[Mission Failed!]
Level 10 failed once again.
NPC Kang Yuna's support fire wasn't enough to bring down the final boss. To obtain the "IDYPIA Entry Ticket," one had to pass through this gatekeeper and reach the designated point. However, even attempting to sneak past the final boss was futile. With its imposing stature, keen senses, and swift movements, evading it proved to be an ongoing challenge. Furthermore, defeating it seemed daunting without the aid of enhanced abilities.
What's the point of being strong if it doesn't fill up my evolutionary power?
With only three days left until the end of the testing, there was still a chance to achieve the maximum level and receive a substantial reward equivalent to a semester's tuition fee. Above all, Yeojin, who reached the maximum level a week ago, had already moved to another dormitory and hadn't been seen in the cafeteria since. There was only one way to meet her again before the test ended: enter IDYPIA.
Surely, I never expected to part with Mom like this.
Yeri regretted not having more conversations with her mother. Of course, there was nothing to ask or wish for from Yeojin, but conversation was still a means of sharing emotions.
Come to think of it, what did Yuna say to me just before logging out?
Suddenly, Yeri recalled Yuna's cryptic words right before logging out.
"Don't try to handle everything on your own. Someone will surely benefit from your help."
At that moment, Yuna wore a melancholic expression, almost as if she were a person with emotions.
"Miss Yeri. Miss Yeri."
"Yes?"
At that moment, a participant who was eating lunch with her in the staff cafeteria glanced around discreetly and whispered.
"Have you heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"About the players who reached the maximum level. They all apparently used the autonomous mode."
"Really? How do you do that?"
"I haven't tried it myself yet. But according to others, it seems like a guidance window pops up in critical situations. Anyway..."
With a curiosity-filled gaze that made them seem ten years younger than Yeri, the participant continued speaking.
"There's someone who found hidden messages while playing the game."
"Hidden messages? What are they?"
"They say that by solving a cipher using hints obtained during the game, instructions appeared. If you follow those instructions, you can earn one Bitcoin."
"Wow, Bitcoin? Nowadays, it's worth almost a decade's salary for an average worker, isn't it?"
As Yeri exclaimed loudly, the participant quieted her down.
"Shh! You know, during the beta testing period, it's not allowed to connect to the network with personal computers. That person got kicked out for doing that."
"Well, then they can just log in after the test ends, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. That's why I purposely didn't level up too much. You need to be at level 10 to find the hint."
With a proud expression as if sharing some great wisdom, she spoke.
"Thanks. That's valuable information. If I strike gold with Bitcoin, I'll treat you to a meal later."
"Yeah, looking forward to it. Until we meet again."
With a satisfied smile, the participant raised the corners of her mouth.
***
The final boss was colossal. A hybrid of a Lion of Death and the Hulk, it towered over buildings, boasting immense size, strength, and lightning-fast movements. Even with the anti-aircraft missiles obtained from Yuna, it refused to fall.
I've lost count of how many times I've tried.
Yeri was starting to feel bored.
"Don't try to do everything alone!"
Taking advantage of Yuna's support, she attacked while scanning her surroundings. Along the way to the gateway to IDYPIA, makeshift carts set up by refugees and stalls of merchants lined the path. Perhaps there could be hints in such places.
In a moment of distraction, the boss's colossal fist came crashing down.
[Pause]
A window pops up right in front of her.
[Boss's Strike. Critical hit anticipated. Start autonomous mode? (Remaining time 10 seconds)]
'Is this the autonomous mode they mentioned earlier?'
[10, 9, 8, 7…]
Yeri was taken aback. Until now, she had never seen such a message appear, even after numerous failures.
[6, 5, 4…]
Why is this suddenly happening when it hasn't appeared before? What's the logic behind it?
But she had no time to hesitate.
[3, 2, 1…]
Without further ado, Yeri quickly pressed the "Accept" button.
- Boom!
The boss's fist slammed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. But Yeri was nowhere to be found.
- Woosh!
As the game resumed, Yeri's avatar, moving at the speed of light, had evaded the boss's punch. The autonomous mode had granted Yeri's avatar speed beyond imagination.
Wow... Is that really me?
Yeri couldn't help but be amazed as she looked at her avatar. It felt like she was in a state of astral projection, as if she could go anywhere, whether it be IDYPIA or heaven.
But the priority now was reaching the destination. Yeri's avatar swiftly flew towards the refugee village to complete the final mission.
Is this it? Huh?
At the entrance of the crumbling village, there was a massive door with a guide sign attached. However, the spacing between the letters seemed a bit off. Ever so slightly, only the first letters of each line were slightly spaced apart. When read vertically along these first letters of each line, a sentence emerged.
[Enter the first letters of the shop signs in order into the search bar.]
Yeri flew around the village, memorizing the first letters of the shop names. Then, suddenly, the evolution indicator in the status window shot up rapidly.
[Remaining Evolution Points: 1]
'Huh? There's still one left?'
In that moment,
"Roarrr-!!"
The echoing roar of the boss reverberated. It was chasing after Yeri.
[Last Mission: Defeat the final boss and use the remaining evolution points to obtain an entry pass to IDYPIA.]
Yeri could immediately sense the significance of those words. From the start, this boss was an unavoidable presence.
