by Yoo Seong
“I need a way to monitor how the team acts in the game. If they don’t report it in the report than there is no way to determine what is going on. I need to monitor their actions in the game as well as read the reports……”
Then a name popped into his head. Lee Myung-ryong’s student who managed to reverse his life by playing a game, Kim Hyun-woo!
“Yes! There is that guy. He is one of the 50 gamers selected by the NIS to play Galaxian!”
Lee Myung-ryong stood up. Cell phones were prohibited so he rushed into the NIS’ communication room and called Hyun-woo. However…..
-The customer can’t receive your call right now so please call back after a while.
That was the voice he heard after a long beep.
“Dammit! What is that child doing?”
—————————-
Diririri. Diririri.
He heard the ringing of his phone.
-The phone number can’t be confirmed.
That was the message that appeared on his screen. The message was obvious. 99% of a SMS phishing.
“Damn, there’s also this. Do you think I’m a soft touch? What is the NIS doing? Every day you open your mouth and boast about what a wide intelligence network you have. Yet you can’t grab these guys behind the phishing.
He wanted to curse. But Hyun-woo didn’t want to think about such matters right now. Hyun-woo switched his phone to silent mode and placed it into his pocket.
There was a big house in front of him. No, it was more like a castle than a house. A road at least 3~4 metres stretched from the fence surrounding it. Beyond the fence was a large garden that the building couldn’t even be seen. The surprising thing was that there was a house like this in the heart of Seoul.
“Is this really the house?”
Hyun-woo hesitated as he confirmed the address a few times. And he finally had the courage to ring the bell.
“Are you Hyun-woo?”
“Huh? Ah, yes! I’m Kim Hyun-woo.”
“I’ve been waiting for you. Come in.”
The lavish doors opened at the business like voice. They probably saw his appearance from the CCTV. Did they think he would feel ashamed at the thought of someone watching him? There was no reason for him to be daunted by money.
And this wasn’t the first time he had seen a house like this. The president of Global Exos had invited Hyun-woo to his house. Thanks to that, Hyun-woo had built an immunity so he walked through the garden towards the front door without a hitch.
“Come in.”
A middle aged man who seemed to be a caretaker showed him into a large living room.
“Please wait a moment. He should come soon.”
The caretaker said before disappearing through a side door in the living room.
In order to explain why Hyun-woo came to a place like this, he had to rewind to a few hours ago.
-Ark, don’t you have something to discuss with me?
-No. But it seems you have something to say to me so I’ll listen.
This was the dialogue Hyun-woo exchanged some time ago with the gunner inside Galaxian. Shortly afterwards there was an explosion on the Silver Star so the talk stopped and resumed after the situation was cleaned up. But there was little progress.
It was because of Hyun-woo’s circumstances. The gunner was curious about the relationship between the Red Slaughterer and Lucifer. If it was just that then it would be simple to prevaricate. And he had tried.
However the gunner was aware that Lucifer was an artificial intelligence created by Park Woo-seong. It meant he couldn’t trick the gunner. But he couldn’t explain that Lucifer was controlling the nuclear power plant because it was a state secret. Hyun-woo wondered how the gunner knew about Lucifer’s identity but he couldn’t just disclose a state secret.
–It is obvious that you are hiding something. No matter what happens, I need to know about Lucifer. And I deserve to know. But you won’t believe what I have to say. So I will prove it. That I am a person entitled to know about Lucifer.
The gunner then sent him a message on his Nymphe. The message had his home address. In other words, this was the gunner’s house.
‘What is his identity? How does he know about Lucifer? If he lives in a house like this then is he related to Global Exos?’
Hyun-woo felt half expectant and half anxious at the thought.
“Are you Ark?”
He suddenly heard someone’s voice. Hyun-woo lifted his head with surprise to see someone walking in with a cane. But the face looked strangely familiar. Hyun-woo struggled to remember while the guy nodded.
