I’m a Young God, Won’t You Raise Me? — Chapter 21

Chapter 21

I snapped back to‌ my senses.

It‍ was because of‍‌‌ the sharp sound‌⁠ coming from Je Hyuno.

His⁠ metallic hand moved‌ slowly, waiting for‍ my answer.

I said what I had to say.‍

“…We‌ can clear the‌‌‌ Trial.”

Je‍⁠ Hyuno tilted his‍‌ head slightly.

Apparently,‍ he found it‍‌ strange that I was still saying⁠ it with such⁠ confidence.

Just⁠ as he suspected,‍‍‍ there was a high chance my⁠‌ words would end‍ up being a lie.

But‍ what did it‍⁠ matter?

By⁠‌ the time it‍‍‌ was proven I was wrong, we’d⁠‌ all probably have turned into zombies.‍⁠

Well,⁠⁠ everyone except Je⁠‌ Hyuno.

He‌‌‍ couldn’t be infected‌⁠‌ in Dead Zone Delivery.

For‍‌ a moment, I imagined Je Hyuno tearing me apart‍‌ after I had‍‌ become a zombie.‍‍

‘They⁠⁠‌ say zombies don’t feel pain, so⁠ I guess it⁠‍‍ wouldn’t be that‌ bad.’

That‌‌ helped calm me‍⁠ down a little.⁠

I started thinking about‍ the problem again‍ from the beginning.⁠

I had considered the‍‌ possibility that the⁠ researcher responsible for‌‌ developing the vaccine‌ might be injured.‌‌

However,‍⁠‌ unlike Mo Haein, I had never thought he might‌ have died.

Because‍‌ the Trials generally⁠⁠ followed the structure⁠⁠ of the game.‌

My‌ theory about the⁠ Trials was as‌‌ follows.

The‍‍ Trials are virtual‌ spaces created from‍ the World Archive‍‍ games that I played.

Every⁠ game has a minimum structure necessary‍⁠ for gameplay to‍ progress.

Based on those premises,⁠‌ I could only‍ reach one conclusion.⁠‍

The Trials also possess‍ a minimum structure‍‌‍ necessary for them⁠ to function.

During‍ the game, it⁠‍‌ was entirely possible‍ for the researcher⁠ to die after⁠ encountering the player.

‘That‍‌ was a Bad⁠⁠ Ending.’

But⁠‌⁠ for the researcher‍ responsible for developing‍ the vaccine to⁠‍ die before even‍ meeting the player⁠‍⁠ completely broke the game’s structure.

It‍ would be the‍⁠ same as Smiley,‌ the NPC from‍‌ HAZPAC, dying on‌‍‌ his own.

In⁠ other words, it⁠‍ was an impossible‍ situation.

It‍ was also unlikely⁠ that Je Hyuno⁠⁠⁠ had found the⁠‌⁠ researcher first.

He knew the conditions for clearing the‌ Trial, so he‍ had no reason⁠ to interfere with the researcher.

He‌ would have preferred⁠‍ spending that time‍ killing another zombie.⁠⁠⁠

Then‍ another question crossed‍ my mind.

Je‍⁠ Hyuno hated the⁠⁠ Trials.

He‍ also hated staying‌ inside them for‍‌ too long, so‍ he always tried‍⁠ to clear them⁠⁠ as quickly as⁠⁠ possible.

And⁠ yet.

Even‍⁠ though the current‍ situation seemed to⁠ make clearing the Trial impossible.

Je‌⁠ Hyuno was far too calm.

Knowing‌‌ his personality, he should have been‍ causing some kind‌ of disaster.

Instead,‌‍‍ he seemed to⁠ be enjoying himself.⁠⁠⁠

‘Je‍⁠ Hyuno can’t know⁠‍ something that I don’t.’

It⁠‌ was impossible to‌‌⁠ understand how that⁠ perfectly sane madman thought.

I set that question‍ aside for later.‍

I looked at the‍ researcher who had⁠ turned into a zombie again.

Then⁠ I noticed something‌ I had overlooked‌ before.

The‌‍‍ zombie kept relentlessly smashing its head‌‌‌ against the glass‍ door.

And‍ it was doing‍‍ so while completely‌⁠ ignoring us, even though Je Hyuno‌⁠ and I were⁠⁠ talking right beside‌ it.

That‍ could only mean‌‌ one thing.

It‌‍‌ had already locked⁠⁠⁠ onto a target.‌‌

I looked through the‌ other side of‌‌ the door.

