Lunatic Gallery
In Korea, if you awaken, the draft officers are waiting right outside your door.
I loved that story.
It was an internet meme.
Of course, it wasn't realistic—it was just a meme that stuck because they track down awakeners so damn well.
But how long had it been since I awakened...?
And they'd already sent a notice?
Chills ran down my spine.
Like, I collapsed to the floor and nearly pissed myself...!
→Get lost you bitch.
→Foreigner: What? Register your info when you awaken and forced draft in emergencies? Is this democracy?
→→LivingPoint) That's been around since before the Tower...
→→→TowerKiyaaaaak!!!!
→China just failed because of population—if they succeeded it'd be worse than us.
→They monopolized support classes and Yeon Woo-min's with the Association...
Actually, I posted that an hour after getting the notice. Can't upload right away or my info gets doxxed.
The notice said they'd detected my awakening this morning and to visit the Association ASAP.
I shuddered at their intel capabilities.
I needed ID, and if my appearance changed a lot, witnesses from family or friends. Even procedures for total loners with no one left alive to verify them.
Seeing that really drove home how massive the catastrophe from the Tower and Gates was.
I became an orphan in a Gate flood myself, no friends either.
Gates and floods getting stronger over time, awakeners committing crimes with growing destruction as they power up, countries turning nationalist. Civilians dying in the crossfire.
Bitter taste in my mouth.
Can I trust the Association?
I'll be in the spotlight as Tutorial #1. I'm weak right now. What if some psycho attacks me for lols or aggro?
Exposing my info is risky.
I posted my worries straight to the Top Gallery.
Hoping some Association guy sees it and they prep precautions.
One comment caught my eye.
Lunatic Gallery?
→(OP) Can't I go in as Impossible??
→You can enter lower difficulties. All Lunatics are known quantities with IDs, better than anonymous TopGal chaos.
→(OP) Thx thx
Didn't know that existed.
So there's an Impossible Gallery too? Gotta check.
But Impossible Gallery's last post was some bullshit from 3 years ago. Scrolled far—mostly laments and complaints. Foreign ones might differ, but Korea's was a ghost town.
Frozen gallery. Despair leaking through the text. Just looking crushed my spirit.
I logged into Lunatic Gallery.
→Unicorn) Look at Galaxy Brain over here lol
→→Saintess) I'm gonna kill you for real.
Eh?
Unicorn was Lunatic? And WannaBeThiccGirl? Poor soul. Tsk tsk.
→Unicorn) Check their TopGal posts, it's legit Impossible.
Don'tTouchGlasses went silent for minutes verifying.
→Saintess) Yeah. Korea missed buffs last year.
→Don'tTouchGlasses) Assassination risk?
→Saintess) Who knows. Watch for now? They'd send killers 20F+.
→Don'tTouchGlasses) New record though? More alert maybe.
→Saintess) Most countries say Impossible is impossible now. They'll die climbing—no point risking assassins. No gain from killing.
What the hell, these guys talking scary shit...
→Don'tTouchGlasses) Not me, Galaxy.
→Saintess) You little shit.
Arena's that thing, right? National reps per difficulty fight, winner gets mana stones/items supply, lower Gate flood/high-risk rates.
Win grabs security and economy.
→Saintess) Yep. Correct.
Gasp!
→Don'tTouchGlasses) World stable now, share spoils with allies no checks. Enemies might even protect you. But expect hits before Arena opens or you hit powerhouse status.
→(OP) More mana stones good right? Prices drop.
→Don'tTouchGlasses) Korea hoarding them is the issue. Winner controls energy. Lunatic winners already did.
Hieeek!
So they kill to prevent losses, not for gain.
→Don'tTouchGlasses) Sure. But just 'regret' statements, no sanctions. Only Korea loses. Gov might think 'dies climbing anyway, just sooner.' No war spending.
Don'tTouchGlasses basically said 'You're not that big, lay low.'
Wasn't I supposed to be badass?
→Don'tTouchGlasses) Depressed and you buy tteokbokki?
→HumanFailBeastPass) Wanna share a bite of strawberry shortcake?
Didn't actually buy tteokbokki...
But sorta safe, right?
→AlmostStatePower) ID? Criminal?
→(OP) Nah...
→AlmostStatePower) Just go Association then done.
Ugh how to explain? 'TS'd from guy to girl need new ID!' ?
→Saintess) I'll ask Association President. Meet sometime?
→→(OP) Thx!!
Phew. Saved.
Grab a drink from convenience store?
Glanced in mirror on way out—total mess.
Oversized baggy tee. No pants at all.
Fine solo in Tutorial, but public? Dizzying.
Cops incoming for sure!
Clothes first.
Nyaaang.
Aigoo no money.
Booted PC.
Started auctioning items.
Kuhup...! Tears!
These worth a fortune! Fire sale sucks!
Wait, I'm an awakener now. Badass one.
Money? Pocket change compared to what I can earn now.
'Phoenix Helmet' sold for 12,387,000 gold.
'Marshmallow-Soft Sword +15' sold for 22,142,455 gold.
'Rabbit Amulet +8' sold for 4,555,000 gold.
'Necklace of the Zealous Martyr +12' sold for 33,231,434 gold.
'Kuhk'
'Kuk'
Snifflesniffle.
My items!!
How much were these worth!!
Face a mess of tears and snot.
Snot string to the floor nonstop.
Honk—still endless. Won't break. Water mage thing?
Stood for face wash. Snot stretched unbroken.
120cm snot whip potential.
Silly thought as I headed to bathroom.
Stepped on snot—slipped!
Snot splattered everywhere.
Ow ow ow!