“Yes, you are Ark.”
“Then you are the gunner…..but you are……”
“Rapid.”
The man spoke as he limped over and sat down.
“But you might know me by my original name…..”
“Alan?”
The man closed his mouth at Hyun-woo’s words. And he looked at Hyun-woo for a moment before smiling.
“You remember.”
It was impossible for him to not remember. During the New World era and before the decisive battle with Lucifer, Alan had been his worst and strongest enemy for 2 years! At that time just hearing the name Alan was enough to make him grind his teeth together. However that was a past event. 2 years of fighting ended with Hyun-woo’s victory.
The winner shouldn’t hold a grudge against the loser. But Hyun-woo hadn’t forgotten about his grudge against Alan simply because he was the winner. It was because he heard that Alan was in a coma shortly after the final battle.
Of course this wasn’t Hyun-woo’s fault. There was no reason for it but he couldn’t help feeling guilty. Now he had appeared in front of Hyun-woo again. He didn’t seem the same as before but he could walk by himself.
Hyun-woo was gripped with incomprehensible emotions as he looked at him. A mixture of the old dislike and a glad feeling rose inside him. But Hyun-woo didn’t express these feelings. Instead he pasted on a hateful expression.
“You look like a zombie.”
“You loathsome person.”
“It is better than talking like a good guy. Just having you speak like that is enough to give me hives.”
“Ditto. Well, I would rather you call me a zombie than giving me pity. I don’t want pity from a guy like you.”
“So?”
“So what?”
“Do you still have feelings of revenge against me? Is that why you approached me as Rapid? To get revenge for New World in Galaxian?”
“Revenge…..what about it?”
“That…..”
“Don’t misunderstand.”
Alan interrupted Hyun-woo’s words.
“Obviously you defeated me several times in New World. I don’t want to deny that fact. But that’s it. I played a game and met a stronger player than me. The grudge ended in that game.”
“Then why are you hostile in Galaxian?”
“That’s your misunderstanding. I had nothing to do with the events that took place in S-20.”
“You were part of the black helmet crew that attacked me on Impeltus. No, didn’t you attack me with Valencia? Is that also a misunderstanding?”
“You knew?”
“Just now. If Rapid is the gunner than his identity is obvious.”
“You might not remember this but I was there the first time you fought the Red Slaughterer on Athamas. It is difficult to explain but I was forcibly drafted to Athamas’ battlefield. The person who helped me at that time was Marquis Jyubel. He thought I might be useful so he did me a favour. In fact, the quest was registered the moment I returned to Istana.”
At that time, Alan had wanted to return to Istana as soon as possible to meet Ark. He accepted the quest and then Marquis Jyubel contacted Alan after the chaotic raid happened in S-20.
It was for the investigation team mission. At the time Alan had been thinking about refusing the quest. But he changed his mind once he heard that Hyun-woo was participating
in the mission. Anyway, his purpose for participating in the investigation team was to meet Hyun-woo.
“Everything was in order to meet with me?”
“Yes, that’s why I started Galaxian.”
“If it isn’t for revenge than why?”
“I wanted to see you.”
Hyun-woo’s blood ran cold. Hyun-woo avoided Alan’s eyes and said.
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I’ve got a girlfriend.”
Alan’s eyebrow raised with confusion at Hyun-woo’s words. He thought for a moment before understanding and shouting with disgust.
” What are you talking about? Why would you say such a thing……?”
“But it’s weird! You wanted to see me? You can’t just suddenly say that to someone!”
“I don’t like you like that!”
“R-really? You don’t like me?”
“Disgusting! I hate you! Is that enough?”
“Phew! That’s lucky. Good. Now continue talking. You wanted to see me, and?”
“That’s enough! Can you stop interrupting me? And now it is your turn. Did you forget? I didn’t call you here to be the only one talking. I deserve to know about ‘that.’ And I think I’ve proved it. I have the qualifications to know about ‘that’ so tell me.”
