complete, so… whoa!”
I felt a little anxious.
Even I, who knew nothing, could clearly sense it.
This place was a very dangerous place.
With my eyes closed and just following behind, I was still okay…
But it seemed like someone had paid double the price for what I should have paid.
“Ar-are you okay?”
“…”
“Over there—”
Maybe out of concern for me having my eyes covered?
Her gentle hand guided mine to touch her face.
Her lips wore a happy smile.
Feeling that soft touch, the fears that had been filling my heart slowly began to fade.
“It’s okay. Doesn’t it look like it?”
“Yeah.”
“Now, you just have to go beyond that.”
“Am I going in with you?”
“Of course. From now on, listen carefully to what I say.”
“Uh?”
“There will be a school over there. A school for you and me. We will meet there again and… we can spend a very long time together.”
The girl’s lips curved into a smile once more.
It was a relaxed and comfortable smile that calmed my heart.
“Trust me. There’s nothing to worry about. Just like when you wished upon a shooting star… you just have to believe.”
— Splash!