At⁠‍⁠ first, the darkness‍ had prevented me from seeing her.‌⁠

But‍ there she was.⁠

A woman covered her‍‌ mouth with both⁠ hands as she cried silently.

With‍‍‍ tear-filled eyes, she‍⁠⁠ looked at me⁠⁠ while trembling.

She‌⁠ looked to be⁠⁠‍ about my age.‍‍‌

She‌⁠ was wearing a researcher’s lab coat.‌

And‍ hanging from her‌ neck was an‍⁠ ID card.

Lee Gaon

She‌⁠ was the indispensable⁠ condition for achieving the True Ending.⁠‌⁠

The‍ researcher’s younger sister.‍‌

Now I finally understood‌‌ the entire situation.‌

The‌‍ True Ending of⁠⁠ Dead Zone Delivery‌ consisted of developing‍⁠‌ the vaccine.

All‌ the other endings‌‌ simply ended with‌‍ discovering the clues‌‌‌ needed to create‌ it.

While⁠⁠ developing the vaccine‍⁠‍ with the player’s‍‌ help, the sole‍‌ surviving researcher constantly‌⁠‍ worried about his‍ sister.

Throughout‌‌‌ the process, he‌ talked about her‍‍ all the time.‌

He‍ said she worked‍‌ as a research‍ intern at the⁠‌ laboratory.

That⁠⁠ the two of them had lost‌‍ their parents at‌⁠ a very young⁠ age.

And‌ that he had‍⁠ practically raised her⁠ by himself.

Little‌⁠ stories like that.‌

However.‌

He‌ never gave the⁠ player a quest‌‍ to search for‌‍‌ her.

And‍ that was precisely‌ the trap.

The‍‌ player had to‍⁠ interpret those conversations‌ as clues and‍ find his sister‌ on their own.‍‍

It⁠‌‌ was a hidden⁠ quest.

If⁠‍ you managed to⁠ find her alive,‌ you could access the True Ending⁠‍ route.

But‌⁠ if the sister‌ had died or⁠ become a zombie,‌⁠‍ only a normal‍ ending was possible.⁠

Since⁠‍ Je Hyuno had⁠‌ been inside Dead⁠ Zone Delivery for‍ quite some time, I had been worried that she‍ might have died‍‍ during that time.

But‍⁠ the reality was‍⁠ different.

The⁠ one who ended‌ up turning into a zombie was the researcher himself.

Most⁠‌ likely, after Je Hyuno exterminated the‌ zombies in the⁠ laboratory, the researcher⁠ went out to‌⁠ look for his‌⁠ sister.

During that search, he must have reunited with the other⁠‌ surviving researchers as‌ well.

Eventually,‌ he managed to find her.

But⁠‍ afterward, he was‌ bitten by a zombie, and the⁠‍ other researchers abandoned‍ him.

‘And‌‌ they probably abandoned‌‌ his sister too, because they thought⁠‌⁠ she was no‌⁠ longer of any⁠⁠ use.’

After‌‌ being bitten and‍ left alone with‍‍‍ her, the researcher‍‌ had to make⁠⁠ a decision.

The‍ result of that‍ decision was the‍‍‌ exact scene before‍ me.

He‌‌ pushed his sister‍⁠‌ into the laboratory‌ director’s office, the‌⁠ safest place in‌ the entire building and, at the⁠‍‌ same time, close‍‌ enough to the outside to respond⁠⁠ to any situation.‍‍‌

Then‌ he tied up his own hands⁠ and feet.

And‌ gagged himself.

He‌⁠⁠ probably couldn’t bring⁠ himself to ask‍ his own sister‍ to kill him.‌⁠⁠

It⁠ was too cruel⁠ a request.

“Grrr…”‌⁠‌

The‍⁠ zombie, its head‍ completely mangled from‍⁠ repeatedly smashing it, hurled itself against⁠ the glass door⁠⁠‍ once more.

I suddenly remembered something⁠‌ the researcher had⁠‌ told me in‌⁠‍ the game.

“Mr.⁠ Gunbam, my little‍ sister is really‍ impossible. She doesn’t⁠⁠⁠ even call me⁠ ‘Brother’; she always‍⁠ calls me by‌⁠ my name. And‍⁠ whenever she gets angry, the first‍ thing she does⁠ is shout, ‘Hey!’⁠‌ at me.”

