The Explorer I
When the Void erupted in the middle of Seoul, the entire Gangnam area was ravaged.
I've mentioned this in several of my stories, so you should be familiar with it.
Known as the "Gangnam Void Crisis," "Gangnam White Night," or "Summer in Seoul," this incident claimed even Old Man Scho's wife, who fell victim to the "summer."
However, a few buildings remained intact amidst the void-infested Gangnam area.
If "intact" means a building looks neat from the outside.
Here's a question:
Q. How can a building remain as intact as before, on land consumed by the void?
A. It's also void.
Exactly. Eye for an eye, poison for poison.
To resist the void, there was only one solution: overpower it with an even stronger void.
Put differently, if you see a building in Gangnam that's still "intact," that means it managed to shrug off the void that obliterated half of Seoul's population.
These were the highest-level dungeons.
All the sturdiest, scariest, and most brutal voids on the Korean Peninsula were concentrated in Seoul's Gangnam.
The real estate market in the human world had collapsed, but among anomalies, Gangnam was still the hottest spot.
One of the most notorious dungeons was a hotel in the building nicknamed the "Tower of Sauron."
Since the previous story involved an inn, today, let's talk about a hotel.
The building known as the "Tower of Sauron," as many of you know, is the tallest skyscraper in Seoul.
Initially, it was a nickname with a hint of humor, but when the void devastated Gangnam, the building's residents, office workers, and hotel staff vanished entirely. Thus, the name "Tower of Sauron" became literal.
Right after the void's eruption, people had high hopes for the tower.
"That building looks fine!"
"There must be lots of survivors inside!"
It was already the tallest building on the peninsula. In today's world, where the average height of Seoul's buildings has reverted 50 years, it stood out even more.
"Ah, come to think of it, I heard somewhere that the tower was designed to withstand a magnitude 9 earthquake…"
"Could it really be intact inside?"
"There's supposedly a portal to another world near the top of that building."
"Let's go in! Let's check it out!"
First, residents from north of the Han River entered the tower.
They went missing immediately after entering.
In the initial stages of the apocalypse, a handful of missing people didn't concern anyone. Even adding two zeros to the number wouldn't change the situation.
But after a month or two, strange rumors about the Tower of Sauron started to circulate.
"It's a place where you can't return if you take even a single step inside."
"A reconnaissance team is forming."
At that point, the South Korean military, which had managed to hold on, launched an operation.
With the Ten Legs treating soldiers as delicacies and sweeping through the ranks, any surviving unit had to be elite.
The soldiers decided to borrow the wisdom of their ancestors, but from a much earlier time.
"We will form a single-file line and enter the tower. Every soldier will tie a rope around their waist."
"Rope, sir?"
"Yes. This rope will link all the soldiers together. The operation will be called 'Ariadne.'"
Like Theseus landing on Crete and facing the greatest labyrinth humanity had ever known, the soldiers approached this operation with the same determination.
"The frontmost row will go in first, then walk back outside if nothing happens. If we lose contact with the front row, cut the rope immediately so the others can escape. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Prepare the ropes."
A cautious and effective strategy.
The problem was that the Tower of Sauron wasn't just any dungeon; it was a demonic castle that had survived the "Summer in Seoul."
"We've lost contact with the soldiers who entered the door!"
"Pull the rope!"
"It won't pull. Ugh, it's not moving! It's heavy as a rock!"
"We have no choice. Abort Ariadne. Cut the rope!"
"Yes, sir. Huh? The rope… why? No…?"
"What are you doing, you idiot! Cut the rope!"
"I can't cut it! The rope won't cut!"
"What the hell are you saying…? Whoa, we're being pulled!"
"Aaaaah! Help me! Help me!"
"No! Hold on! If you're dragged in, you'll die…"
Incredibly, the rope seemed to have transformed into titanium. The military knives couldn't even leave a dent.
The glass doors of the Tower of Sauron opened wide and dragged the soldiers in, swallowing them like noodles slurped up in one go.
A perfect feast.
"Aaaah!"
The soldier holding onto the door frame to avoid being pulled in was gone in a flash. His screams lasted only two seconds before fading.
With a squeak, the glass doors gently closed. If the Tower of Sauron could talk, it would probably say "Burp."
The reconnaissance team was wiped out.
After this incident became known, the line of civilians daring enough to challenge the tower dwindled.
That's right. Civilians stopped.
I, the Undertaker, lived by my own rules, far removed from normal sentiments.
What if I died in the tower? I'd just regress.
And so, I sought out a companion to explore the hotel with. It would be boring to go alone.
"Ah-ryeon, how about a hotel staycation this summer?"
"A h-hotel staycation?"
Sim Ah-ryeon's ears perked up. She had the temperament of a loner but harbored an acne-like yearning for the life of an extrovert.
"Sounds nice, but… but, just you and me?"
The yearning spoke.
"No matter what, I mean, that's a little…"
"Relax. It's not that kind of trip. I'm just thinking of spending a few days at the best hotel on the peninsula. If you're interested, come along. If not, I'll ask someone else."
"Uh…"
Sim Ah-ryeon blinked, swayed by my indifferent yet cool response, thinking, "Is he serious?" She had been consistently easy to sway since the first cycle.
"O-Okay… I'll go!"
Two days later.
Sim Ah-ryeon screamed in front of the hotel entrance, carrying her travel backpack.
"You said it was a hotel! You said it was a hotel, guild leader! It's the Tower of Sauron—here!"
"What are you talking about? There's a hotel here."
"Not is but was! They're all gone! The buildings are ruined! It's all 'Gangnamed!'"
"Enough. Follow me. I need you to come in and sketch the landscapes and maps."
"Aaaaah! I should've known when you said 'hotel staycation!' Somebody save me! No! No way am I going to die here where thousands have already died—I don't care if you're the guild leader, no means no――"
And so began the Undertaker's fun exploration of the void.
As soon as we stepped through the glass doors of the Tower of Sauron, a stunning sight greeted us.
"Huh? There's light…?"
The building that looked pitch-black from outside was brightly lit inside.
Not only that.
There were four perfectly operational elevators, two on each side of the entrance. The chandelier hanging from the ceiling was spotless.
It was as if――
"It's like time hasn't moved at all… How is this possible…?"
"Hmm."
I nodded.
As an experiment, I pressed an elevator button. Srrr. The doors slid open without a hitch.
"Gasp. It's working…?"
"Remarkable. Time hasn't just stopped; the building is fully functional. Ah-ryeon, did you notice?"
"Huh? What?"
"Look outside."
Sim Ah-ryeon, who had been captivated by the chandeliers and elevators, finally turned around. With her trademark shriek, she clung to my arm like a caterpillar.
"What's that? Who's that?"
Outside the doors—meaning just beyond the glass doors we had entered through—a man in a suit stood politely.
"He's probably a hotel staff member, a doorman who opens doors for guests."
"But there wasn't anyone there earlier…"
"Remember this, Ah-ryeon: In the void, you can't rely on preconceived notions. The glass doors we saw from outside and the outside we see now are two different spaces. Think of it like a picture in a frame."
"Oh…"
"The problem is, we've stepped inside the frame. If we tried to open those doors now, they wouldn't budge. Go ahead and try."
"...…"
Sim Ah-ryeon cautiously tried to open the doors, but nothing happened. The hotel staff standing just beyond the glass didn't even glance at her.
"It's true…"
"That's why 'void' fits better than 'gate.' Things that look like doors no longer mean anything as entrances or exits. To escape the void, you must follow the proper procedure or subjugate the boss."
"The boss…"
"Of course, many voids don't have bosses, which makes them trickier to clear. Let's see how closely this void imitates a real hotel."
I led Sim Ah-ryeon into the elevator.
Since this was one of the most luxurious hotels in Korea, the elevator itself was lavish.
The building boasted 123 floors, but we chose to enter the void through the hotel's main entrance. So, the elevator only had four buttons.
[81F - Western Restaurant, Korean Restaurant, Bar]
[79F - Lobby, Guest Lounge]
[76F - Grand Banquet Hall, Small Banquet Hall]
[01F – Entrance]
Sim Ah-ryeon shifted nervously, intrigued yet uneasy.
"What if the elevator suddenly falls while going up…?"
"That'd be great."
"W-What? But we'd die."
"Sure, we might die, but the course would be incredibly short. If this void only entertains itself by making humans fall in an elevator, then… the risk level would drop."
