Chapter 31

1 Hyeonseong Lee was nodding off like an officer on duty in a command center. If this were TWSA, that was how he would’ve been described. It might’ve been followed by something like… Hyeonseong Lee had no idea what was going to happen to him today. “Hyeonseong?” “…Oh, Dokja. Ahem, I dozed off for a sec. Did you get some rest?” “Yes, thank you. By the way, you were talking in your sleep. ‘Private Hyeonseong Lee’ and all that…” Hyeonseong’s face turned red. “W-well…I have some trauma from my enlistment days.” “Enlistment? Aren’t you an officer?” “Oh…I transferred to Korea Military Academy when I was a sergeant.” “I’ve heard that’s rare. I guess the military life suited you.” Hyeonseong smiled wistfully. An understandable response. Almost no one to stayed in the military because that life suited them. Rather, they did so because other life paths didn’t work out for them. Then, shall I get started? “Hyeonseong, it’s so reassuring to have you around.” “Sorry?” “I feel at ease with you taking up the vanguard. It’s like having a trusty shield protecting us.” “…Really?” Hyeonseong smiled awkwardly. It was a weak smile but showed my words meant a great deal to him. I talked to him a little more before walking away. According to TWSA, Hyeonseong’s attribute should have evolved in Geumho Station, as he protected people from the Cheoldu Gang. But that opportunity had gone to Huiwon instead. Huiwon, Sangah, and Gilyeong had already approached and were looking at me. I looked back at them and spoke in a whisper. “You saw my demonstration, right? Do what I just did.” “Yeah, I guess… Why are we doing this anyway?” Why? Because of this: [Character Hyeonseong Lee begins to feel a sense of duty.] As I watched Hyeonseong diligently clean his iron shield, I realized once again that “Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint” was a crazy skill indeed. Well, when it came to “characters,” at least. “I think it’ll help Hyeonseong. He seems a little down lately… A bit of encouragement could be what he needs to break out of it.” I told my companions this as if I were sincerely concerned about Hyeonseong. The naive Sangah nodded her head. “Is this a ‘power of compliments’ type of thing?” “That’s one way to put it.” “Got it. I also hope Hyeonseong can pick himself up soon!” Unlike Sangah, Huiwon looked a little bit suspicious about it. “Dokja.” “Yes.” “Is your sponsoring constellation ‘One-Eyed Fortune Teller’ by any chance?” “What’re you talking about?” “Gungye. Don’t you know Gungye?” Huiwon came up with her own epithet. For a second, I thought she might be the author of TWSA, but there was no way. Because Gungye’s epithet was “One-Eyed Maitreya.” “No, I just happen to have a special skill. Let’s just say it helps me understand others.” “I’m guessing you won’t tell me even if I ask you what it is. So I won’t bother to ask.” “Thank you.” “By the way, you’re not using that skill on me right now, are you?” The look on my face almost betrayed me. I was glad that Huiwon didn’t have the “Lie Detection” skill. “It’s not like this skill lets me find out everything about a person.” Huiwon looked at me as if she was considering something. Then she smiled. “Hmm, I guess not.” …What did she think just now? There was an edge in my voice as I went back to the topic at hand. “Anyway! Let’s do our best for Hyeonseong. First Huiwon, then Sangah, and last Gilyeong. Take turns talking to him when you have a chance.” “‘I believe in you, Hyeonseong! Stay positive!’ Something like that, right?” “Try to be tactful.” “Yeah, yeah. Got it.” This had to be done for this plan to succeed. The evolution of Hyeonseong’s attribute was a crucial step. If I’d known Junghyeok Yu was up to something, I would’ve made my plan earlier… Still, if I did my best, I could probably see some results today. Thankfully, the others carried out their roles somewhat smoothly. “It’s nice having such a dependable ally. You’re like a sturdy evergreen tree.” “Ha-ha. Thank you, Huiwon. You know, my favorite army song is ‘A Green Pine Tree.’” [Character Hyeonseong Lee feels proud.] “…I didn’t ask.” [Character Hyeonseong Lee feels a bit sullen.] “Hyeonseong, you’re one of the most upstanding people I’ve ever met.” “Oh…you give me too much credit. To be honest, someone like me—Never mind. I appreciate it, Sangah.” [Character Hyeonseong Lee begins to contemplate justice.] “Your muscles are so cool.” “Thanks, kiddo.” [Character Hyeonseong Lee’s self-esteem increases.] That sounded so fake, but it worked. Good thing Hyeonseong was so simple-minded. After a few more exchanges like that, the system’s messages began to change. [Character Hyeonseong Lee’s attribute is awaiting the chance to evolve.] Good. Everything is going smoothly. “It looks like Hyeonseong feels a bit pressured,” Sangah whispered in a concerned voice. She was such a kind person. Even in a situation like this, she was worried about others. It was a quality that I didn’t possess. “He may be a little bit. But this is probably something he needs. Some people get stronger when they take on more burdens.” “Ah…” “Don’t worry. It’ll all work out. Anyway, Gilyeong, did you find out about the other thing I asked?” “Yup.” Gilyeong was standing nearby. A couple of cockroaches were perched on his little head with their antennae up. “They say she’s on the first basement floor.” “Thanks.” Hyeonseong should be okay now. Now it was time for me to go steal someone else’s follower. I went upstairs to the level above. Some members of the Landlord Coalition greeted me as soon as I arrived. “Ha-ha. If it isn’t Mr. Squatter.” “……” “You’ve got some nerve showing your face around here. I heard you survived last night without a room. Is that true? Junghyeok Yu must’ve helped you, huh?” I