Chapter 408
Chapter 408
Shin Jae-hyun’s memories were formed of incredibly deep, overlapping layers.
In that seabed, resembling geological strata accumulated over endless repetitions and countless lives, Shin Jae-hyun had never bothered to touch the unnecessary parts.
Because of that, the end was nowhere in sight.
It did not move.
His first attempt lay too deep in the abyss to be stirred by a one-time shock derived from the makeshift interpretation called ‘Awakening.’
However, there was one layer it reached.
The very top.
The most recent memory.
Reality.
Thump.
A ripple resonated.
And coincidentally, his most recent life followed a very unique pattern, unlike the average.
A life he had believed could not be started over.
—Even if some shitty things happen, you’ve made up your mind to live in reality…
It was a bit vulgar, but the expression he had heard just moments ago was likely correct.
Cheong-ryeo had lived through the time following his failure.
Thump.
The memories of that time wavered like ripples.
It began with an opportunity created by the same person.
—You can’t restart anymore.
Those were the words Park Moon-dae had said as he left the villa in a battered state after subduing him.
And perhaps, what came next was even more important.
—It means what you have now won't disappear anymore.
Those words had floated in his mind like buoys during VTIC’s hiatus, which felt strangely long.
It wasn't that he was moved by a sudden realization of what that specifically meant.
Rather, it became a vague sort of guidepost.
If restarting was impossible, what choices could he make?
What could he possess?
First, he brought his dog home. Because he would no longer have to worry about confusing which dog he was raising.
He wrote new songs. Because he could no longer preemptively take songs that had been successful in the future.
He did solo activities. Because the group’s performance was no longer the sole metric for every indicator of success.
Even so, VTIC did not sink.
Failure did not disappear. However, it was a life where the things built upon that failure did not disappear either.
Yet, even through all those processes, a question remained.
‘Why am I doing this?’
It wasn't so much emptiness as it was a pure question.
It was because it felt as if all his actions lacked the driving force of a goal.
A life without a Mission.
An unfamiliar landscape that had to be navigated with an ignorant mind and no answer sheet.
Shin Jae-hyun slowly reconfirmed that this was gradually becoming his daily life.
Thump.
The ripples overlapped.
Then, the waves inadvertently brought to mind a single memory that bore a very similar shape. At the very bottom, the end of the invisible abyss.
The very first restart.
—What is this…
He had believed it was a single chance given to him once more.
Because of that, there was a life there, too, where he believed he could no longer restart. His young and ignorant self.
He didn't know exactly what that memory looked like. He couldn't see it. It only remained like information rather than the original source.
‘Right.’
It wasn't worth reading. Shin Jae-hyun appraised it as such.
Originally, it should have ended there.
However, his subconscious began to move again from that point.
…?
In an instant, the ripple created a fine crack in the strata of his memory, rising like a root.
And it echoed faintly throughout the abyss. A tremor that could hardly be called a stimulus.
But between the layers of countless attempts and repetitions, similar shapes could be seen.
Very rarely, occasionally.
An accidental harmony.
An eyewitness account spreading through the rain.
A performance while injured.
It wasn't revealed exactly what the situation was, what the emotions were, or what the pain felt like.
Because the abyss of experience was already unimaginably deep and layered.
Everything was merely a faint taste.
But sometimes, traces alone were enough.
Because they served as proof that it had existed there.
That feeling that no matter how many times he restarted, that unique and brilliant moment would never come again.
—Please.
Thump.
It wasn't a life he believed he couldn't restart. He just hadn't wanted to.
There were moments for him, too, when he thought of it not as an opportunity, but as a loss.
‘I knew it.’
The afterimages that had occasionally flickered in his mind while watching Park Moon-dae struggle so desperately not to restart.
—…I think I felt that way, too.
However, things that had already been crushed under the weight of the strata as he passed through them had no value.
Because they were useless sentiments.
No matter what that moment felt like, if he failed, he would end up restarting anyway.
Because he thought of it as nothing more than an inefficient impulse that delayed progress to the next stage.
—…….
The ripple soon vanished. The surface of the water became still again.
His strata remained firm, and the abyss remained invisible.
Shin Jae-hyun thought.
Nothing had changed.
There was still no absolute advantage to be gained by returning to the previous reality.
VTIC would not be able to maintain its prime for as long as the prime they had already passed.
An inseparable tag had been attached to the group’s once-flawless reputation.
The vacancy in their positions would have to remain empty forever.
And yet.
Even so.
He didn't particularly want to throw it away.
