Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Chapter 7 Murderer (3)
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Knock knock.
Yang Jo-cheol, the unit chief staring at the USB on the table, swallowed hard.
“Have you arrived?”
“As you heard.”
Since they’d already spoken on the phone, he’d recognize the voice.
Under the table, Yang Jo-cheol’s hands, neatly placed on his lap, clenched tightly—it was visible.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, we have no intention of suppressing Players unconditionally.”
He spoke in the same calm yet firm tone as during the call.
I eyed him and replied.
“But you’re on guard.”
“Well...”
“I said let’s understand each other’s positions.”
I repeated what I’d said on the phone.
“If we agreed to understand each other’s stands, you should understand me being a bit troublesome.”
“...I understand.”
“Same for me. Even if there’s any tampering here, I’d just be displeased, not angry.”
Tap tap. I fiddled with the USB on the table as I spoke.
Yang Jo-cheol watched it move on its own across the table and responded.
“As for that part, since we discussed trust first, you don’t need to worry.”
“Do you think I’d believe that?”
I added that I was quite suspicious, and Yang Jo-cheol let out a shallow sigh.
I’d warned him not to tamper with the USB, but with zero trust between us, it was hard to take at face value.
Who knew if they’d bluff about trust then threaten and shoot?
“Just in case, I’m warning you—don’t come at me half-assed.”
As a warning, I gripped the table’s corner and applied strength.
“Then I’d have to respond in self-defense.”
Crack. Wood chips broke off with a sound, and Yang Jo-cheol’s expression hardened fiercely.
“If you judge Players by common sense standards, you could be in big trouble.”
I tossed the torn corner piece and picked up the USB.
“Sorry on our first meeting, but handle the compensation yourself. Then I’ll be off.”
“...I’ll await your contact.”
No miracle chase followed as I turned and left.
But it was too early to relax.
‘Now I need to check if there’s any location tracker on this.’
It’d be a hassle and take time.
But if it could hide my identity info, I’d endure any trouble.
* * *
The talk of trust wasn’t complete bullshit, it seemed.
Yang Jo-cheol and the NIS side hadn’t tampered with the USB at all.
Over four hours of spinning it around, visiting three PC bangs, plugging it into PCs and playing the contents—no tails followed.
‘Still, just in case.’
I wasn’t an expert, and caution never hurt.
So every time I hit a PC bang, I covered the cam.
Even now, sitting to properly check the USB contents, same deal.
I headed to the most corner spot, pulling my mask and hat tighter, mindful of CCTV.
‘Already 5 PM.’
Connecting the USB and opening the folder brought the familiar sight.
One text file, one video file, and a folder titled “Original Video.”
Playing the video showed a black background with white text.
“Please check the Notepad file first.”
Content I’d already confirmed at other PC bangs.
I skimmed the text file I’d only opened but not read till now.
“The original video is stored in a separate folder, and the compiled video connects in-house CCTV sequentially for easy grasp of the incident’s before and after.”
It wasn’t too long or short.
“Audio uses walkie-talkies and recorders from agents at the scene, plus interview transcripts.”
I read it carefully.
“Though you’ve heard unpleasant news, thank you for seeking to understand the incident without prejudice. We hereby clarify our stance more clearly.”
After that, it listed what the NIS planned regarding support for this game.
How they’d monitor Players, how they viewed the situation, etc.
I memorized it, then donned headphones and played the video.
First up: a place presumed to be a police station detention cell.
‘They’ve got body cams or something.’
View height was upper body level.
Soon, two suited men led out some guy.
Subtitles at the bottom showed the date.
“June 13, 11:34 AM, first Player contact.”
The day of the second tutorial for first-wave Players.
“Player 1 Han Chang-sik, 32, resident of Daerim-dong.”
“Presumed to have undergone second tutorial while detained after causing a disturbance at a bar on the 12th night.”
“Handed over from police to NIS.”
Reading the unfamiliar Player’s basic info, the scene changed.
“Is this the NIS?”
My eyes narrowed. The accent of this Han Chang-sik was unfamiliar.
‘Joseon-jok?’
I’d heard it in news or movies, but not familiar to my ear.
“Yes, this way please.”
Someone looking like an NIS agent led Han Chang-sik along.
Then an interview in what seemed an interrogation room.
All content I knew—game-related talk.
I listened patiently to everything.
Next scene: the lone Joseon-jok man in the room vanished.
“June 18, 6 AM, third tutorial summon confirmed.”
“Coop letters sent to police and hospitals nationwide. Request reports of bloodstains or unexplained injuries.”
Next: CCTV from a presumed hospital.
“June 21, 8:06 PM, reports received of three with serious unexplained injuries admitted in Seoul, Ilsan, Daejeon. Personnel dispatched.”
Same date KJ’s party did their mission.
So those three admitted were surely Players from the same party.
“Player 2 Yang Bae-jun arriving soon. Doctor, stand by.”
