I’m a Young God, Won’t You Raise Me? — Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Director: Goyo, there’s a coaching position available. Come by whenever‌‌ you want.

SGY:‌⁠ Player-nim, I’m Sagongyeon‍ from Day News. Would it be possible to do⁠‌ an intervie….

I turned on my⁠‍ phone screen to⁠ check the time,‌ and a notification‍ for unread messages‌⁠ appeared.

How‌‌⁠ much time had⁠ passed since I retired as a professional player, and‍⁠ people were still‍ calling me player-nim?‍

The‌ Director should have⁠ given up by‌ now, but he‌ kept contacting me persistently.

I lowered my gaze‍‍ to my hand‍ for a moment.‌⁠

It‌ was a hand‌‌ that, after the‍‌⁠ accident four years‌ ago, looked completely‍ normal on the outside and caused no problems in⁠ everyday life.

It⁠‌ was just that I could no⁠ longer continue as⁠ a professional player.‌

With‌‌‍ a familiar motion⁠‍ of my hand,‌ I swiped away‌⁠ the notifications and left only the⁠‌ push alert for⁠‌ the livestream.

It‍ was time for⁠‌⁠ my favorite M-Tuber’s⁠‌⁠ broadcast. I didn’t‌⁠ have any time‌ to waste on⁠ messages I wasn’t‌ even going to‌ read.

I turned on my⁠‍ computer, and as‍‍‌ soon as I entered the livestream,‍ the first thing I did was‍⁠‌ donate.

My‌‌ nickname and donation‍ message appeared prominently⁠⁠‍ in the chat.‍

The‌‍⁠ M-Tuber smiled broadly‍ as he called‍ out to me.‌‌‌

“Gunbam-nim, welcome!”

[Gunbam:‍ Hello]

My⁠ greeting was quickly‌‍ buried beneath the chats of the⁠ enthusiastic viewers.

[helpmehelpmepleasegetmeoutofherenicanttakeit]‍

[ican’tdoitanymorehihigihigikgikgikhik]

[imadeamistakeimadeamistakeimadeamistakeimadeamist]⁠

[imgonnadieaaahithurtshurtshurts]⁠‌⁠

[the?ending?how?theendingpleasetheending?]‌⁠

My‍‌ favorite M-Tuber’s stream⁠ didn’t have that‍‌‌ many viewers.

There‌ were only a few dozen, but‍ since they were‌ all loyal followers,‌ the chat was‌ far more active‍‍ than in other‍‌ streams.

Another‌ curious thing was⁠‍ that normally in‍‌ small streams, viewers⁠ tend to become⁠ friends with one‍ another, but here‍ nobody showed any⁠ interest in anyone‌‌ else.

Everyone‍ was far too‍ busy telling the⁠‍⁠ M-Tuber what they‌ wanted.

But‌‍‌ that was exactly‍ why I liked‌⁠‌ it. Since nobody‌ showed unnecessary interest, I felt much⁠‍ more comfortable.

“I‍⁠ was waiting only‌‌ for Gunbam-nim.”

[Gunbam:⁠‍‌ I was waiting‌ for the stream‍ too.]

More‌‌ than anything else, I genuinely liked‍‍ this M-Tuber.

I smiled shyly while⁠‌‌ typing in the‍ chat.

I debuted as a professional player at‌‍ nineteen and retired⁠⁠ after building a career that wasn’t⁠ bad at all.‌‌

It‌ was a forced‌‌⁠ retirement caused by‍⁠ an accident, and⁠⁠ after becoming unemployed⁠‍ overnight, I ended‍‌ up terribly bored.‌⁠

So‌‌ while looking for‍⁠‍ something to kill⁠ time with, I started playing video games.

I became obsessed with‌ all kinds of⁠‍ online games, and⁠‍ then I ended⁠ up becoming interested‍ in standalone games,‌‌ playing everything from‌‌ AAA titles to‍‌‍ indies without discriminating‍ against any of‍ them.

And‍ that was how⁠⁠ I came across an indie game‌‍ that perfectly matched‍⁠ my tastes.

I spent two entire‌⁠ nights without sleeping‍‍ to see every⁠ ending, and naturally‌‌⁠ I ended up‌‌⁠ looking for the‌ developer’s other games.⁠‌‌

Then, by chance, I even ended up⁠ finding the livestream‍ run by the⁠‌ creator himself.

That‌ was exactly two‍‌‌ years ago.

After⁠ becoming a regular‌‌ follower of the‍⁠‍ developer, I gained‍ an incredible privilege:‌⁠ testing games that‌ were still in⁠‍‌ development.

