Chapter 159
Chapter 159
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 159
Chapter Title: Release - Hellic 4 (Part 2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hierarchy is a fundamental instinct for social animals, including humans.
Individuals are assigned specific duties based on their abilities, and by fulfilling them, they maintain the framework of society.
From that perspective, it was only natural for a hierarchy to form and for a ‘division of labor based on ability’ to be established in this living room, occupied by just two people: a husband and a wife.
“Ah~”
“Here you go…!”
A neatly cut piece of fruit from Seok-hoon entered Su-jin’s mouth.
Su-jin smiled languidly, her fingers tapping away at the controller.
The newlywed Kim Su-jin was the very embodiment of insane talent.
From the moment she gripped the game controller, she was the strongest.
The learning curve everyone else needed simply didn't exist for her. She had never known defeat, becoming a transcendent being so far above others that she didn't even know loneliness.
The two had been brought together by the common denominator of gaming, but according to the law of survival of the fittest, which even the smallest society cannot escape, the authority over the controller fell to Su-jin.
Seok-hoon, overwhelmed by a mix of defeat and admiration, could only watch her with longing eyes.
“S-Su-jin. Me too…”
“Just a moment.”
The number of “just a moments” so far: 15.
Time elapsed since she first picked up the controller: approximately seven hours.
The early summer dawn had broken long ago, and the world had been bright for quite some time.
Seok-hoon was finally forced to admit one thing.
*‘Ahh… what have I done…!’*
Regret and despair weighed down on his shoulders, but it was too late.
That’s right.
Seok-hoon had awakened a sleeping ‘demon.’
Seok-hoon squeezed his eyes shut.
* * *
And yet, the Earth still turns.
This vast world, as if oblivious to Seok-hoon's small despair, simply wound its clockwork and marched on toward the future.
The realization sent Seok-hoon into a deep contemplation.
If my existence is so small and meaningless, then what is the meaning of this life?
If I can't have any impact on how this world turns, then what is the reason for my life?
Looking at the bigger picture, even history and human civilization, built upon an accumulation of small despairs, will crumble in the distant future, leaving nothing behind. So why must I suffer so much?
The contemplation continued.
At last, he found an answer.
*‘I live because I was born.’*
Still, I live on.
Because I am designed that way, and because there is a glimmer of hope, shining like a firefly in this despair.
I have no choice but to chase it, like a mayfly drawn to a flame.
Yes, even if it’s just a series of fleeting moments, every second I breathe is something I can never get back, so without regret…
“Honey, I want an apple.”
“Okay.”
…And that was the end of the contemplation of Seok-hoon, who had his controller taken away.
A man who has his toy taken away becomes an adult.
Of course, it only lasts for a moment.
Who was Kang Seok-hoon?
He was the man who, after realizing the beauty of motherhood in Hellic 2, cried and shouted at his own mother!
He was the man who feigned illness because a game's launch was more important than his one-year anniversary with his girlfriend!
He was the man who invented a great-aunt and then killed her off, just to play a game!
When it came to immaturity, not even an elementary schooler could beat him!
“Oh, isn’t this the latter half of the game?!”
“Is it?”
“It is! The map has completely changed!!!”
The man Kang Seok-hoon, struck by another stimulus, had regressed back into a child!
Seok-hoon linked arms with Su-jin and pestered her.
“Honey! Hurry, go forward!”
“Ah, okay.”
Seok-hoon's physical affection was driven by his game-induced excitement and loss of reason.
Little did Seok-hoon know that Su-jin was feeling a deep sense of satisfaction at his behavior.
Three weeks into their marriage.
They were still in the honeymoon phase.
* * *
The story presentation in Hellic 4 was more intuitive compared to other Souls-like games.
For starters, the director, Yeon-ho, preferred intuitive narratives over those that required analysis, the reason being ‘easier comprehension for a wider audience.’
Games are usually like that.
No matter how well-made a game is to maintain interest, it is ultimately a form of stress on the brain.
If you abuse the brain further through analysis, a sense of fatigue is bound to follow.
Of course, there are people who aren't like that.
However, they were not the vast majority of the public.
In the end, the intuitively presented storyline was a choice made to maintain the line between interest and stress. Thanks to that, Su-jin and Seok-hoon didn't have to expend much mental energy to understand Hellic 4's story.
—I’m engraving myself onto you.
