The Management Bureau (2)
The Management Bureau (2)
The Awakened Protection Management Bureau, or "Management Bureau" for short, which had just launched yesterday, moved quickly.
The Management Bureau teamed up with the National Intelligence Service to scour every internet community, tracking the IPs of posts where people claimed to see Tower messages.
Psychiatric clinics were the same.
They compiled lists of patients who suddenly started talking about "Towers" and "Awakening," claiming to see hallucinations, hear voices, or see visions.
That wasn't all.
The Bureau began recording every citizen who acted outside the norm of daily life.
It was a sort of "Awakened Suspect List."
Truly a move worthy of a nation that once created an artist blacklist.
The process of weeding out citizens suspected of being Awakened was proceeding with lightning speed.
And on that list of suspected Awakened, the name of pro-gamer Lee Han-gyeol was also recorded.
Five days had passed since the tutorial clear.
I had spent the time soaking my pillow with tears.
In the meantime, people like my team and my coach tried to contact me, but I ignored them all.
There was a reason for that.
[Newbie couldn't enter the Tower, cried again today...]
[Author: Amor Fati]
(Photo of a pillow with tear and snot stains looking ridiculous)
Why... why do I have to wait a whole week?
Why? A week? Why?
Why? Why? A week?
Why? Why? A week?
└PoisonCoated) This newbie, he has no idea how good the Tower is.
└Solo Hero*) No... it's just a week. Just enjoy life.
└Amor Fati) The Monolith is my drug and my entertainment. I can't enjoy life without the Monolith...
└Vampire Princess) The pillow photo is very cute.
That's right.
These damn bastards slapped a ban on my entry.
And for a whole week, at that!
"Heavens!"
Originally, you could enter once a day, but that wasn't the case for Infinity Difficulty.
I never dreamed there would be a one-week cooldown.
Actually, the day after I cleared the tutorial, I went straight to the Tower, and I had to panic after seeing the Tower message telling me to come back in a week.
I lost sleep again tonight because of nightmares.
[Sigh, I have to come up with an idea to counter the Infinite Regression, so come back in a week lol]
"Kyaaaak!"
Of course, the Tower message wasn't actually that frivolous; that was just the content of my nightmare.
A long time of humiliation and persecution.
"I can re-enter the Monolith if I just wait one more day!"
I bit my fingernails like a mental patient.
I didn't forget to curl up and rock back and forth, either.
I just stared at the second hand of the clock, which was moving endlessly slowly.
Of course, I didn't spend all five days meaninglessly.
Naturally, I went through the process of getting friendly with my Core, and I did intense image training on using a dagger with the videos sent by Dungeon Rogue, Martial God, and Head Admin.
Even if I'm retired, a pro's attitude remains, which is what that means.
But the training I used to take my mind off the Tower also hit its limit.
I couldn't wait another 24 hours.
[If I wait one hour, the Monolith opens again!]
[Author: Amor Fati]
(Photo of a ceramic doll with hands on its head)
Because from now on, every hour,
I'm going to bash my head super hard to make my brain a complete mess!
If I erase my memories until the Monolith reopens, it'll be back in an hour!
Just thinking about it? Is it? Too fun~!!
└Archmage) Hasn't it been less than a week? I came in to see, and the situation is serious.
└Heresy Purger) Why go this far...
└Dungeon Thief) What is the Monolith doing, these bastards--
└Martial God) Ha, I wish the brats in the Murim Alliance would learn a thing or two from this newbie. If you're going to train, you have to be crazy like this to get anywhere.
└Puppet Master) You can enter tomorrow. Calm down.
"Sob."
It was fortunate that we had our IR Gallery members.
If it weren't for the IR Gallery, I might have really gone crazy.
I soaked my pillow with tears again and tried to sleep.
Since sleeping was the only way to delete time quickly.
The next morning.
Two agents from the Management Bureau, wearing black suits and sunglasses, were loitering in front of an apartment complex in downtown Seoul.
Female agent Lee Ju-hee asked while sipping an Americano.
"Sunbae, what do you think will happen to the world?"
Male agent Park Jun-young answered while downing his Americano, cup and all.
"What do you mean, what will happen? The end of the world, dystopia, apocalypse. We're on the verge of drifting into a genre like that."
"Ugh! Do you really think so?!"
"Oh, junior. Try thinking long-term."
"Yes?"
"Think long-term."
"Ah."
Crunch, crunch.
Park Jun-young chewed on the ice and continued.
"Superpowered people are popping up everywhere. On top of that, that damn Tower is threatening to destroy humanity. Do you think the existing social system will run normally?"
"It's probably going to be tough. Information control is reaching its limit, so they said they'd make an official announcement today, right?"
"Yeah. Even if we can't do anything about the Tower right now, these 'Awakened' bastards are the problem. You know, right? What happened a while ago."
"......I know. How could I not."
Crunch!