Since⁠ he was a solo developer, all‌ of his games‌ were indie titles‍‍ with pixel-art graphics.⁠

But thanks to the‍ creativity of the⁠‌‌ settings and stories,⁠ I could immerse‌‍ myself in them‍ more deeply than⁠⁠ in any other⁠ game.

Moreover, the genres were varied, so they⁠ never felt repetitive,‍‍⁠ and all of⁠ the games eventually‌ connected within one‍ enormous shared universe.‌⁠‍

The⁠ so-called Archive World.⁠

For‍‍ two years, I tested the games⁠ the developer gave‌ me and enjoyed‌ spending time inside‍‍ his world.

I wrote in the chat, excited to find out what⁠‌ kind of game‍ he had brought‍ this time.

[Gunbam:‍ The game you‌ gave me before‌ was really fun.]‍

“As‍‍ expected, I knew Gunbam-nim would manage to see the‌ True Ending.”

How‍ did he know‍ I had completed⁠ the True Ending?‍‍

I blinked for a moment.

But⁠ considering that he‌⁠⁠ knew perfectly well‍ that I spent‌‍ every night without‍‍‍ sleeping to see‌‍⁠ every ending in‍⁠ each game he gave me, it‌⁠‍ wasn’t that strange.‌

Putting‌‌‌ aside my doubts,‍‌ I asked:

[Gunbam:⁠ What game is‍‌ it today?]

Amid‌ the chat messages‌‍ the viewers were⁠‌ throwing around like‌ mad, the M-Tuber‌ managed to catch⁠ my message exactly‍‌⁠ and smiled broadly.‍

“Hmm,‍ today there isn’t‌ a game.”

Then‍‍ he suddenly moved‍ his face closer‍‍⁠ to the camera.⁠‌‍

His‌‌ face filled the⁠ entire screen, and before I realized‍‍ it, I leaned⁠‌⁠ my body back⁠ slightly.

The⁠⁠ M-Tuber whispered, his eyes shining with‍‌⁠ reflected light.

“And‌‌ from now on, there won’t be⁠⁠ any more either.”‌

I felt my heart‌ sink.

“There⁠⁠ won’t be any‍ more games?”

For⁠ someone like me,⁠‍‌ who had enjoyed countless games thanks‌ to that M-Tuber,‍‌‍ it was like‍ a bolt from‌ the blue.

Unlike‌ me, who had⁠‌ gone completely rigid‌ from the shock,‌‌ the M-Tuber seemed⁠‍⁠ excited today.

Anyone⁠⁠⁠ would think he‍ had just won⁠ the lottery.

[no?game?nogame?can?i?leave?getmeout?]‍

[iwanttoleaveimadeamistakepleasedontletmedie]⁠

[It’s‍‌‍ over already? How‍‌ boring.]

[finallyfinallydiediediediediedie]⁠‌

After‍ the bombshell the‍ M-Tuber dropped, the‌‌ chat exploded as‌‍ well.

I barely moved my‍⁠ fingers amid the⁠ flood of messages.

[Gunbam:‌ That’s a shame….‍‍ May I ask⁠⁠ why?]

“Because‍⁠ it’s finished.”

The⁠ M-Tuber spoke in‍‍ an incredibly relieved voice.

“Thank‌ you for all‌ this time. It‌‍ was thanks to‌ Gunbam-nim.”

Had he just said‌‌ he was going⁠⁠ to quit streaming?⁠

Would he continue making games? Or would‍‌‌ he quit development‍ as well…?

It‌ was common for‍‍ independent developers to⁠ abandon projects for⁠ various reasons.

But⁠ it was truly‍⁠ a shame. He‍‌ was a developer⁠ with genius-level talent.

Even‌‍ the viewers of⁠⁠ this stream adored‍‌ his games.

‘Couldn’t‍ he at least⁠⁠ release some of‌⁠ them in Early‌ Access?’

I,‌ who already knew‌⁠ he had several⁠ extremely high-quality games,⁠ bit my lips.‌

I tried to type⁠‍‍ another question to‍ ask for more details, but my‍⁠‌ fingers stopped.

It made no sense,‍‌ but I felt‍⁠‌ as though I had made eye⁠ contact with the‍ M-Tuber through the‍⁠⁠ screen.

The‍⁠ M-Tuber, staring directly‌‍‍ into the camera,‍ smiled as he‍‌ stretched his lips⁠‍‌ to one side.‍‍‌

At that instant, along‌‍‍ with a hot‍‍ sensation, blood started‌ flowing from my‍ nose.

