primodialtranslation.site

Author: Renegade

  • The Seventh Knight Chapter 14

    “Phew… I guess there’s no helping it.”

    Jiwoon let out a deep sigh as he collapsed onto the bed.

    Training would begin tomorrow.

    He didn’t know what kind of exercises awaited him, but he figured he should at least get a good night’s sleep.

    “Well, somehow it’ll work out. Whatever, let’s just sleep!”

    However, after that night, Jiwoon never again slept as peacefully as he did now.

    Thud!

    “What is this?”

    “You can’t tell by looking? It’s a chainmail. Don’t the knights of your country wear armor?”

    “Uh, well, that’s… Why are you giving this to me?”

    “Huh? Don’t you need to train? And to train, you should wear chainmail. But wearing both the upper and lower pieces might be too heavy, so I decided to just have you wear the byrnie.”

    “…”

    Helford handed Jiwoon a byrnie, a type of chainmail shirt. In medieval times, such armor was typically worn by regular soldiers.

    Equipping chainmail or plate mail to every soldier was a luxury only the wealthiest could afford, so most soldiers wore either a byrnie or a longer hauberk.

    The problem was that while not as heavy as plate armor, a byrnie was still considerably heavy.

    ‘This is going to be rough.’

    Jiwoon’s thoughts darkened. He had expected training to involve running laps around the training ground or using equipment to build strength, maybe even some intense exercises like the ones he had experienced during military training.

    ‘But a byrnie? Seriously?’

    Jiwoon seriously contemplated whether he should wear it.

    “Feeling like something’s missing? Want a headgear too?”

    “No, no! Just the byrnie is fine! Haha!”

    “Alright, let me know if you change your mind.”

    Jiwoon, recalling an unpleasant experience with a headgear he once tried on in a Spanish museum, had no desire to wear one for training.

    “Well then, shall we begin?”

    Helford grinned, revealing his yellow teeth, and Jiwoon felt a sense of doom.

    ‘I’m doomed…’

    He wouldn’t actually die—Helford was just the trainer, after all.

    Jiwoon could walk and run well. He prided himself on his stamina, always excelling in long-distance running during his time in the military. He thought he could easily outlast the medieval soldiers.

    But that confidence shattered within thirty minutes under the scorching June sun.

    “Hah! Huff!”

    With each step, the byrnie clinked constantly. It was heavy, poorly ventilated, and the hot metal chain rubbed against his exposed arms, causing pain.

    It was hell.

    “Move faster! The hourglass hasn’t run out yet!”

    ‘He’s a demon!’

    Helford lounged under the shade of the castle wall, his feet propped on a table, fanning himself. To Jiwoon, who was running under the blazing sun, Helford looked every bit a demon.

    His yawns were infuriating, making Jiwoon want to smack him.

    But what could he do? Helford was the instructor, and Jiwoon was the trainee. Orders were orders.

    “Hang in there, Jiwoon! Just a bit more!”

    Though it wasn’t comforting, Jiwoon forced a smile. The voice belonged to one of the ten men running the training grounds with him. His name was… Ralph?

    “Haah! Huff, you too, Ralph!”

    Ralph nodded and moved ahead.

    Medieval people were smaller and weaker than modern humans, with shorter lifespans. Yet, exceptions existed. The elite soldiers Helford had brought with him when he pledged loyalty to Baron Frederick were built differently. Muscular, with large frames, they kept pace even under the sun, fully armored.

    Unlike Jiwoon, who only wore a byrnie, they wore hauberks and steel gauntlets, likely carrying over 20 kilograms of gear for thirty minutes straight.

    Jiwoon, initially underestimating them due to their shorter stature, felt deeply embarrassed.

    While these soldiers were the elite assault unit, not just regular guards, the pride Jiwoon held as the most enduring in his reconnaissance company was shattered.

    ‘Help me!’

    Jiwoon screamed internally as he kept running.

    “Rest time!”

    Thud!

    “Haah! Haah!”

    At the word “rest,” Jiwoon collapsed to the ground.

    Sweat poured down like rain, but he had no strength to lift his arm to wipe it away.

    “Assault squad, assemble!”

    As a command rang out, the remaining soldiers rushed to one side.

    They gathered in front of Helford, who had gotten up from his chair.

    “Assault squad, rest preparation complete!”

    “Alright, rest up!”

    “Assault squad, commence rest!”

    With a plop, the soldiers sat down on the ground. Until the command was given, they moved with precision, but once rest time began, they lounged around like seasoned veterans, chatting casually and relaxing.

    “Man, it’s quite hot today.”

    “Yeah, this summer is no joke.”

    “Haha! If it’s this hot, maybe the women in the village below will start shedding their clothes. Just thinking about it gets me excited!”

    “Passton, aren’t you satisfied with your wife’s bottom? How about mine?”

    “I’ll pass, Pire. I have no interest in a bottom covered in ringworm!”

    Laughter erupted.

    Watching the soldiers laugh and chatter, Jiwoon wondered if they were the same men who had been running laps in full armor just moments ago.

    Despite their elite status, Jiwoon wondered at how they could laugh and chat so lively after such strenuous training.

    Dragging his weary body to a nearby tree’s shade, Jiwoon lay down, exhausted, while the soldiers’ cheerful rest continued.

    At that moment, Pire, who had been teased about his bottom, glanced towards Jiwoon.

    “By the way, that noble Jiwoon… I thought he was weak, but he’s holding up well.”

    “Yeah, he’s tall and pale. I didn’t think he’d know how to wear armor properly. He’s struggling, but he runs well. Is he really a noble?”

    The soldiers glanced at Jiwoon, murmuring.

    Despite only wearing a byrnie, they found it impressive that a noble, presumably raised in luxury, was enduring the same training as them.

    The nobles they knew were usually pretentious and frail, unlike their own baron Fredrick and the knights of the territory.

    “Don’t say that. He’s the heir of a count’s family from a faraway land, isn’t he? What was it called? Korea?”

    Ralph, the young soldier who had earlier encouraged Jiwoon, spoke up.

    The soldiers’ attention turned to Ralph.

    As a muscular, handsome soldier, Ralph was popular among the castle maids and often heard various rumors through them.

    “A count’s family? Wow, that’s impressive. So, he’s the future count?”

    “Future count, my foot. He’s stuck here for good since his homeland is too far away. He can’t return and will have to live here for the rest of his life.”

    “Really? That’s bad luck. He could’ve lived well over there. What brought him here?”

    Ralph’s cautious gaze shifted.

    “Well, from what I’ve heard, he’s from a country that serves the one above the skies. He came here to spread the word from his homeland. But…”

    “But?”

    With the soldiers’ eyes fixed on him, Ralph’s tone grew more careful.

    “He came across the Dragon Mountain Range.”

    “What?”

    The soldiers’ eyes widened, then quickly furrowed in disbelief.

    “You’re kidding. That’s nonsense.”

    “Haha! That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Crossed the Dragon Mountain Range? Yeah, right. Did he pass through Cromwell’s Forest too?”

    Laughter erupted again.

    Pointing fingers, the soldiers laughed at Ralph’s claim. Some even playfully tapped his head. Pire, the cheerful soldier, was among them.

    “…Really.”

    “Haha! What?”

    “I’m serious.”

    Pire’s hand paused mid-tap, and the laughter subsided.

    “What did you say?”

    Ralph, near tears, repeated himself.

    “I’m serious! Robson from the village watch said so. He found the noble at the entrance to Cromwell’s Forest. He came out of Cromwell’s Forest. Robson saw it right behind Sir Einse.”

    Silence fell over the soldiers.

    Especially the older ones familiar with the dangers of Cromwell’s Forest, stared in disbelief at Ralph and Jiwoon.

    (To be continued in the next part)

  • About a Dating Sim Where Dating Is Impossible Chapter 22

    Not only the empire felt threatened by the ever-ascending Ottomans.

    The Christian powers of the Balkans and Eastern Europe were alarmed by the expanding Islamic forces. They even appealed to the Pope to launch crusaders against the Ottomans, though all such attempts ended in failure. Despite these setbacks, some continued to resist the Ottomans.

    Serbia stood out in this resistance.

    Foreseeing that the Ottoman power would eventually engulf the entire Balkans, Serbia resisted fiercely. Unfortunately for the empire, Serbia’s resistance consistently resulted in devastating defeats, numerous lost battles, and the death of its king. Consequently, anti-Ottoman sentiment in Serbia runs deep.

    Thus, it is not surprising that Serbia sought to ally with the empire against the Ottomans. The Serbian prince, Stefan, was drawn to an alliance with the empire, which had recently begun to regain its strength.

    “Didn’t we arrange a suitable match for you?”

    As the empire also sought strong allies against the Ottomans, this marriage proposal was a win-win strategy eagerly anticipated by both sides. The empire believed that its hidden plans and the combined forces of the marital alliance could successfully expel the Ottomans from the Balkans.

    However, an unexpected turn of events shook both Stefan, who had been stabilizing a war-torn Serbia, and the aged Emperor Manuel II, a seasoned statesman who had sustained the empire for decades.

    The twist came from Sophia, the Serbian princess central to this marital alliance.

    “Did you really think that?”

    Sophia sighed as she cast a pitying glance at her father. This proud young lady, who had always exceeded her father’s expectations with her clever wit, seemed far removed from the image of a shy maiden. Instead, Sophia’s inherent ambition had sharpened her senses considerably.

    Given that Stefan had relied on Sophia’s advice to stabilize his rule, he decided to heed her words, even though she could be somewhat disrespectful.

    “Was it the wrong choice?”

    “Whether realizing it now is fortunate or unfortunate, I can’t tell.”

    The subtle gaze from his daughter left Stefan feeling a pang of disappointment. He regretted spoiling her too much, leading her to become so willful. Reflecting on his parenting approach, he asked his daughter, this time as a ruler:

    “Explain your reasoning. And tell me about the person you’ve chosen and why.”

    “I really love how you always make rational decisions, Papa. I love you, Papa♡.”

    The reason he could always tolerate his impolite daughter was her occasional displays of affection. The bitterness quickly melted away.

    Stefan was a doting father.

    “…So, what’s your reasoning?”

    “I suppose you thought securing the alliance would be easier given his high succession rank. If the current emperor’s regime were stable, that wouldn’t be wrong. But the problem is, we’re in a period of transition.

