Chapter 95
After having that experience which could hardly be called a dream, I became able to access the administrator mode more frequently. In a way, this might mean I was gradually embodying Yu Dohyun’s mana. Of course, I still coughed up blood or dry heaved occasionally, but the frequency had decreased significantly.
“This is really a good sign.”
“Is it?”
One of the researchers said with a happy voice.
“We’ve only been continuing the existing medication, but it means Chanhee-nim’s mana circulation ability is continuing to develop.”
“Does that mean my mana could completely stabilize if we keep going like this?”
“I can’t promise anything, but well… in this state, I think it might not be far off.”
“Then would I be able to return as a hunter?”
“That could be possible, but it’s too much right now. We’re still far from that.”
I nodded. The researcher, perhaps wanting to encourage me, kept repeating positive words. Things are going well, getting better and better… I nodded as if reassured by those words. In reality, if my mana stabilized quickly, the burden on Yu Hyunjae would decrease. And Yu Hyunjae’s suggestion about breaking away from Han Jaemin might become feasible too.
“Fortunately, the director continues to give his full support… even after such public exposure in the media. He’s really a good person.”
“Yes, indeed. I’m grateful.”
“The hospital facilities have improved a lot too.”
“That’s good.”
“Yes. We also have a new researcher with considerable expertise in this area, so development is proceeding quickly.”
“Really? That should be very helpful.”
“Of course. That person might come next time too.”
Though not particularly interested, I nodded. After all, I didn’t care much who injected me with medication as long as my mana stabilized.
“Please rest for a few hours.”
“Yes. Take care.”
Only after confirming that the researchers had left did I breathe a sigh of relief. As soon as the people disappeared, the system reappeared like a ghost. It had been acting like it had almost vanished until now, but now it was becoming annoying.
[There is a new update! Would you like to check it?]
The content was similar.
[Target achievement rate has increased by 1%! The user’s energy improves. The user is getting closer to the goal. Say ‘Modify Goal’ if you want to modify the target.]
What a joke. So, Yu Dohyun set Yu Chanhee’s ultimate goal as death, which means the healthier Yu Chanhee becomes, the closer he gets to death? I snickered, recalling how in that dream I had earlier, Yu Dohyun’s goal was “ultimate happiness.” If that had been Yu Dohyun’s real intention and reality, he would have been the world’s greatest psychopath.
*
After resting briefly, I went to the living room and turned on the news. Today was the day a C-grade Gate was opening. Though I wasn’t particularly concerned since it was only C-grade, I still habitually checked Gate openings. According to the news, two 2nd-grade hunters and two 3rd-grade hunters were being dispatched. The location was near Dogok 2-dong. Not far from here. It seemed more difficult to control than the previous Itaewon Gate as it was in an area with even higher population density. I heard there was significant resistance from residents sensitive about property values, but that didn’t really concern me.
[The C-grade Gate, also known as the 25th Dogok 2-dong Gate, is about to open. The subjugation is expected to proceed without issues, and normalization of daily life for the residents should be completed within 3 hours.]
I continued to listen to the anchor’s words with a bored expression.
[Next news, as the economy stagnates…]
That was the last news about the Gate. Of course, since it was C-grade. I looked out toward the balcony wondering if I could see the Gate from here. I did so even though it was too far away to be visible. It seemed I had developed a habit after having “participated” in a few missions. I received a text from Go Hankyul.
[Go Hankyul: Have you listened to Eden South yet?]
[Yeah]
[Not bad]
[Go Hankyul: Not just “not bad,” it’s fucking good -_-]
[I liked their 2nd album better]
[Go Hankyul: But they outsourced the title track for that one -_- This time all songs are written and composed in-house]
[Yeah that’s probably why the quality is worse]
I continued texting, deliberately teasing Go Hankyul. Actually, Eden South’s music wasn’t bad. If anything, their new album perfectly matched my taste. However, there was nothing better than savagely criticizing them to tease Go Hankyul, who was quite invested in rock music. I was about to reply to Go Hankyul’s profanity-laden message when the internet suddenly cut out, making me look around.
