◈ Episode 180

Thanks to the active work of the National Assembly and the police, new information was coming in every day. Although the investigation itself was progressing smoothly, there was not only hopeful news.

It has become clear that larvae are circulating in the city.

This means that there may be infected people inside the city. This is a serious problem. Not only are the infected people potential parasites, but their mere presence affects the city's pollution level.

So, a murderous atmosphere lingered in the shadows of Cilicia. The security forces were blazing hot guns, rummaging through the underworld. Even companies that normally walked the tightrope between legality and illegality were cautious.

The back alley was as quiet as a mouse.

There was an issue that heated up the sunny side of the city.

"Event match?"

"Yeah. You have to come see it. No matter what happens!"

"Yeah, yeah. Of course I should go."

Asterike strongly urged him to take the ticket. He had a firm attitude that he would refuse. He seemed determined to resist even if he showed any sign of hesitation, so Kim Yi-hyeon could only nod.

"When are you doing it?"

"There are still about three weeks left."

"I'm running late with my schedule."

"I thought I had to drag it out and get the topic going?"

Is it because they plan to promote it in advance? There is a risk that the bait will cool down in the meantime, but if it is successful, the return will be a big strategy. If the game content is satisfactory, the topic will continue to be talked about.

"I understand your intention. What's the plan?"

"Paruparu Management? I don't know much about the company."

"Ah. Roscoe works there."

Kim Yi-hyeon's voice was mixed with trembling emotions.

"Why is that gentleman so anxious that he can't sell you?"

"Does it look like that? Hehe. I thought the same thing."

"But why did you accept it? If you didn't like it, you could have said so."

Roscoe is not the type of person to force himself on someone who doesn't like him. He may try to reason with them from behind the scenes, but he is the type to back off when they see him straight in the face.

In the end, Asterike gave the okay sign.

"I think it was a good experience when I talked about it seriously."

"...Aren't you being fooled? At this rate, I'm going to end up buying an electric blanket."

"Why, doesn't Hyun look like that?"

Kim Lee-hyun shrugged his shoulders at the sight of her fidgeting.

"I'm not saying it's not a big deal. If Roscoe lied to you, that would be a problem in itself. If you thought about it yourself and made the decision, of course I don't object."

I went back and forth looking at tickets that were several times more expensive.

"The idea itself is fine."

League players are also a profession that lives off of popularity. Although Asterique only played for one season and did not win the championship, many spectators still remember the impact he made at that time.

It might be a good idea to show your face once before you are forgotten in the industry. Even if you don't know what Asterike will do in the future, it would be nice to increase your options.

'What about me? What should I do after the episode is over?'

Going back to the modern office worker 'Kim Lee-hyun'? Just thinking about it makes me feel sick. Relationships, daily life, wealth, and fame. There are too many values ​​here to throw away now.

Assuming that we continue with our current life.

Where will I work, what will I do, and what will my life be like?

'I don't think it'll be any different from now.'

Will the world suddenly become brighter when the disaster ends? In any era and any place, there are bound to be conflicts and threats. Polaris is ultimately a world that requires guns and swords.

The Cellbrox Lab won't stop either. In the first place, what game would end its service as soon as the final chapter ends? Various side episodes will open after the main story.

'By then, game knowledge will be completely useless.'

In a way, it could be said that the real story of life begins only after the Polaris extra story. A thought suddenly occurred to me and I laughed without any reason. I became sentimental without knowing why.

"It'll be fun and bring back old memories."

"Right? I'm going to call all the trainees. I need to use this opportunity to show them how great I am."

"If anyone saw me, they'd think I already won. Who was my opponent?"

"Who was it? I don't know either."

"What? Roscoe didn't tell you?"

"I guess so. People do things sloppily."

When I asked over the phone later, I was told that they had already informed me.

I was worried about Asterike's intelligence, both in the future and right now.

* * *

As Asterique began to think seriously about the future, Chelsea also changed. It was a change that would surprise anyone who knew Chelsea, even if they were not close to them.

"…You quit gambling? You?"

"You? What do you mean by 'you'?"

"Don't you know yourself best?"

