Chapter 163
Chapter 163
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 163
Chapter Title: Off the Record
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I first learned of Ann's existence while looking up articles about Olson Rick.
To be more precise, it was after more detailed information about the case became available.
The amount of information was staggering.
Olson Rick was a figure from the late 20th century, a time still rife with occult and mystery chatter. Even setting that aside, his peculiar methods of murder and the impact he had on the local community drew a great deal of analytical attention.
To get to the point, Olson Rick, in most cases, spared the lives of the fetuses when he committed his murders.
The most prominent theory was that Olson Rick had an obsession with his own birth. Whatever the truth, it couldn't have been entirely wrong, as all but four of the fetuses from his 21 crimes—where it was unavoidable—survived to see the light of day.
His past career as an obstetrician had influenced him.
While confirming these facts, I suddenly became curious about whether Ann had survived. Further investigation confirmed that she had.
There was even a documentary in the early 2000s that interviewed the surviving fetuses, including her.
From that point on, those involved received support from the community, and they supposedly still keep in touch with one another.
After that, it was quite easy.
I first went to Yang Gil-sang and told him.
"I found out there's a support group for the victims."
"I'll make sure there are no problems, so please… please just stay out of it, alright?"
With just a little prodding, he found a solution, contact information, and more, even making direct contact himself.
In re-examining the Olson Rick case, I first sought the understanding of the remaining victims and made various arrangements, such as donating a portion of Hellic 4's profits to a foundation.
That was when I first exchanged contact information with Ann.
It was an email address, not a personal number, and our correspondence was in an interview format, but I'm confident we became quite close.
The irony in all of this, if you could call it that, was…
“Are you off duty?”
“Yes, police work is quite busy.”
That she had become a police officer, just like Jade Wilson.
Ann was lost in thought, looking at the two tombstones standing side by side.
In her, I saw Jade.
I also saw Anna.
This isn't some praise for the greatness of genetics.
It was more about her aura than her appearance. In her time-worn uniform, I felt Jade's sharpness, and in her smile, Anna's playfulness.
She moved her lips for a long while, as if to speak.
She couldn't bring herself to say anything rashly, and I quietly waited.
Then, Ann suddenly spoke.
“…I've played the game. Well, not me, my son.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. My father became a monster.”
I flinched.
It was an instinctive reaction, born from a guilty conscience. Fortunately, her playful smile quickly told me she was joking.
But I had to apologize.
“I'm sorry. But within the context of the story…”
“It's fine.”
Her smile deepened.
“My son liked it, so I'll let it slide. He said it was cool.”
Would it be too shameless of me to say I breathed a sigh of relief at her words?
I held back from saying her son was immature.
I didn't think I was in a position to say such a thing.
‘If I'd known, I would have put more thought into the bad ending.’
With a short breath, my head dropped.
My gaze fell upon the ring on her left ring finger.
…Ann is living well.
She had become the wonderful person they had wished for, met someone she loved, and started a family with a son and a daughter.
Whether this fact brought peace to their souls, I couldn't know.
I was lost in thought.
“It's been a while since I've been here.”
Ann continued.
“I don't actually visit often. They're people I lost before I could form any attachment.”
She knelt and brushed her hand across the tombstone.
“My mother was killed by that man before she could even give birth to me. I don't remember my father at all. My aunt told me that even after that, he tried his best to live on, but…”
“…He died in the line of duty.”
“Yes. It's a dangerous job, after all.”
Ann smiled bitterly.
I knew the story as well.
Jade Wilson, the tragic hero who brought an end to Olson Rick, was killed by local gangs less than two years after the case was closed.
It was another bitter proof that misfortune doesn't spare those with heartbreaking circumstances.
Another thing: the world may call him a hero, but did that mean he was a proud father to Ann?
The answer was, 'who knows'.
“There were times I resented him.”
“…Yes.”
“It makes sense, doesn't it? I was left alone in this world at an age where I didn't even know who I was. The parents who raised me were my aunt and uncle, and I became a police officer for reasons completely unrelated to my father. I think the resentment was stronger when I was younger.”
Even as she said this, Ann's touch was gentle.
The smile never quite left her face. In the end, she added a condition.
“That's how it was back then.”
“Is it different now?”
“I've come to understand.”
She lifted her head.
Her eyes were alive, shimmering.
“Because I became a mother. Once I had my own children, I understood. I'd want my child to live on, no matter what, even if I had to die. Even if they grew to hate me.”
“…”
“I'm sure that's how it was. I want to believe it was.”
The moment her smile bloomed, she bore a striking resemblance to Anna.
Especially her eyes, which burned with a faith that knew no doubt, even as she spoke of uncertainty, saying she *wanted* to believe.
Could I describe it as a light so pure that, despite this being the first time I'd ever seen her in person and knowing little about her, I couldn't help but believe she was an 'upright person'?
I parted my lips.
I chose my words carefully, then offered her what assurance I could.