“She only became an‍‍ intern at the‍‌ laboratory because of‍ me if it⁠‌ hadn’t been for‍‍ me, at least⁠ she would have‍ been working somewhere‍ much safer.”

“It’s⁠‍ much smarter than I am. In fact, I already⁠⁠ asked for its autograph in advance.”‌

“I⁠‍ only hope it⁠⁠ stays alive. That‍‌ it can hold on at least until it finishes‌⁠ making the vaccine…”⁠

Naturally,⁠⁠⁠ I thought we‍ could still reach‍⁠ the Happy Ending,‌‌ just like in‌ the game.

For a moment, I wished I could‌⁠ start over.

But that was impossible.‍⁠‌

There‍ wasn’t enough time‍ to re-enter the‌‌‌ Trial, and besides,‌⁠ if we cleared‍ it by another‌ method, Mo Haein,⁠‍ being infected, would‌ be executed.

‘I‌‌‌ wish this were just a game.’‌‍

Then‍⁠ I would simply⁠ leave and start‍⁠ over from the⁠⁠‌ beginning.

As‍⁠⁠ I thought about‍‍ something impossible, a chill ran down‍ my spine.

Je⁠ Hyuno, who was standing beside me,‍ had raised his‍ metallic hand to⁠‌⁠ finish off the zombie.

“Lieutenant‌⁠ Colonel Je Hyuno,‍⁠‍ please wait a moment.”

I stepped in front⁠ of him.

Blocking⁠⁠ the young woman’s⁠‍⁠ view of us,‍ I said,

“That‍ researcher is an important NPC for‍ clearing the Trial.‍‌‌ She’s the sister‍‍ of the researcher‍ who’s supposed to⁠ develop the vaccine.”‌‍

Looking‌⁠ at my reflection‌ in his black‍ goggles, I continued.‍‌

“Even⁠⁠⁠ if he’s a zombie now, if you kill her‌ brother in front‍‌ of her, she⁠‍ might become hostile‌ toward us.”

Fortunately,⁠‌ Je Hyuno listened⁠ to me.

Not‍ because he particularly‌ trusted my judgment,‍‍ but because he⁠ seemed curious to‍ see how I would resolve the⁠⁠ situation.

With‍‍‍ his help, I tied up the‍ researcher who had become a zombie⁠‌ even more securely.

Then‌ I knocked on⁠⁠‍ the reinforced glass door.

Knock.‌ Knock.

The‍ young woman’s emaciated⁠⁠ body flinched.

“We’re⁠ soldiers. We’ve come‌ to help you.‌‍ Please open the‌‌⁠ door.”

But⁠⁠ she was still‍‌‌ suspicious.

After hesitating for a few moments, I spoke a name.⁠

“…I know Mr. Lee‌‍ Seon.”

The‍⁠‌ name of the‍‌‌ researcher who had‍⁠ become a zombie.⁠

The‍ name of her‌ brother.

The moment she heard‌ his name, Lee‍ Gaon’s expression changed‌ completely.

She⁠‌‍ immediately stood up⁠ and unlocked the‌‌ safety latch on⁠‍‌ the door.

I opened the glass‍ door.

A completely exhausted, trembling⁠‌ voice escaped through⁠‌ the opening.

“Y-You⁠ know… my brother?‍ H-How…? My brother…‍‌ didn’t have any‍ friends…”

“We‌ met through work‌ some time ago‌‌ and talked for‍‍ a little while.”‍‍

“Ah…”

I helped Lee Gaon‌ out.

Then⁠ I took a drink and a chocolate bar out of my backpack‍⁠ and handed them⁠⁠‍ to her.

“Please‌‍ wait over there for a moment.”

I sent her to‍ a safe corner.‍

Then I locked the‍ researcher who had‌‌‌ become a zombie‌‌ inside the director’s‌‍ office.

Afterward,‌‍⁠ I piled several‌‌ pieces of furniture⁠ in front of⁠ the reinforced door.‌‌

The‌‍ office was extremely⁠‍⁠ sturdy.

As‌‍ long as no one removed the‍ barricade from the‍ outside, he wouldn’t⁠‍ be able to⁠⁠ get out.

“Sniff…⁠ Hic…”

Meanwhile,⁠ Lee Gaon cried⁠‌ as she devoured‍‍‍ the chocolate bar‍‍ and drank the‌ beverage.

She‍ must have remained⁠ locked in there completely alone for⁠ a very long‍ time.