Suddenly there was a booming sound followed by strong vibrations. The flower pot placed in front of the TV stand fell. It didn’t break, but soil spilled across the floor. I got up and ran to the balcony. The aftershocks continued. I pressed down on my toes and continued to feel the vibration. As the vibrations gradually subsided, the phone rang. It was Go Hankyul.
-Hey, did you feel that earthquake just now?
“Yeah. What’s that about? A sudden earthquake?”
-There was no earthquake warning, right?
“No, nothing except the Gate opening. But a C-grade Gate would never cause an earthquake of this magnitude.”
-This is all because you badmouthed Eden South. Got it?
“What nonsense…”
-…
Go Hankyul’s words suddenly stopped.
“What nonsense are you…”
-Hey. Hey, hey.
“What?”
I answered slowly to Go Hankyul’s frantic voice.
-Hey. Watch the news.
Thinking that I might have experienced a similar situation before, I turned on the TV. The two anchors who had been discussing economic stagnation were now delivering breaking news with urgent voices.
[Breaking news. The 25th Dogok 2-dong Gate, which was thought to be C-grade, has been reclassified as S-grade. Instead of evacuating residents within a 500m radius, evacuation of residents within a 2km radius appears necessary. Residents in the area are requested to follow the emergency evacuation order. Once again, the 25th Dogok 2-dong Gate is S-grade, S-grade. First-grade hunters are currently heading to the Gate. Residents, please remain calm…]
I turned my head and looked beyond the balcony again. Though it was far away, a black hole that clearly looked like a Gate started growing larger. I had never seen a Gate hole of that size in my life. I opened my eyes wide and ran to the end of the balcony to confirm its appearance.
Suddenly, the entire background quickly turned gray.
[Event occurred! An event has occurred that can quickly bring you closer to achieving your goal! Do you want to execute it?]
“You’ve finally gone crazy.”
Is this telling me to throw myself in there? That would certainly achieve the goal immediately. But I’d return to being seventeen again.
[If you do not participate in the event, the opportunity will disappear.]
“Talking about ‘opportunity’ and all that crap.”
[There will be a penalty if you abandon the event.]
[Penalty: Death of approximately 700 civilians]
“Wow, fuck… This is insane.”
I didn’t hold back the swear words that naturally came out. Why are they transferring responsibility for 700 lives to me when there’s nothing I can do? This isn’t even my job to begin with.
[Will you participate in the event?]
[Penalty: Death of approximately 700 civilians, death of characters ‘Lee Joohyun’ and ‘Go Hankyul’.]
I tightly closed my eyes. Right, this is exactly what I’d expect from this bastard system. I finally put on my shoes and dashed out the door.
“Fine, I’ll do it. Stop following me!”
[You have accepted the event! Go to the 25th Dogok 2-dong Gate right now! Someone is waiting for you there!]
Without a car or anything, I… grabbed a nearby bicycle and rode like hell. It takes 10 minutes by bicycle to Dogok 2-dong if you pedal hard. Hoping the Gate wouldn’t grow bigger until then, I pedaled. Ah, I’m really not playing it cool here, thinking such childish thoughts.
Going against the flow of fleeing people was an oddly strange feeling. I felt the unpleasant wind growing stronger as I got closer to the Gate. Finally, I saw the fence. In front of the fence were numerous hunters, shielders, and Combat Division staff.
“Yu Chanhee?”
Lee Joohyun was the first to spot me.
[Join ‘Lee Joohyun’ who has been waiting for you!]
“Hey! Come with me!”
“Are you crazy? What are you doing here?”
“Just come with me first!”
“No, hey!”
Before anyone could grab me, I bent down and slipped inside the fence. Lee Joohyun looked at me with an utterly bewildered expression.
“I’m still a 1st-grade hunter. I haven’t been disqualified!”
“You can’t even use mana. If you go in, you’ll just die for nothing!”
“I can use it! So let’s go in. If we don’t go in now, monsters will come out!”
That was true. Reluctantly, Lee Joohyun nodded and led the rest of the hunters to follow. Entering the Gate was my first time since I entered the artificial Gate when I was seventeen. In other words, I was completely unprepared. I felt my body being sucked into the Gate.