Oh, I see now...
With the situation fully grasped, Yeri remained completely calm even in the decisive moment.
- Crash!
The boss's mighty swing missed its mark and landed on empty air. The ensuing barrage of punches couldn't land a scratch on Yeri's avatar.
And then,
- Pow!
A sharp punch struck the boss's side with precision. Startled by the blow, stronger than any missile, the boss staggered, eyes rolling back. Yeri seized the moment without hesitation, swiftly continuing the assault.
"Wham! Pow! Bam!"
Yeri's avatar gave it her all.
"Argh!"
Blood gushed from the boss's mouth as it staggered under the relentless barrage of Yeri's rapid punches. Blinded by the successive blows, the boss finally stumbled backward, and in that moment, Yeri's avatar wasted no time summoning a longsword.
- Swish!
With the sword held high, Yeri's avatar leaped into the air.
Like a falcon swooping down on its prey under the moonlight, she descended rapidly.
"Screeeech!"
It was a single strike. Yeri's sword cleaved through the boss's forehead, and with a final scream, the boss fell, lifeless.
Unbelievable. That tough boss, taken down so easily…
Watching the spectacle unfold before her, Yeri felt a thrill run through her. Yet, at the same time, there was a sense of disappointment. The final boss, whom she could never hope to defeat on her own, crumbled effortlessly once AI assistance was introduced.
Don't try to do everything on your own!
Suddenly, Yeri recalled Yuna's words and couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.
Was this what she meant?
Then, in a flash before her eyes, the 'IDYPIA Entry Pass' materialized from the boss's body.
The door to 'IDYPIA,' the place Yeri had longed for, had finally opened.
Yeri deactivated the autonomous mode and returned to her original avatar before stepping through the door.
"...So, you made it here too, Yeri."
And there was someone quietly watching from a distance all along.
"Indeed, what choices will you make after this?"
It was none other than Kang Yuna.
***
As she passed through the gates of IDYPIA, a spacious urban park unfolded before her. Surrounding it were elegant skyscrapers, some shaped like seashells or organic forms, mimicking nature's grace. Flying shuttles glided along unseen aerial lanes, while within the suspended gardens, trees cast their shadows under the artificial sunlight. Some buildings were entirely covered in foliage, resembling colossal plants.
Fountains, emitting refreshing bursts of white mist, danced to the rhythm of music, painting geometric patterns against the blue sky. Rainbow-colored soap bubbles floated where children had recently played, adding a touch of whimsy to the scene. And amidst it all, groups of well-dressed individuals strolled by, engaging in peaceful conversations.
"Is this... IDYPIA?"
As Yeri wandered around, taking in the sights, a voice addressed her.
"Yeri, you've cleared it too."
Approaching her was someone familiar.
"Uh... Mom?"
Yeri could barely recognize her.
"Wow, you look so young. I could mistake you for my sister."
"This is a virtual reality, after all. Is there anything you can't do?"
With a swift kick to the ground, Yeojin ascended into the dazzling sunlight, disappearing into its radiance.
"Mom?"
As Yeri shaded her eyes with her hands and looked around the sky, someone tapped her shoulder. It was Yeojin. Startled, Yeri let out a laugh like a child.
"Impressive, isn't it? IDYPIA operates under different rules from the outside world. Even avatars are different here. You can't experience this anywhere else."
Yeojin bent down, then lifted her head.
It was Kang Hae-na's face.
"Whoa, Miss Kang?"
After wiping her face with her palm and returning to Yeojin's appearance, she burst into laughter.
"Here, anyone can become whoever they want. Give it a try. Just think of the image you desire."
But Yeri wasn't particularly drawn to it. She felt a strange unease.
"Mom, I found some incredible information. After the test ends, if we go outside..."
"Yeri, wait a moment. I had something to tell you."
"Huh?"
Before Yeri could say anything, Yeojin quickly responded.
"I've received a great offer."
"What?"
"A job. As a regular test agent for AG Entertainment."
"What?"
"Why, did you think I couldn't get a job?"
"No, it's not that. It's just that when the game launches, there won't be any work."
"They said the game will continue to be updated. As soon as the brain chip is developed, we'll have to test it."
"The brain chip? Isn't that something you put in your brain?"
"Yeah."
"No way. Putting something in your head is dangerous. There are side effects."
Yeri was taken aback, but Yeojin seemed to smile as if she had anticipated this reaction.
"Yeri, in the outside world, I'm just a flawed and failed insignificant being. But here, it's different. I'm the top player, the most skilled individual."
"What sin have you committed, Mom?!"
"You wouldn't understand!"
As Yeojin burst out in anger, suddenly everything around them fell silent. Yeri was taken aback. Despite occasional arguments, she never expected Yeojin to vehemently refuse like this.
"...So what? You're not coming home?"
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. Such chances don't come twice in my life."
"What, so you want me to leave?"
Feeling bewildered by her mother's unilateral announcement, Yeri didn't know what expression to wear. The idea of being separated from Yeojin was something she had never even imagined before. Tears welled up in Yeojin's eyes as she looked at Yeri.
"…I'm sorry, Yeri."
But Yeojin's resolve remained firm.
"Still, I can't stand cockroaches."
***