Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Code: XTK
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054. Code: XTK
Code: XTK
Code: XTK
It was a creation that appeared before my eyes.
'A webtoon I read back in high school. It wrapped up around five years ago, right?'
Code: XTK was a cyberpunk story, a niche genre. The timeline was about ten years ahead of reality, set in Seoul. But it was a world so different from the real Seoul that almost nothing matched up.
[1. Kim Yu-jin]
- 32 years old, math teacher at Victor Middle School in Seoul.
- Lost his left arm to a robbery in the past and became a cyborg with a mechanical arm transplant. - Lives depressingly, worried about the future.
[2. Cheon Yu-jin]
- 24 years old. Gangster in the Black Hammer gang operating around Incheon.
- Cyborg with 60% of his body mechanical. - Dreams of taking the boss position in Black Hammer.
[3. Park Yu-jin]
- 21 years old. Employee at a machine parts factory in a rundown area of Seoul.
- Orphan background, lives and works in the factory dorm to save money.
'Mainly dealt with cyborg stories.'
Code: XTK was the codename the protagonist, Yoo Han-soo, used in the past. Back then, he worked for the Korean government, but at the story's point, he makes a living as a fixer.
'He takes requests for almost everything except murder commissions.'
During his special agent days, Yoo Han-soo was so outstanding he was called a legend. Thanks to that, he has an enormous network. Even the government or police occasionally come to him with requests.
'But what caught my eye wasn't Yoo Han-soo. It was one item in this world.'
Illuster.
An item that temporarily makes you invisible when used.
It's quite rare even in the story. Only acknowledged special agents under the government use Illusters.
'An item that grants temporary invisibility. Perfect for Red Light activities.'
Lately, assassinating vampire hunters made me realize something. In assassination, the killing moment itself isn't the hardest part. Approach and escape before and after are tougher. With an Illuster, those would definitely be easier.
'Illuster is auto-recharging. One use hides you for an hour.'
That was cheat-level in the modern world.
'Could even sneak into women's baths or changing rooms. Heh heh heh.'
I made up my mind.
I was hooked on the Illuster. I wanted it so bad.
I turned on the computer and started searching for Code: XTK. I planned to rewatch from episode 1 and scour every netizen analysis on it.
'My biggest advantage is knowing the future of the Play worlds. And even if I don't dig deep into the original myself... I can use the netizens' analyses. Heh heh heh.'
I imagined a future with the Illuster in hand.
Turning invisible in public and teasing women. How would a woman react to sudden invisible molestation?
'F-Fuck, I want it so bad! Illuster!'
???
I frowned after checking the three avatar settings.
"What the hell. None of them appeal to me."
I grumbled in complaint. If there weren't any options at all, fine. But there were three, and not a single one fit me perfectly.
'Why no rich or powerful settings?'
Ordinary people in the Code: XTK world don't even know Illusters exist. That's how valuable it is.
'If it was a powerhouse or rich guy, getting an Illuster would be easier!'
Seoul in Code: XTK had serious corruption. Plus, mafia, gangs, yakuza were rampant. No wonder it was cyberpunk.
'Should I pick Kim Yu-jin? No, a teacher? Seriously.'
It didn't suit me at all. And a mechanical left arm? I treasured my body. Sung Yu-jin with a robot arm? Couldn't even imagine it.
'If it was a university professor who could bang college girls, maybe... but middle school? No way.'
Kim Yu-jin was out.
Second, Cheon Yu-jin.
'60% mechanical cyborg? Ugh, fuck... Just thinking about it sucks. Out!'
I shuddered involuntarily at the thought of machines inside me. I knew the world, but I couldn't adapt.
Still, the gangster part appealed. The story was dark, so underworld activity would be convenient in many ways.
'Third one's not great either.'
Park Yu-jin had nothing compared to the others. Kim was a teacher, so probably had savings. Cheon had gangster connections.
But Park?
Orphan, 21. No way he had much saved. Connections? How great could a factory worker's be?
