Chapter 367
Chapter 367
A few days later, on a holiday.
“Now that I think about it, your group doesn’t have a private jet, do you? Hmm, I guess the cost-benefit analysis doesn’t work out for you yet.”
The words came from a guy who had a real talent for saying things that pissed people off, but today, I wasn’t even that triggered.
“Domestic demand is high enough that we don’t really need a private jet for our schedule.”
“Is that so?”
“Whoa! Awesome! Look at these seats!”
“...”
It was because I had a guy next to me making a huge scene.
Gold 2, Kwon Hee-seung, was staring at the interior of Cheong-ryeo’s private jet with his mouth hanging open.
“Wow... Se-Senior, would it be okay if I took a picture of this?”
“If you’re confident it won’t be leaked.”
“...”
I watched Kwon Hee-seung quietly lower his smartphone and pulled out my own.
“Are you going to take one too?”
“No.”
As if. This was for staying in touch.
I checked my messages once more.
[Ryu Cheong-woo Hyung: Everyone, have a safe trip.]
[Seon A-hyun: Everyone, please be careful, and if any problems arise, tell me anytime!]
[Bae Se-jin Hyung: Mung-ge is doing well (Photo)]
[Kim Rae-bin: I am truly glad the dog is doing well. I am still on my way down to my hometown. I will contact you again once I arrive.]
[Cha Yu-jin: (Waving emoticon)]
[Lee Se-jin: Yep, good luck on your vacations, everyone lol]
Half of them thought I was going on a trip to have fun, and the other half thought I was going for work.
At that moment, the group chat updated.
[Lee Se-jin: But why did the '1' disappear for Moon-dae-Moon-dae but he’s not saying anything? Don't you know we have a 'no ghosting' rule? (Fire emoticon)]
I chuckled and moved my fingers.
[Me: I’m here. See you all the day after tomorrow.]
I recalled the reaction of the guys who knew the situation when I explained a few days ago that I was going to 'take care of something.'
—Is that so? Then I should go with you.
I knew he’d say that.
—That would be difficult.
—What?
—It’s not because I’m worried you’ll be a hindrance or get caught up in it. It’s a structural issue.
—What?
—There shouldn't be any people around.
That was it.
The hypothesis I had built was simple and logical.
First, the premise.
—The System seeks out and moves to the next host the moment a Status Effect ends.
It looks for the most suitable person at the closest distance it can enter the fastest.
Then, why does it do that?
‘Is it because it can’t survive without a host?’
If so, what if I could make it so it couldn't find a host for a long time?
For instance... what would happen if Kwon Hee-seung cleared his Status Effect in a place where there wasn't a suitable person for hundreds of kilometers in any direction?
‘According to the theory, it won't be able to hold on and will vanish.’
That was my aim.
And Cheong-ryeo, who had already theorized about the System’s movement with me before, offered up his private jet as soon as he heard the explanation.
‘I knew this bastard would hand it over easily since he found it interesting back then.’
I nodded inwardly.
After looking around the jet, Cheong-ryeo naturally sat down in a seat...
Wait.
“Why aren't you getting off?”
“Hmm?”
Cheong-ryeo tilted his head.
“I’m not sure why you thought I’d be getting off. Isn't this my plane?”
What a piece of work.
‘No wonder he said he wouldn't take any money.’
I pressed my temples and muttered.
“I told you we should minimize variables this time.”
“Haha, and yet you’re getting on, Hubae-nim?”
“...!”
“Is there any difference between you and me? Our situations are exactly the same. It would be strange if the rules applied differently only to me.”
Sharp bastard.
Right, actually, I had already received a definitive answer regarding my case.
Through Keun-dal.
—It seems... it can't enter the same person again.
—Why?
—Because that person has already been 'used.'
The choice of words was a bit unsettling, but regardless, it meant the System couldn't re-enter users who had previously returned to the past.
It was vague, but it was a statement that couldn't be ignored, coming from someone who was in the process of assimilating with the System.
‘So... I’m an exception for the next host.’
Still, just in case, I didn't bring Keun-dal along.
Strictly speaking, the System had never entered Ryu Gun-woo’s body.
‘It only pulled out the consciousness.’
