Chapter 546
Chapter 546
VTIC’s tour was a resounding success.
Even though one of the members had been caught in a dating scandal, almost no overseas fans canceled their tickets for the pre-booked concerts.
Since it wasn't a media-facing activity, the domestic public didn't have much of a pretext to nitpick either.
Given the circumstances, it was only natural that LeTi focused all their efforts on the tour.
It was almost funny how the guy who caused the mess looked even more refreshed now, but the other VTIC members also seemed to have found some peace of mind.
“Today was good~”
“I agree.”
It was likely because they hadn't yet felt the reality that they’d be finished if they didn't make up for this during their next domestic comeback.
And as for the guy who had probably felt that reality dozens of times over…
[Weren’t you supposed to be off today?]
He was practicing like a beast.
He claimed there was an issue with the concert production.
—The footwork is out of sync.
With that single sentence, he was bleeding everyone dry, refusing to let them go home.
‘And he said he was going to restart.’
Even in the midst of that, his greed for the stage remained.
It was quite a sight to see the VTIC members following him without a single peep of complaint. Even the guy who caused the dating scandal was walking on eggshells, not daring to slack off.
It was a bit hilarious that the two who were VTIC members in reality were actually enjoying themselves.
“Oh! Our feet are perfectly in sync!”
“Doesn't seeing stuff like this just make you feel better?”
So those are the kinds of guys who get permanent positions. I nodded inwardly.
Then, Cheong-ryeo, who had been watching the two with eyes that seemed to be grading new recruits at an interview, answered my question.
“The concert is on break, but we aren't.”
It was a standard response.
Come to think of it, I don't think I ever really rested during a tour either.
‘Usually, we spent the time filming self-produced content.’
There were times I wanted to go home, but for the most part, it was a decent experience. No, actually, it was pretty exhausting.
But traveling around with guys I’d spent years with, people I was comfortable with… it was actually quite fun—
[…….]
“Your attitude is strange.”
[No, it’s not.]
Let’s not get lost in useless sentimentality over something that won't provide an immediate solution.
[Seeing other people work just reminded me of what I used to do.]
[Don’t mind me.]
“…….”
Cheong-ryeo gave a nod so slight it was almost invisible, then continued practicing as if nothing had happened.
However, during a break between choreography sessions, he suddenly asked while drinking water.
“If I restart.”
Hm?
“What happens to you?”
Let’s see.
It seemed he was wondering if I would disappear or return to my original body.
[I don’t know.]
I answered honestly.
[I was worried because I wasn't sure. I don't know what will happen.]
“Hmm.”
Cheong-ryeo neatly set aside his water bottle.
After living with this guy for about three months, the frequency of his power trips—trying to crush me whenever things didn't go his way—had decreased significantly.
…Well, I’m not saying it’s completely gone.
I recalled a conversation from a few days ago.
—Did T-Holic go to jail?
—I don’t think that’s a question the Help Menu, who claims he’ll tell me the future, should be asking.
—…….
—What do you think?
—Yeah. In the future I knew, T-Holic was under the same roof as you guys.
Being blunt like that was actually more comfortable.
In that sense, I anticipated the next part of the conversation.
Let’s see, since I said ‘Your restart is dangerous for me,’ he’ll probably say some bullshit like ‘Then perform your role better’—
“Certainly, an unpredictable risk is troublesome to handle…”
Huh?
I stopped my prediction.
Cheong-ryeo muttered as he put the water bottle back in its place.
“You have a point.”
Oh.
I see an opening to exploit here.
[Exactly.]
[Besides, if the Help Menu breaks, it’s your loss too. Wouldn't it be better to look into it before doing anything?]
Cheong-ryeo smirked.
“You’re still trying to persuade me not to restart.”
Damn it.
If I had hands and could smack this guy’s head just once, I’d be willing to give up this quarter’s settlement.
“However…”
Cheong-ryeo continued as he returned to his position.
“I suppose I can spend about 359 days searching for information.”
[…!]
“Like you said.”
I realized I had succeeded in getting what I wanted.
In the end, Cheong-ryeo himself had admitted that he didn't need to restart until he saw the results of the next album.
This guy who tries so hard to win against everyone!
[Thanks. For the help.]
[ㅁ_ㅁb]
He gave a faint smile. The atmosphere was quite good—
“For a Help Menu to receive help, perhaps you should reflect on your own value of existence.”
[I know you didn't lose anything by this, you brat.]
A few more words were exchanged after that, but Cheong-ryeo didn't take back what he said.
Hmm. I rubbed my (mental) chin.
‘This actually works.’
Becoming a comfortable conversation partner, I mean.
He’d reached a point where, if neither choice resulted in a loss for him, he’d at least consider my situation.
This was the harvest of three months of acting like a total yes-man.
‘If I keep going like this, I might even be able to suggest he try raising a dog…’
No, that seems impossible. I discarded the false hope.
‘Before that, I need to find a clue.’
“We’ll be heading out now!”
“Right.”
VTIC’s practice ended late that afternoon, and Cheong-ryeo returned to his hotel.
