Luche had a somewhat persistent streak when it came to Gayun.
After all, there was nothing wrong with my left leg, and I had merely tripped once.
And yet, she had insisted on coming back to the clinic’s disinfection room to handle the treatment herself.
The damp cotton-like material touched my skin.
Despite feeling as if electricity had coursed through my body, I flinched.
An unfamiliar groan escaped my lips.
“Ow…!”
“I’m sorry. Your skin is so delicate here. What am I going to do if it scars? This might sting for a second.”
“I’m really fine… ow!”
People trip all the time, and minor cuts like this usually heal on their own if left alone.
Still, Gayun acted as though it were an emergency.
The touch was cool and slightly moist, yet not overly harsh, and the cotton swab cleaned gently near the wound.
Something seemed to be applied, though it was out of my line of sight.
“If you like, I’ll get you an extra one so you can replace it after your shower.”
“Thank… you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. This happened because of our daughter after all.”
Luche’s gaze briefly lingered on the nape of my neck.
I could see the reflection of my bare skin in her dark irises.
With the weather warming up, it was becoming impossible to remain fully covered even for someone like me, so I started wearing shirts that showed a little more of my neck and collarbone.
Thankfully, I haven’t injured myself in a way that leaves visible scars.
Still, Luche was staring for much longer than usual.
You might call it… sticky.
No trace of unpleasant intent or malice could be felt, but I’d spent a long time isolated, and prolonged eye contact always made me feel somewhat burdened.
Furthermore, Luche was someone I admired, so the feeling of being scrutinized was almost as if I were being stripped bare.
“Uh… Is there something on my neck?”
“Oh! Sorry, I was just marveling at how elegant and pretty the line is. Your skin is so clear.”
“Thank you…”
On that note, Luche’s skin was also exceptionally good. Maybe she uses minimal makeup, but her complexion still feels fresh, like someone who’s taken proper care over time.
Anyway, the treatment was done, and it was about time to head back. As I lifted the backpack I had brought, a strange creaking sound emanated from it.
A nagging premonition crept into my mind.
Good thoughts often go awry, and bad concerns tend to hit the mark.
Sure enough, when I opened the bag, an accident confirmed my misgivings.
“Ahh.”
“What happened?”
“It’s… the glass bottle broke.”
The glass container from the convenience store must have shattered inside my bag when I fell. My bag was now a mess due to the broken glass shards and drops of milk.
It felt as if I had lost a precious keepsake, so I felt a little down. I’d better just clean the shards out here. Back at home, I’ll thoroughly clean it—this bag can still be used.
I removed the wallet, the important documents, and the prescription medications from the bag, flipped it over, and shook it out vigorously onto the trash can. There wasn’t much stored inside as I didn’t carry a lot in my bag. What fell out, though, glittered—it was the shards of broken glass.
Luche, who had been quietly helping to tidy up, suddenly paused.
“Clonazepam?”
“Uh… I haven’t been taking it continuously; it’s something I was prescribed recently.”
“Yes. Da-eun, you’ll get better and better, I believe in you.”
Being cheered on naturally feels good.
I will do my best to become someone like you.
“Since we’re talking about it… you really love Invul, don’t you?”
“Yes, it’s fun! Congrats on your victory in the opening battle.”
“Thank you. Do you prefer any character builds?”
“Oh, uh. I go for Wizards—Fire Sorcerers, to be specific.”
A pang of guilt hit me for lying, but I couldn’t bring myself to say “Assassin.”
If I did, Luche might associate me with Gayol.
Our figure types almost perfectly matched, and our voices sounded alike as well. If it wasn’t because my headset microphone had a slightly reverberating tone or wasn’t exactly great in quality, I would have already been discovered a long time ago.
In truth, I sometimes feel like it wouldn’t even matter if I were found out.
But Luche is such an upright person, and I was slightly afraid. I could almost imagine her kind face turning to one of disdain, and it would hurt too much.
[You received a message: Infinity…]
“Anyway, I really appreciated the gift from last time. I already thanked you by text, but, I really wanted to express my gratitude in person.”
“Hmm. I did send it kind of impulsively. But it’s great to hear it was helpful!”
“To be honest, you don’t have to remember. Once I get better physically, and after the league is over and Luche can take it a little easier…”
Our eyes met awkwardly.
The timing was perfect as a notification popped up on my phone. I played with it slightly, letting my gaze drop, feeling slightly relieved as though my inner thoughts were hidden.
