Chapter 408
Shin Jaehyun's memories had very deep layers.
On the ocean floor of thousands of layers that had accumulated at the end of a long repetition of his many lives, Shin Jaehyun had never bothered to touch the parts that weren't necessary.
That was why there was no end in sight.
He couldn't move.
His body was submerged in water that was much too deep to be shaken from an expedient interpretation of 'awakening'.
But there was one layer, a place that was reached.
The topmost part.
His most recent memory.
Reality.
Tuk.
The waves rose.
And as it happened, his most recent life took on a very unique style, different from what he was used to.
A life that he believed could not be started again.
-You decided to live in reality even if something like this happens…
It may be a bit profane, but the expression he heard just before was probably correct.
Cheongryeo continued to live on, even after failure.
Tuk.
Memories of that time wavered like ripples.
It all started with an opportunity created by the same person.
-You can't restart now.
These were the words spoken by Park Moondae, who had subdued him as he left the villa in disrepair.
And perhaps, more importantly, the words that followed.
-You still have everything you need, and that won't disappear.
Those words floated like a buoy in his head during VTIC's self-reflection period, which had been an unfamiliarly long time.
He wasn't overjoyed with what it meant specifically.
However, it became an ambiguous indicator.
If restarting wasn't possible, what were his options?
What could he have?
First, he brought home a dog. There was no longer a reason to be confused about what dogs he would be raising.
Then, he wrote a new song. This was because it was no longer possible to predict songs that would be successful in the future.
He worked solo. A group performance was no longer the standard for all success indicators.
Still, VTIC did not sink.
Failure did not go away. However, a life where even the things built on top of failure did not disappear.
But even in that process, there were questions.
'Why am I doing this?'
It was a pure question rather than one built upon empty thoughts.
It felt as if all his actions had no driving force, like a goal.
A life without a mission.
An unfamiliar landscape that must be created with an ignorant mind and without any answers.
Shin Jaehyun slowly confirmed that it was slowly becoming a part of daily life.
Tuk.
Waves overlapped.
Then, the wave inadvertently brought to mind a memory with a very similar impression. It was deep, deep below at the end of the invisible bottomless sea.
His very first regression.
-What is this…
He believed he was only given one chance to make things right.
Therefore, there were lives that he believed could no longer be restarted. His young and ignorant self.
What exactly did that memory look like?
He didn't know. It was impossible to visualize. It only remained as information, not something that was original to him.
'Okay.'
It wasn't worth reading into, Shin Jaehyun thought.
It should have ended there originally.
But his subconscious moved again from there.
… ?
In an instant, the wave rose like a root, creating microscopic cracks in the layer of his memories.
Very faintly, something rang throughout the deep sea. They were tremors that couldn't be considered irritating.
However, similar shapes could be seen between the numerous layers of attempts and repetitions.
Events that happened rarely. Occasionally.
Accidental harmony.
Eyewitness stories spread in the rain.
Performing while injured.
He couldn't specifically remember what the situations were, what emotions arose, or what kind of pain existed.
Because the depth of his experiences was already far too deep and multi-layered.
It was all just a vague trace.
But sometimes, just a trace was enough.
Because it served as evidence that it once existed.
The feeling that no matter how much he restarted, such unique and brilliant moments would never come again.
-Please.
Tuk.
It wasn't that he believed they were lives that couldn't be restarted. It was just that he didn't want to, Shin Jaehyun reflected.
He also had moments when he thought it was a loss rather than an opportunity.
'I know it very well.'
Images that suddenly came to mind as he watched Park Moondae struggling not to restart.
-… I think so too.
However, as time passed, there was no value in things that had already been crushed underfoot and pressed beneath the surface.
Since it was a useless sentiment.
No matter how such moments made him feel, he still had to start over if he failed nonetheless.
Because he thought it was just an ineffective impulse that slowed down progress to the next step.
-…
The wave soon disappeared. The surface became calm again.
His foundation remained solid, and the depths of the deep sea were still invisible.
Shin Jaehyun thought to himself.
Nothing had changed.
Still, there was no absolute benefit to be gained by returning to a previous reality.
VTIC would not be able to maintain its prime time any longer.
An inseparable tag was attached to the group's once spotless reputation.