[What are you going to do now?]
“Rest.”
Then, he sat in the chair at the desk and closed his eyes for a short nap.
“…….”
Why there, when there’s a bed?
Anyway, it had nothing to do with me. I couldn't sleep at all right now.
It wasn't a pleasant feeling, but considering how dangerous it would be for me to lose consciousness in this situation, it was actually safer this way.
Let’s just make good use of the free time.
‘Let’s dig deeper into the system core.’
Thinking there might be a clue, I decided to take this opportunity to delve further into the system.
Thump.
If there were a sound, that’s what it would have been.
I pushed through the pressure and moved forward smoothly.
‘Hmm.’
Come to think of it, at some point, the system’s unique pressure stopped being unpleasant.
It was like sitting in a massage chair; your body is being pressed, but it feels refreshing and stable.
‘Strange.’
I sank into the system much more comfortably than before, as if surrendering my body to the current.
Deeper.
Deeper.
Further down.
[…….]
I had never come this deep before.
Just as I was enduring the feeling of my mind becoming hazy, as if being smothered by a thick blanket.
‘Ah.’
I saw something.
A deep interior I had never reached until now.
Inside, surprisingly, there was a single glowing object sitting all alone.
‘Wait?’
It was… a terminal for the status window.
One that I hadn't created.
‘…….’
This is weird.
Weren’t these terminals something Keun-dal started making when he decided to implement the status window?
‘This is the system from before Keun-dal existed, so there shouldn't even be a terminal.’
Why was something like this left here?
I reached out and touched the terminal as carefully as possible.
Then, a status window was implemented just like the other terminals…
The problem was that the content was familiar.
[Reboot Initiated]
- Learning in progress.
‘…!!’
Reboot.
It was the same popup message I had seen after collecting all the system fragments before falling here.
However, the explanation attached below it… was something that hadn't been there before.
‘Learning?’
It was then.
—Help Menu.
I heard a voice as if someone were calling from above the surface of the water.
Ah, damn it. I suppressed a groan.
‘Just wait a second.’
I finally found a clue.
I wanted to take some time to think about why this was here and what role it played…
—Help Menu.
Persistent bastard.
I held back a sigh and pulled my hand away from the terminal.
‘If I don't answer, he might start getting weird ideas.’
Since I remembered the location of this terminal, it would be easy to come back.
I quickly escaped the pressure and headed toward the chat terminal located on the surface of the system.
And for now, I spat out a response.
[What.]
“…….”
No, why call me and then stay silent?
Strangely enough, Cheong-ryeo was already dressed in outdoor clothes, as if he’d woken up and finished preparing to go out.
[Do you need me to pull up someone’s profile?]
“It’s not that.”
But instead of leaving, he headed toward the refrigerator installed in his hotel room.
And from inside, he pulled out a can.
A beer.
‘…??’
“You said you wanted to drink.”
Then he returned to the table and took a slow sip.
His expression wasn't great, as if he didn't particularly like beer. Moreover, considering he specifically mentioned my preference… I guess this was his way of being considerate.
‘Well, now.’
I let out a short laugh.
I’m sorry, but we don't share a sense of taste.
Still, watching someone else drink gave me about the same level of satisfaction as playing a VR game.
It was funny to say that when I was only getting a superficial experience, though.
[Thanks.]
The attempt was commendable. I decided to just think of it as non-alcoholic beer.
[But why the sudden beer?]
He answered briefly.
“A reward.”
‘…?’
[A reward for what?]
“…….”
Instead of answering, Cheong-ryeo turned his gaze.
[! Unauthorized error occurred]
[Would you like to remove the Status Window (■■■)?]
Right at that popup.
‘Wait.’
[What are you thinking—]
“I thought about it while I was resting.”
Before I could even finish my sentence, he began to mutter.
“If it’s hard to predict what will happen, removing it is the most stable choice.”
“…….”
“Knowing that, it’s not rational for me to choose to delay the restart instead of removing you.”
[…!!]
Cheong-ryeo flicked the beer can with his finger.
“In fact, this behavior itself is strange. I could just delete it, but I’m going out of my way to have a conversation and give a reward before proceeding.”
He tilted his head to the side.
“Even though it’s a completely worthless action.”
“…….”
Cheong-ryeo moved the beer away from the table.
Then, with emotionless eyes, he said,
“I can’t allow myself to be influenced like this in just 90 days.”
[Wait a minute.]
I’m screwed.
This bastard had realized that he’d started acting leniently toward me.
And it seemed… he didn't evaluate that very highly.
‘Shit.’
If I had a spine, it would have gone cold. I grit my teeth.
‘I have to be rational.’
Start with utility.
[I can prepare a way to quickly raise your stats, not just add new traits.]
[Besides, having the duration of status effects displayed in real-time is for you—]
“I don’t need it. My plan is already perfect.”
Cheong-ryeo smiled calmly, interlacing his fingers.
“I have all the information I need. All that’s left is to restart and find the perfect combination.”
You crazy bastard.