In that case, the Tower of Sauron would simply be classified as a void or anomaly called "Hotel Elevator," and that would be the end of it.
Not dangerous, and easy to beat. Just don't get in the elevator. Done.
As long as you're not some pervert who gets excited by elevator vibrations, you could safely ignore it in future cycles.
"What are you even talking about, guild leader…? We'd die."
"True voids don't kill people. They make you want to live here forever."
"Huh?"
Click. I pressed [79F].
Since we had entered through the hotel entrance, we were likely guests staying at the hotel.
And as guests, our first stop should be the "hotel lobby" to "check-in."
Twitch!
When the elevator began moving, Sim Ah-ryeon's shoulders tightened. I tapped her back gently.
"How long you survive successfully in a void depends on your understanding of its 'personality.'"
"..."
"Remember that staff member standing beyond the glass doors? Even little details like that are important. In the void, no clue is insignificant. If a staff member is outside, it's because 'the void believes it's a hotel.'"
"The void believes it's a hotel…"
"Yeah. Like the saying, 'When in Rome, do as the Romans do,' you need to follow the void's rules unless you plan to mess things up right away. In that sense, the soldiers who tried to enter earlier were unlucky."
"W-Why?"
"What guest would enter a luxury hotel in military gear, holding a gun? They were probably mistaken for terrorists and slaughtered."
"...…"
I secretly wished the elevator would fall. By wrapping myself in aura and shielding Sim Ah-ryeon, I'd have a high chance of survival.
But this world was sincere in its desire to screw people over, especially me.
Srrr—
In less than a minute, the elevator reached the 79th floor.
And as the doors elegantly opened, I was sure this void belonged to our proud world.
"My God, guild leader! Look! It's so luxurious here…"
The perfectly polished marble lobby welcomed me. Even the staff at the check-in counter smiled at us from afar.
"Hmm."
A big "F-U" indeed.
-x-X-x-
The Explorer II
"Ah-ryeon, hold the elevator door open for a moment."
"What?"
"Your guild leader has something to confirm."
I immediately climbed the elevator wall. Sim Ah-ryeon gasped, looking at me like she was staring at a giant spider, but I paid her no mind.
Channeling aura into my hands, I sliced the ceiling like it was soft tofu. Sparks flew from my hands as if I was welding.
In no time, I had created a neat hole in the ceiling. This was the power of a skilled aura user.
"G-Guild leader, what are you…?"
"Shh. Keep quiet and wait."
Upsy-daisy —I lifted my upper body through the opening. It felt like a scene from Mission Impossible.
"Hmm."
The wind outside was biting.
The space beyond the elevator was pitch black. While the lack of lighting contributed to the darkness, it felt excessively gloomy even accounting for that.
More precisely, it felt "crude."
The elevator car had ropes, but that was about it. I couldn't see the essential components like governor ropes or door drive units that should be there.
And for an elevator supposedly running in the "Tower of Sauron," the structure seemed flimsy. A high-rise building like this should have streamlined, aerodynamic curves in the elevator capsule.
'Gotcha.'
The entity that created this anomaly wasn't a professional.
It was just a product of vague preconceptions and images from average Koreans who had a general idea of this hotel.
'I avoided the worst.'
I smiled faintly.
This would make things easier.
Hup!
With a thump, I climbed back down through the ceiling.
Sim Ah-ryeon, who I'd asked to hold the elevator door open, couldn't resist her curiosity and had peeked outside.
"Guild leader. There are people here, and they're all fine… My God, their clothes aren't wrinkled at all, so neat… Ah! The carpet is all messed up because of our shoe prints…"
At that moment, the "beings" in the hotel lobby all turned their gaze toward her. Their pitch-black pupils stared at Sim Ah-ryeon.
"Eep!"
"Quiet."
Before she could scream, I immediately covered Sim Ah-ryeon's mouth. She squirmed and whimpered as I whispered quickly into her ear.
"Don't speak recklessly. Avoid eye contact. The staff and other guests are all anomalies."
"Mmph?"
"To be precise, they're parts of the anomaly. More like its terminals. The entire hotel is likely one single anomaly and void. If you draw too much attention, the 'whole hotel' will start watching you."
"Mm! Mm-mm…?"
"Of course, if you were an awakener who could wield aura as easily as breathing, you could smash them all to bits. But our goal is exploration before subjugation. We need to document how this void works in detail. It might help humanity. Got it?"
"...…"
Nodding slowly, Sim Ah-ryeon moved her chin up and down. Her palm felt a bit sweaty, but I tried to ignore it.
"Now, let me show you how a skilled awakener explores the void. As long as these creatures are around, keep quiet and just follow my lead. Can you do that?"
Nod.
"Good."
I released Sim Ah-ryeon's mouth and walked with her toward the check-in counter.
Tap. The anomalies, or their terminals, moved their gaze precisely in sync with my steps.
If I were a regular person with little experience dealing with anomalies, this sight would be terrifying.
But who am I? The regressor who'd spent countless cycles tangled up with anomalies, resilient as the Baekdu Mountain and the East Sea.
I approached without blinking.
Creak—
The staff behind the counter parted their lips. Their mouths were as black as an abyss, and their tongues weren't even visible beyond their teeth.
It mimicked a human voice.
-Welcome. Do you have a reservation at our hotel? If so…
"Good morning."
The staff suddenly froze.
Unfazed, I continued fluently.
"I have a reservation at this hotel. I'm a travel YouTuber. Can I check in?"
-Ah, um?
The staff looked visibly confused, understandably so.
I had spoken in German.
Hotel staff at high-end establishments usually speak English and can respond in Japanese or Chinese. But German, French, Spanish, or Russian requires special preparation, and they can't handle them on the spot.
Naturally, Korean anomalies had the same sensitivity toward foreigners as most Koreans. They became utterly weak.
-Ah, uh, sorry, sir. Can you speak English? Reservation? Reservation, please?
"Oh, come on. Relying only on English in today's global era?"
-Sorry?
"I'm sorry. I can't speak English. Deutschland. Germany. Okay?"
-Ah, Germany. What should we do? He seems German. Ah, apologies. Please wait a moment.
My flawless German pronunciation made the anomalies shrink back and panic.
Sim Ah-ryeon was watching me with wide eyes, like someone seeing a giant hamster perform a headstand.
It might have looked funny, but this "I don't speak Korean, and I don't know English either" strategy worked well in the void. Especially in voids that imitated real buildings, like the Tower of Sauron.
The anomalies whispered to each other.
-Can't we reach the person in charge?
-No answer. They're not picking up.
-Why now, of all times…? We need to ask if he has a reservation, but we can't communicate…
-Calm down, everyone. Just guide him to the lobby sofa. We can't keep the guest standing there. Offer him some welcome tea, too.
If this were an actual hotel, they'd have acted swiftly.
But I guarantee it was the first time these anomalies had encountered a German guest.
A foreign liaison? There's no way they'd have something like that. Calling anyone wouldn't yield results.
-Excuse me, sir? Please? Can you come this way?
"Hmm? What was that?"
-Ah, uh, please have a seat on this sofa. Yes. The phone, we can't get through… Yes, sorry.
The staff tried their best to get us to understand using every gesture they could think of. With a mildly displeased expression, I made it clear I didn't intend to cause trouble and sat on the sofa.
"Oh my goodness."
As soon as the staff moved away, Sim Ah-ryeon huddled close and whispered.
"Guild leader… What just happened?"
"This strategy is nearly foolproof when dealing with anomalies trying to imitate humans in Korea."
Of course, it only worked well in Korea and shouldn't be used in the Netherlands. Too many people there spoke foreign languages.
"Y-You can speak foreign languages?"
"Of course. English, Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, Japanese, French, German, Italian—most major languages. My complete memory isn't OP for nothing."
"Wow… I thought you were just someone who liked old Three Kingdoms content, but now you seem different…"
"...…"
This brat. If not for me, she would have knocked on the glass doors before even getting on the elevator and would've gone straight to the afterlife. She was still a newbie to voids.
No matter how dangerous the dungeon, it's manageable if you know how to handle it.
I pulled out a Polaroid camera from my travel backpack—a model that printed instant photos.
"Huh? Why a camera now?"
"Ah, relax. This is a valuable item. One of the treasures I got in Japan after helping some magical girls."
"...?"
It was a Polaroid OneStep (Land Camera 1000), launched in 1977.
