Damned System

Chapter 68. To the New World (7)

As Li Pei swung the mop in his hand, a loud crack resonated.

The wooden handle snapped, scattering splinters, and the mop flew far away.

Immediately, Li Pei stood frozen in place.

What had stopped the mop wielded by him with a single arm was a woman of dazzling appearance.

The problem was greater than merely having attacked someone based on a moment’s judgment.

The badge on her collar…

“Communist Youth League!”

This was a youth organization run by the Chinese Communist Party.

“There’s no event today, though?”

Why was someone wearing that badge here on a day when there was no event in the People’s Congress Hall?

It meant the other party was genuinely loyal to the government.

How did they find him? He hadn’t done anything noticeable enough to escape notice.

Feeling wronged, he desperately turned to drastic measures.

Li Pei immediately drew up mana.

Even if it meant killing this woman, he intended to escape.

Anyway, the server would soon disconnect.

He planned to hide away for a few days in a secluded mountain, buying bread to eat during that time.

Getting caught here was worse than running away like that.

Just as Li Pei, shrouded in a red haze, was about to attack her, “See, I knew I hadn’t seen wrong that time!”

“I thought it was strange that you kept looking into the air.”

“How many times have you played?”

“Is three times really the limit for the tutorial?”

“Can I use the community once it’s over?”

“Surely, it’s not just hunting animals endlessly, right?”

A barrage of questions suddenly thrown at him broke his concentration and scattered his mana.

Before he could even comprehend what she had said, a strange face drew so close that it touched his nose.

“You too have been chosen like me, haven’t you?”

In the woman’s overly sparkling eyes, he caught a glimpse of madness.

* * *

With the holidays and the weekend, Jaehyuk decided to take a break from studying for the first time in a while.

Even though his mind was cluttered, sleeping in until late in the morning made his body feel comfortable.

“I’ll take it easy this week, just skimming a book.”

But as he came out yawning heavily into the living room, he was startled and froze.

Seated on the sofa, dressed entirely in black, from cargo pants to a tight-fitting short-sleeve workout top, was Hyunwoo.

The real cause of the complexity in his mind at present.

“You’re awake?”

Jaehyuk swallowed dryly and tried to act as unaffected as possible as he responded.

“Did you take steroids or something?”

Though his voice trembled slightly, Hyunwoo responded lightly, seemingly unaffected.

“Do you think such a body is possible with drugs alone?”

No words came out to affirm that.

“Damn, those external obliques are no joke….”

Beneath the tight top, the finely sculpted muscles were vividly outlined.

Hyunwoo’s body didn’t merely appear fit—it was imposing enough to feel threatening.

“I’d likely break if I got hit once.”

It was impossible to achieve such a body with just drugs.

Jaehyuk glanced over Hyunwoo with an unfamiliar feeling.

In the meantime, Hyunwoo rose from his seat and approached.

“Enjoying the break, aren’t you?”

In a tone no different than usual, Jaehyuk’s expression stiffened slightly.

He was displeased. But he couldn’t understand why.

Why? Why should he be displeased with Hyunwoo’s usual demeanor?

Instead of responding to Hyunwoo, Jaehyuk frowned and headed toward the kitchen.

Upon turning around after drinking some water, he found Hyunwoo silently observing him.

“What, what.”

Though he hadn’t intended to sound confrontational, a disgruntled tone escaped him inadvertently.

Then he briefly regretted it.

“I won’t be back for a while.”

Hearing the following words, he thought he might as well have gotten angry.

Just days after disappearing for nearly ten days without contact, he was already leaving again.

He then began to understand why Hyunwoo’s normal behavior seemed so displeasing.

Despite being involved in unordinary matters, Hyunwoo was acting as if nothing had happened, like everything was as usual—a meaning that Jaehyuk’s instincts picked up on.

“It means he’s still not going to explain anything.”

Yet probing for details was useless. His stubbornness was tougher than any iron rod.

If pressured, he would only dig in deeper to conceal.

‘That guy really does have a dictator’s streak.’

There was no intention to explain things nor to accept any counterarguments, just to comply and hold one’s tongue.

Hyunwoo consistently maintained that attitude from beginning to now.

Even when he came covered in blood a short while ago, when he was found suddenly drenched in blood, and right now as well.

“Seems like Dad knows something, though.”

However, his dad, too, remained tight-lipped enough to not provide any explanations.

It was truly strange.

Though he’d always kept secrets from Jonghun, he’d always been open with him.

Yet the Hyunwoo of late acted in reverse.

“It might take a bit longer this time.”

Again, rather than an explanation, it was a notice.

An unwavering attitude, a firm tone suggesting no room for other opinions.

Jaehyuk sighed deeply.

“… It’ll take long?”

Jaehyuk wasn’t refraining from asking questions because he wasn’t curious about what happened to Hyunwoo.

It’s just knowing that in such times, questioning was futile, that’s why he was holding back.

“I’m not sure, but if things go smoothly depending on the situation.”

“How long?”

“At least two to three months.”

If that’s the minimum, how long is he considering for the maximum?

As soon as he found it curious, Hyunwoo added,

“I’ll make sure to return once every six months, at a minimum. I discussed it with the uncle.”

The fact that he was left out of this discussion birthed a sense of isolation.

Jaehyuk frowned, scrutinizing Hyunwoo.

Even in the middle of a conversation, Hyunwoo was gazing into the air.

