Chapter 502

〈 Chapter 502 〉 Part 1, Chapter 20, Scene 34

“Are you back to your senses, lad?”

“…….”

It’s a familiar ceiling. The interior design is vintage yet sophisticated, with the owner’s touch evident in every corner.

“The young one fell asleep at the cafe.”

The familiar coffee aroma wafts through the air. Though I never cared much before, having drunk so much of it, I can now recognize the taste just from the scent—Ethiopian Yirgacheffe. A glass with ice cubes floats nearby.

“Have a cup.”

“…Boss.”

I lift my head and offer a faint smile to the man who placed the tea before me.

“Shall we dive straight into business?”

“T, that’s what?”

“Red pill, blue pill.”

“……”

He, in the guise of Owner Huan, grimaces at my words. I set the coffee he brought on my table and sit up straight.

“Feels like we’re starting a conversation anew here, doesn’t it? Sometimes you’re Yuna, sometimes Chang-yeom, other times Seongju.”

“Might be good to have days like this once in a while, no?”

He raises the drink he brought for himself. A warm, honey-scented lemonade fills the air.

“Cheers.”

“I thought we were drinking alcohol.”

“Must it be alcohol?”

“Guess not.”

Clang.

We clink our cups together. Though our tastes don’t align, the mere act of conversing like this holds its own importance.

“Congratulations. Thanks to you, one worry’s off my chest. Everything turned out well, though making the person you love cry at the end was unavoidable…”

“You were watching?”

“Wherever the wind reaches, I am there. Even if it’s an unseen beach under the sun.”

He lifts his lemonade with a smirk. Against the white robe, the yellow hue makes him look as if he’s wearing golden attire. Good thing we didn’t go for sex at the last moment.

“All the spirits awakened, all heroines saved, and Chang-yeom revived. A perfect true ending—the end of Phoenix’s route.”

“But I died, didn’t I?”

“…Heh heh, death? Knowing all along, weren’t you?”

He taps his temple. Clearly, he knows everything.

“And you just sit there knowing—it’s the most ruthless move.”

“That’s the charm of a proper villain, isn’t it? Though I’m not really the villain. Just exuding that vibe. You knew I lacked real power, right?”

“Of course. If your main body went berserk, everything would collapse. It’s strange how Seongju gets away with causing such chaos.”

“Indeed. Ultimately, it’s all Seongju’s fault…heh heh. Doesn’t matter now. Since it’s a happy ending, we don’t need further stories. Have this drink.”

He swallows his intended words and pulls out two pills. I gather the red and blue ones together.

“Isn’t this plagiarism?”

“You started it with the red pill, blue pill talk. Otherwise, how about red tissue or blue tissue? Tsk, fine. Back to the original plan.”

Snap.

He flicks his finger. Only then do I feel somewhat relieved.

[Restart.]

[Exit.]

A blue restart button.

A red exit button.

He moves the holographic buttons side to side, tapping the table.

“First off, congratulations. You’re the first player to achieve 100% completion.”

“Thanks. What about the prize money?”

“Two hundred billion.”

“Knew it.”

We both exchange smiles. He folds his arms and tilts his head.

“Was it too obvious?”

“Not obvious, just insane. Two hundred billion per save file?”

“Should’ve had the company itself issue a challenge instead of some Arab billionaire’s bounty, huh?”

“New game company acting broke while selling DLCs…yeah.”

“True. Talking to you is refreshing.”

He points at the red button.

“Anyway, congrats on clearing it. And thanks for your hard work. Going through this portal will return you to reality. Two hundred billion will be deposited normally.”

“What about taxes?”

“…Money guy didn’t care, but I’ll make sure to include withholding tax so exactly two hundred billion hits your account.”

“Good to hear.”

Spending a year grinding a game to earn two hundred billion sounds like a fair deal, right? Of course, that “year” wasn’t exactly a normal one. In terms of actual time, it could’ve been thousands…

No need for complicated stories. I ask what I want to know.

“What happens if I restart?”

“……”

His expression twists dramatically. I feel like I’ve landed a solid hit, which feels refreshing. His hand trembles as if ready to shatter the lemonade glass.

“Restart? R-e-s-t-a-r-t?”

“It’s the real ending.”

“I’ve heard that line too many times already!!”

“Come on, this time it’s different.”

“Get lost. I’m tired.”

He slams his palm on the table and curses at me.

“If you mess up, I’ll be the one stuck taking the fall. Got it? Though obviously, that shouldn’t happen.”

“That’s genuinely sorry.”

I point at the glowing blue restart button.

“I’ve got to comfort a girl after making her cry.”