"Sigh. Why are there so many crazy bastards in the world."
Park Jun-young scratched his head as if frustrated.
"But there are tons of those guys. Cults are already popping up, and criminal groups are making suspicious moves. If those lunatics even recruit superpowered people, there's no answer."
"Ugh, still, I don't think this method is right."
"If you don't like it, take off the uniform."
Park Jun-young, an agent of the Management Bureau, took a step forward to do what had to be done.
No matter how the world turns out, he follows orders.
That much would never change.
Absolute obedience.
It was a familiar thing for Park Jun-young, who had decided to sacrifice his life for the stability of this country.
"Ah, wait a second, Sunbae."
"Why, what now."
Lee Ju-hee hurriedly pulled out a stiff clipboard and a marker pen from her coat.
"......What is that?"
"Huh? You don't know, Sunbae?"
"What."
"It's for pro-gamer Lee Han-gyeol, the one we're going to catch! You don't know Emperor, the superstar of the pro-gaming scene?"
"I've seen the file. But so what? I'm not interested. And we're going as enforcers. We're not going to hang out. Put it away while I'm asking nicely."
Then Lee Ju-hee made a questioning expression for a moment, then lifted her phone and shoved it at Park Jun-young.
Tap, tap, tap.
Lee Ju-hee tapped the screen with her index finger.
"What are you doing?"
"Look, Sunbae. This is called a 'touch'-"
Bonk!
"Ow!"
Lee Ju-hee clutched her head and made a tearful face.
"Are you crazy?"
"Ah, Sunbae! Please, live a little! You're not from the Joseon Dynasty, how does it make sense that you don't know Emperor? That player suddenly announced his retirement and went into hiding for a week, this is the only chance to get an autograph! And who knows? If he really awakened, who knows how much one autograph will sell for!"
Park Jun-young's eyes narrowed at his junior's cute rebellion.
"The world is on the verge of turning upside down, and what? Live a little? Autooograph? And we're going to catch a suspected Awakened right now, you think he'll gladly give you an autograph, you idiot."
Park Jun-young grabbed Lee Ju-hee's ear.
"Ow! Ow! Sunbae! Wait! Sunbae! Sunbae, your daughter! Your daughter!"
"Huh? Now you're bringing my family into this?"
"No, that's not it! You haven't seen your daughter in over 6 months because of your missions, right! If you bring Emperor's autograph when you go home, your daughter will be thrilled!"
Then, the strength in Park Jun-young's hand loosened slightly.
"......Really? Girls like that stuff too?"
"Ah, have you ever seen me lie about something like this? Regardless of gender, for kids that age, Emperor is basically a religion! A religion! It's just a problem that he suddenly retired......"
Park Jun-young, hearing that his daughter would like it, took the clipboard and marker pen that Lee Ju-hee had dropped and hurried his steps.
"Sunbae! Sunbae! That's mine! Sunbae! Hey! Park Jun-young!!"
I opened my eyes with a flash!
"Are you awake?"
It's a truly beautiful day.
Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming......
Although this is a studio apartment where I can't hear or see any of that, anyway.
"On a day like this, I have no choice but to enter the Tower."
It was truly the longest week of my life.
Swoosh-
After lifting my body using only my core (waist) strength, I headed straight to the bathroom.
I was humming to myself.
'What will happen today?'
A 1-on-1 match with a boss-level monster?
Or a swarm battle?
Anything was fine.
As long as I could enter the Tower.
I was filled with anticipation as I lathered my hair with shampoo.
That was when.
Piiit-piiit-tidi-di-
"?"
A faint sound that an ordinary person would never be able to hear.
But who am I?
An Infinity Difficulty player, owner of a Core made of an S-rank magic stone, the superstar of the IR Gallery, Lee Han-gyeol, Amor Fati.
Ordinary, average.
It's been a long time since I graduated from those words.
In other words, I realized that this faint sound, heard through the noise of the shower water, was coming from the entrance.
"What the?"
The sound didn't even stop there.
Step, step.
Footsteps.
At least two people.
'Are you crazy.'
What was that sound? Was it the sound of the door being picked?
Moreover, the two intruders were already in the living room.
I wasn't the type to just sit there and take it.
I immediately threw open the bathroom door and glared at the two bold robbers who had dared to break into an Infinite Regressor's house.
Bang!
"Who are you!"
What came into my view were a man and a woman who had taken off their shoes and entered.
Black suits and sunglasses, and a golden Tower-shaped badge on their chests.
I didn't know much, but I knew that badge well.
"......Management Bureau?"
I was momentarily flustered.
If they were just armed robbers, I wouldn't have been this flustered.
I already knew the fact that the Management Bureau would appear a week after the official release of the Monolith.
But it's a different story that they broke into my house without permission.
Even if they were guys desperate to put leashes on Awakened people, they weren't the type to go so far as to break into a house.