It‍⁠ was incredible that‌⁠‍ she had managed⁠⁠‍ to endure it.‌‍‍

“Thank‌ you very much…”⁠

She⁠‍ thanked me.

Then‌‌ she tried to thank Je Hyuno⁠ as well.

But‍‍ the moment she⁠⁠‌ saw his metallic⁠ hand, fear left⁠‌⁠ her completely frozen.‌‌

Looking‍‌⁠ at Je Hyuno,‍ I understood exactly⁠ how she felt.‌⁠‌

^ ^

Even⁠ hiding the metallic‌⁠ hand didn’t improve⁠‍ the situation very⁠⁠ much.

The‌ emoticon goggles.

The intimidating combat uniform.‌‍

And‍ the gas mask.‍

Even‍ I would avoid⁠⁠ crossing paths with‌⁠ someone dressed like‍ that on the⁠‍ street.

…To⁠‍ be honest, even⁠ now I wanted⁠ to keep my‍‍ distance from him.‍

I simply couldn’t afford‌ to.

“Could‌‍‌ you tell us‌ what happened here?”‍‌

The‍ moment she heard‍⁠‍ my question, Lee‍‌ Gaon broke into⁠‌ tears again.

Fresh tears flowed over the ones that⁠ had already dried.‌

I offered her another⁠⁠ bag of gummy‍ candies.

As‍ she ate them‍‍ between sobs, she⁠ began to speak.⁠⁠

“My‍ brother… h-hic… my‌⁠ brother…”

Her‍⁠ explanation was exactly‌ what I had‌‍ expected.

The⁠‍ surviving researchers had‌‌ exploited Lee Seon‌ as much as possible.

Using‌ the excuse that they would allow⁠⁠‍ his sister, merely‍ an intern, to remain sheltered inside‍‌ a restricted laboratory,‍⁠‌ they constantly sent⁠ him into the‍⁠⁠ most dangerous areas.‍

Lee‍ Seon was forced⁠‌ to go out‍ again and again⁠‌ to gather food‌ and supplies.

And⁠‌‍ the moment he‌ was bitten by⁠ a zombie.

They⁠‍⁠ immediately abandoned both⁠‍‍ him and his‌ sister.

Lee‌‌‌ Gaon did everything‌‍⁠ she could to‍ save her brother.⁠‌‌

The‌ researcher Mo Haein‌‌ had encountered was‌ none other than‍ her.

She⁠⁠ had gone all‍ the way to‍ Yellow Zone in‌ search of medical‍ supplies.

But when she returned,‌ Lee Seon’s zombification‌ had already become‍ irreversible.

After⁠⁠⁠ failing again and‌ again.

She had no choice‌⁠ but to watch‌ her brother transform‌ into a zombie⁠⁠ before her very‌‍ eyes.

I waited until she‍‍ had calmed down‌ a little before asking another question.‌‌‌

“Did‍ Mr. Lee Seon⁠‍ ever tell you‌ anything about the⁠ vaccine?”

“……”‌⁠

“I‌⁠ know this is⁠ an extremely difficult‌‍ moment, but…”

“I⁠‌ don’t know!”

Lee⁠⁠ Gaon suddenly raised⁠ her voice.

She‌ immediately realized what⁠ she had done‍ and apologized.

“I’m⁠⁠ sorry… But I really don’t know.”‍‍

“I⁠⁠‌ understand.”

“Even‍‌ if I did…‌‌ what good would‍ it do?”

The‍ tears she had⁠ barely managed to‌ hold back filled‌‌ her eyes once‌ more.

“My⁠ brother has already‌ become a zombie.”⁠⁠

I looked at her⁠‌ silently.

Countless⁠ thoughts crossed my⁠ mind.

Then‍ I remembered the⁠ mission I had⁠ seen at the‌ television station.

‘Media‌‌ literacy…’

The‌‌⁠ ability to distinguish‌ whether information is‌⁠ reliable or not.‌‌

It‍ didn’t take me‍ long to reach‌⁠‌ a conclusion.

“Miss‌ Lee Gaon.”

“Sniff…‌ Y-Yes?”

“You‌‌‍ know how to make the vaccine,‍ don’t you?”

A deep silence filled‍ the room.

Even⁠ Je Hyuno, who⁠‍ had been watching‌‌ as though none of this concerned‍‌‌ him, leaned forward‌ slightly with interest.⁠‌

Lee‌⁠ Gaon answered, completely‍‌⁠ bewildered.

