It was strange.
Though one might ask what’s so strange about this current situation with my body being the way it is, honestly, who wouldn’t be excited upon seeing a massive stone gate open right before their eyes?
Especially when the stone gate opened, the sound of water that had ceased to flow began to trickle again, and the dormant sun started to gleam.
In the space where I couldn’t hear any sound due to my inability to breathe, the chirping of birds, the buzzing of insects, and the rustling of vegetation now resounded from all directions.
That shift made this world, which had previously felt surreal, finally transform into a living place.
Until just a while ago, I was convinced that this was inside the so-called Singularity, but now that it has become so vividly alive, even that fact feels confusing.
This must be why it’s called a “Singularity.”
The spectacle was so grand, as though an entire world had been created, that I even felt a little insignificant.
It might be funny to feel this way now, but that’s how it was.
As I was contemplating this,
I noticed the sensation of someone in my arms and looked down at Daesik who was cradled in my embrace.
For some reason, despite pretending to be dead and not moving, Daesik was subtly twitching in a way that was only noticeable to me.
Why is he doing this all of a sudden?
Could it be that he realized I was having strange thoughts?
If that’s the case, what is this twitching action trying to communicate?
Hmm… is he saying that since I can create singularities, I shouldn’t feel intimidated?
Come to think of it, saying “create” might technically be more accurate, but…
Yes, it’s technically correct, but it’s still a bit…
Even though I had the thought of responsibility without pleasure, it’s still…!
Alternatively, it might be more precise to say that a part of me has split off.
…Regardless, that’s not a crucial matter at the moment.
Rather than focusing on strange things, I’ve decided to enjoy this exploration.
Who knows when I’ll get the chance to enjoy this again?
That said, what are the people outside doing?
They must be worried about me disappearing suddenly.
Sorry about that.
The one comforting thought I have is that they won’t be able to enter here.
Recalling what Park Jin-soo had said, it felt like I had caught the last train.
It’s truly fortunate that they haven’t been dragged into this potentially dangerous adventure.
Although… I can’t help but feel a little regretful that it might have been fun if they were here with me.
We could reconsider that after completing this game(?).
If it’s a game that doesn’t threaten our lives, perhaps we could enjoy it.
Anyway,
Given how the key from Park Jin-soo opened the gate, and everything has regained vitality as if returning to its rightful place, it seems like this game is closer to a true adventure rather than merely rolling dice and proceeding.
“Well, let’s go in.”
As I was lost in thought, the stone gate fully opened with a “GuguGu!” sound.
Inside, I could see ruins reminiscent of games or movies, with torches blazing on the walls, though it’s unclear how long they’ve been burning.
This implied one of two things.
One is that some mysterious power is acting upon these ruins.
…If not, it could mean that unwelcome guests are waiting for us inside these tightly sealed ruins.
It might just be game logic… right?
But come to think of it, the latter could also fall under game logic.
The pattern where the seal of a place long cut off from the world is broken, and humans or monsters come out of nowhere to attack…
It doesn’t make sense.
…Though, in a world created for this, it might not be that strange, even if peculiar things happen.
Meanwhile,
As I was stepping beyond the stone gate,
I noticed a sense of dissonance.
Until now, I had assumed that I was familiar with this place since two men and one woman had come here before me.
But seeing the two men entering the stone gates casually as if they were going out for a stroll in the neighborhood makes me feel a sense of dissonance.
Are these people not afraid?
As for me, I can feel enjoyment because it feels like I have an extra life, but these people don’t have that, right?
The woman introduced as Lee Yoo-jin seems to feel a sense of unease, but the two men ahead don’t seem to show any such signs.
“Well, it’s kind of eerie.”
“Indeed, it does feel that way. It’s like we’ve entered a movie set from the past.”
Though they were pretending not to, I don’t sense any tension in their bodies.
While I, as an ordinary person, might not know much about this, I’ve often been in close contact with others, so I can sense this.
Could it be… something about a Foundation? That’s what they said, right? They entered here after making some kind of deal with them, so perhaps they aren’t ordinary people either?
…Let’s just move forward for now.
Whatever it is, the need to move forward hasn’t changed.
So, along with the now less mysterious Lee Yoo-jin, I followed the strange man, Park Jin-soo and Lee Sang-yong.
Thud, thud, thud, scrape.