    The current emperor, Manuel, made a significant blunder.”

    Sophia highlighted the aging emperor’s declining insight, noting that while his skilful handling had prolonged the empire’s life, even the sharpest minds falter with age.

    She viewed his recent actions with mild disappointment but acknowledged that it was inevitable for one’s judgment to deteriorate with age.

    “A blunder?”

    “Yes, he concentrated too much power on a son who isn’t the designated heir. Had he stuck to the original plan of division, he could have prevented the instability caused by the succession. But now, it’s too late. From what I’ve observed, the empire is fractured into multiple factions.”

    Succession planning is the final, most vexing challenge for any ruler, as its success or failure can determine whether their legacy endures. Reflecting on this, Stefan cautiously posed another question:

    “Can you assess Manuel’s sons?”

    Sophia responded with a confident smile.

    “If you were to marry the current co-emperor, John, it would immediately solidify an alliance with the empire. However, the cost Serbia would bear to sustain his unstable regime would be enormous. But it seems the empire has no intention of pairing me with John, so there’s no need to worry.”

    “Short-sighted, then?”

    “Marrying John has too many pros and cons. From my perspective, it’s a risky and inferior option.”

    “What about the other brothers?”

    “The youngest, Demetrios and Thomas, are exceptions. They’re too young and lack significant support, making their chances of inheriting the throne the lowest. For both the empire, which needs to form an alliance quickly, and us, they aren’t viable options. The only advantage would be that I could somewhat manipulate them from behind the scenes, but that’s only possible if they gain power. Can we wait until then?”

    Stefan shook his head. It was an absurd notion. Supporting the untested Demetrios and Thomas was far riskier than marrying John.

    Naturally, they weren’t candidates Sophia would consider.

    “That leaves two others if we exclude those three.”

    “So, you proposed Theodoros, the one with the highest succession rank among the two.”

    “Father, I’ve thoroughly analyzed the power players or potential power players in the empire to help you. One incident caught my eye.”

    As Stefan remained silent, Sophia continued without hesitation, her confidence in power radiating through her words.

    “The second prince, Theodoros, transferred the ownership of Achaea to Prince Constantine, the ruler of Morea at the time. The extent of the rights given was too significant to be merely a gesture of goodwill.”

    “It’s an alliance. They’ve allied to claim the throne.”

    Though Stefan had some suspicions, his daughter’s words solidified his understanding. He had hoped to support Theodoros, who already had a support base, to easily forge a powerful alliance. However, Sophia was delving deeper into the reasons behind this alliance.

    “At the time of transferring Achaea, it was unclear what Prince Constantine, the ruler of Morea, intended. Was he using Theodoros as a puppet to establish a regime where he held real power, or was he using Theodoros as a shield to deflect the backlash when he deposed his brother, who currently holds the throne?”

    But the guess turned out to be much more favorable. Sophia felt a thrill as she subtly licked her lips, savoring the excitement.

    “When he chose a lady from the Kantakouzenos family as his bride, his intentions became clear.”

    Her ambition pointed sharply at the prince.

    “Father, Prince Constantine aims to become emperor himself. He has Morea, a stable base he has solidified over the years, a domain with the freedom, rights, and military power that the fallen thousand-year-old capital could never possess.”

    Moreover, he is the only claimant to the throne who possesses all the necessary conditions to become emperor. Constantine has everything needed to challenge John’s regime and establish his own.

    “By recovering the Peloponnesian peninsula, a long-cherished goal of the empire, he gained the people’s support. Over the years, he has proven his capabilities and boasts a noble lineage. Furthermore, his mother, the empress, is from our Serbia, is she not? For the nobility, there would be no complaints about a marriage alliance of this caliber.”

    “But hasn’t he already set his sights on marrying a noblewoman?”

    At this, the ambitious smile vanished from Sophia’s face. The eyes, once ablaze with greed, now cooled, tempered by the same ambition.

    “It’s simply a choice between securing a stable regime with the nobles’ support or gaining an allied force to stand against the Ottomans.”

    Sophia covered her mouth, but her voice grew more excited.

    “The choice he’ll make is obvious.”

  • Logging Out Is Too Hard Chapter 1

    “Hey, hey, wasn’t last night insane?

    The sudden blackout, then the server going down… For a moment, I thought I’d passed out.

    Isn’t there any compensation or something?”

    “Compensation? Forget it.

    If it was because of poor server management, maybe, but it was a natural disaster.

    They say the whole world blacked out at the same time.”

    “Yeah, and it was down for like, what, one or two seconds tops?

    Man, you’re just so greedy…”

    “Heh-heh.”

    [Starting Village: Moretti]

    The plaza of Moretti, one of the beginner areas, was bustling with players.

    They were all talking about yesterday’s massive blackout event.

    An unprecedented global blackout.

    For industries like media, banking, and key infrastructure, even a brief one or two seconds of outage could cause significant disruption.

    But for ordinary gamers, it was just a minor hiccup—mere gossip to laugh off.

    “But hey, I heard the Phoenix Clan is going for the 10th floor this time.”

    “Really? Wow… And it hasn’t been that long since they cleared the 9th floor. That’s incredible.”

    “Sigh, when will we ever get to the Labyrinth Tower?”

    “Get there? First, we need to get out of the beginner zones. The Labyrinth Tower is in the central continent.”

    “Haa… It looks so close, but it’s so far away.”

    The players muttered as they gazed at the towering structure piercing the sky in the distance.

    A colossal tower visible from anywhere on the continent.

    It was the [Labyrinth Tower], the ultimate goal of every player.

    [Eviltale], the virtual reality game created by the world’s first autonomous AI, [Ethan].

    From its development phase, it was shrouded in rumors.

    A new, unheard-of company [Andra] was making a game using an uncommercialized autonomous AI?

    And instead of the conventional helmet-based VR systems, they were introducing capsule-like devices capable of digitizing all five senses?

    It sounded like something out of a comic book, and at first, people were intrigued.

    But as three years passed without significant news, they dismissed it as nothing more than an empty promise.

    Then, in the fifth year, [Eviltale] took the world by storm.

    From the gusts of wind to the scents in the air.

    From the warmth of the sun to the intricate landscapes of buildings.

    Even the intuitive intensity of combat.

    Everything felt novel and astounding.

    A challenge to the impossible.

    Those who experienced [Eviltale] even claimed it wasn’t made by humans.

    With 300 million concurrent users and 1.5 billion total registrants, the game didn’t just achieve popularity—it consumed the world with fervor.

    And so, as always, people were enjoying [Eviltale].

    All except for one person.

    “P-Please! I’m begging you!

    Contact this number for me!”

    “No, wait! Call the police! Please…!”

    A murmur spread among the players in Moretti’s plaza.

    A rumor about a crazy man running around.

    • Is that crazy guy still running around Moretti Village?
    • Nope. It’s been three days. Now he’s just standing by the fountain with a sign around his neck.
    • Yeah, I saw him too. He was crying, saying he’s trapped in the game since the blackout.
    • LMAO, attention-seeking loser. If he’s trapped, why’s the logout button working fine for everyone else?

    Posts about the man started appearing in the in-game community.

    By the tenth day, the whispers grew louder.

    “Isn’t that guy… the one?”

    “Could he really be unable to log out?”

    “No way. If that were true, the developers would’ve done something by now. Admins have been here several times.”

    People whispered as they watched the man standing in the plaza.

    • There’s a full 24-hour livestream on YouTube. Looks like he really can’t log out.
    • Nah, he’s probably just an NPC.
    • OMG, what if it’s a hidden quest? 😂

    By the 20th day, even the skeptics in the community started to change their tone.

    “…Do you think he’s dead or something?”

    “No way.”

    “Some YouTubers and streamers visited the address on his sign, but there was nothing there.”

    “Of course there wasn’t. It’s all fake.”

    “Apparently, the police got so many reports they issued a public announcement. They said the ID number doesn’t even exist.”

    As the murmurs continued, suspicion and cynicism replaced curiosity by the 30th day.

    And that suspicion turned into cruel ridicule.

    Drip… drip…

    Rain began to fall.

    “…”

    The man stood silently at the fountain in the center of the plaza, his head hung low.

    “I… can’t log out.”

    His dry lips barely moved.

    “Please… help me.”

    His stamina had long been depleted, and he could barely remain standing.

    Hunger had maxed out days ago, and his vision was blurred, as if shrouded in fog.

    How many days had it been?

    He had lost track of time, endlessly repeating the same words.

    “Damn it. That lunatic again… doesn’t he ever get tired?”

    “They say the ID number on his sign is fake too.”

    “Apparently, the police issued an official statement yesterday, asking people to stop filing reports. The ID doesn’t exist.”

    “Geez… The things people do for attention these days.”

    The reactions were cold and indifferent.

    “…I can’t reach my family.”

    “…Please.”

    Thud.

    He collapsed to his knees, bowing his head as if in prayer.

    “Please… find me…”

    The rain, now pouring like a storm, drowned his quiet sobs.

    “Ah… ahhh…”

    His tears flowed freely, as if to wash away his accumulated despair.

    The plaza was bustling with players, all happily enjoying the game.

    It was natural.

    For them, returning to reality was as simple as pressing a button.

    But for him?

    ‘What on earth… is going on?’

    Even he couldn’t make sense of it.

    Clenching his fists on the ground, Woojin muttered.

    “Trapped… in a game.”

    What he had only imagined was now happening to him.

    And yet…

    It was nothing like he had imagined.

    If he had been alone in this situation, perhaps he would have accepted it.

    But the mundane conversations around him kept piercing his ears.

    Talk of tonight’s dinner.

    Complaints about bosses at work.

    Plans for a date later.

    Ordinary, everyday conversations.

    The players in the plaza casually talked about their lives outside the game.

    It was only natural.

    They could return to reality anytime they wished by simply logging out.

    But for him…

    ‘I can’t go back.’

    How could he explain it?

    It felt like being trapped behind an invisible wall, separated from everyone else.

    “Logout…”

    Clinging to a sliver of hope, he uttered the command again.

    “…Damn it.”

    Nothing changed.

    This place was undeniably real.

    And yet…

    Ironically, he couldn’t return to reality.

    “I’m sorry, but the system says we can’t verify your identity. It seems the ID number you provided is incorrect…”

    The game administrator, GM Dane, replied with a hint of irritation to the man before him.

