Chapter 414
Keundal, swallowed up by the system, suppressed the ego of the system and took the lead.
[Wow!]
I wiped the cold sweat from my chin and grinned.
"Good job."
[Yes! This is it!?]
'I thought it would be a success if I just paralyzed the system due to an error.'
In fact, the moment I failed, it would be over, so this was no different from gambling. However, he expressed his opinion that he would do it himself.
-[Hyung, that… Plan B.]
-[If the time comes that you have to use that… How about I try to fix the error myself?]
And I also admitted it to some extent.
Anyway, if this guy returned to reality with the system still in place, all that was left was him being absorbed into the status window completely.
'He said he'll become a status window as is.'
In the first place, the crazy idea of turning off the system on an airplane was partly due to the prediction that this guy would lose his body and become a status window. I wouldn't deny it.
Going back to reality, something else was needed for that guy to live as Ryu Gunwoo.
For example, being completely disconnected from the system.
'Or…'
-Make the system self-destruct.
Let's get rid of it this time.
I swallowed and asked quietly.
"How do you feel?"
[Uh…]
The guy who was looking at his own body in a daze and making the surrounding background distort and squirm raised his head as if he was checking something.
And those holographic eyes suddenly glowed darkly.
[I think I can do anything.]
"…!"
His body darkened, and suddenly the ambiguous world began to become clear.
[If it's in here… There is nothing unknown, nothing impossible, and if I can organize it properly, all my wishes will flow naturally…]
I muttered. The background swirled around like it was being sucked in.
A star rose.
[… Hyung, hey, I can do whatever you want, too.]
This wouldn't work.
"If you stay here, you know that TeStar will be disbanded, right? Even if we were to repeat everything from 'Magical Boy' to 'Savior', you wouldn't be as moved as you were when you first saw it."
[…! Of course, I know! No, what did I just say… …]
The hologram sparked, and the expression returned to Keundal's face.
'I never thought he would spit out a sound that felt so moving for the first time.'
It was funny that he came to his senses with something like this, but it still ended up working.
Seeing TeStar's comeback seemed to be the only joy he had in his career as a civil servant, as I was in a state where I would fall apart if I didn't succeed.
'… I just remembered that I did something similar.'
I almost thought back to my time as an office worker watching STier, but the situation right now was more urgent than that.
[Oh, this is weird! I feel like I just can't control myself. Wow, such power…]
Anyway, we had to finish it quickly because it might get tarnished. The system could recover from an error and come back.
"Okay, let's do it quickly. Do you remember what I said?"
[Yes!]
The final plan was simple.
'Suicide sequence.'
Break the system like this.
Of course, if I left it that way, Keundal may be affected, so there would be some procedures in between.
[I sent it, hyung!]
Ding!
A status window popped up in front of me.
[Player: Park Moondae (Ryu Gunwoo)]
[Do you want to delete the game?]
[Check]
A self-destruct launch button that only required pressing an OK button, with no other options intentionally created.
'Hoo.'
To be honest, my head was finally cooled off.
And there was another status window that opened at the same time. I turned my attention to what was floating in front of me.
[GM: Shin Jaehyun]
[Do you want to terminate the connection with the server?]
[Check]
"It starts with you."
"Hmm."
Cheongryeo glanced at the holographic Keundal and spoke.
"Do you need to prepare your mind?"
"No."
I had already done enough, so just click on it.
As soon as he heard my answer, he put his hand on the confirmation button without hesitation.
Tuk.
Then, lights flickered and cracks appeared in the world.
It rattled.
'It looks like it's going to collapse.'
When a crack appeared in the background without a sound, the world shook dangerously as if it would collapse at any moment.
[Do you want to create a new server?]
"Don't touch that."
"You have too many doubts."
Anyway, the guy calmly put his hands down.
'Now all that's left is… '
One.
I raised my hand to my status window, which was floating on a mirror-like background just before it was shattered.
It was then.
[Stop.]
"…?"
A pop-up appeared.
'Keundal?'
But that guy was over there…
[Hyung??]
Ah, I see.
It was the system.
It seemed that the two egos' situations had changed since Keundal took control of the system.
In the form of the system's ego being parasitic on the status window.
'Yes. Bye.'
I tried to ignore it and pressed the button, but it kept popping up over the button.
[The system saved you from death. You know that. You originally gave up the rest of your life on your own.]
[Everything you have now came from the opportunities given by the system. Think of the opportunities and achievements you have achieved so far thanks to your not dying.]
Look at this bastard.
In the face of an elimination crisis, it appealed for sympathy in a very plausible way. How crazy.
"Hey."
I spoke with a grin.
"The person who gave me the opportunity was originally Park Moondae, and you just took full advantage of it. How dare you say that?"
A parasite who had sucked my energy out for years and threatened me with death if I couldn't debut was talking about it as if it had been doing charity work all of this time.
If you had a status abnormality, it would kill you with no remorse.
[Hy-hyung?]
I'm not talking to you, so just stay still.
