Cheers to the Self-Made Me: A Call from the Future
Cheers to the self-made me—a phone call from the future. It's a powerful monster that lets you acquire information from the future, and no matter the worldline, someone from the Woorim Group always owns it. In this worldline, it seems Executive Director Woo Jin-ho has it.
The fact that they knew about me probably came from that future call too.
I didn't expect to get tangled up with the Woorim Group like this. I shot Woo Jin-ho a quick side-eye. I had no idea how much he knew about our office, but he didn't seem like someone I needed to be overly wary of.
If the Foundation wants to explain every monster, and the Special Forces wants to kill them all, then the Woorim Group is just a gathering of merchants looking to make money off them. They fund the Foundation because it leads to bigger profits. In other words, if you give them gains or prevent their losses, they become reliable allies.
They're commissioning me to avoid losses, but at the same time, they're probably sizing me up—whether I'm an asset or a liability to the company.
"Excuse me. I have a question."
I was lost in thought for a moment when Shin Na-o stepped forward, speaking up as if to protect me.
"Yes, Miss Shin Na-o. Go ahead."
"What's this product demo thing?"
"It's exactly what it sounds like—a showcase for products our company has developed. But only for ones we can't reveal to the general public. Like the Ghost Typewriter."
Woo Jin-ho said that. Mentioning the Ghost Typewriter specifically meant he knew I'd bought one before.
I knew about product demos too. They were periodic events in the monster game, showing off various items helpful to monsters. Foundation members, Special Forces, and deep web folks got invites, so they doubled as networking parties.
"Does 'attendees vanishing' mean they got caught in some anomaly?"
"We don't know."
Woo Jin-ho shook his head.
"We don't know what happens, what anomaly occurs, which Muksi Saengmyeongche is involved, or who's connected. It would've been great if they'd told me everything, but unfortunately, no details on that."
"I see…."
"The person who called me probably doesn't know much either. She said it would be best to commission Director Mayuri."
He referred to "her," so the caller was a woman. At least it wasn't Woo Jin-ho himself.
Anyway, zero information.
"You know nothing, and you want Sis Yuri to fix it? Sis could get in danger too. Can't you just postpone the demo?"
"It's not that simple. The date was set long ago, and preparations are underway. Changing it now would cause losses not just for us, but for the Special Forces and Foundation too. Of course, we've considered covering all those costs."
Woo Jin-ho adjusted his glasses as he said that.
"Postponing the demo doesn't solve the issue."
"What do you mean?"
"Suppose we delay it by a month to avoid disaster. Would nothing really happen?"
"……."
"Whether a month or a year, in my experience, changing dates doesn't help if you don't address the root cause."
That's why he was commissioning the director, Woo Jin-ho added.
I said I'd think it over and headed back to the office. In the end, no loan consultation.
"Sis, you gonna take it?"
Na-o asked worriedly. My stance was always the same. I'd take pretty much any commission. Avoiding anomalies gained nothing; tackling them head-on brought rewards. No change there.
But there's too little info.
It'd be great if I knew the entity name. Or at least what anomaly occurs. Then I could prepare. All we had was "something happens at the product demo, and all attendees vanish."
Plenty of anomalies involve disappearances. But everyone at the venue gone? Definitely Danger Level 4: Massacre (Citrinitas) or Danger Level 5: Devastation (Rubedo).
"First, I'll compile all the Danger Level 4s and 5s I remember."
Sitting idle for a month with no info would be stupid. I'd review all known Level 4 and 5 Muksi Saengmyeongche, guess possible anomalies, accept if counterable, and ask to cancel if not. Best plan.
A day passed like that.
"Ma'am Mayuri, a guest is here."
"A guest?"
"From Woorim Construction, apparently."
Woo Jin-ho sent someone. Woorim Construction?
"Executive Director spoke highly of you. Planning to move, right?"
"Ah, yeah, but…."
"Care to see a listing? It's just around the corner."
Obviously pushing me to accept the commission…? The intent was blatant, but yeah, time to look for a place. I'd already told the landlord I'd vacate.
Not signing anything yet, just viewing? No harm. No other commissions seemed incoming, so we all went along.
We arrived at a high-rise apartment 15 minutes from the office. 30th floor. 75 pyeong. System AC, of course.
"Wait, we can live here for this price?"
The Woorim Construction rep nodded. I plopped down on the floor in a daze.
So quiet. High floors really this peaceful? Closing my eyes and focusing, I sensed presences upstairs, but no noise potential.
Great window views, intercom automates everything, huge tub. And three bathrooms…? With three of us sharing one, the inconvenience was real.
Of course, no way 1.3 billion covered this. Needed more loan, but flip it—with a bit more debt, we could afford this?
This feeling… it's familiar.
Like pulling a broken OP character in a gacha game. That urge to whale even on loan. If it were unreachable, I'd quit, but it's right there within grasp.
Ugh.
"I'll hit the bank first and think it over…."
Bank loan consult later.
"Wait, the interest is this low…?"
The consultant nodded. Trap. A trap to make me accept the commission.
Did Woo Jin-ho think I wouldn't see through it? Offering these insane terms? If I protect the demo, he avoids losses. Compared to that, my payout's pocket change.
Hiring me is his cheapest option. Assuming I solve it.
He figured a little nudge and I'd bite?
But I was already leaning that way without it?
I planned to accept most commissions anyway, drooling over a Muksi Saengmyeongche as success fee? Solving it boosts my rep? Wait, hold up—this risks lives!
Then screw the money, right? I'd jump in anyway! Saving lives is my creed! I'd saved that stray three times! Three!
But if they pay too? Aigoo, thanks! Not refusing.
I'm a pro. Pros get paid and deliver.
"I'll take the commission…."
Too sweet to refuse.
Gacha players get it. The spending process hurts most. What should cost 200k balloons to 600k on bad luck? Feels like the world's screwing you. Overwhelming despair, tempted to quit.
But at the end, you got it, so try it. Buffs hit, defense mechanism kicks in. Ao, spent too much, but damn this performance. Would've been nice cheaper, but hand feels good. Bitch character, but pull was solid.
You crave that high proportional to spend. So you grind the game 1-2 weeks straight.
I was there now.
"House gooood…."
Sunny rays caressing me. Massage chair stroking my body. Wall-mounted massive TV.
Honestly, post-'Hotel the Lamento,' living felt off. Uncomfy bed. Slight floor noise. Weak AC. Even thoughts like 'Spend a normal coin to revive the real killer hotel?'
Now I get it. Hotel the Lamento, you're basic. Our house is king.
Gazing at luxury views from spacious home, felt like a chaebol daughter. Loan math says loaded poor at best, but mood-wise, rich it is.
Who am I? 00-born universe's richest cutie Mayuri. Cat at home, maid, talking figurine, flying streamer. Even dedicated coordinator?
Peak success life. Cheers to the self-made me.
"Sis? Morning, but no work?"
Na-o tilted her head at my lazy morning bliss.
House too good to leave. Don't wanna commute.
Skip work today? Nah, beyond that.
"Maybe I just shouldn't go back to my old world?"
Wanna live here forever.