    • Hey, who’s in charge of Moretti?
    • Um…
    • Didn’t you say this would be resolved after my vacation? Why is this lunatic still causing a scene in the plaza?!
    • S-Sorry.

    Dane sighed as he looked at the dedicated admin chat only accessible to game operators.

    It was now the 45th day since Kim Woojin had started making a commotion in the plaza.

    “That… that’s impossible! Please check again. My name is Kim Woojin. I’m 35 years old…”

    He was still desperate.

    “You’ve requested identity verification dozens of times already.”

    And the staff seemed just as fed up as he was desperate.

    “I’m here today to inform you that our management team can no longer process your identity verification requests.”

    GM Dane, team leader of the second operations division, spoke coldly to Woojin.

    “…What?”

    “Our team never lies to our customers. This is something only admins can see, but I’m making an exception for you.”

    Click, click.

    With an irritated expression, Dane tapped on a holographic keyboard and turned the screen toward Woojin.

    • Identity verification failed.
    • The provided ID number does not exist.

    “Sir, you mentioned issues with logging out.

    Without accurate information, we cannot assist you.”

    “I’m giving you the correct information! How could I not know my own ID number?!”

    Woojin’s voice rose in panic.

    “Our account system, called [World Info], integrates user data not just in Korea but worldwide.”

    “And?”

    “If the information you provided doesn’t exist, it means either you’re lying…

    …or you don’t exist in this world.”

    Dane’s voice dropped to a menacing tone.

    Flinch.

    Woojin’s shoulders tensed as if crushed by an invisible weight.

    “If you continue spreading baseless rumors and damaging [Eviltale]’s reputation, we’ll have no choice but to take action.”

    “…Damaging your reputation? Do you even hear yourself?”

    “Pardon?”

    “Fine! Go ahead! Take action! Force logout, ban my account, do something!

    Just get me out of this damned game already!”

    ‘…What the hell?’

    Gripping the arm of his own, shouting in frustration, Woojin’s display was so intense it caused Dane, who had been warning him moments before, to falter in surprise.

    “Hey, can you check that person’s data code?”

    “Uh… Team Leader. About that…”

    “Why the hesitation? Is there a problem?”

    “We can’t find any information—not just their real-life data but their in-game data as well.”

    “What do you mean by that? Are you kidding me? Even if the real-world data is a bluff, you should at least be able to access the character data that’s clearly in the game!”

    “You’re aware, aren’t you? While we manage personal data, the in-game data is controlled by [Ethan].”

    Team Leader Go frowned deeply at his subordinate’s report.

    “So? Even if the AI manages it, we should still be able to access the data, shouldn’t we?”

    “There appears to have been an error in the user data on the day of the [Blackout].”

    “…An error? The blackout lasted only one or two seconds, didn’t it?”

    “Yes. But it seems the short duration of the blackout was actually the problem. Normally, when a blackout occurs, backup power kicks in immediately, but…”

    The subordinate cautiously continued.

    “Because the blackout was so brief, both the main and backup power systems activated simultaneously, causing a momentary overload.”

    “You’ve got to be kidding me. The blackout was too short, so it became a problem? Does that even make sense?”

    “The development team says it’s the only plausible explanation. Unless, of course, [Ethan] intentionally shut itself down to cause the error. But with the entire world experiencing the blackout, that seems unlikely, doesn’t it?”

    “So? The recovery process?”

    “It’s undergoing self-repair, but as for the erased data, it seems we’re only able to start saving anew from the current moment onward.”

    Grinding his teeth—

    “Starting anew? Fantastic.”

    Even though he couldn’t see it, his words must have sent a shiver down his subordinates’ spines.

    “This hasn’t been leaked to the outside yet, has it?”

    “N-no, of course not.”

    “Everyone, stay sharp. The media’s already got their eyes on us with all this AI fuss. If this gets out, it’s over. Got it?”

    “Don’t worry. Despite the errors, there haven’t been any reports of issues affecting gameplay, like with that man.”

    “Plus, setting aside game issues, he’s claiming ID numbers that don’t even exist in real life.”

    “Right. His so-called family’s details turned out to be entirely fabricated as well—none of the numbers existed.”

    “And R&C Technology? The company he claims to own? Never even heard of it.”

    “…Fine. Spin it that way for now. Lead the narrative towards how forced termination or account suspension isn’t possible without authorization from [Ethan].”

    “Understood.”

    “W-wait…! Wait a second!!”

    Woojin, clutching Dane’s sleeve with trembling hands, shouted desperately.

    “If you can’t check mine, at least confirm this. Choi Jin-sook. Born in 1959. Her ID number is…”

    Clicking his tongue silently, Dane regarded him with frustration.

    “We’ve already checked Choi Jin-sook, Kim In-cheol, and Kim Jin-nam multiple times. None of those ID numbers exist.”

    “Please, just one more time…! There’s been a mistake, I’m sure of it!”

    “I’m sorry, but there are no such people. Are you sure you’re not mistaken? Continuing to insist on non-existent numbers only makes things difficult for us.”

    …Mistaken?

    Thud—

    When Woojin released his grip, his arm fell limply to his side.

    The tenuous thread of rationality he’d been clinging to snapped as easily as his grip.

    “Haha…”

    Being trapped in this cursed game?

    Fine, he could accept that much.

    But ID numbers that didn’t match?

    Alright, let’s even say he didn’t exist anymore.

    But…

    “Why are you telling me my family—”

    Don’t exist either?

    “Haha… Is this some kind of hidden camera prank?”

    You know, like The Truman Show.

    Was everyone conspiring to deceive him like that movie?

    His mind went blank.

    Even so…

    “There’s got to be a limit!!! Why drag my family into this?! Who the hell is doing this to me?!”

    Crack!—

    Woojin grabbed Dane by the collar.

    “Mistaken? Cut the crap! Get me out of this damn game right now!!”

    “W-what are you doing?!”

    Dane shoved him off with force.

    Crash—!!!

    Woojin’s body flew backward and smashed into the ground.

    With Dane’s administrative power measured at an unquantifiable level and Woojin only a level 10 warrior, there was no contest.

    Had they been outside the city, he might have died on the spot.

    “Ah…”

    Feeling the weight of others’ stares, Dane hurried over to Woojin, looking uneasy.

    “My apologies. I’m set to the highest level for handling emergency situations…”

    Sob… Sob…

    Clutching the hand extended to him, Woojin, face filled with despair, choked out a plea.

    “…Please.”

    His trembling lips barely managed to form the words.

    “Just… let me log out…”

    Thud—

    His head drooped.

    As though all hope had been extinguished, tears streamed from his downcast face.

    Buzz… Bzzzt…

    It was then.

    His hazy vision began to clear, sharpening with unnatural clarity.

    “…?!”

    Something appeared before him.

    [______]

    ‘…A cursor?’

    Like typing into empty space, the blinking cursor began rapidly inputting text.

    [Emergency Restoration Program Activated.]

    [Identifying Problem…]

    ‘W-what is this…?’

    [Checking Logout Feasibility…]

    Bzzt… Crackle…

    The lines jittered and scrambled like a malfunctioning TV before reorganizing.

    [Connection Port Located: P-09-183 Port]

    [1 Available Port Found.]

    [Establishing Connection…]

    Before Woojin could react, the system began processing rapidly.

    [Logout Option Available.]

    “W-what…?”

    Everything around him fell silent.

    The bustling village was gone.

    The sky, the wind, and the crowd—all vanished.

    He was alone in a pitch-black void.

    [Do you want to log out?]

    [Yes / No]

    “Logout?”

    Woojin stared at the system window, his eyes trembling.

    “Is… is this real?”

    But there was no time to hesitate.

    He had to do it.

    Click.

    Slowly, he raised his hand and pressed [YES].

    [Logging out.]

    Woosh—!!!

    Blinding white light engulfed his vision.

    ‘Please!’

    Clenching his fists, Woojin prayed fervently.

    When he opened his eyes…

    May he be in reality.

    [Logout Complete.]

    “…What is this?”

    But when he opened his eyes, words failed him.

    Logout.

    A command to exit the game.

    But there was no guarantee which “reality” it would take him to.

    Ha… Haha…

    “Damn it.”

    It was another world.

  • The Second Coming of the Legendary Sword God Chapter 1

    Was it a dream? A miracle?

    Or perhaps a cruel joke played by the gods?

    When I opened my eyes again, I was utterly stunned.

    I had definitely died, engulfed in the Red Dragon’s flames.

    “Waaah?”

    But I was alive.

    And not just alive—in the body of a newborn baby.

    What in the world is this?

    Verdin couldn’t comprehend it.

    Why he was in this form was a mystery.

    But after half a day passed, he came to understand where he was.

    With a face full of disbelief, he let out a sigh.

    No way… is this…?

    A room where everything—the walls, the floor, the furniture—was pristine white.

    Loud cries of infants competing to be the noisiest filled the space.

    And among them, a baby with a fierce glare was sulking.

    This was a place Verdin knew all too well.

    The home of the continent’s most renowned family of swordsmanship, the Strange family.

    And he, the youngest son of the family and a prodigious monster of talent…

    Verdin de Strange.

    This was the place where I, who would later be called the Sword King, was born.

    My short yet piercing cry echoed through the room.

    “Waaah!”

    No matter how I look at it, this is the Strange family home I grew up in!

    I quickly scanned the surroundings and furrowed my brows.

    “Waaah, waaah.”

    No, no, this isn’t the issue. What on earth is going on? Why am I here?

    My head and mouth weren’t in sync.

    No matter what I tried to say, all that came out was “waaah.”

    Frustrated, I twitched the corners of my lips, clenched my tiny fists, and sighed deeply.

    Sigh…

    Being reborn, that part was fine.

    I don’t know how, but I’m alive.

    But I’m a baby.

    “Waaah!”

    Damn it!

    My earlier cry was one of despair.

    Misunderstanding my distress, the nanny checked my diaper and stuck a milk bottle into my mouth.

    I tried to shove it away, wanting to yell, I’m not hungry, so get rid of it!

    “Waaah!”

    But all that came out was another “waaah.”

    The nanny, unable to understand my words, just smiled brightly and patted my head.

    “Oh dear, why is our young master Verdin so grumpy?”