"Why are you guys here?"
That was when.
The female agent covered her face with her hand, and the male agent dropped the clipboard and marker pen he was holding.
"Eek! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Management Bureau? Did you just say Management Bureau? How......"
Whoosh!
The male agent reached into his coat in an instant.
Skilled movements.
Speed that far exceeded an athlete's.
But in my eyes, it was enough time for an Orc Chieftain to yawn and swing a club at least three times.
'Do you think you'll hit me?'
-I tried to counterattack, but it was in vain.
Drip.
"Ow, damn it!"
The shampoo foam that had been sitting on my head flowed into my eyes.
Is this timing for real?
Pew-!
The moment I let my guard down, I heard the sound of something being fired.
'Crazy, is it a tranquilizer dart?'
Of course, I couldn't see because my eyes were closed, but given the circumstances, it seemed like a tranquilizer dart.
'Why the hell are these bastards doing this?'
I don't know.
Maybe it's the butterfly effect the IR Gallery members were talking about?
There's no reason to take the hit.
I ducked to dodge it, then lunged straight at the male agent.
Thud!
"Ugh!"
After pushing him against the wall, I grabbed his waist and grounded him.
Squeeze-!
'Huh?'
Is it because I'm wet?
I can't put in as much strength as I thought.
Even if I adjusted my strength because he's an ordinary person, there's no way I'd be pushed back like this?
Beep-beep, beep!
My feet couldn't act as a support and kept slipping.
This shouldn't be happening?
I'm a player, and one reinforced with an S-rank Core at that!
"Damn it!"
That was when.
The male agent grabbed me in return.
Clench!
"Lee Ju-hee! Now!"
"Uwaaa! I don't know where to look, Sunbae!"
"Hey, you crazy bitch! Right now, that-"
"Management Bureau, you bastards! Why are you doing this shit in my house in broad daylight!"
"Sunbae! Just, hold him!"
Pew-pew-pew-
"Aim and shoot, you crazy bitch!"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Do you think you'll be safe after doing this?!"
"Ugh! According to Management Bureau regulations, suspected Awakened must cooperate-"
"You sons of bitches!"
"Eek! Sunbae! Sunbae!"
Pew- pew-
-Oh my! Young man! Young man downstairs! What's going on! Are you okay?!
It was chaos, the likes of which I'd never seen.
And damn it, one thing I realized just now.
This male agent.
He's a melee strength-type.
I glared with my bloodshot eyes.
"This bastard, are you a player?"
"Ugh, aren't we the same? You said you were a pro-gamer, you're quite strong, aren't you?"
"Bullshit!"
Whack!
I headbutted him, focusing my mana on my forehead.
If the opponent is an awakened player, I don't need to hold back, right?
Even if we're both Awakened, I'm overwhelmingly superior in terms of compatibility because I condensed and fixed my mana.
The guy got a nosebleed from my one headbutt and rolled his eyes back.
"Kuh-!"
I thought I'd taken care of one, but the moment I wiped my eyes-
Pew!
"I, I hit him, Sunbae!"
At the same time as a stinging sensation bloomed on my butt, the strength in my body started to drain away.
"Hee-eung."
Thump!
My body collapsed right on top of the male agent.
"......"
This is driving me crazy.
I feel like I'm going to go insane.
A burly man with a nosebleed.
Me, collapsed on top of him, naked and wet.
Even the white shampoo foam scattered everywhere.
I feel like I'm going to regress right now from the sheer embarrassment.
I'm not joking, should I really press the regression button?
But if I press it, I have to wait another week?
"Uwaaaa, what do I do! Sunbae! Player Lee Han-gyeol! Are you okay?"
However, contrary to my firm resolve, my body won't listen.
Is it because of the poison?
It can't be perfectly countered just by circulating mana.
My strength...... is draining......
"What the hell is this......"
Still, maybe because circulating mana wasn't completely ineffective, the speed at which the anesthesia was taking effect was slowing down just a little bit.
Lee Ju-hee replied, catching her breath.
"It, it's not that we're trying to do anything bad...... It's Management Bureau regulations...... I'm sorry! We were originally going to place the tranquilizer dart cleanly and take you with us...... If it's like this, I won't be able to get an autograph, right? Ugh, I'm really a fan."
I doubted my ears.
'What kind of crazy talk is that.'
You broke into someone else's house, suddenly shot a tranquilizer dart, and tried to kidnap me, but you're saying you weren't trying to do anything bad?
On top of that, you wanted to get an autograph in this situation?
"You, damn......"
It's the limit.
I tried to endure it by circulating mana, but this is a completely different realm.
Just before I lost consciousness, I barely moved my lips and escaped from this slapstick comedy scene immediately.
"En, ter......"
Whoosh!
I don't know what you guys ate to act like this, but you messed with the wrong person.
You dared to mess with an Infinite Regressor?
I will never, ever forget your faces.