So, Keun-dal decided to share my vision and monitor the situation remotely.
Then why did I try to exclude Cheong-ryeo, who was an exception just like me?
Isn't it obvious? Just look at his personality.
‘He’s a loose cannon.’
I intended to exclude him to avoid creating variables.
‘...I’ll have to keep a close eye on him.’
I eventually sighed and answered.
“Do whatever you want.”
“I really like how logical you are, Hubae-nim.”
I take it back. This bastard is still great at getting under my skin today.
I leaned back roughly against the seat.
“Hyung-nims! Where was our destination again?”
“The Pacific Ocean.”
“Awesome.”
The execution site for the plan was over the deep, uninhabited sea.
The plane continued its journey.
It wasn't until the afternoon, past lunchtime, that we arrived at the coordinates.
“How does it feel to be floating in the middle of the Pacific?”
“It’s not like it’s my first or second time, so nothing special.”
“Haha.”
I see this every time I go to the States for work; there’s no way I’d feel sentimental about it.
I’d rather spend that time calculating.
‘If we miss this timing, we’ll get too close to the American continent.’
We needed to carry this out within the next 30 minutes.
I looked toward the cockpit. That was where the captain and co-pilot, who firmly believed our destination was LAX, would be.
I recalled the conversation I had with the person who hired those pilots.
About the possibility of the System entering one of them.
—What are the chances they are suitable?
—That’s a gamble. Based on their personalities, the probability is extremely low, though.
Cheong-ryeo had smiled as he made a suggestion.
—Alternatively, we could use a helicopter to drop him on a deserted island or in the middle of a wasteland. Hmm, it might be a bit hard on the person involved. But wouldn't that be better?
—Forget it.
There’s a reason why land is uninhabited. It’s because people can’t live there.
I couldn't ask Kwon Hee-seung to put his life on the line just to eliminate a sliver of a possibility.
‘Let’s keep it in check.’
I decided to choose the best move within the realm of realistic possibility, and this was the result.
Kwon Hee-seung seemed to have sensed the atmosphere, as his expression became slightly tense.
“Then, should I, whew, try clicking it now?”
“Yeah. Just a moment.”
I called up my status window. A pop-up appeared as if it had been waiting.
[Hyung, are you really...?]
Yeah, everything’s ready.
‘Bring up the Status Effect clear window for Kwon Hee-seung again.’
The pop-up didn't answer. It only flickered subtly.
Nevertheless, a hologram appeared in front of Kwon Hee-seung.
“Ugh, whew! It surprises me every time!”
That kid uses some strange exclamations.
Cheong-ryeo muttered with a slightly diminished look of interest.
“There’s nothing special about it.”
“Because it’s only visible to the person involved.”
“Hmm.”
Cheong-ryeo crossed his arms. Then he tilted his head.
“So, like this?”
“Yeah.”
I fell silent and adjusted my posture as well.
It was then.
[Hyung.]
Keun-dal’s pop-up appeared again.
‘If there isn't a serious problem, I’m going through with this. If you have something to say, say it now...’
[No, it’s not that!]
It’s not?
The text in the pop-up shrank as if embarrassed.
[Actually... I’m starting to feel a little hopeful.]
“...”
Right. This guy probably wanted to keep living as a human too.
I knew he was just pretending he had no regrets because he felt there was no other way and didn't want to be a burden.
The pop-up trembled again, then carefully spat out words one character at a time.
[Hyung, thank you so much.... For going this far for me.]
‘That’s enough.’
To be honest, it wasn't just for him. I had intended to get rid of this time bomb the moment I had the chance because it made me uneasy to just leave it be.
If anything, he was the one helping me.
‘Proceeding.’
[...Yes!]
“Then... I’m pressing it!”
With a tense expression, Kwon Hee-seung reached out his hand.
And he pressed it.
[!Status Effect: ‘Make It Work’ removed!
: *^@5#& Confirm ???? Click!]
Click.
And then, the status window... vanished.
Without a trace, as if it had never existed.
“Ah.”
A heavy silence filled the cabin.
Nothing happened.
Surprisingly so.
“...”
“Is... is this the end?”
The first thing that came to mind at Kwon Hee-seung’s question was my own case.