    I’m not grumpy; I’m just not hungry.

    “And those eyes and nose, how can they look so much like the lord’s?”

    Shut up! To say I resemble my father—that’s both the first time I’ve heard it and the last thing I want to hear.

    “Such thick eyebrows, a high nose bridge, and cherry-like lips. How could you be so handsome?”

    How freely you speak nonsense with that mouth of yours. If you knew I could understand, you’d faint on the spot.

    For the reborn Verdin, childhood was an unbearable ordeal.

    The cries of his one-year-older siblings were deafening, and the humiliation of having bottles thrust into his mouth and diapers changed were endless.

    If he had truly been a baby, he wouldn’t have cared. But to Verdin, who had lived past twenty years, these were humiliating days.

    To think that someone once called the Sword King now had to cry to a nanny for food and clean diapers.

    Sigh…

    For a time, I refused to accept that I had been reborn.

    One day passed. Then two. Then three.

    It took an entire week before I finally accepted reality.

    This place I now stood was no dream.

    Whatever the reason, I had been given a chance to grow stronger than before.

    The continent’s most prestigious swordsmanship family.

    At the Strange family, children receive their lifelong spiritual guardian, when they turn five.

    Not only the direct descendants but also the children from branch families gather at the main house to undergo this ritual. Each year, over a hundred children assemble, turning the day into a noisy affair.

    ‘Time flies.’

    In my previous life, I regretted this day.

    Because it was on this day that I ended up with what I thought was the most useless spiritual guardian.

    The owner of the famed sword Balmus, which was said to have once decapitated a dragon, the Sword God Siegfried.

    At the time, I believed that excelling in swordsmanship alone could solve everything.

    So, I chose to bond with the spiritual guardian known as the Sword God. Everyone congratulated me, saying I was destined to become the next family head.

    Being from a renowned swordsmanship family and choosing the Sword God as my companion—what could be a better match?

    But that became both my strength and my weakness.

    Siegfried wanted me to follow his path as a Sword God, while I sought to learn techniques beyond just swordsmanship.

    From then on, our conversations dwindled until they ceased altogether.

    ‘…It couldn’t be helped.’

    By the time I turned fifteen, I had surpassed Siegfried’s level in swordsmanship.

    To grow stronger, I had no choice but to seek other methods.

    When the war with the mages broke out, I realized that merely slashing with a sword couldn’t conquer the continent.

    So, I resented Siegfried. If I had chosen a different spiritual guardian, I could have learned unique techniques.

    ‘All I learned was how to wield a sword.’

    That day, I was so enraged that I even cursed at my ancestor, shouting, “You useless bastard!”

    As a result, Siegfried left me, calling me an insolent fool for disrespecting my master.

    ‘I should have held onto him then.’

    It wasn’t until I earned the title of Sword King that I realized the gap between Siegfried and me.

    Siegfried wasn’t just skilled at handling a sword. He calculated and determined every possible outcome through the sword, achieving a divine realm where even the “unbreakable” could be cut.

    In the end, as the Sword King, I lost to a dragon, while Siegfried, the Sword God, triumphed.

    ‘…That’s right.’

    That’s why I stand here today, prepared to open the path to the divine realm.

    Creak—

    The doors of the training hall opened.

    Figures clad in white armor that covered even their faces entered, their cloaks fluttering as they lined up on either side.

    As they formed their positions, the voices of knights could be heard from afar.

    “Pay your respects to the family head!”

    At the far end of the corridor, a middle-aged man with golden hair and a distinguished beard appeared. His presence was so imposing that everyone bowed their heads, swallowing nervously. Some of the nannies even fainted from the overwhelming aura.

    Click, click, click.

    The sound of his shoes echoed.

    A halo of light shone behind the family head.

    The strongest swordsman of this era and the master of the Strange family.

    ‘Lois de Strange.’

    “…Prepare.”

    His deep, commanding voice resonated throughout the training hall.

    “Yes, sir!”

    The knights replied in unison, their voices booming throughout the castle.

    Women in pristine white dresses entered, each carrying a unique jar. They lined them up meticulously, filling half the massive hall that could accommodate over a thousand people.

    The jars, each with a distinct design, were spaced evenly apart.

    Behind them stood the five-year-old children of the Strange family, ready to charge forward at any moment.

    To survive in the harsh world ahead, they needed to secure a powerful spiritual guardian.

    Knowing this, their parents prepared them to seize the best possible choice.

    “Run ahead first.”

    “Choose the most fancy jar.”

    In my past life, I had been taught the same and selected the largest, most elaborate jar.

    That was where Siegfried, the Sword God everyone desired, resided.

    Shhhh—

    As time passed, the spiritual guardian began to emerge from the jars like mist.

    A muscular knight wielding a massive mace, a gaunt man holding dual swords, an old man drunkenly clutching a staff, his face flushed red.

    And among them, a man in crimson armor stood with a relaxed expression, arms crossed.

    ‘…Siegfried.’

    “Begin.”

    Lois de Strange spoke in a low voice.

    The soldier standing at the entrance nodded and struck the drum with all his might.

    Boom!

    At that moment, the children dashed toward the jars.

    Desperate to secure a powerful spiritual guardian, their faces contorted with effort as they ran.

    While everyone else was doing their utmost to make their choice, I stood still, observing their movements.

    Then, calmly.

    I picked up the nearest jar.

    And hurled it toward the jar that sealed Siegfried.

    Crash!

    “…You’ll join me once again.”

    Siegfried, the Dragon Slayer.

    Clink!

  • The Second Coming of the Legendary Sword God Chapter 0

    A knight residing in a wondrous realm, untouchable by ordinary talent.

    Verdin.

    At a young age, he rose to the pinnacle with unmatched skill. Even the Emperor bestowed upon him the grand title of “Sword King.”

    At nine, he graduated from the academy.

    At fourteen, he stepped onto the battlefield.

    At twenty, he single-handedly annihilated an army of monsters.

    These feats were records no one had ever achieved.

    *That’s right…*

    Invincible.

    The word was crafted for him.

    At the time, Verdin believed he had reached the domain of the gods.

    No one can defeat me.

    Whether monster or adventurer.

    And so, arrogance took root.

    He respected no one and regarded the word “reverence” as merely a dictionary entry.

    Such was his strength—acknowledged by all.

    [Who could possibly surpass the absolute, unparalleled Sword Deity, Verdin?]

    This question echoed among adventurers.

    There is no one stronger than me.

    Not in the past. Not in the future.

    Verdin lived with that belief.

    But a time he thought would never come eventually found him.

    He had never once imagined losing to anyone.

    “Damn it…”

    [The Lord of Calamity, the Red Dragon.]

    No matter how many times he slashed and struck, it refused to fall.

    *Just one more. If I could take down just this one beast, I’d have claimed the title of the strongest being on Earth.*

    But cutting alone wasn’t enough to win.

    A dragon, after all, was beyond the capabilities of human strength.

    That creature could destroy the world on its own—what lunacy had driven me to face it alone?

    *…Damn it!*

    **Thud!**

    The Red Dragon’s massive, razor-sharp claw pierced through Verdin’s chest. With a gasp, he was flung to the ground.

    The intense pain forced a groan from his lips.

    **Cough**

    Blood gushed from his mouth. His clothes and the ground had long been soaked in red.

    Defeat.

    A complete and utter loss.

    The dragon was unfathomably powerful—beyond comparison to anyone Verdin had ever faced.

    Its black, pupil-less eyes locked onto Verdin.

    “Grrrr…”

    Its gaze was more chilling than any predator in the forest. A shiver ran down Verdin’s spine.

    *I need to run.*

    The thought surged in his mind, but his body refused to move.

    For the first time in his life, he was shaken by defeat.

    Fear of an unbeatable foe.

    Misery at his powerless state.

    A whirlwind of rage surged within him like a typhoon.

    “Hah…”

    All he could do now was breathe shallowly.

    His body was a wreck.

    His hands and feet wouldn’t move. He had lost so much blood that his mind was clouded.

    Even holding up his head was impossible.

    Sleepiness washed over him, and his eyes closed on their own.

    *Sigh.*

    As time passed and his thoughts cleared, Verdin accepted his loss.

    And yet, he began to think calmly.

    The battle had ended in defeat. Today, he had lost.

    That fact wouldn’t change.

    So, how could he defeat the dragon?

    Even in the face of defeat, Verdin yearned for victory. It didn’t take long for an answer to form.

    *That’s it.*

    He hadn’t lost because he was human.

    He had lost because he was weak.

    If he had been stronger, the outcome of this battle could have been different.

    This fight wasn’t a contest between human and dragon—it was between Verdin and the Red Dragon.

    White mist escaped his lips with every breath, drifting into the air like a fog.

    Verdin let out a dry laugh and touched his forehead with the back of his hand.

    *…Damn it.*

    I want to be stronger.

    I desperately want to be stronger.

    So much that it drives me mad.

    Stronger than now. Beyond the limits of humanity.

    Strong enough to slay a dragon.

    Strong enough to reach the domain of the gods!

    Verdin truly deserved to be called the incarnation of the battlefield. Even on the brink of death, he craved greater power.

    As he faced the end, he made one final prayer.

    If a god truly exists, grant me one more chance to fight.

    Next time, I’ll become strong enough to kill that dragon.

    I swear it.

    **Whoosh.**

    The Red Dragon prepared its final blow.

    A fiery red flame swirled in its mouth, gathering power.

    It poured down over Verdin’s head.

    **Boom!**

  • A doomsday-level returnee devours calamities Chapter 1

    In the mountains near Sokcho, Gangwon Province, positioned on a mid-slope, a team of agents from “The Tree” had barricaded a 2-kilometer radius around a reported rift and waited in tense silence.

    “Team leader, how much longer do we have to keep spinning our wheels here? It’s been five days with no sign of activity. Are you sure the investigation team didn’t make a mistake?”

    “Shut your mouth and keep watch. Can’t you feel how tense the investigation team is?”

    “…Fine.”

    The woman with long straight hair, dressed in a sleek black suit, suppressed her irritation as she glanced at her wristwatch.

    Current time: 5:32 PM. The anticipated appearance of the unidentified entity: 6:30 PM. About an hour left.

    This was Choi Harin, team leader of Information Team 2 under The Tree. Though she had curtly shut down her subordinate’s complaints, she herself was equally exhausted from the prolonged vigil.

