Starting the Paid Service (3)
People reacted differently after the dokkaebi disappeared. Some people tried to get out of the train while others called the police.
Yoo Sangah belonged to the latter group. “Police, the police aren’t answering! What, what should I...”
“Calm down, Yoo Sangah-ssi,” I said, staring straight into Yoo Sangah’s unfocused eyes. “Yoo Sangah-ssi. Have you ever played the game that the development team made? A game where the world is destroyed and only a few people survive.”
“Huh? What are you say...”
“Think about it. We are in a game right now.”
Yoo Sangah silently licked her lips. “Game...”
“It is simple. Don’t hesitate to do as I tell you. Understood?”
“U-Understood. What should I do?”
Finally, I slowly controlled my breathing. I too needed time to properly accept all of this.
[Three Ways to Survive in a Ruined World]
The descriptions that existed only in the novel were now unfolding right before my eyes.
「The dokkaebi stretched out its antenna. 」
「 The bodies scattered like trash in the carriage. 」
「 The bloodied office worker shaking. 」
「An old lady groaning in her seat. 」
I watched every scene intently. It was like Neo in the Matrix, who suspected reality. Observing, questioning, and then eventually being convinced... I had to admit it. I didn’t know the reason why, but there were no doubts about it.
‘Ways of Survival’ had become a reality.
Let me think... How should I survive in this new world?
“Come on, everybody! Everybody calm down. Start breathing calmly.” Someone stepped forward exactly five minutes after the dokkaebi disappeared.
He was a sturdy man with short cut hair, one head taller than the average height.
“Are you calm yet? Please stop your actions and pay attention to me for a moment.”
The people sobbing or making calls stopped. Once everyone’s eyes were gathered on him, the big man opened his mouth again, “As you know, in the event of a national disaster, small disturbances can cause large human casualties. That’s why I will now control the situation.”
“A national disaster situation? What are you saying?”
Some people belatedly recovered and strongly resisted the world ‘control.’ Then the young man pulled a government official card out of his wallet. “I am currently an army lieutenant serving in the 6502 unit.”
Some people’s faces became relieved. “A soldier, he is a soldier.”
However, it was too early to be relieved.
“I just received a message from my unit.”
People gathered in front of the soldier’s smartphone. I was able to read the contents without difficulty because I was near it.
–A level 1 national disaster situation has occurred.All troops gather quickly.
I could hear gulps all around me. It was a national disaster situation. I wasn’t surprised because I had already expected this. In fact, I was surprised because of something else.
Army lieutenant Lee Hyunsung... That ‘Lee Hyunsung’ was this man.
I knew who he was. It was the first time actually seeing his face, but his name was clear in my head. He was one of the main supporting actors of Ways of Survival.
「 Steel Sword Lee Hyunsung. 」
A character from the novel had appeared. Now I really had to acknowledge the situation.
“Soldier-nim! What is happening?”
“I have been trying to contact my unit, but...”
“The Blue House! What is the Blue House doing? Please contact the president quickly!”
“I’m sorry. I am just an ordinary soldier and don’t have a hotline to the Blue House.”
“Then why are you taking control?”
“For the sake of the safety of all citizens...”
As Lee Hyunsung calmly responded to the absurd questions, I realized that the descriptions in the novel weren’t wrong.
However, did Lee Hyunsung originally appear ? While thinking about these complicated questions, I had a strange hunch.
As the only reader of Ways of Survival, I could assure you that Lee Hyunsung’s first appearance wasn’t . The point at which he appeared in the novel was at the end of the first scenario.
...Then what was this situation? My mind became confused. I would know more clearly if I could read Ways of Survival once again.
“The prime minister is making a speech! It is really a level one disaster!”
Everyone turned on their smartphones at someone’s cry. Yoo Sangah turned her screen toward me. “...Dokja-ssi, look at this.”
There was no need to enter a search term. It was because the first result for all portal sites was ‘Prime Minister’s Speech.’ Of course, I already knew the content of the video.
–To all my fellow citizens,unidentified terrorists are currently active in an unspecified number of areas, including Seoul.
The contents of the speech were simple. The current government would mobilize all means and methods to fight the terrorists, and there would never be any negotiations. Thus, everyone should confidently continue with their lives...
I hadn’t thought much of it when I read the novel, but now I was a bit shocked when hearing those words. Terrorism... Yes, that would be more comfortable.
“But where is the president? Why is the prime minister making the speech?”
“The president has already been hit.”
“I’m not sure. A Naver comment―”
“Shit, then it is fake!”
Of course, I knew it wasn’t a fake comment.
People dropped their phones as gunshots were heard from all over. It originated from their smartphones.
Chiiiik, there was a loud sound, and blood filled the screen. After a moment, people held their breaths as they realized what had happened.
“P-Prime Minister...”
The prime minister had died. His head had exploded in real-time. There were several more sounds like gunfire before the screen became silent. The next thing that appeared on the screen was a dokkaebi.
[Everyone, I’ve told you already. This isn’t a game like ‘terrorism.’]
People were at a loss for words as their mouths gaped open like dumb goldfish.
[Do you still not understand? This won’t do. Do you still feel is a game?]
It felt so ominous because his tone was so relaxed. Subconsciously, I made a fist using all my strength.
[Haha, according to the data, the people of this country are very good at games. So, why don’t I try raising the difficulty?]
Beeep. A huge timer appeared in the air. At the same time, it started decreasing rapidly.
[The remaining time has been decreased by 10 minutes.]
[There are 10 minutes remaining.]