Chapter 25
Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: Strange Phenomenon
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"Haha."
I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief.
What the hell was it? What could possibly make them go this far?
I knew that strategy guides or anything similar got auto-deleted.
This was probably the same deal—meaning I wasn't supposed to share it with others.
'Is that why nothing shows up on the wiki either?'
My head throbbed.
This left me unable to tell if I was the only one who'd experienced it, or if others had too but couldn't talk about it.
"Haa..."
I tilted my head back and let out a deep breath.
It wasn't anything crucial, but it still left a nagging feeling, like there was something I needed to say.
Swipe.
Just in case, I pulled up the gallery and tapped my phone screen.
Can't post? Controlling information?
If that's how it was, I had plenty to say about that.
Don't underestimate my gallery powers.
Damn, she responded fast.
As expected of our model manager. The managers back on Earth should react in one second flat too.
With the manager's confirmation, I started posting the wiki search terms as comments.
To figure out exactly what got censored and under what conditions.
Universe, black space, bug, strange phenomenon.
I tried posting them one by one slowly, but—
"Unbelievable."
The comments wouldn't post.
Those words weren't even that weird—everyone knows about the universe, at least.
I let out a hollow laugh at this blatant cover-up.
'Let's see how far this goes.'
I still had plenty of ways to test it.
You think I'd just take this lying down?
I gave the manager an order—no, a request—then immediately opened the [Internet] gallery.
I created throwaway accounts 1, 2, 3, 4 and posted one letter each from them, but...
"...At this point, it's impressive."
Same result as with my main account.
Account didn't matter—it got censored clean anyway.
'Since the manager could see it, posting slowly works.'
This was sparking my competitive side. My experimental spirit was surging—had to see if it was truly impossible.
'Don't act like a pure maiden...!'
At this rate, she'd make the manager think she really was a cute girl. Scary.
No matter how unlikely we'd ever meet, I had to rein in the fun before it felt too real.
Tap tap.
I gave the manager a casual reply, then posted a new thread in the gallery right away.
'What useless help.'
If the gallery was full of managers like her, how great would that be?
Of course, I'd have to disappear first for that.
(Multiple similar posts: [I], [I], [I], [I])
As a test, posts with the same title started popping up like weeds.
Feeling like the Pied Piper, I quickly made a new post.
'The manager really is an angel...'
Even amid my uncontrollable trolling, only the manager faithfully copied the posts.
Though she added question marks like "Is this what you wanted?", it kinda hurt my feelings.
I roughly cleaned up the mess and posted in the gallery.
One letter at a time, slow enough for them to recognize what I was typing.
Confirming the gallery copying me, I wrote slowly.
(Multiple [Yi], [Yi], [Yi])
(Multiple [Sa], [Sa])
(Multiple [Sa], [Sa])
(Multiple [Hye], [Hye], [Hye])
Of course, single letters showed up fine.
They weren't words on their own, so just copying didn't trigger censorship.
There were some crazies in the mix, but with the numbers on my side, it didn't matter.
The moment I completed the last letter.
'Doesn't work, huh.'
Of course, the post didn't go up.
As if mocking me, even my previous [Yi], [Sa], [Hye] posts vanished.
But—
'You think I picked this word randomly?'
[Strange Phenomenon]
I chose it because the middle and end letters matched.
Not everyone would post at the exact same time. Some fast, some slow to catch on.
So with dozens or hundreds copying me right now...
(Posts: [Yi], [Sa], [Hye], [Sa])
'Perfect.'
Timing mismatches created the word I wanted.
"That's right."
People questioning it and posting. People witnessing clean rows of posts disappear.
I clenched my fist as the gallery plunged into chaos in seconds.
Couldn't share directly, but it was etched into their minds.
At least dozens figured out what I was trying to say.
'Gallery folks sharp enough to climb the Tower of Wisdom hundreds of times—they had to notice.'
No way they wouldn't question this.
I smiled seeing them piece it together on their own.
As the posts said, searching "strange phenomenon" in the gallery did show old threads.
Not about the darkness I saw, but simple doubts mixed with tower stuff remained.
'Does doubting that word trigger deletion?'
Or maybe since I saw that space and orchestrated this, that's why.
Maybe they read brainwaves or thoughts for censorship.
Didn't matter if it made sense—this whole tower defied logic.
(Multiple notifications like that)
'Situation summary first.'
I quickly made a new post in response to the manager's tearful pleas for explanation.
To test censorship limits, I posted something vague as possible—
Ding ding ding ding—
'This much is OK, huh.'
I nodded slightly at the flood of comments pouring in.
The gallery was a mess, so I felt a bit bad for the manager, but no choice.
Gotta repay her properly with cola for this.
From the reactions, seemed like no one else had experienced this.
Even if I painstakingly described it here, probably no gains.
If someone else went through it someday, then sharing would matter... but.
'No info for now, huh.'
This was probably the best for now.
Ding—!
While refreshing comments, the manager dropped a link.
No way she'd troll me, so I clicked it.
Clap clap clap.
'...I see!'
First time seeing this guy's nick, but he nailed my situation.
Living up to his name, neatly summarized—I upvoted and clapped enthusiastically.
He understood my situation better than I did. Old-timers are the best.
Extra explanations on my comment.
From the experiments mentioned, probably a researcher type investigating the tower.
Makes sense—with this many people, escape attempts must've happened.
'But do I have to say "strange phenomenon" specifically?'
Still looks like bullshit tho.
Thud.
I browsed the gallery more, but no real info.
'Even ancient vets seeing this first time...'
Why me?
Too nagging for mere coincidence.
The splitting headache, the fever making even opening my eyes hurt—still vivid.
'Why only me.'
That 'qualification' the Philosopher's Stone mentioned.
Ding—!
"Ah."
The familiar alert filled my ears, and I realized what it was.
Experience no thousand-year vet had.
The one experience unique to me in this gallery, and the qualification.
"...Irregular."
Maybe not, but it was the most convincing for now.
'Irregular not just an escape tool?'
Or because I got Irregular but didn't escape?
Or wiki glitched temporarily.
Might not be some mind-blowing reality we imagine.
Could be hallucination from stress and fear.
'But that doesn't feel right...'
Anyway, head was a mess.
All hypotheses possible, all meaningless.
"Sigh."
Nothing to know for now.
Too much for a rice-struggle shut-in like me.
(Gallery posts debating: "So current sitch is—", "Past tower expe—", etc., getting censored)
The gallery vibe was seriously tense, hard to describe.
Fighting over fire vs water. Protesting for cola in comments.
Way different from the gallery in my memory debating if manager was a cute girl.
'Where'd my moron gallery go.'
Like flaunting their Tower of Wisdom climbs, they were suddenly all geniuses. Felt distant.
'Not their problem anyway.'
Though it meant they really wanted out and were super interested in me...
"Ugh..."
20th floor aftereffects late? Or brain overuse? Done with hard stuff.
As Philosopher's Stone said, had to figure solo.
Might be one-off fluke never happening again.
So—
Give me back my old gallery, you demons...!
Ding—!!
"..."
Cola this powerful?
Dunno if he's nailing or ruining his nick anymore.