Ever since he was discovered covered in blood out of the blue, he often had conversations while staring into space.

That wasn’t a habit the old Hyunwoo had.

His changes weren’t limited to things like that.

Yet Jaehyuk felt stifled by the inability to inquire into why.

“… Okay.”

“I’m sorry to dump it on you, but look after the kids, okay?”

“The kids aren’t baggage, what do you mean, dump on me? They’re my siblings too.”

Right after Hyunwoo’s parents passed away, they lived together for about four months.

Even without that, he’d watched the twins since they were born.

Just as Hyunwoo was a friend akin to a brother, the twins were akin to his siblings.

Jaehyuk genuinely thought that way, thus was a bit hurt by Hyunwoo’s apologetic demeanor towards him.

But he couldn’t confront it.

“… Thank you.”

That reply from Hyunwoo came with a face so unfamiliar it made him momentarily speechless.

“Just what was that?”

A bizarre expression, both seemingly relieved and apologetic.

He felt very disturbed. Before he could delve into it any further, Hyunwoo, with a face as normal as ever, reached out.

“And this.”

What flew towards Jaehyuk across the air was a small bottle barely the size of a finger.

It was a bottle you might commonly see in the market, with a string tied around the neck to wear like a necklace.

Inside, there was an unknown red liquid.

“I handed it out to the uncle and the twins in the morning.”

“… What’s this?”

“You probably won’t believe it even if I explain. Just carry it around normally, and if you get seriously injured, drink it.”

“Ha?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Hyunwoo turned around and headed towards the entrance.

“Thought I should at least say goodbye to you. I’m off.”

“Hey, hey, Kang Hyunwoo!”

Jaehyuk frowned and followed him.

But at the entrance, Hyunwoo, already lacing up his black boots, spoke a little coolly.

“I know you’re frustrated, but let’s just let this slide as is.”

“…”

“The best outcome is ending this without anyone knowing what happened to me.”

Jaehyuk’s expression twisted even further.

“I’m going.”

Jaehyuk, without giving his reply, stared long at the vacant place Hyunwoo left behind.

* * *

Last night at dawn, the progress was fully accumulated.

「The patch is complete. Server connecting.」
「Order management program executing.」
「Player synchronization program (interpretation and translation) executing.」
「Player assistance program (inventory and store) updating.」
「Player exchange program (community and party) updating.」
「Hole management program (allocation and closure) updating.」
「Item management program updating.」
「Mission list updating.」

……

An overwhelming number of messages popped up, enough to make one uneasy without resolving them.

And from the end of it, a window had blocked my view since last dawn until now.

「Would you like to set an entrance? (Y/N) (To change the entrance, an achievement is required. Choose wisely.)」

The location I chose was obvious.

A place where, regardless of what happens over there, I could take immediate action upon crossing back to Earth.

The safest place among my current choices, Jonghun’s laboratory.

“Where’s Jaehyuk?”

Upon arriving after saying goodbye to the late-rising Jaehyuk, Jonghun inquired.

Turning off the alarm I had set last night, I replied,

“He didn’t say much, but he seemed a bit angry.”

“… All three of them must be frustrated. It might be better if you just told them.”

“No, I want to finish this while they don’t know.”

Telling them wouldn’t change anything. It would only add to the worry.

‘Telling my uncle was more than enough.’

In truth, I had no initial intention of telling him either.

The decision to change plans and involve Jonghun was already uncomfortable enough, so why would I drag in the twins and Jaehyuk too?

It’s better to leave them in the dark, feeling only frustrated.

At least they wouldn’t be left imagining whether I had been torn apart or devoured by monsters.

I heard Jonghun’s sigh and then began my final check before heading to Bihar.

I didn’t wear any gear or weapons.

Already, some players had gone over to Bihar, and real-time reviews were coming in.

There was no need to unnecessarily expose my equipment from the gate, drawing attention.

I reviewed my belongings, skills, titles, and the updated interface, then looked at Jonghun and said,

“If I don’t return by half a year, please handle the asset arrangements.”

Just in case, I had drafted a will through a lawyer known to Jonghun.

The will stated that all assets, including the cash in my personal account, the funds I managed, and the deposit that would soon come in, were to be equally distributed to the twins.

“Make sure to lock the doors so that no one else can come in.”

Implicitly, he told me never to intend not to return and to be sure to come back someday.

Receiving his subtle farewell, I pressed the Yes button, saying,

“Then, I’m off.”

At the moment the system window vanished, it couldn’t be helped that the thought of not wanting to go emerged.

Being human, leaving those things behind felt burdensome.

I worried about what sort of grueling hardship awaited beyond.

Yet, I wasn’t hesitant.

‘It’s the right thing.’

If there’s something you want to protect, you have to step forward yourself.

The life after losing my parents taught me that lesson.

Salvation was not something so kind that merely waiting for it would bring it to you.

To protect my people and my world amid the war ongoing beyond, I had to step up actively.

And perhaps, if I kept moving like this, salvation, which stays put more heavily than a rock, might just—

‘Maybe it’d take an interest in my life and pay a visit.’

「Entrance created successfully.」

While I steadied my resolve, a portal emanating bright light emerged before me.

“Let’s go.”

I whispered softly, murmuring into the bright light as I stepped through.

And then, with the stark white background, a system window appeared.

「Welcome to Bihar!」

Damned System

TL’s Corner:
Damn, that’s quite ta long ass prologue.