    Just get through this year. I’ll quit cleanly and move on with my life. Hand in my resignation and start anew.

    Despite her reputation as a highly competent operative within the globally renowned organization, Choi Harin couldn’t escape the weight of her mortgage and looming debt.

    At least the pay’s good. Shame it all counts as hazard pay…

    Reaching for a cigarette, she quickly realized she’d forgotten a lighter and turned to her subordinate.

    “Got a lighter?”

    “I’ve got a lighter, but no cigarettes. Mind sharing one, Team Leader?”

    “Tsk.”

    “Heh, thanks a bunch!”

    Just as she lit her cigarette, a flurry of frantic shouts erupted from the agents near the rift.

    “The rift is opening!”

    Choi Harin threw her unlit cigarette aside in frustration and barked orders.

    “Everyone, prepare for combat! Follow the protocols we’ve drilled!”

    “Yes, ma’am!”

    The entire group instantly fell silent, moving as one into battle-readiness. It wasn’t just discipline that kept their mouths shut.

    Please, let it be something manageable. Please.

    The agents all knew that their survival hinged on the nature of the entity emerging from the rift. To joke around in such a moment would be nothing short of madness.

    “We’re finally done with these all-nighters!”

    …And yet, madness had a voice.

    All eyes turned to the agent who had spoken. Though no words were exchanged, the collective glares were loaded with enough curses to fill a dictionary.

    “…”

    “…”

    The tension snapped into sharp focus as a figure emerged from the rift.

    It was a man.

    He appeared to be in his late twenties, with black hair and matching dark eyes, standing roughly 180 centimeters tall.

    A decent appearance… Wait, is he human? Could this unidentified entity be a returnee?

    Everyone held their breath as they observed him.

    They knew better than to relax just because he looked human. The agents had seen too many cases where human-like appearances masked horrors beyond comprehension.

    He could be a being wearing human skin or a returnee who had lost their sanity and become a killer. Their power varied wildly depending on the entity, and one misstep could spell doom.

    Judging by his clothes, he seems to hail from a fantasy-world setting…

    A loud gulp broke the heavy silence.

    No reaction yet. If that’s the case…

    Choi Harin rose from her position and approached the man cautiously, prepared for any contingency.

    As she neared, the man finally spoke, his voice low and uncertain.

    “…Where am I?”

    Korea!

    “This is the Republic of Korea, located on the planet Earth. Can you understand what I’m saying?”

    Her tone was polite, even friendly, though she was far from calm.

    “Earth…”

    He repeated the word as if testing it, rolling it over his tongue like a foreign flavor.

    “So I’ve returned at last…”

    His murmured words seemed to confirm he was a Korean returnee, yet Choi Harin didn’t let her guard down. Too many predecessors had died from misplaced trust in similar situations.

    “It’s a pleasure to meet you, returnee. I am Choi Harin, an agent of The Tree.”

    “…”

    “It seems you’re still trying to process your current circumstances. If it wouldn’t trouble you, may we offer our assistance? To be clear, we’re a certified national organization, and our intention is solely to help you. Please don’t misunderstand.”

    If he refused, they were authorized to use any means necessary to secure him, as per their standard operating procedure.

    Still, Choi Harin silently prayed.

    Please, just cooperate willingly. Let’s do this the easy way.

    Fortunately, the man accepted the proposal without resistance and was safely transported to the headquarters of Tree. The transport was carried out with him restrained by special cuffs and a blindfold, as per protocol, but he showed no particular reaction.

    After the blindfold was removed, the man slowly looked around.

    A stark white room, reminiscent of an interrogation chamber, surrounded him. Not long after, Harin, who sat across from him, began a round of questions.

    “Name: Lee Taeseong. Age: 28. And you’re saying you don’t remember anything else?”

    A nod.

    “Ha…”

    Harin sighed in frustration, absentmindedly placing a cigarette between her lips.

    “He claims to remember nothing beyond his name and age? Could that really be true?”

    While there had been cases of returnees losing parts of their memory, someone who forgot almost everything like this man was unprecedented.

    “It doesn’t feel like he’s lying… but there’s no point in me dwelling on it.”

    After the initial questioning, the man would be sent to a temporary containment facility. Whether he lied or not, the classification tests he’d undergo would uncover the truth.

    “…”

    Harin suddenly felt a piercing gaze fixed on her. At first, she assumed it was a sign of an imminent outburst and readied herself to respond. But on reflection, she realized the man was restrained and posed no immediate threat.

    “Ah, is it the cigarette?”

    Realizing her mistake, Harin removed the cigarette and apologized.

    “Sorry about that. Smoking while working is a bad habit of mine…”

    “…Can I have one, too?”

    Only then did Harin realize that the man wasn’t staring at her, but at the cigarette in her hand. Smirking, she handed him a cigarette and lighter.

    Although it was against protocol, she considered it harmless enough to allow as a personal judgment call. After all, the man didn’t seem particularly dangerous.

    “At most, he’s probably a Delta-level.”

    Definitely not because Lee Taeseong happened to be her type. Definitely not.

    “Mr. Lee Taeseong, you will now be transferred to a temporary containment facility. There, you’ll undergo various tests to assess the level of threat you may pose. If you’re deemed safe, you’ll be allowed to return to society. So, please cooperate.”

    In other words, failing the tests would mean never leaving. And because the process varied for each returnee, no one could predict how long it would take.

    However, Harin saw no need to explain all this to Taeseong. Knowing the full truth wouldn’t change anything and might even make things worse.

    As a returnee, these procedures were unavoidable. Harin believed it was all for the greater good—to protect her family and the safety of the world’s citizens.

    Inside the containment facility, Lee Taeseong looked around. The room was neither large nor small. It contained a bed, basic furnishings, and even a small bathroom in the corner.

    “This should be livable for now.”

    He sat on the bed and tried to recall his memories but gave up quickly. Every time he felt on the verge of remembering something, his mind would go blank.

    The only thing he could remember clearly was his determination.

    “I have to return.”

    This singular thought was etched in his mind, even when all other memories were erased.

    “Why did I yearn so desperately to return?”

    Taeseong began analyzing his situation and the steps he needed to take.

    “The people here seem friendly, but they’re hiding something. I need information about this place and my lost memories. There must be a reason I was so desperate to come back.”

    While his memories were gone, his intelligence remained intact.

    “That woman, Choi Harin, called me a returnee. She acted too naturally for this to be her first encounter. They were already waiting for me when I arrived, meaning they likely knew I’d appear. If that’s the case, there might be other returnees as well.”

    Resolving to act, Taeseong clenched his fists and attempted to break his restraints.

    “…Ugh.”

    Despite his efforts, the cuffs remained unyielding.

    “Must be made of some special material.”

    Giving up on the cuffs, he shifted his attention to the door—a large steel one that could only be opened from the outside.

    Then, a knock.

    KNOCK KNOCK.

    A cheerful voice followed.

    “May I come in?”

    Before Taeseong could respond, the door opened, revealing a young woman with a bright smile.

    “Hello, returnee! I’m Oh Haeyoung, your assigned handler during your temporary containment period!”

    “…Handler?”

    “Yes! Every entity contained here at Tree is assigned a personal handler like me! Let’s get along well!”

    Haeyoung rummaged through her belongings, pulling out an object and placing it on the table.

    “This is one of the entities we manage here!”

    “…What is that?”

    “No. 1004, also known as the Lying Boy. It’s an Epsilon-level entity with the ability to detect lies! Its nose grows longer whenever someone lies!”

    The item was unmistakably the disembodied head of Pinocchio. Unlike the fairy tale version, it lacked a body entirely.

    “Was it always like this, or did it lose its body?”

    Haeyoung cheerfully placed the head on the table.

    “You might be a little confused right now, so I’ll give you a quick demonstration! Answer my question truthfully!”

    Taesung nodded.

    “Are you human?”

    “Yes.”

    As soon as he responded, the head’s nose began to elongate.

    “What the…”

  • A doomsday-level returnee devours calamities. Chapter 0

    Inside the Administrator’s Exclusive Night Duty Room

    Wiiiiing! Wiiiiing!

    The harsh sound of a siren assaults his eardrums.

    [CODE BLUE! CODE BLUE!]

    [Gamma-level dangerous entities ‘Napolitan Chef,’ ‘Mechanical Right Arm Hunter,’ ‘Corpse Trader Saintess,’ ‘Chainsaw Killer Jack,’ and others have escaped. As of this moment, all administrators within the company are ordered to prioritize the extermination of the escaped entities. All other employees are to relocate to the designated safe area and take cover. Repeating once again, all administrators…]

    Crackle.

    The broadcast cuts off, replaced by static noise, then resumes.

    [Correction. Information regarding the escaped entities has been confirmed as false. All employees are to promptly return to their original posts. If a broadcast contradicting this is heard, immediately cover your ears. Our company does not have such protocols…]

    Crackle.

    “…Damn it.”

    A bloodshot-eyed man curses as he rises from the bed. He had just laid down after an all-nighter managing entities, barely an hour ago. Staring blankly into the air with half-closed eyes, dark circles weigh heavily beneath his gaze.

    He picks up a cigarette from the bedside and places it in his mouth, lighting it out of habit. A lighter isn’t necessary—a small flame flickers at his fingertip, fulfilling the role instead.

    Snap. Snap.

    The sound of burning tobacco accompanies a smoke-filled sigh.

    “Haa…”

    One year since his return.

    Not a single day in this wretched black company has passed peacefully. The man reflects on yesterday’s events for solace.

    ‘At least yesterday was a bit amusing…’

    Entity No. 2332
    Gamma-level Containment Entity
    Name: Hwacheon Cheongeom (華山天劍) Cheon Soja

    A martial arts possessor—among the most conversationally adept entities he had encountered in a while. Although his forcibly imposed possession left him with volatile emotions and occasional instability, such cases were hardly rare.

    Simply recognizing his predicament already placed him among the more “normal” entities in “Tree.”

    The man stands, pulling a shirt off the hanger and buttoning it up. He ties his disheveled hair into a rough ponytail, then pauses to listen to the chaos outside.

    “S-Someone help! Please! I don’t want to die yet!”

    “My eyes… I can’t see… Mom… I miss you…”

    “Our Father in Heaven, grant me glorious strength—”

    CRASH!

