Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Failure Means Disposal, Success Means Survival, Right?
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Time remaining until the deadline for writing the Anomalous Phenomenon and item wiki entries.
12 days.
I started my stream.
About an hour had passed.
Then, a call came in from someone.
💬 Live Chat — Viewer123 What?
— AnonFan Sudden phone call?
— JiaLover Who's that?
— TrollKing Taking a call mid-stream?
— ShipMaster Boyfriend?
— DramaQueen Omg boyfriend busted chills x4
— Skeptic No way lol she said Jia-nim
— CorpTheory Manager? Omnia Archive manager? It really was a corp smh
— CafeHop Keep cafe touring ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
"...One moment, everyone. I'll call you back."
"Sorry, folks, but I'm gonna have to end the stream here today."
💬 Live Chat — HurryFan Sudden end what??
— WorryWart What happened?
— Sweet Sad...
— LockIn Locking in
— Me Me too
— JiaStan Tell us later. As apology, 24hr nonstop game stream tomorrow? Nice deal
— WeekendVibes Tomorrow's weekend we're screwed lololol
— FairTrade Sad about sudden end but 24hr marathon is fine
— MyStar See you even if Myriad Stars hates it hehe...
"I'll fill you in on the details later. And uh, as an apology, tomorrow I'll do a full 24-hour nonstop stream of one game."
"See you then."
With that, I ended the stream.
My hands and feet were trembling uncontrollably.
Th-this isn't the time for this.
I grabbed my phone again.
I called the person who'd just contacted me.
Kim Junghwan from the Awakener Association.
The call connected almost immediately.
[Jia-nim, this isn't the time to be streaming...]
"Where do I go?"
[The Anomalous Phenomenon site in southern Gyeonggi. No matter what, you need to be there within an hour...]
"I'm close to home. I'll be there in 30 minutes."
Click.
I ended the call.
Didn't even wash my face.
Didn't even shower.
Just threw on a coat over what I was wearing and rushed out to hail a cab.
A deluxe cab, the kind corporate heirs take, no less.
Luckily, one was available right as I opened the app.
"Where to?"
"The Anomalous Phenomenon site in southern Gyeonggi. Fare doubled... no, quadrupled, so hurry as fast as you can! No time!"
"Got it. Buckle up tight, we're off."
Good call on the deluxe cab.
The driver didn't pry why I was heading to such a dangerous spot.
In the back seat, I fidgeted anxiously, lost in thought.
Can I really pull this off?
No, this isn't the time to debate if I can or can't.
Only 12 days left until the wiki deadline.
This is my last shot anyway. No next time.
Success means survival.
Failure means disposal.
What if I get badly hurt by the Anomalous Phenomenon?
That's not the issue either.
The scariest thing about Anomalous Phenomena is the uncertainty of info.
But.
I have the ability to write entries on targets in wiki form.
If I can get the info beforehand... no way I'd lose an arm or something awful.
Besides.
That mysterious Awakener dispatched by the Association will protect me, right?
I heard their personality's a real piece of work, but...
They wouldn't just let me die, would they?
As I wasted time worrying about useless crap,
I'd arrived at the southern Gyeonggi Anomalous Phenomenon site.
Humans are such curious creatures.
I gave the driver, who'd asked zero questions the whole way, my heartfelt thanks.
Quadruple fare oughta cover his therapy.
At the entrance to the site,
"Ha..."
I couldn't help but laugh dryly.
Holy crap.
How many people were swarming this death trap?
Easily over a hundred waiting at the gate.
Half looked like reporters from news stations and recka YouTubers at a glance...
To reach the Awakener Association folks gathered further in, I'd have to push through the press.
Damn.
Guess my identity's hitting the headlines today.
...But who cares about doxxing.
This is life or death.
Gulp.
I swallowed hard and cautiously headed toward the reporters.
Then.
"Must be something huge."
"Yeah. Why else would Scheduled Hwan show up."
"Chairman Scheduled Hwan! Where you headed?!"
"Just one word on the situation..."
Shockingly,
Nobody paid me any mind.
Uh.
Um.
Those Association people over there? Probably here for me.
No need to tell the reporters that.