No matter how hard he glared at Kim Lee-Hyeon, he did not give in.

There are some issues that can be overcome and some that cannot.

"Look at your usual behavior. Do you look trustworthy?"

"That…! I have nothing to say…!"

I've heard Chelsea say she's going to quit gambling about 10 times. The first time or two, I pretended to be fooled, but now I'm at the point where I just think, 'He's going to do it again.'

But wasn't Chelsea just a beast?

"This time, it's really, really, really true."

"Yeah, I see. I'm rooting for you."

"It's true! I realized it after that incident. If I keep going like this, my life will be a mess. I need to get my mind straight! I need to stop gambling first!"

He let out a cheap slogan-like sound and clenched his fist. Chelsea, who had been burning with enthusiasm to an excessive degree, soon slumped her shoulders and smiled bitterly.

"It's a bit weird when your guardian is a gambling addict."

When the serious topic came up, Kim Lee-hyun also nodded his head.

"I thought about it carefully. I will sincerely support you."

"It's embarrassing that I have to receive support for something like this, but thank you anyway."

"I've heard that whether it's quitting smoking or drinking, setting a penalty is effective when doing something."

"Punishment? In what way?"

"For example, yes."

Kim Lee-hyun spread out three fingers.

"Three months pay cut."

"This crazy person again…."

"No, don't oppose it first. Think about it carefully."

Oil your tongue once.

"You're spending lavishly because you have some money left in your pocket. How can you gamble if you feel like you're going to starve tomorrow? Of course, you shouldn't go that far, but I'm saying that you have to take enough risk."

"For me, it's not a concept of consumption, but rather an investment?"

"As a result, it becomes a consumption."

He pointed out that he was only losing. Chelsea looked slightly hurt, but she couldn't refute him in the end. It seems that even if she looked back, she had nothing to complain about.

"Still, the pay cut is a bit."

"I'm not doing this because I feel bad about the money I'm giving you. I'm just trying to see if you're serious."

I even tried to provoke him gently.

"Or are you not confident?"

"…What did you say?"

"I decided to get along with my brother, but I can't stop gambling no matter what happens to me? Hmm."

bang!

Chelsea glared at him, her eyes trembling.

"No? That's not what I meant. Do it, do it."

"No, that's fine. Let's just pretend this never happened. What am I talking about when I'm the CEO?"

"Fuck, let's do it! Get three months and then three more! Let's just take a six-month pay cut."

Coming this far, I couldn't help but admit it.

Chelsea have reached a major turning point internally.

"Ha. Well. If you say it like that…."

As the president, I was determined to help.

* * *

Thud!

It was a heavy impact sound, not like hitting the mat. Yoo Da-hee, who was watching from the ring, frowned. Even though it was Leone who was thrown, her own back felt hot.

"Please do it again!"

But Leone suddenly got up and changed his posture.

It was as if Yoo Da-hee had really suffered in his stead.

"Isn't it too much these days?"

"It's okay. This much is easy!"

"So you're saying that even if I beat you up, it doesn't hurt at all?"

"Huh? No, that's not what I meant…."

Training resumed immediately.

Edwin, as a martial arts instructor, pushed Leone hard, beating him with punches, kicks, and sometimes even throwing him.

'Ugh. How gruesome.'

To Yoo Da-hee, it was more like bullying under the guise of training. Although they were both trainees, the intensity of the training she and Leone received was very different.

It was a distinction rather than discrimination.

'Even I can see that the talent is different.'

Yoo Da-hee was also the type to work hard in her own way. She didn't want to go back to the life of being swayed by a cup of coffee. She also liked the life of hanging out with the characters she liked.

But effort and achievement are not proportional.

It doesn't mean that Yoo Da-hee's talent is terrible. The seniors' evaluations were 'not bad'. They're not the kind of people who would pay lip service, so whether it's shooting or fighting, she's just average for beginners.

It's just that the comparison object is superior.

Leone had both hard work and talent. She excelled in every area she trained as a fighter. As she grew, her sense of accomplishment grew.

'Leone Ryan… .'

He is a complete combatant, not a spell-bun character. No matter how young he is, his talent cannot be hidden. One day, he will stand shoulder to shoulder with the main members of Dustborn.