“Lucifer…..”
Hyun-woo sighed and shrugged his shoulders. He had to admit it. Alan certainly deserved to know about Lucifer. Alan had become a Ruin Knight in order to become Hyun-woo’s rival and eventually entered a coma because of Lucifer.
Alan was a guy with a large amount of pride. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that Hyun-woo and Alan’s bad relationship started because of pride. Now Alan said he forgot his grudge against Hyun-woo. If it really didn’t disappear than his grudge might’ve become even stronger. Even if his grudge was discarded, he might be angry about being exploited by a mere artificial intelligence.
‘Is it really a good thing to tell Alan about Lucifer?’
Just as Hyun-woo was thinking this.
“Don’t think about hiding it. If you don’t tell me then I will use any means and methods to figure it out. I will inform the world about the relationship between Global Exos, New World and Lucifer!”
“There is no need to use such threats……”
Alan would eventually find out anyway.
“I’ll tell you.”
Hyun-woo sighed and nodded. But he couldn’t explain all the facts. Lucifer threatening to take over the nuclear power plant was a government secret. But Alan’s nature wasn’t the type to make a fuss.
In the end Hyun-woo explained the situation like this.
Lucifer knew that Ark disappeared from New World so he hacked into Global Exos’ confidential user files and infiltrated Galaxian. If they wanted the confidential documents to be returned than they needed to reach the ultimate goal in Galaxian before them. Therefore Global Exos selected Hyun-woo and 50 promising gamers to deal with Lucifer.
“Then really…..”
“Yes, the Red Slaughterer is Lucifer.”
Hyun-woo nodded and studied Alan’s face. Alan didn’t say anything for a while. And after a moment he burst out laughing.
“Kukukuku. Hahahaha!”
“W-what’s with this reaction? Are you okay? Did you receive a psychological shock……?”
“Ark! Ark! Ark! Ark!”
Alan turned and kept on shouting. The expression on his face was impossible to decipher as he spoke.
“I was looking for an answer the whole time. I was just looking without knowing the answer. I think I know the answer thanks to you. So I dragged my body while thinking about meeting you. But that isn’t it. Now I understand. This is why I started Galaxian. My body knew what I wanted before my head did. I know what is necessary for a full recovery. Lucifer! A mere artificial intelligence that made me a joke! He is the necessary sacrifice in order to regain my wounded pride!”
‘Hey! Hey! Are you insane? What does your body know? Is your body a radar? Didn’t you just find out that Lucifer is in Galaxian? Furthermore, is Lucifer like ginseng? Will defeating him make your body better? And what sacrifice? A devil? Will sacrificing him restore your body? Your eyes look dangerous right now! He looks dangerous! Should I call 119 before it is too late?’
Those words climbed in Hyun-woo’s throat at Alan’s sudden reaction. Then Alan looked back at Hyun-woo. The corner of his mouth lifted and he muttered.
“Now I can achieve two goals at the same time. Watching you and getting revenge for Lucifer. If I come with you then I will end up meeting Lucifer.”
“What? With me? You, in the future……”
“Please Ark!”
Alan emphatically said. His expression indicated that Hyun-woo would be just like Lucifer if he rejected.
Space 4
Asteroid E-2036
“Newcomer.”
Ark looked at his team and said. He was standing next to a man wearing the black helmet, the gunner.
“There were various situations so he has decided to go with us from now on. Hey! What are you doing? Take off the black helmet and say a word to your colleagues.”
Ark elbowed the gunner in his side while speaking. The gunner was Rapid, Rapid was Alan! That’s right. Ark finally decided to accept Alan as his colleague. Of course, it wasn’t a simple decision.
Who was Alan? Since Ark started New World, he was a strong user and his rival for 2 years. He couldn’t blindly trust him now. But he could believe one thing. He held a bigger grudge against Lucifer than Ark.