“Wow, what a line.”
“It does. Reminds me of our past, honey.”
“Huh? Was I like that?”
“No, you just tossed a ring at me while we were eating ramen at a kimbap place.”
“…”
It was a remarkable coincidence, but the game's themes of a man and a woman meeting and falling in love—a story born from the Dragon's Ire—resonated deeply with the newlywed couple, creating a strong sense of connection.
The profiling data, the detailed art, and the music flowing from the speakers during gameplay—everything provided great satisfaction to both the player and the spectator.
Hence, the curiosity.
Hence, the anticipation.
Why on earth did two people, who had shared a love worthy of a romance movie, rush toward such an ending?
The realization came after they entered the latter half of the game.
“The map is really unique.”
“I know, right? It’s the kind of map that screams, ‘The final chapter is just ahead~.’”
Against a grayish-black background, concrete floors floated in the air.
Beside them, fragments of rocks and various pieces of furniture dotted the space like stars. Following the path into the distance, one could see a house, a fork in the road, and, much farther away, a large black dome.
“That dome looks like the destination.”
“…It looks really far.”
“I looked it up, and apparently this area is worth three chapters.”
The version of Olson Rick's domain that Yeon-ho had originally seen was a space where the camera's image was distorted, causing everything except for specific locations to appear fluid and blurry.
The first reason for not implementing it as it was, was ‘visibility.’
An overly dizzying map would naturally cause significant eye strain for the player, so he chose to emphasize necessary objects through restraint instead.
The second reason was ‘presenting a goal.’
It was a technique used in open-world games.
The technique involves placing a massive, obviously special structure in the distance to draw the player's eye, making them think, ‘I want to go there.’ By using this in the final chapter, it creates a periodic sense of purpose for the long journey.
Anyway, for those reasons, the gameplay pacing was handled differently.
The story also took on a more intuitive form than before.
—Waaaaah!
A child’s cry came from the first hut.
It was a monster.
Su-jin leaped to evade the charging child and landed a counter, sending it tumbling to the ground.
“Huh, it’s weak.”
While wondering why there were no other monsters, Su-jin found the first profiling file inside a wardrobe from which light was leaking.
It was at that moment.
[Dragon's Ire – Consumes Cigarette and Lipstick.]
“Huh?”
The Dragon's Ire was consumed.
Both Su-jin and Seok-hoon were surprised by this new development.
Sensing that the true end was approaching, she opened the profiling journal… it was a record of an actual case, different from the ones before.
『CASE B―1
Homicide occurred on the outskirts of the city.
Victim was a woman at full term; first discovered by her husband upon returning from work.
·
·
·
The child was unharmed.
Appears a C-section was performed post-mortem.
No suspected individuals were found; forensics and autopsy results were clean.
·
·
·
End of record.』
“Ah, isn’t this the protagonist’s story?”
“Ah, right, the main character was a detective.”
“Exactly! The criminal the protagonist investigated in his past life is the boss here!”
That was Seok-hoon’s theory.
It was a conclusion he could draw because he had played all of Director Cheon Yeon-ho's games.
Yeon-ho's games generally tended to emphasize a late-game twist.
Just like the butterfly's identity in Hellic 2, the ending of Hellic 3, and the smile in Identity, he figured this game would have a similar device.
“Probably…”
“That murderer killed the wife?”
“Could be.”
It was a certainty born from being a core fan who had played the previous games.
Su-jin also exclaimed, “Oh,” impressed by Seok-hoon’s words.
“Looks like there’s more to it.”
*Tadadak*, the controller was tapped.
This time, even Seok-hoon didn't show his desire to play.
He was so focused on the story that he wanted to see what happened next as quickly as possible.
A linear structure, and the ever-approaching black dome.
As they passed through it, the two drew closer to the truth one step at a time, witnessing an incredible amount of additional scenes that made them wonder how it was all created.
—Because I have to protect you and Ann.
The point in time when the couple had their child, and the point when Olson Rick’s crimes first began.
—Looks like you’re out for a walk.
—Ah, Doctor.
The day the wife and Olson Rick met.
—You’re nine months along now.
—I’m worried. I hope they catch that murderer soon.
—…He’ll be caught soon. Your husband is working hard on it.
And even a conversation between the wife, now nearing full term, and Olson Rick.
It wasn't a cinematic.
It just utilized a special feature unique to the final chapter’s map.
