Chapter 2
Chapter 2
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: The End is Coming
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Um... so...
This is the status window floating in my vision right now.
I was startled when I first saw it, but I quickly calmed down.
Because this was...
"Survival Life."
It was identical to the status window from the survival VR game I'd quit a few months ago.
The exact numbers were different, but still.
Anyway, why did this appear?
I blinked, thinking it was an illusion, even washed my face, but it wouldn't go away.
"Status window."
"Status window."
I called out a few times, and like magic, it vanished and reappeared.
Guess I'm not going crazy.
I checked the community forums, and the reactions were mostly rough.
The original poster didn't care about the harsh backlash and posted again.
I could understand how he felt.
How exciting must that be.
He must feel like he's been chosen.
A brand-new ability no one else has.
But... chosen by whom?
Given that the UI matches Survival Life, maybe it's related to that?
I pondered all sorts of things, but no answers came.
I focused on the trait slot.
Trait: Exclusive Dimension Gate Open
This has to be a trait that opens a dimension gate.
"Exclusive" probably means only I can use it... but where does it connect to?
Survival Life mixed in fantasy elements like labyrinths.
If it's one of those...
I murmured quietly.
"Dimension gate open."
No reaction.
"Open dimension gate."
Suddenly, the air warped, and a blue gate appeared.
It was a beautiful gate, its surface rippling like waves.
"Whoa..."
Is this a dream or reality?
I rubbed my eyes, stood up, and touched the gate's surface.
My fingers sank in with a cold sensation.
"Gasp!"
I yanked my hand back in shock and thought.
I was curious about what's inside, but I couldn't just go in unprepared.
The labyrinths I remembered were never kind to intruders.
"If I go in and die, that's the end..."
My life isn't a game.
I was making decent money running my snack bar and just starting to think about doing something more—I couldn't end it all now.
But sitting around cowering didn't sit right either.
First, let's measure its size...
100cm wide, 200cm tall. About the size of a 90-inch TV screen.
Checking if it's dangerous should be fine, right?
I slipped my fingers under the gate and brushed the bottom. Cold dirt.
I scooped some up—it was ordinary soil.
Cold, moist, nutrient-rich, familiar dirt.
"...Alright."
I've come this far; no backing down now.
I grabbed my hiking backpack and stuffed it with various things.
Stepping inside, an astonishing sight greeted me.
"Whoa."
This place is a goldmine.
The spot where I landed was a lush forest.
Unknown mountain birds chirping, the sound of a valley stream somewhere.
Sniff sniff.
A faint sea scent.
"Pretty chilly..."
The crisp air suggested winter was near.
Busan was heading into summer, though.
I couldn't hold out and threw on my jacket.
Where the hell is this?
My phone said out of range.
The forest vibe didn't feel like Korea either.
"Mark it first."
I painted a white marker on a nearby tree.
Getting lost in a forest is no joke.
Tying cloth is better, but since I won't wander far, this'll do.
"Hmm..."
I walked carefully to avoid tripping.
Suddenly, the bushes rustled violently, and an animal burst out.
A deer.
An enormous one with massive antlers.
"What kind of deer is that..."
Even a North American moose wouldn't be that bulky.
No, not quite as rugged.
A status window hovered near its neck.
...Does it say Human next to me or something?
I checked my body—no status window.
Anyway, the status window and Valley Deer name suggest this isn't Earth.
The deer sniffed around, caught my scent, startled, and bolted.
"Whew."
I crouched, then used my machete as a staff to stand.
Wild animals reminded me of the ones from Survival Life's labyrinths.
The psycho stone monkeys and charge-happy boars were memorable.
But to us, seasoned by all sorts of monsters, they were just a meal.
Not that I actually ate the stone monkeys.
"In real life, I'd piss myself."
Even a deer like that—what would a boar be like?
We tackled them in the game, but reality? No way.
I headed in the direction the Valley Deer fled.
Soon, I spotted a tree laden with yellow fruit.
...Where have I seen this?
First time seeing the fruit, but I'd heard the name plenty.
Survival Life shop item: stamina recovery potion.
Sun Apple Juice.
Expensive and often out of stock.
Who knew it'd be in this forest.
"Survival Life is just a game, though..."
Why is game content manifesting in reality?
I fiddled with a yellow fruit and sniffed it.
Tart scent, just like the potion.
I won't die eating this, right?
I bit into the flesh—tasted like apple mixed with pineapple.
A message popped up at the bottom of my status window.
I spat out the flesh.
The stamina recovery effect vanished from the effects slot.
Just like the game so far.
Wonder if there are winter berries or shade grapes too?
I chuckled at the thought.
A forest overlaid with game systems—no one would believe it.
I pinched my cheek hard, denying it, and felt pain.
Guess I'm not crazy.
"That guy who said his status window appeared..."
Maybe lots of others got them too.
If I got dimension gate powers, what did they get?
Thinking that far, I stopped walking.
There must be a reason for the status windows and special abilities.
Maybe to prepare for some ominous sign ahead?