Just like a long time ago, when he wanted to stay even though he knew everything would disappear if he restarted.
Simply because he wanted to do so.
Was that irrational impulse the original driving force of life?
Cheong-ryeo opened his eyes.
He met a gaze that was watching him as if observing, or perhaps worrying.
“Ah.”
Reflexively, he ran a finger under his chin.
Naturally, there was no moisture.
The ripple of a few short seconds had merely passed as a glancing wave, not a massive surge or shock.
However, it did leave a single mark.
“…….”
Cheong-ryeo admitted it.
His own impulse to return to reality.
Whether he could do it again here or not, whether it was meaningful because it was only once as Park Moon-dae said—it didn't matter.
So, he spoke.
“There wasn't any new information.”
“…….”
“But there is something I want to ask.”
And he asked the question that he had been thinking about all along but hadn't been able to put into words.
“Why do I want to return to reality?”
Park Moon-dae didn't snap at him, asking, ‘Where the hell did everything I just said go?’
He simply held back a sigh before speaking.
“Your reality was originally yours, so of course you don't want to throw it away. Who would want to just throw away what belongs to them?”
“…!”
Because life was originally his, it was only natural to want to maintain and possess it completely.
Shin Jae-hyun was slowly recovering that impulse and desire.
So, Park Moon-dae spoke roughly again.
“Let’s go back, you son of a bitch.”
“…….”
He still couldn't give a rational reason why he should. But perhaps not knowing was the very essence of an impulse.
And now, it was okay for him to act impulsively.
Cheong-ryeo opened his mouth.
“Fine.”
“…….”
“And… I think we need to change the plan a bit.”
He brought up the hologram again.
Numerous windows appeared in a chaotic mess, but neither of them even blinked.
“If you’re absolutely determined not to stay here, I think there might be one more useful method.”
“…….”
“What do you think?”
The person in front of him did not refuse. Instead, he gave a slight nod.
“Tell me.”
Tick-tock.
The clock began to move again.
“Phew.”
The <Pause> state ended about an hour or two later, in perceived time, after reaching a dramatic agreement with Cheong-ryeo.
‘I’m exhausted.’
I returned to my room, pressing my temples.
Fortunately, after the agreement, we had talked about some fairly productive things during the frozen time.
‘And… it’s not like I don’t understand why that bastard ended up like that.’
But that doesn't mean the fact that he stabbed me in the back disappears. I’m definitely marking this down as a debt and making him pay it back somehow.
—What do you think?
Of course, it was a stroke of luck to find out what this guy could do even now.
I reviewed the strategy based on a few facts I discovered while analyzing his UI window.
As the bastard said, the GM’s status window did have some pretty useful functions. Even to me, they seemed like extreme measures, so I’d have to attach some solid backup plans.
‘I’ll have to add a few steps to the process.’
I put my brain to work.
Even in the midst of that, pop-ups were ringing.
[Hyung, I’m so relieved, really…]
[I mean, you said it wasn't that dangerous of a situation, but still!]
[I’m going to keep an eye on that person from now on! Definitely!]
I get it already.
The guy who looked like he was about to shed literal tears through text for an hour rambled on for a long time before finally disappearing, saying, ‘For some reason, I feel incredibly tired.’
‘Good grief.’
It was no wonder, considering how much he’d been running wild. I clicked my tongue, thinking about the remaining Gold and the existence of the ‘Gold Shop’ which had naturally become deactivated.
‘He’s working hard.’
Anyway, seeing Gold 2—Kwon Hee-seung—sending signals like this, it seemed we were headed in the right direction.
“Phew.”
I lay down on the bed. Only then did the tension release.
And instead of the quieted pop-ups, I looked into my smartphone, which had become noisy.
The cause was the guys in the group message room.
—Bae Se-jin Hyung: Oh my god
As soon as time started moving again, they began pouring out all sorts of impressions and questions, starting with those words. I explained this systemic situation to them appropriately.
And I told them that Cheong-ryeo was involved and that I had persuaded him.
Everything from ‘You worked so hard’ to ‘As expected, Moon-dae Hyung’s capabilities are outstanding to be able to resolve such a supernatural incident’ poured out…
And eventually, it led to this situation.
—Cha Yu-jin: We can use telepathy! LIIIIIIITTTT (Sunglasses emoticon)
—Keun Se-jin: Wow, so this is what Moon-dae was talking about? lol It’s like a cartoon!
It was an analysis of the chat window’s capabilities.
Surprisingly, it seemed the chat window function hadn't disappeared and could still be summoned.