It should require an SX-70 Time-Zero film, but the camera itself was an anomaly, so thankfully, film wasn't needed.
Click.
I photographed the hotel lobby. The camera flashed brightly, and soon, a white film was ejected.
"Here, take it. And no screaming."
"Huh? What…? Eek!"
As expected, the captured image of the lobby was starkly different from what we were seeing.
Dust-covered marble floors, shattered lights, and porcelain pieces scattered everywhere. Even corpses hung from nooses behind the counter.
"Hah, eek… Huff…"
Near the sofa where we sat, a corpse dressed as a soldier had its mouth agape and eyes wide open. Sim Ah-ryeon was practically hyperventilating.
"Fascinating, right? This camera is rare. It's known as a 'Spirit Camera' and is quite a notable anomaly in Japan. I'd been eyeing it for a long time and only got it after taking down the Inunaki Tunnel. I don't know why those magical girls were so stingy with it when they had two similar Nikon F-series cameras."
"Guild leader, eek… Guild leadeeer…"
"Don't be so scared. The fun comes from testing how well these idiots can imitate humans."
"Nobody else in this world would find anomalies fun except you…"
As I teased Sim Ah-ryeon, the hotel staff brought us some welcome tea.
Afterward, a man who appeared to be the manager came over and used English and body language to communicate.
"I'm really sorry, sir. We have no way to assist you right now."
"Hm."
I raised my chin by 20 degrees, and the manager bowed by 20 degrees.
"If you could wait a little longer, we'll figure something out…"
"Hmph."
At this point, I pondered whether to subdue or hold off on subduing this anomaly. Most anomalies would have revealed their true nature by now.
But from how things were going, it seemed like these creatures were genuinely dedicated to the hotel business. In other words, as long as we kept up our "guest" act, they wouldn't drop their "hotel" act.
Pass.
"That's fine. Okay, okay. I'll just look around and come back later."
"Pardon?"
"Here, hold my backpack. This is my phone number. Okay?"
I took out my important items and handed my backpack to the staff. Realizing my intent, the staff smiled and said, "Ah, okay! Thank you so much!"
They kindly guided us to the elevator. Comfortably, we returned to the first floor.
Since seeing the spirit photos, Sim Ah-ryeon had been trembling non-stop.
"Uhm… Guild leader, is it okay for us to leave like this?"
"Probably."
"B-But earlier, the door wouldn't open?"
"This time, the hotel allowed us to leave. If I had said I was leaving for good, maybe they would have stopped us. But I implied I'd be back."
"Oh, that's why you left your backpack…"
"Right. When exploring voids, you must quickly grasp their nature and adapt. Even in dangerous voids, as long as you follow the rules, they usually won't attack… Only about 50% of the time."
"That's still half!"
Which is why you should always be strong enough to smack them down if they attack. Tsk tsk.
When the elevator reached the first floor, the door opened. As a test, I took a quick photo of the lobby.
"Hmm."
"What's in it?"
"I'll tell you in a bit."
The photo showed bodies piled high like mountains.
Twenty partially-eaten corpses stood near the glass doors, and a hundred others clung to the glass, scratching it with their palms.
What looked like a pretty chandelier was actually a gruesome collection of hanging corpses.
"Let's head out."
"O-Okay…"
As expected, the glass doors opened naturally when I pushed them this time. A gust of fresh air rushed into my nose.
Sim Ah-ryeon plopped to the ground.
"It was so scary! So scary! Guild leader, please! Don't drag me into this; it's bad for my heart!"
"Here's the first-floor photo. A souvenir."
"A souvenir? What… AHHHHHH!"
Sim Ah-ryeon fainted.
I was satisfied. This is why it's fun to hang out with her. Her reactions were always great.
Of course, the satisfaction didn't last long after I read a silly post on SG Net the next day.
-[OldManGoryeo]: Dropped my footprint at 'that tower' in Gangnam, Seoul, lol.
-[OldManGoryeo]: Is this dungeon really that famous? I went, and it's a joke. Those Awakeners always boast, but this crappy dungeon is what kills them?
(79th floor lobby photo)
(1st floor elevator photo)
-[OldManGoryeo]: I've got a spirit item, so I took some verification shots. Check if your parents' faces are here, lol.
Naturally, these so-called verification shots were the instant photos I had given Sim Ah-ryeon.
The response was overwhelming.
-Anonymous: Where is this?
└LiteraryGirl: It's obviously the Tower of Sauron.
└Anonymous: ?? This guy raided the Tower of Sauron alone and came back fine?
-[Samcheon] Cadet: What's with this OldManGoryeo villain? Is this unhinged troll actually a reclusive master?
-[Baekhwa] SixthGrader: Hweeeeng. (>_<);;
-Anonymous: Wow, this guy is next-level, lol.
-[Satisfaction] CookingQueen: This is fascinating.
"Hm."
I glanced over at Sim Ah-ryeon, fiddling with her phone in the guild's lounge.
"Heh… hehe…"
She lay sprawled on the couch, looking incredibly happy.
Perhaps that's what a true anomaly looks like.
Epilogue.
In the next cycle, after picking up Seo Gyu from Busan Station, I researched the "Tower of Sauron" online.
With civilization still just beginning to collapse, I easily found image files of hotel vouchers.
And using those files, I forged a reservation.
Why? The barcode was a mess, but there was no way the anomalies could verify it.
So, armed with this voucher (presidential suite, 145 m², meals included, priced at 8 million won per night), I revisited the "Tower of Sauron" alone.
The result?
"Yes, your reservation is confirmed, Mr. Undertaker. We'll serve you with the utmost care."
"Oh…"
Surprisingly, the reservation worked!
That night, I not only enjoyed dinner at the finest restaurant but also took a relaxing bath while admiring Seoul's night view from the window.
Wherever I went, the staff smiled and treated me with the utmost kindness.
"Jackpot."
The next morning, I took a picture of my breakfast to test.
Click.
I savored my seaweed soup while waiting for the film to develop. When the photo finally emerged, I looked down.
"Hmm…"
I won't reveal what was captured in the photo here.
But if you're planning a trip with someone, make sure they have a strong stomach. Very strong.
Ah.
And of course, I'm not bringing Sim Ah-ryeon.
-x-X-x-
The Creator I
Among those who've heard my story so far, some might be wondering:
"So what is the government doing?"
In this apocalyptic madness, with cultists' antics, Cthulhu tentacles slithering, and World Tree zombies sprouting up, what are the politicians and government doing?
First, let me tell you this:
"Folks, the Korean government has something to say!"
That's right. We should consider the government's standpoint.
You must have heard that right after a Gate opened in Seoul, the National Assembly launched into space.
For reference, the president was in the midst of delivering a policy speech at the National Assembly about the supplementary budget. It was truly a touching moment when South Korea suddenly rose to prominence as a pioneer in space exploration.
The union between the ruling and opposition parties was realized not on this miserable Earth, but in a new colony called "Space."
From a politician's perspective, Korea is just a meager homeland, much like how the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil to escape Napoleon. Similarly, the Korean government went on a summer vacation.
Q. What's left on the Korean Peninsula now?
A. A handful of National Assembly members and ministers who didn't attend the policy speech, governors, mayors, county chiefs, and many, many monsters.
When the social infrastructure was not yet fully destroyed, the politicians wasted three days foolishly.
In an apocalyptic situation, three days was more than enough time to drive people insane.
Very few could remain calm after hearing news like, "Monsters are hosting a neighborhood meeting in our apartment park and parking lot!"
Finally, on the third day, the remnants of the government delivered their address to the nation, firing the final fireworks of the grand festival.
-Fellow citizens. South Korea is still safe. For now, remain calm and continue with your livelihoods.
A truly generic speech.
What the politicians overlooked was none other than the DNA of Koreans.
That DNA bore an imprint of unshakable trust in the government. The people of this nation remembered the swift campaign of King Seonjo Lee during the Japanese invasion and the spirit of national defense proclaimed when the army recaptured Uijeongbu from the North Korean invaders and vowed to defend Seoul.
You could blame the scoundrel once for fooling you, but if you were duped twice, it was your fault, and three times? Hand in your Homo sapiens certificate. Koreans weren't yet ready to go extinct.
"Stay calm, my ass!"
"Oh, I knew these bastards would do this!"
"Head south! Just head south!"
The civilians of the Korean Peninsula evacuated with remarkable order.