I sent a gesture to Keundal. The pop-up was updated.
[Irrational idea. It's foolish.]
'Has this bastard changed its strategy?'
I wondered if it was trying to waste time by making me get angry and talk back. If that was the case…
I opened my mouth as if to reply to the pop-up.
And I shouted.
"Keundal, now!"
[Yes!]
At that moment, Keundal's hologram was overflowing with more glitches, and soon the shape crumbled and disappeared.
[Wow!]
He gave up control of the system created by the error, exited, and returned to my status window.
[What■ ■■ now?]
When the original system's ego had fully come back…
"Goodbye."
I punched through the popup and hit the button.
Puck!
And deleted the game.
The pop-up was shaking.
[I am determined to live ■■ ■… ]
But that was it.
Pop!
The human form of the system, full of glitches, exploded.
And the cracked world burst open.
A transcendental sight of tens of thousands of pieces breaking and flying into the air.
Even the enormous aftereffects that hit one step late.
"Whoa."
The system that made up this world had been shattered. An enormous torrent of energy overflowed in all directions as if it would destroy everything.
The pieces shattered. All that remained was empty space.
I looked back at Cheongryeo. His status window crackled and popped.
The same went for mine.
"Success."
When I got to that point, all feeling disappeared.
Hok.
White.
[-------]
Silence.
And…
"-dae?"
Slowly and dullly, sounds were heard. It was as if the hearing that was paralyzed by the intense shock was returning.
"Moondae!"
"…!"
I opened my eyes.
And the first thing I saw was…
"Moondae's awake!"
"Hyung!"
"Y-you've worked really hard, Moondae…!"
These were the guys surrounding me.
The members who were talking hard about plan B were looking at my face as if they were scanning for something.
Indeed.
"Yes. I came to my senses."
"Yeah!!"
"I really thought there was going to be a big problem because the chat window exploded in the middle of it!"
"Still, I'm so glad. Really…"
If they continued like this, my ears would pop or my shoulders would drop. One of the two would happen, or maybe both. I laughed and stood up shaking my head.
"Thank you for the concern."
If it were reality, I would have been on the airplane, but if it were still the system's world, it would have been at an awards ceremony… It was neither.
"This place…"
… Ryu Gunwoo's officetel.
To be exact, it was the officetel where Keundal, who won the lottery with the body of Ryu Gunwoo, lived.
And out the living room window… The place where the fantastic 'Magical Boy' sunset took place.
This was the place I visited last time.
[This is an imaginary world I created!]
This was the world of images that Ryu Gunwoo's body went through when he returned to being Park Moondae.
The appearance of Keundal sticking out with a smile was also the same.
Although there were still some glitches.
'Then…'
Me as well… It must be an ambiguous figure that appeared to be both Park Moondae and Ryu Gunwoo.
Sure enough, Keun Sejin made a fuss as usual.
"Hey, you two look like brothers, I guess~"
I guess it was to keep me calm in a crazy situation, but I liked listening to it anyway.
[Hehe, thank you!]
Anyway, the guy who was laughing lightly changed his expression as if he realized that this was not the time.
[Well, the purpose of bringing you all here is to minimize the shock. Maybe I brought some of the system's power… Anyway, it worked!]
"Shock?"
[Yes. Well, you can choose when you leave.]
Keundal stepped aside slightly.
Then, the entrance to the officetel came into view.
-See you later!
The nameplate flashed. It seemed that if we went out there, we would return to reality.
[Do you want to remember what happened here, or will you just forget it or vaguely remember it like a dream?]
"…!"
It… It was a great benefit.
'Is there anyone who would want to forget?'
I thought about it for a moment, but once again realized that this was an overwhelmingly strange situation, perhaps because I had been living with a condition for several years.
If I said the wrong thing again, wouldn't they just all tell me to go to the hospital?
'It would be easier to forget.'
I would correct myself. If it were me, I would suggest that we just forget about it all together…
"Of course, I want to remember."
"…"
"You're right. I think this unique fantasy experience will definitely be a new inspiration."
"Now it's okay if I don't watch the new Limestone movies. I've already experienced it myself."
Were they just spitting these things out without thinking about it?
I was a little embarrassed, but no one hesitated.
"… There's something I really want to remember about what I did here!"
"Oh, that's fascinating. Me too."
Even Seon Ahyeon.
"I feel like I was able to realize a lot of new things and grow… Me too… !"
[Alright! Then, just think like that and open the door and go out!]
Then cheers poured in.
"Ah, finally!"
"Park Moondae, you… When you get back, turn the plane around and come back to the dorms!"
It wasn't my plane, and honestly, I didn't know what it was like outside… Anyway, I understood.
Ryu Chungwoo smiled and tapped the members' shoulders.
"Good job. Our group."
"Hehe!"
"Don't try to escape, Moondaemoondae. Come here~"
As if we had just won the grand prize or finished the last stage of the tour, we came together and hugged for a moment.
These bastards were suffocating.