The sound of our footsteps echoed throughout the ruin.
The torches attached to the walls flicker hypnotically.
While walking through the seemingly never-ending long corridor,
The distance between Park Jin-soo and Lee Sang-yong narrowed, and they began talking quietly.
“So, how did you end up here? Was it also because of the Foundation?”
Hmm…
Did this person forget that I can’t talk?
I felt a bit annoyed at the unanswerable question, but I nodded in agreement.
I don’t know exactly what this “Foundation” that Park Jin-soo is talking about is.
Hmm…
Could it be the place where Han Seori and the others belong?
Or maybe… that strange middle-school-disease group?
If I have to choose, the former seems more likely.
The middle-school-disease group didn’t seem to hide their name, which smelled heavily of the “Call of Twilight” or something.
Then they probably wouldn’t have said “Call of Twilight” or “something.”
What, then, is this “Foundation”?
Anyway,
Seeing my nod, Park Jin-soo started enthusiastically talking about various things.
And most of his stories were criticisms about how terrible this “Foundation” was.
They use people indiscriminately for experiments,
They look down on others with messianic superiority,
And while they don’t think twice about what they themselves do, they enforce strict rules on others.
What started as general criticism of the “Foundation” as a whole smoothly transitioned into personal attacks on certain individuals.
Every time I listened to their story, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy and nod involuntarily.
According to their story, this “Foundation” was not only unethical but also a psychopathic organization that treated people like objects.
Since they seemed to want me to empathize, I nodded in agreement even though I didn’t have much to say,
But if what they were referring to was the group Han Seori and the others belong to…?
After pondering their stories carefully, it seemed unlikely that it was the group Han Seori and her companions were part of.
The people I’ve met so far might be a little… eccentric, but they were certainly not as heinous as these stories made them out to be.
The people who gave me snacks,
The people who brought me fried chicken while grumbling thanks for helping them,
Kim Cheon-soo who always cooks for me,
Han Seori who… well, I won’t say “loves me,” but takes good care of me,
The somewhat scary but reliable Hwang Bo-yul,
And then Yang Ha-na, who is the proof that the group Han Seori and her companions belong to is actually quite kind.
Honestly, would a group so evil even use someone like Yang Ha-na?
They would’ve probably thrown her to the wolves already.
So, Yang Ha-na’s existence is proof that the group Han Seori belongs to isn’t as bad as it’s being portrayed.
Hwang Bo-yul too,
She looked very sad when she saw the remains of her subordinates.
How could a place where she is, not treat people like people?
Thus, it seemed more likely that it was referring to the middle-school-disease group or a similar organization.
…The thought that such a place might exist elsewhere in this world made me feel a little dizzy.
Lacks a bit of uniqueness, I suppose you could say.
“Thinking about what those bastards did to me makes me so furious.”
“Me too. I mean, I don’t even think I did anything particularly wrong, and yet…”
No matter what I thought, both Lee Sang-yong and Park Jin-soo continued to escalate their complaints, seemingly united by shared grievances.
Reason Jin didn’t join their tirade might have been that she somehow shared in their pain (?), but she stayed silent.
There was a faint hint of resignation in her, but it was so subtle that I couldn’t be sure.
Anyway,
As I listened to their complaints, we finally reached the end of the long corridor.
The two men finally stopped talking and leaned against the exit of the corridor, appearing cautious as they checked what was outside.
Tired of their boring conversation, I stifled the renewed excitement rising within me, leaning against the wall just like them and peeking through the exit.
What came into view was a massive cavern.
It was a cavern dotted with various openings that led elsewhere, much like the passageway we were hiding in.
In its overwhelming and almost dizzying center,
There was a column that seemed to be designed for something to be inserted, and nearby, the silhouette of a humanoid figure could be seen tending to a bonfire.
For someone like me with a little time on my hands, it was clear what the situation was.
If something was inserted into that ant-farm-like structure ahead, I had the strong hunch that the round platform where the device was installed would float upwards.
That would be the standard procedure, right?
I wanted to share my brilliant deduction with them, but alas, I lacked the ability to speak.
“My guess is─”
Unfortunately, Park Jin-soo usurped my brilliant deduction, saying exactly the same thing I had thought, without changing a single syllable.
He stole my thunder.
My goodwill towards him dropped by about -15.
Bad uncle.
