Chapter 937

EP.937 Part 2 Chapter 8-21

<Meanwhile, Somewhere in New Seoul>

Inside a dimly lit traditional Korean house.

At the back of the room, where it looked like someone was meditating with legs crossed, a woman silently monitored her screen.

On her monitor, the bold name “Yu-Sung” was prominently displayed as she sipped Sikhye at her side while browsing through internet pages.

“Everywhere I look, it’s just talk about Sun Icheol’s package.”

The woman sighed deeply.

Politics, economy, society, culture, and even entertainment news – all sections were filled with comments discussing Sun Icheol’s certain important part.

To the point that some netizens were making jokes using chili peppers to spell out:

“Sun!”

“I!”

“Cheol!”

Clearly, an unknown organization was spreading black propaganda against Sun Icheol.

But then…

“…If it’s true, it’s not libel.”

Filing a defamation lawsuit would likely backfire due to factual accuracy rather than false claims.

The woman grew increasingly annoyed by the relentless online activity of these people.

However…

Their actions were indeed helping her and her family significantly.

“…All for the sake of the Baek Family.”

Lady Baek Hee-a clasped her hands over her chest and nodded.

“Miss.”

A man dressed in Joseon-era military attire approached from behind.

Baek Hee-a closed her browser window and turned her head.

“What is it?”

“We’ve received a message from Seoul. It’s a letter sent by ‘Lady Ha.'”

“Her? Hmm, even if she’s called Lady Ha, still being the daughter of…”

As Baek Hee-a reviewed the letter, her brow furrowed.

“…This isn’t something Lady Ha orchestrated? Really?”

Baek Hee-a chuckled bitterly at the contents.

“…A Commander pulling the strings?”

* * *

It has been 13 years since monsters occupied Seoul.

In 2025, Seoul’s infrastructure lies in ruins.

An SS-Rank Monster resides in Seoul City Hall, and the subway lines have become desolate wastelands – this is the state of Seoul in 2025.

Yet Seoul hasn’t completely transformed into a nuclear crater devoid of everything.

Sometimes monsters use existing buildings and apartments as hiding spots, complicating efforts to exterminate them.

Monsters didn’t invade Seoul to destroy infrastructure.

Most destruction came from monsters hunting humans, territorial disputes between monsters, or collateral damage during Sun Icheol’s Seoul Recovery Operation.

Surprisingly, some pre-2012 infrastructure still remains intact.

People risking detection by monsters search abandoned subway stations for food and supplies.

They stay underground partly because countless monsters block escape routes, but also because venturing outside Seoul could lead to execution by humans.

“Sun Icheol’s lackeys are hunting humans.”

Officially, no humans should exist in Seoul.

If anyone escapes?

They’re marked for death.

Thus, those remaining in Seoul try to survive using whatever resources they can find.

“XP in 2020?!”

“It’s fine since Minesweeper works.”

“How about StarCraft?”

“Check the wires first. Connecting a port might work.”

Though power lines are cut, hardware often survives. Even decade-old software without network access proves useful.

“Damn it! Stop using four drones!”

“What? You use five drones more than anyone else!”

“Fair point.”

“How can we live playing Python code for ten years? Make a new map already.”

“Should we create a PAM file?”

And so on…

“Anyone got a good keyboard?”

“People went to Guro Station and swept up all keyboards and mice. Monsters don’t use computers after all.”

“Will changing your keyboard improve your StarCraft skills?”

Underground residents gather such items and bring them down.

“Such a shame. If only it wasn’t the Week of Blood, so many game companies would’ve released AAA titles…”

“With monsters rampaging and heroes everywhere, how could game companies easily release games?”

“Well, last time we raided a PC room… Whoa! Diablo!! …Wait, it’s just a decorative case!”

Power lines?

“Can Magic Power supply Full Strength?”

“Don’t know. We should try anyway.”

“Anyone here with Pyrochu powers?”

“Looking for someone skilled at Pokabu Volleyball?”

Underground dwellers utilize old hardware powered by magical energy.

“Excuse me, sir, could you lend me some magic power to turn on the computer?”

“Are you treating me like some kind of generator?”

“Damn it, that guy called me a StarCraft noob!”

“What’s your race?”

“Protoss.”

“And him?”

“Terran.”