“Ugh….”‌‍

My‌ eyes burned, and‍‍ a stabbing pain‌‍ began splitting my‍ head apart.

Was‌ it because I had stayed awake⁠⁠ all night and⁠‍⁠ come straight to watch the stream?‌‌⁠

As‍‌ I stood up‍ for a moment‍ to look for‍‌ tissues, I heard‍ a voice.

“Gunbam-nim⁠‌ is the best‌ viewer I’ve ever‌ known. If it’s‌‍‍ Gunbam-nim, you’ll be‌‍ able to do⁠ it. Because I found you and‍‍ confirmed it.”

I finally found a tissue, covered my‌ nose, and looked‌‍ back at the⁠ screen.

The‌‍ M-Tuber was still⁠‍ staring directly at‍⁠ the camera.

“From‌⁠ now on, I suppose I’ll be Gunbam-nim’s viewer.”

For‍‍⁠ a while now,‌ he had been‍ saying nothing but‌ incomprehensible things. I pressed the bridge⁠⁠ of my nose⁠ while hitting the⁠ keyboard with one hand.

[Gunbam:‌‍ I don’t understand‌⁠ what you’re talking‍ about.]

“I’m‍ excited. I’ve truly⁠‌ been waiting for this for far⁠‌‍ too long. Far⁠‍‌ too long, far⁠‌‌ too long, far‍‍ too long.”

At‍ this point, it‌ was impossible not to realize that the M-Tuber’s condition‌⁠ was abnormal.

He‍ didn’t seem drunk.‌ Surely he wasn’t‍⁠ telling me he‌‌ was on drugs…?‌⁠⁠

As a follower of‌‍ many years, I was about to type in the⁠ chat asking whether⁠‌‌ it might be‌‌ better to end‌ the stream for‌‍ today.

“Then,‌‌‍ shall we begin?”⁠⁠

He‌‍⁠ spoke my name.‌‍

“Han⁠ Goyo.”

A name I had⁠‍ never told him⁠‌‌ even once.

The‍ instant I parted my lips and‌ said, “Huh…,” the⁠‌‌ entire world distorted.

The‍ studio-style room that⁠ had been completely‌‍ normal just moments‌ ago began to‌‍ stain itself with‍ fluorescent patches of⁠ color and wrinkle⁠⁠ as though it‍‍ were melting.

Along‌ with a cheerful‌‌ notification sound, a system window appeared before my eyes.⁠

‘Han‌ Goyo’ reveals his‍‌ name to Akasha!⁠‌

Current⁠ Recognition: 0.01%

System⁠ windows containing unknown‌⁠⁠ content sprang up one after another,‍ covering my vision.‍

I confirmed the final‍‌⁠ system window and lost consciousness.

You‍ are the system⁠ of the planet‌ ‘Earth’.

***⁠‌⁠

The⁠‍⁠ sound of strings‌ echoed through a set of old speakers.

The‌‍⁠ constant static mixed⁠ with the drawn-out‌‍‍ notes irritated my‌ ears, and I frowned.

I let out a groan as I opened my eyes.‍

Before‍‍ me was a sight I had‍ never seen in⁠‌ my entire life.‌

Decorations⁠‌⁠ filled with bright‌ colors. Massive murals‌ painted with adorable‍ characters. Boxes of toy packages stacked‌ as high as‍‌ a Christmas tree.‍

No⁠ matter how I looked at it,‍‌ it was a place incredibly far⁠‌‍ removed from my small apartment.

It‍‍⁠ looked something like‌ a toy factory.‌

I pressed my temples‌ because of the⁠ slight headache that⁠ still lingered and⁠ looked around once‌‌ more.

There‌‌ was a huge‌ sign written in‌⁠⁠ a rounded font.⁠⁠

It⁠ was a phrase‍‍ that was far⁠⁠‌ too familiar. Even‍‍ as I looked at it, I found it hard⁠ to believe and‍ ended up reading⁠‍ it aloud.

“…?”‍‌

I hurriedly looked back at the character‍ mural I had⁠‍ seen earlier.

Welcome‍‌‌ to Happy Smile‌‍ Factory!

We⁠ are toy friends‌ who will make‌ you happy!

Let’s all say it together! Happy Smile!‌

The‍ children’s toys with‌‍ their adorable phrases smiled cheerfully.

A cold sweat ran⁠‌ down my back.‌

Because⁠⁠ this was .