‘A congratulatory window had appeared.’
But that was something Keun-dal had put up, so it had nothing to do with the System...
“Uh, uh, uh?”
“...!!”
A hologram popped up in front of Kwon Hee-seung again.
However, its appearance was different from before.
[??? ? ]
[? ?? ???? ? ??]
[: ?? ? ? ?????]
A bizarre state... filled with question marks.
‘Shit.’
I stood up from my seat.
Then, a low voice came from across from me.
Cheong-ryeo.
“Hmm... I can see this one.”
“...!”
What?
“Hy-Hyung-nim.”
I didn't have time to look back at Cheong-ryeo. My eyes were fixed on the status window floating in front of Kwon Hee-seung.
Kwon Hee-seung’s face was clouded with panic.
‘...Keun-dal!’
There was no answer to my call.
Instead, the status window...
Started to tremble.
Rattle, rattle, rattle.
Kwon Hee-seung turned his head and opened his mouth.
[Hyung, this is strang—]
The sound fragmented.
Like a vibration.
Peeeeeeeeeeeee—!
Tinnitus.
A sound like something breaking, which shouldn't have been audible, rang out.
My vision turned pure white.
‘This is...’
The next moment.
All sorts of holograms ran rampant in every direction.
[Status Eff!$#6]
[Ret&[email protected]]
[■■■■■■■Death■]
[Sta-sta-sta-status-status-sta-sta-status eff#%2]
It felt like something was violently forcing its way into my head...
‘Fuck off!’
I grit my teeth. Hot blood trickled from my lips, but I didn't even have the leisure to feel the pain.
The lines distorted and flashed white.
Blink.
Blink.
‘...Ah.’
And then, ten thousand meters above sea level.
No, inside a small room.
Everything tore apart.
Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip—
There was no scream, no pain.
Reality simply shattered into pieces...
And soared.
Whoosh!
Whiteout.
*
—...Beep!
What is that?
Beyond my heavy consciousness, a sharp sound could be heard...
Is it an alarm?
I thought dully, but for some reason, the feeling that it couldn't be followed.
I didn't know why. But because of that, the feeling lingered, and I didn't wake up.
Longer, deeper.
I was falling into sleep...
If only that word hadn't come to mind.
—Daydream?
‘Shit.’
“—Gasp!”
I snapped my eyes open.
Bright light pierced my eyes. Several incandescent bulbs hanging from a large ceiling emitted light.
Black walls, and next to them, a massive... full-length mirror reflecting the light, taking up an entire side.
A dance practice room.
“...!”
I pushed myself up. Then I looked down at my body.
I was wearing black training gear.
I reached out and touched my shoulders and neck. I could feel the traces of sweat.
—Beep beep beep beep!
I reflexively turned off the smartphone alarm that was still ringing.
And then I thought. The differences.
“Phew.”
Starting with the location.
I was definitely sitting in a cabin...
No way.
I turned my head to look at the mirror.
Or rather, I tried to. If I hadn't first seen the other guy in training gear sprawled out beside me.
And if that hadn't been a familiar face.
“...!”
It was Cheong-ryeo.
However, there was a difference from the guy I had seen just moments ago.
‘His age.’
It was a Cheong-ryeo who looked to be around twenty.
At that moment, a chill ran down my spine.
“You...”
Before I could say another word, the other person opened his eyes.
“...!!”
“Ah.”
There was no expression on the guy who opened his eyes. With a vacant face, he checked the practice room with familiarity.
As if he knew it.
As if he were confirming it.
And then, as if following a pattern, he turned his head.
That was when our eyes met.
Only then did an expression form.
“...!”
First was surprise, then...
“Haha!”
It was a profound realization.
A sigh, joy, interest, despair, hope—a vague yet powerful emotion that could be described by any of those bizarre feelings.
“Ah, so this kind of thing can happen. This kind of thing happens too. Right?”
I barely managed to open my mouth.
“Where are we...”
“This is the LeTi practice room. My agency!”
What?
Cheong-ryeo chuckled as if he were crying.
“In this start, Hubae-nim—no, wait, you might not even be my Hubae-nim anymore. Haha!”
My mind went blank.