◈ Episode 223

I realized numerous changes.

The flash that seemed to burn the retina was nowhere to be found. Only a bluish fluorescent light dimly illuminated the dark room. Instead of moisture, the surroundings were filled with dry air.

Kim Yi-hyeon looked down at his calloused palms and then raised his gaze. A half-destroyed subway car was parked in front of him. He clicked his tongue and stepped inside the car.

A person was sitting on a chair with a torn seat.

"What a shitty production."

"As expected, you're quick to grasp the situation."

"The first thing you notice when you come to Polaris is that."

Kim Lee-hyeon sat down across from him.

"I can tell just by looking at this subway and your face."

"You call your own face a face?"

A familiar face smiled brightly. Kim Lee-hyun, wearing a coat, looked young and neat. In other words, he looked like a fool, completely devoid of any sign of his usual training.

Kim Yi-hyeon realized that it was some entity or will that had sent him to Polaris. It wasn't something that was surprising at all. He had felt its presence several times up until today.

As expected, he was an unlucky child.

"I'll leave it to your interpretation of where this is."

The guy shrugged.

"We may have come to Tulavia without knowing it, or it may be a cyberspace indistinguishable from reality. In fact, it may be somewhere on Earth, and it may be a set made to look infinitely similar to Tulavia."

"I'm not the type to talk like that. Just get to the point."

"To put it simply, isn't it the destination?"

A soft voice flows.

"It doesn't mean your life is over, but at least from here on out, there are no twisted rails. You've come a long way, and from here on out, you have many choices."

"Choice."

"Is there anything you want to ask me before that?"

Something I want to ask.

There's no way it won't happen.

I wondered if he was the one who threw an ordinary office worker, a gambler, into Polaris without warning. I was curious about his identity, and I also wanted to know about this place that exists somewhere between a game and reality.

I wanted to know.

If I ever meet the culprit of this drift, I want to shake his collar and shout, Why did you bring me to this world, why do you make people kill, why do you have to make them die, and if I don't save them, they die.

But I'm not sure about now.

"I already know most of it."

These are just thoughts of the past.

"Yoo Da-hee's arrival was decisive. The theory that there were many other 'Polaris' other than the ones I didn't know about was disproved with that. Surely it wasn't a malicious dream."

"hmm."

"There are only two Polaris. One on the screen I knew, and two here now. If we follow the chronological order, this would be the starting point. Nana and Yu Da-hee would be drifting."

It was a certainty beyond guesswork.

The 'characters' I've interacted with so far were the clearest evidence. Asterike and Chelsea, the professor and Kushan, and Leila are not just a collection of data.

"I was curious about one more thing. Why me of all people."

The reason why he was chosen among many users. It was a grievance that had been pent up in Kim Yi-Hyeon's heart for a long time. However, even that has now been resolved refreshingly.

"You chose me too."

The fact that he had reached this point was the most certain answer.

"I can assure you that no one else could have done it like I did."

After saying that, he got up from his chair.

"You said it was a choice. Let me tell you what I want."

A pistol was created in Kim Lee-Hyeon's hand.

I looked down at the guy with my gun pointed at him.

"Don't ever show up in front of me again."

His eyes sparkled brightly.

"Don't you dare spy on me for even a second. Don't you dare send me a shitty message. The moment you start to think of me as a stranger, I'll do everything I can to find you and kill you."

"...."

"I live here. You are the main culprit who cheapens my reality."

The eyes looking up at him had turned pure white, as if they had cataracts. To Kim I-Hyeon, he was nothing more than a monster, wearing someone else's mask.

"You'll regret it."

"Of course, you piece of shit. But that's none of your business."

Even regret is exclusive to 'me'.

Sometimes, in a moment of everyday life, you suddenly miss your hometown.

Whether you are tired of fighting or thirsty for food and entertainment.

On days when you accidentally make a mistake and end up cursing today's choice and Polaris - there is no room for other people's opinions to interfere, not even as much as an ant's tears.

"I see."

The guy laughed bashfully.

"I like that about you, Hyun."

"What a coincidence."

The hammer goes down with a cracking sound.

"so do i."

The moment the trigger is pulled.

Once again, the view changed.

It was the night sky.

Light was breaking down from countless stars. Starlight poured down on the ruins, seemingly embracing the past stained with error, the difficult present, and even the unstable future.

A splendid landscape that will leave you breathless for a moment.

The ash that had painted the world had now been washed away as if it had been washed away.

"...It's beautiful."

I heard a voice muttering, wondering if I had sneaked out. When I glanced to the side, I saw Leila staring blankly up at the sky. With eyes that sparkled like stars and a colorful human expression.

Kim Yi-hyun checked his hand just as he had done on the subway platform earlier. His completely mutated body had returned to its original state. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.

'Is it molting?'

What a crappy naming sense.

I was grumbling inside.

Toodoodoodoo!

The sound of a helicopter was coming from far away. Kim Yi-hyun and Leila turned their heads in the direction of the helicopter and looked at each other. And almost simultaneously, their shoulders slumped as if they had lost their strength.

"Somehow, I feel very tired."

"How can you not get tired? You've been rolling around so hard."

"I think I'll never forget what happened today, in so many ways."

How long will Leila's life last? The process of watching it will also be a form of entertainment. As long as Kim Yi-hyun's lifespan allows.

"Then shall we go back?"