Any blank spaces in the position would have to be left blank forever.
And yet…
Yet—
He didn't necessarily want to throw it away.
Like a long time ago when he wanted to stay, even though he knew it would all disappear when he restarted anyway.
Because he just wanted to do it.
Was that irrational impulse the original driving force of his life?
Cheongryeo opened his eyes.
He felt an observing and worried gaze on himself.
"Ah."
He reflexively ran his finger under his chin.
Of course, there was no water and no ocean.
The brief seconds of ripples passed by as mere gentle waves, not as massive surges or shocks.
But it did leave a mark.
"…"
Cheongryeo would admit it.
His urge to go back to reality.
It didn't matter whether it could be done again or not, or whether it was meaningful because, as Park Moondae said, it could only happen once.
So, he opened his mouth.
"There was no new information."
"…"
"There's something I want to ask you."
And actually, he asked a question that he had been thinking about all along but couldn't specify.
"Why do you want to go back to reality?"
Park Moondae did not scold him by saying, 'Have you not been fucking hearing what I've been saying so far?'
He just held back a sigh and opened his mouth.
"Since your reality has always been yours, naturally, you wouldn't want to discard it. Who would want to just throw away what's theirs?"
"… !"
Since life was originally his, it was natural to want to maintain and own it completely.
Shin Jaehyun was slowly recovering from that impulse and desire.
Park Moondae roughly opened his mouth again.
"Let's go back, you fucking son of a bitch."
"…"
He still couldn't find a reasonable reason why he should. But not knowing may be the essence of impulse.
And now, it was okay for him to act impulsively.
Cheongryeo opened his mouth.
"Alright."
"…"
"And… I guess I'll have to change my plans."
He brought up the hologram again.
There were numerous windows, but no one batted an eye.
"If we're not going to stay here, then I think there's one more way to use it."
"…"
"What do you think?"
The person in front of him did not refuse. Instead, he nodded his head.
• * *
"Say it."
Tick.
The clock started ticking again.
"Hoo."
The
'I'm so tired.'
I returned to my room, pressing my temples.
Fortunately, after the agreement was reached, we were able to talk quite productively during the pause.
'Well… It's not like I wasn't aware of how that bastard became like that.'
But that didn't mean that fucking bastard would just suddenly stop screwing around. This was unconditionally placed as a debt and made to be repaid somehow.
-What do you think?
Of course, it was good to find out what this bastard could do.
I reviewed the strategy based on some facts I found out while analyzing the UI window.
As that guy said, the GM's status window had some pretty useful features. In my perspective, this was an extreme direction, so supplementary measures should be taken.
'I guess I'll have to add a little more process.'
I racked my brain.
In the meantime, the pop-ups were ringing.
[Hyung, I'm so glad, really…]
[No, you said it wasn't that dangerous, but still!]
[I will keep an eye on that person! Please allow me to!]
I knew it.
The guy who looked like he was going to shed tears just by writing a text for an hour chatted like that for a while, and after a while he disappeared, saying, 'I feel like I'm really tired for some reason.'
'Indeed.'
It was only natural since he went on such a rampage. I clicked my tongue as I recalled the amount of gold remaining and the existence of the naturally disabled 'Gold Store'.
'He's trying.'
Anyway, seeing Gold 2, well, Kwon Heeseung, was sending a signal like this, it seemed like he had taken the right direction.
"Hoo."
I lay down on the bed. Only then did the tension ease.
And instead of the quiet pop-up, I looked at the smartphone, which had become noisy.
The cause was the group chat.
-Bae Sejin Hyung: Oh my god
As soon as time started to pass again, I started with these words and properly explained this situation to those who were pouring in all kinds of comments and questions.
To the extent that Cheongryeo was involved and how I persuaded him.
All kinds of comments poured out, from 'You must have had a hard time,' to 'As expected of Moondae hyung. He has outstanding capabilities in resolving such a supernatural situation.'
We finally reached this situation.
-Cha Eugene: We can use telepathy! LIIIIIIITTTT (Emoji wearing sunglasses)
-Keun Sejin: Wow, is this what Moondae was talking about? ㅋㅋ it really is like a cartoon movie!
This was an analysis of chat window capabilities.
Surprisingly, it seemed that the chat window function was still intact and could be called up.