"Citizens! The northern side of the Han River is still safe! Please, trust the government and the army, and go ba—"
"Who's that guy?"
"They say he's the Vice Mayor."
"What's that even mean, damn it."
"I don't know. Toss him."
"What? Uh, uh, uhhh—"
The Vice Mayor of Seoul (third in line as the acting mayor in emergencies, the only survivor) rushed out to Banpo Bridge to dissuade the citizens, but the citizens of Seoul simply threw him off the bridge and provided him with a practical lesson in water temperature.
It was a clean, bold toss worthy of a standing ovation if the people of Prague had witnessed it.
If only the politicians had admitted bluntly, "We're completely screwed, but the north side of the Han River seems relatively safe based on monster distribution. To be more accurate, every region in the country is equally dangerous," maybe things would have improved.
But what could you do? You could only blame the ancestors who burned through their citizens' trust twice over.
When the Republic of Seoul went down in flames, the other coalition governments stood no chance. County chiefs and mayors across the nation had already carved the national slogan "Every Man for Himself" deeply into their hearts.
The final touch was the Mayor of Busan, closest to the throne of chaos, who fled to Japan, dealing the decisive blow.
Soon enough, the "Second Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea," with the Mayor of Busan as its head, was established on the Japanese archipelago.
-Fellow citizens. Rumors are spreading that I've abandoned my duties as mayor and fled. This is untrue.
-I've only moved to the diplomatic stage to secure foreign aid and reclaim Korean territory!
But the fact that the provisional government's capital was in Fukuoka, Japan, had even the staunchest government supporters scratching their heads. "Wait, was that really the original location of the provisional government? I thought it was a bit further west?"
Even the Japanese must have been a bit taken aback.
After all, the Provisional Government of Korea had a penchant for putting bombs instead of food in lunch boxes. How could they trust these lunch box fanatics, not knowing what mischief they'd stir up?
After many twists and turns, the "Second Provisional Government" was eventually shunned by its own citizens and foreigners alike. To me, it looked like a suicide.
For the final touch, a military coup confused the era on the Korean Peninsula by 70 years.
-Fellow citizens. Today, myself and the brave soldiers defending this country's territory have agreed on a grand proposition that we can no longer stand by this political chaos.
-We've risen up to overthrow this corrupt and incompetent government that lost the people's trust, and we soldiers have fully mobilized!
But the coup failed.
Its failure was simple. Unexpectedly, it turned out that the boss monster, the Ten Legs, was an ardent fighter for democracy.
The military units heading toward the Blue House repeatedly missed their targets and ended up inside the Ten Legs' stomachs.
Though the army generals might not have known it, Ten Legs had a quirk of perceiving any group of over 300 people moving as a food truck.
The military unit that attempted to enter the Tower of Sauron last time belonged to the shattered remnants of the national army. Even those remaining forces slowly disappeared for various reasons.
That should summarize the answer to "So, what did the government do?"
Utter chaos. A madhouse. Total devastation.
But if you want a lotus to bloom, you first need a pool of mud.
Even within the Korean government, which fumbled the initial response miserably, a lotus bloomed.
Noh Do-hwa.
A seventh-grade public servant working at a public rehabilitation hospital.
She was the protagonist of this story.
Unlike other public officials, Noh Do-hwa succeeded precisely because she was just a seventh-grade public servant.
From the beginning, Do-hwa never dreamed she could replace the government of South Korea. Tax management? Electing National Assembly members? Universal welfare? Why should she care?
"I probably shouldn't say this, but I don't really think of myself as a public servant..."
Noh Do-hwa often said such things to me, and she would say similar things to others, too. She probably said the same things even when living on the taxpayers' money.
"I probably shouldn't say this, but I don't like the citizens..."
"Now, isn't that really something you shouldn't say?"
"Does it matter? Awakener Undertaker. Do you think more employees love their boss or dislike them? Isn't it the latter? To public officials, citizens are the bosses. So, it's only natural that more public servants dislike citizens."
Do-hwa muttered with slumped shoulders.
She was a person of unusual eccentricity whom I first met in the 11th cycle. I had heard bits about her in passing before, but our first direct meeting was then.
"It's all done."
"Oh."
"Would you like to stand up and walk?"
In the 11th cycle, my left leg was severed, so I had to wear a prosthetic.
I stood up, walked a little, then tried a light jog, even doing small jumps in place. Do-hwa observed all these movements carefully.
"How does it feel? Any discomfort?"
"None at all. Wow, this thing works amazingly. It feels like real muscles and nerves."
"That's good."
Do-hwa smiled faintly.
To some, it may have seemed a shady or insidious smile, but through my long regression experience, I had grown free from such prejudices. So I could confidently assess Do-hwa's smile as "benevolent."
"If something goes wrong, there's a 5% chance it could sting like nerves are being pierced. Just think of it as a gacha gone wrong and come back to me. I'll make you another one for half price."
Do-hwa was a manufacturer of assistive devices.
Assistive devices referred to auxiliary gadgets used to aid those with mobility issues, like wheelchairs and crutches.
Before the Gate incident, Do-hwa worked at a public hospital, repairing and creating various assistive devices.
Even back then, she was already renowned among war veterans who had lost limbs to landmines. The Veterans Hospital always sought her out, but Do-hwa seemed uninterested.
"I shouldn't say this, but I don't like soldiers."
"Just asking out of curiosity, but do you like any human being at all, Do-hwa?"
"No, I don't."
"..."
It was a miracle she hadn't become a recluse.
Yet even Do-hwa had her concerns. Specifically, her worries lay with the patients, or more precisely, with those who had extreme difficulty moving.
"Some of the patients are struggling to move."
Those with damaged nerves in their spines had to rely on wheelchairs.
It would have been manageable if vehicles equipped with accessible seating for the disabled were still running, but over time, gasoline ran out, and the roads became rugged. Driving cars and even maneuvering wheelchairs was difficult.
Most people would have given up at that point.
After the Gate incident fully took hold, the notion of treating disabled people became increasingly rare. In this era, getting killed by a monster was practically considered a natural death. If not for Noh Do-hwa, I would have casually given up after losing my left leg.
"Even the elderly find it increasingly difficult to come to our workshop because the roads are too rough."
But a person with extraordinary eccentricity sees things differently.
"Shouldn't we make the roads a bit more convenient?"
Dragging her slumped body along, Do-hwa began negotiating.
Even though empathy for the disabled had dwindled, their numbers soared as more people lost limbs fighting monsters. Losing an arm or a leg was no longer a badge of honor.
Do-hwa was an Awakener with the "Assistive Device Creation" ability.
The assistive devices she made, even if constructed from wood or iron, felt like real muscles to the user. Just strap on the prosthetic and go, no rehabilitation or adaptation period needed.
In short, Do-hwa had an enormous number of "regulars" who were Awakeners.
Almost every guild leader was acquainted with Do-hwa. Even if they were unharmed themselves, if a guild member got injured, they'd quickly head to Do-hwa's workshop for assistive devices.
Do-hwa was a model public servant who never refused bribes. Those who hadn't established a rapport would hear, "Oh, you're on the waiting list. Please wait six months." Consider the chances of an Awakener surviving for six months with severed limbs, and even the haughtiest guild leaders would bend a little.
"Oh, Mr. Do-hwa! What brings you here?"
"Ah, well... I was thinking of fixing the road between Haeundae and Bansong-dong."
"Huh? A road? You will? Why?"
"There's a patient in Bansong-dong who complains that the road to our workshop is destroyed. I could always help them find a house in Haeundae, but I don't feel like being that generous. So I thought I'd just make a road."
In general, building a road would have been a far more significant act of kindness than finding a house, but Do-hwa's eccentric brain didn't grasp the proper balance.
"But isn't Bansong your territory, guild leader? I was hoping you could lend a hand."
"Hmm. You mean no other guilds are involved, and it's just you?"
"Yes."
"Oh, of course, I'll help! Just tell me what you need!"
And so, a single-lane asphalt road was constructed from Haeundae to Bansong-dong, where Do-hwa's workshop was located.
Since the new road was a clean renovation of an old one, it wasn't a difficult project. Do-hwa's workshop handled everything, from construction to maintenance.
A 71-year-old patient named Lee, who was one of Do-hwa's patients, could now visit safely, even if it took time. The patient was satisfied, Do-hwa was satisfied, and the real estate prices in Bansong-dong were satisfied.
That was the beginning.