    Screams of pain blend with the sound of flesh being pulverized—a discordant, gruesome symphony.

    “Just let me sleep, damn it,” the man mutters.

    Then.

    Bang! Bang! Bang!

    Someone knocks on the night duty room door. The hallway has already turned into a war zone, so who would knock so calmly?

    ‘An escaped entity?’

    The man approaches the door with a calm expression, gripping a sharp sword in his hand.

    “They said ‘exterminate,’ not ‘suppress.’”

    Moments later, he swings the door open and quickly moves to strike—

    “Team Leader!”

    He freezes.

    “…Lee Eunha?”

    “I knew it! You were still here!”

    “…What are you doing here?”

    “What else? I came to find you, of course!”

    A young woman covered head to toe in blood stands there. Her long hair, draped to her waist, is matted with gore and flesh.

    Her name is Lee Eunha, a fellow administrator from his team.

    “Ugh, that cigarette smell! How many times have I told you not to smoke in the duty room?”

    “…Nagging.”

    “For your health, cut down on smoking! And sleeping in this dump of a place will shorten your lifespan! Look at those dark circles! It’s because you can’t sleep properly with all this cigarette smoke!”

    “…It’s because of overtime.”

    When he calmly states the truth, Eunha becomes even more impassioned in her lecture.

    As her words pour out endlessly, the man thinks to himself:

    ‘She never seems to tire of talking.’

    Slice!

    Of course, she doesn’t forget to decapitate the Epsilon-level escaped entity, “Grim Sack Grandpa,” lurking behind her.

    ‘He shouldn’t have left the isolation room. Must’ve been an escaped entity with cognitive manipulation abilities.’

    After a quick cough to compose herself, Eunha continues:

    “…Anyway, understood?”

    “Got it. What’s the situation outside?”

    Though his response is dismissive, Eunha’s expression turns serious.

    “Hell on Earth. The escaped Gamma-level entities are heading for other isolation rooms. If this keeps up, even higher-grade entities might escape.”

    “Are you saying there’s a possibility of Beta-level entities escaping?”

    “In the worst-case scenario, yes.”

    Escaped entities opening the doors to others’ containment rooms isn’t uncommon. But if it’s a Beta-level entity, the situation becomes catastrophic. There’s been only one Beta-level escape since the founding of “Tree’s” Korean branch, and back then, 70% of the administrators on duty died.

    “What about the other team members?”

    “Other than Deputy Oh Haeyoung, no one has reported in yet.”

    ‘Figures.’

    He never expected much from them anyway. Ever since becoming team leader, getting timely reports from his subordinates has been a rarity.

    “Overtime and extra work… What a hellish day.”

    He checks the watch on his left wrist and says:

    “Let’s go. We’ve got work to do.”

    “Where to first?”

    After a brief pause, he replies decisively:

    “Block B Containment Room.”

    “…What?”

    That’s where the Beta-level entities are held. In other words, the second most dangerous place in the company.

    As the man steps into the corridor and swings his sword, the nearby escaped entities are instantly sliced into countless pieces.

    “Quite the grand event for my one-year work anniversary.”

    “I bet, to the entities, the scariest thing isn’t the company—it’s you, Team Leader…”

    Today marks one year since “Returnee Lee Taeseong,” an Epsilon-level dangerous entity, became “Administrator Lee Taeseong,” the one who manages them.

  • Hunter Watching a Movie Chapter 2

    “What?”

    Startled by the sudden appearance of a message before his eyes, Taewoon instinctively turned his head. A low chuckle escaped from him as he rubbed his forehead.

    “Living just once, they say you won’t starve to death…”

    There was no need to ponder the identity of the message.

    It was the characteristic All-Things Theater, which had finally broken its long silence to reveal itself.

    Why now?

    Taewoon reached out to touch the mirror as a test, expressing his intention to enter All-Things Theater. Once again, the same message appeared to greet him.

    “Damn it. Who comes up with nonsense like this…?”

    He had to think of the keyword All-Things Theater while facing a mirror to open the entrance. Who in their right mind would come up with such an absurd condition?

    Despite his irritation, a thrill of excitement coursed through Taewoon.

    And the next step was obvious.

    Ding!

    【Would you like to enter the theater?】

    【With your current tickets, you can access up to three theaters.】

    ▶【The Red Man (★☆) / Action, Mystery, Thriller】
    ▶【Clarté (★★) / Romance, Action, Historical Drama】
    ▶【Match Point (★) / Sports, Crime, Suspense】

    This…

    Understanding it wasn’t difficult, but the form of progression was baffling.

    He’d thought All-Things Theater was a peculiar name, but he never imagined the trait would be something like this.

    The titles and genres are displayed, but what’s this next to them?

    It didn’t seem quite accurate to call it a rating. He guessed it might indicate the theater’s difficulty level.

    Selecting a theater and “entering” it—this was the proper way to use All-Things Theater.

    After some deliberation, Taewoon placed his hand on the mirror and made his choice.

    【You have selected The Red Man. Would you like to enter?】

    “Yes.”

    He dismissed Clarté, as it seemed the most challenging, and chose The Red Man—a genre he was more familiar with.

    Action, Mystery, Thriller. It’s not hard to get a rough idea of the theater’s theme.

    Whoosh!

    As soon as he finalized his choice, the mirror shimmered with an otherworldly light, drawing him in. When Taewoon placed his hand on it, it felt like passing through a veil. His consciousness began to spiral away.

    Flash!

    When the dazzling light subsided, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.

    Surrounded by pitch blackness, with no one else in sight.

    And there, another set of choices appeared before him.

    【Select your entry privilege!】

    ▶【A Handful of Blessings】
    ▶【A Step of Change】
    ▶【A Word of Advice】

    This is…

    It seemed to be some sort of selectable advantage. At least, that’s how Taewoon interpreted it.

    Which would be the most effective?

    He had no way of knowing. Taewoon had no clue what awaited him in the theater.

    Thus, he was drawn to the most straightforward option—A Word of Advice.

    “I’ll choose A Word of Advice.”

    【You have selected your entry privilege!】

    ▶【A Word of Advice: Wilson Craig is the culprit.】

    Before he could even process its meaning, his vision blacked out again, and his consciousness was sucked into a massive vortex.

    Clank!

    When he came to, Taewoon was dressed in a tidy medieval-style suit, sitting in a luxurious carriage.

    What the hell is going on?

    Thrown from one thing to another, he barely had time to think.

    Still, Taewoon was certain of one thing—he was now inside the theater. He quickly began assessing his surroundings.

    A mysterious woman in front of me… And what’s this in my pocket?

    Fumbling discreetly in his clothes, he found three tickets. One of them was being consumed by ashen flames, disintegrating into dust.

    Fwoosh!

    The mysterious woman in the carriage didn’t seem to notice the strange sight. Clearing his throat, Taewoon asked her quietly.

    “Excuse me, but where is this carriage headed?”

    “Oh my, Baron Werik! Have you been dozing off?”

    Apparently, in this theater, Taewoon was seen as a man named Albert Werik. He was accompanying Mary, a skilled seamstress, to a party hosted by the Hendou Marquisate.

    So, I’ve been given a role to play.

    Having survived many twists and turns in life, Taewoon wasn’t slow on the uptake.

    As he chatted with Mary, he gleaned what he could about the situation.

    “Rumors say the Hendou family parties are extraordinary. It’s such a rare opportunity!”

    “Indeed.”

    “I barely slept last night, my excitement kept me awake. I hope it becomes an unforgettable memory.”

    Taewoon’s thoughts drifted back to the theater’s genres—Action, Mystery, Thriller.

    The simplest deduction was a murder taking place at the mansion.

    And that advice—‘Wilson Craig is the culprit.’

    It was likely pointing him toward the mansion’s impending incident and identifying the perpetrator.

    But…

    From the start, this was clearly stated by the theater to be a single piece of advice.

    But could things really be that simple?

    Naturally, Taewoon couldn’t help but doubt it.

    “Wilson Craig is the ‘Black’… huh.”

    That “Black” might refer to the culprit, but there was also a distinct possibility it didn’t.

    As he mulled over this, news from the coachman outside reached him—they were almost at the mansion.

    “…”

    Indeed, regardless of anything else, it was time to enter the mansion and gather information.

    Organizing his tangled thoughts, Taewoon followed a servant’s guidance to unpack in the room assigned to him.

    What kind of mansion is this, anyway?

    First of all, the size was overwhelming.

    What he had envisioned as a grand noble’s residence turned out to be closer to an actual fortress.

    Four entire floors, and each one is massive.

    There were a banquet hall, dressing rooms, an enormous library, and even exhibition halls—so many spaces that memorizing their purposes in a short time was nearly impossible.

    If something were to happen in such a place, understanding the surrounding situation would undoubtedly become exponentially harder.

    “…This is going to be difficult.”

    “Is there a problem, sir?”

    “No, just lost in thought for a moment. Do I have any official schedule coming up?”

    Inquiring with an elderly servant who appeared to work for the household, Taewoon learned that a party would begin at 10 p.m. that night.

    In that case, I’ll have time to explore until nightfall.

    Since he had no leads yet, Taewoon began scouring the mansion, observing its layout and structure.

    During his exploration, he managed to get acquainted with a few of the staff and exchanged pleasantries with some other nobles who seemed to be guests at the party.

    Hours later, after exhausting his legs wandering all day, Taewoon realized one simple fact.

    I don’t know a damn thing.

    There were far too many people in this mansion—servants, external guests, and more.

    Taewoon’s initial plan of marking out key individuals like in a movie proved hopelessly naive.

    What the hell is this mess?

    At this rate, trying to identify anyone suspicious would take an eternity.

    In most mystery films, the cast is relatively small and defined, but this was completely chaotic!

    Or… should I be thinking about it the other way around?

    While complaining aloud, it dawned on him—perhaps his approach to clearing the theater’s task was flawed from the start.

    Instead of focusing on the people around him, wasn’t it time to gather information about the title “Red Man”?

    With this in mind, Taewoon returned to the second floor where his room was located and approached Mary, whom he happened to run into.

    “The Red Man? I’ve never heard of such rumors.”

    “Is that so?”

    “Well, I’ve heard that in the distant Cologne region, people with red hair and red eyes are common. Perhaps it’s related to that?”