However, since the room owner was Seon Ahyeon, it seemed like only he could open the chat room.
-Seon Ahyeon: I was a little surprised, but I'm really glad that it helped. Next time, if I feel like there's a problem, I'll turn it on right away!
-Seon Ahyeon: (smiling emoticon)
-Ryu Chungwoo Hyung: Even if that isn't the case, it could be used to call for rescue in an emergency, right? I think it would be useful if it could be used in real life.
-Kim Raebin: That's right. Although it is a structure that consumes an energy source called gold, being able to communicate in a crisis is a huge advantage and should be used without hesitation!
He must have cried when he heard that it was Gold 2.
I answered people who asked how to use the chat room and where the gold came from and fell asleep after midnight.
Instead of beating the guy who caused this situation in the first place, I gained information and skills, so I thought it wasn't that much of a loss.
And the next day…
"Actually, I was there too."
"… ??"
"The chat room."
Ju-Dan muttered with an expressionless face. I almost spat out the water.
'… For some reason, the capacity was listed as 8 people.'
It was that guy, not the Keundal. It looked like he called all my companions.
At the table, Ryu Chungwoo asked with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"Um, is it because you're uncomfortable with us that you didn't say anything?"
"Rather, it is terrorism when an outsider breaks the flow and enters the touching climax scene."
"… … ?"
Let's drink some water instead.
However, one person got caught.
"… ! Could it be that you thought that because we're actually in different groups?"
"Rather, it's that there isn't a shared narrative. We aren't just simply divided by group affiliation. Context is important."
"Oh…"
That… That wouldn't work.
I opened my mouth while watching Kim Raebin lost in complicated thoughts.
"So, I plan to make it so that you are not an outsider."
"Is there a past that I still don't remember? A second awakening?"
No, not that. I pointed my finger at the bastard coming out of the room.
"I'm going to make that guy do it."
"… ??"
I had to extract the compensation for making people work like dogs for hours.
A few days later…
I checked the package in the mail tab of the status window that I received while doing the main quest.
"The only thing I can get here is a companion drawing ticket."
"Alright."
The guy now obediently handed over the information. I nodded and checked the mail's internal information.
[4 star guaranteed ticket]
[5 star guaranteed ticket]
This was the definitive right of someone who manipulated the odds.
I could already guess who the monster that was 5 stars would be even though he had nothing to do with me, but anyway, all I had to do now was set it up.
"How about creating a more welcoming atmosphere to make it less shocking?"
"Yeah, a party~"
That was a good suggestion.
I hit Cheongryeo.
"Hey."
"Hmm?"
"You do it."
If he had a conscience, he should do it.
Of course, this bastard had no conscience, but he'd do it even if he didn't have one.
And after a while…
"What happened?"
"Huh… ?"
Jin Chaeyul and Oh Yoonshin, who returned from filming a variety show for two days and one night, encounter an unexpected sight.
"Hy-hyung?"
"…"
Cheongryeo, wearing a cone-shaped hat and holding a huge piece of paper with both hands with the words "Welcome, VTIC" written on it, was smiling.
I put a party elephant trumpet in his mouth. Cheongryeo's smile became brighter.
It seemed like he was going to kill them if they asked any questions, but luckily the two guys were standing in the living room.
Candles, balloons, and confetti.
It was a 3-piece party set.
Jin Chaeyul's face lit up.
"A surprise party…? It's not my birthday!"
"I know."
"No."
I clapped with an expressionless face.
Clap clap.
The other guys followed suit.
"It's a homecoming party."
"… ??"
"It may be a bit shocking, but it's not harmful to your body, so don't worry."
And I opened the two confirmation tickets I received in the mail.
[★★★★ Oh Yoonshin / Lead Rapper]
[★★★★★ Jin Chaeyul / Center]
After some adjustment time…
"Welcome. Welcome, sunbaenim."
"… ??"
"Welcome to Wishze."
Ju-Dan waved his hand. Chaeyul, who stumbled to his feet, had a face full of question marks, and Shin-Oh looked like he was going to pass out.
I spoke solemnly.
"I'm sorry, but I'm going to need you guys to get to work right away."
"What?"
"It's just around the corner."
"What… ??"
That was how the K-POP Hell Joint Camp was opened.