-x-X-x-
The Creator II
Noh Do-hwa's patients never hesitated to heap praise on her when they gathered.
"Hey, that road laid down in Bansong looks great, doesn't it?"
"You're right. Those ugly, cracked asphalt roads are nothing but eyesores. Laying a clean, beautiful one-lane road is much better, isn't it?"
"That's classic Ms. Do-hwa. Where's she from again?"
"I heard she's from Ttangkkeut Village in Haenam."
"Of course! A woman born in a place with good water and air. If only someone like that were born in our town."
At a glance, it sounded like old men chatting while playing Go. But older folks usually prefer detours over straight roads. Their true intentions could be translated as:
"I'm so jealous! Really jealous!"
"Please, lay one down in our town too!"
Noh Do-hwa was someone born with a passive skill of mistrusting and hating people. She instinctively understood that behind every word uttered by humans lay ugly and vile desires.
However, this eccentric was infinitely generous to her patients. You could say her fondness was like a limited edition. Just as a dictator who despises humanity becomes a mere servant to her pets, Noh Do-hwa found a peculiar balance in her mind.
"Sir... Should I lay down a road in your neighborhood too?"
"What? No, no, Ms. Do-hwa! That's not what I meant to say!"
"But that's what you're saying now, isn't it? So, would you like me to lay one down or not?"
"Well... I'd really appreciate it if you could, but I feel bad asking when you're already so busy..."
"Yeah. You should feel sorry. Aren't you a patient whose only possession in this awful world is age? You're clinging to a promising technician like me. I know you're the one who took the lead, so keep apologizing to the other patients too."
"..."
Noh Do-hwa visited the Guild Alliance.
Back then and even now, the leader of the alliance was Dang Seo-rin. As for me, I just felt like a mercenary captain occasionally called in for jobs.
"Welcome, Ms. Noh Do-hwa. I've heard you're working on some projects lately."
"How have you been, Ms. Dang... It's embarrassing to act like I'm doing business in front of Samcheon. All I'm doing is gathering a few guys who used to toil in construction and laying down a few more modest roads than country lanes."
Surprisingly, Do-hwa was respectful toward Dang Seo-rin.
It wasn't because their personalities clicked. Their wallets did. Anyone would grow courteous after seeing the quarterly gifts of assets Dang Seo-rin sent to Do-hwa's workshop.
"Why the humility? So, what brings you here?"
"Well, I'm fixing the existing roads to make it easier for patients to travel. But you know, it's a matter of fairness, and people can get tricky if they feel left out. So, since the work's already in progress..."
"You want to fix the entire road network of Busan?"
"Yes, well... It's neater that way. But it's a massive project, and each district claims its own turf."
"Hmm."
Dang Seo-rin fiddled with the end of her pointed hat.
"You want me to sort out the districts?"
"Yes. If that's too difficult, you can invite me when you hold a guild meeting and just arrange a place for me."
"I see. That's probably better. If I look like I'm exploiting you, some guilds will undoubtedly throw a fit. You should take charge from start to finish so there are no rumors."
"True. Guild leaders have such filthy pride and greed."
"Alright."
Dang Seo-rin smiled brightly.
"I'll arrange a spot for you soon."
"Thank you, Lady Leader."
Noh Do-hwa laughed slyly.
"If you end up crippled later, I'll give you a full-body replacement for real cheap. Just come back with your brain and heart intact."
"..."
The notable part here wasn't the word "crippled" but "real cheap." She never said "free."
Do-hwa gave a nod and left the train car.
Dang Seo-rin looked at the sofa where I was sitting. By coincidence, I was also visiting Samcheon's headquarters.
"What do you think?"
"Noh Do-hwa is a good person."
I buried myself in the sofa. The lounge car, refurbished from a luxurious train, had very cozy chairs.
Dang Seo-rin looked at me sulkily.
"She called me a cripple."
"More precisely, she said, 'if you end up crippled.' Don't get upset. If you weigh every word she says, you'll just get tired. Have you seen Do-hwa treating her patients?"
"No."
"I once had the opportunity to observe her all day."
This wasn't in this cycle but another.
Oh, and let me clarify that although I usually tell stories sequentially, it doesn't mean everything happened in one cycle. More often than not, I weave and edit events from multiple cycles.
For instance, when I described the government's collapse, it wasn't like I stayed glued to the radio 24/7. How could I know what statements the Second Provisional Government and coup soldiers made?
I heard one speech in the 4th cycle and another in the 11th. I saw refugees throwing the Vice Mayor of Seoul off the bridge in the 37th cycle.
My "omniscient narrator" viewpoint came from many cycles and experiences.
And I spent as much time as needed to determine whether someone was trustworthy. In some cycles, I even worked closely alongside Do-hwa, practically as her assistant.
Unfortunately, in previous cycles, I hadn't been present when Do-hwa visited Dang Seo-rin. So her projects were always limited to Busan.
But this time would be different.
Like I said, I "coincidentally" was visiting the Samcheon Guild's headquarters.
"Patients with physical discomfort often struggle mentally as well. And it's not just the patients themselves but also their guardians. Even while listening to their complaints and curses, Do-hwa has never refused a patient."
"Hmm."
"She might seem shady and have an odd manner of speaking, but you won't find anyone like her."
"She always overcharges awakeners."
"But she knows whom to overcharge. As I said, she's never refused a patient. Did only affluent awakeners visit Do-hwa's workshop?"
Dang Seo-rin rested her chin on her hand.
"...Still, she's spent her life caring for patients. Will she be able to take on something this big?"
"She's someone who adjusts herself to the size of her responsibilities, not the other way around. She'll be fine."
"..."
She finally nodded.
"Alright. If that's your assessment, Undertaker, I'll trust her."
Once she trusted someone, Dang Seo-rin was loyal to the end.
Not long after, a national guild meeting was held off the coast of Busan. As "off the coast" suggests, they launched a cruise ship.
With no fuel to sail, it was anchored at the pier, but this was already unimaginable luxury in today's world.
The meeting was strictly for guild leaders. Members of the Second Provisional Government or the Junior Officers' Corps, who typically wormed their way into official events, were thoroughly excluded.
A few "self-proclaimed bigwigs" sent people to protest, but Dang Seo-rin ignored them. The Second Provisional Government Foreign Minister? What's that? Oh, you're a member of the Fukuoka Korean Association. Sorry, we can't hear you well from here, so try crossing the Korea Strait first.
The meeting was strictly for guild leaders.
The only guest invited was Noh Do-hwa. Excluding the chefs, singers, and jazz band brought in for appearances.
"Uh... Lady Leader?"
"What?"
Looking around the faces of the guild leaders present, Noh Do-hwa looked troubled. A rare sight.
"Maybe it's just me, but it seems like we've got not only Busan guild leaders but also national guild leaders here..."
"Oh."
Dang Seo-rin waved her hand as if it were no big deal.
"Don't worry. I just got a lot of inquiries when I announced the meeting. They haven't seen each other in ages. Isn't it good to renew those connections?"
"Ah..."
It was nonsense.
The event's program was like this: First, the host, Dang Seo-rin, came out to greet the guests, keeping her speech brief to emphasize she wasn't the main star here.
Next, it was my turn.
An enthusiastic cheer erupted.
"Undertaker! How long has it been?"
"Come visit Gangwon-do sometime. Our members really want to see you."
"Is Ms. Sim Ah-ryeon doing well? Thanks to you sending her, we cleared the Gate smoothly last time."
"I'll make sure to organize something and invite you!"
Across the room, the Sword Marquess was sitting with his arms crossed.
This was truly a gathering of Korea's most influential awakeners.
I may have downplayed myself as just a mercenary captain, but did you know even Switzerland, a neutral country, once thrived on mercenary work? Trust earned from mercenary work easily translates into banking, according to historical precedent.
Simply put, few guild leaders here hadn't owed me a favor.
And like any honest debtor, the guild leaders were determined to repay their debt to this bank of mine, in principal and interest. They knew well that delaying repayment could snowball into a much bigger problem later.
"I'm deeply grateful to all of you for coming here across long and difficult roads. If this were a routine statement, it'd just be a standard greeting. But today's topic is encapsulated in that very statement: long and difficult roads. Isn't it time to fix them?"
"Right!"
"Woo-hoo!"
The topic of today's meeting? That was already laid out in detail on the invitation.
The moment the guild leaders opened their letters, the Saintess fired up the Constellation chat. Something like, [The Saintess of National Salvation is very supportive of this quest.]