ignored them and kept walking. Thinking I was intimidated by them, the landlords jeered in a mocking tone. “Aren’t you tired of being his lackey? Join our group. Mr. Gong said he’d consider it.” I pretended not to hear them and counted the remaining Green Zones on each floor. One, two, three… I couldn’t miss any if I wanted my plan to succeed. “Of course, that’s only if you bring the women, too. Heh-heh!” There were eleven remaining Green Zones in total. It looked like quite a few rooms were gone after last night, but it was still a bit risky for my plan. “Hey, are you ignoring me?” “I heard you. Tell him I’ll think about it.” At my reply, the members of the coalition looked at each other and chuckled. Laugh while you can. I walked up the escalator away from the jeering landlords. Suddenly, a sword was pointed at my neck from behind. I didn’t sense her at all… There was only one skill this early in the scenarios that let someone move this quietly. [Ghost Steps] “I’m disappointed.” Jihye Lee. Attitude aside, her skills were top-notch. There was a reason why Chungmugong chose her. “You’re gonna join those bastards? With the women, too? Don’t you know what’ll happen?” “Of course I know.” Huiwon would decapitate them the moment they tried anything, that’s what would happen. But Jihye Lee didn’t know who Huiwon was yet. “And you’re still cozying up to those creeps? You shoulda just died last night.” “Put the sword down. I’m here to talk.” “Talk? You came here to see me?” “That’s right.” With that, Jihye obliged and moved her blade away from my neck. When I turned around, she wasn’t there anymore. I didn’t know how she did it, but she was already in front of the turnstiles on the first basement floor, blocking the way out. It looked like she used “Ghost Steps” to move. “What do you want? Spit it out.” “Why are you standing over there?” “Master told me to guard this passage. So don’t come any closer.” Jihye tapped a turnstile with her sword and made a throat-slitting gesture with her thumb. I looked at the passage beyond the turnstiles and saw the exit numbers to go aboveground. But not every number connected above. I suddenly had a bad feeling. No way… Junghyeok’s going that route? If he had told her to guard this passage, there could be only one thing he had in mind. He was secretly raiding the hidden dungeon in Chungmuro while the scenario progressed. That was good and all. After all, the main character getting stronger meant he could be more useful to me. The problem was that Junghyeok could not clear the dungeon in his third loop. I had to hurry things up. “I’m here because I need your help.” “My help?” “I’m going to take down Pildu Gong’s group today.” “…For real?” It looked like Jihye was trying to figure out if I was being serious. [Your understanding of Character Jihye Lee has increased.] “You won’t be able to do that on your own. Or with the rest of your ragtag bunch, for that matter.” “What about if you help us?” Jihye whipped around as if her pride was hurt. That was understandable. When she arrived at this station, she probably challenged Pildu Gong. And she was likely forced to run with her tail between her legs. If Junghyeok hadn’t saved her in time, she’d be dead. “There is a way. But it’ll only work if you help.” “…Master told me to stand guard here.” “If you don’t act, most people here will die.” “They’re gonna die sooner or later anyway.” “Is that what Junghyeok said?” Jihye’s eyes began to shake. “The boy we talked to yesterday is dead. You know that, right?” “…I know.” “He could’ve survived. He could be here right now, babbling on some more about Junghyeok’s heroics.” “That’s…” “Junghyeok might as well have killed the boy himself. He had the power to save him, but he didn’t.” I had mixed feelings as I spoke to Jihye. Here I was, smooth-talking this girl, but in reality, I was no different from Junghyeok. On the subway, and in Geumho station…I had also turned away from people I could’ve saved for no other reason than to increase my own chances. But hypocrites could be very persuasive. “I saw the scenario footage of you on the subway.” Jihye’s small shoulders twitched at the mention of it. “The one where you killed your classmate to survive.” “…Stop.” “I’m sure you didn’t want to do that.” [Character Jihye Lee is greatly agitated.] “You don’t know shit.” “Of course I don’t. I’m just blabbing whatever comes to mind.” “……” “But if I’m babbling, I might as well tell you this—if you turn your back on those people today, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. I guarantee it.” [Character Jihye Lee is deeply torn.] I didn’t know much about Jihye as a “person,” but I knew her very well as a “character” from TWSA. If I left her alone, she’d become Junghyeok’s loyal subordinate. However, that was in the future—not yet. Although Jihye admired Junghyeok’s strength, she was fundamentally different from him. “If I help you, will people survive?” “Probably not everyone, but a lot of them will.” “…What do I need to do?” “I’ll start my plan at seven tonight.” I told Jihye my plan. I specifically told her the things she must do in order for said plan to work. She listened quietly, then gaped in disbelief. “Are you serious? You’re really going to do that?” “That’s right.” “…To be honest, I don’t think that will go well. And just to be clear, I haven’t agreed to help you yet.” “The choice is yours.” She said that, but I knew Jihye Lee would take action. There was a reason why Chungmugong chose this foul-mouthed brat. [Constellation Secretive Plotter likes your shamelessness.] [You have received 100 coins as a donation.] [Jihye Lee’s sponsoring constellation is interested in you.] [You have received another 100 coins as a donation.] With that, the board was set.