A game created by‌‌‍ the developer I liked so much.‍

Had⁠‍‌ the developer kidnapped me and locked⁠ me inside a place modeled after‌‌ his game?

I considered the most⁠‌‌ reasonable hypothesis, even⁠‍ though it was‍⁠ still completely absurd.⁠

Who‍ would kidnap an‌ unemployed former professional‍ player? It was‍ a ridiculous waste⁠ of time.

I remained frozen in‌ the face of‌⁠ the unreal situation⁠‍⁠ before slowly getting⁠ up from the‌‍⁠ floor.

“…Wow.”⁠

As⁠‍ I stood up,‌‌‍ I saw the‍‌ clothes I was‍‍⁠ wearing and let⁠⁠ out an empty‍ laugh.

I was wearing the work uniform from‌⁠‌ .

On the chest of‍‍ the bright green⁠ uniform was a badge bearing the⁠‌ Happy Smile symbol.

Employee:‌ Gunbam

I scratched at the‍ embroidered badge with⁠‍‌ my fingers, but‌ it was firmly‌ attached and wouldn’t‌⁠⁠ come off.

I checked my pockets‍ in case there‌ was anything useful, but I found‍⁠ nothing except dust.⁠

Instead,‌⁠‌ there was a flashlight hanging from‍ a holster at⁠⁠ my waist.

It‌ was exactly the‍⁠ same beginning as‌ the game.

“This⁠⁠⁠ is insane.”

The‌ curse slipped out‌ of my mouth‍‍ on its own.‍ I ran a hand across my‍ face.

Happy⁠ Smile Factory was the first game⁠ from that developer‌‌ that I ever‍‍‍ played.

It‌‌ was about a player who woke‌ up inside a toy factory and‌‌ escaped while uncovering‌‌ his lost memories‌⁠ and the factory’s hidden secrets.

The‍ problem was the‌ toys.

The⁠‌ toys in this‌ place deeply hated‌‍ “adults.” Because of‌‍‍ that, they tried to eliminate any‍⁠ adult who entered‍‍ the factory without‍ permission—in other words,‍‌‍ the player.

So‌ if the situation⁠ was unfolding exactly‍⁠ like Happy Smile⁠‍ Factory.

I would have to‍‍ escape the factory⁠ while avoiding murderous toys.

If⁠ someone was crazy‍ enough to prepare‌ a factory of‍ this size, they⁠ had probably also‌⁠ prepared killers disguised‍⁠ as toys.

What⁠⁠ was I supposed⁠⁠‍ to do?

I tried to abandon‍⁠ the logic of‍ a normal person‍⁠ and think like⁠‍ a lunatic.

First,‌‌‍ I thought it⁠ might be best‌ to act exactly‌⁠‌ as in the⁠ game.

After‌ all, the objective‌ in the game⁠ was to escape‍‍ the factory.

I carefully began walking⁠ across the lobby.⁠‍ Just as I was about to⁠‌‌ enter the interior—⁠

Boooom!‌

A tremendous explosion erupted‌‌ from inside the‌⁠‌ factory.

‘Don’t‌ tell me the‍ toys have already‍‌‌ started moving?’

If that was the case, staying outside⁠‌ offered no benefit.‌

I jumped over the‌⁠ entrance turnstile and⁠ ran inside.

A cloud of dust⁠⁠ rose up, obscuring my vision. I quickly covered my‌‌ nose with my⁠⁠ sleeve while searching⁠ for somewhere to‍⁠ hide.

Then,‌ all of a sudden, I felt⁠⁠‌ something grab me⁠ by the neck‌ and lift my⁠‍ body into the‍‌ air.

“Kuugh!”‌

The‌⁠ sensation of hard‌‌ plastic squeezed my‍ throat, and I barely managed to⁠ struggle before the⁠⁠ other person quickly‍‌ dropped me onto‌ the floor.

I heard a confused⁠ voice.

“What the hell? A civilian?”

The‍‌ dust began to⁠ clear, and I could see the‍ person who had grabbed me by‍⁠ the neck.

She⁠‍ was a beautiful‍ woman with short⁠‌ hair, a small‍ frame, and sharp‌⁠‌ eyes.

Beside‍⁠ her was also⁠ a man wearing⁠ the same work⁠ uniform.

The moment our eyes⁠ met, a rectangular‌ system window appeared.‌

You‍⁠ have discovered ‘Mo‌ Haein’!

‘Mo‌‍ Haein’ is a registrable character. Would‍‍ you like to register her?