“I just need to try a few more times. It’s not even difficult. The ability to start over like that…”
Cheong-ryeo stared at the popup without a single tremor.
“I already have it.”
A powerful conviction.
I momentarily stopped the terminal.
“…….”
At that moment, Cheong-ryeo took his hand off the beer and raised it toward the popup.
“Well then.”
No.
[I’ll just shut up, so don’t press it.]
[You’re agitated right now. What you’re doing right now is an emotional choice—]
“Stop.”
And then, Cheong-ryeo.
Tap.
As if lightly brushing it, he pressed the delete button.
In that instant.
[Status Window (■■■) removal complete]
I was torn away as if being shredded.
Beside the sofa where Park Moon-dae had collapsed.
“What should I do…”
Keun-dal was desperately trying to squeeze out a thought. But his mind was completely blank with shock.
He tried to search the system, but the system that was originally inside Park Moon-dae was gone without a trace, and he couldn't connect.
No, he couldn't feel anything from Park Moon-dae’s body at all.
‘N-No.’
That was the most terrifying part.
The sensation of always being connected had vanished.
It felt like walking into a family member’s room only to find it completely empty. Keun-dal was devastated by the sense of void and fear.
However, his despair couldn't last long.
“Listen.”
“…?”
Cheong-ryeo was already attempting something new.
Holding his smartphone and looking down at Keun-dal, he switched the ongoing call to speakerphone.
Then, a lively voice was heard.
[Uh, Moon-dae hyung-nim?]
“…!!”
[What’s up with the call? Is this a broadcast by any chance?]
It was Kwon Hee-seung.
The last system user, whom Park Moon-dae referred to as Gold 2.
‘Oh my god.’
He… remembered TeSTAR’s Park Moon-dae!
[Uh, um.]
Kwon Hee-seung poked his head forward with an excited face, but after seeing Keun-dal’s dazed expression, he realized it wasn't a broadcast.
With a bewildered look, he asked cautiously.
[Uh, for some reason, the atmosphere seems a bit serious…?]
Keun-dal, in Ryu Gun-woo’s body, looked at the state of the video call feeling like he was about to cry.
A moment later.
[No, I mean, no way…]
After hearing everything that had happened, Kwon Hee-seung’s mouth hung open before he let out a groan.
A person forgotten by everyone—this wasn't even a movie, what on earth was this?
[How does that hyung-nim get caught up in an incident every single time? Wow, this is driving me crazy!]
My thoughts exactly.
Keun-dal felt like crying. However, the human sitting next to him didn't even blink.
Because he had a different purpose for the call.
“I have a question.”
[Yes??]
“How similar is this situation to your experience when you became the server?”
“…!!”
Keun-dal almost jumped out of his seat.
And it was the same for Kwon Hee-seung on the call.
[Heol, you’re right! It’s exactly the same! Everyone forgetting me and all that! It’s just like when I became that server thing!]
He had intentionally erased most of his memories from that time, but since a few major pieces of information and feelings remained, Kwon Hee-seung immediately felt a sense of déjà vu.
Wasn't it exactly the same, down to the fact that only Cheong-ryeo and Park Moon-dae, who were system-related personnel, remembered him?
Kwon Hee-seung shouted in shock.
[Moon-dae hyung-nim, could it be that he was sucked into this system thing and became a part of it? Like a component!]
“Gasp.”
I exhaled sharply and pushed myself up.
My nerves were twisted as if I were about to vomit, and pressure swirled all around me.
It felt like I was suffering from a deathly hangover, or like my internal organs were being wrung out, or like my semicircular canals had been smashed.
‘Damn it…’
I pressed my hand near my temple… wait.
“…!!”
I pulled my hand away from my temple.
There was a sense of touch.
When I raised my hand and brought it before my eyes, I could see it.
“…….”
What is going on?
‘Did I come back?’
Was pressing ‘Yes’ on the status window deletion popup the correct answer for that crazy bastard Cheong-ryeo?
I stood up unsteadily. I intended to check how much time had passed and where I was.
But as soon as I lifted my head, I realized.
This wasn't the JSA.
“……!”
It was the middle of the night.
Furthermore… it wasn't Korea.
This was LA.
It was so familiar that I recognized it immediately. Because it was the place I had just seen through Cheong-ryeo’s status window!
This venue was the very place where VTIC had held their tour concert.
‘Damn it.’
This area, which must have originally been a sports stadium, had been renovated with VTIC-related promotional tents and decorations, but the crowds that would have enjoyed them were already mostly gone.
‘What is this now?’
This is unbelievable.
I tried to lean against a wall while limping, nearly falling over.
It was then.
Someone tapped me on the shoulder.
“…….”
Am I currently visible to other people?
I immediately turned my head.
Under a dark streetlight, I saw a man with both hands raised.
“It looks like you’re in a situation where you need help from the authorities.”
“…….”
With a dazed face, I looked at the figure standing opposite me.
“I do happen to know the embassy’s number.”
The person who, in this timeline, was still a trainee.
It was Ju-dan.