It was a common strategy. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. As long as Lucifer was a common enemy in Galaxian, Alan wouldn’t betray Ark.
‘If I’m convinced he won’t betray me……’
Ark knew him better than anyone else.
‘A user like Alan who demonstrates competence in all areas is rare. Isn’t he like Guan Yu from Romance of the Three Kingdoms? I might’ve beaten him in New World but his military strength and political power can’t be underestimated.’
The evidence of Alan’s skills was his previous stay in S-20.
While Ark was away for 10 days, S-20 developed into a place he didn’t know. At the time he was surprised because of Rapid. But know that he know it was Alan, he wasn’t surprised at all. Alan had shown the same competence in New World.
‘I don’t think he is lying and my biggest enemy is Lucifer. And Lucifer is also Alan’s target. He will move more eagerly than anyone else if it is to stop Lucifer. I also believe in his ability. In that respect, Alan is the companion most needed right now.’
There was no reason to refuse! That was the conclusion Ark came to. However there was a bit of noise.
“What? What are you saying all of a sudden?”
Slayer looked at Alan and started complaining.
“Have you forgotten? Melina-nim and Park died because those black helmet guys suddenly attacked us! And that guy was with the black helmets! But now he is our colleague? How can I believe a man like him? Isn’t that right?”
“Yes. It isn’t right.”
“See! Kaya….eh? What?”
“What reason do I have to oppose it? Didn’t you hear Ark? That guy wasn’t friends with the black helmets from the beginning. He stuck to that group due to various circumstances.”
“How do you know that?”
“You should think a little more with your head. We were able to escape unharmed from the laboratory because of his help. If he hadn’t stopped them from manning the entrance and installed a bomb on their ship then we would’ve been wiped out. Would he do such a thing if he is with the black helmets?”
“T-that….”
“So there is no reason to oppose the addition of a strong peer. Didn’t you see? When he fought the Rama. He is definitely strong. In addition, he has the most important thing.”
“The most important thing?”
Slayer asked with confusion. Kaya replied with a laugh.
“His face, it is handsome.”
“Kaack! This stupid woman! Why does that matter?”
“Why does it matter? Don’t you know that a rice cake won’t look good to eat if it wasn’t for the red coating?”
“W-what does it have to do with eating? Should a woman be talking like that?”
“Why are you hung up on that part? It wasn’t what I meant. Are you a pervert?”
“You’re the pervert! This player like girl!”
“P-player? What did you say?”
“I said it! What are you going to do? Speaking of that, how is he handsome? He just seems like a beggar type guy. He just made his game character look like this. You’ll see. That guy probably has a lot of pimples on his stomach. He probably casually touches his snot and farts openly!”
“Why are you going into such details? Are you sure you’re not talking about yourself?”
“It’s sad but you can’t deny it.”
Leon looked at Slayer with a regretful face. Then Kaya said with a hateful expression.
“Yes, I knew it. Okay. I’ll be sure to say it when I met Melina again. That you dig out your snot with your hand and fart openly.”
“Ah,no! I wash my hands!”
“You probably touch the snot after washing your hands and then eats food with it.”
“No that’s not me! It is him!”
Slayer spat and pointed towards Alan who took off his helmet. Then Alan turned towards Ark and asked.
“So…can I put a bullet in that guy’s forehead?”
“I admit my subordinate is a bit out of control but he will calm down. It is because the relationship between my subordinates are important.”
“That’s why I asked you first if I could put a bullet in his head.”
“You brat, you sure are keen.”
Ark moved forward with a smile. He looked at Slayer who had dug out a booger with his hand and was trying to touch Kaya with it and said.
“I know this is abrupt. But there is a reason this guy needs to travel with me. Of course, that reason is between this guy and me. But you are also affected by this event. This mission was harder than we expected. So think of it as a chance to reinforce our power. But I am a fair leader. So this decision will be democratically chosen by the majority. If there is more in opposition then I will exclude this friend from this mission at least.”