Chance to slip in unnoticed.
Quick, inside.
...But.
No way through this reporter wall.
Eventually, I'd have to ask them to make way.
Sigh.
I'm digging my own grave.
No choice.
"Excuse me, reporters."
"One word, please."
"Heyyy, reporters~"
"Chairman Scheduled Hwan! The public wants to know! Is it dangerous?!"
Ugh.
"Hey! Reporters! Hold up! Look over here!"
I yelled till my throat hurt, and finally, they turned to me.
Under their piercing stares,
I spoke.
"...Could you make way?"
Come on.
Think.
What to say to their barrage.
Are you an Awakener?
Why are you here?
Do you know the situation?
Isn't that VTuber Lee Jia?
Good.
Bring it.
No time, hit me with questions.
"...What are you doing?"
"Huh?"
"We made way."
"Oh."
"Looks like you're with the Association. Busy? Go on ahead."
"...Ah. Yes. Thanks."
"Chairman Scheduled Hwan! Please, just one..."
Should I be happy or mad about this.
Somehow felt shitty being ignored.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Southern Gyeonggi Anomalous Phenomenon site entrance, Awakener Association building conference room.
About a dozen people were gathered.
Some from the last meeting,
some new faces.
Awakener Association Chairman Scheduled Hwan spoke up.
"No time, so I'll keep it brief. The Anomalous Phenomenon and item here are luckily visible to the naked eye. However."
"We can't tell which is the item and which is the Phenomenon until we touch them."
"Actually, this works out. A chance to..."
Scheduled Hwan
looked straight at me and continued.
"...test just how useful Jia-nim's ability is. Jia-nim, think you can do it?"
"It's not about can or can't. I have to."
Or it's disposal.
How many times do I gotta say it.
"...Understood. Not thrilled about it myself. But no need to worry too much. With her here, she'll definitely keep you safe."
"She arrived?"
"Not yet. Damn, she'll show up right on the dot again. We'll brief till she gets here."
Scheduled Hwan pulled up two photos on the screen.
I instantly got why he said they couldn't distinguish Phenomenon from item.
Left.
Golden piggy bank.
Right.
Mysterious tool with black sticks in a transparent glass bottle.
Oh, I've seen that somewhere.
What was it called.
"Left photo: golden piggy bank. Right: diffuser."
Ah, right.
Diffuser, air freshener thing.
Looks just like one.
"As you see, both are tools, so impossible to distinguish."
One threatens humanity: Anomalous Phenomenon.
The other benefits us: item.
Ironic, huh.
Photos alone didn't reveal info on Phenomena or items, as expected.
If they did, I wouldn't be out here.
Coulda picked my nose at home while they send pics and I say 'this one's this, that's that.'
Done.
So.
Have to get close and check personally.
Sigh.
So what are these things I'm facing.
Guess we'll find out now.
Not knowing what bombshell Scheduled Hwan would drop,
I broke into a cold sweat.
"It's weird."
"...Pardon?"
"Briefing over."
"W-wait... that's it?"
"Yes, that's it. Any more questions?"
"Tons! Too many to count! What's the golden piggy bank do? Like, put coins in and it turns tentacle monster? And the diffuser..."
"We don't know. Haven't investigated. How would we?"
"Th-this is my first time entering a site! Shouldn't you have basic intel?"
"Jia-nim. Anomalous Phenomena and items don't allow 'basic investigation.' Once you decide to check, you're committed all the way."
"..."
I know.
I get it, but I'm a total newbie hitting my first site today.
This briefing's too skimpy.
As I sweated anxiety,
Scheduled Hwan explained slowly.
"We've tackled Phenomena blind till now, throwing bodies at them. Most effective, safest way."
"But if Jia-nim can truly identify them... we won't need to brute-force anymore."
"You're that vital to us. Think I'd let you die?"
"No..."
"Exactly, no."
"She's the top Awakener. Trust her."
"Till she arrives, memorize the site safety manual."
"...Yes."
Can't argue with solid logic.
Sigh.
Fine, relax.
What's the worst, death?
Die to Phenomenon or disposal, same diff.
As I memorized the safety manual,
She arrived.