Dang Seo-rin's authority, my trust, and the Saintess's guarantee.
It was a literal trinity. Nothing was more powerful on the Korean Peninsula. Perhaps not even in the whole world.
"As many of you know, the eternal supporter of Awakeners is right here! Thanks to this person, losing a limb to monsters isn't a problem. She has made tremendous contributions to maximizing our combat abilities. The owner of the 'Noh Do-hwa Workshop,' who's invaluable to all Awakeners. ...And someone even the most temperamental Awakeners reluctantly respect. Please give a warm round of applause to 'The Limb Creator,' Noh Do-hwa!"
Thunderous applause erupted. No exaggeration. Who cast the lightning spell?
Looking around, I saw Dang Seo-rin, in the front row, leading the applause with a happy smile.
By the way, Dang Seo-rin held a legendary grudge. If anyone called her a cripple, she'd happily prove who the real cripple was.
I've painted her in a good light, but once she kidnapped a rival guild leader who called her a bitch, castrated him, and said, "Well, well, here's a TS girl! So, who's the bitch now?" as she laughed.
That was because she had a long-standing grudge with that guild leader. It's solid proof that she didn't win the leadership of the Korean Awakener Guild Federation by chance.
Have you heard of "birds of a feather flock together"? I might have softened up now, but I was once her second-in-command, climbing to vice guild leader under Dang Seo-rin.
"..."
Receiving the good graces of both Dang Seo-rin and myself, Noh Do-hwa trembled with joy.
After my introduction, Do-hwa walked up the stage, then grabbed the microphone. The expression on her face was, well, likely the one she often had back when she was a seventh-grade public servant.
In simpler terms:
"I'm Noh Do-hwa..."
She was screwed.
-x-X-x-
The Creator III
"You really set me up..."
After the event wound down, the meeting shifted to the after-party. In fact, this was the main event, since it wasn't often that the leaders of all the nation's guilds gathered together.
As soon as the drinking began, I used the excuse of going to the bathroom to step onto the cruise ship's deck. Noh Do-hwa followed me like a ghost, easily tracking me down.
I feigned ignorance.
"Set you up? Me?"
"You've blown up this road project so much."
"Oh, come on. It wasn't me, it was the alliance leader. Why blame an innocent man?"
"Samcheon World's guild leader, Dang Seo-rin..."
Do-hwa murmured.
"She's certainly an excellent person but has a strong sense of pride. She's good at distinguishing between personal and public feelings, but that means she still holds onto personal grudges even if things proceed publicly. I even used the word 'cripple' to provoke her pride, yet she introduced me to the guild leaders. This isn't possible unless she values me highly enough to treat me like an official."
Do-hwa's eyes narrowed.
"It means she must have asked someone about me, and that someone gave her a glowing recommendation."
"Indeed. Who could that be?"
"It's likely the person who was in the guest lounge when I spoke with Samcheon World's guild leader."
Do-hwa offered me one of the two glass cups she held, a cold lemon tea. I gratefully took it and drank.
Beyond Busan Harbor, where the cruise ship was docked, the city stretched out in the night. The familiar sight of electric lights painting the Milky Way on the ground was gone. There was only a faint glow, a bit of shadow, and lots of moonlight.
The sea breeze brought a tang of salt to the deck.
Noh Do-hwa and I looked at the cityscape, engulfed in the sound of the waves, for a while.
"You really set me up..."
"You just said that. About what?"
"Trying to make me work for free. Don't you think your conscience has gone on a trip?"
"It's not free. Whatever resources, funds, or manpower you need, we'll provide whatever you require."
"Heh."
Do-hwa laughed slyly.
"What I require? Sure, then restore the world to how it was..."
"..."
"When you hear the word 'infinite,' what do you think of? Space? Time? For me, the only infinite thing in this world is human misfortune."
Do-hwa's tone was even darker than the night's view.
"Saving one life? That's possible. I've done it. But does ending one person's misery solve everything? When misfortune disappears, does happiness come? That's entirely up to that person. No one else can be responsible for it. When will it end?"
These were the words of someone who cared for the disabled, ignored even in this ruined world.
"So the idea of helping others is wrong to begin with. Help has to be limited. Instead of helping a person with their entire life, think about helping them with just their severed arm. Then it's manageable. It's something I can do and do very well... But."
Do-hwa leaned forward to peer at me, like a long-necked snake.
The aroma of freshly brewed lemon tea mingled with the salty scent of the sea.
"You want me to take charge of the national road network, not just Busan?"
Her two eyes, like a full moon split in half, locked onto my face.
"Well, it's possible. And I might do it well. But what next? Roads are infrastructure. Do you know what they call people who handle infrastructure, Undertaker?"
"Government."
"Not too keen on privatization, huh? Correct..."
Do-hwa laughed deeply.
"The whole world? I have no intention of shouldering that..."
"..."
"It's already enough dealing with the broken. No way I'll handle a broken nation. I know. For now, I have to introduce myself and suck up to the guild leaders. But as roads are built, the guild leaders will end up kneeling before me. Oh, yes. A new power player in this broken world. The king of the Korean Peninsula. Sweet, right? But... I don't want it. I don't like it. Why? Did you think I'd be happy if you handed me power? Go fuck yourself."
"Noh Do-hwa."
"Ah, too ashamed for some self-pleasure? Then ask Samcheon World's guild leader to do it for you. Heh. If you're trying to save the world, the noble ones should save it themselves, not drag in some poor guy..."
"I'm a regressor."
The waves gently lapped against the cruise ship.
Perhaps from the vibration, Do-hwa tilted her head.
The lemon slice, cut like a crescent moon in her glass, slid slightly.
"Uh...?"
"You secretly have a winery in your workshop's basement, where you've stored twenty bottles of Château d'Yquem 1990."
"Uh..."
"I know you opened one of them secretly the day you decided to build the road for the elderly in Bansong. Why Bansong? Because the people living there are in the worst condition. And if you connect with the guild leader holding that territory, you can interfere if necessary."
"Wait...?"
"When you were a civil servant, you won the first prize in the lottery but never revealed it to anyone, right? You used that money to buy wine and also privately collected the equipment needed for making assistive devices."
"..."
Do-hwa touched her lips with her index and middle fingers.
"Hmm. Aha? Ugh. Hmm... Very interesting claim. If it's true..."
Do-hwa gazed at me, scanning my legs, hands, chest, and body.
"That explains why you've always looked like this. Aha, sure. I see. It makes sense. Your movements make sense in many ways."
Silence.
"But even if it's true, if you're an incompetent human being, it's meaningless. Ah, I'm not saying you're actually incompetent. What I mean is, you have to be competent enough to restore the world to how it was. I know you took down the Ten Legs, but that's not enough. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"I understand."
"Prove it."
I looked up at the night sky.
"Saintess. Are you watching?"
[Yes.]
"Send a message to Ms. Noh Do-hwa."
The Saintess didn't question my judgment. She knew who I was.
"...!"
Do-hwa, beside me, flinched. Her expression briefly flickered with confusion, curiosity, and a hint of joy.
"Were the Constellations a lie...?"
"Yes. SG Net is run by me."
"Huh? Oh, a site made by the Constellation? Ah, I see."
Silence.
"Not bad..."
Do-hwa's pupils calmed down.
"Monopolizing information doesn't mean controlling its content. You have to secure the very channel it passes through. Hmm. This could all be a scam involving telepathy or manipulation, but if you have the skill to pull that off, then it's as good as having the regression ability."
Do-hwa glanced back at me.
"How many times have you regressed? Is this your second time...?"
"It's my 54th cycle. The first time I met you was in the 11th cycle."
"Wow, that's a hell of a grind..."
Do-hwa seemed slightly horrified.
"Well, the world had to have gone to hell. But weren't there better candidates than me? Aren't there plenty of perverts drooling for power...?"
"I've roughly tested them all."
The Second Provisional Government, the military coup factions. Even the more influential politicians I didn't mention.
Do-hwa furrowed her brows.
"I'm the best among them? Impossible. Wouldn't it be better to give it to the one imitating the Constellations...?"
"Ah, that person is a true shut-in, so it won't work."
[...]
I felt the silent pressure from the Saintess, but I shrugged.
"If there's one thing I've learned from 54 cycles, it's that if I try to do everything myself, it's endless. It's similar to your theory about infinite misfortune. We need to leave fields we can afford to alone. People will emerge to fill those gaps."