“You lunatic.”

“Lunatic enough to press the blue button here.”

“…Damn it, fine. How did someone like you manage to unlock Phoenix’s route with such crazy conditions? Go ahead and disappear, bastard.”

He drinks his lemonade bitterly.

“Alright. Try your best. I’m done helping.”

“Hey, why are you leaving?”

I need his cooperation. And I know the magic phrase to get it.

“Isn’t this all about screwing over the original developers?”

“……Hooh?”

He perks up, raising an eyebrow. He leans back into his chair after pretending to stand.

“Let me hear your plan.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to see the plan in action? Someone might overhear.”

He glances out the window. While I don’t sense anyone nearby, he seems to catch something.

“Want me to gamble without even hearing your plan? Trusting only your words?”

“You won’t lose anything.”

“True. Whether I live or die, I can adapt anyway. Frankly speaking…”

He scratches his head.

“I’ve enjoyed myself enough. Time to leave.”

“Maybe for you. Not for me. Beyond enjoyment, I need to return.”

“To Chang-yeom?”

“Exactly.”

I came into this world to meet Chang-yeom. But things are different now.

“We’ve agreed to live together. Past or future, doesn’t matter.”

“…Heh heh heh.”

He covers his face and begins laughing.

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“I’m the only person in the world who cracked the Phoenix route. Do you think I’d end up here in front of you by sheer luck?”

“Right, right. Truly remarkable. Got the 200 billion, cleared the game, and the escape button is right in front of you.”

He sips his lemonade mockingly.

“So what’s your plan for restarting? I kind of get your general idea, but do you think it’ll be easy? You’d have to start over from the beginning, dying and reviving for twenty years.”

“If it was easy, I wouldn’t have started in the first place. So, is it ‘possible’?”

The most crucial question in my decision. All the groundwork has been laid. Now it depends on whether this helper in front of me will assist me until the end.

“Possible…of course, if I help you, nothing’s impossible. Once outside, I still pull some strings. But listen…”

He emits a menacing aura, glaring at me.

“If you slip up, I might end up trapped in Seongju’s tentacles, squealing like a pig. Why should I take that risk?”

“Two hundred billion.”

“What?”

“How about setting up a company in your name with two hundred billion? Mr. Ha.”

“…”

He stares blankly at me, stunned.

“That’s just an excuse. The real reason is to screw over the developers. You love doing that, don’t you?”

“…Of course. Those bastards trapped me here. Fine, let’s try it. But I won’t take responsibility anymore. If I sense trouble, I’ll bail immediately. That’ll be the end for you forever.”

“Agreed.”

Because of him, I can return. If he changes his mind and escapes this infinite corridor, I might never meet Chang-yeom again.

Failure means it’s truly game over. This is the final coin.

“Oh, and one more thing. Let’s be clear why I’m helping you.”

He smirks sheepishly, slightly embarrassed.

“Though the game sets it this way, she originated from my traces. She’s not my biological daughter, but I care for her nonetheless.”

“Yuna is your daughter?”

For the first time, he avoids my gaze.

“…And techniques like Light Blade, Sir Gawein. Didn’t you know the father-in-law is supposed to be the strongest in this game?”

“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”

I’m astonished.

“You’re surprisingly human-like.”

“Exactly. If I were any more human, would I have left you alone? I’d have crushed you.”

…So this is like meeting my ex-girlfriend’s dad. My heart sinks.

“…One question. What would’ve happened if I abandoned Yuna at the end?”

“Seongju would’ve tried to devour Yuna with his tentacles, only to get eaten by her instead. Then you’d be raped by Yuna’s tentacles in a bad ending.”

“……Let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.”

I fold my arms. He projects both holograms in front of me simultaneously. With a serious expression, he asks,

“So, what will you choose?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

I raise my hand high.

“To meet Chang-yeom, of course.”

Click.

* * *

“…That guy’s completely insane.”

He snaps his fingers. The café vanishes with the wind, leaving behind a desolate table. Dressed in a yellow robe, he looks skyward.

“This isn’t my mistake. That kid’s the crazy one.”

He points accusingly at the opposite seat. A faint blue ember lingers where someone had sat—a trace of their presence. Before his eyes, the chosen hologram glows brightly.

“I only gave him two buttons…heh heh.”

Suppressing his laughter, he stands up and pulls out an old flip phone, turning it on.

“Ho ho hum. Hello, Vice President. This is Ha from Huangshindang. Yes, it’s done.”

He swipes away the hologram before him and waves toward the void expanding across the night sky.

“Need to prepare two hundred billion for me…”

As the void opens, a massive eye appears.