“Arrival confirmed. Moving now.”
Someone on a portable gurney like in ambulances entering the building.
Suited people standing guard around.
The scene repeated three times. Yang Bae-jun, Yeo Joo-rim, Kim Tae-hwan.
All moved to the same space.
“Immediate treatments done at the hospital.”
A waiting doctor checked the Players’ states.
“All conscious and clear-headed. Need monitoring, but no negative signs for recovery now.”
Next: a space like an interrogation room.
Two seated there.
Han Chang-sik in plain pants and tee, and a suited man with a laptop.
“Can I meet them too?”
“Hm? Curious?”
“Of course. They’re like me. Did you catch a tiger too?”
“Too injured for game-related interviews yet. Since you’re curious, I’ll ask them and let you know.”
Then footage from hospital rooms asking Players about meetings.
“Since you came straight here after second tutorial, you’re curious about fellow Players? Want to meet?”
“No reason not to.”
“He’s Joseon-jok, right? Dangerous?”
“You think we’d just take it? We’re Players too.”
“Our agents will attend just in case.”
“Sounds good. I’m for it. Might need someone like him. We didn’t even know how to wield knives well.”
“Then let’s meet!”
“Okay.”
“When can we?”
“If fine, this afternoon right away.”
Up to here, no sharp vibes in the video or talk.
Even with Yang Bae-jun’s side, it felt polite.
Meaning NIS caution toward Players wasn’t that high yet.
Trouble started when Han Chang-sik arrived at the three Players’ room.
Kim Tae-hwan, who’d balked at meeting a Joseon-jok, lay in bed—maybe asleep.
Instead, the other two led the talk with Han Chang-sik.
“You already did missions?”
“Yeah, nearly died there.”
“Missions sound dangerous?”
“Can’t say no. Three died.”
Yang Bae-jun answered bitterly, and Han Chang-sik, staring, crossed arms with a graver face.
“You gather mana there? How much per round?”
“Not sure, but seems 40-50s per entity. Absorbed split by party size.”
“More than expected.”
“Not always. Need purification agents.”
“Purification agents? Ah, needed down there?”
“Huh?”
“Nothing. Thanks for telling.”
It happened mid-mana talk.
Right after thanks, as Han Chang-sik uncrossed arms.
A dagger was in his hand.
He lunged at nearby Yeo Joo-rim, slashing her throat halfway.
Blood sprayed the room from there.
“Emergency, emergency! No. 1 starting rampage!”
“Team leader! Shooting permission... Gahk!”
Yeo Joo-rim’s next victims: NIS staff who’d escorted Han Chang-sik.
He swung the dagger before they drew guns.
Then grabbed pistols from the fallen agents.
Bang! Bang bang!
“You bastard! Kim Tae-hwan, wake up!”
Clutching his gut, Yang Bae-jun flipped the bed for cover.
Wound reopened from haste? Blood seeped from his belly.
As Yang retreated, Han killed the doctor and nurse.
Fourth victim: Kim Tae-hwan, groggy like half-asleep.
Stabbed up without leaving bed.
Yang Bae-jun hid behind bed longest but ultimately shot dead.
Rushing personnel into the room.
Han Chang-sik running corridor, firing.
People collapsing bleeding.
Han leaping through broken window, back view.
Chasing NIS vehicles.
All in sequence.
“June 22, around 2 PM: 3 Players, 3 medical staff, 8 agents dead.”
“June 25, 10 AM: Han Chang-sik whereabouts unknown.”
Video ended.
At some point, I’d been grinding my teeth; now I rubbed my face with both hands.
‘Damn it.’
If this happened, showing up armed last night was natural.
Korean gov and Players botched the first button—badly.
Face buried in hands, inwardly cursing, I checked originals with complex expression.
Video metadata matched subtitle dates.
“Gonna lose it...”
Seeing this confirmed why system gave me the bounty mission.
System wants NIS Player-incident resolved.
Redo the botched button.
Not all Players murderers—some cooperate.
‘If this goes well, won’t auto-hostile or suppress Nam-gyu, so could entrust the kid.’
Yang Jo-cheol I met seemed to aim for neutrality max.
Aware Players dangerous, but not blindly hostile.
Helping here, showing friendly, would ease Player animosity.
System’s intent was blatant.
But finding the way brought no joy.
“Why dump this mission on me, damn system...”
Today too, system antics boiled curses.
Couldn’t deny this was system’s most efficient path.
Yet body wouldn’t move easy.
I stared blankly at shrinking timer with mission window up.
Then digits changed.
‘9 hours 59 min now.’
Deep breath, pulled myself together.
‘No escaping the mission.’
In ~10 hours, my location notifies Han Chang-sik.
No guarantee bounty mission remains then.
Worst: my spot exposed, his unknown.
‘Can’t have that.’
Won’t see that psycho near me.
Twins or Seo family could die like video folks.
Yanking USB, leaving PC bang—steps faster than usual.
Damn System