000: How it started

In 2020, the world was thrown into chaos by a global pandemic. People everywhere were forced to work from home, and companies struggled with the financial fallout—mine included.

I had just wrapped up my assignment when the assistant manager approached, handing me a small envelope.

"Shiyoon-ssi, Manager Kang asked me to give this to you," she said.

I frowned. "What is it?"

Her expression shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, Shiyoon-ssi, but starting today, you no longer need to come to the company."

My heart sank. "Did I make a mistake? This is so sudden... I still have bills to pay," I stammered, unable to grasp what was happening.

"Shiyoon-ssi, it's not you," she replied softly. "The company's been hit hard this year. Sales have plummeted, and the higher-ups decided to make some cuts. Unfortunately, you're part of that."

I stood there in silence, processing her words. It wasn't just me—this pandemic was dismantling everything, one piece at a time. Given our reliance on in-person services, it was a miracle the company lasted this long.

I looked at her, remembering our past interactions. Despite our professional relationship, Assistant Kim had always been kind to me. There was a flicker of sympathy in her eyes now, one I wasn't sure how to respond to.

"Thank you, Assistant Kim," I finally said, offering a faint smile. "Goodbye."

With nothing left to say, I packed up my desk. After slipping on my coat and a fresh mask, I stepped outside into the pouring rain.

As I walked along the sidewalk, umbrella in hand, I found myself lost in thought. How had everything changed so fast? High school, college, work—it all felt like a blur, and now, I had nothing.

The people around me moved mechanically, like lifeless machines going through the motions. No one smiled. No one seemed to care.

That's when I noticed her.

A woman in a white dress was walking just ahead, drenched in the rain, with no umbrella. There was something about her—an air of despair, like she was drowning in it.

Suddenly, I felt a sense of dread. It clawed at my chest.

"Wait!" I called out, my voice echoing in the empty street. She didn't stop.

And then, without warning, a delivery truck sped through the intersection. It struck her with a sickening thud, launching her into the air. Her body hit the ground with a gruesome crack, blood spilling across the pavement.

Time seemed to freeze. The driver paused for only a second, then drove off, disappearing into the rain.

I stood frozen, horrified, as the bystanders around me continued on their way, indifferent. It was as though the woman's life—her death—meant nothing.

What happened to us? I thought bitterly. The world felt colder, darker. Maybe the end had already begun.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the police, numb as I explained what had happened. After that, I just walked home, the image of her broken body burned into my mind.

When I got home, I tossed my coat on the rack and kicked off my wet shoes. My fridge was nearly empty, but I managed to find a few cans of beer. I popped one open and collapsed onto the floor, sinking into the soft mats.

The first sip of beer was comforting, dulling the edges of the day's horror. But reality quickly crept back in.

What now? The pandemic wasn't going anywhere, and jobs were scarce. Finding work in this mess would be near impossible.

I sighed and picked up my phone, hoping to distract myself with a gaming forum. But there was nothing new. The emptiness of the moment pressed down on me.

I opened another can of beer, settling in for a long, quiet night when my phone buzzed with a notification.

[Congratulations! Your number has been chosen as our first beta player!

Your game ID: 000

Would you like to accept this invitation? (Reply with /Yes or /Yes)

We will send you further notice once the asset is ready.

Sincerely, the developer team.]

"What the hell…?" I muttered, staring at the message. No option to decline? Was this some kind of joke?

Against my better judgment, I typed a quick reply. Just for laughs.

I'll admit, I didn't expect anything to come from it. But I had no idea how much that simple reply would change my life.

I had no idea it would doom me.