However, since Seon A-hyun was the room manager, it seemed only he could open the chat room.
—Seon A-hyun: I was a bit surprised, but I’m so glad it was helpful. If it seems like there’s a problem next time, I’ll turn it on right away!
—Seon A-hyun: (Smiling emoticon)
—Ryu Cheong-woo Hyung: Even if it’s not for that, we could use it to send a rescue request in an emergency. It would be useful if we could use it in reality too.
—Kim Rae-bin: That is correct. Although it is a structure that consumes an energy source called Gold, being able to communicate in a crisis situation is a great merit, so we should use it without hesitation!
If Gold 2 heard that, he would have cried.
I fell asleep after midnight while answering the guys who were asking how to use the chat room and where the Gold came from.
I fell asleep thinking that it wasn't such a loss since I had gained information and functions instead of beating the guy who caused the mess to a pulp.
And the next day.
“Actually, I was there too.”
“…??”
“In the chat room, I mean.”
Ju-dan muttered with a blank expression. I almost spat out my water.
‘…No wonder the member count was listed as 8.’
It wasn't Keun-dal; it was this guy. It seemed he had called all his colleagues.
At the dining table, Ryu Cheong-woo asked with a slightly flustered face.
“Um, did you perhaps not say anything because we made you feel uncomfortable?”
“It’s not so much that, but an outsider barging in and breaking the flow during a touching, climactic scene is practically an act of terror.”
“……?”
Let’s just drink water.
However, one guy took the bait.
“…! Did you think that way because we’re in different groups?”
“It’s not so much that as it is the fact that we don't share a narrative. It’s not simply a matter of being divided by the groups we belong to. Context is important.”
“Oh…….”
That one… is a lost cause.
I watched Kim Rae-bin fall into deep thought before I spoke.
“That’s why I’m planning to make it so you’re not an outsider anymore.”
“Do I perhaps have a past that I still don't remember? A second Awakening?”
No, not that. I pointed my finger at that bastard Cheong-ryeo, who was coming out of his room.
“I’m going to make him do it.”
“…??”
I have to get my money’s worth after making him work like a dog for hours.
A few days later.
I checked the package in the status window’s mail tab, which I had received while progressing through the Main Mission.
“So only Colleague Gacha tickets come out of here anyway.”
“Yes.”
The bastard was now obediently handing over information. I nodded and checked the information inside the mail.
[4-Star Guaranteed Ticket]
[5-Star Guaranteed Ticket]
These were guaranteed tickets for certain people whose probabilities he had manipulated.
I already have a hunch who the monster is who got five stars despite having no real connection to me, but anyway, all that’s left is to set things up.
“How about we create a welcoming atmosphere so the shock is less severe?”
“Yeah Party~”
It was a good suggestion.
I poked Cheong-ryeo.
“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
“You do it.”
Do it if you have a conscience.
Of course, this bastard probably doesn't have a conscience. So I’ll make him do it even without one.
And a short while later.
“What’s going on?”
“Uh…?”
Jin Chae-yul and Oh Yoon-shin, who had returned after finishing a two-day, one-night variety show shoot, were met with an unexpected sight.
“Hy-Hyung?”
“…….”
Cheong-ryeo, who was wearing a party hat and holding a giant piece of paper that said <Welcome VTIC> in both hands, was smiling.
I had stuffed a party horn into his mouth. Cheong-ryeo’s smile deepened.
It looked like it meant he would kill me if I asked any questions, but fortunately, the two of them saw the living room first.
Candles, balloons, and confetti.
The party triple threat.
Jin Chae-yul’s face lit up.
“A surprise party…? It’s not my birthday!”
“I know, right?”
“No.”
I clapped my hands with a blank expression.
Clap, clap.
The other guys followed suit.
“It’s a homecoming party.”
“…??”
“There might be a bit of a shock, but it’s not harmful to your health, so don't worry.”
And then I opened the two guaranteed tickets I had received from the mail.
[★★★★ Oh Yoon-shin / Lead Rapper]
[★★★★★ Jin Chae-yul / Center]
After a brief adjustment period.
“Welcome. Welcome, sunbaenims.”
“…??”
“We truly welcome you to Wishes.”
Ju-dan waved his hand. Chae-yul, who had stumbled before picking himself up, had a face full of question marks, and Shin-o looked like he was about to faint.
I said solemnly.
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to get to work right away.”
“Pardon?”
“Because our goal is right in front of us.”
“What…??”
And so, the K-POP Hellfire Joint Camp was opened.