Like the zombies or monsters from Survival Life...
"Nah, no way."
I shook my head to clear the thoughts.
Monsters in this peaceful world? Ridiculous.
But what if it really happens?
If this world turns into a zombie-infested hell with monsters attacking people?
"...I want to think it's impossible, but..."
Something weird already happened. No guarantee it won't again.
Considering all possibilities and preparing for the future.
That's what I did in Survival Life.
I wasn't physically gifted, so I dove into survival tactics.
Analyzing goblin shit to see what they ate, luring kobold packs with strong scents.
"Let's explore more for now."
I gripped my machete tighter.
No evidence of monsters yet—worrying prematurely is foolish.
Best to investigate the clue I was given... this forest.
I picked the few decent Sun Apples and packed them.
Only two actually work?
The rest are duds.
"Bad soil here?"
Maybe all the nutrients went into those two.
A dud tasted bland compared to the good one.
"Collect the seeds at least..."
I resumed exploring.
Keeping watch, my breathing grew heavy.
This counts as exercise, I guess.
Excuses aside, running a snack bar means snacking a lot.
Result: 187cm, 95kg.
"Kang Sung-ho, time to exercise with this chance."
Having my own forest? Perfect for walks.
Just watch for wild animals...
Then I saw something I really didn't want to.
"...Damn it."
Goblin shit.
They popped up so much we called them "pooplins" or "hateblins."
Small as elementary kids, but tough.
Their paralyzing poison and spear barrages challenge even veterans.
Not me, though.
Given time, I could wipe out dozens.
...In Survival Life.
"Goblins in this forest?"
A chill ran down my spine.
This isn't a game.
Die and respawn in Survival Life, but not here.
Goblins paralyze, toy with you.
Imagining a wooden spear to the eye? Horrifying.
"No way..."
I scanned around and hurried back to the gate.
With goblins, no more casual strolls.
Either avoid entirely or prepare thoroughly.
But do I need to prepare?
This forest is dangerous.
Any reason to risk it over the peaceful world?
"Sun Apples are a shame, though."
Winter berries or shade grapes would help survival.
Gather info first.
Surely more people have status windows.
I headed home, closed the gate.
Showered lightly, hit the bed, and sleep crashed over me.
This dream had goblins charging.
Me fighting them in the forest with wooden spears.
Why spears? Bows are best for goblins!
Thrashing, I woke to late morning.
Normal life is best.
Avoid monsters like goblins as much as possible.
I dragged my aching body to prep for business.
"Damn."
Need to exercise.
My home is a two-story brick building in a Busan residential area.
First floor snack bar, second my living space. Lost parents in high school, inherited it.
Bounced between relatives, did every job till adulthood, opened this in late 20s.
Business is good.
Nice local trade.
Competitors challenged me.
But two extra hours and generous portions always won.
Kids are main customers—more food means they eat up.
Today, though, I couldn't focus.
Busy analyzing status window and forum reactions.
Level and points: rise by killing monsters, like the game.
But what's the point even if they go up?
No shop like in-game.
Stats... not manually allocated, just results.
Hunt hard in Survival Life, gain +1.
Even with 5500 hours, I didn't dominate stats.
Items/potions boost, but limited.
Forums: no huge reaction in a day.
"Awakened" posters dismissed as crazies.
Then a real-seeming one appeared.
Comments flooded with curses.
Envy to "shut up."
Most took it unseriously.
But I couldn't dismiss it.
Like my dimension gate, maybe stealth powers?
Serious face, then someone called.
"Mister, mister."
"Yes?"
I looked up—girl from next-door salon smiling.
Don't know age or name.
Just that the owner calls her Kyung-i.
Skin so pale, she shines in summer.
She styles my hair, drops by after work—nodding acquaintances.
"Been calling you."
Lost in thought, missed it.
"Oh, sorry. What'll it be?"
Usual. Extra cheese.
"Got it. One sec."
Her fave: spicy tteokbokki with egg and cheese.
Eats it daily, no boredom.
Stir, line cup with plastic, fill.
Add egg, yellow cheese—her custom done.
She eyed the cup intently.
Passing guys stole glances at her back.
"Here."
She beamed, took it.
"Thanks!"
Munch munch.
Cute even eating.
Who dates a girl like her?
Once thought fancy car guy picks her up post-work.
Lots of guys hit on her, apparently.
Anyway, her life, not mine.
Just overlap from adjacent shops...
Watching TV, odd news.
Asteroid...
Meteors fall daily, nothing new.
What shocked me was its name.
Silver Spore.
Name from Survival Life's backstory.
The meteor that birthed zombies, African folk god.
No way, right?
Closed shop, rushed upstairs, checked footage.
Survival Life info long gone online, but on my HDD.
"Where's the backstory..."
Found it. Clicked, played.
3 viewers. Me narrating official site.
Hearing my voice, I closed my eyes.
Couldn't chalk it all to coincidence anymore.
Silver Spore's arrival, status windows, weird forest.
It all pointed to one thing.
The end is coming.