“I'm sure of it.”
Knowing them as I did, and knowing the man who perished for love in the end.
“He must have felt the same way.”
“Is that your assessment as a game creator? A character analysis?”
“I have good instincts.”
“So we're delving into oriental mysticism now.”
A soft chuckle echoed.
Only when her laughter subsided did the conversation continue.
“Well, that's just how it was. Saying it out loud makes me feel a bit sorry toward my parents. Regardless of my understanding, I still don't visit them often.”
After a moment of silence, her hand tensed.
Her gaze grew heavy and sank.
“…Mr. Cheon Yeon-ho.”
In a calmer voice than before, she asked me.
“You have deep thoughts about hell, don't you? I hear the games you make are like that.”
“Your son?”
“Yes.”
I nodded for now.
It was true that my thoughts were dominated by hell.
Though, of course, she wouldn't know that it was a *real* hell.
Hearing my answer, she posed a question.
“In that case, in your view, am I a person who will fall into hell? Because I don't love the parents who gave birth to me. Because I've forgotten them, at best only understanding.”
Was it a sliver of guilt?
Perhaps she felt it was a moral failing on her part.
One might say 'in this day and age,' but Ann wasn't exactly a modern person.
Considering her age, the values that governed her were likely from a slightly older generation.
Apart from that, her eyes, pleading for the truth, were heavy.
The silence that sprouted from the atmosphere prevented a hasty reply.
I, too, had my own deliberations.
At the end of them, I gave my answer.
I would tell her the truth.
“Yes, you will fall into hell.”
“…Is that so?”
“Well, in my world, everyone falls into hell. I'm not one to believe in heaven.”
Ann's expression, which had stiffened for a moment, began to take on a peculiar look.
“…That's quite an interesting perspective.”
“There's a saying, 'No one is born who does not sin.'”
“Are you a Christian?”
“It's a quote. I'm an atheist, for the record.”
I reined the conversation back in before it could stray.
“But.”
“But?”
I took a moment to breathe.
Even as I looked at Ann, my mind drifted to memories of that hell.
The normal ending, and the true ending.
I recalled the man's final moments.
The more I did, the more certain a fact became.
I could now see another perspective on why he chose suicide over salvation.
I spoke it aloud.
“Your hell will not be a long one.”
My confident tone was met with a look of confusion.
“Why?”
Knowing it sounded like a baseless story, I replied.
“Because you were loved.”
Because there is proof that she was loved.
Somewhere in hell, in a corner even I don't know, a golden gate must still remain for her.
The gate that Jade and Anna, as one, had hidden away.
“…”
The wind swept away the noise, and silence fell once more.
Her eyes held my reflection completely.
Her lips moved as if mulling over my words, and her reply came soon after with a smile.
“…Is that so?”
It was an awkward smile.
“I really hope so. If your version of hell is real, it means I'll fall into it after living a full life. I wouldn't want to stay there for long.”
“I'll pray with you.”
“But you said you were an atheist.”
“It's the thought that counts.”
I shrugged.
The sunset had faded, and dusk had fallen.
Ann rose from her spot.
She glanced at her watch and spoke.
“It's time for dinner. Would you like to come and eat with us?”
“I'll have to take a rain check. I have another engagement.”
“Alright, then. Next time.”
Ann said her goodbyes and walked away.
I watched her retreating back for a long time.
And that was off the record.
The story after the epilogue that no one would ever know.
* * *
Two weeks had passed since the launch.
Hellic 4's success, bolstered by the promotional power of Studio Rewind's stature, was further fueled by media reviews and word-of-mouth, blazing even hotter.
Amidst all this, various behind-the-scenes stories related to the Olson Rick case emerged.
Rumors of unknown origin spread beyond the gaming industry, cementing the name Hellic 4 in the public's mind. To summarize their content:
『ManWhoLostHellic4: I heard they even interviewed the victims' families for this game?』
It was a rumor that acted as a second-stage booster for initial sales.
The truth of the matter was quickly revealed.
Ann herself confirmed it.
“Yes, we conducted several interviews via email, and after the launch, we met in person to talk.”
That's how sales figures work.
Ultimately, it's all about fighting for a piece of the pie within the game market. Boosting sales through other means was in the realm of the impossible, short of a miracle.
This held true not just between the gaming industry and the outside world, but also between genres that didn't share a user base.
But this time, that common sense was shattered.
『RomanceOfTheThreeWives: Saw Hellic 4 on Steam, is it worth playing? All the buzz is making me curious.
ManWhoLostHellic4: Seize it before you lose it, you idiot.』
Players from other genres, even PC gamers, began to turn their attention to Hellic 4.
A month passed like that.
At the end of July, when the summer heat beat down intensely on the land.
The first month's sales figures were released.
『BloodlordOfBangbae: 3.2 million copies in one month is fucking insane lol』
The official record: 3.2 million.
It shattered Studio Rewind's own record and turned the industry upside down.