"Is that me...?"
"Even without my intervention, you have a high chance of rebuilding Busan's road network. In the last cycle, you went to see the leader. I wasn't there."
"..."
But that wasn't all.
In the future that hadn't arrived yet, in the 90th cycle, when I coaxed the Tutorial Fairy into running a convenience store.
Noh Do-hwa attended the last supper held in front of that convenience store. She was the one who sprinkled her precious wines to gain the praise of the Awakeners.
And before forming the final raid party with other Awakeners to charge into the meteor shower, Do-hwa left a letter at my store.
[The road here is too rough. Nearly died bringing the wine bottles. - NDH]
I don't think that will was a complaint directed at me.
It was her regret about herself.
If she had pushed herself more to connect city to city with roads before the world completely broke, maybe she could have delayed the world's end even a little.
I think such regret was in her words.
She was someone who always carried those feelings in her heart, both in the past and future.
So, was her behavior and attitude a kind of camouflage?
Everyone knew Noh Do-hwa was significant. Even those in power thought about how to use her more effectively. But hearing her shameless insults, they could only back away, thinking, "She's a defective Homo sapien."
Even so, I was here.
When I first met Noh Do-hwa, I also thought she was someone who couldn't be of much use. What made me different was that I was always given the chance to correct my prejudices.
In the last cycle, I joined her workshop to observe her character from start to finish. Her interactions with patients, negotiations with other guild leaders, even when the apocalypse was imminent, prioritizing her patients…
For over nine years.
The result was a pass.
As I told Dang Seo-rin, Noh Do-hwa was a good person.
"You don't need to worry about failure. Rather, fail in as many ways as possible. The failures you experience this time will be data for the next version of yourself."
"Hah..."
"Lay the roads wherever you want. Start projects wherever your instincts guide you. Eventually, you'll find the optimal route. Try out various people when building your team. In the end, you'll figure out who fits your organization best."
"Regression is certainly a scam. You can seduce people with words like these."
Noh Do-hwa scratched her temple.
"Ugh... I'm sorry for telling you to go fuck yourself, and I apologize to Samcheon World's guild leader too."
"I don't care."
"Do you think you can restore this world to what it was?"
She had asked this earlier too.
I looked directly at her.
"Not on my own."
"..."
"I need your help."
Do-hwa let out a long sigh.
The waves of the night sea seemed to resonate with her sigh, gently lapping against the hull of the cruise ship docked in the harbor, never to sail again.
"This is a disease."
The waves whispered, murmuring in the darkness, and the unmoving cruise ship groaned.
"A truly wretched epidemic. The carriers of this shitty plague speak of their grand ideals and good intentions... I've healed countless cripples, but the biggest cripple of all was me. I can't find a prescription to fix myself, and there won't be one until I die..."
I didn't answer. I figured it was just Do-hwa reflecting on herself. With slumped shoulders, she held out her cup.
"Well, let's do it. This public project..."
Clink.
Our glass cups clinked together in a small toast. The lemon aroma drifted up to my nose.
"Pleased to be working with you."
"So, is this going to repeat forever?"
"If you're competent, Noh Do-hwa, then yes."
"Well, fuck me..."
There's an epilogue.
The next day, an official organization was launched.
National Road Management Corps.
True to its simple name, this organization's purpose was singular: to repair and maintain the rapidly crumbling road network, linking cities and towns that had been isolated and were barely sustaining themselves.
"We don't need a government right now, and it can't even be maintained..."
A week later, Do-hwa gave us a briefing. By "us," I didn't mean the nation's guild leaders.
It was just me and the Saintess.
A private meeting was held with those who almost always knew that I was a regressor. Later, this group would expand to include Oh Dok-seo and others, but for now, it was just a three-person blood pact.
"Let the cities be managed as usual by the influential guild leaders of each region. They're like feudal lords. Think of the National Road Management Corps as the royal family, or rather, an administrative body under the royal family, that simply signs contracts with these feudal lords."
The Saintess raised her hand, as was her habit.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Won't it have too little power?"
"Yes. The less authority it has, the better. The more fields power occupies, the wider it becomes. But the more irreplaceable a field is, the stronger it becomes. And we don't need broad power. It'll just lower efficiency and lead to corruption... In an era of self-sufficiency, when cities can't care for one another, the National Road Management Corps will be responsible for connecting and maintaining the road network."
Do-hwa spoke confidently.
The National Road Management Corps was made up of laborers, construction workers, and combat units. Once a one-lane road was secured, the combat units would regularly "patrol" the roads.
"This regular patrol is critical."
People and merchants traveling to other cities naturally tagged along on patrol days. Do-hwa collected a fixed usage fee from them.
"It's basically a tax, but they'll protest if we call it that. So, we'll insist it's a usage fee."
Cities connected by the road network also had to pay usage fees. They could try using the roads for free, but they'd have to protect themselves from monsters that might attack.
"We must market it as though other choices are available, and they should actually be available. It's crucial for people to believe it's not coercion but their own choice. That's when the importance of the National Road Management Corps will be etched into their minds."
Guilds could form their own groups to use the roads, but if they wanted to reach distant cities, they'd have to pass through intermediate stops. Passing through each city meant paying taxes to that city's guild.
"They'd be pissed off."
It was far more reasonable to pay a small tax to the National Road Management Corps and travel under their protection.
Ordinary people and Awakeners alike relied on the National Road Management Corps for travel, naturally increasing Noh Do-hwa's influence.
The members of the National Road Management Corps, handpicked by Do-hwa, became like "diplomats." Guilds that would have fought each other could communicate better with the National Road Management Corps as a buffer.
Do-hwa utilized the relationships, pride, and competitive spirit of the guild leaders in each city to extract maximum efficiency.
Of course, there was trial and error. Actually, there was a lot.
"These assholes..."
There were many in the National Road Management Corps who lined their pockets instead of negotiating. Some, trusted by Do-hwa, were spies sent by other guilds. Other times, even though they chose the shortest road, it turned out to pass through a monster den.
But gradually, the National Road Management Corps found its footing.
I really have a good eye for people, don't I?
Though for some reason, Do-hwa often looked at me with eyes full of resentment.
"When I get to the next cycle, please make sure to pass on my failures."
"What should I tell you?"
"You having fun reaping the rewards, you son of a bitch?"
I passed on the message.
The response from Noh Do-hwa in the 55th cycle was concise.
"Bullshit."
-x-X-x-
The Taxpayer I
Speaking of public servants, it's curious how frequently they appear in Korean contemporary fantasy.
"Hello there! Oh, you're entering the Gate? Could I see your Hunter license?"
"Oh dear, your license has expired. Sir, I can't let you in like this. Please head to the Hunter Management Bureau and renew it."
"What? You're asking for a favor? Hah, what do you think we are?"
Take the "Gate Management Public Servant," for example.
In East Asia, people have loved public servants so much that they've applied a bureaucratic system even to the afterlife, ruled by the King of Hell, making East Asians fanatical civil servants.
A true East Asian should not fear monster waves but rather lament, "These savage monsters are so ignorant and unlucky that they haven't embraced civilization!" The right course would be to impart a bureaucratic system, creating a state system of king monster - middle manager monster - lower manager monster.
How could the sacred national law exempt an apocalyptic mess?
While we didn't have any Gate Managers in our world, other kinds of public servants were still around.
"Awakener Undertaker."
"Yes?"
"It's almost June. Have you filed your comprehensive income tax return with the National Tax Service?"
"Oh."
Noh Do-hwa's words snapped me back to reality.
"You're right. It's that time already. Thanks for the reminder."
"Heh, if you procrastinate, you'll have a headache later. They'll collect as they see fit. You should head to the tax office after work."
"Good point. Not that I can pay any tax... I'll get it sorted."
Yes.
Even in an era where the military's wrath had cooled and politicians' gold badges were buried in sand, where survival was a crude joke—
The National Tax Service still existed.
Today, let's talk about a small anomaly, the "National Tax Service Tax Office," which was the last remnant of the South Korean government.
-x-X-x-
KakaoTalk!
I first received that familiar yet strange KakaoTalk notification during my 56th cycle, on a spring day, May 4.
"Hmm?"
At first, I thought I had misheard.
After humanity drifted into the apocalypse genre, words like "phone," "message," and "communication" were purged from our vocabulary.