    Seeing no further progress in the conversation, Taewoon thanked her briefly and returned to his room to ponder.

    Yeah. This isn’t the way to go either.

    Taewoon wasn’t some master detective or brilliant scholar just because he had watched a few movies and skimmed some books in real life.

    Gather clues, deduce the identity of the mastermind, and expose them?

    The idea sounded great, but why should he contort himself to fit the theater’s intent, fumbling like an amateur?

    At the end of the day, people should stick to what they’re good at.

    With this thought, Taewoon brushed aside unnecessary concerns and set off confidently to find Wilson Craig.

    “Earl Craig? I saw him having tea in the garden earlier.”

    “Thank you.”

    Fortunately, it wasn’t difficult to track him down, and soon, Taewoon stood face-to-face with the earl.

    “So, you wanted to see me?”

    “Yes, my lord. If it’s not too much trouble, could you spare me a moment of your time?”

    Wilson Craig’s first impression was that of a distinguished noble gentleman.

    He seemed to be in his early fifties, with a somewhat stout figure that matched his impressive height, making his appearance far from unseemly.

    Though Taewoon prided himself on being able to read people, it was hard to gauge much from just a glance.

    “Well then, what do you wish to ask?”

    “I’ve heard much about your reputation, my lord. I understand you recently achieved great success in the transport business in Holman. I admire your impeccable skill, and as someone interested in the field myself, I find it incredibly inspiring.”

    Taewoon started with a string of flattery, drawing from the chatter he’d overheard during his earlier rounds. However, Wilson didn’t even show a flicker of satisfaction, as if he was long accustomed to such praise.

    Not working, huh?

    For over ten minutes, Taewoon attempted various angles in conversation, but to him, Wilson came across as nothing more than a cautious noble and a shrewd businessman.

    I can’t figure him out. But that just makes him more suspicious.

    There was definitely something about this man. Yet, neither Taewoon’s intuition nor his conversational skills could uncover the hidden layers.

    In that case, perhaps it was time for a more “direct” approach.

    We’ll see each other again tonight, Wilson.

    The first day’s investigation concluded with this meaningful resolve, and finally, night fell.

    It was time for the party to begin.

  • The Rogue Chapter 7

    I was flung through the air in an undignified manner, colliding with the wall with a loud thud before collapsing to the ground. Almost immediately, I heard the sound of traps activating, as if they’d been lying in wait for me.

    “Damn it.”

    I tried to get up in a hurry, but the sheer impact from the collision made my body refuse to cooperate. It felt like being hit by a charging bull—my whole body was heavy and unresponsive from the accumulated shock. Ugh, this is it. Here lies Kairas, age 20. Rest in peace!

    Shing!

    “Gah!”

    Something cold grazed my face. I froze for a moment, then exhaled in relief. That was close—too close. A massive blade had swung right over my face, cutting through the air so smoothly it was almost elegant. Should I be happy to be alive or mourn my misfortune? Either way, once the initial shock wore off, I managed to stand.

    As for the Blood Worms chasing me—they triggered the traps in the corridor themselves, succumbing to the mechanisms one by one.

    “Oh? It’s over?”

    I muttered to myself, nodding. Predictable low-tier annelids. No way creatures like them could grasp the concept of advanced mechanical traps. I smirked. But… how do I get out of here?

    “Hahaha… ha…”

    I laughed dryly, cold sweat dripping down my face. Unfortunately, the very advanced traps that had saved me from the worms were now my next obstacle.

    April 13, 1548, Palma Calendar

    “Big brother, it’s time for your medicine.”

    “….”

    I lay in bed, staring at the golden wooden beams of the ceiling. Somewhere, I’d read a poem about trees capturing sunlight, and this seemed like the perfect example. The warm glow from the beams gave off a cozy, serene vibe. Despite the faint smell of strange medicines lingering in the air, the scratchy bedsheets and the soft blanket covering me felt oddly comforting.

    “Home really is the best.”

    I sighed in contentment, though I couldn’t say I was thrilled about my current condition. My injuries from exploring the tomb of the Rogue Master, Heidelroc Windwalker, and retrieving the treasure hidden there had landed me in this situation.

    The girl currently unwrapping the bandages on my hands was Sena, the daughter of my master, Strider Bane. She was an irritable and clumsy healer, but at least the treatment was free. Small mercies. Unfortunately, every session felt like my sanity was being ground down like an ungreased wagon wheel.

    With a mischievous grin on her face, Sena tore off the bandages with lightning speed.

    Rip!

    I flinched at the sting of scabs being pulled off. The term “lightning-fast hands” has rarely felt this unpleasant.

    “Hohoho! How do you feel?”

    “Ugh… Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic!”

    I gritted my teeth, glaring at the ceiling as golden spots danced in my vision. Was it just me, or did the yellow ceiling seem even more golden today?

    “Honestly, big brother, you’d be doomed without me. Aren’t you grateful?”

    Sure, grateful. Grateful I survived the tomb with only a few injuries. The Rogue Master Heidelroc Windwalker turned out to be ridiculously thorough and meticulous, and it was only because the traps were so old that their activation was delayed. I’d thought I was dodging them with my agility, but apparently, I had the passage of time to thank for that small grace.

    “Nothing lasts forever, not even oaths carved in stone,” I mumbled to myself, recalling an old verse.

    Still, the traps would have been deadly for anyone else. After making it through, I discovered the tomb’s exit was a nondescript monument in the forest behind my village—a war memorial I’d always ignored. Who would’ve thought it was hiding a secret passage?

    By the time I returned to the village, the mountain bandits had already been wiped out by others.

    “Big brother, seriously? A Velkysus Ranger slipping on a hillside? If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable. And what’s with these injuries?”

    That’s right. I told everyone I’d simply slipped on a slope. Not because I didn’t trust them… okay, I didn’t. There are limits to what you can trust fools with. But Sena? She wasn’t one to be deceived.

    “Just don’t tell anyone else, okay? It’s a hassle I’d rather avoid.”

    If I’d asked her to keep it a secret in a dramatic way, she’d have gotten even more curious and pried until she found out. The trick was to make it seem like no big deal. Sure enough, Sena didn’t seem all that interested but still wanted to hold it over me.

    “Hmm. That depends on your attitude.”

    She began applying ointment to my wounds, followed by a dusting of powdered medicine. A sharp, tingling sensation spread through my hand. Was this supposed to feel refreshing? Invigorating? It was impossible to describe.

    I winced and asked through gritted teeth, “What kind of attitude are you talking about? Did I do something to bother you?”

    “No, but can’t you show a little more appreciation?”

    “Appreciation for what?”

    “The fact you’re even asking proves you don’t get it. Shouldn’t you be thinking, What can I do to make Sena happy? How can I make her smile?”

    “I should?”

    So, are you saying you’re constantly thinking about how to make me happy?

    “….”

    “Yes?”

    Yet your actions are as thoughtless as ever, aren’t they?

    “….”

    Thud!

    Why did I act that way when I knew it would end like this? Sena eventually stormed off in anger. Once I confirmed she had left, I slowly reached under my pillow and pulled out the adventure log.

    “Hmm…”

    Heh heh heh heh. Just looking at it made me smile.

    Ha! Becoming the legendary adventurer I had dreamed of since my youth—such a path was now beckoning to me.

    How could I not be thrilled? As the world knows, there are seven magical treasures known as the Seven Legendary Relics of the Rogue Master. These aren’t fanciful tales created by enthusiasts; they’re actual magical treasures confidently claimed by the Rogue Master himself.

    Let’s list them:

    • Blasting Edge, Sword Blaster
    • Inner Fiend, Shadow Armor
    • Magic Device, Infinity Rope
    • Magic Device, Air-Jet Boots
    • Magic Device, Infinity Backpack
    • Magic Device, Note of Adventure
    • Artifact, Symbol of the Ancient

    Among these, I already possessed two: the Note of Adventure and the Symbol of the Ancient. What’s more, I had a rough idea of where the remaining treasures were located.

    The Rogue Master had hidden his relics in dungeons crafted like traps, designed either to aid or kill future generations. These dungeons required not only skill but also comprehensive knowledge and wit to navigate. For example, the puzzle I recently solved here went like this:

    “At the meeting point of two times and three scripts, those with pride shall gaze skyward and proceed on the permitted path.”

    It sounds vague, doesn’t it?

    “The meeting point of two times and three scripts.”

    The two times referred to the difference in time systems: while the Holy Palma Empire and our Kingdom of Lionia use the 24-hour system, the Yan Empire uses a 12-hour system based on the zodiac. Unlike us, who count hours from 1 to 24, Yan divides the day using the twelve earthly branches. This clue pointed to the border between Lionia and Yan. As for the three scripts, they naturally referred to the distinct languages of the three nations. Therefore, the location was the Velkysus Mountain Range, where the three borders converge.

    The phrase “those with pride” likely referred to the Third Campaign Monument. The Third Campaign took place around the year 1230, when the Third Infantry Corps of the Holy Palma Empire invaded. Crossing the treacherous Velkysus Mountain Range with such a massive army seemed impossible, yet the Imperial general famously declared:

    “Impossible does not exist in my dictionary!”

    Sending innocent soldiers into such perilous terrain—was it blind ambition for military glory, or had he lacked common sense from the start? Either way, the general led his troops into the Velkysus Mountain Range. At that time, Lionia was in complete disarray and incapable of stopping such a massive invasion.

    Even a single infantry corps from the Holy Palma Empire exceeds ten thousand soldiers. While the Yan Empire once fielded an army of 200,000, Lionia, with its emphasis on chivalry, could never amass such numbers due to the high cost of knightly armor. Despite the overwhelming odds, Lionia managed to endure—after all, if it hadn’t, we wouldn’t call ourselves Lionians today.

    How did Lionia withstand the Third Infantry Corps of the Holy Palma Empire despite such a disparity in numbers? The answer was simple: the Velkysus Rangers. They held the Third Infantry Corps at bay within the Velkysus Mountain Range. For context, the total number of Velkysus Rangers today is 200. Even at their peak, their numbers never exceeded 300. In other words, it was a battle of 300 against 10,000.

    It sounds unbelievable, but the fault lay entirely with the Imperial general. By that time, we already had repeating crossbows, as evidenced in the recent fight against bandits. Even centuries later, repeating crossbows remain masterpieces beyond the reach of human technology. The only reason they’re still operational is due to regular maintenance and replacement parts crafted by dwarves.