“I really don’t know…‍ Besides, I’m not‍⁠ even an official‍ researcher. I’m just‍⁠‌ an intern…”

I interrupted her.

“You‍ do know.”

What⁠‍ had struck me‌⁠‍ as strange was⁠ that she had⁠⁠‍ gone all the‍⁠ way to Yellow⁠ Zone to obtain‍ medical supplies.

The laboratory specialized in‌‍ viruses.

It‌⁠ had top-of-the-line medical⁠ equipment.

There⁠‌ was no reason to risk her‌ life by going⁠ all the way‍ to Yellow Zone.‌⁠

There‌ was only one⁠‌ explanation.

“You⁠ went there to‍‌ get the materials‍ needed to make⁠ the vaccine.”

Lee‍ Gaon’s face turned⁠ pale.

I opened the quest⁠ again.

◆ Main Quest: Explore‍‍‌ the laboratory and‌‍ find the survivor⁠‌ capable of developing⁠‍ the vaccine.

The‌‍‍ quest already made‍⁠ it clear.

I had to find⁠‌ the person who could develop the‍ vaccine.

It⁠⁠ didn’t matter whether‍‌ they were a researcher or an⁠ intern.

As‍ long as they‌ were capable of‍‌‍ developing the vaccine,⁠⁠ they fulfilled the⁠‌‌ condition.

At‌ that moment, a ding sounded.

The system window updated.‌

You‌ have found the survivor capable of developing the vaccine!‍

The window confirmed that⁠‌⁠ my deduction was⁠ correct.

‘You‍ could’ve told me‌ sooner.’

It⁠‍‌ had waited until I reached the⁠ conclusion on my⁠‌ own before congratulating‌ me as if⁠⁠ I had just⁠ solved a puzzle.‌‍‍

More⁠ than a system⁠ window.

It‍ felt like nothing⁠ more than a notification.

You.⁠‍‍

I closed the window⁠⁠ before it could⁠‍ display another message.‍

Then‍‍⁠ I looked at‍⁠ Lee Gaon.

She‌ didn’t say a single word.

She⁠‍ simply remained deathly‌ pale, her fists clenched tightly.

She had the expression of someone who‍ wouldn’t reveal a single thing about‌‍ the vaccine even with a knife‌⁠‌ at her throat.‍

But‌ I had no‍ intention of threatening‌‌ her.

I simply asked a question.

“Aren’t you angry? Your brother ended up‌‍ turning into a zombie.”

“……”‌‍⁠

Lee⁠‌‍ Gaon, who had‌ been staring at‍‍ the floor, slowly‍ raised her head.⁠

“I’ll⁠⁠ help you get‌ your revenge.”

Her‌‍ pupils trembled.

“…How?”‌

There‌ was fear in‍ her voice.

It‍ was obvious that‍ the other researchers‌ had treated her‍ quite badly.

Since‌‍ she seemed to⁠‌ regard those surviving‍ researchers as extremely⁠ dangerous people, I extended my hand‌⁠‍ and pointed beside‌‌ me.

She‍ followed my gesture‌ with her eyes.⁠⁠

And slowly parted her‌‍‍ lips.

Standing⁠‌⁠ there was someone‍ capable of dealing‌‌ with them even‌‌ if, instead of two researchers, two‍⁠ entire companies of‍ fully armed soldiers‍ showed up.

Je⁠ Hyuno.

“I’ll‌‌‍ do whatever you‌ want with them.⁠‍ Kill them, spare‌⁠‌ them, or turn‌⁠ them into zombies‍⁠ just like they‍‍‍ did to your‌ brother. Whatever you‌⁠ decide.”

I thought I might have sounded a little too cold.‍‌

So‌⁠ I forced the‌ kindest smile I could manage.

Lee‌ Gaon stared at me for quite‌⁠‌ a while.

Finally,⁠ she asked,

“So‍ all I have‍‌ to do is‍‌ make the vaccine?”

The⁠‍ True Ending of‌ Dead Zone Delivery‌‌ was to develop‌ the vaccine.

But.‌

I didn’t want to⁠ clear the Trial‍ that way.

I glanced sideways at Je Hyuno.

His‍ black goggles were‍ fixed on me.

If‌‌ it had been⁠‌⁠ Kwak Hanmuk or⁠‌‍ Mo Haein, I might have hesitated‍⁠ before saying it.‍‌

But‌ with Je Hyuno,‌ there was no‌ need.