"Was that really a KakaoTalk alert?"
Skeptical, I checked my smartphone.
To my surprise, after nearly a year, there was a proud little [1] icon next to the KakaoTalk app.
Like an excited preschooler seeing their first KakaoTalk message, I hurried to read it.
――――――――――
[Notification Talk Received]
"The Republic of Korea Falls Again"
"A Nation of Citizens Dying Together"
A digital document from the National Tax Service has arrived.
Greetings from the National Tax Service.
May is the month to file and pay comprehensive income tax each year.
The National Tax Service has pre-calculated your income tax. Please check the notice below and file and pay easily via ARS phone (☎4444-4444).
■ Inquiry: ☎444
――――――――――
"..."
After reading the message, my mood deflated.
Or, to put it another way, the wind was taken out of my sails.
"Aw, come on. It's a ghost message."
Ghost messages.
After the apocalypse began, such anomalies would appear from time to time. It's one reason electronics were considered dangerous materials.
In this era of cutthroat competition, even anomalies struggled to survive.
To distinguish themselves from others, they diversified their ghost messages with ghost calls, ghost websites, ghost radios, ghost TVs, etc.
In reality, the only safe communication network in Korea was SG Net. Even that had a history of being corrupted by the "Hero Syndrome."
The solution to these ghost messages was surprisingly simple.
"Just ignore it."
Curiosity kills the cat, as they say. These days, curiosity is upgraded enough to hunt not just cats but humanity too.
By this point, there wasn't a government, let alone the National Tax Service. Ignoring texts demanding comprehensive income tax was the correct move.
But the very next day.
"Oh, hyung. Did you get the text?"
"Huh? What text?"
"You know, the one from the National Tax Service asking you to pay tax. It's causing a stir on SG Net."
"...You got it too?"
The situation changed.
"Uh, yeah... I got the letter."
"What? A letter?"
"Y-yeah..."
Sim Ah-ryeon handed me an already-opened envelope. The contents were identical to the KakaoTalk notification.
"This is serious."
An uneasy feeling crept up my spine, like a cold hand brushing my vertebrae.
"R-right? I thought it was a prank by the guild leader, but Seo Gyu got the same message..."
"Where did you find the letter?"
"W-when I woke up, it was next to my pillow..."
No need to mention it, but the guild base's security was airtight. In the 89th cycle, Go Yuri wrecked the guild in one blow, but that was just her being weird.
Even if it wasn't Arsène Lupin but his grandfather, it would be impossible to sneak past my surveillance and leave a letter in Sim Ah-ryeon's bedroom.
Assuming it was a human.
[I've received the same message.]
The Saintess's testimony dealt the final blow.
[This morning, when I opened my front door, a letter was wedged in the door frame.]
"What about the other awakeners?"
[The same thing happened across the country. People with smartphones received KakaoTalk notifications, while the rest got letters.]
The Saintess's usually emotionless voice sounded even colder.
[Mr. Undertaker. No one witnessed "the moment the letter arrived."]
"What?"
[No one saw the postman delivering the letter.]
The Saintess explained what had happened in a guild she was watching in Incheon.
This guild, while not as strong as mine, had a fairly secure base. It was located underground with several layers of steel doors and numerous guards.
A simple diagram would look like this:
――――――――――――――――――
■ ♙ ■ ♙ ■ ♙ ■
Door Guard Door Guard Door Guard Door
――――――――――――――――――
The guards took turns staying awake, ensuring there was always a "sleepless presence."
Yet, this morning, every guild member woke up to find a letter.
Under their pillows.
"..."
[The same message was sent to ordinary people, not just Awakeners. Undertaker, I believe the "National Tax Service Comprehensive Income Tax Letter" is...]
"A significant anomaly."
[Yes. At least it's certainly affecting the entire Korean Peninsula.]
I couldn't help but chuckle.
...A mysterious entity was determined to collect taxes, even as a ghost.
-Anonymous: I called the National Tax Service, lol.
If there's one virtue crucial to surviving this harsh apocalypse, it's carefully testing bridges before crossing.
However, some awakeners lived their lives with reckless abandon. These types usually met their end early, but occasionally, some lucky outliers stuck around.
That day's certification post on SG Net was written by one of these rare survivors.
-As the KakaoTalk message said, I called 4444-4444. Everyone told me not to, but I thought, "Hell, what's the worst that could happen?"
-When I dialed the number, it actually connected. Ring, ring, and a few seconds later, the call went through. There was an operator? A telephonist? Anyway, a robotic-sounding voice started speaking.
-I don't remember exactly, but it said, "This is the National Tax Service ARS Application Report Center. Please select the service you want."
-Then a weird screen popped up on my smartphone. The background was red with white text, and I took a screenshot.
Attached to the post was an image file.
――――――――――
National Tax Service
National Tax Service ARS Application Report Center.
[1. Comprehensive Income Tax Report]
[2. Additional Corpse Tax Report]
[3. Slave Workshop Unreported Status]
Data charges will apply in 3G/LTE environments.
――――――――――
The image file was grainy, with spots of noise. The red background and white text combination hurt the eyes.
It was far beyond the point of a wobbly bridge, already tap-dancing on the edge, but surprisingly, the author didn't stop.
-I have to admit, "Additional Corpse Tax" and "Slave Workshop" made me nervous, haha. That's the first scare point.
-I clicked the most normal option, "Comprehensive Income Tax Report." After all, the KakaoTalk message was about reporting comprehensive income tax.
-When I clicked, I heard static noise as the robotic voice guided me to enter my social security number. It's been so long since I last entered mine, I almost forgot it, haha.
-It felt like I was really filing my taxes, but at the end, it said I could pay by bank transfer. But hey, how can I transfer money these days when there are no banks?
-Luckily or unluckily, it said I could pay directly at the tax office. It told me to go to the "Pocheon Tax Office."
-That's the second scare point. My region is actually Pocheon, haha. How does this message know where I live?
-But I heard the tax office here was destroyed long ago, so I don't know why it told me to go there. I'll check it out and post an update soon.
The post ended there.
Naturally, the comments exploded in disbelief.
-Anonymous: Are you crazy? Why'd you call?
-OldManGoryeo: Another one's heading up to heaven.
-[NationalRoad] Officer: Make sure you post that update.
-Anonymous: If you're in Pocheon, aren't all Awakeners from the same guild? They'll figure out who you are.
-LiteraryGirl: Can't believe this hero's still alive.
-dolLHoUse: so dumb
-[Satisfaction] CookingQueen: Life is precious. Desires are fleeting. Aren't there more important things than trying to attract attention?
└Anonymous: CookingQueen, you're so kind.
-[BaekHwa] SixthGrader: Hoee! (>_<);;
-Anonymous: I'd bet my entire fortune this idiot is 100% dead.
I didn't criticize the poster.
Instead, I decided to use this opportunity.
"Seo Gyu, I'm going up to Pocheon for a bit. Watch the house while I'm gone."
"Huh? Pocheon? Why so suddenly... Wait, are you going because of that SG Net post?"
"Yeah. It's a newly appeared nationwide anomaly, so I need to check it out."
"Wow... You're really diligent."
I packed lightly and headed north. It felt like a leisurely stroll.
In my opinion, Pocheon wasn't too far from Seoul, and it was where Sim Ah-ryeon worked as the "Healing Angel" back in my 50th cycle. I was familiar with the area.
Within hours, I arrived in Pocheon. On my way to the tax office, I ran into a truly unexpected person.
"Oh?"
"Hmm?"
Strong build. Short, cropped hair. Too well-groomed for a post-apocalyptic survivor.
A young man who embodied the notion of a "well-raised youth."
"Ah, um, sorry. You seem to know me, but I'm not good at remembering faces. Where have we met?"
The young man didn't recognize me. Instead, he seemed slightly wary of this unfamiliar face.
But with my [Complete Memory], I could recognize most Awakeners. And this time, his face was particularly familiar.
"That's Lee Ju-ho, isn't it?"
Lee Ju-ho.
Back in the 50th cycle, he was the victim whose father was humiliated by the "OldManGoryeo Villain" Sim Ah-ryeon. Yet, he graciously forgave her.
That magnanimous young man stood at the path leading to the Pocheon Tax Office with a backpack and a smartphone.
Glancing at his screen, I noticed the familiar SG Net homepage.
"Could it be?"
A realization dawned on me.
"…So you were the one who wrote that post?"
It's a small world.