'But no cyborg setting.'
After agonizing, I chose Park Yu-jin.
Money? I had my real self. Sell gold bars or jewels for funds.
Connections? Nice to have, but not a big issue without.
The goal in Code: XTK Play was solely the Illuster.
'All the female characters here are ugly anyway.'
Not one to gently stroke my dick.
Cyberpunk world didn't attract me either. As a high schooler, I just killed time with it.
'Once I get the Illuster in Code: XTK, auto-progress to the ending.'
I selected Park Yu-jin and was about to start Play when I paused.
"Oh right. Gotta spend my points."
One Stamina stat rose naturally. Thanks to consistent training at Youngcheon Sword Hall.
'Boost Strength or Agility? Or Vitality to spam Heightened Sensitivity freely. Or raise lowest Intelligence to 10?'
After thinking, I decided to upgrade Hacking.
Hacking Lv.7
Hack electronic devices. More complex devices reduce hack duration. Target must be within 70m. Can hack multiple, but duration drops sharply.
Cooldown: 3 hours
Acceleration Lv.5
Accelerate body for 10 minutes.
Cooldown: 1 hour
'Code: XTK is cyberpunk. Nothing beats Hacking for efficiency. Acceleration's great too, after using it a lot lately.'
Remaining 4 points.
I pondered, then invested in Strength. Was gonna do Intelligence, but not crucial now.
'For a man, after Vitality, it's Strength! Power's essential for pounding.'
After distributing points, I glanced at Random Gacha. Bit of regret, but oh well. Promised myself to use scraps there later and started Play.
'Do Random Gacha at least once a week. It's pretty fun.'
Random Gacha has jackpot odds. Good luck gets insane skills like Hacking.
'Wish for Space Manipulation. Move dick into pussy remotely... Heh heh heh.'
???
I opened my eyes in a grimy room. The ceiling fluorescent was off, and billboard lights from the window flashed brightly. At least no noise.
'Ugh. Smaller than my pre-move solo room.'
I sat up in bed. Another bed nearby had a skinny fortysomething uncle snoring away.
I looked around. Clothes and bag in a corner, small fridge and TV. No laptop or notebook. Oil smell.
'Whew. Factory dorm, huh? Smartphone?'
Thankfully, one in my pants pocket.
Worried since Code: XTK uses no smartphones. Mostly smartwatches. Phones are antiques.
'But left wrist has a smartwatch too? Park Yu-jin uses both?'
Didn't make sense.
Park was poor orphan. No spare cash. One or the other, fine. But why antique phone with watch?
'Phone's same model as my real one... Hmm. Probably auto-starts as basic item when entering Play. Like game starter gear.'
Had to be.
Checked surroundings, lay back, fiddled with watch, clicked tongue. First time, awkward. Nearly freaked when it beamed hologram wall screen.
'Just use the phone.'
Fingered the smartphone. More comfortable. Went online first. Portal different from reality, awkward but worked.
'Story start point, as expected.'
Play always began at original story start.
'Illuster chance comes soon. Gotta prepare.'
Scoured net, entered game site: 'Legend of the Blade'. Name beyond cheap.
Shoddy webgame. Crude art, in-game screens too. Couldn't fathom why still running.
'Actually, this game's contact point for crime org Raphael.'
Registered easily. Webgame playable on phone/watch.
Made character quick. Name: Taker. Male. Warrior.
'Even char's a frog.'
Created, searched public channel 472, entered.
Ignored tutorial quest popup, moved char around starter village. Under big yellow tree, feather-hat char with mat shop. Name: Anyting.
'Found it.'
Clicked to open shop.
Various game items. Knew nothing, so no clue on prices. Didn't care.
Scrolled bottom, selected 'Negotiate'.
New 1:1 chat window popped.
Mutants are humans with superpowers. Extremely rare. Maybe 1 in 10,000.
And mutant powers aren't that great. Average cyborg stronger than most.
[Hacking successful.]
[Can hack Legend of the Blade for 15 minutes.]