“Follow me. I’m one of the legendary eighteen dragons from back in the day.”

“No way. Instead of wasting time gaming when using magic-powered computers, why don’t you write a diary in Notepad?”

Even without internet, they spent thirteen years utilizing installed software or recording their lives in text documents.

“But I’m writing essays, not keeping a journal.”

“Honestly, what other functions does a disconnected computer have besides gaming?”

“At least practice typing!”

Though actual usage might occur only two or three times a month, most activities remain analog-style akin to the 1960s.

Yet despite living like this for years, underground residents haven’t entirely forgotten modern lifestyles.

“Man, they play StarCraft 2 in New Seoul!”

“Ignore him. Hey, why are you pushing zealots already?”

“Cheater map? Where does this guy live? Jongno Station? No way, living under an SS-Rank Monster’s rear doesn’t give you permission to cheat!”

“O O O”

Especially after Sun Gyeoul became queen of the underground, life resembled the 1980s and 1990s more than the primitive 1960s.

“Who’d have thought DLC would apply like this?”

Criticism arose regarding the overly primitive lifestyle of those who lived underground in Seoul.

While their ways seemed disconnected from civilization, they were merely lagging behind.

If moved to New Seoul, though initially struggling, they could quickly adapt to modern life.

Lack of infrastructure.

Distance from civilization.

Limited network access.

Solve these issues, and they could rapidly adjust to the modern magitech era.

So how could they swiftly reintegrate as modern Koreans?

“Who’d have thought my twenty years with the Blue Wind Sect would help like this?”

He gathered villains from the Blue Wind Sect and employed a unique method that left me impressed.

“Within two months, these underground cave-dwellers transformed into civilized individuals.”

The method was simple.

Phoenix distributed internet access to members of the Blue Wind Sect.

Providing only computers, internet, keyboards, and mice.

Using magical gear networks manipulated by magic power, avoiding detection by Sun Icheol.

Simultaneously, Phoenix and the Blue Wind Sect aggressively promoted their agenda within Seoul.

“Hey, aren’t we safer because of Lady Phoenix?”

“Yeah, so where’s proof Lady Phoenix killed Light Blade? What evidence exists?”

“Sun Icheol’s package is only 3cm!!!”

Indeed.

Since Seoul’s retreat in 2012,

StarCraft running on Windows XP and 7 became the foundation of their gloomy underground existence. Playing StarCraft powered by magic became both folklore and a source of vitality.

Through this process, underground residents developed unbelievable skills.

“SunCockThree! SunCockThree! SunCockThree!”

“Sun Icheol definitely used artificial insemination.”

“What? Supporting the 3cm claim?”

Tap tap tap tap tap tap tap.

After acquiring the Cube,

We ascended to Seoul and provided underground residents with an opportunity to vent their anger towards Sun Icheol.

“SunCockThree! SunCockThree! SunCockThree!”

Rage against Sun Icheol.

Hope of returning to the surface.

Keyboard-based insult techniques honed through years of StarCraft.

Long-suppressed grievances unleashed all at once.

Combined, these factors created warriors fueled by rage against Sun Icheol, diligently typing away.

“I’ll bet my parents resting in Yeouido Station that Sun Icheol’s package is 3cm. Bring it on if you’re scared.”

“Sun Icheol will probably use High Mega Cannon in Zerg form.”

Ah.

These are the Keyboard Warriors.

Armed with malicious rumors and facts, the strongest unit in the ocean of information.

Anonymous masked crusaders wielding keyboards to launch mental assaults that no hero could withstand.

During the twenty years on Earth, the Blue Wind Sect utilized them to sway public opinion in their favor.

Though Phoenix avoided outright character assassination even in this alternate reality,

This is a game.

And the target is Sun Icheol.

“Sun Icheol equals ESC. Measuring from the end of the keyboard, his package barely reaches ESC.”

“Why defend Sun Icheol’s package? Are you perhaps…?”

Ah.

Just how far can human malice reach?

Through this game, I witnessed its extent indirectly.

‘keyboard warriors are terrifying.’

Sun Icheol.

He faced the onslaught of public opinion from Seoul’s underground residents.

A bombardment of facts from 300,000 Seoul underground refugees.

“To be fair,”

As a ruler of a nation, a world deity,

“If the king’s package is 3cm, it’s embarrassing for the entire populace.”