It was the end of a disaster and the beginning of a new era.

* * *

It was a historic turning point.

The disaster began hundreds of years ago, and has been a serious threat to humanity's survival since 48 years ago, but it has now become a 'past that has been overcome.' The pollution that devastated the continent was purified day by day, and cracks were no longer seen.

Of course, not all problems could be solved. There were already mutated parasites lurking all over the continent. They were still considered to be bomb-like beings.

The wounds left on the continent by the disaster and the cracks were deep. Blood was still flowing from the scratch marks. It would take a long, very long time for the wounds to be stitched up.

The initial work of reconstruction was going smoothly.

― Having overcome long-standing threats, we stand before a new threat.

― It is a fight that we have forgotten as we struggle to survive.

― We, who have lived in isolation for nearly 50 years, will need emotional and material exchanges. As a representative of Harrenhal, I would like to contribute to peace… … .

As the indiscriminate disasters subsided, exchanges between nations resumed. This was largely due to the efforts of Chancellor Harrenhal, who visited various countries every day and gave speeches.

"That gentleman really works hard."

"It must be to take the lead in the international community in the future. It seems to be going as intended. There are people here and there who believe in Generalissimo Kluivert."

"It's already a headache. There are so many polar opposites."

Even though there were security issues, it was undeniable that the President had a big role to play. With Shiran already having a headache taking charge of his own country, it was difficult to find another suitable person.

Kim Yi-hyeon took his eyes off the TV and looked at Kushan.

"How are you guys?"

"If it's Lab, it looks like it's quite busy. I heard that it's focusing on developing a vaccine for parasites in cooperation with Ishrad. Thanks to the professor, it seems like progress is faster than expected."

"Why are you talking like it's someone else's business?"

"Even though I'm the manager when it comes to other people's work, my actual involvement is minimal. When it comes to cooperating with external parties, it's hard for me to get involved. Think of me as an old man in the back room."

The status of Cellbrox Lab was rising endlessly. However, the stronger the light, the darker the shadow. The lab was still overflowing with suspicions, and amidst the flood of rumors, they remained silent.

It was the professor's way of taking responsibility. The professor was leading the research team and working hard to rebuild the continent. However, she maintained her attitude as a researcher.

"It looks like Leila is doing well."

Leila officially took over as director of the research institute.

There are no worries like before. The lab led by Leila will stand in the position of a thorough savior. Instead of guns, they will hold pens, and instead of bulletproof vests, they will wear gowns and save countless lives.

I received several offers, but I turned them all down.

It was a job that did not suit Kim Yi-hyun's temperament at all. The existing friendly relationship will be maintained, but there are no plans to merge or take responsibility for the lab. Of course, who knows what will happen in the future.

"So how long are you going to be unemployed?"

"The expression 'freeloader' is awkward to hear."

He said with his own mouth that he was an old man in the back room, so what the hell is he talking about?

"I want to help out with rap from the outside. There are some people I haven't seen in a long time. I've grown attached to the name Kushan, but I think it's time for me to make a change."

"okay."

"Does Dustborne have any plans for the future?"

Dustborne's external operations team returned to Cilicia.

As always, it's a bustling city full of conspiracies.

"It's a plan."

Kim Hyun-i, who had her chin raised, changed the channel using the remote control.

- Breaking news.

― A body was found on Rotine Street this morning. The body, which was discovered around 3 a.m. following a report from an anonymous informant, was so badly damaged that it was unrecognizable.

― According to the police announcement, there were bloody scissors at the crime scene. Judging by the bizarre murder method, the police concluded that the crime was committed by the same murderer as the previous two cases.

― There is currently no additional evidence secured… … .

"Oh my. The world is ending."

"Sometimes I see it as a really scary neighborhood."

"Sometimes it's fortunate. It's just like this every day."

Beep!

While I was watching the news, my phone rang at just the right time.

The caller was Congressman Kabak.

It was obvious what he was talking about even without hearing it.

"I knew it. You tax thieves."

"Is it work?"

"Uh. I guess I should go."

Even though the main episode is over, Dustborn has plenty of work to do. In any world, in any era, there are crazy people. The Continent needs a strong deterrent.

That's a role that Cellbrox Labs cannot shoulder.

Kim Yi-hyeon received the request from Kabak and called the worker.

"Asterique, it's work. Chelsea isn't answering the phone."

- Oh, yeah. Since you're next to me, I'll take you?

― No, you said it was a vacation! When are you going to tell me to rest…!

"Do you want to play at a time like this? The citizens are trembling, huh?"

A deep sigh of "Shit" came from the speaker.

- Okay, let's see what kind of kid you are.

"Yeah, yeah. That's what I'm saying, show your enthusiasm."

Kim Lee-hyeon took his pistol and left the office building.

The automatic doors opened and the bustling city of Cilicia unfolded before our eyes.

"Hey! Here, uh! Eww...!"

"I told you to buy it in moderation! Pick it up quickly. As long as it doesn't take more than 3 seconds, it'll be fine."

"What are you talking about, Chelsea? No matter how much I eat, I don't eat bread that's fallen."

"What the hell. You're the one who spilled it."

A street where people of all kinds come and go, day and night.

A city that is both gloomy and gorgeous, ugly and infinitely beautiful.

"What are you doing now? You're like gold diggers."

Even in this world, we will continue to survive.

END.

"Surviving as a 1-star in Manggeom" Complete