The message was probably just another advertisement.
Or one of those notifications about privacy policies that arrive without any warning.
Anyway, personal information of South Korean citizens isn’t worth much these days.
Names or identification numbers are traded at rock-bottom prices in the order of hundreds of thousands or even millions.
I just planned to skim through casually and dismiss it.
But as I moved to do so…
“Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing at all.”
Pfft. My hand went limp, and the phone slipped, only to catch it just in time to turn off the screen.
“…?”
“Uh, I just remembered something urgent. Do you mind if I go now?”
“Do you want me to give you a ride? Where to?”
“It’s fine. I’m fine, so… I’d like to go home alone today.”
—
—
[Non-Identifiable Access Device Usage Alert]
Hello, customer ‘Gawol’, this is the Security Team from Infinity Corporation.
We’re writing to inform you about the usage of a non-identifiable access device connected to your account.
Your device does not have a formal identification code, and while we found no evidence of illegal programs or irregularities upon reviewing the server logs, we estimate that the sensory assimilation rate applied is excessively high.
Under current regulations, virtual reality gaming providers prioritize your safety…
…
We’ll send security team members at your earliest convenience to inspect the device.
We plan to provide a detailed analysis of your device log, which will take 2-3 weeks.
Additionally, if there’s evidence of intentional tampering or damage to the logs, you might face penalties.
…
If sensory assimilation rates are too high, acute shock and other serious risks may occur.
If we cannot ensure your safety, we reserve the right to block services for this particular device, though alternative access through other devices will be allowed.
Given that the device has been in use for a considerable period and considering the temporary measures that may affect your arena participation, the account suspension action has been postponed.
—
—
It felt like the air was being squeezed out of my lungs.
At the desolate bus stop, I aimlessly swiped around my phone screen.
Despite the technical jargon, all the words eventually boiled down to one sentence in my head.
“I might not be able to play games with this device anymore.”
The part about the logs seems fine. I’m not using an official device, but that doesn’t mean I’ve ever cheated. If there isn’t some unknown problem, everything should be okay.
The issue lies with the sensory assimilation rate nearing 70%.
Sometimes people mistakenly believe it’s related to reaction speed, but that’s wrong.
If we imagine the connection between the character and your brain as electrical signals, sensory assimilation is more akin to the strength of the signal, while reaction speed depends on the signal’s travel time. Beyond a certain threshold of strength, there’s not much difference in reaction speed itself.
A high assimilation rate device isn’t a special tool—it’s more like a punishment frame for me. When the topic shifts to “safety,” things tend to take a bad turn.
– Examination results indicate no special abnormalities in the neck. Do you have any relevant guesses?
– As reported by the guardian, did you experience throat soreness and pain? Is that correct?
– Yes, upon arrival, I saw quite a commotion. The patient was even vomiting.
– The oral cavity is a very important part of the human body, though it is surprisingly delicate. Inserting foreign objects or indulging in rough actions is not advisable.
The first time I died, I suffered so much outside the machine that I even visited the hospital, even though it was just a clean death at a low level. It caused quite an embarrassing misunderstanding.
Common sense tells me that such machines aren’t safe. What if I ever take a severe hit on my left leg?
I can’t even guarantee I’d be able to take it.
The reason brainwave-based connection systems were eventually phased out of the commercial market is because of these risks. But… what choice do I have? It’s not like I’m doing this willingly.
Because of this non-functioning leg of mine—if I’m to execute the motions I want, this method is the only one left.
“Is… Is anyone there?”
In a daze, I scrolled through my phone’s contacts.
The list had been drastically thinned at some point in hysteria, leaving only a few names.
Mom. Dad. Master. Luche. Soobin. Sansa. Elderlyn. Dolgyul.
Not Luche. I didn’t want to lay this burden on the person I idolized.
And neither could Master be spared this responsibility, having sacrificed so much for me already.
Already, I had mentally eliminated two potential confidants. The remaining candidates were slim: Soobin was busy, and both Dolgyul and Sansa had work.
Without much deliberation, my hand dialed Elderlyn.
– Hello?
“Uh, sis, sorry for the sudden call. I, uh… well, I don’t know who else to call.”
– Hmm, it’s fine. What’s the matter?
“Uh… are you free to meet now? I know it’s sudden, but… uh… No, sorry. Sorry. I’ll just hang up…”
– Where should I come?