'We're like penguins.'
It might have been funny, but I wondered what was going on.
"Okay then, let's go!"
"Yes, yes!"
It was a moment when everything seemed ready. But Kim Raebin raised his hand.
"Wait a minute, shouldn't we let the sunbaenims go first?"
"Oh."
I almost forgot, so my gaze returned.
'Now that I think about it, where are the VTIC guys?'
It was strange because I couldn't see them.
So, when I turned my head, I saw them from somewhere other than the living room.
Those VTIC guys… They were sitting at the kitchen table looking at us with such happy faces that it made me tremble.
'What.'
"I heard that TeStar always get along so well that it's nice to see them, right?"
"That's right. It's difficult for people to do that."
The way these guys spoke had changed in comparison to when they first joined Wishze without any of their original memories.
Still, the guy I had been living with for a year hadn't disappeared.
Chaeyul walked out of the kitchen and smiled shyly.
"Well, now that we're going back, it'll be hard to call you Gunwoo hyung… Still, is it okay to let go of the formalities? Not Moondae-ssi, but Moondae!"
"Yes."
"Good! You can also speak comfortably. Got it?"
That would be difficult because of the age difference.
Still, the guy seemed to have taken the silence as a positive thing, smiled brightly, and naturally headed to the front door after receiving TeStar's goodbye.
And at the end, he spoke very forcefully.
"Everyone, come visit us and have fun! We are a small group of people, so we get bored sometimes. I don't think I'll ever forget Wishze."
"It feels like we've done something a bit like a project group."
"Wow, that's it. Perfect!"
Then, the two guys asked Keundal if it was okay to leave, waved their hands, and naturally disappeared through the front door one by one.
"…"
When we go back, we won't be in the same group, so naturally we won't see each other often… Well, since I knew they were useful people, it would be okay to contact them.
I leaned against the wall, waiting for the rest of the VTIC guys to leave as well…
"…?"
But why didn't that guy leave?
I saw Ju-Dan standing in front of the front door.
The guy turned his head and saw TeStar and Keundal running to stop Cha Eugene room trying to open the living room window.
"Eugene, you…"
"You fool!"
Perhaps because he had already said goodbye to VTIC, his concentration was completely dispersed.
Ju-Dan muttered in a serious tone.
"The timing is just right. I have something to tell you both."
"Hmm?"
The guy spoke without expression.
"It's true that you both went back to the past. I think the order is Jaehyun hyung, followed by hoobaenim."
"…!!"
What was this guy?
"Why do you think so?"
However, Ju-Dan just shrugged his shoulders as if he were embarrassed.
"Since you speak so openly, from chat windows to everyday conversations, anyone with background knowledge can guess."
"…"
"…"
No, only he knew it himself.
"Looking at Moondae-ssi's reflex reaction, it must be correct. If so, structurally… Hmm, I can't believe you narrowly avoided being on the same axis as the antagonist… … Oh my god."
The guy who was talking to himself sighed lightly and tried to say something more.
"That… …"
However, he soon made eye contact with Cheongryeo, who was staring at him without expression.
And he immediately woke up.
"I'll just shut up and go to the army."
"Okay."
"Okay then."
Ju-Dan crossed the front door without hesitation like he was running away. I asked Cheongryeo, who was looking at me while leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
I nodded.
"Then you too… Go see your dog."
"That's right."
The guy seemed to answer casually, but then he smoothed his chin and added a small word.
"… It's been 10 months."
And then a faintly smiling face seemed to pass by, and then he left the front door.
"See you again soon."
He left with these words.
"…"
"Has everyone gone?"
"Yes."
When I turned my head, I saw Ryu Chungwoo and the guys who took Cha Eugene away.
Ryu Chungwoo smiled and stood next to me.
"We agreed to speak informally."
"Ah."
We did.
"Okay."
I corrected myself immediately.
Ryu Chungwoo looked surprised for a moment but then smiled.
"Yes, Moondae. Now, let's go too."
The front door opened again.
"As soon as everyone returns, no matter what the situation, contact each other. Don't forget to return to the dorm!"
"I'll keep that in mind!"
I moved my feet.
I couldn't see anything outside the door, only the light pouring in and piercing my eyes.
But no one hesitated.
And after a while…
Hwii-ing-
"…!"
I opened my eyes to the deafening sound of the engine.
Cheongryeo's private plane.
'Ah.'
I looked away. Leather seats. Ivory walls. Polished equipment.
Everything remained the same as before I left.
And even Gold 2, Kwon Heeseung, was asleep while sitting in his seat.
He was breathing.
I immediately opened my smartphone. And I checked the date.
"…"
[Saturday, July 9]
It was the same.
Nothing had changed.
"Hoo."
I sighed and leaned back in my seat.
Then, the guy who had already opened his eyes and was sitting in his seat handed me a glass.
Non-alcoholic champagne.
"We've arrived safely."
"… … Okay."
I snatched the glass that Cheongryeo held out to me.
I had returned to reality.