The concrete path floating in the air, and the various fragments of stone and furniture drifting around it like stars.
As the player passed by, the pieces of furniture and stone would interlock to create a space, and above it, the past events would be reenacted, moving along with the protagonist.
It was aesthetically brilliant.
The execution was outstanding, ensuring the long path wasn't boring and that the rhythm of combat and rest was firmly established.
Of course, from a player's perspective, it was a technique that would be simply summed up as ‘fun,’ but the fact that the intention was perfectly conveyed already made it a success.
Another thing: by this point, the player could start to predict what would happen next.
“Oh, this…”
“It seems like…”
At the point where the ending became predictable—that is, when a certain amount of information had been revealed—the game confirmed the players’ suspicions.
—But he’ll be caught soon.
The black dome had grown so large it now covered half the screen.
A conversation that would make any observer sigh took place.
—My husband was so happy, he said he’d found a lead. That damn bastard is finished now, right? Our Ann will be safe!
—…Is that so?
—Yes! My husband was blaming himself, saying it was too late. But isn’t it a relief that there won’t be any more victims?
—Right. I was also hoping for a time when the patients would be safe.
“Ah…”
It was a common trope.
The situation unfolded as expected, and by the time it was over, Su-jin and Seok-hoon were standing before the dome.
They tensed up for a moment, looking at the undulating entrance at the end of the path.
“Oh, it’s a bonfire. Su-jin, go save at the checkpoint.”
“Huh? Okay. But why do you keep calling it a bonfire? It’s just a safe point…”
“It’s a bonfire.”
A small argument broke out in front of the checkpoint.
Regardless, Chapter 12 was now clear.
Chapter 13 would take place inside the dome.
It was already Sunday evening.
The couple themselves had forgotten that they had been doing the same thing all weekend without a break.
“Ugh, this map is gross.”
Su-jin furrowed her brow.
The motif for Chapter 13 was the inside of a womb where a fetus sleeps.
As such, there were many descriptive elements taken from blood vessels and membranes, and the viciousness typical of Souls-like games was often expressed in connection with them.
*Screeech!*
A monster burst through a membrane on the swollen wall.
Su-jin was generally good at dodging, but she showed weakness against enemies that popped out from unexpected places.
It was a lack of experience.
“Damn it!”
The first curse word escaped Su-jin’s lips.
In that moment, Seok-hoon felt a surge of hope.
*‘Come to think of it…’*
Director Cheon Yeon-ho.
A real bastard's bastard who, if nothing else, always set the final boss difficulty to a vomit-inducing level.
That guy could do it.
He could plant despair in this ‘naturally gifted player’ that was Su-jin!
The thought that he might see Su-jin in despair made Seok-hoon’s heart pound as much as it did during their first kiss.
Seok-hoon's eyes gleamed.
Su-jin entered the boss room.
And so, the two of them encountered it.
*Zzzzt—*
Static filled the screen, alternating between the final scene of the man shooting the woman and Olson, and the current form of Olson Rick.
*Hoo— Hoo—*
The sound of ragged breathing came through the speakers.
*Click, clack.*
The sound of a revolver’s cylinder clicking into place could be heard.
The BGM began to play.
The static began to flicker between the present and the past at an increasing speed.
Each time it did, the case files burned away one by one, and the UI changed.
The name that was ??? became Olson Rick.
The health bar, which had been a solid white, began to crack and shatter, turning into a red liquid.
Finally, the static obscuring the screen shattered like glass and scattered away.
—Gyaaaaaaah!!!
A grotesque roar, a mixture of a man’s and a woman’s screams.
A bizarrely shaped Olson Rick appeared, as if two people had been superimposed in the same space, and the boss fight began.
Su-jin corrected her posture and immediately charged forward with confidence.
Immediately after, Seok-hoon’s dream came true.
[YOU DIED]
She had fallen for Olson Rick’s first-phase gimmick: a limited hit zone.
It was a ‘learn by dying’ pattern where hitting Anna’s body resulted in instant death.
“What the heeeeell!!!”
*Thwack!*
Unable to contain her anger, Su-jin threw the controller.
Seok-hoon was so thrilled that he burst out laughing, “Bwahaha!” and inadvertently exclaimed.
“Noob…”
“…What?”
“…is what you’re definitely not! You can do this!”
Improvisation was a married man’s essential skill.