I don't particularly feel inferior.

'There's something fun to watch.'

In the game, characters that were strong from the moment they appeared grow day by day. As a user, it was satisfying and sometimes touching. It felt like such efforts were hidden.

Working hard also provided me with healthy stimulation… … .

"Isn't it a bit much lately?"

"You're so mean when you look at people. You're even worse."

"Ouch!"

Yudahee was startled by the sudden voice.

"Oh, that's a surprise. What brings you here?"

"I came to check on your condition. Aren't you training?"

"I'm taking a break. It's a bit awkward to be stuck between those two."

"There's no reason why I can't join… hmm."

Kim Lee-hyun glanced at the ring and stuck out his tongue.

Despite the small commotion, Leone remained immersed. Of course, the difference in ability was obvious. It was inevitable that Edwin would be the one to watch, but even so, it felt like a real battle.

'It's worth giving up.'

Of course, this was a situation that was expected. Leone and Yudahee cannot be placed on the same level. Even though they were both ordinary people until recently, their innate abilities are different.

'Yoo Da-hee, how should I raise this child?'

I was trained as a trainee, but I didn't get the feel for it.

'My experience doesn't help much.'

From the first day he landed on Polaris, Kim Yi-hyeon was in a series of extreme situations. He gained experience and trained his mentality by forcibly clearing several stages that were impossible to conquer.

In contrast, Yoo Da-hee was full in many ways.

It may have been hard at first, but once I came to the city, I no longer had to worry about dying. I could worry about the crazy prices, but I didn't have to worry about survival.

'Perhaps this is a normal way of adapting.'

If you look at it up close, it's just frustrating. But if you look at it from a few steps away, it feels refreshing. It feels like observing a specimen that's similar to you but different.

How will we adapt if additional 'drifters' appear?

The two cases that exist right now are extremely different from each other. After checking how Yoo Da-hee grows, if it's too much of a waste, you can mix in 'Kim Yi-hyun's' growth method from next time.

'It would be difficult if you ended up like me.'

The spell of the drifter that has been confirmed so far is unique even among the entire Polaris. It is a problem if it becomes too strong after rolling and rolling. You never know what it might do when it gets out of control.

It has to be reasonably fast,

At the same time, it should be moderately invasive.

"It would be better to assign a dedicated instructor to both you and him."

"Yes? You don't have to do that because of me."

"No, this is all because of experience. I heard from Bryce that up until now, only those with sufficient experience have applied, but the company itself can train new agents."

Yoo Da-hee also understood the other side of the words. It meant that he was preparing a curriculum for the next drifter who might come someday. He was a person who was either kind or scary.

"But Asterike will be here soon?"

"Are you Senior Ast?"

"Astr? Have you become close friends?"

"Oh, that's it. I was so used to it that I called him that without realizing it, and he liked it."

"I see."

Kim Yi-hyeon nodded. Asterike is a person who is weak to the favors of others. However, he does not like flattery that is so obvious, like Noctane.

"He'll give me a ticket to come watch the game."

"Oh my. Are you talking about the league? How much do the tickets cost…?"

"I thought you'd like it. But I have a feeling he'd be uncomfortable."

Kim Yi-hyeon pointed to Leone, who was being beaten by Edwin, with his eyes. Recently, he had been watching closely to see what effect the last request had on Leone.

'The child has been poisoned.'

It has become excessively toxic. Although toxicity is a great driving force for growth, it needs to be moderated. There is no plan to turn Leone into a heartless killing machine.

"You take good care of yourself. Ventilation is important too."

"Oh, I understand. Just leave it to me!"

"Do your best. Just let the words 'Oh, really...?' come out of Asterike's mouth."

Yoo Da-hee tilted her head at Kim Yi-hyeon's request.

"Is Leone just an excuse and you're just worried that Ast-senpai might be disappointed…?"

"The speculation is interesting, but let's not cross the line."

"...yes."

Yoo Da-hee wrote a new sentence in the notebook in her mind.

Don't meddle in the relationship between the boss and Senior Ast.

It was the day I learned one thing about how to survive in Dustborn.