    Additionally, the mountain terrain itself served as a natural fortress for the Rangers. Fighting in these mountains was akin to shooting arrows from within a castle at foes outside. In a castle, enemies could at least avoid arrows by staying away from the walls, but here, there was no such refuge—everywhere was within arrow range.

    Large armies are also notoriously inefficient in mountainous terrain. There isn’t enough space for encampments, so soldiers end up sleeping wherever they can, like bandits. Mountains are freezing, making rest difficult, and supplying food is a logistical nightmare. A few guerrilla strikes decimated the enemy ranks, and countless soldiers deserted. The unlucky general, shouldering the blame for his defeat, returned home to meet his end on the guillotine.

    This was the Third Campaign of the Velkysus Mountain Range. Only the Rangers could take pride in such a victory. Thus, the Third Campaign Monument fit perfectly as the key landmark.

    As for the phrase “gaze skyward”, it obviously referred to looking north. In the northern hemisphere, where Lionia is located, the North Star has long been considered the central guidepost in the sky. Although it isn’t the celestial center, the phrase “look to the heavens” has historically been synonymous with heading north.

  • The Apocalypse of the New Human Zombies Chapter 7

     

    “Why are you laughing?”

    The girl suddenly changed her expression, becoming serious.

    “Well, I just… because you were laughing…”

    Surprised by her sharp reaction, Seonwoo stammered awkwardly.

    “Pfft! Hahaha!”

    Then, she burst into laughter again. She was an utterly unpredictable child.

    Is she mocking me?

    Though he should have been annoyed, he found her actions oddly adorable. Her smile was genuinely charming.

    “Where are you coming from?”

    Now, her expression was filled with curiosity.

    “Me? From Bunker 14.”

    The girl tilted her head.

    “Never heard of it.”

    “It’s pretty far from here.”

    Seonwoo wasn’t sure how to explain, so he mumbled a vague response. She nodded as if she understood, smiling.

    “You’re with the resistance, aren’t you? You don’t have to say it. I’m Ahyoung. And you?”

    “I’m Seonwoo.”

    “You look a bit young. How old are you?”

    “Since the new year started, I’m ten now.”

    Ahyoung frowned briefly, lost in thought, then smiled brightly and extended her hand.

    “Nice to meet you. I’m nine. Just a year apart, so we’re friends, right?”

    Seonwoo, taken aback, shook her hand. She was truly a spirited child.

    “If you’ve escaped from the resistance, you probably don’t have anywhere to go.”

    “Huh? Yeah, I guess.”

    What exactly is the resistance?

    Seonwoo smiled awkwardly. Not knowing what the resistance was, it seemed best to play along for now.

    “You saved my life, so I owe you. You can stay at my place for now. It’s in the slums, but it’s livable.”

    Ahyoung spoke nonchalantly, her smile bright despite having faced danger moments ago. Her cheerfulness was almost suspiciously unwavering, and it made Seonwoo laugh.

    “What? You do know how to smile! But what was with that awkward grin earlier? Anyway, come on.”

    She winked playfully and tugged at his hand. Her hand was warm, and it made Seonwoo’s heart race.

    “Hurry up! If we’re late, there won’t be anything left!”

    Ahyoung darted around the rest stop, guiding Seonwoo who was pushing a cart. Seonwoo didn’t understand why they were rushing when it was just the two of them. Ahyoung expertly sifted through canned goods, vacuum-packed foods, clothes, and even toys, gathering what they needed. It was clear she had done this before.

    “How much for all this? Wow, that’s a bargain.”

    She walked to the counter and pretended to chat with a non-existent cashier. Then, she placed a piece of paper on the counter.

    “Here you go. Keep the change; consider it a tip.”

    Ahyoung nodded as if she were serious about it. Her actions were peculiar, almost like she was in a dream. Seonwoo, curious, scanned her information.

    <Scanning target’s DNA information…>

    Beep!

    <Sample Number: None
    Specimen: Not applicable
    Gender: Female
    Age: 8
    Grade: 4
    Infectiousness: None
    Immunity: None
    Special Characteristics: Unknown>

    She wasn’t an experiment subject; she was a normal person. And her age? Eight.

    Eight? Didn’t she say she was nine?

    While the age estimate might not be precise, given her personality, it was hard to shake the suspicion she had lied. But the age didn’t matter much. What mattered was meeting someone in the real world, having a peer, and a friend.

    “What are you thinking about? We’re not done yet.”

    Ahyoung led the way to another store. Her boundless energy was daunting.

    “Huff, huff, are we done yet?”

    Seonwoo found fighting zombies less exhausting than shopping with her. Their cart was filled with items, yet Ahyoung still seemed unsatisfied, licking her lips as if she wanted more.

    Suddenly, Seonwoo felt a shiver. It was a feeling akin to the reluctant errands of Korean men on weekends, seeking escape from household chores.

    “It’s unfortunate, but let’s stop here for today.”

    Ahyoung finally showed mercy.

    Finally, freedom.

    A smile crept onto Seonwoo’s face, but it was a premature relief. A new trial awaited him.

    “Seonwoo, right?”

    “Yeah.”

    “Is it true the resistance eats children?”

    “They eat children?”

    “No need to hide it. I know everything.”

    “Well, that’s not…”

    Ahyoung covered Seonwoo’s mouth with her hand, her expression somber.

    “Don’t say anything. It’s okay now. Just trust me.”

    She decided everything on her own, leaving no room for discussion. Her words flowed endlessly, her chatter overwhelming. Seonwoo found himself missing the simpler challenge of shopping.

    “Wait!”

    Ahyoung suddenly raised her hand, halting. Seonwoo, startled, stopped too.

    “Shh! We have to be quiet from here.”

    Just as suddenly as she had spoken, she fell silent. Without knowing why, Seonwoo held his breath too.

    “From here, it’s zombie territory.”

    “Zombies? They roam around?”

    The girl furrowed her brows, looking at Seonwoo with a puzzled expression.

    “What? Where on earth have you been living? It’s been nine years since the zombie outbreak happened.”

    Nine years?

    Seonwoo began to grasp the situation. It became clear that during the closure of the underground city of Shilla, the escapees had breached the community center, allowing the zombies to escape into the real world.

    “You… you’re not from the Resistance, are you? Where are you from?”

    Seonwoo was startled. The girl seemed to have finally caught on to his true identity. Sure enough, she closed her eyes gently, as if she had figured everything out.

    “I see now. I can be so dense sometimes. It took me this long to realize.”

    With a confident nod and a sparkle in her eyes, the girl looked triumphant. Seonwoo felt a twinge of guilt, as if he had inadvertently lied to her.

    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hide it from you.”

    “I knew it. You’re a hero, right?”

    Huh? What is she talking about now? Seonwoo stared at her, bewildered by the absurdity of her statement.

    “My mom used to say a superhero would come and save us all. But you’re younger than I imagined.”

    She gave a self-assured smile, shrugging her shoulders. Seonwoo, feeling perplexed, quickly extended a fist towards her.

    Swish! Thwack!

    “Ah!”

    The girl flinched, covering her head with her hands and squeezing her eyes shut.

    “I’m sorry! I’ll keep your secret.”

    “I’m not a hero.”

    Seonwoo let out a deep sigh. The girl cautiously removed her hands from her head. Just then, something crept up behind her.

    Thud!

    “Ah!”

    The girl froze, her eyes wide in fear.

    “W-what is this?”

    It was the corpse of the zombie Seonwoo had just dealt with.

    “Don’t be scared, it’s dead. But weren’t we supposed to stay quiet?”

    “Y-yeah. Oh no… This is bad. Run!”

    “Grrr!”

    A zombie peeked its head out from the bushes. Seonwoo instinctively punched it.

    Wham!

    With one hit, the zombie was down. But that wasn’t the problem. Behind it, dozens more zombies were emerging. Seonwoo started running, following the girl.

    “Where are we going?”

    “There’s an entrance up ahead. Just keep running!”

    As they sprinted, a massive barbed wire fence came into view. Beyond it, a city with people appeared.

    So this is the real world.

    Seonwoo caught glimpses of people inside the city. Despite being chased by zombies, a glimmer of hope sparked within him.

    “Here, here!”

    The girl signaled Seonwoo to follow her into a sewer entrance. Curious why she was heading there, Seonwoo followed.

    Splash! Splash!

    The sewer was filled with stagnant, foul-smelling water. The stench was overwhelming, but they couldn’t stop. The zombies were relentless.

    Clang! Scrape!

    “This is my secret passageway.”

    The girl removed a manhole cover from inside the sewer.

    “Hurry in!”

    The inside of the manhole was damp and dark. Despite the numerous branches and potential confusion, the girl navigated with ease.

    After some time, they emerged through another manhole into a secluded alley.

    “Welcome to our city. Cool, right?”

    “Uh? Yeah, it’s… cool.”

    Seonwoo looked around, taking in the dilapidated buildings and people scattered about. His heart pounded with mixed emotions—hope and concern. The buildings looked ready to collapse, and the people wandered aimlessly, their eyes devoid of life. The real world was not what Seonwoo had imagined.

    Vroom! Vroom!

    As they reached a large open area, a motorcycle roared around the space.

    Skid! Screech!

    “Ahhh!”

    A person, hands bound with rope, was being dragged behind the motorcycle, bloodied from being scraped along the ground. People watched with sympathetic eyes but did nothing to help. Seonwoo clenched his fists, his brow furrowing in anger.

    “Don’t.”

    The girl grabbed his hand, pulling him back. She glared at the scene with fierce eyes.

    “Thugs.”

    “Who are they? Why isn’t anyone helping?”

    “They’re the police controlling the slums.”

    “Police?”

    Seonwoo couldn’t comprehend that these delinquent-looking people were police. The girl bit her lower lip in frustration.

    “Scum.”

    Her eyes blazed with anger. She seemed deeply frustrated by her own inability to act. The gang leader, covered in tattoos and wearing a leather jacket, caught the girl’s gaze and began walking toward her menacingly. Seonwoo silently clenched his fists, ready to strike back.

    Suddenly, without warning, the girl was lifted into the air. Someone had grabbed her from behind and hoisted her up.